Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

DON KING TV.COM PREMIERES

THE PRIDE OF ST. LOUIS;

BOXING & SPORTS FANS LINK TO CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS ON THURSDAY

Pride of St. Louis:

Cory Spinks vs. Verno Phillips/Devon Alexander vs. Miguel Callist

Spotlight Don King Promoted Card at Scottrade Center

ST. LOUIS—Promoter Don King has always been one for accomplishing “firsts� in the world of boxing.

The world came to St. Louis and now the World’s Greatest Boxing promoter, Don King will be taking St. Louis to the world as he steps into the future and starts his own television network via the internet at www.donkingtv.com on Thursday, March 27.

King presents a spectacular “Meet Me in St. Louis� championship doubleheader plus several special attractions free to boxing and sports fans worldwide on DonKingTV.com at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT live from the Scottrade Center.

St. Louis boxers Cory “The Next Generation� Spinks and Devon Alexander “The Great� will showcase their talents before their hometown fans in this pioneering extravaganza, “Pride of St. Louis� sponsored by Kelly Oil Co. Inc., Bentley St. Louis, Don King Presents Prizefighter Game on 2K coming June 10th and the Scottrade Center.

Spinks is a world champion, who will be joined by two former Heavyweight Champions, father Leon and uncle Michael Spinks ringside. His protégé Alexander is nearing his first world-title fight. The last time Spinks performed in his hometown, the second greatest attendance in boxing history was established as 22,370 fans were part of sold-out history.

Spinks (36-4, 11 KOs) will defend his International Boxing Federation junior middleweight championship against IBF mandatory challenger Verno Phillips (41-10-1, 21 KOs) in the main event at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

A second championship fight pitting undefeated World Boxing Council Continental Americas super lightweight champion Devon Alexander “The Great� (14-0, 8 KOs) opposing World Boxing Association FEDELATIN super lightweight champion Miguel Callist (24-6-1, 17 KOs) will also be featured during the four-hour webcast as Col. Bob Sheridan will deliver the blow-by-blow call from ringside..

“This is another new and exciting adventure for us,� said Don King. “Like the Gateway to the West, we will be taking St. Louis and this trailblazing fight card worldwide via the internet. Fans will be able to see IBF 154-pount champion Cory Spinks take on Verno Phillips and undefeated 140-pounder Devon Alexander against Miguel Callist. We want as many people as possible to see just how great our technology is, so we’re making four exciting hours of action available free of charge.�

“The Internet continues to be a driving force in revolutionizing how sports are consumed,” said Brad Rinklin, vice president of marketing, Akamai Technologies. “Akamai is excited to collaborate with DonKingTV.com to deliver the live streaming for this premiere event, and to help bring this first-of-its-kind Internet channel to the world of boxing.”

The webcast will not be available in St. Louis where fans can see the event live and in person at Scottrade Center. Tickets are still available for the night of boxing featuring nine bouts beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25 are on sale now and 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.

Irish middleweight champ Matthew Macklin is eyeing up a big payday in 2009 – at the bookies! Ladbrokes are offering odds of 33/1 on Macklin claiming a world title next year and although he’s not a gambling man Macklin says he’ll be backing himself to go all the way to the World middleweight title.However of more immediate concern to Macklin is this Saturday’s Ladbrokes.com Fight Night at the National Stadium, Dublin when he clashes with former World Champion Yori Boy Campas. Macklin says he’s firing on all cylinders following a training camp in Florida with new trainer and former two weight World Champion, Buddy McGirt.It will be Macklin’s first fight with the in demand McGirt in his corner having split with previous trainer Billy Graham towards the end of last year.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Buddy and being out in Florida was a great experience,� said Macklin. “It was just what I needed for this fight. I learned a lot from my time with Billy but felt it was the right time to move on. I need to get back to using my boxing skills a bit more and I think Buddy is the perfect trainer for that.�

Campas will certainly ask some searching questions of Macklin as a veteran of 102 fights. The Mexican’s reputation as one of boxing’s toughest warriors is well deserved having held the IBF Light Middleweight title and having shared the ring with modern ring legends Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad.

Campas is also remembered by Irish fight fans for giving John Duddy the fright of his life when losing to the Derryman on a narrow points decision in September of 2006.

“I think he’ll bring the best out in me,� said Macklin. “He’s a real name in the sport and he’s been in with everyone. Fighting these kind of guys really gives you that buzz you need to perform at your best and I just can’t wait for the fight now.

“I watched a few of his recent fights and he’s still very dangerous, you only have to look at the Duddy fight to see that’s he still carries a dig and he’s a great inside fighter. I certainly won’t have to go looking for him and that will suit me. I’ll be trying to use my boxing ability as much as possible but with his style it will be hard not to get dragged into a fight so it could be pretty explosive.�

The undercard for the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night is headed by the Irish Light Welterweight title rematch between Cavan’s Andrew Murray and Belfast’s James Gorman. The two first met last December at the Kings Hall in Belfast with Murray winning on a technical decision after an accidental clash of heads in the fourth round left Murray unable to continue.

Hopefully the outcome will be more conclusive this weekend and with both men confident of victory it should prove to be an exciting affair.

The card will also feature Cuban heavyweight sensation Mike “The Rebel� Perez. The former World Amateur Junior Champion is a man in a hurry having knocked out his first two professional opponents in the first round. This weekend he faces two time Polish amateur champion Tomasz Zeprzalka as he looks to make it a hat trick of wins in the pro ranks.

Another former amateur star on the card is Dublin’s own Ian Tims. The Clondalkin native is a former Irish Heavyweight champ in the amateur ranks and he’ll be looking to get his pro career off to the best possible start with an impressive win on Saturday night.

Another Dubliner in action is Leon Senior with the London based super middleweight looking for the second win of his pro career.

Unbeaten Belfast welterweight Willie Thompson also features alongside a super middleweight clash between unbeaten Pole, Albert Rybacki and American Freeman Taft.

Tickets for the Ladrokes.com Fight Night priced from €60 are on from Ticketmaster.ie and all usual outlets.

The full line up is:

- Matthew Mackin V Yori Boy Campas – Middleweight (10 Rounds)
- Andrew Murray V James Gorman – Irish Light Welterweight Title (10 Rounds)
- Mike Perez V Tomasz Zeprzalka – Heavyweight (6 Rounds)
- Ian Tims V Klaids Kristapsons – Cruiserweight (4 Rounds)
- Willie Thompson V Semens Moroshek – Welterweight (4 Rounds)
- Leon Senior V Sandris Tomson – Super Middleweight (4 Rounds)
- Albert Rybacki V Freeman Taft – Light Heavyweight (6 Rounds)

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (March 21, 2008) – JOE CALZAGHE, boxing’s current longest-reigning world champion, turns 36 on Sunday, but inasmuch as he is in the midst of training for his challenge of light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins, he has decided to postpone the formal celebration until April 19, in the Planet Hollywood Ring in Las Vegas.

“I’m going to get myself a dog. A St. Bernard to be exact,� said Calzaghe. “And on April 19, I’m going to muzzle that St. Bernard and train him to obey all my commands. Every time I tell him to lay down, he’s going to lay down. I guarantee you that dog will be leaving the ring with his tail between his legs. I’m going to prove, once and for all, Bernard Hopkins is all bark and no bite!�

Hopkins vs. Calzaghe “Battle of the Planet,� is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Frank Warren’s Sports Network and the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The 12-round light heavyweight championship fight will air live from the Planet Hollywood Ring on HBO’s World Championship Boxing, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET / 6:45 p.m. PT.

Remaining tickets, priced at $1500, $1200, $750, $450, $350 and $250, may be purchased by calling 866-USFIGHT or online at www.planenthollywood.com.

LOS ANGELES. March 20, 2008 . . . Light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins took the news of Joe Calzaghe’s rebuttal to his training team statement as a sure sign of panic.

“This poor guy used up all the air in his boxing gym to spew a bunch of nonsense about nothing really. I said what I had to say in one breathe. He knows what he is up against on April 19 and that’s all that has to be said. All those words are just like his punches-nothing on them and no damage done.”

Hopkins vs. Calzaghe “Battle of the Planet,” is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Frank Warren’s Sports Network and the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The match-up will air live from the Planet Hollywood Ring on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET / 6:45 p.m. PT.

Remaining tickets are priced at $1500, $1200, $750, $450, $350 and $250 and may be purchased by calling 866-USFIGHT or online at planethollywood.com .

One of the greatest middleweights of all-time, Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs) owned the middleweight title for over ten years before moving up to the light heavyweight division in 2006, and immediately won The Ring Magazine World Championship with a dominating 12 round decision win over Antonio Tarver. In his last fight, on July 21, 2007, Hopkins continued his amazing run at the age of 42, outpointing Winky Wright. Now it’s on to Calzaghe.

Unquestionably one of the greatest super middleweights in boxing history and currently The Ring Magazine Super Middleweight World Champion, Newbridge, Wales’ Joe Calzaghe (44-0, 32 KOs) and has 21 consecutive title defenses followed his victory over Chris Eubanks in 1997. After big wins over undefeated champions Jeff Lacy in 2006 and Mikkel Kessler in 2007 in which he added the International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) championship belts to his collection, he now seek a bigger challenge at 175 pounds where Hopkins awaits.

ESPN2 Friday Night Fights comes to Twin River Events Center on April 4th as 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six� Estrada takes on former NABO/NABA/WBC Continental Americas champion Lance “Mount� Whitaker in the 10-round main event on “Heavy Hitters,� promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment, Inc.

Estrada (11-1, 2 KOs), 27, completed his amateur career in the U.S. with an amazing 261-14 record. The Providence-native became the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row. “Big Six� won a unanimous 10-round decision versus former world title challenger Charles Shufford in his last fight on January 25.

The massive 6’ 8� Whitaker (32-4-1, 27) has beaten former world champions Oleg Maskaev (KOs) and Al “Ice� Cole, as well as previously undefeated Robert Davis (22-0), and 2-time world title challenger Monte Barrett.

“Providence fans turned out in force last week (March 14), selling out Twin River, and I’m sure will fill the event center again and show people watching on ESPN2 that Providence is the true boxing center of New England,� promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “Jason is Rhode Island’s first Olympic boxer and he’s stepping up in class to fight Whitaker, who has fought some of the top heavyweights of the past decade, and beaten two world champions. We’re also putting hot cruiserweight prospect Aaron Williams, 9-time national amateur champion, on the card in the co-feature and some of the most popular, exciting fighters in New England – Joey Spina, Jarrod Tillinghast, Joey McCreedy and Iraqi War veteran Chris Traietti – on the undercard with a pair of very promising prospects, Diego Pereira and Isander Beauchamp.�

Like Estrada, unbeaten cruiserweight “Awesome� Aaron Williams (16-0-1, 11 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas but making Providence his second home, is taking a quantum step-up in class in terms of his opponent, former NABO/NBA title-holder Andre “Tombstone� Purlette (40-2, 35 KOs), in the 10-round co-feature.

Power punching Providence super middleweight Joey “KO Kid� Spina (21-1-1, 15 KOs), popular unbeaten Providence light heavyweight Jarrod Tillinghast (9-0, 3 KOs), exciting Lowell (MA) light heavyweight “Irish� Joey McCreedy (7-1, 5 KOs), Quincy (MA) super middleweight Chris Traietti 701, 4 KOs) and Providence junior welterweight Diego Pereira (1-0, 1 KO) and Lynn (MA) flyweight Isander Beachamp (4-0, 1 KO) are scheduled to fight on the undercard. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for “Heavy Hitters� are priced at $35.00 (ADA stage seating only), $40.00, $50.00, (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and will soon be available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), or any TicketMaster location. CES is accepting ticket orders now at 401.724.2253/2254. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.

LOS ANGELES, March 20 — CBS and ProElite, Inc. today announced that the first live primetime mixed martial arts event will be broadcast Saturday, May 31 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS will be broadcast live from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

“We’re excited to introduce broadcast television viewers to America’s fastest growing sport with this prime time event,” said Kelly Kahl, Senior Executive Vice President, CBS Primetime. “EliteXC is putting together a lineup card that showcases the unique personalities, world-class athleticism, and raw power and emotion that characterizes mixed martial arts.”

Champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler will put his title on the line against Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith in a middleweight championship bout. EliteXC heavyweight phenom, Kimbo Slice, will also participate in the May 31 event along with other stars from mixed martial arts. Additional matchups will be announced at a later date.

“I am very happy for the highly trained fighters, who will finally get the kind of exposure they deserve, and, of course, the viewers, who will get the opportunity to learn that MMA is truly a sport that requires an abundance of skills, both mentally and physically,” said Gary Shaw, EliteXC Live Events President.

CBS and ProElite, Inc., a Los Angeles-based leading entertainment and media company that produces world class mixed martial arts (MMA) events, announced last month they were teaming up to bring MMA to a major broadcast television network for the first time. CBS will broadcast four MMA events per year, produced by ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, as two-hour live primetime specials.

Mixed martial arts is a sport evolved from a number of ancient combat disciplines including judo, jiu-jitsu, karate, wrestling and kickboxing. World-class athletes engage in hand-to-hand combat in a ring — both caged and traditional — and must adapt their fighting style to fit their opponent. The wide variety of styles and techniques make every event an unpredictable spectacle.

With his entire team assembled at his training camp in Los Angeles, CA, light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins is settling into his intensive routine for what will be the most highly anticipated contest in boxing so far this year.

Supported by trainers Freddie Roach, coming off his Saturday night triumph with his other star pugilist Manny Pacquiao; Nazim Richardson, who is the longest reigning member of Hopkins team; and southpaw specialist John David Jackson, who also saw victory this month with Nate Campbell’s win over Juan Diaz, Hopkins is leaving nothing to chance.

“This guy Calzaghe is a tough customer and his record shows that,” said Hopkins. “But I don’t think he and his father can actually “out corner” my corner when it comes to expertise and preparation. I consider my crew the “execution squad”, boxing’s elite and a vital part to my success, which will be the case on April 19. Not only am I going to beat Joe Calzaghe, I’m going to punish him and Enzo Calzaghe will be forced to stop being the trainer and start being the father and save his son for another day, the same way Don Felix Trinidad saved Tito from me.”

Also joining the training trio is conditioning expert Mackie Shilstone, who sports a perfect 5-0 record when it comes to victories for the fighters— the likes of which include Michael Spinks, Riddick Bowe, Roy Jones and Hopkins—he has worked with over the course of his boxing career.

“Bernard might be older but his body responds like a young champion,” said Shilstone. “We work out together and I watch the opponents’ tapes with him too. Trust me, we will be ready.”

Hopkins vs. Calzaghe “Battle of the Planet”, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Frank Warren’s Sports Network and the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The match-up will air live from the Planet Hollywood Ring on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $1500, $1200, $750, $450, $350 and $250, are now on sale and may be purchased by calling 866-USFIGHT or online at planethollywood.com .

One of the greatest middleweights of all-time, Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs) owned the middleweight title for over ten years before moving up to the light heavyweight division in 2006, and immediately won The Ring Magazine World Championship with a dominating 12 round decision win over Antonio Tarver. In his last fight, on July 21, 2007, Hopkins continued his amazing run at the age of 42, outpointing Winky Wright. Now it’s on to Calzaghe.

Unquestionably one of the greatest super middleweights in boxing history and currently The Ring Magazine Super Middleweight World Champion, Newbridge, Wales’ Joe Calzaghe (44-0, 32 KOs) has never tasted defeat in his pro career and has held the world super middleweight title since he defeated Chris Eubank in 1997 for the World Boxing Organization Championship. Twenty-one consecutive title defenses followed that victory — fourth-best on boxing’s all-time list — and after big wins over undefeated champions Jeff Lacy in 2006 and Mikkel Kessler in 2007 in which he added the International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) championship belts to his collection, he now seek a bigger challenge at 175 pounds where Hopkins awaits.

New York, March 19—Dino Duva, promoter of World Boxing Council Heavyweight Champion Samuel Peter has been actively working on the “Nigerian Nightmare’s” schedule. Duva has been tireless in his efforts the last ten days following Samuel Peter’s emphatic sixth-round TKO of Oleg Maskaev in Cancun that gave the Nigerian sole possession of the WBC belt.

“Now that Samuel Peter is the undisputed king of the WBC heavyweight title there are a lot of exciting things that Samuel wants to accomplish,” said Duva. “Samuel has to fight Vitali Klitschko and we are working on that right now and look forward to that great match. Samuel also has a dream to bring a world heavyweight championship fight to his homeland in Nigeria. It will be the biggest sporting event in Nigerian and African history. Ultimately he wants to unify the world heavyweight championships. If Samuel and Wladimir Klitschko continue on winning paths, the rematch between the two for the ultimate heavyweight unification will be the biggest heavyweight fight in years.”

“As we have been preaching for a long time, Samuel Peter has brought back excitement to the heavyweight division,” added Duva. “Samuel Peter’s schedule is my number one priority and it will impact the entire heavyweight division. Included in that plan and of the utmost importance is the ultimate goal of unifying all of the heavyweight belts. I have been in contact with the representatives of Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko and the other heavyweight champions and I believe exciting things will fall into place very quickly for the heavyweight division.”

IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man� Malignaggi hopes to ink a pact early next week to confirm his dream deal: a two-fight arrangement culminating with a showdown against the world’s recognized No. 1 junior welterweight, Ricky Hatton, The Ring magazine and IBO title-holder.

“I’ve got to admit that, after the Cotto fight,� Malignaggi said, “I never thought that I’d get the chance to fight another great champion again. I believed in myself, but it was almost like I proved too much to everyone, that I had skills, but most of all, that I’m as tough as anyone who ever laced on gloves. I’m really grateful that Team Hatton looks like they’ll give me the opportunity to fight on Ricky’s big card in Manchester in May and then against him in the Fall in the United States.

“Ricky and I have a lot in common. Both our fathers were soccer players – his in England and mine in Italy – and we’ve both paid our dues and earned the respect of the fans and other fighters. The only marks on our records came against two great fighters, Mayweather and Cotto. What makes it so exciting is the big difference in our fighting styles. Ricky is rough and tough; an all-action fighter who takes advantage of everything he can to get the win. You’re never going to see a Hatton fight that doesn’t keep you on the edge of your seat. Most of my fights have been boxing matches. The excitement was dictated by how aggressive the other guy wanted to be. If they brought it, they got it back times 10. I know I’m at the top of my game right now and that’s what it takes to have a chance against a great champion like Ricky Hatton.�

Malignaggi (24-1, 5 KOs) captured the IBF title last June, defeating champion Lovemore N’dou (45-8-1) by 12-found decision, and Paulie successfully defended his belt in January with a 12-round decision against No. 1 contender Herman Ngoudjo (16-1).

“Everyone was blown away when they heard Ricky was going to fight at City of Manchester Stadium,â€? Paulie continued. “It’s going to be crazy over there! They’ve had a lot of quality fighters in Great Britain – Joe Calzaghe, David Haye, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank. They also had Lennox Lewis, but nothing like what Ricky means to them. Vegas was crazy last December and I know we can bring that atmosphere back when we go at it in the Fall. This won’t be a Friendly, more like a World Cup match, wherever we fight.

“My goal has always been to make the biggest and best fights, just like my great friend, Floyd Mayweather, has told me to do. A match-up between me and Ricky will be a Super Fight, one talked about for as long as there is boxing. No other fight at 140 matters. And before the fight, well, everyone knows that I talk a lot of smack, so Ricky’s not going to get any breaks there, either. Like with Floyd, me and Ricky can save seeing if we’re cool until once we’ve earned each other’s respect at the only place it counts – in the ring. There is no one, I repeat, no one I want to fight more than the No. 1 guy in the division – Ricky Hatton. Forget the money, forget the titles, this is about being the best. I know that if I get in the ring with Ricky Hatton, I’ll show him and everyone else what I’m made of, that I am the best 140-pound fighter in the world.

“I want to thank Ricky, his father, Ray, his lawyer, Gareth, who I met in Vegas, my team and everyone at Golden Boy and DBE for working so hard on this. I know I’m not always the easiest guy to deal with because I get so emotional over stupid stuff and open my mouth. I want to hype things up and get my chance to prove to everyone that I can walk the walk with the best. I’m ready to sign on the dotted line and prove to the Hattons and everyone else that Paulie Malignaggi is ready and up for the task of making this the biggest and best promotion that it can be. The best versus the best! If Ricky Hatton can beat me, then he can close the book on the 140-pound division. But no one’s beating the ‘Magic Man’ ever again. Me and Ricky are both professionals and know we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We both know that if we don’t win in May, our fight can never happen. Let everyone know that Paulie Malignaggi will do his part to make this happen and I’m counting on Ricky to do the same.�