Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

From Bobby Gunn:

“I took this fight because I wanted to fight the best. Tomasz Adamek is the best. The man is a champion inside and outside the ring. I would have taken this fight for any amount of money they gave me. This is not about financial profit. This is about my chance to show everyone that I can be the best.”

“None of the Top 10 would fight Tomasz Adamek. I call them ‘Nancy Boys or ‘Fancy Pants’, they’re like prima donnas. What’s the sense of being ranked if you don’t want to fight the best in the world? When you are Top 10 you have to fight all the best. I want to fight Adamek, he is the best and I want to beat the best”

How has the training been going? “Are you kidding me? I am going all out for this fight. I am training to the best of my ability and I have the greatest team you can have. I have Kendall Holt’s trainer, “Terrific” Aroz Gist, I’m telling you the best! We have been studying the tapes. With cardio I went through the roof. I’m training really hard, harder than I ever have before. I am in great shape and I am ready.”

“To tell the truth, I’m kind of sick of Tomasz Adamek. I mean I go to sleep with Tomasz Adamek, I eat with Tomasz Adamek, I train with Tomasz Adamek. You know what I mean? It’s all I think about. I just want to fight him and get it over with.”

What do you say to all the people claiming this is not a good fight? “No one should pass judgment until they see the fight.” “They say styles make fights. Remember the Briggs – Adamek fight? That was a great fight. I think I am like Paul Briggs.” “I think the fans are in for another great fight on July 11th.”

“My dad would tell me, ‘There are a ton of mediocre fighters out there, but often when you fight a superior fighter, the fighter who was perceived as mediocre will rise to the occasion and surprise everyone.” “I am going to fight like a Kamikaze pilot. – I’ve got nothing to lose! That makes me a dangerous fighter.”

“In boxing things can change on the turn of a dime. All it takes is one punch. I am going to throw that punch.”

“I learned something in Polish for this fight. ‘Ten pas bedzie moj’. That means the belt is mine to take!”

From David Feldman, Bobby Gunn’s Promoter:

“Tomasz will think July 11th is his birthday because he will have a lot of surprises…but no gifts!”

Fight Info:

Tickets for the fight start at $38 and are available through TicketMaster or at Prudential Center Box Office. Group discounts are available. Tickets, priced at $38, $53, $78, $103 and $253 (ringside), can be purchased at Prudential Center Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or visiting Prucenter.com. First fight will be 7:00pm.

A Fan Festival will be held outside Prudential Center at Entry Plaza, corner of Edison and Mulberry Streets beginning 5:00pm. Food, beverages, music and fun!

The fight is available live via on line PPV and as video on demand download for 30 days. The price is $9.99. Log on to www.mainevents.com and click on the link to buy the fight.

‘The Contender’ IV stars Gingras and Flamos headline “Braggin’ Rights” Pro-Am Show
July 17th show at Twin River Event Center, RI

PROVIDENCE (June 30, 2009) – The second Pro-Am boxing show in Rhode Island history will be held July 17 as two stars from The Contender IV television reality show, Rich Gingras and Tim “The Hammer” Flamos, headline the “Braggin’ Rights” card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports Inc. (CES), at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln.

Gingras and Flamos battle for the vacant EBA cruiserweight championship in the 8-round co-main event.

Claremont (NH) native Gingras (9-2, 5 KOs), now fighting out of Attleboro (MA), was the 2006 World Ringside Championships winner in the heavyweight division before turning pro. Flamos (20-6-1, 8 KOs), former EBA and New England cruiserweight champion, continues the rich boxing tradition established by Rocky Marciano and extended by “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler in the City of Champions – Brockton (MA).

The second half of the co-main event is a 6-round rematch of interstate Milltown rivals, EBA New England lightweight champion Eddie “The Puerto Rican Sensation” Soto (11-0, 4 KOs), of Pawtucket (RI), and challenger Sean Eklund (6-4, 1 KO). Eklund, trained by his uncle “Irish” Micky Ward, and his Irish fans felt he was robbed in his first fight against Soto.

“This is a great opportunity for boxing fans to see tomorrow’s stars today as well as for some top New England amateurs to get a shot at fighting on a showcased card,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said. “Understanding that times are tough in today’s economy, we’ve rolled back ticket prices so that it’s affordable for most everyone.

“Fans all over the world recognize Gingras and Flamos from The Contender and it’s a terrific match-up between two warriors. People are still talking about the first Soto-Eklund fight. Both sides thought they won and they want to settle things this time. We’re also excited about some of the young pros on this card.”

Super middleweight Vladine Biosse (1-0, 1 KO), who played football at the University of Rhode Island, is the newest member of the CES stable. He makes his CES debut in a 4-round fight against an opponent to be determined.

Also on the July 17 card are a pair of unbeaten local favorites, cruiserweight Jay Holland (2-0, 1 KO) and exciting light welterweight Diego Pereira (3-0, 2 KOs), in 4-round bouts.

Rollback ticket prices for “Braggin’ Rights” are $25.00 SRO, $35.00, $65.00 ($10.00 redeemable free play at Twin River) and $100.00 ($25.00 redeemable free play at Twin River) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or the Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 5:30 PM/ET, first bout at 6:30 PM/ET.

(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Braggin’ Rights.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)

NTH Promotions seeks injunction to stop Rigondeaux fight July 17 on ESPN FNF

CORK, Ireland (June 30, 2009) – Irish boxing manager Gary Hyde, president of NTH Promotions, is seeking an injunction to prevent 2-time Olympic champion Guillermo Rigondeaux from fighting on the July 17th ESPN2 Friday Night Fights show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Rigondeaux (1-0, 1 KO), fighting as a bantamweight, now lives in Los Angeles after defecting from Cuba, where he was a 7-time national champion. The 28-year-old southpaw also won multiple World Championships titles, as well as a gold medal at the 2003 Pan-Am Games, during his incredible 243-4 amateur career.

“I first met Rigo in Belfast at the 2001 World Boxing Championships and subsequently traveled to Cuba,” Hyde explained. “Rigo signed a 5-year management contract with me in March of 2007. I am currently battling in the Miami courts to enforce our management agreement because he made his pro debut under the management of GSMG LTD and Marcus Concepcion, who work closely with the Arena Box outfit. I could find no record of either holding a manager’s license.

“I made an application for a temporary injunction to prevent Rigondeaux from boxing May 22, but the presiding judge allowed him to box in the interest of the public, although his purse was frozen. Our case is getting stronger by the day. The only contract with Rigondeaux, on file with the Florida State Boxing Commission, was dated May, 2009 with GSMG and Marcus Concepcion as managers. When GSMG and Concepcion learned of the 2007 contract with me, they showed-up with a 3-year contract dated July, 2006 with Antonio Gonzalez, director of GSMG, as manager. There are numerous contradictions in their contract that are coming out. I have the only valid managerial contract for Rigo and we are hoping the honorable judge acknowledges.”

Hyde also manages three other Cuban boxers who defected and are now fighting as professionals out of Ireland – heavyweight Mike “The Rebel” Perez (8-0, 6 KOs), winner of the World Junior Championships; bantamweight Alexei “The Hurricane” Acosta (5-0, 5 KOs) and super middleweight Luis “El Leon” Garcia (5-0, 4 KOs), both World Junior Championships champion in 2006.

“I applied for and was granted a European Union work permit for Rigo,” Hyde continued. “My intention was for Rigo to make his pro debut on a Brian Peters Promotions show in Ireland and then head to the United States, where Brian had laid the foundation with some of the major TV companies. We would then have a stage to showcase my ‘Cuban Young Guns.’ Rigo decided to go ahead to Miami because he has more connections there. Now, I’m battling for the guy I have signed to a contract, who was the best amateur boxer on the planet. We recently contacted Freddie Roach to ask about his roll as Rigo’s trainer. Freddie said that he wouldn’t be getting involved, but when I’m awarded a judgement as Rigo’s manager, I hope to have him as his trainer.”

Giovanni Lorenzo wants his turn

Number One World Middleweight contender Giovanni Lorenzo of New York and the Dominican Republic has waited very patiently for his shot at the world title. The former Dominican Olympian has compiled an impressive 27-1, 19 KO record while quietly toiling under the tutelage of trainer Pastor Ralph Farriett of Yonkers for the past seven years.

“I want to be the world champion,” the soft spoken Lorenzo says. “That is my goal and nothing will stop me.”

Lorenzo should get his chance this Fall. He is currently in line to be the mandatory challenger for Arthur Abraham, the undefeated IBF Middleweight Champion, in his next fight.

“I’m already training and I want my chance at the title,” Lorenzo said from his home in the Dominican Republic. “I am tired of waiting in line. Tell Abraham’s people to get on the phone and start the negotiation.”

Today IBF put those wheels in motion when they sent a letter to Abraham’s promoter, Sauerland Event, advising them that negotiations for a Lorenzo fight should start immediately.

Rumors are swirling that Abraham, who defended his title successfully on Saturday night against former sparring partner Nahir Oral, can no longer make the middleweight limit and will move up in weight class rather than make his mandatory defense against Lorenzo. In that case, the IBF would order Lorenzo, the Number One Contender, to fight Sebastian Sylvester, an Abraham stablemate who earned the Number Two IBF ranking when he soundly defeated Lajuan Simon of Philadelphia Saturday night in Germany.

“I’ll fight either one,” the low key Lorenzo stated. “If Abraham won’t fight me, I’ll knock out Sylvester to win the title instead. I’ll fight either one of them right in Germany if I have to. Now it’s my turn and I’m going to come home with the title. I’m just waiting for them to tell me the date.”

Lorenzo promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events said, “Giovanni has been quietly learning his craft ever since he turned pro. I believe that by staying under the radar and avoiding the hype that sometimes causes young contenders to lose their focus he has been given the opportunity to prepare well for his world title challenge.” She added, “We expect that negotiations with Sauerland Event will move forward this week and we will have something definitive to announce very soon.”

LONTCHI “DEVASTATED” BY

MICHAEL JACKSON’S DEATH!

Friday’s Select Clips

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (June 26, 2009) — Undefeated world title contender OLIVIER LONTCHI is “devastated” by the news of Michael Jackson’s death. Lontchi (18-0-2, 8 KOs), a native of Cameroon, who fights out of Montréal, Québec, Canada, challenges undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight champion JUAN MANUEL “Juanma” LOPEZ (25-0, 23 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico, in the main event of “Latin Fury 9” – Tomorrow! Saturday, June 27, in Atlantic City. Promoted by Top Rank, the four-bout “Latin Fury 9” will be broadcast Live on Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

“Lontchi came up to me this morning and specifically asked Top Rank’s technical crew to download as many of Michael Jackson’s songs as possible to play in his locker room tomorrow night for inspiration,” said Lee Samuels of Top Rank. “Michael Jackson is his all-time favorite artist and Olivier is making his ring entrance to Jackson’s “Thriller” music video which will be projected inside the Adrian Phillips Ballroom. I wouldn’t be surprised if he Moonwalked into the ring.”

AAPRP ANNOUNCES 2009 AWARDS


Darien, Connecticut – June 26, 2009 – The American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (AAPRP) announced today its 2009 AAPRP Award Recipients. They are as follows:

Ringside Physician of the Year – Dr. Anthony Alessi

Connecticut/Mohegan Sun/Foxwoods Ringside Physician

Administrator of the Year – Ms. Melvina Lathan
Chairman, New York State Boxing Commission
Greg Page Memorial “Outstanding Contribution to Boxing” – Mr. Peter King

Congressman – United States House of Representatives

Distinguished Educator of the Year – Dr. Patricio Reyes
Director, Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Disorders Program – Karsten Solheim Dementia Research Chair

John Burns, Jr. Memorial “Lifetime Achievement Award”–Mr. Arthur Mercante, Sr.

World Renowned Boxing Referee

Media Award in Ringside Safety – Mr. Harold Lederman

Boxing Commentator – HBO Sports

The 2009 AAPRP Medical Seminar on Ringside Safety, (in cooperation with Norwalk Hospital), will take place October 15 – 17, 2009 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. These awards will be presented on Friday Evening, October 16, 2009 at the AAPRP’s annual awards banquet.

For more information or for registration materials to attend the banquet, please contact the AAPRP by visiting our website at www.AAPRP.Org or call (203) 662-8900.

Established in 1997, the AAPRP was created to develop medical protocols and guidelines to ensure the safety and protection of professional fighter. The not-for-profit association is comprised of experienced ringside physicians from around the world who are dedicated to the medical aspects of the sport of boxing. Since its inception, the AAPRP has consistently grown to include physicians from around the globe who are working together toward a common goal of helping to ensure the health, safety and protection of professional boxers and mixed martial artists.

“Allan Green Targets WBC Champ Froch!!”

(June 25, 2009) Ever since Allan “Sweetness” Green stole the show on April 25 with a second round knockout over Carlos De Leon, Jr. he has been waiting for the big showcase fight he deserves. With no one stepping up to the plate, Green has set his sights on Carl Froch, the man he shared top billing with in April, in his quest to prove he is the best super middleweight in the world.

It’s no secret Green (28-1, 20 KOs) is the world’s most exciting fighter at 168 lbs. His stirring knockout wins over top contenders such as De Leon, Jr., Jerson Ravelo, Darrell Woods, and Jaidon Codrington have been captivating boxing fans for years.

However, in recent months, with not one fighter showing a willingness to step in with him, he remembered the words of Froch (25-0, 20 KOs) who said he would welcome all challengers for the WBC title he won on that night in April.

“I want his belt,” said Green. “We both scored knockout wins on the same Showtime telecast, so to me, and the Showtime viewers, it would make perfect sense for us to fight each other next. I have a lot of respect for Froch and his skills, but he doesn’t go more than six rounds with me.”

Green’s promoter, Lou DiBella of DiBella Entertainment isn’t surprised people are so reluctant to fight his charge, given his tremendous boxing skills and unparalleled power. But, he believes Carl Froch is one fighter who wants a challenge, and that Green-Froch is the best fight that can be made in the super middleweight division.

“A fight between Allan Green and Carl Froch is one of the best that can be made in boxing,” said DiBella. “It’s reasonable for Froch to want to defend his title on his home turf, and Allan Green is willing to travel to Britain for the fight. If Froch is really committed to fighting the best the division has to offer, he will take the challenge of a fight with Allan Green.”

With Froch on his mind, Green is done waiting patiently for his chance to shine, and wants the WBC champ to know they have the power to put on one of the most intriguing fights in boxing, and he is ready to get it on.

“He came to America and made his mark,” Green said of Froch. “I’m willing to go to his backyard, knock him out, then go back to Nottingham for an immediate rematch and knock him out again to make an example out of him. It’s only going to be a short amount of time before I’m the sultan of the super middleweights.”

“SHAUN GEORGE/CHRIS HENRY SHOWDOWN IS ON IN PHILLY!!”

(June 25, 2009) The anticipated match-up between light heavyweight contenders Shaun George and Chris Henry is on for July 10, 2009! The fight will take place at The Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The ten-round bout, which will be televised on ESPN 2, was added on to an action packed card as the co-feature to Matt Godfrey v. Shawn Hawk.

George (18-2-2, 9 KO’s) is considered a top contender for the light heavyweight title. He captured the attention of the boxing world when he destroyed two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd last year. George’s most recent win came last February when he knocked out former world title challenger Jaffa Ballogou in the first round in stunning fashion.

“This is a great fight for Shaun on his path to a future title shot,” said his promoter Lou DiBella.

Henry (23-2, 18 KO’s) is no stranger to fighting top notch competition like George. He has been in the ring with the likes of Adrian Daiconu and Yusef Mack. The styles of both George and Henry should make for an exciting and fan-friendly match up.

“I feel like every fight is life or death for me,” said George. “This fight will be no different. I am on a mission to prove I am the best.”

FIGHT WEEK QUOTES

IBF MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday, June 27, 2009, 9 p.m. ET/PT (tape delay)

From Berlin, Germany

NEW YORK (June 25, 2009) — International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion “King’’ Arthur Abraham will put his undefeated record and middleweight title on the line against world-ranked Mahir (pronounced Ma-hear) “Lion” Oral this Saturday in a special primetime edition of ShoBox: The New Generation, on June 27, 2009, on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/PT (same day, tape delay).

With just two days to go until the world championship fight, Abraham and Mahir caught up with SHOWTIME to discuss the fight, their opponents and their plans for the future.

The site of the scheduled 12-round world championship fight is Abraham’s hometown of Berlin, Germany, and will take place at the Max-Schmeling Halle.

Abraham, 29, enters the June 27 fight—his ninth IBF title defense—with a 29-0 record (23 KOs) while Oral is 25-1-2 (10 KOs). Sauerland Events will promote the fight.

A former sparring partner of the defending champion, Oral is a German boxer of Turkish descent who has won his last 18 fights. The 6-foot-1, 29-year-old fights out of Hamburg, Germany, and, like Abraham, has fought the majority of his fights in Germany.

What the fighters had to say on Tuesday:

ARTHUR ABRAHAM:

“I know Oral very well after sparring together a few years ago.”

“He is very fast and he is very dangerous with his left and right jab. He is also very fast on his legs and feet.

“We’ve analyzed a lot of his tape and we have some special techniques to concentrate on.”

“It’s no problem for me to make the middleweight limit. I started working on my weight very early, about four weeks ago. It’s no problem. I weigh about 164 pounds right now. When I’m not in training, I usually weigh around 176.”

“I can get to the weight limit as long as I need to. The aim is to be the super champion in middleweight. As long as I have this aim, I can get to the weight limit.”

“Kelly Pavlik is in my head all the time because I want to fight him. Because I want to be super champion in middleweight. But it seems like Kelly Pavlik, as well as Felix Sturm, doesn’t want to fight me. That’s a pity.”

“Of course, I’d fight Kelly in the U.S. I’d even fight him in his living room. I’d fight him any place he wants.”

“After Oral, Giovanni Lorenzo would be my mandatory challenger, so I’ll fight him. But if there is a chance for a unification bout with Kelly Pavlik, of course we would take it.”

“Super Middleweight is very, very interesting to me because there are a lot of good fighters that you can make very big fights with. But, my aim is to go up to the super middleweight division as the super champion at middleweight.”

“I’ve never been knocked down in my professional or amateur career. The only injury I’ve had was the broken jaw against Edison Miranda.”

“All legendary boxers fight in the U.S. on the big TV stations like SHOWTIME. Of course, I want to belong to league of the legendary boxers and champions of the world. That’s why it’s a big aim for me to fight in the U.S. It’s very important for me to show my style of fighting to the fans in the U.S.”

WILFRIED SAUERLAND – Abraham’s promoter

“The management of Kelly Pavlik keeps saying they need another fight and another fight before they are ready for us. Now, they want to make the fight in the next year. That is a long time for Aurthur. It’s too long for him because he doesn’t want to stay in middleweight forever. He wants to move to 168, but it’s a question of when.”

“There are two reasons for Arthur to move to the super middleweight division. One, it is very difficult for him to make the weight. It takes a lot of energy. And, two, there are a lot of great fighters and you can make a lot of great fights at 168 pounds.”

“There were some problems with Giovanni Lorenzo. We couldn’t make the contract for that fight. Oral was the best candidate on the market. He comes from Germany, so it made for a good promotion.”

ORAL

“I didn’t spend much time on the video because I know Arthur very well from sparring with him. Almost everybody in Germany knows how Arthur fights. I had very good sparring for this fight. The sparring was excellent.

“Arthur hasn’t changed that much since we’ve sparred. He’s still the same fighter. Of course, he has developed and he has grown. But, it’s still the same kind of fighting. I know that Arthur will wait for his chance and will cover up very well. That’s how our sparring was.

“I know that I have to look out for both hands. Arthur is dangerous and has power in both hands. He is dangerous from the first minute to the last round.”

“It’s much harder for Abraham than it is for me to make the 160-pound limit. I’m almost on weight right now.”

“Since we’re fighting in Berlin, it will be more of a hometown fight for Arthur. But, there are a few buses of fans coming from Hamburg for the fight. Although Arthur might be the fan favorite in Berlin, there will be a lot of fans cheering for me as well.”

“I am very happy that this is being broadcast in the U.S. on SHOWTIME. I want to show a great fight. I hope that people in the U.S. will know my name after this fight. And I hope to be the champion by then.”