Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

TICKETS FOR MAYWEATHER VS. MARQUEZ
SUPER-FIGHT GO ON SALE FRIDAY, MAY 22

MGM Grand To Host Event Saturday, July 18

LAS VEGAS – Floyd “Money” Mayweather has returned to the sport of boxing and will put his undefeated record on the line when he faces the dangerous and highly touted five-time world champion Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez in MAYWEATHER vs. MARQUEZ “Number One/Numero Uno” Saturday, July 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Tickets priced at $1,000, $750, $600, $300 and $150, not including applicable service charges, go on sale Friday, May 22 at 10 a.m. PT. Ticket sales at $1,000, $750, $600 and $300 are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800)745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

A 1996 Olympic Bronze medalist for the United States, Floyd “Money” Mayweather (39-0, 25 KO’s) has since gone on to strike Gold in the professional ranks, winning six world titles in five weight classes to firmly establish himself as one of the best fighters of his era. In just his 18th pro fight, Mayweather won his first world title at the age of 21 by stopping Genaro Hernandez for the WBC world super featherweight crown in 1998. The Grand Rapids, Michigan native defended that title eight times before moving up to lightweight and taking the 135-pound belt from Jose Luis Castillo in 2002, but “Money” Mayweather wasn’t done yet, as he defeated Arturo Gatti and Zab Judah for the junior welterweight and welterweight world titles, respectively. Despite these impressive achievements, it wasn’t until he defeated Oscar de la Hoya in May of 2007 for the world junior middleweight championship in a record-setting super-fight where the world truly got to see what Mayweather was all about. In his last fight, on December 8, 2007, Mayweather made another statement to the world when he knocked out Ricky “Hitman” Hatton in the tenth round, handing the British superstar his first professional defeat. After the bout, Mayweather – who has achieved crossover fame as a contestant on the hit show “Dancing with the Stars” and as a participant in WWE’s “Wrestlemania XXIV” – announced his retirement from boxing. But he left the door open for a return if the right challenge presented itself, and on July 18th, the 32-year-old Las Vegas resident comes back to face Juan Manuel Marquez.

In an era of great Mexican fighters such as Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, Mexico City’s Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KO’s) has made it clear over the last few years that he is truly the greatest of the bunch. Long revered by boxing purists as one of the best, Marquez won 29 of his first 30 pro bouts, before finally getting a world title shot in 1999. Marquez would lose that opportunity controversially to Freddie Norwood and in response, he didn’t lose for the next seven years, winning the IBF world featherweight title against Manuel Medina in 2003. In November 2003, Marquez unified the titles when he defeated Derrick “Smoke” Gainer and captured the WBA world featherweight title. His second title defense in 2004 against Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao may be his most memorable, as he rose from three first-round knockdowns to roar back and gain a draw in a fight that many observers believe he won. Marquez would lose his belt via decision to Chris John in 2006, but he returned to form almost immediately, scoring a 12-round win over Barrera in March of 2007 to win the WBC 130-pound world title. In 2008, Marquez and Pacquiao would meet again in another memorable bout however Marquez dropped a disputed 12-round split decision to the Filipino superstar. Undeterred, “Dinamita” moved up to the 135-pound weight class in September of 2008 and stunned the boxing world by handing Joel Casamayor his first knockout defeat to win the Ring Magazine world lightweight championship. It was hard to top such a victory, but in the 35-year-old Marquez’ most recent fight on February 28, 2009, he did just that as he stopped former Three-Time World Champion Juan Diaz in the ninth round to add the WBO and WBA World Lightweight belts to his trophy case. On July 18th he looks to further cement his legacy with a win over Mayweather.

Mayweather vs. Marquez: “Number One/Numero Uno,” is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines. The 12-round bout will take place July 18th at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada and televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.

The Mayweather vs. Marquez pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 71 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 Mayweather vs. Marquez fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

The MGM Grand Garden Arena is home to concerts, championship boxing and premier sporting and special events. The Arena offers comfortable seating for as many as 16,800 with excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting and sound. Prominent events to date have included world championship fights between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson as well as Oscar de la Hoya vs. Bernard Hopkins and George Foreman vs. Michael Moorer; and concerts by The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, Gloria Estefan, Janet Jackson, Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Backstreet Boys, ‘N Sync, Sting, Jimmy Buffett and the Barbra Streisand Millennium Concert. The MGM Grand Garden Arena is also home to the annual FOX Billboard Music Awards, the annual Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children Benefit and the Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMA).

Nikolai Valuev believes the solitude of East German village Kienbaum will help him to win the rematch with Ruslan Chagaev on May 30. The WBA heavyweight champion, who battles it out with the “champion in recess” at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, is shaping up in Team Sauerland´s training camp base 20 miles east of Berlin. In the middle of nowhere, there is nothing that could take the Russian Giant´s focus away from the fight. “In St. Petersburg the phone would ring every two minutes,” he said. “Then there would be a family duties. And I could not walk on the streets without being recognised and asked for a signature. There would be no chance to work out efficiently. That is why I like Kienbaum. I can really focus here.”
And he added: “The landscape, the birches, the lake – it all reminds me of St. Petersburg. So I feel like being at home, at least a little bit, even though I am far away from Russia.”

Valuev never allows anybody to watch his sparring sessions. They are his secret. In the mornings, he also does a 90-minute work-out with coach Alexander Zimin featuring warm-ups, stretching, shadow boxing, coordination exercises and pad-work. The biggest and tallest champion of all time only gets the Thursday afternoon off. “When the weather was bad I watched DVDs. The last movie was about Alexander The Great. However, if the weather is fine, I go fishing. I really enjoy it.” Last week, Valuev, who is also a passionate hunter, got lucky, catching a perch. “The perch was too young so I threw it back in,” he said.

On Sunday, May 24, Valuev will travel to Helsinki to continue his preparation for the showdown with Chagaev. “I am very confident of success,” he said.

TITLE BRAWLS AT BOARDWALK HALL

HIGHLIGHT “LATIN FURY 9” PAY-PER-VIEW!

Tickets Go On Sale

This Monday! May 18 at Noon ET

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (May 16, 2009) – World championship boxing monopolizes Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on Saturday, June 27 with “Latin Fury 9!” The pay-per-view extravaganza will be headlined by two world championship fights — World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight champion JUAN MANUEL “Juanma” LOPEZ defending his title against undefeated North America Boxing Association (NABA) super bantamweight champion OLIVIER LONTCHI and WBO bantamweight champion FERNANDO “Cochulito” MONTIEL defending his crown against former world champion ERIC “Little Hands of Steel” MOREL. The televised portion of the card also features former world champion PAULIE “The Magic Man” MALIGNAGGI taking on undefeated “Mile-High” MIKE ALVARADO in a 10-round junior welterweight rumble and VANES “The Nightmare” MARTIROSYAN risking his undefeated record against ANDREY TSURKAN in a 10-round junior middleweight battle. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Caesars Atlantic City, “Latin Fury 9” will be broadcast Live on Pay-Per-View from the Adrian Phillips Ballroom, beginning at 9 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. PDT. These eight sluggers boast a combined record of 224-10-2 (135 KOs), a winning percentage of 95% and a victory by knockout ratio of 60%!

Tickets, priced at $200, $100 and $50, go on sale This Monday! May 18, at Noon ET, and can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster (800) 736-1420 or online at www.Ticketmaster.com.

“Call it the Perfect Storm because on June 27 Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall is going to be hit by a title wave,” said promoter Bob Arum. “Two world championship fights plus two more battles between top-rated contenders. Whether you see it in-person or live on pay-per-view, fans are in store for an action-packed night. Even though their fights are in Atlantic City, it’s not going to be walk on the beach for any of these fighters.”

“Caesars is very excited to welcome these gladiators and their loyal fans to Atlantic City,” said Harrah’s Entertainment Sports & Entertainment Consultant Ken Condon. “We are looking forward to what is sure to be another fabulous night of world championship boxing at Boardwalk Hall with these exciting match-ups.”

Lopez (25-0, 23 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, returns to Atlantic City where he captured his world title, dethroning defending champion Daniel Ponce De Leon via a first-round knockout on June 7, 2008, ending De Leon’s three-year title reign, which had included seven successful defenses, five by knockout. Lopez has successfully defended his title three times since, all by knockout with only his most recent, against world champion Gerry Penalosa, going past the first round and stretching his victory by knockout streak to 13. He was named Puerto Rico’s 2008 “Fighter of the Year,” where he went 4-0 (3 KOs), including three first-round knockout world title victories. His professional resume boasts a victory by knockout percentage of 92% which explains why the average length of his fights is under four rounds.

Lontchi (18-0-2, 8 KOs), a native of Cameroon who fights out of Montréal, Québec, Canada, has promised to put up a Canadian cold front that will ice Lopez’s winning streak and title reign. A recent power surge has produced knockout victories in his last two fights, his most recent on April 4 when he successfully defended his NABA title with a seventh-round KO of Cecilio Santos. The former Canadian featherweight champion dropped down to 122-pound division in 2007 where he captured the vacant NABA and NABO titles winning a dominant 12-round unanimous decision over Cruz Carbajal. He has successfully defended the NABA title three times while advancing his world ratings where he had been ranked No. 3 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and is currently No. 7 by the WBO.

Montiel (39-2-1, 29 KOs), from Los Mochis, Mexico, has captured four world titles in three different divisions. He returns to the ring in defense of his WBO bantamweight title, which he won in Tijuana on March 28 on “Latin Fury 8,” by knocking out Diego Silva in the third round. It was Montiel’s fifth consecutive world title knockout victory. Montiel, considered a crown jewel of Mexico boxing, captured his first world title in December 2000, knocking out defending WBO flyweight champion Isidro Garcia in the seventh round. He held the title through 2001, successfully defending it three times, before vacating it to dethrone undefeated WBO junior bantamweight champion Pedro Alcazar, whom Montiel knocked out in the sixth round of their June 2002 fight to claim his second world title in as many divisions. After losing the title to Mark Johnson via a majority decision one year later, Montiel reclaimed it in April 2005, stopping Ivan Hernandez in the seventh round. Montiel successfully defended that title seven times during his three-year reign before vacating it to claim the WBO interim bantamweight title.

Morel (41-2, 21 KOs), from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the second half of this classic Mexico-Puerto Rico battle. With 50 knockout victories between Morel and Montiel, this has all the makings of a Pier Six Brawl!!! Morel captured the WBA flyweight title in 2000, winning a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision over undefeated defending champion Sornpichai Pisnurachank. He held the title for three years, successfully defending it five times against world-class competition with a combined record of 90-12-7 when he fought them, before losing it in a hotly contested defense to undefeated contender Lorenzo Parra in December 2003, a consequence of staying at flyweight too long. Since then, Morel has won eight of his last nine fights while collecting North American Boxing Organization (NABO) junior bantamweight and bantamweight titles. World-rated No. 1 by the WBO, Morel is ready to let his “Little Hands of Steel” fly when he faces Montiel on June 27.

Brooklyn’s own Malignaggi (26-2, 5 KOs), returns to the shores of Atlantic City for the first time since June 2008 where he successfully defended his International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior welterweight title for the first time, winning a unanimous decision over top-rated contender Herman Ngoudjo. Malignaggi, long a Big Apple favorite, captured the world title by dethroning defending IBF champion Lovemore N’dou with one of his best performances, producing a 12-round unanimous decision on scores of 120-106, 120-106 and 118-108. He successfully defended his title twice during his 17-month long reign, including a rematch with N’dou, before vacating it to face Ricky Hatton last November. The only blemishes on his resume have been world title losses to Hatton and Miguel Cotto. He returns to the ring fresh from an April 25 unanimous decision victory over Christopher Fernandez.

Alvarado (26-0, 18 KOs), from the mile-high city of Denver, CO., will be looking to make the most of his East Coast debut. Having knocked out eight of his last 10 opponents, the self-described boxer-puncher has finally broken into the Top-10, world-rated No. 8 by the IBF, No. 9 by the WBO and No. 10 by the WBA, based on his impressive victories over rugged opponents, including knockouts of former world champion Cesar Bazan and world-class contenders Michael Clark and Emmanuel Clottey. Malinaggi is by far the biggest test of Alvarado’s five-year professional career and a true barometer of where he stands in the junior welterweight division. He returns to ring after two impressive 2009 performances – a 10th-round knockout of Clottey on March 7, where he was leading on all three judges’ scorecards 90-80, and an eight-round unanimous decision over Jauquin Gallardo on May 2, again pitching a no-hitter with the judges scoring it 80-71, 80-71, and 79-72. In preparation for their fights against Gallardo and Hatton, Alvarado spent time at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club sparring with Manny Pacquiao.

Martirosyan (23-0, 14 KOs), a native of Armenia now living in Glendale, Calif., returns to the ring reunited with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and his assistant trainer former light heavyweight and heavyweight world champion Michael Moorer. Known as “The Nightmare,” the 2004 U.S. Olympian, whose amateur resume boasts victories over world champions Andre Berto and Timothy Bradley, is on the verge of breaking through professionally in the competitive junior middleweight division, where he is currently word-rated No. 12 by the IBF and No. 19 by the World Boxing Council (WBC).

Tsurkan (26-4, 17 KOs), a Ukrainian native now living in Bronx, NY, enters this fight having won seven of his last nine bouts, including NABF super welterweight championship knockout victories over Hector Camacho, Jr. and Sammy Sparkman. In his last bout, the rugged Tsurkan became the only fighter to extend undefeated No. 1 contender Alfredo Angulo beyond the sixth round, making it into the 10th stanza, which was broadcast by HBO.

The “Latin Fury 9” pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $39.95. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. For “Latin Fury 9” fight week updates, log on to www.toprank.com.

On May 15th Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing presented a thrilling five bout card at The Concert Venue at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. The card was broadcast live on the always exciting ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights”.
KINGPIN CEMENTS POSITION AS TOP AMERICAN HEAVY

The main event bout of the evening carried heavy implications for boxing, especially heavyweight boxing, as two of America’s best heavyweight prospects Kevin “Kingpin Johnson (21-0-1, 8 KO) and “Devastatin” Devin Vargas (17-0, 7 KO) put their undefeated records on the line to stake their claim as the number one American heavyweight in the world.

Round one started out with Vargas looking to get inside and land combinations against Johnson as Johnson looked to measure Vargas from the outside with his jab. Early on it was clear Johnson had the quicker hands but the smaller Vargas was outworking the bigger Johnson.

Round two began with both fighters trading heavy shots. Johnson began unleashing a lethal left hook but Vargas would respond well as he continued to press forward and land shots to both the body and head while on the inside.

Vargas landed thunderous blows to start the third while Johnson laid on the ropes shaking his head as if the punches had no affect. With thirty seconds left in the round Johnson landed three vicious left hooks that stunned Vargas. With Vargas against the ropes Johnson began unloading heavy shots. Right as the ten second bell sounded Vargas took a knee to avoid further punishment.

In the fifth round Johnson forced Vargas to take another knee. Just as Vargas seemed ready to go he landed a huge right hand and left hook that seemed to get Johnson’s attention. The fighters closed the round exchanging blows.

In the sixth round Johnson began showing he was just too fast and too strong for Vargas as he began landing at will. With Vargas taking punishment against the ropes his corner threw in the towel, giving Johnson the TKO victory.

It was a very entertaining fight and the biggest win in Johnson’s career. Johnson improved his record to 22-0-1, 9 KO’s as he scored his third consecutive knockout in a row, this time against highly regarded, undefeated 2004 Olympic team captain Devin Vargas. With the loss Vargas’s record falls to (17-1, 7 KO’s).

TERON WINS STAR BOXING DEBUT
JORGE TERON
In the co-feature bout of the evening Jorge “The Truth” Teron (23-1-1, 15 KOs) made his Star Boxing debut a successful one and avenged the only loss of his career when he defeated the always tough and game Aldo Valtierra (25-11, 13 KOs) in a ten round lightweight affair.

From the opening bell Teron showed he was much quicker and much shaper then the Mexican Valtierra. Valtierra hung tough but the longer Teron continuously peppered him with crisp combinations to both the body and head from the outside while Valtierra kept coming forward looking to score on the inside.

Valtierra gave a very spirited effort, but in the end Teron was busier and more accurate with his punches, earning him a clear cut ten round unanimous decision.

Undercard Results:
Bruce Seldon TKO 5 Gabe Brown
Chuck Mussachio W6 Carl Daniels
John Lennox W4 Robert Brown

NO. 1 MEXICAN FIGHTER JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ TO HOLD ROUSING FAN RALLY AT PLACITA OLVERA IN

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES TO KICK OFF MULTI-CITY PRESS TOUR

SUNDAY, MAY 17 AT 12 NOON PT

Rally To Feature Boxing Superstars, Hot Prospects,

Live Mariachi Band & Fan Giveaways

**OPEN TO THE PUBLIC**

WHO: JUAN MANUEL “DINAMITA” MARQUEZ

Five Time World Champion in Three Weight Divisions

“VICIOUS” VICTOR ORTIZ

Top Junior Welterweight Contender

And Many More!

WHAT: Public fan rally to support Juan Manuel Marquez as he prepares to face Floyd Mayweather in the most difficult challenge of their respective careers and a battle for the ages. A real Los Angeles welcome is expected for Marquez who is the most popular and dominant Mexican fighter in the sport today as is he joined by other hot boxing prospects at the historic “Placita Olvera.”

Fans are encouraged to arrive early to support their national heroes.

WHEN: Sunday, May 17th

12 Noon PT

WHERE: Placita Olvera

125 Paseo De La Plaza

Los Angeles, CA 90012

PARKING: El Pueblo Parking Lot

615 North Main (Corner of Main and Cesar Chavez)

FACTS: Mayweather vs. Marquez: “Number One/Numero Uno,” is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines. The 12-round bout will take place July 18th at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada and will be produced & distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.

Lashley bringing out “The Beast” in Sapp

MMA PPV June 27in Biloxi, MS

BILOXI, Miss. (May 14, 2009) – Styles make fights and the June 27th main event match-up between contrasting MMA fighters, kick-boxer Bob “The Beast” Sapp and wrestler Bobby Lashley, features a potential instant classic of pure entertainment on the “Ultimate Chaos” pay-per-view event live from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The imposing 6-4, 350-pound Sapp (10-3-1), who played in the NFL for four years before becoming an iconic combat fighter in Japan, wants to brawl on his feet while the chiseled 6-3, 265-pound former WWE star Lashley (2-0), 3-time NCAA champion (1996-98) and 4-time All-America wrestler at Missouri Valley College, prefers to ground and pound.

“Ultimate Chaos,” presented by Prize Fight Promotions and Fight Force International, in association with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum, Treasure Bay Casino and Budweiser, is being produced and distributed by Gotham MMA and Integrated Sports at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in the United States on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN and DirecTV for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

Sapp starred as an offensive lineman on the University of Washington’s football team, winning the prestigious Morris Award, and he was selected in the third round of the NFL draft in 1997 by the Chicago Bears. Bob turned to pro wrestling after football and was later recruited by PRIDE in Japan, where his incredible size, strength and bull-rush style made him an instant fan favorite. He went on to star in K-1 as well as become an actor, playing roles in movies like The Longest Yard and Elektra.

“This fight is what fight fans want to see,” Sapp said. “It’s intriguing and will be very entertaining. Bobby is bringing ‘The Beast’ out in me- I want to brawl. I’m the last person to say I’m a submission artist. I want to box. I’m a brawler. I’m going to come at him with my long arms and legs, punching and kicking. He’s going to come strong at me, trying to take me off balance, but I’ll come back with a straight right knee to his jaw and follow with a left hook. He’s never been hit by anybody like me. He’s new on the MMA scene. Bobby’s more or less a grounder and pounder who wants to slam me and hold me down. He’ll throw in some elbows and maybe some new, slick MMA moves. What’s left?

“I’m a huge test for him, which says a lot about Bobby. He has no fear of getting cracked real hard. It could be a flash knockdown or an accumulation of punches, which does worse damage and is tougher to get over. Bobby’s powerful, his slams are strong and he does have some pro wrestling moves. But I’ll be faster than he imagines. If he wants to be a star in MMA, he needs a more entertaining style of fighting, one that I’ve built by career on. I’m more of an entertaining fighter than typical MMA guy.”

After graduating from Missouri Valley College, Lashley joined the U.S. Army and was a 2-time Armed Forces Champion and 2002 Military Games Championship silver medalist. Two years ago, Lashley became a WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) superstar, joining Donald Trump at Wrestlemania 23 in a bet against WWE president

Vince McMahon. Lashley won the match and helped Trump shave McMahon’s head in the ring. Bobby made his MMA debut last December 13, stopping Joshua Franklin only 0.41 into the opening round, and March 21 he won a 3-round decision versus 37-fight veteran Jason Guida in Pensacola (FL).

“This fight is going to let fans in the U.S. know that Bob’s still around,” Sapp added. “I’ve been fighting for organizations all over the world, in a ring, not a cage. I want to go at it and make all my fights exciting. I’ll be training 20 days in a Judo center in Japan (for a DREAM show there in late May) and it’ll be the first time that I’m only training for an MMA fight – no movies, no television, just training everyday. It’s a great opportunity for me and American fans are going to see the real Beast.”

In a co-feature that could be the main event on most cards, former UFC title challenger and feared Brazilian striker, Pedro “The Rock” Rizzo (16-8-0), takes on controversial Dutch heavyweight Gilbert “The Hurricane” Yvel (35-13-3).

Dangerous lightweight Din “Dinyero” Thomas (24-8-0), star of The Ultimate Fighter 4, faces former KOTC and Gladiator Challenge champion Javier “Showtime” Vasquez; Canadian lightweight sensation Chris “The Polish Hammer” Horodecki (12-1-0) meets dangerous William “The Bull” Sriyapai (12-4-0).

Also fighting on the card are welterweights Brett Cooper (8-4-0) vs. Waachiim “Native Warrior” Spirit Wolf (5-4), Affliction vice president Tom Atencio (1-0) vs. lightweight Randy Hedderick, middleweight James Orso (3-2-0) vs. Colby McMahan (1-0-0), middleweight Danny Abbadi (3-4-0) vs. Lance Thomson (1-0-0), and welterweight Eric Bradley (2-1-0) vs. Colin McKee (3-2-0). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $25.00 (limited discount seating), $40.00 (general admission) and $55.00 (premium reserved seating) and sale at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and all TicketMaster outlets.

For more information go to www.theultimatechaos.com, www.fightforce.org or www.mscoastcoliseum.com. Doors open at 5PM/CT, first fight 6 PM/CT, and the first PPV fight is at 8 PM/CT.

Byron Mitchell replaces Berrio as

Shumenov’s opponent Saturday night in Kazakhstan

LAS VEGAS (May 7, 2009) – Former two-time world champion Byron “Slama from Bama” Mitchell has replaced Alejandro “Naco” Berrio as light heavyweight sensation Beibut Shumenov’s opponent, Saturday night in the main event on an all-star card, outdoors at Khadkimukan Stadium in Shumenov’s hometown of Chimkent, Kazakhstan. Berrio had visa issues in Colombia.

Saturday’s show (May 9), presented by KZ Event Productions, owned by the Shumenov brothers, Beibut and Chingis, will be taped live for later broadcasts in North America.

2004 Kazakhstan Olympian Shumenov (7-0, 5 KOs), 2008 WBC Asian Boxing Council Organization’s Boxer of the Year, is already rated No. 8 by the WBA, No. 9 by the WBO and No. 16 by the WBC. His WBO Asia Pacific, WBC Asian Boxing Council and PABA Interim titles will all be on the line, as well as the vacant IBA world crown, against present NABA USA light heavyweight champion Mitchell (27-4-1, 20 KOs).

Reigning NABA USA title-holder Mitchell first captured the WBA super middleweight belt in 1999, stopping defending champion Frankie Liles in the 11th round. Byron, 1999 Ntional Golden Gloves middleweight champion, recaptured the WBA crown in 2001 via a 12th round knockout of Manny Siaca. Two successful title defenses followed against Siaca (DEC12) and Julio Cesar Green (TKO4). All four of Mitchell’s four career losses have been to world champions – Joe Calzaghe, Sven Ottke, Bruno Girard and Richard Hall.

“Although we’re disappointed Beibut won’t be fighting Berrio as planned,” Chingis Shumenov said, “we’re excited that Mitchell accepted our offer to fight him in the main event. We’ve been targeting Mitchell, who is a world-class fighter that’s fought some of the biggest names in boxing.”

Former IBF light middleweight Roman “Made In Hell” Karmazin will fight at home for the first time in seven years against Luis “Tyson” Augusto Dos Santos (24-15, 20 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature. Born in Russia, reigning NABF middleweight title-holder Karmazin (38-3-1, 24 KOs), rated No. 5 by the IBF and No. 10 by the WBC, was stationed in the military and later lived in Uralsk, Kazakhstan, where his son, Oleg, still resides and studies.

Also fighting on Saturday’s card 4-time Uzbekistan National amateur champion Gayrat Ahmedov (10-0-1, 6 KOs), making his KZ Event Productions debut, versus WBC Latino and Brazilian title-holder Luzimar “Tiger of Itacre” Gonzaga (25-4, 20 KOs), in an 8-round light heavyweight match.

Former WBO light welterweight champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley (33-11, 19 KOs) meets former Brazilian lightweight champion Sidney Siqueira (12-3-1, 7 KOs) in an 8-round bout

The undercard is loaded with undefeated Uzbekistan light middleweight Ravshan Hudoinazarov (7-0. 5 KOs) vs. former Brazilian lightweight title-holder Isak “Iza” Tavares (16-6, 4 KOs), plus Chimkent hometown favorites such as light middleweight Kanat Orakbaev (2-0, 0 KOs) vs. Umid Soliev (1-1, 0 KOs) and pro-debuting heavyweight Doszhan Ospanov. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

HBO SPORTS PRESENTS A RISING STAR’S NETWORK DEBUT WHEN

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®: CHAD DAWSON VS. ANTONIO TARVER II

PLUS THE EXCITING REPLAY OF PACQUIAO-HATTON SATURDAY, MAY 9 ON HBO

HBO Sports delivers an action-packed light heavyweight title fight when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: CHAD DAWSON VS. ANTONIO TARVER II is presented live SATURDAY, MAY 9 (9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT) from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, exclusively on HBO. The WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING team will be ringside for the event, which will be presented in HDTV and in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: May 10 (9:00 a.m.) and 11 (12:35 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: May 10 (4:30 p.m.) and 12 (11:30 p.m.)

Coming into his prime at age 26, light heavyweight titleholder Chad Dawson (27-0, 17 KOs) is a rising star who is making his much-anticipated HBO debut. The New Haven, Conn. resident has quickly become one of the most feared competitors in the division, thanks to his dominating speed, size and athleticism. In the 12th round of his first encounter with the crafty Tarver last October, Dawson delivered a blow that sent his rival to the mat, eventually claiming victory.

The formidable Antonio Tarver (27-5, 19 KOs) of Orlando, Fla. boasts a perfect 3-0 record in rematches, having turned the tables on Eric Harding, Roy Jones Jr. and Glen Johnson in the sequels to those encounters. Though he was overpowered in his first battle with Dawson, Tarver is determined to settle the score in this 12-round light heavyweight title fight.

The telecast will also include the exclusive replay of the May 2 junior welterweight showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton. Pacquiao scored a decisive second round KO triumph.

Seminole Warriors Boxing latest signing; Cestus Management’s Super-Middleweight, Don “DA BOMB” George, sensationally returned to the ring by blasting out Mike Walthier in one minute and forty-five seconds of the first round. As soon as the bell rang George, got down to business peppering Walthier with hard jabs and a fast combination to the head and body. As the round went on, George followed up a stiff jab with a thudding right-hand shot that sent Walthier reeling into the ropes. Donovan immediately opened up on Walthier with precision and landed another combination finishing with a crushing right-hand to the side of the head, which sent Walthier crashing to the canvas and drove the sold-out live crowd into a frenzy. George then did his trademark back flip which sent the screaming fans into orbit. The rest of the fight card was very competative and entertaining and produced a fabulous night of boxing for the loyal Detroit fight fans. The event was held at the Majestic Theater in Detroit , Michigan and was promoted by one of Detroit’s premier promoters Carlos Llinas of Clip International Promotions; and The Donovan George vs Mike Walthier fight was brought to everyone by Seminole Warriors Boxing. At ringside in attendance were Detroit boxing legend Thomas Hearns and his son Ronald Hearns.

Leon Margules, Seminole Warriors Boxing Executive Director; said we are proud and excited to promote such a talented fighter as Donovan and to have the opportunity to make him one of our next world champions”

Gina Iacavou, Cestus CEO said; fight fans love knockouts and thats exactly what you get when Donovan fights“, his aggressive style and true punching power make him a fighter that’s great for boxing. Our promoter Seminole Warriors Boxing have big plans for Donovan and his climb to the top of the Super-Middleweight division is now just a matter of time.

Mike Michael, the company founder said; “The fans in Detroit (Michigan) really loved the display of technique, power and showmanship that Donovan displayed; and the crawd went crazy when he knocked out his opponent and then did his trademark back flip. I beleive that all of the Detroit fight fans at the arena would agree with me; that Donovan looked sensational in the way he took care of business and they saw a future star.” Michael added, “I would like to personally thank our promoter, and good friend Leon Margules of the Seminole Warriors Boxing for making this fight happen and Carlos Llinas of Clip Internaional Promotions for featuring our fighter on his boxing event. For further information about Don “DA BOMB” George please visit www.warriorsboxing.com or www.cestusmanagement.com

Marco “Captain” Huck (24-1, 19 KOs) is convinced he will make a successful – and spectacular – third defence of his European cruiserweight title when he takes on unbeaten Ukrainian Vitaliy Rusal (23-0, 16 KOs) on Saturday night. The 24-year-old only has the best memories of Bamberg. “This is the city where I made one of the best fights of my career,” Huck said during today´s public training session. “Two years ago, I defeated Vadim Tokarev despite fighting with a broken hand for the better part of the bout. My hand or my jaw might break, but my fighting spirit can never be broken. I am looking forward to a successful fight on Saturday and I will defeat Rusal.”

Yet coach Ulli Wegner has warned his star not to underestimate his 28-year-old opponent, who fights under the promotional banner of K2 East. “All boxers from the former Soviet Union have been educated very well,” he said. “They also have a great deal of amateur experience, and Rusal´s fight record speaks for itself. Marco needs to be on alert and stick to the tactics we have prepared.” Wegner believes Rusal could be an even tougher challenger than former world champion Firat Arslan, who pulled out of the eagerly-anticipated showdown. “It is a pity that the fight does not happen,” Wegner said. “The German fans would have loved to see it, but boxing-wise Rusal could pose an even bigger threat than Arslan. It will be an interesting encounter.”

Also in action will be EE-EU light-middleweight champion Alexander Abraham (24-0, 16 KOs), who defends his title against Russia´s Magomed Abdurakhmanov (14-2, 7 KOs). It will be a special fight for the 27-year-old who, together with his brother, IBF middleweight champion King Arthur Abraham, grew up in Bamberg. “Lots of old friends will be coming and I do not plan to disappoint them,” Abraham said. “The atmosphere will be fantastic – I´ve been ringside the two times Arthur fought here. I look very much forward to Saturday.”

Yoan Pablo Hernandez also takes on Aaron Williams, Alexander Frenkel comes face-to-face with Balint Turgonyi, Dominik Britsch clashes with Ibrahim Sid and the “Nordic Nightmare” Robert Helenius battles it out with Ozcan Cetinkaya.