Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

LAS VEGAS, (February 26, 2010) – The countdown is on and the hottest night in boxing is about to get hotter as tickets for the much-anticipated mega-fight between Boxing Superstar FLOYD “MONEY” MAYWEATHER and current WBA Welterweight World Champion SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY are set to go on sale Tuesday, March 2 at 10 a.m. PT.

Tickets are priced at $1,250, $1,000, $600, $300 and $150 (not including applicable service charges) and will be 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.

Mayweather vs. Mosley is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T, Dewalt Tools and StubHub. The 12-round welterweight mega-bout will take place Saturday, May 1 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View®.

Former world champion Kendall Holt of Paterson, N.J. is in an IBF eliminator bout when he takes on Kaizer ‘The Hammer’ Mabuza of Johannesburg on Saturday night in a sold-out ballroom at Bally’s Atlantic City.

Holt, now handled by Brandon Jacobs of the NY Giants, is a former junior welterweight world champion. This is Holt’s first bout since he cracked and knocked down Timothy Bradley twice – the first knockdown was on a left hook which sent Bradley flat onto his back in the first round. Holt knocked down Bradley again in the 12th, although Bradley battled and won the world title on points.

Mabuza has won seven straight bouts and is coming off a points win over 23-0 Sergey Fedchenko in the Ukraine.

The Holt vs. Mabuzza bout is being taped by FSN and highlights are expected to be on Top Rank Live!

The Top Rank Live! telecast on FSN will be on the air Saturday night 10 pm eastern/7 pm pacific.

FEB. 26, 2010 – Leading up to the welterweight title showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey – set for Saturday, March 13 and broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View® – HBO Sports will present the exclusive replay of a high profile showdown that showcases both fighters remarkable ring skills.

On Friday, March 5 at 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT) and Saturday, March 6 at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT), HBO2 will replay back-to-back Pacquiao vs. Cotto 2009 and Judah vs. Clottey 2008. Pacquiao solidified his superstar standing with his 12th round instant classic TKO triumph over Miguel Cotto on November 14, 2009. Clottey reinforced his status as one of the toughest welterweights in the division with a 9th round stoppage over Zab Judah on August 2, 2008 in a sizzling showdown.

The fights will also be available to HBO On Demand subscribers and can be seen 24 hours a day, from Monday, March 1 thru Wednesday, March 24.

On Saturday, March 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT, HBO Pay-Per-View will present Pacquiao vs. Clottey live at the landmark $1.2 billion Cowboys stadium in Arlington, TX.

WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS

February 25, 2010 – Mexico City.

From the office of WBC President José Sulaiman:

In response to statements made by WBC light flyweight world champion Rodel Mayol and his handlers, who said that they are concerned that he will not be treated fairly by the ring officials in his fight this Saturday in Mexico, the World Boxing Council prepared the following statement:

The World Boxing Council is extremely disappointed to have read the statements made by Rodel Mayol and his camp in a published article.

It is with deep regret that we have learned about the feelings of Mayol, of the Phillipines, and the WBC will get to the bottom of these unfounded concerns, as we cannot understand his declarations.

To put the record straight, here are some facts:

The World Boxing Council is extremely disappointed to have read the statements made by Rodel Mayol and his camp in a published article. It is with deep regret that we have learned about the feelings of Mayol, of the Phillipines, and the WBC will get to the bottom of these unfounded concerns, as we cannot understand his declarations.

To put the record straight, here are some facts:

* Mayol competed in a final elimination fight in Cancun, Mexico, in 2006. The fight was ordered by the WBC to determine the WBC mandatory contender. Rodel won by knockout in three rounds. All ring officials were neutral.

* After he won the final elimination fight, the WBC named Mayol its mandatory contender.

* WBC rules allowed Mayol to challenge WBC champion Eagle Kyowa in Japan and he lost by unanimous deicison. All ring officials were neutral.

* Mayol was given the opportunity to challenge WBC champion Edgar Sosa in a voluntary fight, and signed two options, which is common practice everywhere in the world.

* Mayol defeated Sosa in Chiapas, Mexico. All ring officials were neutral. The WBC will not even discuss the major controversy which arose from that fight, but simply mention that the WBC stood firmly by Mayol and confirmed him as WBC champion.

* Omar Niño fought and defeated Juanito Rubillar in a WBC final elimination fight, just as Mayol did in 2006. Niño was named WBC mandatory contender. All ring officials were neutral.

* Niño agreed to allow Sosa to fight Mayol instead of making the mandatory defense, as it was due in November, 2009.

Now that Mayol is champion, it seems that he has forgotten those same rules that helped him realize his dream of becomming WBC champion of he world. For him to question the WBC’s integrity is unacceptable and to question the honestly of the four North American ring officials selected for this bout will not be tolerated. The WBC appointed Gary Ritter from Oklahoma, Nathan Palmer from Indiana, and Stephen Blea from Colorado as judges, and referee Vic Drakulich from Nevada, all neutral officials.

The WBC is a world organization, based in Mexico, and has supported Philippine boxing throughout the years. The Philippines have a strong foundation in the WBC, and Mr. Justiniano Montano of the Philippines was a past president of our organization. The WBC has gone all-out to implement rules to guarantee that justice prevails: all WBC world title fights are sanctioned with a neutral set of officials. For the record, Mayol has fought and lost three times for other organizations’ championships, and we wonder if those ring officials were from neutral countries?

It is regrettable that Mayol, who is a very nice and gentle person, could allow these irresponsible comments to be published on his behalf. His claims that the officials will hurt him and that he didn’t need to fight Niño have been explained in this statement, and the WBC is referring this matter to the WBC disciplinary committee to evaluate and rule if any actions will proceed to clarify these claims.

Vazquez-Sonsona Press Conference Quotes

Marvin Sonsona: “At this weight I feel great; stronger and my punch is stronger, too. I think I have everything to beat Vazquez and I have much more experience than him. I’m going to win that title and show my skills in the ring.”

Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.: “I am ready physically and mentally for this fight. We taken training seriously and I’m in the best condition that I can be. We are focused on our opponent and when we get in the ring, Sonsona will see that wanting to fight me was wrong.”

Allan Tremblay (Sonsona’s Promoter, President of Orion Sports Management):
“This should be just a tremendous test for Marvin. Like Vazquez, Marvin is a young, hungry, talented, and strong fighter, with the weight of a boxing-mad nation’s expectations on his shoulders. This is a great PPV fight, and one that will decide who is indeed the best young champion in all of boxing.”    

“The Double Assault” PPV Fact Sheet

WHAT:     “The Double Assault” PPV

WHEN: Saturday, February 27, 2010 – 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT
WHERE: Bayamon, Puerto Rico & Guadalajara, Mexico

PROMOTER:  In Puerto Rico: PR Best Boxing, in association with Orion Sports Management, All Star Boxing and Sampson Boxing LLC.  In Mexico: Boxeo De Gala

PAY-PER-VIEW INFORMATION: Orion Sports Management is presenting “The Double Assault” in Canada for live viewing on Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV for a suggested retail price of only $34.95. at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT.

PAY-PER-VIEW ANNOUNCERS:  World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Col. Bob Sheridan (blow-by-blow) and former NFL player and veteran boxing announcer Benny Ricardo (color analyst).

NEW YORK (Feb. 25, 2010)—Showtime Networks and Verizon announced today the launch of the first nationwide, high-definition interactive television application (iTV) using EBIF (Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format), with the new SHOWTIME Sports Interactive. Verizon’s FiOS TV customers will have the first look at the network’s interactive experience – including voting and polling functionality and fighter profiles – during the live Strikeforce Challengers mixed martial arts telecast, Friday, Feb. 26 (11 p.m. ET). All FiOS TV customers with a high-definition set-top box who subscribe to SHOWTIME will have access to the interactive experience.

“SHOWTIME has been leading the industry with digital enhancements and Interactive TV for over a decade. With the launch of SHOWTIME Sports Interactive, we are excited to be joining Verizon at the forefront, bringing this state-of-the-art feature to SHOWTIME HD,” said Robert Hayes, senior vice president and general manager of digital media at Showtime Networks. “SHOWTIME continues to innovate and provide value-added features to our subscribers and our sports programming provides the perfect setting for the ‘lean forward’ experience that is now possible with Interactive TV.”

Shawn Strickland, vice president of consumer strategy and planning for Verizon, said, “We’re thrilled to partner with SHOWTIME and offer more value to our FiOS TV subscribers. With custom stats, voting capabilities and more, combined with FiOS TV’s amazing picture-and-sound quality, our customers will get a truly high-def, real-time interactive experience. Once again, Verizon is first to offer our customers the most value for their premium subscription.”

SHOWTIME Sports Interactive will enable subscribers to access fighter stats, records, bios and quotes; vote in interactive polls; test their knowledge in a trivia game; and check out a fight calendar–-all on their TV screen while watching SHOWTIME. Viewers will respond to an on-screen prompt by clicking “OK” on their remote control. Unlike static on-screen stats displayed during traditional televised sporting events, these features are interactive.

Verizon was the first company to deploy a nationwide EBIF iTV application to all of its subscribers. Showtime Networks is the first programmer to launch a high-definition EBIF application and the first to do so with voting and polling functionalities. EBIF, which is capable of running on all Verizon FiOS set-top boxes, is the accepted platform for the delivery of interactive services across the cable industry.

The latest roll-out from the EMMY® Award winning Interactive TV group at SHOWTIME, the enhancement will be included in the SHOWTIME HD MPEG-4 feed for select MMA and Boxing telecasts beginning with the February 26th Strikeforce Challengers event.

NEW YORK (Feb. 24, 2010)—The latest installment of the critically acclaimed reality series from SHOWTIME Sports® — FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic — returns to SHOWTIME® with Episode 4, premiering Monday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT.

To view Episode 4 trailer, click here:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid68130949001

Also on this video player for your convenience is the complete Episode #3 which premiered last week.

The 30-minute episode features an emotional interview with Jermain Taylor as he discusses his withdrawal from the tournament. Also, viewers will join the charismatic Super Six promoters as they candidly discuss Taylor’s replacement, the ultra-confident Allan Green.

Viewers will join Arthur Abraham as he departs Germany for the United States in preparation for his Group Stage 2 bout against Andre Dirrell. Along the way, Abraham, the former middleweight titleholder, misplaces his cherished world championship belt and the hunt is on.

Episode 4 also takes viewers to Flint, Mich., and inside the home of young Dirrell as he and his team study Abraham’s fighting style and begin to strategize for the tough challenge ahead of them.

The complete viewing schedule for Episode 4 is below.

On Saturday, March 27, Abraham, the Super Six World Boxing Classic leader will face Dirrell in a 12-round match, live on SHOWTIME at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Group Stage 2 bouts continue with a world championship doubleheader on Saturday, April 24. Undefeated Carl Froch (26-0, 20 KOs), of England, will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight title against former World Boxing Association (WBA) 168-pound champion Mikkel Kessler (42-2, 32 KOs) of Denmark, and Andre Ward (20-0, 13 KOs) of Oakland, Calif., who captured Kessler’s WBA belt last November, will risk his crown against Green (29-1, 20 KOs).

The tournament twin-bill will be televised on SHOWTIME beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT with Froch vs. Kessler airing on same-day delay from MCH Arena, in Herning, Denmark, immediately followed by the live Ward vs. Green bout from Oakland, Calif.

Air dates and times for FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic–

Episode 4:

Saturday, Feb. 27 – 7:30 p.m. SHOWTIME (premiere)

Sunday, Feb. 28 – 2:15 a.m. SHOWTIME 2

Monday, March 1 – 8:30 p.m. SHOWTIME

Monday, March 1 – 10 p.m. SHO 2

Tuesday, March 2 – 10 p.m. SHO 2

Wednesday, March 3 – 10:30 p.m. SHO 2

Thursday, March 4, 1 – 1 a.m. SHOWTIME

Thursday, March 4, 11 p.m. SHO 2

Friday, March 5 – 10 p.m. SHO 2

Friday, March 5 – Midnight SHOWTIME

Friday, March 5 – 4 a.m. SHO 2

Saturday, March 6 – 1:30 p.m. SHOWTIME2

Wednesday, March 17 – 11 p.m. SHO 2

Monday, March 22 – 10 p.m. SHO 2

Tuesday, March 23 – 10:30 p.m. SHO 2

Thursday, March 25 – 11:30 p.m. SHO 2

Friday, March 26 – 5 a.m. SHO2

Wednesday, March 31 – 10:30 p.m. SHO2

Note: all times ET/PT

TECATE HELPS SPREAD FERVOR AMONG HISPANICS FOR PACQUIAO VS. CLOTTEY WITH MARKETING PROGRAM

Mexican Cerveza Supports Boxing as Lead Sponsor of First Fight in New Dallas Cowboys Stadium

MONTERREY, N.L. MEXICO (Feb. 24, 2010) – Tecate, cerveza con carácter, demonstrates its commitment to boxing through a regional marketing campaign designed to create buzz and bring adult boxing aficionados closer to the March 13encounter between Filipino WBO Welterweight Champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (50-3, 38 KO’s) and the hard-punching former title holder from Ghana, Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 KO’s). The event will be broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View from the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, beginning at 9p.m. ET/6p.m. PT.

“Once again, we’re thrilled to do our part in ensuring that as many fans as possible can be witness to the excitement of boxing,” said Daniel Cuellar, sponsorship and media director for Tecate in Mexico. “Pacquiao vs. Clottey is more than just a fight, it’s an event; not only because of the anticipation surrounding the match, but because both fighters will showcase their talent, passion, and boldness at this state-of-the-art stadium. We are confident that the various elements of our program will engage adult fans and help to create a true boxing experience for them in the weeks leading up to the event and during the fight itself.”

To give fans at home an opportunity to be a part of the boxing experience, Tecate and Top Rank are offering a $20 mail-in rebate coupon for the HBO PPV event with the purchase of a 12-pack or larger of Tecate or Tecate Light. This offer will be valid in select states across the country, where legal.

As part of its support of “The Event,” Tecate’s multi-tiered program will be visible in more than 8,000 grocery and convenience stores with promotional materials featuring images of Pacquiao and Clottey, as well as fight details. Additionally, the cerveza brand will tailor its radio spots two weeks leading up to the event to help spread enthusiasm among Hispanic adults for the World Welterweight Championship bout.

HOBOKEN, N.J. (Feb. 23, 2010) – Styles make fights and Saturday night’s WBC light flyweight title bout between Filipino power puncher Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol and stylish Mexican boxer Omar “Giant Killer” Nino shapes-up as a potential classic from Guadalajara, Mexico on “The Double Assault” pay-per-view extravaganza.

The 12-round main event matches Mayol (26-4-1, 20 KOs), rated No. 2 by The Ring, defending his crown against the WBC No. 1 contender, former WBC light flyweight titlist Nino (28-3-1, 20 KOs). Also airing on the entertaining Guadalajara card, presented by Boxeo De Gala, is a 10-round WBC Youth lightweight championship bout between defending champ Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada (21-1, 17 KOs) and veteran Angel Alirio “El Morocho” Rivero (21-7-1, 14 KOs).

“The Double Assault” pay-per-view action commences at 9 PM/ET live from Reben Rodriquez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, with hometown hero Wilfredo “WV2” Vazquez, Jr., who plans to make Puerto Rican history when he fights the 19-year-old Philippine sensation, “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona, for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO junior featherweight title. PR Best Boxing Promotions, in association with All Star Boxing and Sampson Boxing LLC., is presenting the Puerto Rican segment of “The Double Assault” pay-per-view.

The unique, split site broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

Mayol, now fighting out of Los Angeles, captured the WBC light flyweight crown in his last fight (November 21) with a win by second-round technical knockout of Edgar Sosa (37-5) in Mexico. Mayol, who has stopped 20 of 26 victims, had come off of back-to-back fights against WBO light flyweight titlist Ivan Calderon that ended in technical decisions, due to cuts from accidental head butts suffered by the Puerto Rican, for a Calderon win and draw.

Nino hopes to live-up to his “Giant Killer” nickname by out-boxing and taking Mayol into the later rounds. Nino earned his title shot by winning an 8-round technical decision, when he suffered a cut to his head caused buy an accidental head butt, against Juanito Rubillar (46-11-7) in their June WBC title eliminator in Mexico. Nino, who upset Brian Viloria in 2006 to capture the WBC title, will also be fighting in his hometown of Guadalajara, where he is undefeated in nearly 20 career fights.

WBO No. 2 rated Vazquez, Jr. (17-0-1, 14 KOs), the WBO Latino super bantamweight champion, would become the first Puerto Rican son of a world champion (Wilfredo Vazquez, Sr.) to capture a world title by defeating former WBO super flyweight titlist Sonsona (14-0-1, 12 KOs), ranked No. 3 by the WBO.

Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Carlos Negron (7-0, 6 KOs), 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian, provides chief support in a 6-round bout against Rudy Ashworth. Also fighting on the card in their pro debuts are the Arroyo twins and also 2008 Puerto Rican Olympians, flyweight McWilliams and bantamweight McJoe.