Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

HBO BOXING AFTER DARK®: JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ VS. GERRY PENALOSA AND

LAMONT PETERSON VS. WILLY BLAIN TRAVELS TO PUERTO RICO FOR

A NIGHT OF ACTION SATURDAY, APRIL 25, ON HBO

A rising star and battle-tested veteran turn up the heat when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK®: JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ VS. GERRY PENALOSA AND LAMONT PETERSON VS. WILLY BLAIN is presented SATURDAY, APRIL 25 (10:00 p.m. live ET/tape-delayed PT) from the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team of blow-by-blow announcer Bob Papa, commentator Max Kellerman and expert analyst Lennox Lewis will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

The main event pits undefeated sensation and junior featherweight titleholder Juan Manuel Lopez (24-0, 22 KOs) of Caguas, Puerto Rico against battle-tested veteran and former two-division champ Gerry Penalosa (54-6-2, 36 KOs) of Manila, Philippines in a scheduled 12-round title match. After a stunning first-round knockout of Daniel Ponce De Leon in his June 2008 HBO debut, local hero Lopez will need his unparalleled speed, power and accuracy to extend a perfect ring record and become the first fighter to knock out his foe. Nicknamed “Fearless” for unwavering boldness in the ring during a long, high-caliber career, the seasoned Penalosa plans on springing a surprise on his rival.

Kicking off the night, undefeated junior welterweights Lamont Peterson (26-0, 12 KOs) and Willy Blain (20-0, 3 KOs) fight for top-rated status in the division and the chance of a division title shot in a scheduled 12-round contest. Overcoming a poverty-ridden childhood in Memphis, Tenn., Peterson has become one of the junior welterweight division’s hottest prospect; he now faces a towering challenge in former world amateur champion and Hamburg, Germany resident Willy Blain. Unbeaten in a combined 46 challenges, Peterson and Blain are both skilled, quick-handed fighters.

The BOXING AFTER DARK doubleheader will be preceded by the debut of the third episode of the all-access reality series “Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7” at 9:35 p.m. (ET/PT).

Bob Goodman Joins Square Ring Promotions

Hall of Fame Inductee to Join Roy Jones’ Company

PENSACOLA, Fla. (April 23, 2009) – One of the sport’s most highly respected executives, Bob Goodman, has agreed to join Square Ring Promotions as Chief Operating Officer, it was announced today by Chief Executive Officer John S. Wirt.

Goodman will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y. on June 14, joining his legendary father Murray Goodman as a member. He has been a matchmaker, promoter, publicist and manager over his 50 some odd years in boxing.

“We’re very proud to have Bob Goodman on our team,” said Square Ring President Roy Jones, Jr. “He’s a great addition and shows how serious we are about the future of our Company.”

Goodman, who will turn 70 on June 8, was the Vice President of Boxing Operations and Public Relations for Don King Productions for many years at his last post. He was also the head at Madison Square Garden Boxing, where they developed many champions, including, James “Buddy” McGirt, Kevin Kelley, “Poison” Junior Jones, Aaron “Superman” Davis, Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson, Tracy Harris Patterson, Lonnie Bradley, Julio Cesar Green and Hector Acero Sanchez.

“We are honored that Bob has joined Square Ring,” said Wirt. “As a future Hall of Famer, he brings unprecedented depth, insight and experience. Having previously worked with him for over ten years, he is one of the most admired and respected professionals in the industry and will be an invaluable member of Square Ring.”

“I’m happy to join Square Ring, headed by such a great champion as Roy,” said Goodman from his home in New Jersey. “This is a great opportunity and challenge for me to do what I love with people I like and respect. I’m excited about being with this young dynamic company and the prospects for the future.”

World-ranked, undefeated super middleweight Andre Ward (18-0, 12 KOs) meets hard-hitting Colombian Edison Miranda (32-3, 28 KOs) May 16 on a special Saturday primetime edition of ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.

A victory in what most agree will be Ward’s toughest test could put the talented, classy 2004 Olympic Games gold medalist in position to fight the winner of this Saturday’s showdown between undefeated WBC 168-pound champion Carl Froch and former undisputed middleweight kingpin Jerman Taylor on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

Ward, who is ranked No. 2 in the WBC, one spot below Taylor, doesn’t see a clear-cut favorite and expects Froch-Taylor to be a tight, competitive contest.

“This is a very interesting fight,” said Ward, who will appear in his hometown of Oakland for the first time as a professional when he takes on Miranda. “I admire Froch for coming to the United States to fight. He could have stayed in the UK and become a draw but he knows that at age 31 his time is now.

“Stylistically speaking, it’s a hard fight to call. Both fighters have their pros and cons. But if I have to pick, I’d say Taylor will win a very close fight. I think his speed, experience and athleticism will pull him through.”

The May 16 ShoBox telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Green Trunks, Green Living: “Irish” John Duddy’s Tips for Saving the Planet!

Let’s knock out Global Warming together! “Irish” John Duddy, Champion of the Ring and Conservation, invites you to celebrate Earth Day with him, by making small changes that make a big impact on saving the Earth. Here are his top 5 tips for cutting down on energy consumption:

1.) Unplugging appliances that aren’t in use: So when you are at the Duddy vs. Lyell Fight this Friday, April 24th at Prudential Center in Newark at 8pm, do your part. Unplug the toaster.

2.) Fix leaky faucets: Don’t let water go to waste! Clean water is a precious resource that not everyone on the planet is able to enjoy. Fix leaky faucets, turn the water off when you are brushing your teeth and don’t leave it running when you are at the Duddy vs. Lyell fight this Friday!

3.) Plant a tree: Trees absorb carbon dioxide and create oxygen, making our air cleaner and reducing green house gasses. Name the tree “Irish John.”

4.) Carpool: To the Duddy vs. Lyell fight at the Prudential Center in Newark this Friday! The more friends you bring, the more you’ll be saving the planet.

5.) Take mass transit instead of driving: you could take the Path train, for example, to the Duddy vs. Lyell fight this Friday night at 8pm at the Prudential Center in Newark, it’s an easy ride! See below for easy ways to take mass transit.

NJ TRANSIT is the fast, easy way to travel to Prudential Center. With direct service to Newark on six rail lines, more than two dozen bus routes and the Newark Light Rail system, you can travel from almost anywhere in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia too! And, simple rail connections are available at Secaucus Junction from Bergen, Passaic, Rockland and Orange counties.

If you choose to take the train to the Broad Street station, you can take the Newark Light Rail to Newark Penn Station and Prudential Center is just two blocks west of the station.

NEWARK PENN STATION

Prudential Center is just two blocks from Newark Penn Station and connected to Newark Broad Street Station by frequent convenient bus service.

Purchasing your ticket is easy from NJ TRANSIT ticket vending machines, available at many rail stations, light rail stations, bus terminals and there’s even a NJ Transit ticket vending machine in the box office lobby at Prudential Center. For trip planning tools, station parking information, schedules, fares and more, visit the NJ Transit website: NJ TRANSIT Website

To copy and paste, http://www.njtransit.com/var/var_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PRUTo

Fight/Venue Info: Featuring 10 Round Middleweight battle between “Irish” John Duddy and Billy Lyell; 8 Round Super Lightweight fight, Kassim Ouma vs. Gabriel Rosado; and 4 exciting undercard fights. At Newark’s Prudential Center Friday, April 24th. With energy producing entertainment by “The Shots” an Irish bag pipe rock band – a musical sensation not to be missed! An energetic Fan Festival will be held at Entry Plaza on Edison and Mulberry Streets from 6-8pm, with food, beverages and live entertainment. Doors open for the fights at 8pm. Tickets, priced at $38, $53, $78, $103 and $253, can be purchased at Prudential Center Box Office or by calling TicketMaster at 201-507-8900.

MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMP CARL FROCH
TO DEFEND AGAINST JERMAIN TAYLOR

ON SHOWTIME SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

____________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, April 25, LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/PT

From MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort Casino

NEW YORK (April 20, 2009) – A household name in his native England, talented, undefeated Carl Froch will look to make a major statement — and enhance his reputation in America — when he defends his World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight title against one of the most highly regarded and recognizable fighters of this generation, former undisputed middleweight belt-holder Jermain Taylor, Saturday, April 25, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

The co-feature is an important 10-round super middleweight fight between No. 14-ranked World Boxing Council (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight contender Allan Green and rising prospect Carlos De Leon, Jr., son of four-time cruiserweight world champion Carlos De Leon.

The telecast will air live at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from MGM Grand Theater at MGM Grand at Foxwoods. The fight card is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Hennessy Sports.

Taylor is looking to establish himself as an elite player in the stacked 168-pound division with a win over the undefeated Froch. The former undisputed middleweight champ is looking to pile on the belts, and possibly unify, his new division.

“I’m training harder than I’ve ever trained before,” Taylor said. “I’m looking forward to getting these belts back. I’ve been missing them.”

“I just respect the fact that he has the belts. I think he’s way too cocky and he doesn’t know how to lose. On April 25, he’s going to learn how to lose.”

Taylor (28-2-1, 17 KOs), of Little Rock, Ark., has had a prolific pro career since winning a bronze medal for the United States in the 2000 Olympic Games. The six-foot-one-inch, 30-year-old Taylor is the only boxer to twice defeat future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins.

In a WBC title eliminator last Nov. 15, Taylor dominated Jeff Lacy en route to taking a unanimous decision. Taylor also has defeated former champions Cory Spinks, Raul Marquez and William Joppy.

When he outpointed Hopkins the first time, Taylor became 160-pound world champion in the WBC, World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organization (WBO).

Already a star in England, Froch is looking to expand his reputation in America by defeating one of boxing’s most popular and exciting fighters. But the undefeated, hard-hitting Brit will have to do it as an underdog for the first time in his career.

“I’m not surprised about being the underdog,” Froch said. “The American media doesn’t necessarily know who Carl Froch is in terms of big-time boxing.

“This is why I’m going over there with my title to defend against such a top name as Jermain Taylor. Until I do that, then the odds probably won’t be stacked in my favor. I don’t mind being the underdog.”

Froch (24-0, 19 KOs), of Nottingham, England, will be making the first defense of the vacant 168-pound crown he gained in his last outing with a unanimous 12-round decision over Jean Pascal on Dec. 6, 2008. He earned the title shot after registering a fourth-round TKO over Albert Rybacki on May 10, 2008, on ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME.

The six-foot, 31-year-old Froch, who has fought all but one of his fights in the UK, is one of 32 Shobox alums to become a world titleholder. A victory over Taylor would provide Froch instant stardom. The winner on April 25 will perhaps have the opportunity to unify against IBF champion Lucian Bute.

The naturally bigger Froch, who has never touched the canvas in his career, could pose as Taylor’s toughest challenge since moving up from his dominant run at middleweight.

“I’m not worried about his power at all,” Taylor said. “As far as him never being on the floor before, there’s a first time for everything. He gets hit a lot. His defense is his head. He stands right there.”

“If he’s bigger, so what? It doesn’t mean anything as long as I’m boxing and moving. He’s a cocky fighter and I love that because I plan on bringing all that down. He doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into and I’m going to teach him.”

Froch, who has never fought in a division below super middleweight, disagrees.

“He wants my belt? I don’t want him to take my belt. It’s going to be a fabulous fight. I’ve been in 24 fights, I’m unbeaten, I haven’t been in any trouble. I’m coming to this fight confident that I’m taking my belt home with me. No problems.”

In the co-feature, the hard-hitting Green (27-1, 19 KOs), of Tulsa, Okla., is looking to get back into the world title picture with a dominating win over the promising De Leon. His only setback came in February of 2007 when he lost a unanimous decision to Edison Miranda.

Undefeated since then with three knockouts in his last four fights, Green is taking on a tough challenge against a talented fighter with the hopes that a victory will push him into title contention.

“I’m looking forward to making my SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING debut,” Green said. “It’s been a long time coming and I’m going to make the most of this opportunity.

“Carlos De Leon Jr., is a solid fighter, but I’m coming into the ring to make a statement and I don’t expect him to last long. I just hope I don’t scare off the winner of Taylor-Froch with the performance I’m about to put on.”

De Leon (21-2-2, 14 KOs), of Las Vegas, by way of Puerto Rico, is taking a big step up in fighting Green as he, too, hopes to step back into the super middleweight title picture. A promising, ranked prospect just one year ago, De Leon is trying to overcome a loss to Fulgencio Zuniga last February with a convincing victory over Green.

“This is my moment,’’ De Leon said. “It is my moment to shine on SHOWTIME. It is my moment to show the world that I am the best super middleweight out there.

“I will run over Allan Green like a bullet train, will make Puerto Rico shine and will honor and continue the legacy that my father once gave to my country. My message to Mr. Taylor and Mr. Froch is I am coming to get you.”

Green and DeLeon are two power-punching fighters who can end the fight with one punch. With two aggressive brawlers, this crossroads fight in the 168-pound division will feature non-stop action for as long as it lasts.

Tickets are on sale and priced at $200, $100, $75 and $50. They are available at

www.mgmatfoxwoods.com, your local Ticket Master and MGM Grand Box Office 866-646-0649.

Saturday night’s alright for

prospect Danny O’Connor

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (April 20, 2009) – Hot New England prospect Danny O’Connor is ready for Saturday night’s throw-down with 21-fight veteran Travis Hartman on the Carl Froch-Jermain Taylor undercard at MGM Grand Foxwoods in Ledyard, Connecticut.

2004 U.S. Olympic Team alternate O’Connor (5-0, 2 KOs) will be fighting not too far from His Framingham (MA) home for the second time in a row. Missouri-native Hartman (9-11-1, 7 KOs) will serve as a solid test, as well as a measuring stick for O’Connor, having fought other promising prospects such as Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., Jorge Perez, Jr., Shamone Alvarez, Damain Frias and Ray Sanchez.

“I’m excited about fight Saturday night,” the Seminole Warriors Boxing-promoted O’Connor said. “It’s a good opportunity for me to showcase my talents on a big fight card, the Taylor-Froch undercard, which will give me good exposure. I’m eager to display all we’ve been working on since my last fight. I feel very strong for this fight.”

The 23-year-old O’Connor, who defeated 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz a year ago in a USA-Dominican Republic dual meet, is fighting again as a light welterweight (140) but gradually moving down to lightweight (135).

GEORGE PETERSON

HAS MOLDED PAUL WILLIAMS

INTO A FIGHTING MACHINE

Veteran Coach a Leading Candidate for 2009 Trainer of the Year

LOS ANGELES (April 20, 2009) – From the days when he was a really skinny kid with little amateur experience to today where he is now a skinny young man that has unquestionably become the most feared boxer on the planet, the man behind Paul “The Punisher” Williams has been manager-trainer George Peterson.

The well-respected Peterson, a Washington D.C.-native who now resides in Aiken, S.C., has been in Williams’ corner for 11 years. The classy and honorable Peterson is overdue in his worldwide recognition with the prestigious ‘Trainer of the Year’ honors.

Peterson was a policeman in D.C. for more than 20 years before becoming involved in the toughest of all sports. “I boxed as an amateur and did some amateur coaching with the Police Boys Club in D.C. for a few years,’’ he said. “Several guys, after their modest amateur careers, wanted to turn pro but they didn’t want anybody else to work with them but me. That’s basically how I got into boxing.’’

Since 1998, Peterson has served the Al Haymon and Goossen Tutor Promotions superstar in countless capacities – most notably as a father figure but also as a manager, coach, trainer, confidant, mentor, inventor, and friend. You name it he’s been it for the talented Williams.

“By the time we got together, Paul had reached a point where he wasn’t satisfied with his amateur career and wanted to become a professional boxer,’’ Peterson recalled. “He thought he would be able to accomplish what he wanted in the pro ranks so he just decided to turn pro.’’

In the beginning and even today, it wasn’t merely Williams’ talent that impressed Peterson, but his dedication and attitude.

“I saw that Paul had the love and passion for boxing, and that’s all I needed to know,’’ Peterson said. “I told him, ‘give me 110 percent and I’ll make a champion out of you. That’s all I need from you is 110 percent.’ People always ask, ‘what did you see in him?’ It wasn’t so much what I saw; it was just what I believed, and I believed in him.”

“And Paul believed in himself too and that was it. From day one, I didn’t have any doubt.’’

Knowing he had something special, the wise and knowledgeable Peterson formulated a plan designed to polish the skills of the aspiring World Champion.

It began with the pair visiting countless training camps and traveling the South in search of the best sparring partners. That worked for a while, and Williams gained some experience and his fundamentals improved.

Eventually, they outgrew the local gyms and the scarce opposition in South Carolina – Peterson owns a gym in Aiken – and in Augusta, Georgia.

“We had to get on the road and move around quite a bit,’’ Peterson said. “We moved all around the South, went up to the Poconos, went to Puerto Rico. There wasn’t anything local about us.

“I wanted Paul to get different looks and eventually he was able to recognize those different styles. He learned how to protect himself defensively and how to use those skills offensively. It was a simultaneous training and development process that he went through and he did well every step of the way.”

Looking back at his start with Peterson, Williams said, “I’d been in the ring with so many champions. But he was like, ‘I’m going to take you to every gym I possibly can and let you spar with every champion there is to get a different look and atmosphere. You’re going to need this when you get in the ring years down the road with other champions.’ He was right!’’

The confident, workmanlike attitude Williams and Peterson displayed in their early years together is still intact today as Peterson has expertly molded the stylish, six-foot-two-inch southpaw into a polished, multi-talented boxer-puncher who remains a dangerous threat to any prizefighter from 147-168 pounds.

Of course, only a handful in those four talent-rich weight classes have been brave enough to take on Williams, a trend that has followed Williams’ for the past few years. Former World Champion Winky Wright, one of the most experienced and respected fighters of this generation, stepped up to the challenge on April 11, 2009 and was thoroughly beaten like no other time in his Hall of Fame career.

“Before we fought Winky, we thought nobody with a name would fight Paul,’’ Peterson said. “It was a big surprise that Winky agreed to fight us and we have tremendous respect for him for doing so.’’

So, now, Williams and Peterson find themselves at the top of the sport after his recent dominating performances.

“I just want to keep working hard and have Paul improve in every fight,’’ said Peterson, who has developed a menacing fighter very few dare to step in the ring against. “Paul wants to fight anyone who believes they are the best.”

“He wants to let his fighting in the ring show the fans that he is the best fighter in boxing. The other fighters that think they are the best eventually will be forced to fight Paul to prove it. “

Peterson, who should know, considers Williams one of the most prolific fighters in the last 20 years. “Paul makes a statement every fight. Everybody he’s fought, he beat convincingly. Paul Williams is in a situation where we believe he can match the great accomplishments of Tommy Hearns, Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard, and then some,” Peterson said. “It’s just this guy’s time.’’

“This is absolutely the best trainer/fighter relationship, in and out of the ring, I have ever witnessed,” stated Williams’ promoter Dan Goossen. I ask any fight fan, promoter, or boxing historian to tell me what fighter in the history of our great sport has had the high-energy, punch output that Paul exhibits round after round, fight after fight? The credit naturally goes to the fighter, but we have to recognize the driving force behind the fighter. I certainly do.”

“Paul being as feared as he is, is a good thing. I remember the Marvin Hagler years of trying to get a big name into the ring after winning his World Championship. It took the “destroy and destruct” left-hander three years after winning the championship to get the big fight (Roberto Duran) he so desired.

“Paul got Winky after one year of his championship, and Paul’s well on his way of being the marquee attraction in our sport as reflected in his April 11 HBO rating that outdistanced the highly anticipated Shane Mosley-Antonio Margarito broadcast. Fans appreciate his toughness and work ethic in the ring and it shows in the television ratings.

Concluded Goossen, “George Peterson has taken this skinny young kid and transformed him into being one of the most exciting fighters in the World today as well as the “Most Feared.” End of story.”

Manfredo stops Smichet in 7th

MONTREAL (April 18, 2009) – Former world title challenger Peter Manfredo, Jr. knocked out tough Tunisian veteran Walid “Tempete de Sable” Smichet in the seventh round of today’s scheduled 10-round co-feature at Montreal Casino

The 28-year-old Manfredo (32-6, 16 KOs), star of The Contender, Season I, got his career back on the right track with a strong performance against Smichet (20-6-3, 14 KOs), who had been knocked out only once in 28 prior pro fights, by Renan St. Juste in 2006. Manfredo accomplished what neither unbeaten world title contender John Duddy nor Canadian middleweight champion Sebastien Demers had been able to do in their 10 and 12 round fights, respectively, against Smichet.

“It was a nice win and good confidence builder,” Manfredo remarked. “I hurt him in the third and after that I knew I could hurt him anytime. He was tough, though, and came back fighting. I hurt him again in the sixth and knew that it was only a matter of time. I was bigger, stronger and better than him and proved it today, not only to the fans, but to myself. I’m a top-level performer who only had three weeks to get ready for this fight. I’m coming down to middleweight and I want Duddy. Today, I did what he couldn’t do and plan on being ringside Friday night (vs. Billy Lyell in Newark, NJ) for his fight.”

Manfredo recently reunited with his original promoter, Jimmy Burchfield (Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., who said after the fight, “What a victory! A war, back-and-forth action, but Peter boxed beautifully and stuck with his game plan. He hurt Smichet a number of times, picking him apart, throughout the fight. It was a devastating punch; knockout of the year candidate.”

Manfredo floored Smichet in the third, staggered in the sixth, and put him to sleep with a vicious left hook at the end of the seventh.

“A great win,” Manfredo’s manager Larry Army added. “We couldn’t be happier with his comeback fight. The middleweight division is ripe for Peter’s pickings.”

Go to www.cesboxing.com for more information about Classic Entertainment and Sports and Manfredo.

GERMAN BOXING FANS PURCHASE 30,000 TICKETS ON FIRST SALES DAY FOR WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. DAVID HAYE SET FOR JUNE 20 AT VELTINS-ARENA STADIUM IN SCHALKE

New York, April 18—Waiting on a long line that was seemingly “a mile long,” according to Bernd Bönte, Managing Director of Klitschko Management Group, German fight fans purchased 30,000 tickets for the Wladimir Klitschko vs. David Haye world heavyweight champ ionship fight on the first day of sales today.

Wladmir will put his IBF, WBO and IBO belts on the line against the number two ranked Haye on June 20. The Schalke Stadium, a soccer venue, has a capacity of 60,000. “We are absolutely sure that the fight will be sold out very soon,” said Boente.

The Veltins-Arena is the home field of German Bundesliga 04 Soccer Team.

“I always wanted to fight in a soccer stadium in front of such a big crowd. Now, this dream comes true,” said Klitschko. “Once I attended a Schalke match myself and since then I have not forgotten

these fantastic fans that supported their team constantly for 90 minutes. I am sure June 20 will be an unforgettable night for all of us.”

The fight will be broadcast worldwide. In Germany hosting channel will be RTL, HBO will broadcast the fight in the US and Setanta covers in the UK.

Klitschko, who hails from Kiev, Ukraine and fights out of Germany, has a ring record of 52-3, with 46 victories coming by way of knockout. Haye, who is a native of London, England, has a 22-1 record with 21 KO’s.

The two heavyweights will host a New York City press conference on Thursday, April 23.

MIRANDA PROMISES TO TURN WARD’S DREAM INTO A NIGHTMARE ON MAY 16TH

HOLLYWOOD, FL, April 17 – No stranger to traveling to his opponent’s backyards, Edison Miranda had no problem with taking a fight with Andre Ward on May 16th that will be held at the Oracle Arena in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, California. In fact, “Pantera” welcomed the opportunity.

“Knocking Ward out in front of his hometown fans will leave no questions from anyone,” said Miranda. “He can’t blame the water, can’t blame the judges, can’t blame the fans, because everything will be in his favor on May 16th. But the only thing he can’t control are my fists, and if he thinks fighting at home is a dream come true, I’m going to turn that dream into a nightmare soon after the bell rings.”

One of the most anticipated bouts of 2009, Miranda, a longtime middleweight and super middleweight contender, will be the stiffest test ever for Ward, an unbeaten 2004 Olympic Gold medalist. And despite Ward’s home advantage, Puerto Rican’s Miranda has traveled to Germany to face middleweight champion Arthur Abraham, and most recently went to London to take on Joey Vegas. So leaving home to fight is no problem for him.

“Going to fight in Oakland is no big deal. I have fought all over the world, in 7 different countries” said Miranda. “I hear people saying Andre Ward is too skillful for me to handle. Skillful against who? I give him all the credit in the world for taking home the gold. But he has been acting like he is still in the amateurs with these cherry picked opponents he has been fighting. Andre, I am no amateur. When you step in that ring I am going to initiate you into the big leagues. You gotta walk before you run, and with me you will find out you ran to quick. I’m a real fighter and I’m going to show him that on May 16th.”

The 12-rounder for Ward’s North American Boxing Organization (NABO) and North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Super Middleweight titles will be the featured bout on a Special Edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

The May 16 event will originate from the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., and will be promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with Antonio Leonard Productions. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, April 18. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. PT. The first non-televised fight is at 5 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $125, $75, $50 and $25 at the ORACLE Arena Box office: Mon-Fri 10-5:30pm, Saturday 10-2:00pm, Sunday Closed or On-Line through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or through Ticketmaster Outlets at the following outlet partners: select Macy’s stores and select Ritmo Latino stores. All information can be obtained at www.ticketmaster.com.