Monaco (3/30/13) – Earlier tonight at the stunning Salle d’ Etoile in beautiful Monaco, WBA and IBO middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” easily defended his title against challenger Nobuhiro Ishida, knocking out the former world champion with one devastating right hand in the third round of their scheduled 12-round championship contest.

Having never been stopped before, Ishida was looking to present a tough challenge for the young champion, but Golovkin would have no part in it. Golovkin stalked the much-taller opponent Ishida from the outset. By the second round, he was landing heavy shots with both hands and Ishida’s face began to show the wear and tear of the blows landed by Golovkin.

Near the end of the third round, with Ishida backing up to the ropes, Golovkin landed a picture perfect overhand right. The blow landed flush on Ishida’s jaw, sending the Japanese fighter through the ropes and out cold, flat on his back. Official time of the stoppage was 2:20 of round number three.

It was an impressive showing for Golovkin, who improved to 26-0, 23KO’s, with the stoppage victory.

RODRIGUEZ DECISIONS MADERNA

In the co-feature bout of the evening, undefeated super middleweight Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez moved on to the finale of the Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4 tournament pounding out a 10-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Argentine Olympian Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna.

Rodriguez was the aggressor throughout, pressing the action and landing the much bigger shots. Maderna was able to counter well though, keeping the fight relatively close.

Rodriguez was deducted a point for a low blow in the eighth round and another in the ninth for what the referee deemed a blow behind the head that dropped Maderna. It was a questionable call, as the blow seemed to land more toward the top of Maderna’s head. Rodriguez was able to get the point back later in the round though, as he dropped Maderna with a straight right hand just as the round was ending.

Rodriguez looked to end the show in the 10th, but settled for the unanimous decision, winning by scores of 96-92 twice, and 95-92. With the win, Rodriguez improves his record to 23-0, 15KO’s, while Maderna drops to 19-1, 13KO’s

.

GRACHEV HANDS ERDEI FIRST CAREER LOSS

In what was easily the fight of the night, Denis Grachev handed former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei his first career loss as a professional, taking a 10-round split decision and advancing on to the Super 4 Finale in July where he will face off against the undefeated Rodriguez.

It was a classic boxer (Erdei) vs. puncher (Grachev) matchup, as Erdei controlled the early action with beautiful boxing, working behind a piston-like jab, and leaving Grachev swinging and missing widely.

However, as the rounds progressed, Grachev was able to turn the fight into more of a slugfest, as he looked to rough up Erdei in the process. Grachev was the busier of the two, with Erdei landing the much cleaner blows.

With the fight up for grabs, both fighters came out in the 10th and final round throwing bombs. It was a close round, with both fighters having their moments.

In the end, two of the judges favored Grachev’s aggression over Erdei’s boxing ability, winning the split decision by scores of 96-94, 96-94, 94-96.

It was a close and controversial decision, with many at ringside having Erdei as the victor. Erdei’s performance was not wasted though, as he was invited back to fight on the card featuring the Super 4 Finale on July 13, back in Monaco.

The event was promoted by Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves. The Golovkin-Ishida bout was promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev bouts were promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment. The Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4 Tournament Finale will take place on July 13.

Monte Carlo – According to the latest odds on Bet365.com, WBA and IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin is a whopping -5000 pick to retain his title against Nobuhiro Ishida (+1200) in Monte Carlo on Saturday night.

In the Million Dollar Super Four event, light heavyweight Denis Grachev is a narrow -110 favorite to hand Zsolt Erdei (-125) his first career loss, while super middleweight Edwin Rodriguez is a solid -450 to defeat Ezequiel Maderna (+300).
Early on Friday evening the fighters weighed in with Golovkin, in particular, appearing in tremendous physical shape.
He looked all business as weighed in and was bang on the middleweight mark. “He looks a class apart from everyone,” said Hall of Famer Brian Mitchell, here as a television analyst. “Everything I’ve seen and heard suggests he is very special. I’m expecting him to be explosive.”

Apart from the US, where the tournament will be available via pay-per-view, it will be broadcast to a myriad countries, including Croatia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Albania, Montenegro, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Turkey, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Russia, Qatar, Argentina, Brazil, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Israel, Brazil, France, Switzerland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Monaco, South Africa, plus 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Monte-Carlo (3/29/13) – WBA middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, challenger Nobuhiro Ishida, and all four participants of the Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4 Tournament, Edwin Rodriguez, Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna, Zsolt Erdei and Denis Grachev weighed in earlier today for their mega event tomorrow night in Monaco at the Salle d’Etoile.

Golovkin tipped the scales at a ripped and ready 159¼lbs. (72.3 kg) while Ishida weighed 158½lbs. (71.9 kg). Rodriguez weighed in exactly at 168lbs. (76.2 kg) for his super middleweight contest against Maderna, who weighed in just below the super middleweight limit at 167½lbs. (76 kg). Former two-division champion Erdei weighed in well below the light heavyweight limit, tipping the scales at 171¼lbs (77.7 kg) while his opponent Grachev weighed in at 174¾lbs (79.3 kg).

The event in Monaco is headlined by red-hot WBA middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (25-0, 22KO’s) defending his title against former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida (24-8-2, 9KO’s). The opening round of the Super 4 tournament matches Edwin Rodriguez (22-0, 15KO’s) against Argentinean Olympian Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (19-0, 13KO’s) and former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18KO’s) squaring off against Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8KO’s). The card will be distributed in the United States and Canada on PPV by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View.

The “Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4” and Golovkin’s middleweight title defense will be distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH and Avail-TVN in the United States and in Canada via Bell TV, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. In addition, the event will be available via online Pay-Per-View at:

http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Gennady_Golovkin_vs_Nobuhiro_Ishida/1896

The event is promoted by Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves. The Golovkin-Ishida bout is promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev bouts are promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting the SBM Reservations Department by phone at: +377 98 06 36 36 (10 am to 7 pm) or email: ticketoffice@sbm.mc.

Monte-Carlo, Monaco (3/26/13) – Early this evening at the elegant Casino de Monte Carlo in beautiful Monaco, Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves, hosted the final press conference and V.I.P meet-and-greet, for Saturday’s much anticipated event in Monaco..

The event, promoted in association with Monte Carlo SBM Hotel and Casino, is headlined by red-hot WBA middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (25-0, 22KO’s) defending his title against former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida (24-8-2, 9KO’s). The opening round of the Super 4 tournament matches Edwin Rodriguez (22-0, 15KO’s) against Argentinean Olympian Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (19-0, 13KO’s) and former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18KO’s) squaring off against Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8KO’s). The card will be distributed in the United States and Canada on PPV by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View.

Berman, the premiere promoter in South Africa, kicked off the presser thanking everyone for coming out, and for everyone who was involved in putting this historic event together.

“A lot of people have put a lot of hard work into this,” said Berman. “This is going to be a fantastic event on Saturday night, with a card that features an array of talent and fantastic fighters from the top to bottom. There has been a huge worldwide response for this tournament which features “GGG” (Gennady Golovkin). We are just really excited to finally get things underway on Saturday night.”

The middleweight champion Golovkin took to the podium first:

“I am very happy to be here in this beautiful country and a in such great city and I want to thank everyone involved in this event. This is great for the fans and for the sport of boxing. I know Ishida well and I know this is going to be a difficult fight. I am ready to put on a great performance for everyone on Saturday night.

“I want to thank the champion for giving us the opportunity for this fight,” said the challenger, and former champion Ishida. “We know that he (Golovkin) is a great and powerful champion. He is very strong and one of the best fighters pound-for-pound in boxing, but we are here for the upset. We are prepared to do whatever we have to do to take this championship home with us.”

The first fighter of the Super 4 tournament to the podium was undefeated super middleweight contender Edwin Rodriguez (22-0, 15KO’s). The defending USBA champion, and IBF #3, WBC #3, WBA #5, WBO #12 rated super middleweight Rodriguez first thanked his promoter Lou DiBella and manager Larry Army, as well as the organizers of the event, including a special thanks to Rodney Berman, before giving his take on the tournament.

Below are quotes from all four contestants in the Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4:

“I think that this is a great tournament, for not only all of the fighters involved, but for the sport of boxing,” said Rodriguez. “Everyone in this tournament is coming in thinking that they are the favorite, and I know that I have a big task in front of me on Saturday with Maderna. I plan on taking care of business though, not only on Saturday but in the finale in July as well. I know everyone has worked very hard to get to this point, but I have no intentions on letting this opportunity pass me by. This is a monumental event for my career as well as for my family.”

“I respect Edwin as a fighter just like I respect everyone of my opponents that I am up against,” said Maderna. There is no doubt in my mind though I will be taking the victory with me back to Argentina.”

“I came back because I love boxing. This is my life,” said the two division long-time former world champion Erdei. “I want to prove that I am still one of the top fighters in the world and winning this tournament does just that.”

“I know everything there is to know about Zsolt,” said Grachev. “I know he is a tough opponent and it wasn’t a mistake that he was champion for as long as he was. I am here to win though. I am always confident going into my fights. It doesn’t matter who is in front of me, I will always fight hard and always find a way to win.”

The event in Monaco is headlined by red-hot WBA middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (25-0, 22KO’s) defending his title against former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida (24-8-2, 9KO’s). The opening round of the Super 4 tournament matches Edwin Rodriguez (22-0, 15KO’s) against Argentinean Olympian Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (19-0, 13KO’s) and former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18KO’s) squaring off against Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8KO’s). The card will be distributed in the United States and Canada on PPV by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View.

The “Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4” and Golovkin’s middleweight title defense will be distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH and Avail-TVN in the United States and in Canada via Bell TV, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. In addition, the event will be available via online Pay-Per-View at:

http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Gennady_Golovkin_vs_Nobuhiro_Ishida/1896

The event is promoted by Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves. The Golovkin-Ishida bout is promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev bouts are promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting the SBM Reservations Department by phone at: +377 98 06 36 36 (10 am to 7 pm) or email: ticketoffice@sbm.mc.

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 19, 2013) A media lunch for the Los Angeles boxing press was held on Saturday afternoon for WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and contender Nobuhiro Ishida who will clash on Saturday, March 30 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

The Golovkin/Ishida battle will be broadcast LIVE by Integrated Sports Media at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via IN Demand, DIRECT TV, DISH and Avail-TN/$24.95.

Gennady “GGG” Golovkin

“Thank you all for coming today, this will be a great fight and I’m looking forward to fighting in Monte Carlo, a beautiful part of the world. It’s very good for boxing that this is event is being held there.”

“It’s no problem for me to fight from 154 to 168.”

“I agree, my style means that I will never be in a boring fight.”

“Ishida is taller than me and that does present different challenges, I saw his fight with Pirog and I know how tough he is.”

Nobuhiro Ishida

“I have a lot of respect for Gennady and his power and consider him to be one of the best middleweights in the world.”

‘I am looking forward to fighting for a world title again.”

Daisuke Okabe, Co-Trainer of Ishida

“This could be Ishida’s last chance at a world title, he is like a samurai warrior and will do everything possible to win.

Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions

“We have a lot of respect for Ishida for agreeing to fight Gennady while others have avoided him at all costs.”

“Gennady wants to fight all over the world and it’s very important for him to put on exciting fights.”

“Ishida beat James Kirkland in a middleweight bout and his last fight was against Pirog, one of the top middleweights in the world. He’s very popular in Japan, Asia and Europe and we’ve had a lot of international interest.

“Our plan is to stay at 160 until a more attractive fight presents itself either at 154 or 168.”

“We’ve had very strong support in New York City from boxing fans and the Kazakh Consulate there and look forward to fighting there in the future.”

“While we are focused on making Gennady a household name in the United States, he would have no problem facing Sergio Martinez in Argentina.”

When asked about the Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin Trout winner, Loeffler stated,

“For the winner of Canelo vs. Trout, Gennady would have no problem fighting either at 154.”

“There is an excellent chemistry between Gennady and his trainer Abel Sanchez, it’s great to watch in the gym as well as in the ring. Gennady has been very accepting of Abel’s direction.”

Abel Sanchez, Golovkin’s Trainer

“We’re looking forward to a competitive fight on March 30th from both fighters.”

New York, NY (3/14/13) – As the date of Gennady Golovkin’s title fight in Monte-Carlo looms, Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman has issued a stark warning to the WBA and IBO middleweight champion: “Underestimate Nobuhiro Ishida at your peril.”

Unbeaten Golovkin makes his seventh title defence against the Japanese boxer, who is considered an underdog against one of the world’s best fighters, in Monaco on March 30.

Berman’s fighters have a remarkable knack for upsetting the odds, none more impressive than Corrie Sanders, who stopped heavy favourite Wladimir Klitschko in two rounds for the WBO heavyweight title 10 years ago.The late Sanders was a prohibitive underdog, but he stunned the doubters with the performance of his life.

Berman also promoted the heavyweight championship fight when Lennox Lewis was knocked cold by unheralded Hasim Rahman inside five rounds in 2001.

One of Berman’s earliest world championship promotions saw unbeaten Olympic champion Kennedy McKinney derailed by little-known South African Vuyani “The Beast” Bungu for the IBF super bantamweight title. Ring Magazine named it 1994’s “Upset of the Year”.

“I must admit, it’s a bit freakish, which is why I learned long ago never to underestimate anyone in boxing,” said Berman. “Some of the least likely boxers go on to do great things.”

Another such example occurred in 1996 when Sugarboy Malinga, who had lost nine fights, was matched with ferocious puncher Nigel Benn for the WBC super middleweight title. Few gave Malinga a chance, but he captured a split decision in Benn’s UK backyard.

Berman was again the mastermind when former lightweight champion Dingaan Thobela knocked out Glenn Catley to win the WBC super middleweight title 13 years ago. It was an extraordinary upset that demonstrated Thobela’s power.

Africa’s greatest promoter was again on hand when low-key Phillip Holiday challenged vaunted Miguel Julio for the vacant IBF lightweight title in 1995. The Colombian was on a run of 27 stoppages, but this time it was Holiday who inflicted the stoppage, winning by TKO in the 10th round against every expectation.

Ratanopol Sor Vorapin had made 10 defences of his IBF minimumweight title when he faced Zolani Petelo, another Golden Gloves star, in 1997. Yet the tiny South African overwhelmed him, inflicting a fourth-round stoppage.

“Complacency is every boxer’s biggest enemy, let this be a warning to Golovkin. Ishida will do him no favours,” said Berman.

Golovkin versus Ishida is the headliner on the “Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four” tournament that features four of the world’s best super middleweight and light heavyweight boxers, plus a clash for the European junior middleweight title.

The “Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4” is distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH and Avail-TVN in the United States and in Canada via Bell TV for a suggest retail price of only $24.95. In addition, the event will be available via online Pay-Per-View at: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Gennady_Golovkin_vs_Nobuhiro_Ishida/1896

The event is promoted by Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves. The Golovkin-Ishida bout is promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev bouts are promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting the SBM Reservations Department by phone at: +377 98 06 36 36 (10 am to 7 pm) or email: ticketoffice@sbm.mc.

New York, NY / Monaco / Johannesburg (February 1, 2013) – Africa’s promotional giant Golden Gloves has partnered with the Monte-Carlo SBM Group to announce the “Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four”, a four-man boxing spectacular.

The elimination event features Edwin Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs), Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18 KOs), Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8 KOs) and Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (19-0, 13 KOs).

Co-headlining this mammoth triple-header on March 30, which will pit Rodriguez against Maderna and Zsolt versus Grachev in the opener, is one of the biggest stars in world boxing today.

Undefeated WBA middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (25-0, 22 KOs) fresh off his sensational seventh-round destruction of Gabriel Rosado at Madison Square Garden,will defend his title against dangerous Japanese contender Nobuhiro Ishida (24-8, 9 KOs). The Golovkin-Ishida bout will be promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev matchups will be promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment.

“I am excited about fighting in Monaco in my next fight,” said Golovkin. “It is a great location and I always want to keep contact with my European fans. Ishida has proven he is a very dangerous opponent with his KO win over James Kirkland and I am up for the challenge.”

Tom Loeffler managing director of K2 added, “Gennady wants to stay active this year and this fight will give him the opportunity to defend his world titles in one if the premiere cities in the world. GGG had two great KO performances in the US on HBO and now it is time for him to showcase his skills again in Europe. Gennady’s recognition as the most feared middleweight has grown and he is truly the type of fighter that will fight anywhere in the world without hesitation.”

The two Super Four winners will fight for a 60/40 share of one million dollars on July 13th in Monaco.

The European junior-middleweight title bout featuring champion Sergei Rabchenko (Russia) and Adriano Nicchi (Italy) also features on this March 30 historic card.

The Final of the Super Four on July 13 in Monaco will be the boxing arm of the Nelson Mandela 95th Birthday Celebrations which will also serve to raise public awareness and interaction with Mandela’s initiative to encourage public funding for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, a project to build a state-of-the-art research and care facility for children throughout Africa.

The tournament will be held at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille and several parallel events will also take place at the elegant and historic Casino de Monte-Carlo during the week of the event.

“The opportunity of staging this mammoth event in Monaco is a great honour, and my deepest thanks and appreciation go to the Monte-Carlo SBM and its management team for their support and encouragement,” said Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves.

He continued: “We look forward to two outstanding events and hosting many international celebrities and dignitaries.”

Commenting on the event, Ndaba Mandela, one of Nelson Mandela’s grandsons, said: “On behalf of my foundation, Africa Rising, it is a great honor to be a part this event. My grandfather was an avid boxing enthusiast and we felt it would only be fit to honor him with a world-class boxing event as part of the Celebration of his 95th birthday. We are very excited to be a part of the Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four final to take place in Monaco in July and honored to have his Serene Highness Prince Albert II and the people of Monaco be a part of what will be an extraordinary celebration.”

The Africa Rising Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established by the Mandela grandsons, Ndaba and Kweku, in 2009 as a platform to empower the youth of not only South Africa, but also young Africans across the continent. The Foundation is endorsed by Nelson Mandela and is committed to shaping the image of Africa by means of educational programmes, entrepreneurship development projects and by celebrating African culture.

While the upcoming tournament will be the first professional boxing event held in the country in seven years, Monaco does in fact have a long history with the sport. The first world championship bout staged in Monaco took place 101 years ago, back in 1912.

“Monte-Carlo SBM is delighted to join forces with Golden Gloves in organizing one of the major boxing events in the world this year,” said Jean-Louis Masurel, Board Member of the company. He adds that “It will be a great honor to host such an event associated with the Nelson Mandela 95th birthday celebration”.

The Casino de Monte-Carlo, which has always been involved in sports and entertainment, will play a key role in this project and will make sure that these exciting Super Four tournament is optimized in order to meet the expectations of the fans among their casino clients.

With the winner of the Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four confirming himself as a top contender in his respective division, and a world title opportunity on the horizon, combined with the massive prize money, each fighter is confident that they will be the last man standing.

“It is a dream come true for me to participate in this tournament,” said Edwin Rodriguez. “I have worked my entire life for this opportunity and don’t plan on wasting it. While I am happy and honored to be in the tournament, I won’t be satisfied until I win it. Having not had the opportunity to participate in the 2008 Olympics, it’s an added bonus to be placed against an undefeated former Olympian in Maderna for my first fight. I want to thank to my manager Larry Army and my promoter Lou DiBella for putting me in this position and also a special thanks to Rodney Berman and Golden Gloves for giving me this opportunity.”

Rodriguez, the USBA champion, is ranked the WBC #2, IBF #3, and WBA #7 super-middleweight in the world. Having grown up fighting on such networks as ESPN and Showtime, Rodriguez’ last two fights were featured on the HBO network. In March last year, Rodriguez won a dominant 10-round unanimous decision over fellow super- middleweight contender Don George, and followed up that performance with a devastating eighth-round TKO stoppage over previously undefeated Jason Escalera in September.

While Rodriguez has been in the national spotlight for some time, the 2008 Argentinean Olympian Maderna, ranked as the WBO #6 and IBF #13-rated super-middleweight in the world, sees the tournament as his coming-out party.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity of proving myself at the international level against the best,” said Maderna. “This is my chance to show that I belong amongst the elite fighters in the world, and I promise that I will deliver.”

A former two-division world champion, both at light heavyweight and cruiserweight, Erdei won the WBO light heavyweight title in 2004 and defended it 11 times before moving up in weight and winning a 12-round decision over Giacobbe Fragomeni for the WBC cruiserweight title on November 21, 2009. After defeating Fragomeni, Erdei took some time away from the ring and even contemplated retirement after a remarkably successful run as a professional and amateur. Erdei boasts an incredible amateur record, having won 212 amateur bouts and a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

Erdei returned to the ring in late 2010, this time under the new promotional banner of DiBella Entertainment, with hopes of becoming a star in the United States. He quickly won two fights, including a sixth-round TKO over former super-middleweight champion Byron Mitchell, positioning himself for a shot at reclaiming his light-heavyweight crown.

Erdei was scheduled to take on current undefeated IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud in December 2011, but the card was cancelled and the bout against Cloud was called off.

Erdei is extremely motivated to get back into the ring and show everyone that he is still one of the top fighters in the world.

“I feel healthy, energized and focused,” said Erdei. “I have the opportunity with this tournament to prove that I am still the one of the best in the world. Winning the tournament puts me right in line for a shot at reclaiming my world championship, and there is no way I will let that opportunity pass me by.”

Rated as the number six light-heavyweight in the WBC world ratings, Russian native Grachev was a two-time world kick-boxing champion before becoming a professional boxer in 2007. Grachev had his coming-out party on April 27, 2012, when he took on the undefeated and highly regarded 17-0, top 10 light-heavyweight contender Ismayl Sillakh on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Grachev was able to dominate the southpaw Sillakh, who entered the contest as an 11-1 betting favorite, stopping him in the eight round of their scheduled 10-round contest. With the victory, Grachev won the NABF title.

On November 3, 2012, Grachev faced former IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute, in Bute’s hometown of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, at the Bell Centre. Despite Grachev being the aggressor and the busier of the two, Bute was awarded a close unanimous decision. With the bad taste of the Bute decision still resonating, Grachev believes that this tournament is the perfect way to get himself back into the world title picture.

“I believe that I am fighting the best out of the four of us, but once I beat Erdei, I will then be the top guy left in the tournament,” proclaimed Grachev. “I can’t rely on the judges in these bouts. That is why I am going to take matters into my own hands and I am going into this tournament with the full intention of knocking both of my opponents out. This is a huge opportunity for me and a way for me to reach my ultimate goal as being recognized as one of the best fighters in the entire world.”

“This is a huge opportunity for these four fighters,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment and promoter of Rodriguez and Erdei. “The winner of this tournament clearly cements themselves as one of the top fighters in the entire world and I am thrilled to be a part of what promises to be a historic event.”

Situated on the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco is one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and attracts millions of visitors each year. The Casino de Monte-Carlo, owned and operated by the Monte-Carlo SBM Group, is the premiere casino destination in Europe. It continues to attract gamblers among the wealthiest and most well-known celebrities.

A country rich in sports history, Monaco is home of the world famous Formula 1 Grand Prix motor race and many major international events such as the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.

The “Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four” will be broadcast internationally, including countries across Western Europe, the US, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and 50 nations throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including adjacent islands.

TICKET PRICES FROM €200.

WBA Middleweight champion will most likely defend his crown against Nobuhiro Ishida on March 30h in Monte Carlo according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“We would look for the biggest names that would fight him by that time,” said Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler said of the June bout. “Hopefully someone steps up (to fight Golovkin) with the bigger HBO budget.”

“I was impressed with Daniel Geale’s performance and wish to publicly congratulate him on his victory,” Golovkin said. “I know this was personal for him as he had lost previously to Mundine and he certainly got his revenge.”

“I also want to wish Felix Sturm the best of luck in his upcoming bout against Soliman,” Golovkin said. “I’m sure he was quite disappointed losing to Geale last September and is looking to shine against Soliman. Felix avoided me as his mandatory for over two years when he was champion, but I will give him the opportunity to fight for his old title whenever he would like to.”

Titleholder Peter Quillin is another opponent Golovkin is interested in. Quillin makes his first title defense against Fernando Guerrero on April 27 in Brooklyn, N.Y. The card was postponed from Feb. 9 because junior welterweight titlist Danny Garcia, who faces former titlist Zab Judah in the main event, suffered a rib injury.

“I’m aware that his fight with Fernando Guerrero was pushed back until the end of April. He’s talked about fighting me in the past and I’m certainly interested if he’s serious,” Golovkin said.

“I want the biggest fights and the best challenges, as I’ve said all along,” Golovkin said. “With HBO broadcasting my fights, either Geale or Sturm would be a perfect fight this year. Geale said after the fight (with Mundine) that he wanted to fight in the U.S. this year. Look no further — we can make a title unification bout this summer.”

Follow all the action LIVE from Corpus Christie, Texas when former two division champion Paul Williams takes on former champion Nobohiro Ishida. The card will feature the IBF Light Heavyweight championship bout between Tavoris Cloud and Gabriel Campillo plus bouts involving heavyweight contenders Chris Arreola and Malik Scott. The action begins at 8pm eastern/7pm in Texas

12 ROUNDS SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS–PAUL WILLIAMS (40-2, 27 KO’S) VS NOBUHIRO ISHIDA (24-6-2, 9 KO’S)

Round 1 Williams lands a straight left…10-9 Williams

Round 2 Ishida lands a left..Williams lands a straight left to the body…20-19 Williams

Round 3 Williams lands a combination…Straight left…Ishida lands a jab…Williams lands a good straight left…Ishida lands a counter right..body shot..left hook..Right hook from Williams…30-28 Williams

Round 4 Ishida lands a good hook..Lead left hook..Counter right..Williams lands a straight left that backs up Ishida..39-38 Williams

Round 5 Williams lands a nice combinations…2 up jabs..Heavy combination..uppercut..straight left..49-47 Williams

Round 6 Williams shoeshining…3 right uppercuts…Right to the body..ishida lands 2 rights…59-56 Williams

Round 7 Lead uppercut from Williams…69-65 Williams

Round 8Williams Volume punching to the body and head..Ishida gets in a right….79-74 Williams

Round 9Lead right staggers Ishida…89-83 Williams

Round 10Williams working inside…99-92 Williams

Round 11Williams letting his hands go..109-101 Williams

Round 12 Williams punching in bunches..ishida lands a couple counter rights…Straight left from Williams…119-110 Williams

PUNCH STATS
Williams 248-934 Ishida–147-671

120-108 all 3 judges for PAUL WILLIAMS

12 ROUNDS–IBF LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE–TAVORIS CLOUD (23-0, 19 KO’S) VS GABRIEL CAMPILLO (21-3-1, 8 KO’S)

Round 1 BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES CAMPILLO…CLOUD ALL OVER CAMPILLO AND DROPS HIM AGAIN…10-7 Cloud

Round 2 Campillo lands a 1-2…19-17 Cloud

Round 3 Campillo lands an uppercut..28-27 Cloud

Round 4 Cloud lands a right to the chest..Campillo lands a combination..Countering..Blood from Left eye of Cloud…37-37…CUT WAS RULED FROM A PUNCH

Round 5 Cloud lands a short left hook…Campillo lands a combination..Uppercut…Cloud lands a left hook…47-46 Campillo

Round 6 Both guys trading body shots…Campillo landing combinations..57-55 Campillo

Round 7Campillo lands a combination that moves Cloud back..Cloud lands a flurry..Campillo pressuring Cloud..Cloud lands a right..66-65 Campillo

Round 8 Campillo lands a right hook…Huge jab that is followed by a combination..straight left…76-74 Campillo

Round 9 Campillo lands an uppercut…86-83 Campillo

Round 10 Campillo continuing to land combinations..Cloud lands a right…Campillo lands a straight left and jab…96-92 Campillo

Round 11Campillo beginning to land hard shots on Cloud…Doctor now looking at the cuts on Clouds face…Cloud can continue…Cloud coming forward…Campillo landing a combination..Big right from Cloud backs up Campillo…106-101 Campillo

Round 12 Campillo lands a left…Cloud outlanding Campillo…115-111 Campillo

115-111 CAMPILLO; 116-110 CLOUD; 114-112 CLOUD

6 Rounds Super Middleweights–Alfonso Lopez (22-2, 17 KO’s) vs Justin Williams (3-5-1, 2 KO’s)

Round 1 Williams lands a short right,…Good right..10-9 Williams

Round 2 BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES LOPEZ…20-17 Williams

Round 3 Good right from Williams…2 uppercuts…Good left has Lopez holding on…Lopez lands a left and right…double right…right to top of head..Williams lands a right at the bell..30-27 Williams

Round 4 Good jab from Lopez…Good jab…39-37 Williams

Round 5 Double left from Lopez...48-47 Williams

Round 6 Lopez lands a combination…57-57

57-56; 58-55; 58-55 FOR WILLIAMS

10 ROUNDS HEAVYWEIGHTS—CHRIS ARREOLA (34-2, 29 KO’S) VS ERIC MOLINA (18-1, 14 KO’S)

Round 1 Body shot from Molina…Right to the body…Big right Hurts Arreola…...HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES MOLINA AND HE CANT BEAT THE COUNT…FIGHT IS OVER

8 ROUNDS HEAVYWEIGHTS–MALIK SCOTT (32-0, 11 KO’S) VS KENDRICK RELEFORD (22-15-2, 10 KO’S)

ROUND 1 Scott lands a combination..2 body shots…right to head..left to body..Releford lands a jab…Scott lands a nice right..nice uppercut…good tight and an uppercut…Hard lead uppercut..combination..right over top….10- 9 Scott

Round 2 Scott lands an uppercut…left…3 punch combination that ends with a great uppercut..20-18 Scott

Round 3 Scott lands a right..Relford lands a combination…Scott lands a left..right..good left to the body..good left..4 punch combination…30-27 Scott

Round 4 Good right to the body/left to the head….good right from Scott..3 punch combination..40-36 Scott

Round 5 Good left from Scott..Releford bleeding from nose…Good right from Scott..50-45 Scott

Round 6Scott lands a lead uppercut…Left from Releford…..60-55 Scott

Round 7 Double left to the body and a sharp right from Scott…uppercut…70-64 Scott

Round 8 Scott Jabbing…Good body shot..80-73 Scott

PUNCH STATS
Scott 181-530 Releford 88-523

79-73; 80-72; 80-72 UNANIMOUS DECISION SCOTT

CLOUD – CAMPILLO WEIGH IN

ARREOLA – MOLINA WEIGH IN

Former Welterweight world champion Paul Williams will be back in action on February 18th when he takes on Nobohiro Ishida on February 18th as part of a Showtime televised card that will also feature IBF Light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud defending against Gabriel Campillo according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“Paul is anxious to get back in there and re-establish himself in the minds of people who don’t give him credit for winning the fight with Lara,” said Williams promoter Dan Goossen. “People will forget real quickly with a good performance against Ishida. Whether you had Paul winning or losing (against Lara) it was an exciting fight and that’s what Paul Williams is known for — being in those types of fights. He gives as good as he gets most of the time, so I think this should be another one of those good Paul Williams fights.

“I believe Kirkland’s performance against Angulo was a factor that showed that Ishida deserved the shot with Williams in another big fight,” Goossen said. “To me, Ishida has earned his opportunity to fight a fighter like Paul Williams and Paul has earned the right to fight the man who knocked out James Kirkland. This is a fight that will be a barometer to see where Paul is. I believe he is still at the top of the class in the 154-pound division. Ishida is somebody you have to contend with to get back to that top level.”

“One of the things I love about it is that he is right-handed,” Goossen said.

If Williams is successful against Ishida, Goossen said the hope is that Williams will get a rubber match with Martinez and a rematch with Lara.

“That’s a fight we would like to get back,” Goossen said of another fight with Martinez. “They’re 1-1. Paul wants to do it again with Lara, too, even though he got the victory because Paul is the kind of fighter who wants to erase any doubts.”

“When Campillo got call to fight on Dec. 31 he took the fight immediately,” said Sampson Lewkowicz, Campillo’s promoter. “When they canceled the fight I kept Campillo in training. Now we are getting the fight on Feb. 18. We have agreed on everything. I spoke with Don King (Cloud’s promoter) and I am waiting for the paperwork.”

It’s been 8 months since we last saw Paul “The Punisher” Williams in action. On July 9th he makes his much anticipated return. For several weeks several guys were linked with Williams before it was announed he would be fighting Japan’s Nobuhiro Ishida who was coming of a stunning first round KO over James Kirkland, however many felt this wasn’t a fight worthy of HBO who promply brought in unbeaten Cuban Erislandy Lara instead. It’s not something that concerns him, he’s hungry to get back to doing what he does best and wants to make a statement following his brutal loss to Sergio Martinez. Still only 29, with an imposing 6’1 frame to go along with a wing span of 82 inches, he’s a southpaw with a high work rate making him a nightmare for pretty much everyone from 147-160. Here’s what Williams had to say ahead of his comeback.

Hello Paul, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You’re returning to action 9 July on HBO. Can you tell us about this?

Paul Williams – I’ll be fighting the Cuban Erislandy Lara in Atlantic City. I don’t want to say to much about him. I respect his ability and am looking forward to the fight but wont get caught up in a war of words with him. I am a professional and will handle myself like a gentleman. I’ll let my fists do my talking.

Anson Wainwright – What are you looking at from your performance in this fight to move forward?

Paul Williams – What I’m looking for is me to go out there and put on a good show. Like that last fight I had with Sergio Martinez they wanna know how I’m going to perform after that. I’m going to go in there and do my thing. I got caught, the best get caught. It’s not like I got beat up. For me I know there’s a possibility that can happen in a fight so I’m not worried. I just want to get in there and go to work again.

Anson Wainwright – What weight will this fight take place at? What weigh class are you intending to fight in for the foreseeable future?

Paul Williams – I don’t know it could be 54 or 60 for me it really don’t matter.

Anson Wainwright – What weigh class are you intending to fight in for the foreseeable future?

Paul Williams – I want to keep doing what I’m doing now go up and down the weight classes. Wherever we can get a big name fighter, if the money’s right and everything. If that’s the move we’re gonna make I’m game for it. I’m a fighter that’s what I do, that’s how I make my living.

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

Paul Williams – My manager is Mr Peterson, my trainer is Mr Peterson. Everybody knows him as George “Jumbo” Peterson and Al Haymon and Dan Goossen there my promoters. Well we’re down here in Washington D.C and we go to every gym around. Right now we’re actually at Club 150 Center. We go to different gyms, where the works at, we keep on the move.

Anson Wainwright – Last year you fought Sergio Martinez in a rematch, he stopped you in the second. What are your thoughts and feelings on that looking back? How difficult was this for you to deal with?

Paul Williams – After the fight we still had our party as we would if we’d won, nothing changed. I joked around with the guys. You know when you play Fight Night video games and you try to get up and put everything back together that’s how it is. Line everything back up, by that time they’d stopped the fight. I was like I’m good. I saw the doctor to make sure I was clear. Right after that fight everything went out the window, I was like it is what it is. I wasn’t crying or sad, I would have been mad if I wasn’t in shape but I was in the best shape. That first round was going to be like the second round, third round, fourth round and pick it up till the fight was over but I got caught and I have to live with it. But did I dwell on it or beat myself up on it? No I went out had my fun just like when I lost to Quintana, I had my fun. When I get back in there you better believe who ever it is is going to pay for it. As I tell everybody you can’t accept winning if you can’t accept losing. I deal with it, its business. I’d of been happy if I’d of won just like he was its competion.

Anson Wainwright – You’ve lost twice in 41 fights but have victories over both Carlos Quintana & Sergio Martinez who beat you. You have beaten Margarito, Cintron, Winky Wright etc who would you say has been the best fighter you have ever fought to date?

Paul Williams – To be honest I put all them in the same category. Not down playing their skills or anything. I never got in the ring with a guy I couldn’t do anything to, I never got in with a guy I couldn’t get off with , I always get mine in. They all have their skills. I really don’t know I just go in there to fight.

Anson Wainwright – What goals do you have in Boxing?

Paul Williams – The goals I have in Boxing. I’ve accomplished just about all my goals, becoming a world champion, that’s the main thing you want to do. And becoming a 2 time champion. Now I want to fight the best out there. I’d love to get in there with Manny Pacquiao. I call out these guys’ names but you never hear these guys call out Paul Williams’s name. You know he’s (Pacquiao) the best out there and my thing is who else can you fight who is a big name besides me only Martinez and Martinez ain’t no big name. He got a big win over me but his last fight not to down play it, I saw it on TV it seemed like the whole building could of fell in and it wouldn’t of hurt anyone cos there wasn’t that many people there.

Anson Wainwright – You were born in Aitken, South Carolina. Can you tell us about your younger days and what it was like for you growing up?

Paul Williams – I was born in Augusta, Georgia but raised in Aitken, South Carolina. I didn’t really have a tough upbringing. My mom raised us good, working 2 jobs to keep me and my two brothers and sisters. I can’t say any of my family were locked up or any bad stuff. We’re a pretty good family. My mom did the best she could. When I started to get to my teens I started hanging with my friends a little more but we never had any issues with the law or anything like that. I had a good upbringing, it made me who I am today, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I had a few street fights with my friends and other friends coming up in the neighbourhood that made me tougher like any normal kid would go through but nothing bad like real poor or anything like that. My mom did her best and put food on the table for us.

Anson Wainwright – How did you first become interested and then take up Boxing?

Paul Williams – I used to be on the school bus and the driver called Lee Wells was a friend of the family, my mom knew his wife. I used to get on the bus be bad fighting and he thought I had a lot of energy. (So he said) Hell put him in Boxing. He asked me and my older brother if we wanted to box. I was like sure I’ll do it. Then we got into it and I fell in love with it.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing. What are your hobbies & Interests?

Paul Williams – I like to get in my old school car and ride up and down the highway. Go to the gun range, shoot my gun you know a little fishing. Ride my bike, be out clear my head away from Boxing. Actually I plan on doing 3 more fights then hang them up. Do my Real Estate; I’ve got some houses and apartments that’s my plan. That’s what I’m already doing so I’ll keep with that.

Anson Wainwright – Would you stay involved in Boxing in some capacity?

Paul Williams – To be honest I probably wouldn’t. I don’t want to get the urge to comeback and not be hungry and get hurt. Right now I’m hungry and want to get what I can get out of it before I get old. I’ve been doing it since I turned 17 and now I’m 29 about to be 30 on July 27. This sports for the young guys. I’ve got Mr Peterson we have a good thing going on he taught me the business side and what to do with my money. So I’ve got a good nest egg with my Real estate and Property I’m renting out. I feel like 3 more big fights then I can hang my gloves up. I’d rather be home with my kids.

Anson Wainwright – You’ve had 2 fights with Martinez would you like to do a third? Who would you like to fight?

Paul Williams – My fans would like to see it, I ain’t got to say I want him. He knows if he wants big money there ain’t nobody but me, he knows that I beat him the first time and he beat me the second time. Let’s make a third fight. There’s no way he set that punch up. It was just a lucky punch that landed but I can’t knock him for it, it landed. Don’t go saying you set it up, everybody knows that bull. It is what it is. I’d love to do a Pacquiao fight a Martinez fight.

Anson Wainwright – How about Floyd Mayweather Jnr. I know he’s with Al Haymon is that a doable fight?

Paul Williams – Everything is doable I think, lets make it.

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

Paul Williams – Oh to my fans, I’m doing good. I’m blessed. I bought some more property to rent out to people who want to live down south. They’ll see the same Paul Williams, doing the same thing putting on a good show for my people and fans, you’re going to see a good fight.

Thanks for taking time out to speak to us Paul.

Anson Wainwright

15rounds

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that former two-division world champion Paul Williams will return to the ring for the first time after being smashed in two round by Middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, on July 9th when he takes on Nobouhiro Ishida in Atlantic City.

“We’ve made a deal with Golden Boy for Ishida,” Dan Goossen, Williams’ promoter, said.

“We have a verbal agreement with Ishida and we are just waiting for the signed contract to come back,” said Eric Gomez of Golden Boy Promotions, which co-promotes Ishida with Canelo Promotions. “Ishida agreed to the fight. Everybody involved has agreed to the fight. We’re looking forward to it.”

“We figured since this young man stopped Kirkland, he was hot since Kirkland was hot,” said George Peterson, Williams’ trainer. “We said, ‘Hey, we’ll fight him.’ ”

“We are just anxious to get Paul back in the ring and to do it against someone who just had a spectacular first-round knockout over a highly respected fighter in James Kirkland. That adds intrigue to Paul’s first fight back from the Martinez fight,” Goossen said.

“My experience has told me not to have any concerns,” Goossen said. “I have seen a lot of great fighters — Tommy Hearns, Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko — be on the bad end of a great punch and come back and be dominant world champions. I’ve got no reason to think that Paul Williams won’t follow in those same footsteps.”

HBO accepted Ishida as the opponent after the Williams camp turned down a number of proposed opponents, including former titlist Sergiy Dzinziruk and former title challenger Deandre Latimore.

“It’s going to be Ishida, no doubt about that, so that is who we are preparing for,” Peterson said. “But I haven’t seen him yet. I don’t know the type of fighter he is, but we just want to fight. I heard he knocked Kirkland down three times. I thought Kirkland was a little tougher than the way it seems that fight went, but you never know when you get clocked. A lot of times you don’t recover. So I will take a look at the tape in the next couple of days. But we are looking forward to fighting. All Paul wants to do is fight.”

“The big question is going to be Paul Williams,” Gomez said. “How is he? Ishida has never been knocked out. He’s not a big puncher even though he looked like one against Kirkland. When a guy is coming off a really bad knockout, are they the same? I think we’ll know in the first couple of rounds. If Ishida lands a big punch we will know. We don’t know what Williams has left in the tank. It’s not just the Martinez fight either. Williams has been fighting tough fights since the (Antonio) Margarito fight (in 2007). How much more does he have in the tank?

“Goossen and Team Williams are doing the right thing by getting a guy that doesn’t have a high knockout ratio. But I did the same thing with Kirkland and we guessed wrong. We put Ishida in with Kirkland and, surprisingly, he knocked out Kirkland. You would figure Paul Williams should win. He’s always had a good chin and throws so many punches. But what does he have left? We’ll see what happens. Ishida has nothing to lose and will probably go for broke again.”

“We can’t hang our heads in sorrow and cry over a loss,” Peterson said. “Paul is like, ‘If I take a loss, I take a loss.’ Like (in his first career loss to Carlos Quintana), he said he had a bad night with Martinez. Paul just said, ‘Hey, I had a bad night. I got caught.’ ”

“Paul had some time off, some needed time off,” Peterson said. “We are to a point where we realize that it’s going to be a struggle getting back and getting the recognition after the devastating loss. But Paul will be back and will want Martinez again, no doubt about it. After this one, he wants to fight Martinez for a third time. He is not ducking anyone.

“When I tell people we want to fight Martinez for a third time people say you do? Why not? The guy is in the fighting business. This is his occupation. Guys who shy away from a challenge, we don’t consider them fighters. They are hustlers, pick pocketers.”

Sources have informed 15rounds.com that unbeaten contender James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland of Austin, TX will face Nobuhiro Ishida April 9 as part of a pay per view card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV. Kirkland, 27-0 (24 KO’s), will fight for the third time since leaving prison. Ishida, of Osaka, Japan, owns a respectable 22-6-2 ledger with 7 wins by way of knockout. This is his first bout since losing to Rigoberto Alvarez last October in Mexico.

Marc Abrams contributed to this report