Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

Former WBO Heavyweight Champion, Shannon Briggs (48-5-1, 42KO) has just been added to Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing upcoming, “Hustler Boxing” card at the Manhattan Center this Thursday December 3rd. Briggs, who hails from nearby Brooklyn, will be returning from a two-year hiatus from the ring when he squares off against Marcus McGee (22-17, 11KO).

Briggs, who turns 38 the following day, will be looking to get back into the heavyweight contender picture, and hopefully set himself up for another world title opportunity somewhere in the near future.

“Shannon is looking to get back into title contention, and what better way to do it than with a good showing on our NYC Hustler Boxing show,” stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO of Star Boxing. “We are very excited to be adding yet another big name to our premiere installment of “Hustler Boxing”. Shannon has a nice following in New York, being from nearby Brooklyn, and we are looking forward to him being added to an already exceptional night of boxing.”

STAR BOXING
This VIP evening of boxing and entertainment, hosted by various celebrities, will feature special entertainment and top boxing. Larry Flynt’s Hustler Honeys will serve as ring card girls, hostesses at all VIP dinner tables and will be entertaining late into the evening at the official after-fight-party to be held at the Hustler Club 641 W. 51st Street in Manhattan.

Hustler Boxing is being presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing in association with Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club and will be aired live on the nationally televised Versus Network. Doors open at 6:30 PM, with the first bout scheduled for 7:30. Versus will begin airing at 9PM. The Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center is located at 311 West 34th Street New York, NY (between 8th and 9th Ave.). Tickets are priced at $202, $152, $102, $52 with VIP tables of ten also available. Tickets can be purchased by CLICKING HERE: ( www.ticketmaster.com) or calling the Star Boxing office at 718 823-2000.

Dear Friends,

With Thanksgiving upon us, I wanted to take this time to reach out to all of our friends in boxing community and beyond and wish everyone a wonderful holiday. I hope you all take this time to reflect on the most important things in life and spend time with all your loved ones.

To that end, I would ask that all of you take just a moment out of your busy holiday weekends to look at the poster below. As many of you know, I am an animal lover and organizations that look after the welfare of animals hold a special place in my heart. Angel’s Gate Animal Hospice is an amazing organization which houses challenged animals and gives them a loving home when others will not. They have made it to the finals of a contest run by Rachel Ray and are now a simple majority vote away from winning $50,000 that they desperately need to help carry out their mission. The voting closes at the end of the weekend. It is free and will take just the time necessary to register. PLEASE VOTE!!

Thanks to all for their consideration and have a terrific Turkey Day!

Gobble gobble,

Lou

Griffin decisions McCreedy

O’Connor dominates, Clampitt shines

LINCOLN, R.I. (Nov. 20, 2009) – Otis “Triple OG” Griffin outlasted Joey McCreedy to win a unanimous 8-round decision tonight in the main event on the “Autumn Classic” pro boxing card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Griffin (21-6-2), best known for winning the “Next Great Champ, displayed his ring savvy and experience, successfully counter-punching McCreedy (11-4-1). “I’ve won in other fighter’s backyards, but I was concerned about the decision because I got robbed against Jeff Lacy. McCreedy fought his best. I thought I clearly won. He brought his A-game and really stepped-up. He wasn’t the same fighter we watched on tape. He obviously can take a good shot because I hit him with some good ones. Joey is a brawler and the plan was to make him pay when he missed and stay clear of trouble. It was Boxing 101. Next, I’d like to come back here and fight Joey Spina.”

Unbeaten junior welterweight prospect, 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate Danny O’Connor (10-0, 3 KOs) pounded a game James Hope (4-3) from the opening bell for six solid rounds in a masterful display of boxing. O’Connor broke down Hope, hooking to the body from his southpaw stance and unloading unanswered rights and lefts to Hope’s head, in a dominating performance Danny easily took by 6-round decision. “I felt great tonight,” O’Connor commented. “It was my most complete fight. Everything we worked on so hard started to come out and when it watch out when it’s all there. It’s all about angles, like (Paul) Spadafora, and a total team effort. I couldn’t do it without my team behind me.”

Eight months after giving birth to her daughter and 20 months since her last fight, 4-time world champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (19-4-1, 7 KOs) returned to the ring in triumphant fashion, out-working and out-classing Rachel Clark (4-2-1) en route to victory by way of a one-sided, unanimous 6-round decision. “It felt unbelievable,” Clampitt said after the fight. “After the first round I came back to the corner and told Kurt (Reader, head trainer) she was a lot faster than we thought. She had a great jab. I think my experience and body punching was the difference. It’s tough right now in women’s boxing and I give her credit for taking the fight. I’m very happy with my performance.”

Former U. of Rhode Island football player, Providence super middleweight Vladine Biosse (5-0) kept his undefeated record intact with a first-round TKO win against 25-fight veteran Jeffrey Osbourne.

Long Island light heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith, Jr. (2-0) registered his second straight sensational knockout in the opening round, using a vicious left hook, followed by a powerful right that put Branden McGowen (0-1) to sleep midway through the opening round.

Worcester heavyweight Rashad Minor (3-1) knocked out Lance Gauch (1-2) in the second round, while Boston super middleweight Maceo Crowder (1-0), whose brother is 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade, won his pro debut by stopping Duane King (0-1) in the third round.

Go on line to www.cesboxing.com for more information about CES go. CES’ next show is Dec. 10 at The Roxy in downtown Boston.

‘The World’s Greatest Ever’

Heavyweight Boxers

‘The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer’ Three-Day Celebration Dec. 11-13 in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 19, 2009) – Boxing has traditionally been driven by heavyweights and many of the sport’s most recognizable figures through the years have fought in the highest-profile division.

The Heavyweight Division in the “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” promotion has two more nominees than the other seven divisions because the nominating committee was unable to limit the number to 10.

Ten of the Heavyweight Division nominees are in the International Boxing Hall of the Fame and the only non-members of this elite group, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, are sure locks as soon as they’re eligible for nomination.

London boxing icon Lennox Lewis is the lone non-American heavyweight nominee, a division that has many of boxing’s most colorful and popular figures, dating all the way back to the end of the 19th century with legends John L. Sullivan and Jack Johnson.

The winners in the eight divisions, plus “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer,” will be announced Sunday, December 13, the final day of a three-day celebration of these outstanding boxers in The Paris Las Vegas.

The weekend event is being presented by Greatest Ever Enterprises, which already has done “world’s greatest” tributes on two continents in the sports of soccer and rugby.

On-line voting at www.GreatestEver.com allows boxing fans from around the world to select the greatest boxer in each of the original eight weight classes, highlighted by the all-time pound-for-pound “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer.”

The 12 Heavyweights, listed below in no particular order, follow with their brief profiles:

JACK “The Galveston Giant” JOHNSON – 77-13-4 19 ND (48 KOs)…

International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF)…American…Pro Years: 1897-1938…first black to win world heavyweight championship…World “Colored” heavyweight Champion…Notable Victories: Joe Choynski, George Gardner, Sandy Ferguson 94), Joe Jeannette (5), Young Peter Jackson, Sam Langford, Bob Fitzsimmons, Foreman Jim Flynn (2), Tommy Burns, Stanley Ketchel and James J. Jeffries.

JACK “The Manassa Mauler” DEMPSEY – 61-6-8 6 ND (50 KOs)… IBHOF …American…Pro Years: 1914-1927…changed boxing from slow, defensive style to aggressive brawling…most recognizable and richest athlete of his generation…fought in first $1-million fight and participated in fights that set records for highest gates and attendances on several occasions…Notable Victories: Jack Sharkey, Luis Angel Firpo, Tommy Gibbons, Georges Carpentier, Bill Brennan (2), Jess Willard, Battling Levinsky and Foreman Jim Flynn.

JOE “The Brown Bomber” LOUIS – 68-3 (54 KOs) …IBHOF… American… Pro Years: 1934-1951…all of his fights were the main event…record 26 successful title defenses during his 10-year reign…enlisted in U.S. Army during WWII…avenged loss against Max Schmeling in 1938 “Fight of the Century” that had International implications between U.S. and Hitler’s Germany…Notable Victories: Tony Galento, Jersey Joe Walcott (2), Billy Conn (2), John Henry Lewis, Jim Braddock, Jack Sharkey, Max Baer and Primo Carnera.

ROCKY “The Brockton Blockbuster” MARCIANO – 49-0 (43 KOs) … IBHOF… American…Ring Fighter of the Year 1952, 1954 and 1955….only world heavyweight champion to retire undefeated…died in a plane crash…Notable Victories: Jersey Joe Walcott (2), Archie Moore, Joe Louis and Ezzard Charles (2).

“Iron” MIKE TYSON – 50-6 (44 KOs)…American…Pro Years: 1985-2005… youngest world heavyweight champion of all-time (20)…fierceness in and out of ring made him a cult-like figure…Notable Victories: Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, Pinklon Thomas, Tyrell Briggs, Tony Tubbs, Henry Tillman, Donovan Ruddock and Bruce Seldon.

LARRY “The Easton Assassin” HOLMES – 69-6 (44 KOs)…IBHOF … American…Pro Years: 1973-2002…second all-time with 20 successful title defenses…won first 48 pro fights, one shy of Marciano’s record…Notable Victories: Muhammad Ali, Gerry Cooney, Trevor Berbick, Ken Norton, Earnie Shaves, Tim Witherspoon and James Smith.

MUHAMMAD “The Louisville Lip” ALI – 56-5 (37 KOs)…IBHOF… American…Pro Years: 1960-1981…gold medal winner in 1960 Olympics as Cassius Clay…3-time world heavyweight champion…Notable Victories: Joe Frazier (2), Sonny Liston (2), George Foreman, Archie Moore, George Chuvalo, Ernie Terrell, Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Ken Norton, Alfredo Evangelista and Earnie Shavers.

GEORGE FOREMAN – 76-5 (68 KOs)…IBHOF…American…Pro Years: 1969-1997 …oldest world heavyweight champion (45)…gold medal winner at 1968 Olympics …Notable Victories: Bert Cooper, Gerry Cooney, Joe Frazier (2), Ron Lyle, Michael Moorer and Dwight Muhammad Qawi.

“The Boston Strong Boy” JOHN L. SULLIVAN – 38-1-3 (33 KOs) … IBHOF… American…Pro Years: 1878-1905…last world heavyweight bare knuckles champion and first gloved world heavyweight champion…earned more than $1-million…boxing outfit looked like long johns…Notable Victories: Paddy Ryan, Charley Mitchell and Jake Kilrain.

“Smokin” JOE FRAZIER – 32-4-1 (27 KOs)…IBHOF…American…Pro Years: 1965-1981…gold medalist 1964 Olympics…tough, aggressive style embodied ‘Philly fighter’…Notable Victories: Muhammad Ali, Oscar Bonavena, George Chuvalo, Buster Mathis, Bob Foster and Jimmy Ellis.

LENNOX “The Lion” LEWIS – 41-2-1 (27 KOs)…IBHOF…British…Pro Years: 41-2-1 (27 KOs)…1989-2003…1988 Olympic gold medalist…one of four 3-time world heavyweight champions…Notable Victories: Mike Tyson, Donovan Ruddock, Tony Tucker, Frank Bruno, Oliver Mithcell, Ray Mercer, Tommy Morrison, Shannon Briggs, Henry Akinwande, Evander Holyfield, Michael Grant, Hasim Rahman and Vitali Klitschko.

EVANDER “The Real Deal” HOLYFIELD – 42-10-2 (27 KOs) American…Pro Years: 1984-Present…only 4-time world heavyweight champion…1984 Olympic bronze medalist…Notable Victories: Mike Tyson (2), Dwight Muhammad Qawi (2), Henry Tillman, Ossie Ocasio, James Tillman, Pinklon Thomas, George Foreman, John Ruiz, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe, Ray Mercer and Bobby Czyz.

The Dec. 11-13 weekend of events at the Paris Las Vegas include a USA vs. The World pro-boxing show on Saturday (Dec 12). Final results of the global on-line vote at www.GreatestEver.com will be announced Sunday (Dec. 13) at “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” black-tie awards dinner. Tickets to the dinner are available at www.greatestever.com or via MMG in Las Vegas (702 617 9730). The Retired Boxers Foundation (RBF) is the official charity.

WRIGHT AND BREWER LOOK TO DISCOVER SUCCESS ON ISLAND IN “BACK TO BUSINESS” ON DEC. 11

Discovery of Puerto Rico Day Celebrated Three Weeks Before Two Fighters Meet In Ring at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico and live on Pay-Per-View

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO (November 18, 2009)-Five-hundred sixteen years ago tomorrow, Christopher Columbus landed on the northwest coast of a tiny island in what is now known as the Caribbean Sea on his second voyage to the New World, and called it San Juan Batista. Today, we know it as Puerto Rico (meaning “rich port”). On December 11, Ronald “Winky” Wright and Grady “Bad Boy” Brewer will be doing some landing of their own, in “Back to Business,” a match-up of middleweights at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico, live on Pay-Per-View.

Wright is looking to return to prominence after a tough loss to Paul Williams in April, while the season two “The Contender” winner Brewer looks to emerge victorious against a bonafide Hall of Famer and arguably the toughest opponent he has faced.

“Just like Columbus discovered Puerto Rico hundreds of years ago, December 11 will be the day that I discover victory once again and show the world that I am still one of the best fighters in the sport today,” said Wright. “I feel great, and I’m ready for a hard fight. Brewer is coming in with high hopes. I’m preparing to deflate those hopes on fight night.”

“When I meet Winky, it’s going to be a battle,” said Brewer. “Unlike Columbus who took Puerto Rico without a fight, Winky should expect a war on fight night.”

Team Sauerland believes there was nothing wrong with picking David Haye as an opponent for Nikolai Valuev. The Russian Giant lost his WBA Heavyweight Title on November 7 when the British challenger clinched a majority decision in front of a sell-out crowd of 8,000 fans in Nuremberg. The fight also drew a TV market share of more than 40 percent in Germany. “After negotiations with Vitali Klitschko had fallen through because he would not get back to us, we were looking for a new opponent for Niko,” Team Sauerland General Manager Chris Meyer said. “After Chagaev got beaten, Valuev had to fight Ruiz in a mandatory defence, but Niko had already beaten him twice. This bout wasn’t marketable at all. That is why we considered a showdown with up-and-coming David Haye the far better option. All parties, and that includes Niko, his coach and our partner Don King, agreed to the bout as there was no real alternative. As the split decision indicates, it was a very close fight. We expected Niko to dominate late in the fight, and had he won the final two rounds, he would still be the champion. But David Haye put on a great performance and left the ring as the winner. The contracts do guarantee Niko a rematch and we are sure the outcome will be different when the two meet again.”

Former Two-Time WBA Heavyweight Champion
Nikolai Valuev Speaks Out
About Decision to Fight David Haye

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia—Former two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev felt compelled today to post comments on his company’s Website (www.box-way.ru) regarding his decision to agree to make an optional defense of his crown against David Haye in Nuremberg, Germany, which Haye won by majority decision.

Rampant speculation after the Nov. 7 match was fueled by press accounts attributed to World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov implying Valuev may have been set up by his co-promoters, Sauerland Event and Don King Productions, into taking a fight that was not in his best interests.

“To avoid confusion or misunderstandings in this situation, I would like to note that my American promoter Don King was opposed to me fighting David Haye,” Valuev wrote. “In fact, Don King was upset when he learned that I had agreed to fight Haye.”

“My German co-promoters [Sauerland Event] did not inform Don King while the negotiations for this fight were being made. In the press, allegations that the American promoter supported this fight are unfounded and false. The choice of the opponent was made by Wilfried Sauerland. The idea to make this fight with David Haye came from Sauerland Event.”

On November 27th, Star Boxing’s IBF #3 rated welterweight, Delvin Rodriguez (24-3-2, 14KO) will travel into foreign territory when he takes on Poland’s IBF #4 rated Rafal “Braveheart” Jackiewicz (34-8-1, 18KO) for the #1 spot in the IBF World Ratings in an official IBF Welterweight Title eliminator. The bout, scheduled for twelve rounds, will take place in Belk, Poland.

Rodriguez is coming off a highly entertaining, controversial split decision loss to Isaac Hlatshwayo this past August for the vacant IBF Welterweight Championship of the World.

While Rodriguez is looking to rebound off the loss, Jackiewicz will be looking to keep his nineteen-bout, four-year win streak alive.

“I am pleased that Delvin is getting another opportunity to become the mandatory challenger. I thought that Delvin won both fights against Hlatshwayo (the two first battled to a majority draw in November of last year),” stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO and founder of Star Boxing. “It is fitting that the IBF kept Delvin as the top rated welterweight in the division (both the #1 and #2 spot are vacant), as when you take the judge’s scorecards over 24 rounds, only one scorecard separates Delvin from being the World Champion. Hopefully Delvin will soon have an opportunity to fight once again for the coveted IBF World Championship. First and foremost Delvin must take care of business in Poland. Jackiewicz is a very skilled fighter, so Delvin knows he can’t look past him. He hasn’t lost in over four years and he will have a whole country behind him fight night. I can tell you though that Delvin has a very bad taste left in his mouth and he is hungrier than ever to get another shot at the championship and promises he won’t leave it to the judge’s scorecards this time around.”

Rodriguez vs. Jackiewicz will be promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing in association with Bullit Knockout Promotions.

4-Time world champion Jaime Clampitt

returns to ring as new mother

McCreedy-Griffin Headlines Friday Night’s “Autumn Classic” at Twin River

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Nov. 18, 2009) – Twenty months since her last fight and eight after she became a mother for the first time, 4-time world champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt starts her comeback Friday night in “Autumn Classic,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I.

New England and EBA super middleweight champion, “Irish” Joey McCreedy (11-3-1, 6 KOs) takes on “The Next Great Champ” winner, Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (20-6-2, 8 KOs), in the 8-round, non-title main event on the Irish-themed pro boxing card.

Clampitt (19-4-1, 7 KOs) won a 10-round decision March 14, 2008 at Twin River against Belinda Laracuente for the IWBF lightweight title. This past March 17 on St. Patrick’s Day – appropriately enough considering this show’s Irish theme – Jaime gave birth to her daughter, Neyla.

“I just felt so good after having my baby,” Clampitt explained when asked why she’s returning to the ring. “I missed the sport. So many people were saying I couldn’t or shouldn’t box again, but I’ve always liked challenges. Things are different today. So many women athletes have children.”

Clampitt, a Canadian native who lives in Warwick (RI), has run a boxing program for the past two years at a gym in East Greenwich (RI) called Battle Ground. She has about 40 clients and still trains a few amateur boxers. But she won’t be encouraging her daughter to become a boxer in the future. “It’s a tough sport,” Jaime said with a smile. “I don’t want her to fight. We’ll have plenty of things to do together, but, whatever she chooses, I will support her.”

Clampitt faces WBAN No. 3 rated Rachel Clark (4-2-1, 3 KOs) in the 6-round, junior welterweight co-feature.

Unbeaten junior welterweight prospect and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate, Danny O’Connor (9-0, 3 KOs), of Framingham (MA), faces dangerous James Hope (4-2, 4 KOs) in the 6-round special attraction.

Also fighting on the undercard in 4-round bouts are Providence super middleweight Vladine Biosse (4-0, 3 KOs), a former University of Rhode Island football player, against 24-fight veteran Jeffrey Osbourne; Long Island (NY) light heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), the 2008 New York Golden Gloves champion, meets pro-debuting Brandon McGowen; Worcester (MA) heavyweight Rashad Minor (2-1, 2 KOs) squares-off against Lance Gauch (1-1, 1 KO); Boston light heavyweight Maceo Crowder, whose brother is 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade, makes his pro debut versus Duane King in his pro debut.

Rollback ticket prices for “Autumn Classic” are $25.00, $35.00, $50.00, $75.00, and $100.00 and 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, 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 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.

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