Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

TSS team-member Bob Mladinich will be discussing and signing copies of his latest true crime book, “Hooked Up for Murder,” at the Barnes and Noble on Route 110 in Huntington Station on Thursday, August 23, 2007, at 7:30 P.M.

The book, which was released in July 2007, chronicles the murder of clean-cut college student Mark Fisher by a gang of wannabe gangsters in Brooklyn in October 2003. Two young men were convicted of gunning Fisher down for what the prosecution said was street credibility for their fledgling gang called the Ghetto Mafia.

The Barnes and Noble is located on the east side of Route 110, approximately 1 mile north of the Northern State Parkway and
1 1/2 miles north of the LIE.

For more informatioon, please contact Mladinich at 917-204-5916. Hope to see you there.

SALT LAKE CITY (August 18, 2007) – A vintage double left hook to the head gave David “Tuaman� Tua an impressive first round knockout victory against Saul “La Cobra� Montana in tonight’s main event on the Pinnacle FiteNite pay-per-view show, promoted by C.A.M. Boxing, Inc. in association with Sports and Entertainment Media, Inc. and Gotham Boxing, at the South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah.

“Pinnacle FiteNite� is a pro boxing pay-per-view series emanating for a wide variety of venues across the county.

Tua (48-3-1, 40 KOs), ranked No. 13 by the WBC, unleashed his lethal left hook on Montana (48-15, 42 KOs), positioning himself closer to another world title fight. “I’m grateful for this opportunity,� Tua said after the fight. “I was never gone and this was not a comeback fight. This time I was able to train to fight, not train to lose weight. I hope to soon get an opportunity to fight for the world title.�

In the co-feature, unbeaten Israeli heavyweight prospect Roman Greenberg (26-0, 18 KOs), fighting out of England, extended his win streak to 26, stopping former WBO heavyweight title challenger “Dangerous� Damon Reed (43-12, 30 KOs) when referee Jonathan Tuero halted the bout 43 seconds into the ninth round. Greenberg unloaded in the eighth rebound dropping Reed three times, although one was ruled a slip, and the action ended at 43 seconds of the ninth when Reed took a knee again for the third straight time in the fight (twice in the 8th).

“It took a little longer than I would have liked,� Greenberg remarked, “but I hadn’t fought for a while (5 months). I wasn’t sure what was going on in the eighth round (knockdown ruled a slip). I saw that I could break him down with body shots (left hooks).�

Former WBO heavyweight title challenger Jeremy “Half-Man, Half-Amazing� Williams (42-5-1, 35 KOs), fighting as a cruiserweight for the first time, won an exciting eight-round split decision versus Salt Lake City favorite Gary “Pit Bull� Gomez (18-9-1, 7 KOs). “I’m back,� Williams noted. “I felt good. It was my first fight back (after 2 ½ years of inactivity). Remember, I will be the cruiserweight champion of the world.�

Undefeated New York City prospect Peter “Kid Chocolate� Quillin (14-0, 12 KOs) opened the PPV show with a knockout at 1:38 of the opening round against Mexican super middleweight Jose Humberto “Olimpico� Corrall (10-6, 7 KOs). “I threw some chocolate bombs,� Quillin said. “Coming off this win we’re looking for bigger and better things.�

Mexican junior welterweight Braulio Lopez (6-5-1, 1 KO), fighting out of Oregon, won a six-round split decision against Utah veteran Justo Sanchez (17-22-1, 0 KOs), of Howell (UT), Las Vegas high-profile defense attorney Marc “The Defender� Saggese (3-0, 3 KOs) blasted out cruiserweight Trevor Pasha (0-3) 40 seconds into the first round, Utah welterweight Miguel Beltran won his pro debut via a fourth-round unanimous decision against Martin Vierra (2-2, 1 KO), Chris Fernandez (13-3, 7 KOs) won a slugfest by four-round decision versus Willie Walton (2-1, 1 KO) in a battle of Salt Lake City welterweights.

World Wrestling Entertainment® (WWE) rocks Madison Square Garden this weekend when “Saturday Night’s Main Event” returns for a special presentation on Saturday, August 18th, from 11:30 p.m. – 1:00 am ET/PT. In an interesting turn of events, United States Champion MVPâ„¢ taps boxing legend Evander Holyfield as his replacement to go head-to-head against WWE Superstar Matt Hardyâ„¢ in a special boxing match.

Additionally, more news about the Mr. McMahon paternity suit will be revealed in Saturday’s broadcast and “Stone Cold� Steve Austin™ will make a special appearance.

Other key matches include:

· WWE Champion John Cena® against Carlito™

· SmackDown® tag-team match with Batista® and Kane® against The Great Khali™ and Finlay™

· ECW® tag-team match with C.M. Punk™ and Boogeyman™ against Big Daddy V™ and John Morrison™

With a career record of 42-8-2, Holyfield, known all over the world as “The Real Deal,� is vying to win boxing’s Heavyweight Championship for an unprecedented fifth time on October 13 in Moscow (available on PPV) when he fights Sultan Ibragimov for the WBO Heavyweight Title.

“Saturday Night’s Main Event” debuted on NBC in late night as a replacement for “Saturday Night Live” repeats in 1985, and originally ran through 1992. The groundbreaking program brought professional wrestling to broadcast television for the first time and set off two decades of success on broadcast and cable, including ratings titan “Monday Night RAW®” on USA Network. The televised wrestling rumbles also launched a galaxy of multi-talented Superstars that crossed over from the ring to countless areas of American entertainment, such as Hulk Hogan, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, The Honky Tonk Man and King Kong Bundy.

On August 24th Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing is back with the 5th installment of its popular boxing series “Punchin’ at the Paradise� at the Utopia Paradise Theater in the Bronx. The main event features Dominican Dynamo Delvin Rodriguez (20-2-1, 12KO’s) making his first ring appearance since his March 23 thrill-a-minute slugfest with Jesse Feliciano when he takes on Keenan Collins (12-2-1, 8KO’s) of Reading, PA.

Tickets are reasonably priced $100, $50 and $30 and can be purchased at Utopia’s Paradise Theater box office (718) 220-6143, at all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or by calling Star Boxing at (718) 823-6600.

No other fighter in recent memory has produced more KO highlight’s for ESPN2 then the hard-hitting Delvin Rodriguez. From knocking undefeated Allen Conyers through the ropes and onto the floor, to dropping Chris Henry–producing a spectacular KO is an art, Delvin is the DiVinci of the Masterpiece KO .

“You throw your right hand, you punch the guy, and the next thing you know he’s falling down. You feel the impact, but it’s like you just touched him and he’s down,” Delvin said in a recent interview with ESPN’s Joe Tessitore.

On August 24th, Delvin Rodriguez will take Friday Night Fights to another level of showmanship, skill, and talent by pulling out all the stops. “I want all my people out in the Bronx, Washington Heights, and all of NYC to come out to the fights on August 24th. I know with all of “mi gente� (my people) supporting me I’m going to win big.�

In the co-feature, Undefeated Puerto Rican Cruiserweight Alfredo Escalera Jr, (14-0, 11KO’s) son of legendary super featherweight champion Alfredo “Salsero� Escalera, makes his NY debut when he takes on Harvie Jolley (6-4-1, 3KO’s) of Detroit, MI. Escalera Jr. has KO’d 10 opponents before the 4th round, and 6 opponents didn’t even get past the 1st round. Don’t blink

On the undercard, undefeated Jr. Welterweight prospect “The New� Ray Robinson (3-0) will face Willie Diamond (7-9-1, 3KO’s) of Little Rock, AR. Robinson continues to turn heads with not only his name, but with his superb boxing skills. In April, Robinson beat Puerto Rican Olympic alternate Roberto Acevedo.

Two of NYC’s most popular female fighters will clash in a NYC turf war. NABF Atomweight Champion Suzannah Warner (7-4, 2 KO’s) takes on the former three-time NY Daily News Golden Glove Champ Eileen Olszewski (3-0)in a special 6-round attraction.

Undefeated Jr. Welterweight Joel Torres (7-0, 4KO’s) of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico takes on Daniel Sostre (4-2, 1KO) of Newburgh, NY in a 6-rounder.

“Semper-Fi�, Yonkers Cruiserweight Jon “The Fighting Marine� Schneider (4-1, 3KO’s) goes up against Wade Gilbert (1-0, 1KO) of Little Rock, AR in a 4-rounder. In his last outing, Schneider blitzed his opponent, Travis Waters, and put him away in spectacular fashion scoring a KO 0:40 into round one.

You won’t want to miss out on this exciting evening of action brought to you by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the first fight goes on at 7:30 PM.

With two spectacular wins in 2007 over Montell Griffin and Fred Moore, former World Light Heavyweight Champion Glen Johnson has proven that, like a fine wine, he is only getting better with time.

And if his performances in the ring didn’t speak loud enough, the refusal of any of the big names at 175 pounds to fight him shouts to the world that just as in the time leading up to his breakout year in 2004, Johnson is the most feared man in boxing.

“I guess I should wear this as a badge of honor, but truthfully, it disgusts me that fighters who call themselves World Champions won’t give me a shot,� said Johnson (46-11-2, 31 KOs). “I’ve earned my way here, I always put on exciting fights, and I give the fans their monies’ worth. Shouldn’t that be worth anything?�

Apparently not according to WBC titlist Chad Dawson, IBF belt holder Clinton Woods, and old rivals Antonio Tarver, Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins, who won’t even mention a fight with Johnson.

“They all have amnesia when it comes to my name, and it’s a disgrace,� said Johnson. “Each one of them could have accepted a fight with me but either refused or ignored me. They give their titles a bad name.�

So what is Johnson to do?

What he always does – fight. And eventually, someone, somewhere will have to fight him.

It’s the way of ‘The Road Warrior’.

—from a release

“El Gato� Figueroa All In & On Track

MIAMI (August 14, 2007) – Newly crowned NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato� Figueroa, in a reality short time period, has gone from counseling rebellious teens to tormenting opponents in the ring.

The Spanish Harlem-born, Bronx-raised Figueroa (17-2, 13 KOs), now fighting out of Miami, captured his NABF title belt on July 28, stopping former NABA champion Ubaldo Hernandez in the 12th round. Hernandez’ portfolio includes a win against former IBF title challenger Moses Pedroza, as well as going the distance with current WBA lightweight champion Juan Diaz, WBC title challenger Vivian Harris and hot junior welterweight prospect Demetrius Hopkins.

Figueroa, a 2-time New York City high school champion wrestler who was 14-0 his senior year, didn’t get off of the mat and into the ring until seven years ago, when he took a friend’s suggestion and walked into the nearby Morris Park Gym in the Bronx.

“Wrestling has helped me as a boxer,� Figueroa explained. “It helped my balance, conditioning and determination. Some fans have told me I should be a mixed martial arts fighter with my wrestling and boxing background, but I’m 29 now, so I’m going to stick with boxing. I’m joining a wrestling club in Florida and do it just as a hobby, never while I’m preparing for a fight.�

Frankie responded to an ad for a childcare counselor and worked four years with children and teenagers with behavioral problems. Figueroa grew-up in a tough neighborhood, but he stayed in school and out of trouble, concentrating on sports.

The son of a single mother, Frankie’s life had dramatically changed when he was six, the year he first lived with the Morrissette family in the small Vermont town of Troy, thanks to the Fresh Air Fund. “I lived with them during the summer from the ages of six through 17,� Figueroa remembered. “One year I attended a Catholic school there. It was a completely different experience for me. I became an alter boy, learned to ski, milked cows. I lived a double life. I had the good fortune of having two families. I adapted to changes and had a blast. My Vermont family
is very proud of me. My brother, Roger Morrissette, watched me win the NABF title. I have a brother and sister in Vermont and a brother and sister in the Bronx. I just hung out living in the Bronx; I never got caught up in drugs, or doing something that would send me to jail, nothing. I’ve always wanted to make both of my families proud of me.�

Due to his relatively late start in boxing, as well as a slap of amateur boxing reality, Frankie’s amateur career lasted only 2 ½ years. He fought in the 147-pound division, winning his first 14 matches, before losing in the semifinals of a national tournament to Juan McPherson, 16-14, and then Alvin Aconta in the Golden Gloves.

“McPherson has over 200 amateur fights and they (USA Boxing) wanted him fighting for them on ESPN, not me,� Figueroa noted. “It was boxing politics. I never had a chance with my style of just coming forward and fighting, going to the body instead of slapping punches for points. So, I decided to turn pro.�

His pro debut was November 8, 2002, winning a four-round decision against Richard Dean at Club Amazura in Jamaica, New York. Figueroa then hit the road and fought in places like Savannah (Georgia), Winston-Salem (NC), Atlanta, Detroit and Sarasota. His first loss was by four-round majority decision to hometown favorite Troy Wilson in Atlanta. Frankie’s only other career loss was in his 10th pro fight to Francisco Rincon (8-1) in Poughkeepsie, New York.

“My first loss was a joke,� Figueroa added. “I dropped him and they called it a slip. Then I got head butted. I don’t even consider it a loss. I got hit with some good shots (against Rincon). My inexperience showed. I had the balls, but my legs weren’t there. He was the better man that night but I’m proud I kept fighting after I went down. I learned a lot.�

Three fights later, Figueroa stopped Hector Alejandro, Jr. (10-1) in the sixth round for the New York State lightweight title. Frankie followed that bout with a 10-round decision versus Maximo Cuevas (7-2-1) for the vacant WBC Intercontinental Mundo Hispano welterweight crown.

Figueroa came of age on 11/11 (November 11) in 2006, successfully defending his New York State light welterweight championship against highly touted prospect, unbeaten Joey Rios (14-0), by 10-round majority decision at the famed Madison Square Garden.

A third-round TKO of veteran Antonio Ramirez (24-14-6) this past March 2 was Frankie’s last fight in New York, at least for a while, because he relocated in North Miami. “I was based in New York State but I was fighting on the road and there wasn’t a real buzz about me in New York City,â€? Figueroa remarked. “I had been my own business manager and my new promoter, Seeno Group, bought out my contract. I’m living in Miami in great weather with my own apartment and a car. I like it here where I’m isolated. I never was one to go to clubs in New York City and I don’t hit them in South Beach. I am building a good following in Florida.”

Frankie, a U.S. Army veteran who has a son named Frankie, III (aka Ian), gained invaluable experience sparring with the likes of Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton and Arturo Gatti. In fact, he really enjoyed training camp with Cotto in Puerto Rico, where Frankie has family in Santurce.

“After winning the NABF title, I’m where I want to be right now,� Figueroa concluded. “I think boxing all of the time, but it really isn’t my life. I like going on line. I hope to defend my title this year and fight for a world title next year. I’m in all out wars, that’s who I am. I’m a boxer-puncher but, more than anything, I’m a fighter. I like seek-and-destroy missions, but I can play chess, too. I go all out, balls to the wall, all of the time.

“My new manager, Sal LoNano, is going to get me a world title fight. He’s been in this business a long time. I signed with him because of his experience. He helped Micky Ward make millions of dollars and he got my good friend, (IBF junior welterweight champ) Paulie Malignaggi, two world title shots in a year. We really get along well. He’s a funny guy and so am I. I never knew pay scales, but now I just concentrate on fighting; Sal’s protecting me.�

Figueroa is nicknamed “El Gato� – The Cat – because he was the only one quick enough to catch a cat that was a mascot at his original gym in the Bronx. This cat is a fan-friendly fighter who, at 29, is all in and ready to make noise in the 140-pound division.

For more information about Frankie Figueroa visit his web site at www.gatofigueroa.com.

Unbeaten heavyweight “Baby� Joe Mesi has pulled out of his August 18 fight against Sherman “Tank� Williams due to a back injury he suffered this week in training camp. The eight-round cruiserweight battle between former WBO heavyweight title challenger Jeremy “Half-Man, Half-Amazing� Williams (41-5-1, 35 KOs) and Salt Lake City favorite Gary “Pit Bill� Gomez (18-8-1, 7 KOs) has been upgraded to a pay-per-view fight.

Mesi’s advisor/father, Jack, reported that Joe’s back injury prevents him from training properly. Joe has been prescribed rest and continued therapy treatment and he will be able to beginning training properly within two or three weeks.

“I am very sorry I have to miss this opportunity in Utah on Pay-Per-View with Sherman ‘Tank’ Williams,� Joe said. “But as all professional boxers know a big part of our sport is overcoming the set-backs.�

Former WBO heavyweight title challenger Jeremy Williams (41-5-1, 35 KOs) has returned to the ring one division lighter than he fought in his first 47 pro bouts, coming back after 3 ½ years of inactivity, although he was a mixed-martial-arts fighter and coach on The Contender reality television series during this period. An exciting fighter and much decorated amateur boxer who has knocked out 35 of his 41 victims as a pro, he has defeated Attila Levin, David Bostice, Jesse Ferguson, and Danell Nicholson. The diverse Williams faces Gomez (18-8-1, 7 KOs), who has held the Global Union and WBC Cruiserweight Americas cruiserweight championships, as well as holding the distinction of never having been stopped.

“We’re excited about showcasing Jeremy Williams’ comeback fight on our pay-per-view show,” Pinnacle FiteNite executive producer Ritch Danner commented. “His fight against Gomez should be an entertaining, action match.”

“Pinnacle FiteNite� is a pro boxing pay-per-view series emanating for a wide variety of venues. The Aug. 18th edition at the South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah, promoted by C.A.M. Boxing, Inc. in association with Sports and Entertainment Media, Inc. and Gotham Boxing.

Samoan strongman David “Tuaman� Tua, ranked No. 12 by the WBC, takes on Mexican heavyweight champion Saul “La Cobra� Montana in the 10-round main event. Tua (47-3-1, 40 KOs), former world title challenger, has put 40 opponents to sleep including current WBC title-holder Oleg Maskaev and former world champions John Ruiz, Hasim Rahman and Michael Moorer. Montana (48-14, 42 KOs) has an even higher KO ratio than Tua, but the former world title challenger “Tuaman� has never been counted out.

Russian-born heavyweight sensation Roman Greenberg (25-0, 17 KOs), the No. 11 rated European heavyweight who was raised in Israel and fights out of England, faces former WBO heavyweight title challenger “Dangerous� Damon Reed (43-11, 30 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.

Undefeated New York City middleweight prospect Peter “Kid Chocolate� Quillin (13-0, 11 KOs) is scheduled to fight in the opening PPV bout.

Also scheduled to fight on the Aug. 18th undercard is pound-for-pound the toughest lawyer in the world, Las Vegas high-profile defense attorney Marc “The Defender� Saggese (2-0, 2 KOs). All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

The Aug. 18th Pinnacle FiteNite event will be produced by 21 Lakes and distributed by Integrated Sports. The 3-hour, four-bout minimum Pinnacle FiteNite show will be available live on Aug. 18 at 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT on both cable and satellite PPV via iN Demand, DirecTV and TVN, as well as live in Canada via satellite PPV on Bell Expressvue, for a suggested retail price of $24.95.

Tickets, priced at $35.00, $50.00 and $75.00, are on sale and available at www.smithstix.com, South Towne Exposition Center box office, and local outlets. For additional information go to www.pinnaclefitenite.com. Doors open 5:00 PM/MT, first bout 6:00 PM/MT, first PPV bout 7:00 PM/MT.

LAS VEGAS—International Boxing Hall of Fame promoter Don “Only in America� King will be in Las Vegas on Friday to accept a Sam Lacy Pioneer Award from the Sports Task Force of the National Association of Black Journalists at their 32nd Annual Convention being held at Bally’s.

The task force is comprised of black print and broadcast sports journalist from across the country. The Pioneer Award is the organization’s highest honor, and King will share the stage at the awards ceremony with fellow recipients that have special Nevada ties including boxing referee Richard Steele; Sacramento Kings head coach and former UNLV star Reggie Theus; ESPN NBA analyst and former UNLV standout Greg Anthony; UNLV women’s basketball coach Regina Miller; and former University of Nevada-Reno women’s athletics administrator Dr. Angela Taylor.

“This is a truly great honor for me to be recognized with a Pioneer Award by the august members of the National Association of Black Journalists Sports Task Force while they are convening at their 32nd annual convention,� King said. “These are people I respect and admire. I look forward to joining them and the other Pioneer Award recipients at this celebration of the human spirit.�
The awards ceremony is being co-hosted by Ron Thomas, a sports writer for 34 years who was just named the first director of Morehouse College’s journalism and sports program, and Mike Terry, a longtime sports writer for the Los Angeles Times covering college and professional sports.
The award is named after Sam Lacy, a trailblazing black sportswriter who was heavily involved in Jackie Robinson’s entrance into Major League Baseball. When he died at the age of 99, Lacy was still writing a weekly column for the Baltimore Afro-American.

The festivities are part of the NABJ task force’s convention, taking place for the first time in Las Vegas, which is ongoing through Aug. 12.

King will also take part in a special workshop earlier in the day on Friday beginning at 4 p.m. titled Is Boxing Down for the Count?

The promotional legend will be joined on a star-studded panel consisting of President of HBO Sports Ross Greenburg; Senior Vice President/General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports Events Programming Ken Hershman; Hall of Fame boxing promoter Bob Arum; undefeated six-time world champion in five separate weight divisions “Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather Jr.; and New York Daily News sports columnist and longtime boxing scribe Tim Smith.

New York Post sports columnist George Willis coordinated the workshop, and USA Today boxing writer Chuck Johnson will serve as moderator during the 90-minute discussion beginning at 4 p.m.
The workshop will be held on Friday in the Bronze Room 1 at Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. Seating is limited and only registered members of the NABJ convention and special guests will be allowed to attend.

The awards ceremony will take place at a dinner, also at Bally’s Las Vegas from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
NABJ is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals. Founded in 1975, it is the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation.

HBO’s late-night boxing series heats up with an explosive doubleheader when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: DANIEL PONCE DE LEON VS. REY BAUTISTA AND JHONNY GONZALEZ VS. GERRY PENALOSA is presented SATURDAY, AUG. 11 at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT), from the Arco Arena in Sacramento, Cal., exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, as well as closed-captioned for the hearing impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

In the main event, junior featherweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (31-1, 28 KOs) of Chihuahua, Mexico puts his title on the line against undefeated contender Rey Bautista (23-0, 17 KOs), from Cebu City, Philippines, in a scheduled 12-round bout. Ponce De Leon, a 26-year-old southpaw, has defended his crown three times. His opponent in this 122-pound bout is the dangerous Bautista who can knock out any fighter with either hand, despite being just 20 years old.

In the opening bout, bantamweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez (34-5, 29 KOs), from Mexico City, takes on former world champion Gerry Penalosa (51-6-2, 34 KOs), of Manila, Philippines in a title fight scheduled for 12 rounds. Gonzalez, who is considered one of boxing’s hardest pound-for-pound punchers, looks to clean out the rest of the 118-pound division with a win. Penalosa, a seasoned southpaw with almost 18 years of pro experience, has won five of six bouts since ending a two-year layoff in 2004.