Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

Sat. JAN. 19, 2008
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
“LIVE� ON PAY-PER-VIEW
SPECIAL LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT ATTRACTION
12 ROUNDS
FELIX “Tito� TRINIDAD ROY JONES, JR.
Five-Time World Champion Eight-Time World Champion
Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico Pensacola, Fla.
42-2 (35 KOs) 51-4 (38 KOs)
170 169 ½
IBF NORTH AMERICAN & WBA FEDELATIN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
12 ROUNDS
ANDREW GOLOTA “Merciless� MIKE MOLLO
IBF North American Champion WBA Fedelatin Champion
Chicago, Ill. (Warsaw, Poland) Chicago, Ill.
40-6-1 (33 KOs) 19-1 (12 KOs)
237 222
WBA INTERCONTINENTAL SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
12 ROUNDS
ROMAN “Made in Hell� KARMAZIN ALEX “The Technician� BUNEMA
WBA Int. Cont. Champion – Former IBF Champion Former WBA Cont. Americas Champion
Los Angeles, Calif. (St. Petersburg, Russia) Atlanta, Ga. (Kinshasa, Zaire)
36-2-1 (23 KOs) 28-5-2 (14 KOs)
151 ¾ 153
WBC CONTINENTAL AMERICAS SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (Vacant Title)
12 ROUNDS
DeMARCUS “Chop Chop� CORLEY DEVON ALEXANDER “The Great�
Former WBO World Champion Former WBC Youth Champion
Washington, D.C. St. Louis, Mo.
31-7-1 (17 KOs) 13-0 (9 KOs)
138 ¼ 138
WELTERWEIGHT ATTRACTION
10 ROUNDS
LUIS COLLAZO EDVAN DOS SANTOS BARROS
Former WBA World Champion Relentless Competitor
Queens, N.Y. Miami, FL (Brasil)
27-3 (13 KOs) 9-4-1 (7 KOs)
150 149
(ALL BOUTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

DATE \@ “M/d/yy” 1/18/08
HEAVYWEIGHT ATTRACTION
8 ROUNDS
EMANUELLE N’WODO EZRA SELLERS
Former USBA & ABU Champion Former IBO Champion
Baltimore, Md. (Nigeria) Washington, D.C.
21-4 (17 KOs) 29-7 (26 KOs)
206 ¾ 206 ¼
HEAYVWEIGHT ATTRACTION
8 ROUNDS
GABE “Big G� BROWN PAUL MARINACCIO
Pensacola, Fla. Buffalo, N.Y.
18-7-3 (12 KOs) 23-3-1 (10 KOs)
340 236
LIGHTWEIGHT ATTRACTION
4 ROUNDS
ANGELO “La Cobra� SANTANA KENNY KEATON
Cuba Indianapolis, Ind.
Pro Debut 0-1
138 139
(ALL BOUTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

LOS ANGELES, JANUARY 16 – With two thrilling bouts already in the books, the series between super bantamweight superstars Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez has already drawn favorable comparisons to boxing’s great rivalries – Ali vs Frazier, Barrera vs Morales, Zale vs Graziano, and Gatti vs Ward.

But with the series deadlocked at one fight apiece, the only way to settle the score is with a third meeting, and on Saturday, March 1st, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., boxing’s latest classic trilogy will come to an end when Vazquez puts his WBC and Ring Magazine World super bantamweight titles on the line in a 12 round bout against the man he won it back from, Marquez.

Vazquez – Marquez III, which headlines an exciting night of world-class boxing action, is presented by Gary Shaw Promotions in association with Sycuan Ringside Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Romanza Promotions, Inc. The bout will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets for this sure-to-be-classic battle will go on sale on Tuesday, January 22nd. Priced at $300, $150, $75, $50 and $25 tickets may be purchased at The Home Depot Center Box Office, or by calling 310-630-2020. Tickets may also be obtained online at www.Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster round of the year and fight of the year honors for a reason; it was non-stop action and everybody loved it. We expect the same thrilling atmosphere when Israel defends his WBC and Ring Magazine122-pound title.�

“Vazquez vs. Marquez III is one of the most anticipated fights in years and based on the first two fights, March 1st should be a night for fight fans to remember,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.

One of boxing’s best unknown fighters for many years, Mexico City’s Israel Vazquez (42-4, 31 KOs) finally broke onto the world scene in 2002 with his memorable rematch loss to Oscar Larios (whom he had previously stopped in a single round). Two years later and undeterred by the setback, Vazquez worked his way back into the title picture and won the super bantamweight championship with a 12th round stoppage of Jose Luis Valbuena in March of 2004. Vazquez then went on to dominate the division, knocking out Larios in three rounds in their 2005 rubber match along the way. In March of 2007, Vazquez finally met his match in Rafael Marquez and lost his crown in seven rounds. But you can’t keep a champion down for long, and five months later he had regained the belt from Marquez, and on March 1st, he plans on yet another victory over his rival.

The premier bantamweight of this era, Rafael Marquez (37-4, 33 KOs) ruled over the 118-pound weight class with an iron fist from 2003 to 2006, making seven title defenses and defeating the likes of Tim Austin, Silence Mabuza, and Mauricio Pastrana. In 2007, the 32-year old decided to test the waters at 122 pounds, and he stunned the world with his seventh round stoppage of Israel Vazquez in their first bout in March of last year. Eagerly accepting a rematch, Marquez and Vazquez waged war a second time in August, and this time it was Vazquez who emerged victorious via a sixth round stoppage. On March 1st, they will fight once more.

//WBO #2 rated super lightweight Kendall Holt of Paterson, N.J. will return to action on Thursday, Feb. 7, taking on tough contender Ben Tackie of Accra, Ghana at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

//Bob Arum of Top Rank made the announcement today. Holt vs. Tackie will be broadcast live on the VERSUS network. Opening the ‘Fight Night’ telecast will be USA Olympian Vanes ‘Nightmare’ Martirosyan, an exciting 18-0 super welterweight from Glendale, Calif.

//This will be Holt’s first fight since a controversial world title fight vs. WBO champion Ricardo Torres in his hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia on Sept. 1. In that bout Holt knocked down Torres in the sixth round, then said he was struck by a thrown object from the stands and that “someone reached in and grabbed one of my legs in the 11th round.” Holt was stopped late in the title fight. Team Holt filed a formal 35-page protest but the decision was not overturned and a rematch was not reordered.

//”I’m happy to get back into the ring and get this Torres thing behind me,” Holt told fight writer Keith Idec of the New Jersey Herald News. “Ben Tackie is a solid guy, never been knocked out, done fought the best….

//Holt, in his interview with Idec, added “…being ranked #2 after all the smoke has cleared, that’s not bad, even though I am not getting an immediate rematch. It’s not as good as I was at #1, but another one or two fights and I am right back in the same position I was in…..”

//Tickets are $125, $75 and $50 are are now on sale at the Hard Rock box office and on ticketmaster.com

TOTOWA, NJ (January 16, 2008) – Main Events has signed world-ranked cruiserweight contender and former WBC light heavyweight champion Tomasz Adamek, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. Main Events and Warrior Promotions (promoter of O’ Neil Bell) have begun negotiations for a spring IBF-eliminator showdown between Adamek and Bell. The winner would become the mandatory to IBF champion Steve Cunningham.

“Main Events is proud to sign Tomasz,� said Duva. “He is a former light heavyweight champion and soon to be world cruiserweight champion.�

Adamek (33-1, 22 KO’s) has stopped 15 opponents within the first three rounds. The 31-year-old Zywiec, Poland native captured the vacant WBC light heavyweight championship on May 21, 2005, when he decisioned Paul Briggs (W 12). He defended the title twice before losing to Chad Dawson on Feb 3, 2007 (L 12). Since moving to cruiserweight he is 2-0, 1 KO. Adamek is also the IBO Cruiserweight Champion and is ranked #6 in the IBF and #7 in the WBA.

Main Events and Ziggy Promotions will co-promote Adamek.

New York-January 16, 2008-Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing in association with Mohegan Sun presents an exciting night of fights televised live on ESPN2, from the Mohegan Sun Arena. Headlining the card is Danbury, CT, resident welterweight sensation Delvin Rodriguez (21-2-1, 13KO’s) against the undefeated challenge of New Jersey native Troy Browning (20-0-1, 8KO’s) in a ten round welterweight bout.

The energetic Rodriguez is coming off a TKO victory over Keenan Collins on August 24, 2007

Boxing Writer’s Association former President Tim Graham said, “ Rodriguez has a style that makes for exciting fights, he goes into a bout with an aggressive attitude and looks to land hard shots.â€?

Browning may have other ideas. Browning, an undefeated southpaw, scored a stunning 10 round decision over heralded 20 year old Julio Cesar “Baby Faceâ€? Garcia in 2007. What made Browning’s win remarkable was that Garcia was coming into the fight with 11 straight knockouts and was a heavy favorite to win.

“This will be one electric night of boxing. Rodriguez is one of the most exciting fighters and the ESPN fans love his style. Mixing Rodriguez’s exciting rumble with Browning’s capabilities will make for a fan friendly match upâ€? said Joe DeGuardia

With an aggressive attitude from Rodriguez and no holds barred out look from Browning, you can expect a barnburner on February 15, as these two formidable foes go toe to toe leather-to-leather.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, January 18th, 2008 and are fan friendly priced at $75, $40, and $25, at all Ticketmaster outlets, customers may log onto ticketmaster.com or call any Ticketmaster to charge by phone. Tickets will also be available starting Saturday, January 19th at the Mohegan Sun Box Office, subject to availability. Tickets are also available through the Star Boxing office by calling 718-823-2000 or by going to www.starboxing.com

fter months of circling around each other, world champions and Bay Area rivals, Frank Shamrock (23-8-1) and undefeated Cung Le (21-0), will finally face off in the cage when Shamrock defends his Strikeforce World Middleweight (185-pound limit) Championship against Le in the main event of an eagerly anticipated EliteXC-Strikeforce co-promoted mixed martial arts extravaganza Saturday, March 29, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif..

Tickets for “Shamrock vs. Cung Le,� priced from $30, go on sale this Saturday, Jan. 19, at 10 a.m. PT at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070) as well as at all Ticketmaster locations (408-998-TIXS), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com), EliteXC’s official website (www.ProElite.com) and Strikeforce’s official website (www.Strikeforceusa.net).

“This is absolutely a tremendous fight and an extremely dangerous fight for both fighters, but one I know they have wanted and the fans have been waiting for and can’t wait to see,’’’ EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw said. “I can’t wait to see it either. Shamrock is a true MMA legend, but Cung Le is one of the very best fighters around, and this is his chance to prove that to the world.

“Really, I have a ton of respect for both fighters and what they have accomplished. EliteXC is really looking forward to returning to San Jose where they truly have some of the most rabid and knowledgeable fans anywhere, and working again with Scott Coker and Strikeforce.�

Said Scott Coker, Strikeforce CEO: “As a martial arts promoter for 25 years and as a promoter of both of these fighters, I’ve been watching the rivalry between Frank and Cung build for quite some time, so it’s great to see this matchup finally come to fruition.

“This has the potential to be one of the greatest mixed martial arts fights of all-time because of the tremendous skill level of both fighters and the way they match up. It’s an honor to be able to bring this fight to the fans along with EliteXC.�

To fans in the Bay Area, a perennial hotbed for martial arts, the right to claim the throne as the region’s undisputed champion is equally important as ownership of the world title.

“Being No. 2 isn’t such a bad thing so Cung has nothing to be ashamed of,� cracked the ever-entertaining Shamrock (frankshamrock.proelite.com). The first Strikeforce middleweight champion in history, Shamrock returned to vintage form in his last fight as he dominated knockout artist Phil “The New York Badass� Baroni en route to choking Baroni (philbaroni.proelite.com) unconscious in the second round before a raucous HP Pavilion crowd on June 22, 2007.

“But there’s a big difference between being No. 1 and No. 2,’’ Shamrock continued. “Le will find that out soon enough.

“This is a fight that has been building for years. This is where we both grew up, where we both found our paths in life as martial artists and champions of combat. It was inevitable that we would one day face each other here. I’m excited it’s finally happening.’’

At 35, Shamrock has cemented his place as a legend in the sport of mixed martial arts. After becoming the first UFC Middleweight Champion in history in 1997 by submitting 1992 Olympic Games wrestling gold medalist Kevin Jackson with an armbar in a then-record 16 seconds, Shamrock reached the pinnacle of his career by stopping “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy� Tito Ortiz (titortiz.proelite.com), in what is celebrated as one of the greatest martial arts battles of all-time.

Before a record crowd of 18,265 at the HP Pavilion on March 10, 2006, Shamrock ended a three-year hiatus when he faced old nemesis Cesar Gracie in the main event of Strikeforce’s inaugural mixed martial arts show. In a devastating performance, Shamrock decimated the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a right hand followed by a series of strikes on the floored Gracie that ended the fight a mere 21 seconds after it started.

Shamrock is widely recognized as the father of modern day mixed martial arts, a pioneer of complete fighting who boasts a dangerously versatile skill set, including western boxing, kickboxing and submission wrestling.

Le (cungle.proelite.com), also 35, is attempting to follow in Shamrock’s footsteps in the cage after reeling off 16 consecutive wins in professional kickboxing, where he sealed his position as the sport’s top 185-pound fighter and, arguably, its greatest pound-for-pound competitor.

A host of Le’s conquests, which include four K-1 USA “Superfight� victories and the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) world 185-pound title, have been showcased on ESPN.

“I want this fight. I can’t wait to get in the cage with Frank,� said the confident Le, a winner in his last start over former The Ultimate Fighter reality show contestant, Sam “The Squeeze� Morgan, during a Strikeforce promotion at HP Pavilion on Nov. 16, 2007.

The talented Le’s victory, a third round TKO that he secured with a sidekick to the liver, raised his mixed martial arts record to a perfect 5-0 with five (T)KOs.

“People have been wondering when I’d take the next step in the cage and fight an established superstar and world champion,� said Le, who was sensational during a third-round TKO (strikes) over Tony Fryklund on the Shamrock-Baroni undercard. “Well, here it is. The fans are in for a great fight.�

The greatest challenge posed by Le is, perhaps, his fighting style, considered unorthodox by mixed martial arts standards. Thus far, he has been untouchable in the ring as well as the cage, frustrating and confusing his opponents with an elusiveness and bag of tricks that includes scissor kicks, hip tosses and assorted other throwing techniques that stem from his studies of San Shou kickboxing.

Born in Vietnam, Le fled the war-torn country as a baby in his mother’s arms in 1975. After immigrating to The United States, the family settled in San Jose where Le eventually became an All-American high school and, later, a California state wrestling champion at West Valley Junior College before discovering San Shou.

Le’s tale of survival and success has been the subject of documentary films aired on The Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel. More recently, Le was featured on an episode of The History Channel’s smash-hit martial arts television series, The Human Weapon.

The five-round Shamrock-Le contest will highlight a SHOWTIME telecast that begins live at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). The preliminary card will begin at 5 p.m. PT.

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (January 15, 2008) – The fistic debate as to who is the best will finally be settled Saturday, March 15 when World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ defends his title against three-division world champion MANNY PACQUIAO in a fight fittingly titled Marquez – Pacquiao II Unfinished Business. The bout is a rematch of their May 8, 2004 legendary battle which ended in a draw.

Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, in association with Romanza Boxing Productions and MP Promotions and sponsored by Tecate Beer, Rock Star Energy Drink and Southwest Airlines, Marquez – Pacquiao II Unfinished Business will be for the WBC and vacant Ring Magazine Super Featherweight World Championship. The world title bout will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Boasting near identical records and professional achievements, it is no surprise that their first encounter for the featherweight title ended in a majority draw. Marquez, then the defending International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion, was forced to dig deep after Pacquiao sent him to the canvas three times in the first round. After surviving the first round, Marquez showed determination and endurance as he fired back at his challenger landing numerous combinations and counter punches, stunning Pacquiao during the middle of the fight. The battle continued as both fighters redirected their game plans changing the momentum of the fight with non-stop, exciting, and furious back and forth exchanges throughout the night, keeping the cheering fight fans on their feet. The fight went to the judges’ score cards and the bloodied and swollen warriors were stunned as the announcement of the majority draw was announced. The fight was nominated for “Fight of the Year� by the 2004 Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).

“There isn’t another fight I have wanted as much as this one,� said Marquez, WBC World Super Featherweight Champion. “I won our first fight. He won the first round and I won the next 11. He’s avoided me for four years, saying he is the “Mexican Executioner� but he isn’t because he hasn’t beaten me and he won’t beat me. I’m going to finish the job I started in 2004 and show everyone why I am a champion today.�

Pacquiao responded saying, “I have a lot of respect for Juan Manuel Marquez and his professional accomplishments. He was a worthy opponent the first time we fought and he showed a true champion’s heart to come back and stay in the fight after I knocked him down three times in the first round. He should also remember that it was a judge’s scoring error in the first round that allowed him to keep his titles that night. This is a big fight that will require my hardest training.�

Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions agreed, “Marquez vs. Pacquiao II is the fight that fight fans have been waiting for and we are extremely excited it is finally here. Their first fight was very exciting but ended in a controversial draw. Juan Manuel is prepared for his chance to set the story straight not only for himself, but also for all of his fans, especially those from Mexico.�

Fellow promoter Bob Arum, of Top Rank, stated, “There is something very special and unique about Manny Pacquiao. He really is the pride of the Philippines, a very exciting and charismatic athlete. However, Manny is going into the fight of his career, taking on champion Juan Manuel Marquez who is driven by the fact he fighting for the entire country of Mexico.�

HBO PPV’s Mark Taffet feels much like De La Hoya and Arum saying, “Marquez-Pacquiao II features two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport in a rematch that boxing fans have yearned for since 2004. It represents yet another marquee matchup in a weight class that has provided tremendous excitement over the past few years.â€?

Marquez (48-3-1, 35 KOs), from Mexico City, Mexico, captured his first world title in 2003, stopping former world champion Manuel Medina in the seventh round to capture the vacant IBF featherweight title. He unified the title by dethroning WBA champion Derrick Gainer to set the stage for his first mega-fight against Pacquiao. Following his majority draw against Pacquiao, Marquez successfully defended both title belts, winning decisions over Victor Polo and Orlando Salido, before traveling to Indonesia to face Chris John, where he lost a controversial decision. Marquez successfully advanced into the super featherweight division last year by dethroning WBC champion Barrera in March and successfully defending that title in November against Ricardo Rocky Juarez.

Dubbed “Republica Enemy No. 1,� Pacquiao (45-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, has blitzed through the best fighters Mexico has had to offer since 2003 including Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). The only “blemish� on this impressive resume was the draw against Marquez. Pacquiao, was named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the BWAA and The Ring Magazine for his two spectacular knockout victories of Mexican icon and three-division champion Morales, as well as his dominating 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Larios. The hard-hitting southpaw has won 21 of his last 22 bouts including 2007 victories over Barrera and Solis.

Tickets for Marquez-Pacquiao II, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, are now on sale and can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay box office and 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 Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

CINTRON TO BEGIN FULL TRAINING IN 1-2 WEEKS;

PLANS APRIL RING RETURN

TOTOWA, NJ (January 15, 2008) – IBF welterweight champion Kermit Cintron has been told by his doctor—Reading, PA orthopedic surgeon Dr. R. Scott Cook—that he may resume “full training in a week to 10 days�, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. In November Cook diagnosed Cintron with severe ligament damage in his right hand following the champion’s Nov 23 title-defending victory over Jesse Feliciano (TKO 10).

In a statement today Dr. Cook said, “This week Kermit will begin hitting the speed bag. He is up to speed where he should be and is healing well.�

“We are in the early stages of finding a Kermit opponent for April,� said Duva.

Cintron (29-1, 27 KO’s) injured his right hand in the first round of his bout against Ferguson. Despite the intense pain—which Cintron made evident when he dropped to the canvas following the bout—the champion battled on for 10 rounds before stopping the granite-chinned Feliciano with a two-fisted barrage at the 1:53 mark of round 10.

Cedric Kushner had filed a suit after his fighter Shannon Briggs had a date with Wladimir Klitschko yanked out from under him.

Kushner, Gotham Boxing, K2 Promotions, Wladimir Klitschko and Shelly Finkel are pleased to announce that they have reached an amicable settlement related to a case that had been filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in early 2007. Kushner, Gotham and their counsel, Robert Hantman of Hantman Associates in New York City, along with K2, Klitschko, Finkel and their counsel, Bruce Zabarauskas of Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP, worked over the holidays to reach the agreement, with final signatures being received Friday, January 10, 2008.

Wladimir Klitschko will face Sultan Ibragimov in a Heavyweight Title unification bout in New York’s Madison Square Garden on February 23rd. The parties will work together that night as well as Gotham Boxing’s New York based middleweight sensation Peter “Kid Chocolate� Quillin will be featured in a supporting bout. Tickets for February 23rd show are available at the Madison Square Garden Box Office and at Ticketmaster.com