Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

Howard Eastman will be out to turn John Duddy’s Kings Hall dream into a nightmare when they clash at the legendary Belfast venue on Saturday, December 8th on the next Hunky Dorys Fight Night – billed “The Only Show in Town�.

Eastman looks set to provide the Derry middleweight with the sternest test yet of his 22 fight unbeaten career and his CV makes for impressive reading.

The London based Guyana native goes by the sobriquet of the “Battersea Bomber� and with 35 KO’s from his 42 wins he certainly lives up to the name.

Eastman’s 13 year pro career has seen him compile an awe inspiring CV – a two time world title challenger he has enjoyed lengthy reigns as European, Commonwealth and British middleweight champion.

However the bare statistics don’t begin to explain the glorious career of a man who is often touted as one of the best British fighters to never win a world title. Eastman however still believes there is time to rectify that and a win over Duddy would put him right back in the frame for a third world title tilt.

There was certainly no shame in his previous two bids at world level, a controversial majority decision defeat to WBA champ William Joppy in 2001 and a second points defeat to then undisputed middleweight kingpin Bernard Hopkins in 2005.

Eastman though will be entering the lions den on December 8th when he tackles Duddy in front of what’s likely to be an electric atmosphere at the Kings Hall. Duddy simply can’t wait for his debut at the historic Balmoral venue and he is relishing the challenge that Eastman will present.

The Derryman said, “It’s going to be amazing, it doesn’t get much better than fighting a guy with Eastman’s reputation at the Kings Hall. He’s had almost twice as many KO’s as I’ve had fights so that tells you everything about him. He has an amazing record and there’s no doubt he’s a very dangerous man.

Promoter Brian Peters feels it’s a fight that will bring Belfast fight fans back to the halcyon days of the mid 1980’s when Barry McGuigan packed out the same venue.

Peters said, “I suppose it’s only natural that with John fighting at the Kings Hall now people are going to compare him to the likes of Barry McGuigan and the greats who have fought there before. When McGuigan beat the world class Juan La Porte at the Kings Hall it proved he was ready for the world title and I think this will be the same kind of fight for John. If he can beat a guy like Eastman then I think he’s certainly ready for that big world title fight next year but getting past Eastman will be a big, big test for John.�

The undercard for “The Only Show in Town� is already shaping up to be one of the best at the Kings Hall in years. Undefeated prospects Paul McCloskey and Stephen Haughian will feature in their first ever scheduled 12 round bouts.

Haughian will take a huge step up in class when he looks to relieve Italian Giammario Grassellini of his IBF Intercontinental welterweight title. It looks to be a big ask for the Lurgan man – the Italian holds a European ranking and has only suffered a single split decision defeat in 19 professional bouts. In his last outing he shared a draw with former European champion Michel Trabant.

However despite Grassellini’s impressive credentials trainer John Breen believes both Haughian and McCloskey are ready to win their first professional titles. The Belfast man said, “Both boys have been waiting for chances like this and now that they have them they’ll grab them, I’ve no doubt about that.�

McCloskey’s opponent for the IBF Intercontinental light welterweight title will be confirmed in the coming days. Two other title fights on the show will feature a pair of all Ulster battles with Irish title belts at stake in the light welterweight and light middleweight divisions.

At light welter recently crowned Northern Ireland champion James Gorman from Belfast goes up against undefeated Cavan prospect Andrew Murray. Then in an all Belfast battle Ciaran Healy will contest the vacant Irish light middleweight title with Leeds based Lagansider Lee Murtagh.

Also on the card is undefeated Belfast prospect Willie Thompson who will go in search of his fourth straight win in the paid ranks. Further bouts will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Tickets for “The Only Show in Town� priced from £40 go on sale from Ticketmaster.ie and all usual outlets next week.

Boxing returns to the San Fernando Valley of Southern California with a former contender making a return to the ring for the first time in over three years.

Former contender Juan Valenzuela makes his long-awaited return to the ring this Friday night at the Warner Center in Woodland Hills, CA. His opponent is no slouch as he takes on Danny Stanisavljevic in an eight round Super Welterweight bout.

The bout will headline a five-bout “Warner Center War� card, presented by Art of Boxing Promotions. It will be the first fight card promoted by former Super Flyweight contender Kahren Harutyunyan.

It has been a long and adventurous professional career for Valenzuela, a career that began in 1998. A fan favorite for his aggressive style, Valenzuela seemed to be to be the underdog facing most top contenders. However, not only did he defeat these contenders, he defeated them convincingly.

His breakthrough bout came over five years ago when he knocked out former world champion Julio Diaz in the first round with a devastating power.

Three bouts later in 2003, Valenzuela, (20-6, 9 KO’s) from Fountain Valley, CA by way of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, was brought in as an opponent to face then-unbeaten Ricardo Williams Jr. After 10 rounds, Valenzuela had his hand raised after thoroughly outboxing the former Olympian.

Later in the year in September, Valenzuela fought current contender Eleazar Contreras for a regional title. Valenzuela knocked down Contreras in the eighth round, securing a close 10 round majority decision victory.

In his last bout, he stopped Guillermo Valdes in the second round of a scheduled 10 round bout in March of 2004.Valenzuela has won his last five bouts in a row.

Because of that success, Valenzuela was mentioned as a strong candidate to face Miguel Cotto. However, Valenzuela was removed from consideration in that fight and in future fights as doctors noticed a detached retina. He has been declared ready to fight.

Stanisavljevic, (8-12-2, 4 KO’s) from Los Angeles, CA by way of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is coming off a fourth round stoppage victory over former contender Saul Roman in June.

The victory snapped a six-bout losing streak. He was never stopped in those bouts, going the entire distance in those bouts.

Stanisanljevic has had a history of pulling off upsets over young fighters throughout his career. Stanisanljevic won three bouts in a row defeating previously-unbeaten Karl Noons, then Julian Townsend and Frank Mondejar.

In the co-feature, Super Welterweight Vardan Gasparyan will take on rugged Steve Verdin in a six round bout.

Gasparyan, (8-1-3, 4 KO’s) from Glendale, CA by way of Yerevan, Armenia, is unbeaten in his last seven bouts dating back to 2005.

In his last bout, Gasparyan faced Aaron Martinez in August for the California State Welterweight title. After an action-filled opening round, Martinez suffered a cut above his eye due to an accidental head butt resulting in a technical decision draw.

Gasparyan’s only defeat was at the hands of Aaron Robinson, losing a four round unanimous decision.

Verdin, (8-33-2, 1 KO) from Houma, LA, has faced numerous prospects and contenders since beginning his professional career in 2000.

Verdin has fought mostly in four and six round bouts throughout his career, having only fought in an eight round bout once.

Lately, Verdin has had a run of decent victories. He has won two out of his last three bouts, including a six round majority decision victory over Daniel Garcia on Saturday night in Lafayette, LA.

Verdin fought a remarkable 11 times in 2002. Friday night’s fight against Gasparyan will be Verdin’s seventh of 2007.

Bantamweight Jorge Diaz will take on Israel Navarrete in a six round bout.

Diaz, (4-5-1, 1 KO) from Van Nuys, CA, returned to the ring from a 15 month hiatus in his last bout to defeat Larry Olvera in August by a six round split decision.
Diaz had already defeated Olvera almost four years ago.

Friday night will mark the third time that Diaz has fought inside the Warner Center. He scored a first round stoppage victory over Thomas Hensley before losing a six round split decision to Misael Nunez in the same year.

Diaz has already faced Navarrete before, dropped a six round decision to Navarrete in May of last year.

Navarrete, (4-4, 1 KO) from Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico, will return from a second round knockout to still-unbeaten Yonnhy Perez in July of last year.

The defeat to Perez snapped a four bout winning streak dating back to 2002. In two of his four victories, Navarrete defeated fighters who entered the ring against him undefeated.

In other bouts:

- Super Featherweight Miguel Reza (3-2-1) from Oxnard, CA, will take on Evgeniy Khil in a four round bout. The Russian-born Khil, now living in San Diego, CA, is 1-1-1.

- Featherweight Jesus Adami will make his professional debut when he takes on Sytel Wilbern, (2-0) from Los Angeles, CA, in a four round bout.

As an added bonus for fight fans, boxing celebrities will be in attendance. Scheduled to appear at the show will be Heavyweight contender James “Lights Out� Toney, WBC Super Bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, Lightweight Joel Casamayor, former world champion Brian Viloria, and fight trainer Freddie Roach. Mario Lopez will be the celebrity ring announcer.

Tickets are on sale and could be purchased on the day of the event or by calling (818) 521-2373. Tickets are valued at $65, $50, and $40.

Doors open at 6:30PM, with first bell scheduled for 7:30PM.

HBO Sports crosses the pond for an explosive super middleweight unification title fight when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: JOE CALZAGHE VS. MIKKEL KESSLER is seen live SATURDAY, NOV. 3 at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT) from Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, exclusively on HBO. The broadcast team of Jim Lampley,. Max Kellerman and Emanuel Steward will be ringside for the event, which will be presented in HDTV and in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Boxing’s longest-reigning current champion, undefeated super middleweight champ Joe Calzaghe (43-0, 32 KOs), from Newbridge, Wales, collides with fellow title-holder Mikkel Kessler (39-0, 29 KOs), from Copenhagen, Denmark, in a scheduled 12-round unification title matchup that has the boxing world buzzing. Known as “The Pride of Wales,� Calzaghe is coming off a dominating performance last April on HBO, when he stopped Peter Manfredo Jr. in the third round. Drawing 35,000 fans, the Calzaghe-Manfredo fight set the indoor European attendance record for a boxing event. Millennium Stadium will be scaled for a record crowd when the 35-year-old Calzaghe makes his landmark 21st consecutive title defense.

Also undefeated, 28-year-old Mikkel Kessler is known as the “Viking Warrior� for the way he steamrolls and plunders opponents. He captured his super middleweight title in 2004 by taking apart defending champion Manny Siaca, and has successfully defended his title four times since. This will be his second HBO appearance.

Fighting Irishmen: A Celebration of the Celtic Prizefigher and event sponsor Union State Bank will present “Fighters and Families,” a symposium discussing boxing families on Tuesday night, November 20, at the South Street Seaport Museum.

The panel will include: New York Times Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Dave Anderson; author Jay R. Tunney, the son of former heavyweight champion Gene Tunney; Tim Conn, the son of boxing Hall of Fame champion Billy Conn; Doug Graham, the son of perennial welterweight contender and uncrowned champion Billy Graham; and Charlie Sharkey, the great, grand nephew of legendary Irish champion “Sailor” Tom Sharkey, whose two fights with James J. Jeffries have become legend, especially the 25 round Coney Island championship fight in 1899; exhibit curator Jim Houlihan will serve as the moderator.

This event will begin at 6:00 PM with light refreshments and an opportunity to tour the exhibit and the panel discussion gets underway at 7:00 PM. Tickets are priced at $50 for V.I.P. seating and $35 for general admission. To purchase tickets, email reservations@southstreetseaport.org, or order on line at http://www.southstreetseaportmuseum.org/index1.aspx?BD=9353, or call 212-748-8786. South Street Seaport Museum is located at 12 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038.

Jay Tunney offered these recollections of his heavyweight champion dad: “The first time it came home to me that my Dad was a celebrity, that is someone different from other dads, was when we went to Madison Square Garden to see Roy Rogers during the World War II,” says Tunney. “I was about seven years old and Roy was my hero. Roy rode into the arena and I was in awe.

Dear Friend:

As you know, the Retired Boxers Foundation is a small nonprofit and we have learned to do business within our means, using whatever resources we can find. Today, we are asking you to sign an online petition to expand the Boxers Pension Plan beyond the State of California, across the nation. We are proposing that $1 be added to the price of every ticket to a boxing show, to be used to fund a pension plan for fighters. The petition is a way to show the world that sports fans care about boxing and the athletes that risk their lives to entertain us. Please join us and sign the petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/help-create-a-professional-boxers-pension-plan

Thank you! You are an “Undisputed Champion for DIGNITY!”

Sincerely,

Alex “The Bronx Bomber” Ramos
Jacquie Richardson
THE RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION
www.retiredboxers.org
805-955-9064

Russian Alexander Povetkin pounded Chris Byrd, forcing the veteran heavyweight’s corner to toss the towel in during the 11th round of their fight in Germany on Saturday.

According to the AP, Povetkin (14-0, 11 knockouts) gave credit to Byrd:

“The fight was tough, very tough. He was very experienced,” Povetkin said. “I couldn’t land my blows the way I wanted.”

Povetkin will face the winner of the Nov. 2 a fight between Eddie Chambers and Calvin Brock, in which Chambers is expected prevail, setting up a prospect vs. prospect showdown. The winner of that bout will meet Wlad Klitschko for a crack at his title.

This could be the last go round for Byrd (40-4-1), one would think. But he told AP, no dice.

“I’ve got to lose to an American before I retire,” Byrd said. “But he (Povetkin) is a good one, he will win the title. I won two titles, so I’m not jealous.”

ShoBox: The New Generation will celebrate its 100th telecast with arguably the finest match-up and most significant heavyweight fight in the series’ distinguished six-year history.

The heavyweight “Battle for the Ages� will pit “Fast� Eddie Chambers (29-0, 16 KOs) against Calvin “The Boxing Banker� Brock (31-1, 23 KOs) in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight title eliminator Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, on ShoBox: The New Generation (live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT delayed on the west coast).

Goossen Tutor Promotions and Main Events will present the 12-round title elimination bout from the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash. The SHOWTIME telecast will open with a co-feature bout to be announced.

“This is perhaps the most significant fight we have had in ShoBox history in that it has the potential to severely impact the heavyweight division,� said Gordon Hall, vice president and executive producer for the premium network’s acclaimed boxing series. “Plus, the match-up epitomizes what ShoBox is all about—a young, rising star in his toughest fight to date. Add world title implications and you’ve got a fight that you don’t want to miss.�

“These are the fights that will get fans excited in the heavyweight division again. Line up the top contenders and let them fight their way to the top,� exclaimed Dan Goossen.

Chambers, of Philadelphia, Pa., is coming off an impressive unanimous decision win – in his ShoBox debut – over crafty veteran Dominick Guinn (May 5, 2007 on SHOWTIME). Chambers is not only fast, as his nickname alludes, but he is strong and agile with impeccable footwork. Chambers says he has been preparing for this fight since his professional career began in December 2000.

“This is my big opportunity to show the boxing world that I am ready to take the next step toward my goal of becoming heavyweight champion of the world,� said the 25-year-old Chambers, who is the No. 10 International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight contender.

“A win over Brock and I am that much closer to my match-up with (current IBF) heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko,� Chambers continued. “But I am not thinking that far ahead, as I am focused on a very dangerous opponent.�

“Fast Eddie is on the ‘Fast Track’ toward success,� said Rob Murray, Jr., Chambers’ manager. “We are very confident that Eddie will make a big statement in the heavyweight division.�

Brock, 32, of Charlotte, N.C., is a hard-hitting veteran whose lone loss came at the hands of IBF Heavyweight Champion Klitschko. Brock’s power, ring smarts and experience will test his unbeaten opponent.

“Chambers has a lot to prove,� Brock said. “I have been around the game, so I know what to do and what to expect. Chambers is still very green.�

“I hope the ratings are great,� said Brock, when asked about being a part of the 100th ShoBox telecast. “It’s very special to be part of this history-making broadcast. Most importantly, I hope fans tune in to watch a great and exciting heavyweight fight.�

The Chambers-Brock victor will take on the winner of the Oct. 27, 2007, match-up pitting IBF No. 5 contender and former IBF/WBO heavyweight titleholder, Chris Byrd, against IBF No. 11 contender and 2004 Olympic Heavyweight Gold Medalist, Alexander Povetkin.

Play-by-play announcer Nick Charles and expert analyst/boxing historian Steve Farhood will call the action from ringside. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For information on Showtime Sports Programming, including exclusive video, photos and news links on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and EliteXC mixed martial arts telecasts, please go www.SHO.com/sports.

Middleweight contener Kassim Ouma’s unique life story takes center stage on national television this weekend. The former IBF World Champion Ouma gets back to boxing action next Friday on Telefutura, but first he will be featured in CBS Sports special.

On Sunday, October 28th, at 5pm ET (3pm ET in Late NFL Markets), CBS Sports will air “The United States Marine Corps Presents The 2007 ARETE Honors for Courage in Sports,” a one-hour special created and produced by Chicago-based Intersport. The program, now in its 18th year, will honor athletes who have overcome challenges and adversity to succeed in sports and celebrate those who achieved greatness in their sport over the past year. CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz will serve as host of the program.

The ARETE selection committee received over 300 nominations from 500 clubs, schools, sports teams and organizations around the world. From those nominations, five honorees were chosen: Ouma; Cooper Brannan, a former U.S. Marine who now pitches for the San Diego Padres organization; Samantha Larson, the youngest person to summit the highest peak on each continent; Jessica Long, an elite Paralympics swimmer and 2007 James E. Sullivan Award winner; and Martel Van Zant, a starting cornerback at Oklahoma State University.

“The ARETE Honors stands as a testament to what is right in the world of sports,” said show producer and Intersport Vice President of Production Dan Golden. “By bringing together the most uplifting stories, the ‘ARETE Honors’ has become the most inspirational hour in sports television.”

Other athletes recognized in the show include: General McLane High School senior Drew Astorino; University of Louisville marching band member Patrick Henry Hughes; Frank Thomas, Alex Rodriguez and Jim Thome; Peyton Manning and Brett Favre; the University of Illinois women’s wheelchair basketball team; and a special tribute to Hank Aaron.

Such world class athletes as Lance Armstrong, Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods have been honored as part of “The ARETE Honors for Courage in Sports,” which will air on Sunday, October 28th, at 5pm ET on CBS Sports (3pm ET in Late NFL Markets).