Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

Fresh off of his dominating performance against four-time world title challenger Jameel “Big Time� McCline, two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman� Ruiz (43-7-1, 29 KOs) has fought himself back into position for another world title shot.

A rejuvenated Ruiz won a lop-sided 12-round decision on March 8 in a near shutout performance (119-109, 118-110, 117-111) against McCline, who is his previous fight had three times floored Samuel Peter, the new WBC heavyweight champion after stopping Oleg Maskaev on the same card in Cancun. (Judge Julie Lederman, who scored 119-109 in favor of Ruiz, also had McCline losing 112-113 to Peter.)

The new Ruiz is similar to the vintage edition of the Puerto Rican/American who first won the world title in 2001 with a 12-round decision against legendary Evander Holyfield.

“I’m excited and looking forward to my next fight,� Ruiz said. “All of my hard training paid off. (Ruiz weighed-in against McCline at his lightest in five years, 233 lbs.) I’m much more confident fighting this time around. I’m more aggressive than I’ve been in years, throwing more punches and combinations. Everybody’s talking about Sam Peter being the best heavyweight since Lennox Lewis. McCline almost finished off Peter and look what I did to McCline. I’m back at the top of my game and I can beat anybody out there. I’m still in the game; I will be a title holder again and try to unify the titles.

“I’m encouraged by a lot of positive feedback I’ve gotten since the McCline fight. I’m motivated more today than I ever was in the past. I changed my whole crew, especially bringing in Manny Siaca, Sr. as head trainer, which has helped me achieve the position I’m in, back on the right track. I’ve been learning some new things with Manny. I feel like I’m almost starting over again. I’m so excited. Manny has trained 28 world champs and I’m going to be his 29th. What I’ve been through makes me want it more today. Working with Manny has been a great opportunity for me to learn and put it into my game. I’m mentally focused and I’ve been doing everything possible to be my best.�

Ruiz, who has fought in 10 world championship fights, has beaten three world heavyweight champions — Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – as well as top contenders Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Kirk Johnson and McCline during his 15-year pro career.

Ruiz-McCline was a WBC Qualifier with the winner promised the No. 3 spot in the next ratings. Ruiz is ranked No. 2 in the WBA and cracked the WBO ratings at No. 11.

“My fight against McCline showed I’m ready for anybody in the division,� Ruiz added. “If any of the true world champions want to show what they’re worth, let them prove it by fighting me, somebody who has never ducked an opponent and with more world title fight experience than anybody. I’m ready for any of the title-holders – (Wladimir) Klitschko, Peter, or the (Ruslan) Chagaev-(Nikolay) Valuev winner. I’m back in the gym already getting prepared for my next fight. I’m back!�

Apparently, it was too good to be true – a super middleweight showdown between a former world champion, Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler, and one of the sport’s brightest young stars, Edison Miranda, to be held on May 24th and aired on Showtime. But it’s not to be after Kessler pulled out of the bout today, giving no reason for his withdrawal.

Miranda, a former middleweight title challenger who is unbeaten with two knockouts in his first two super middleweight bouts, isn’t surprised.

“I didn’t get my hopes up because I know Kessler is afraid of me,� said Miranda. “We gave him everything he wanted to make this fight and he still wouldn’t take it. In fact, the only thing we didn’t give him is the opportunity to tie my hands around my back while we fought, but at this point I’m willing to even give him that because I know if I yelled ‘boo’ at him in the ring he’d turn and run. I said it before and I’ll say it again – he should be ashamed to call himself a Viking Warrior.�

Among the concessions Miranda and his promoter made to Kessler were that the bout would not be held on any Native American owned property, including the Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena in Florida or any other Hard Rock property, and that it wouldn’t even be held anywhere in the state of Florida. Financially, Kessler’s demands kept rising throughout negotiations, but due to a substantial offer by Showtime, all these demands would have been met if the fight came to fruition. Unfortunately, at this point it won’t.

“I am outraged by the behavior of the Kessler camp,� said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. “We sent them a contract with everything they asked for and then told Showtime we changed things. Please read their written deal point memo sent to us by them. We gave them everything they wanted. Showtime even moved the date form May 10th to May 24th to accommodate them. And then I did not receive the courtesy of a phone call but I had to hear from Showtime the fight was off. It is hard to believe that any person would do business this way. I guess the Kessler is really afraid of Miranda and they are covering for him. They must believe the only place they can win a fight against a real fighter is in Denmark.�

“If Kessler isn’t man enough to fight me, that’s okay because now the world knows that we gave him everything he asked for and still wouldn’t take the fight,� said Miranda. “I know that there has to be someone out there willing to fight me, and sooner or later, we’ll find him.�

The search for a high-profile opponent for Miranda continues. Stay tuned.

Memphis-TN-March 26, 2008. For sport fans, it doesn’t get much better than this. The NCAA holds their basketball championships, the PGA holds the classic Master’s golf tournament, and ESPN returns with their exciting installment of Wednesday Night Fights.

For the third year in row, ESPN2 will feature the electrifying and UNDEFEATED flyweight Rayonta “The Stingrayâ€? Whitfield (20-0, 10 KO’s) as he continues to climb his way to superstardom in a 12-round IBF and WBO title eliminator. The #2 ranked flyweight in the world and Augusta native will take on top-ten flyweight contender Manuel Vargas (24-2, 10 KO’s) Wednesday, April 9th at the Bell Auditorium in Augusta, Georgia to kick off the new season of ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights.

2007 was a stellar year for “the Stingrayâ€? and his promoter Prize Fight Boxing as Whitfield scored two impressive knockouts before the second round drew to a close. “The Stingrayâ€? also made a statement last year when he took three rugged and determined veteran fighters into deep waters winning each of those fights on all three judges’ scorecards.

However, Vargas is in no stretch of the imagination a pushover, and is certain to give “the Stingrayâ€? and the fight fans their money’s worth. With the Mexican native on a seven year, twenty-three fight win streak, and with many of Vargas’ knockout victims never making it past the third round, this be a grueling test of power and will for both warriors. The very same week in Augusta when Tiger Woods and golf’s greatest players will be competing for one of golf’s greatest prize, the legendary green jacket at the Master’s, both Whitfield and Vargas will be battling it out, knowing a victory on April 9th will propel them to the number one spot and earn them a well-deserved mandatory shot at the IBF and WBO Flyweight Titles.

In classic Prize Fight Boxing fashion, this exciting fight card is stacked from top to bottom with undefeated fighters willing to put their perfect records on the line to prove that they are one to be reckoned with in the fight game. UNDEFEATED junior welterweight prospect Ty Barnett (13-0, 9 KO’s), having just come off an amazing year by knocking out all but one of his opponents in ‘07 will be facing Christopher Fernandez (15-4, 9 KO’s) in an 8-round co-feature bout. Both of Fernandez’s wins last year ended with an impressive stoppage, and he is eager to take Barnett’s “Oâ€? in a knock down drag out barn burner if need be.

Also on the card, exciting stand out Mark Davis (5-0, 3 KO’s) and Sadat Vazquez (3-1, 1 KO) are set to duke it out in a junior lightweight match-up as well as white hot prospect Fernando Guerrero (3-0, 3 KO’s), who will be placing his eye-catching and undefeated record on the line against unpredictable Valentino Jalomo (2-2, 1 KO).

Two fights on the card will pin undefeated versus undefeated where someone’s “Oâ€? has to go. In a six round lightweight battle, Chris Howard (5-0, 2 KO’s) will face Anthony Smith 3-0 (1 KO), while Demarcus Young (2-0, 2 KO’s), the promising cruiserweight prospect who shares his birthplace of Aiken, South Carolina with former 147-pound champ Paul Williams will be taking on Mark Johnson (1-0) in a four round slugfest to open the show.

With this amazing fight card taking place in Augusta the same week as the Master’s, tickets are already moving fast with some of today’s biggest sport celebrities and wildest sport fans in town for the golf classic. Do not miss this opportunity to see an incredible night of action both in and out of the ring!

Doors open at 6:30PM
TV fights starting at 8:00PM
Ticket prices start at $15 with ringside tickets at $40.
Tickets can be purchased at the Augusta Richmond
County Civic Center Box Office or by phone at
706-722-3521. Also, at Ticketmaster.com or by calling
Ticketmaster at 706-828-7700.

Undefeated junior middleweight James Moore, 15-0 (10 KOS), scored his most impressive victory to date when he outpointed J.C. Candelo of Colombia in the main event of the March 15 show at Madison Square Garden’s WaMu Theater.

The show, which was called “A Fistful of Shamrocks,� was promoted by Celtic Gloves Promotions.

Moore’s hard-earned victory stirred the junior middleweight pot by showing that he is a force to be reckoned with. On March 24 he stirred a different kind of pot at a South Bronx residence for men living in transition. He joined several members of the NYPD’s Holy Name Society who volunteer their time on Monday nights to cook dinner for the men residing at the St. Anthony Residence, which is run by the Order of the Franciscan of the Renewal.

Immediately upon his arrival, Moore donned an apron and began stirring the delicious meat sauce that accompanied the spaghetti dinner. Also served was salad and garlic bread.

Moore was a big hit with the residents, as well as volunteers Lt. John Welch, Sgt. Brian Reilly and Police Officers Robert Barrett and Craig Basler. “It was very nice of James to come show his support for the residents,� said Reilly. “He has as much class outside of the ring as he does inside of it.�

“I am very happy to help out people who are less fortunate than I am,� said Moore. “I have come to America to pursue my dream of being a world champion. The American people have really opened their arms to me, so I am honored to be able to give something back to a country and a city that has already given me so much.�

NEW YORK, March 25 – With everything riding on the line, the stakes will be high when Sugar Shane Mosley and Zab “Super� Judah square off in a welterweight showdown on Saturday, May 31. Mosley vs. Judah: “High Stakes,� headlines a night of world-class professional boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drink, Tecate Beer, Affliction Clothing and Southwest Airlines. The 12-round bout will take at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

In addition to the main event, Golden Boy is pleased to announce that former super featherweight world champion Jorge Barrios will meet 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist Ricardo Rocky Juarez as the featured undercard bout of the evening and also featured on the live broadcast.

Tickets, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100 are now on sale and available at the Mandalay Bay Events Center 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 the Mandalay Bay box office at (702) 632-7 580 or Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

“It’s extremely high stakes for Zab and myself in this fight and I’m excited to be fighting him,� said Mosley. “We have similar styles in terms of speed and power and we both always come to fight. I think it will come down to who’s the hungrier fighter. I am hungry for this victory and I’m confident I will get it May 31.�

Judah rebutted saying, “I am willing to gamble everything on this fight against Mosley and I know I have to win it to set my career back on the winning path. I respect Shane as a great fighter but I know he can’t go 12 fast rounds with me. I plan to take him into deep waters and be the first one to stop him.�

Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions stated, “As a boxing fan, I am excited to finally see what happens when two of the best welterweights of this era get in the ring together. Both Mosley and Judah always come to fight with tremendous non-stop action and as they both need to win this fight to keep their dreams of another championship alive, I know we’re going to see the best of them May 31.�

Senior Vice President of HBOPPV Mark Taffet agreed, “Shane Mosley and Zab Judah have given boxing fans so many exciting, memorable performances for years. We expect May 31 to be another one of those great nights.�

A four-time and three-division world champion who has proven to be worthy of the venerable nickname “Sugar,� Mosley (44-5, 37 KOs) continues to thrill fans with his speed, power and warrior’s heart. Mosley holds wins over the likes of De La Hoya (twice), Fernando Vargas (twice), Jesse James Leija, Luis Collazo and John John Molina while winning world titles in the lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight divisions. The 36-year-old Pomona, Calif. native also showed his mettle and toughness last November when he fought welterweight champion Miguel Cotto tooth and nail for 12 rounds, falling short via close decision. A win over Judah in May will put Mosley at the top of the line for a rematch with Cotto.

Judah (36-5, 25 KOs), a three-time and two-division world champion, is considered one of the most talented fighters of the past decade. The former undisputed world welterweight champion, 30-year-old “Super� Judah owns victories over Junior Witter, Micky Ward, DeMarcus Corley and Cory Spinks. He has recently been fighting with his speed, power and focus coming together like never before. Brooklyn’s finest is on track for a spectacular performance against Mosley on May 31.

The Mosley vs. Judah pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $44.95, 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 Mosley vs. Judah fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

VERO BEACH, Florida (March 25, 2008) – Unbeaten super middleweight prospect James McGirt, Jr. (18-0, 9 KOs) squares-off with another son of a former world champion, Carlos “Baby Sugar� DeLeon, Jr. (19-2-2, 12 KOs), April 11 in the 10-round co-feature on ShoBox, live from Miccosukee Resort in Miami.

“Fighting on ShoBox means everything to me,� McGirt said. “It’s a stepping stone for my career and I’m very excited. I fought on ShoBox one other time, when I defeated Aaron Pryor’s son, Stephan. Every fight is a new chapter in my career, each one the biggest of my life. I know DeLeon is going to bring his ‘A’ game. I’ve got to be better than him, smarter than him in the ring. I know my father will be telling me to keep my right hand up.

“I’ve been working very hard, so going the distance (in his first scheduled 10 round fight) won’t be a problem, if I need to. It’s his first 10-round fight, too. My weight is right on and I’ve never been this close to the contracted weight so far out from a fight. I’ve been in the gym for so long, waiting for a fight since October, working regularly since right before New Years. For the past 2 ½ months I’ve been on a strength program, lifting weights, and I’ve bulked up a little. I’ve found a home at super middleweight.�

The fathers of McGirt and DeLeon were world champions at the same time in 1988. James “Buddy� McGirt, St., who had a 73-6-1 (48 KOs) record as a pro, was a 2-time world champion in two weight classes (IBF light welterweight 1988, WBC welterweight 1991-93). Carlos “Sugar� DeLeon, Sr., 52-8-1 (32 KOs) as a pro, was a 4-time WBC cruiserweight champion (1980-82, 1983-85, 1986-88, 1989).

“James is ready to take it to the next level,â€? McGirt’s manager, Dennis Witherow, remarked. “We’ve had him on a strength-and-conditioning program. We saw a small difference in his last fight against (Jason) Naugler, but he had only been on the program for 30 days. This fight we expect to see a substantial difference. I think some people are going to be surprised by James’ strength. His boxing skills continue to get better, too. ‘Buddy’ knows boxing so well that he can even pick-out James’ natural skills and still make them better. He’s constantly on James to improve.

“We’re all excited about James fighting again on ShoBox. A win can get James a top 10 fighter next. He’s willing and deserves that, too. You can count on one hand the number of rounds James has lost. He wants to prove that he’s a premier fighter making a name for himself, not the son of a great fighter being protected. As James’ opponents are better, he gets better.�

McGirt, rated No. 26 by the WBC, is a southpaw originally from Brentwood, New York, now living and fighting out of Vero Beach, Florida. DeLeon, rated No. 31 by the WBC, is the reigning USNBC champion from Puerto Rico.

The McGirts are on a mission to become the first family in boxing to feature father-son world champions with the former working his natural son’s corner as head trainer when the latter captures a major world title.

ST. LOUIS—A large media contingent arrived for open workouts by hometown sons Cory Spinks and Devon Alexander “The Great� who are appearing in separate championship matches as part of Don King’s “Pride of St. Louis� event at Scottrade Center and Web cast on DonKingTV.com on Thursday.

The Alexander and Spinks workouts were held in separate gyms due to Spinks’s recent split from his trainer of 13 years Kevin Cunningham, which took place three weeks ago. Cunningham, who still trains and manages Devon Alexander, explained his departure from the Spinks camp.

“It just got to the point where Cory’s ready to run his own program with his new team and I respect that and wish him well,� Cunningham said.

Spinks said he was ready for a change and wanted to work with longtime St. Louis trainer Buddy Shaw.

“Egos get in the way,� Spinks said. “It has just been building. We [Kevin and I] have accomplished a lot in my career but I guess it is time for something new. From here, I am still happy and I’ll shine come Thursday night.

“There is no difference (between Kevin and new trainer Buddy Shaw). Kevin was a great trainer. We have got to move on. You still have to be great in the end. This is my job and I plan to do my job come Thursday night.�

Spinks added: “I’m going to have two gold medalists and two heavyweight world champions in my corner on Thursday in my father Leon and my uncle Mike. They have been helping me in the gym, too.�

Former three-time world champion Verno Phillips is ready to face Spinks and become a four-time world champion.

“I know I am fighting him [Spinks] in his hometown, but I plan to get my fourth world title and join the Hall of Fame. I can’t control the hometown fans. All I can do is control what I can do in the ring and show my skills.�

Undefeated 21-year-old 140-pounder Alexander is ready to fight in his hometown as well.

“I know he [Miguel Callist] doesn’t have a big heart like I do,� Alexander said. “I saw his last fight and I saw that he doesn’t have enough heart. The guy barely hit him and he went down. I am going to take his heart very early and test his heart.�

WBA FEDLATIN super lightweight champion Miguel Callist remained undaunted at the prospect of facing Alexander in his hometown on Thursday.

“It’s OK for me,� Callist said. “If you want to be a champion, you come through the front door always. I come to St. Louis for the victory by any means necessary.�

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25 can be purchased at the Scottrade Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at 314-241-1888 for an automated line or 314-421-4400 or 618-222-2900 for sales rep, or online at ticketmaster.com. A per-ticket facility fee will be added to all tickets purchased at all locations, including at the Scottrade Center Box Office. Additional Ticketmaster service charges and handling fees apply. For disabled seating, call 314-622-5420. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the first of nine scheduled bouts beginning shortly thereafter.

The free Web cast on DonKingTV.com will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT (blocked in St. Louis area). Spinks vs. Phillips for the IBF junior middleweight championship and Alexander vs. Callist for the WBC Continental Americas and WBA FEDELATIN super lightweight titles will be preceded on the Web cast by two featured attractions.

Undefeated cruiserweight Francisco Palacios, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, will take on Zack Page, from Warren Ohio, and undefeated super middleweight Marcus Johnson, from Killeen, Tex., will face Jose Medina, from Miami, Fla.

Full Quotes

Cory Spinks: (On his split with trainer Kevin Cunningham after 13 years)� “Egos get in the way. It has just been building. We [Kevin and I] have accomplished a lot in my career but I guess it is time for something new. From here, I am still happy and I’ll shine come Thursday night.

“There is no difference (between Kevin and new trainer Buddy Shaw). Kevin was a great trainer. We have got to move on. You still have to be great in the end. This is my job and I plan to do my job come Thursday night.

“I’ve known Buddy for a long time. He was the first one I thought of. We have worked well together. Things are not going to change Thursday night. I am ready to defend my championship. My opponent is a slick fighter but so am I. I’ll make him miss a lot. I plan to shine Thursday night.â€?

(Would you ever get back together with Kevin Cunningham?) “Not at this point. I take my hat off to the guy for what he did for me. I gotta move on. You can’t stay stuck in that frame of mind. You got to move on. I’m still a world champion. And I want to stay a world champion.

“I’m going to have two gold medalists and two heavyweight world champions in my corner on Thursday in my father Leon and my uncle Mike. They have been helping me in the gym, too.

“Everything is perfect. We are ready to fight. I feel great, look great and am ready to be great. This is a plus in every way. I am going to shine come Thursday night.

“This [St. Louis] is a city of champions—the Cardinals, the Blues, the Rams. I want to continue being a champion.�

Kevin Cunningham (Cory Spinks’s trainer and manager for the last 13 years, who was relieved of training duties three weeks ago): “It just got to the point where Cory’s ready to run his own program with his new team and I respect that and wish him well.�

Buddy Shaw (longtime St. Louis trainer, who took over training duties for Cory Spinks three weeks ago): “I’ve seen him [Cory Spinks] since he was eight years old. You could see there was something special about him when he began to move as an amateur. I am very happy where we are right now.

“I am just here [training Cory Spinks] for Thursday night. This is not the biggest fight for me. I was with Arthur Johnson when he fought Timmy Austin for the bantamweight title in Las Vegas.

“There was a game plan in place. Being a boxer myself, I have watched one tape and seen Verno fight. You don’t change that much. You don’t change the stripes on a leopard. I am happy where we are right now. I am very confident of what he [Cory Spinks] can do.

“Verno is an old veteran and he has been around the block a few times. That will pose a few problems but once we get past that we will be fine.

“Everything has gone smoothly. Great cooperation from Cory. He has been really in it. He has done everything I have asked him to do. He has been happy.

“I can’t change either. There is nothing I can really do. His great potential is yet to be tapped. There is nothing you can do during this time [the past three weeks]. You leave it where it is and I am working with what he can do. Conditioning is where it is and that is what matters at this point.

“There wasn’t a loss of time [between Cunningham leaving and him taking over]. We are right we want to be for the weigh in on Wednesday. He’s running good, he’s training good, he’s had excellent sparring. I’m happy. He has been working on my turf.�

Verno Phillips: “I know I am fighting him [Cory Spinks] in his hometown, but I plan to get my fourth world title and join the Hall of Fame.

“I can’t control the [Spinks’s] hometown fans. All I can do is control what I can do in the ring and show my skills.

“I plan to do my thing and make him look silly. I have a game plan and you will see my game plan Thursday night. I am hard to hit. My hands are perfect and when my hands connect with him, they will be solid. I can fight all night. I am focused. I am going to make a name for myself in Belize.

“I only saw Spinks when he mentioned my name when he got to 154 [pounds]. I look forward to the opportunity to fight him. God gave me a strong lion heart. Boxing is what I love to do. It has kept me out of trouble. I didn’t know I would be a three-time world champion. God has told me I can go for a four-time champion and give me all the things I want before I get out of boxing. That is what I want.�

(How popular are you in Belize?) “They told me that if I win this they would give me a golden key. Maybe I’ll get a statue. It is nice there. It’s a tourist city. Everywhere I go there, I run. They (the people) bow. They kiss my hand. I just want to be humble. I do it for the land and my family.

“I am focused for this fight. I have been watching tapes of his [Spinks’s] fights and concentrating on his moves. I have skill. I have not lost the skill that I have.

“I trained in Denver, Argentina and Arizona. I have been training a long time. We were ready for the [Spinks] fight on January 19 at Madison Square Garden and it was cancelled. Then it was going to move to Germany and it was postponed again. They offered me the fight in his hometown. I talked with my trainer. We are ready to go. We are going to come here and upset him.�

Devon Alexander: “I’m super ready. The hard work takes place in the gym before fights with how much you put into it. That makes the fight easy. I have to calm myself down on fight night because I get so excited.

“I love what I do when I’m in the ring. I get focused. That’s what will make me a world champion, hopefully by next year.�

“I had a lot of decisions early in my career, but I’ve been working on my power and strength. I was working on technique as an amateur, but now I’m working on getting pop to my punches.�

(On his fight with DeMarcus Corley…) “I never made eight rounds before and I then I went 12 with Corley. Now that I know I can go 12, I have been training extra hard for this fight against an experienced veteran.

“Corley was a slick fighter. I was pacing myself. I got the victory. It was a big victory for me. I learned a lot. I got a lot of experience from it. I am my own worst critic. I could have done a lot better than what I did in the fight. I wanted to knock him, but I was satisfied with the decision. I just know I could have done a lot better.

“I am still working on my power. I am progressing. I am 14-0 now. Madison Square Garden was big for me. Not everyone gets to fight in Madison Square Garden. It is just a blessing what has happened to me.

“I never go into a fight thinking I am going to knock a guy out. I have trained very very hard.

I am settled in at 140. That is where I am most comfortable at.

“I hope to fight every two months. I leave it up to my trainer Kevin Cunningham, but I like to fight every two months. That way you are preparing everyday. I am full of energy and I am ready to go.

“I feel good…I am back home in St. Louis…I get to show the fans that they have a real champion here. I have been training for two months. I am excited about it. I just want to show the fans they have a champion here in St. Louis. This week I am just staying fit and staying focused, watching my weight and sticking to the game plan. If I am not ready Thursday night, I will never be ready. I’ve been training very hard for this fight.

“The serious training ended Saturday. We are ready to go. It has been two months of vigorous training. I can’t get tired. I have been running 6.2 miles everyday. I have been in the gym sparring Monday, Wednesday and Friday eight to 10 rounds. We are in the gym Monday through Saturday. If he (Callist) can withstand that, I take my hat off to him.

“Kevin is all business. There is no b.s. It is all hard training here. We don’t show any weakness. He is like a drill sergeant. He has always been like a dad to me. We’ve been together since I was eight years old. I was a snotty nosed kid when I walked in the gym and met Kevin. I came into the gym and I was excited about boxing. I was very small and I had trouble reaching up to the bag. I stuck with it and I am 14-0 now. It is just starting to pay off now.�

(On Thursday’s opponent, continental champion Miguel Callist) “I know he doesn’t have a big heart like I do. I saw his last fight and I saw that he doesn’t have enough heart. The guy barely hit him and he went down. I am going to take his heart very early and test his heart. I will feel him out the first round and then take it from there.

“Every fight is a big fight. This is a unification bout. I train harder and harder each fight. I know the guys going to try to knock my head off. That is why I train twice as hard.�

Miguel Callist: “It’s OK for me [to face Devon Alexander in his hometown]. If you want to be a champion, you come through the front door always. I come to St. Louis for the victory by any means necessary.�

=

New York, Wednesday, March 19, 2008-After his incredible ten round ‘heart’ fought war against Kermit Cintron for the IBF Welterweight title on November 23, 2007, that had every fan in attendance on their feet rooting for the underdog, Jesse “El Rayoâ€? Feliciano (15-6-3, 9KO’s #15 IBF) returns to the ring for yet another no holds barred battle against one of the most formidable boxers in the Jr. Middleweight division, former NABF Champion Andrey Tsurkan (25-3, 16 KO’s # 10 WBC). This sensational match up will be televised live on the very popular ESPN2 Friday Night Fights series on April 25th from the Utopia Paradise Theater in the Bronx, NY.

“I have two of my most exciting fighters going head to head on April 25. This fight has all the ingredients of fire, power and passion to be one of the best fights this year on ESPN2.This is what boxing is all about; real fighters, tough challenges, real fights,� said Star Boxing CEO Joe DeGuardia.

Tsurkan recently lost his NABF title by a highly contentious split decision to the undefeated Yuri Foreman at the Paradise Theater on November 14, 2007. Believing he won his last fight, as did fans in attendance, Tsurkan jumps right back into the fire as he battles the tough as nails Feliciano at the catch weight of 152 pounds.

Feliciano who also fights with passion, heart and a cast iron chin, gave a visibly rattled and shocked Cintron the toughest fight of his career. Jesse came very close to scoring a huge upset but left the arena with a legion of endearing fans. A win over Tsurkan will most certainly put Feliciano right back into the title picture.

This explosive main event is brought to you by Star Boxing’s immensely popular fight series “Punchin at the Paradiseâ€? in the Bronx.

STAR BOXING RESERVES THE BEST VIP TABLES FOR YOU!
Consistent with Star Boxing’s commitment to providing the best seats in the house VIP tables have been reserved at $2000 for a table of ten. To secure one of our most popular VIP packages please call: Dottie Raven- 718-823-2000. Additionally, special reserved tickets in all price categories are available through the Star Boxing office.
draven@starboxing.com – www.starboxing.com

TWO TIME WORLD CHAMPION
ROBERT “THE GHOST” GUERRERO
TEAMS UP WITH UNDEFEATED UFC CHAMPION
FRANK SHAMROCK
TO FUND WOMENS BATTLE WITH BREAST CANCER
Press Release For Immediate Release
San Jose CA. March 21, 2008
Among many celebrity fighters joining five-time undefeated UFC Champion Frank Shamrock in raising money for Robin Murray’s battle with cancer is two-time world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and his wife Casey.

Robin Murray is a San Jose woman struggling with breast cancer. For Guerrero, whose wife was diagnosed with Leukemia last year, helping Murray’s battle with cancer is just another step in making a difference and finding a cure.

Also joining Frank Shamrock for this event is Shonie “Mr. International” Carter from The Ultimate Fighter season 4 on Spike TV, Mike Cook from Iron Ring on BET, and UFC Heavyweight Champion Maurice Smith, who is in town training Shamrock for his upcoming fight with Cung Le on March 29, 2008 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.

WHEN: Saturday, March 22, 2008

7:00 p.m. Doors open

WHERE: At the new Fuel Restaurant & Lounge

385 South Winchester Blvd,

San Jose, California

WHAT: A Spectacular Evening Is In Store!

Hosted Premium Cocktails, Cuisine, Entertainment & More

(Hosted cocktails & cuisine will be available for the duration of the evening)

Door Prizes & Raffle Silent Auction

COST: $200 per person Suggested Contribution To Benefit The Robin Murray Foundation

WHY: The Hope That Those Lost To Cancer Will Never Be Forgotten.

That Those Who Face Cancer Will Be Supported.

And That One Day Cancer Will Be Eliminated.

HOW: Make checks payable to: Real Warriors Love – Tax ID #26-1958628 (Checks must be dated March 22, 2008)

Payable upon arrival

or by mail to:

Ralph King

5725 Winfield Blvd. Suite 1

San Jose, California95123

SMOKIN’ JOE WILL BLOW OUT OL’ BERNIE!

NEWBRIDGE, WALES (March 21, 2008) — JOE CALZAGHE, boxing’s longest-reigning world champion, says he will have a spartan 36th birthday on Sunday as he continues preparations for his super-fight against Bernard Hopkins on April 19.

There will be no cake for the Welshman, who has vowed to instead blow out the candles on Hopkins’ career when they meet at the Planet Hollywood Ring in Las Vegas next month.

“I’ll be spending my birthday in the gym and running up the mountains around my home in South Wales,� said the undisputed super-middleweight king.

“All celebrations are on hold for now, but I’ll get my present on April 19 when I unwrap Bernard Hopkins and kick his backside in front of the world.

“It will be like all my birthdays coming at once, because once I’ve dealt with Hopkins I’ll cement my position in the States as the best pound for pound fighter in the world.

“This is the last flickering flame in Hopkins’ career and I will extinguish it for good on fight night.

“There will only be one place left for Hopkins after this fight – retirement.�

Calzaghe is already closing in on the 175-pound light-heavyweight limit with the fight still four weeks away, and claims to be in the shape of his life.

“Those extra seven pounds are making such a difference,� said Calzaghe. “I feel so good at the weight it is unbelievable.

“Hopkins is going to get a nasty shock on April 19 because I’m quicker, sharper and punching harder than ever before. I’ve even become more handsome.

“I spent 10 years struggling to make super-middleweight, but I’m la new man at 175 pounds.

“I’ve always said I’ll be even better at light-heavyweight than 168 pounds, and people are going to see that when I beat Hopkins.”