Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

Last Call for Exhibit; Great Holiday stop at South Street Seaport…

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FIGHTING IRISHMEN: CELEBRATING CELTIC PRIZEFIGHTERS 1820-PRESENT EXHIBIT DOCKED AT SOUTH STREET SEAPORT MUSEUM NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007

Name: Fighting Irishmen: Celebrating Celtic Prizefighters 1820-Present

What: The eclectic collection of boxing photography and artifacts including the

legendary John L. Sullivan’s fur coat; a blazer specially made for Jack

Dempsey; photographs from the archives of Sports Illustrated; Charlie Nash’s

Olympic jersey when he was fighting for Ireland; photographs of the classic

Micky Ward vs. Arturo Gatti trilogy; and historic photos of such memorable

Irish fighters as John L. Sullivan, James J. Braddock, Billy Conn, Jerry

Quarry, Gerry Cooney, Barry McGuigan and Bobby Cassidy, just to name a

few. The new and expanded exhibit will also include: a heavy bag from Gene

Tunney’s training camp; equipment from current female fighter Maureen Shea,

used for training actress Hilary Swank for the acclaimed film Million Dollar

Baby, and three original oil painting’s from the Tunney collection by the artist

Mahonri Young, Brigham Young’s grandson. In addition, visitors will be able to

view video of historic fights during their tours of the exhibit. The coup de grace,

and certainly the most unique item in the exhibit – the late, great Irish fighter Dan

Donnelly’s mummified right arm – will be on display thanks to

Josephine Byrne.

Dates: Now through December 31, 2007

Location: South Street Seaport Museum

Address: 12 Fulton Street, New York, New York

Open: Tuesdays through Sundays (closed Mondays)

Time: 10 AM to 5:00 PM.

Subways: 2,3,4,5,J,Z or M to Fulton Street; A or C to Broadway-Nassau.

Telephone: 212-748-8776

The storied middleweight division has been rife with legendary rivalries. In the ‘40s Rocky Graziano had Tony Zale, in the ‘50s Sugar Ray Robinson, Carmen Basilio, and Gene Fullmer had each other and in the ‘60s Nino Benvenuti had Emile Griffith. However, for the past 40 years the middleweight division has endured a void — great champions without great championship rivalries.

Until now.

Boxing’s two best middleweights — undefeated world champion KELLY “THE GHOSTâ€? PAVLIK and once-defeated former world champion JERMAIN “BAD INTENTIONSâ€? TAYLOR — will resume their ring-war hostilities, this time at 166 pounds, when they face-off in a battle of epic proportions. Boasting a combined record of 59-1-1 (46 KOs) — a sterling winning percentage approaching 97% and victory by knockout ratio of 78% — the Pavlik vs. Taylor collision explodes Saturday, February 16, at MGM Grand. Promoted by Top Rank and DiBella Entertainment, the 12-round Pavlik vs.Taylor rumble will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200, and $100, are on sale at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Tickets will also be sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino.) Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or MGM Grand at (800) 929-1111. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com

“I have made a career out of fighting and beating the best and this fight is no exception,� said Pavlik. “Just because I beat Jermain before doesn’t take away from the fact that he is still the best contender out there. I dedicated my entire being to training to take away his title when we fought the first time and I will do no less to make sure I win this time because that’s what it will take to beat him again.�

“You can over hype this fight, if you want, call it a career defining fight, because that’s exactly what this fight is for me,â€? said Taylor. “This is the most important fight of my career. I’m putting it in my trainer’s hands (Ozell Nelson), but I’m putting it in mine also, because I know exactly what I have to do. Ozell has been with me from the beginning, he knows the buttons to push with me that made me a world champion. We are ready to go back to work like we used to do it.â€?

“J.D. Power and Associates couldn’t rate a fight more dangerous than this one,â€? exclaimed Pavlik’s promoter Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank. “Kelly Pavlik is Youngstown’s real-life John Henry — a steel-drivin’ man with hammers for fists. Only Kelly’s not folklore, he’s the real McCoy. He has captured the imagination of sports fans and media worldwide. Anyone who gets into the ring not only fights Kelly, but all of Youngstown. Their first fight was a classic and boxing fans can expect no less this time.â€?

“Taylor-Pavlik was one of the great middleweight fights in memory and a fight that truly deserves a second go, said Lou DiBella, CEO of DiBella Entertainment, Taylor’s promoter. “I am proud to be co-promoting the rematch and I’m confident that Jermain can reverse the first result.�

“The first battle between Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor became an instant classic and has fight fans still buzzing,” said Mark Taffet of HBO Pay-Per-View. “The Pavlik-Taylor II rematch will undoubtedly be one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of 2008.”

Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs), from Youngstown, Ohio, joins former lightweight champions Harry Arroyo and Ray “Boom Boom� Mancini as hometown world champions. He returns to the ring after a “Fighter of the Year� performance, knocking out Jose Luis Zertuche (19-3-2, 14 KOs) and Edison Miranda (28-1, 24 KOs), in world title elimination bouts, earning him the right to become Taylor’s mandatory challenger. All told, Pavlik Ghost wrote a career year against three of the best, who boasted a combined record of 74-4-3 (55 KOs) when he faced them. Pavlik’s stoppage of Taylor extended his two-year victory by knockout streak to nine bouts.

Taylor, (27-1-1, 17 KOs), from Little Rock, Arkansas, the 2000 U.S. Olympic Bronze Medalist, captured the undisputed middleweight title in 2005 when he dethroned Bernard Hopkins, ending the defending champion’s record run of consecutive title defenses at 20 — a run that left world champions Oscar de la Hoya, Felix Trinidad, and Glen Johnson in his wake, among others. Taylor ruled the division for nearly two years, successfully defending his title four times, all against former world champions, including Hopkins again, Winky Wright, Kassim Ouma and Cory Spinks.

The Pavlik-Taylor II pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your Pavlik-Taylor II fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

For room packages and availability and event ticket information about the MGM Grand, call (800) 929-1111 or (702) 891-7777 or log onto the World Wide Web at www.mgmgrand.com

ESPN Classic will broadcast the exclusive replay of Ricardo Mayorga’s decision over Fernando Vargas on Saturday, Dev. 1 at 8 p.m., ET. Friday night, at the Staples Center in Los Angles, Mayorga knocked down Vargas in the first and 11th rounds to capture a majority decision in a 12-round super middleweight bout.

Two judges scored the Nicaraguan fighter a winner by scores of 115-111 and 114-112 while the third saw the bout as a 113-113 draw.

Mayorga, who dominated the bout early and late, improves to 28-6-1. Vargas, who said before the fight that win or lose he would retire, falls to 26-5. He had 22 victories by knockout.

The storied middleweight division has been rife with legendary rivalries. In the ‘40s Rocky Graziano had Tony Zale, in the ‘50s Sugar Ray Robinson, Carmen Basilio, and Gene Fullmer had each other and in the ‘60s Nino Benvenuti had Emile Griffith. However, for the past 40 years the middleweight division has endured a void — great champions without great championship rivalries.

Until now.

Boxing’s two best middleweights — undefeated world champion KELLY “THE GHOSTâ€? PAVLIK and once-defeated former world champion JERMAIN “BAD INTENTIONSâ€? TAYLOR — will resume their ring-war hostilities, this time at 166 pounds, when they face-off in a battle of epic proportions. Boasting a combined record of 59-1-1 (46 KOs) — a sterling winning percentage approaching 97% and victory by knockout ratio of 78% — the Pavlik vs. Taylor collision explodes Saturday, February 16, at MGM Grand. Promoted by Top Rank and DiBella Entertainment, the 12-round Pavlik vs.Taylor rumble will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. PST.

Tickets, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200, and $100, go on sale This Saturday! November 24, at 10 a.m. PST, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Tickets will also be sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino.) Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or MGM Grand at (800) 929-1111. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com

“I have made a career out of fighting and beating the best and this fight is no exception,� said Pavlik. “Just because I beat Jermain before doesn’t take away from the fact that he is still the best contender out there. I dedicated my entire being to training to take away his title when we fought the first time and I will do no less to make sure I win this time because that’s what it will take to beat him again.�

“You can over hype this fight, if you want, call it a career defining fight, because that’s exactly what this fight is for me,â€? said Taylor. “This is the most important fight of my career. I’m putting it in my trainer’s hands (Ozell Nelson), but I’m putting it in mine also, because I know exactly what I have to do. Ozell has been with me from the beginning, he knows the buttons to push with me that made me a world champion. We are ready to go back to work like we used to do it.â€?

“J.D. Power and Associates couldn’t rate a fight more dangerous than this one,â€? exclaimed Pavlik’s promoter Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank. “Kelly Pavlik is Youngstown’s real-life John Henry — a steel-drivin’ man with hammers for fists. Only Kelly’s not folklore, he’s the real McCoy. He has captured the imagination of sports fans and media worldwide. Anyone who gets into the ring not only fights Kelly, but all of Youngstown. Their first fight was a classic and boxing fans can expect no less this time.â€?

“Taylor-Pavlik was one of the great middleweight fights in memory and a fight that truly deserves a second go, said Lou DiBella, CEO of DiBella Entertainment, Taylor’s promoter. “I am proud to be co-promoting the rematch and I’m confident that Jermain can reverse the first result.�

“The first battle between Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor became an instant classic and has fight fans still buzzing,” said Mark Taffet of HBO Pay-Per-View. “The Pavlik-Taylor II rematch will undoubtedly be one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of 2008.”

Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs), from Youngstown, Ohio, joins former lightweight champions Harry Arroyo and Ray “Boom Boom� Mancini as hometown world champions. He returns to the ring after a “Fighter of the Year� performance, knocking out Jose Luis Zertuche (19-3-2, 14 KOs) and Edison Miranda (28-1, 24 KOs), in world title elimination bouts, earning him the right to become Taylor’s mandatory challenger. All told, Pavlik Ghost wrote a career year against three of the best, who boasted a combined record of 74-4-3 (55 KOs) when he faced them. Pavlik’s stoppage of Taylor extended his two-year victory by knockout streak to nine bouts.

Taylor, (27-1-1, 17 KOs), from Little Rock, Arkansas, the 2000 U.S. Olympic Bronze Medalist, captured the undisputed middleweight title in 2005 when he dethroned Bernard Hopkins, ending the defending champion’s record run of consecutive title defenses at 20 — a run that left world champions Oscar de la Hoya, Felix Trinidad, and Glen Johnson in his wake, among others. Taylor ruled the division for nearly two years, successfully defending his title four times, all against former world champions, including Hopkins again, Winky Wright, Kassim Ouma and Cory Spinks.

The Pavlik-Taylor II pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your Pavlik-Taylor II fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

For room packages and availability and event ticket information about the MGM Grand, call (800) 929-1111 or (702) 891-7777 or log onto the World Wide Web at www.mgmgrand.com

Hard-hitting World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 11 154-pound contender James Kirkland (20-0, 17 KOs) hopes to continue his ascension to the top of the junior middleweight division when he takes on the dangerous Allen Conyers (11-2, nine KOs) Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, on ShoBox: The New Generation (live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT delayed on the west coast).

In the co-feature, undefeated prospect Alfredo Angulo (10-0, seven KOs) will battle Archak Ter Meliksetian (16-5, 13 KOs). Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, will present the doubleheader from Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Kirkland, of Austin, Texas, has knocked out 17 of his 20 opponents and is a legitimate contender at 154 pounds. Another convincing win could put him in consideration for a world title shot.

“This is another huge opportunity for me and a tough fight,� said Kirkland, who will make his fourth consecutive ShoBox appearance in 2007. “Conyers is a really dangerous opponent, so it should be an entertaining fight. I am ready to show the country that I am the real deal.�

In his last fight, the 23-year-old Kirkland dropped Mohamad Said three times en route to a scintillating second-round knockout. Kirkland scored two knockdowns in the first stanza before a beautiful, perfectly timed three-punch combination to the chin ended matters at 2:32 of the second.

“I showed people what I am capable of in my last fight on SHOWTIME,� said the dangerous southpaw. “On November 30, I plan to bring the same punching power.

Kirkland has been impressive in all of his appearances on the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME program. In his ShoBox debut, Kirkland used the courageous Billy Lyell as a human punching bag en route to scoring an eighth-round knockout on Feb 2, 2007, at Chumash. Four months later in his second appearance, Kirkland, who fights with Mike Tyson-esque ferocity, defeated Ossie Duran via 10-round decision at Chumash.

Now, Kirkland wants to follow in the footsteps of the 22 former ShoBox fighters who have gone on to become world champions.

“I know that I have to perform on ShoBox to get my chance to fight on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING,� said Kirkland, who will take on his 10th opponent in the past 19 months. “This is what Nonito Donaire did. If I perform well, I will get my big shot.�

Kirkland cannot look past Conyers, a hard-punching brawler who has knocked out each of his last three opponents within two rounds.

Conyers, of Bronx, N.Y., is the New York State welterweight champion. He captured the crown with a first-round TKO over six-foot-two-inch southpaw Russell Jordan on Nov. 3, 2006.

In his last fight, on Feb. 16, 2007, on ShoBox, the five-foot-11-inch Conyers demolished the previously undefeated Derek Ennis with a second-round TKO from Miami. Nov. 30 will represent Conyers’ fifth start since returning to the ring in February 2006 following an 18-month layoff.

“I have had some time off, and I am hungry for another victory,� Conyers said. “It is going to be a good fight because Kirkland and I are both hard punchers. The fans are in for a treat.�

An aggressive, offensive-minded sort, Conyers turned pro at age 25 in January 2002, and is managed by Gil Reyes and trained by Luis Olmo.

In the co-feature, the 25-year-old, Mexican-born Angulo will take on the 29-year-old Armenian-born Ter Meliksetian.

Angulo is a three-year pro who is a stablemate of WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Chad Dawson. The undefeated prospect at 154 pounds is a former amateur star and a 2004 Olympic representative for Mexico.

Prior to his last start Sept. 7, 2007, on ShoBox when he squared off against Emmanuel Gonzalez, Angulo prepared by sparring with Ricky Hatton, Carlos Baldomir, Antonio Margarito, Roy Jones, Jr. and Fernando Vargas. The hard work against some of the most respected boxers in history paid off when Angulo disposed of Gonzalez in less than five minutes.

Midway through the second round, Angulo floored his counterpart with a right hand to the jaw. Moments later, Angulo landed a punishing combination that sent Gonzalez to the canvas for the second time, causing the referee to stop the bout at 1:56 of the second.

Angulo said that his experience sparring against the current or former world champions helped him in his SHOWTIME debut and prepared him for his next bout.

“I learned a lot from fighting those guys and continue to learn one day at a time,� Angulo said. “Sparring with proven champions puts me at a huge advantage. I am ready.�

Ter Meliksetian hopes to get back on track following a recent loss. The last time he fought on ShoBox, in a highly anticipated bout against then undefeated Sechew Powell on Nov. 4, 2005, Ter Meliksetian came in as a once-beaten IBF No. 12 contender. Although he lost the fight in a 10-round unanimous decision, Ter Meliksetian showed he could hit hard and has speed, he has continued to take on tough competition.

The Paterson, N.J., resident is excited to make his ShoBox return, and looks to get back into form with a win over Angulo.

“I need a win on November 30 to prove that I am back,� Ter Meliksetian said.

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.

CLEVELAND (November 20, 2007) — Undefeated World middleweight champion KELLY PAVLIK was certified 100% ready to resume full training today, clearing the way for Pavlik’s first title defense against former world champion Jermain Taylor. Earlier this month, Pavlik had incurred superficial lacerations and abrasions to his hands and forearms while trying to repair a broken window at his home. The 14 stitches he received to repair the lacerations have already been removed.

“This is to certify that Kelly Pavlik had a medical evaluation today and may return to full contact sports and activities as of November 20, 2007,” said Mark F. Hendrickson, M.D., Chief, Section of Hand Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Hand and Upper Extremity Center at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, OH.

“Kelly is thrilled and Top Rank is thrilled,” said Bob Arum, Pavlik’s promoter, who escorted Pavlik to his appointment with Dr. Hendrickson today. “We have some big announcements to make on Kelly’s behalf in the near future, but none bigger than this. Thanksgiving came early for us this year!”

Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs), from Youngstown, OH, captured the middleweight crown when he knocked out defending champion Taylor (27-1-1, 17 KOs), from Little Rock, AK, in the seventh round of their September 29 rumble, considered by many, the “Fight of the Year.”

Fighting Irishmen: A Celebration of the Celtic Prizefighter and event sponsor Union State Bank will present “Fighters and Families,� a symposium discussing boxing families on Tuesday night, November 20th, 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.

New York-Thursday, November 15, 2007-Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, announced today the exciting Light Heavyweight match up between dangerous Philadelphian Eric “Magic 2000â€? Harding (23-4-1 7KO’s) and Brooklyn, NY’s, Shaun George (15-2-2 7KO’s) on Thursday, December 6, 2007, at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ.

In a twist of fate and opponent fall outs, long time rivals and former sparring partners Harding and George will get their chance to finish what was started years back in some heated, trash talking sparring sessions that can only be described as skirting real close to bedlam. We can expect more of the same on December 6, making this match up even more exciting and one not to miss!

Harding, looks to be the toughest test of George’s young career having defeated Antonio Tarver, Daniel Judah, and Montell Griffin. Harding is also noted for giving former world champions Roy Jones Jr., Glen Johnson difficult fights before falling short. In Harding’s last fight, he knocked down WBC Light Heavyweight champion Chad Dawson in the first round en route to a close decision loss.

George was originally preparing to fight Glen Johnson on November 3 when Johnson’s opponent Anthony Hanshaw pulled out of their match. George was proposed to replace Hanshaw and was ready to step in on short notice. Johnson’s promoter accepted the fight, only to have Johnson turn down the challenge.

â€?We are happy to be working with Donna Duva Brooks and Hall of Fame Promotions on this event. This is an important matchup in the Light Heavyweight division and the winner deserves an immediate shot at the world title,â€? said Star Boxing’s Joe DeGuardia.

Tickets are on sale now and are fan friendly priced at: $75 Ringside, $50 Reserved and $35 General Admission. To purchase please call 973 483-8766 -BROADWAY SALOON, or e-mail Donnaduvabrooks@aol.com.

Former world heavyweight contender Lou Savarese has become a partner in New York City-based Ring Promotions, joining former New York boxing commissioners, Bob Duffy and Tony Mazzarella.

Savarese was a two-time New York State Golden Gloves super heavyweight champion, winning the novice division in 1985 and defeating Alex Stewart the following year in the finals. In 1987, Lou was scheduled to fight future world champion Riddick Bowe in the finals, but Savarese was injured and unable to box.

As a pro, Savarese won his first 36 fights, 46 of 53 (38 KOs) during his 18-year career, which ended this past June with a 10-round loss by decision to Evander Holyfield. Lou’s 36th straight win was a seventh-round TKO of highly-touted Buster Mathis, Jr. (21-1) for the USBA heavyweight title in 1996. “Big Louâ€? then dropped a 12-round decision to George Foreman for the WBU crown, bounced back with a sensational fist-round knockout of Buster Douglas for the IBA belt, and rose from the canvas to knockoff previously unbeaten Lance “Mount” Whitaker.

“Lou Savarese is one of he most honest, respected boxers to ever come out of New York City,� Duffy said. “He’s a former world-class fighter with integrity who has always been good for boxing. We’re very happy that Lou’s now part of Ring Promotions. Boxing has been good to Lou and he wants to see the sport grow and make things better for everybody.�

Ring Promotions and Gotham Boxing, will co-promote “Holiday Hits� on December 13 at the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan, showcasing some of the Big Apple’s best young fighters including 3-time New York Golden Gloves champion and WBC rated No. 18 Bronx lightweight Jorge “The Truth� Teron (18-0-1, 11 KOs), in his first scheduled 10-round fight; Brooklyn middleweight Peter “Kid Chocolate� Quillin (15-0, 12 KOs), New York State lightweight champion Freddy Soto (9-3-2, 5 KOs), also fighting out of the Bronx, and Newburgh heavyweight Nagy Aguilera (4-0, 2 KOs), 2-time New York Golden Gloves champion.

For ticket information call Ring Promotions (516.313.2304) or Gotham Boxing (212.755.1944).