Just makin’ sure…Us keyboard tappers don’t always follow up adequately when powers that be assure us that someone has been injured. Without a doctor’s note, and even then, it is hard to prove. Just want to make sure we aren’t get played….

Banner Promotions held a press conference today in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to announce the signing of Brazil’s top prospect, Alex De Oliveira, to a promotional contract.

Now 24 years old, De Oliveira has a professional record of 16-0 with 12 knockouts. He holds the World Boxing Organization’s Latino junior featherweight title and has made five successful title defenses. He is also currently ranked No. 7 in the world by the WBO.

Alex turned pro in January, 2007, after a successful amateur career that included 119 fights. He was a Brazilian national amateur champion in 2004 and 2005, and had extensive international experience, as well – he won silver medals at the 2005 Pan American Games and the 2006 South American Games.

Banner Promotions President Art Pelullo said, “We’re very pleased and excited to be working with Alex. He’s a very talented athlete, and we think he has the ability to become one of boxing’s major stars.”

McCreedy predicts

“Autumn Classic” Nov. 20 at Twin River

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Nov. 13, 2009) – New England and EBA super middleweight champion, “Irish” Joey McCreedy (11-3-1, 6 KOs), fights his first real “name” opponent, “The Next Great Champ” winner Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (20-6-2, 8 KOs), in the main event Nov. 20 on the Irish-themed “Autumn Classic” pro boxing show, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I.

McCreedy, the best boxer out of Lowell (MA) since “Irish” Micky Ward, is coming in fresh off of a stunning first-round stoppage of Eddie Caminero on Sept. 4. McCreedy steps up in class against Griffin, who has been in against two world champions, Danny Green and Jeff Lacy, in their 8-round, non-title bout.

Griffin, in addition to winning Oscar de la Hoya’s “The Next Great Champ” reality television show, also held the NABO light heavyweight title two years ago. He has been a sparring partner for Mikkel Kessler and Chad Dawson in preparation for his throw-down with McCreedy.

“It’s a big step-up for me,” McCreedy said about his match against Griffin. “Otis is a great fighter and the first big name, from the television series, I’ve fought. My training for this fight has been great. I’m in the best shape of my life, 168 (pounds) right now (8 days before the fight). But it’s going to be plain old me. I’m going to put on a good show. I have no concerns going eight rounds, if I have to, because I went 8, toe-to-toe, with Bobo (Starnino). It’s not going eight; I’m saying five. I’m going to catch him early so he doesn’t get a chance to use his experience. I will knock him out.”

Only 8-months since the birth of her daughter, Neyla, 4-time world champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (19-4-1, 7 KOs), of Warwick (RI), returns to the ring against an opponent to be determined in the 6-round co-feature.

Providing chief support on the undercard is 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate Danny O’Connor (9-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Framingham (MA), against dangerous James Hope (4-2, 4 KOs) in a 6-rounder.

Also 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, versus 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 Anthony “Cruiser” Mitchell; Worcester (MA) heavyweight Rashad Minor (2-1, 2 KOs) faces pro-debuting Albert Garren; and Boston light heavyweight Maceo Crowder, whose brother is 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade, makes his pro debut against Terrance Anderson (2-2, 1 KO).

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.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – DOORS OPEN AT 1P.M.

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (November 12, 2009) – Hello Mr. and Mrs. Boxing Fan and all the ships at sea. Let’s go to press…..

· Tomorrow’s Official Weigh-in will be hosted by Emmy Award winning actor Jeremy Piven, star of HBO’s hit series “Entourage.” Open to the public, doors open at 1:00 p.m. with the weigh-in beginning at 2:30 p.m. Mainstream websites will be streaming it live for 30 minutes, beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT…

· The Asian edition of TIME magazine, featuring Manny Pacquiao on the cover, has been such a big seller that an extra 50,000 issues had to be printed to meet the demand http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1935091,00.html

PARTY LIKE A PACQUIAO!

MANNY PACQUIAO AND HIS MP BAND TO PERFORM LIVE AT

POST-FIGHT CONCERT AT MANDALAY BAY’S EVENTS CENTER

This Saturday! November 14, Beginning at 10 P.M.

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (November 12, 2009), — After boxing’s No. 1 pound for pound fighter and box office attraction MANNY “PacMan” PACQUIAO plays a little chin music on WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, he will head over to the Mandalay Bay Events Center to perform a live post-fight concert with his MP Band.

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, the winner of six world titles in as many different weight divisions ranging from 112 to140 pounds, and star of the upcoming superhero action motion picture” WAPAKMAN,” scheduled for release in January 2010, has already had two albums go Platinum in the Philippines. PacMan and the MP Band played a similar gig at the Beach at Mandalay Bay following his two-round knockout victory of defending junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton last May.

Remaining tickets, priced at $40, to Manny Pacquiao and the MP Band Concert, can be purchased at any Mandalay Bay box office outlet. Doors open at 10 p.m. PT with the concert ending at 1:00 a.m.

SPECIAL LIVE PREVIEW SHOW SET TO AIR ON LOCAL CABLE AND SATELLITE PROVIDERS HOURS BEFORE PACQUIAO VS COTTO AIRS ON HBO PAY-PER-VIEW®

LAS VEGAS (November 12, 2009)-Weekend action for FIREPOWER: Pacquiao vs Cotto will begin Saturday with a pre-fight feature show that will capture both live action of the non pay-per-view televised undercard, interviews with main event fighters Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto hours before their showdown and finally the red-carpet look and feel of a big time fight including celebrity arrivals and interviews.

The show will be broadcast live on Direct TV, Dish Network and inDemand from 4:00pm-5:30pm Pacific time (PT). For further viewing information check your local cable operator and satellite provider.

As part of the special broadcast three undercard bouts will be featured including two with Pacquiao countrymen Richie Mepranum, in a six round flyweight bout against Ernie Marquez and General Santos’ Eden Sonsona against Elon Kedem in a six round bantamweight fight. The third fight on the show is a six round middleweight fight between undefeated Russian Olympian upstart Matt Korobov and Mustafah Johnson.

Longtime boxing broadcasters and analysts Tony Paige and Rich Marotta will call the show, joined by actor Andre Royo-from HBO’s® critically acclaimed series THE WIRE who will talk to celebrities to get their opinion on the big fight and Courtney Mazza will interview both Pacquiao and Cotto hours before they step into the ring.

“This is an exciting way for us to engage our fans with an up close and exciting behind-the-scenes look at a big time fight before the pay-per-view broadcast,” said Bob Arum, Chairman Top Rank Inc. “There is so much action and lots of fun just before the bell rings for the fight everyone is waiting to see.”

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions ranging from 112 to 140 pounds. Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico has held a world title every year since 2004.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions, MGM Grand and Tecate, Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto will take place Saturday, November 14 at the sold out MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed Live on HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

HBO Sports’® all-access reality series “24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto” returns with the premiere of the finale on Friday, Nov. 13 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. HBO® will replay episodes #1, #2 and #3 consecutively prior to the premiere of episode #4. The replays begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Nov. 13. Episodes #1-3 are also available on HBO ON DEMAND®.

Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez leading ‘World’s Greatest Ever’ Bantamweight voting,

Spectacular Three-Day Celebration Dec. 11-13 in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 12, 2009) – Puerto Rican power-punching great Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez, 3-time world champion in three weight classes, leads the global voting process in the Bantamweight Division of the “World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” (WGEB) promotion.

Gomez holds a very slight advantage against the other nine “WGEB” official Bantamweight nominees: “Panama” Al Brown, Manuel Ortiz, Eder “Golden Bantam” Joffre, Ruben “El Puas” Olivares, Carlos Zarate, “Joltin’” Joe Chandler, Hozumi Hasegawa, Kid Williams and Orlando Canizales.

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.”

Gomez (44-3-1, 42 KOs), who has committed to attending the “WGEB” weekend (Dec. 11-13) with numerous legends, defeated nine world champions – Zarate, Rocky Lockridge, Juan LaPorte, Lupe Pintor, Juan Meza, Leonardo Cruz, Juan Antonio Lopez, Royal Kobayashi and Dong Kyun Yum – during his incredible 15-year pro career (1974-1989). All three of his losses were to world titlists, including a pair of fellow “WGEB” nominees, Salvador Sanchez and Azumah Nelson.

A 1972 Puerto Rican Olympian, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Gomez has one of the highest knockout win percentages (95.4%) in boxing history, and his 32 straight knockouts was the longest streak by any world champion. “Bazooka” first captured the WBA Super Bantamweight title in 1977, stopping Yum in the 12th round, and Wilfredo went on to make 17 successful title defenses of that belt, winning all by knockout.

His most memorable victory was a 6th round technical knockout of Zarate (55-0) in their 1978 battle of unbeatens for Gomez’ WBA belt. Three years later, Gomez moved up in weight to challenge WBC featherweight champion Sanchez, who won by 8th round TKO but died in a car crash before Gomez got a rematch. Gomez went on to capture the WBC featherweight (WDEC12 vs. LaPorte in 1984) and WBA super featherweight (WDEC15 vs. Lockridge in 1985).

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

The weekend of events Dec. 11-13 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.

Tickets for the US vs. World pro boxing show are priced at $150 (Super VIP), $100 (Platinum), $80 (VIP), $65 (Gold) and (newly added) $40. The fight card plus hospitality packages are priced at $500 (Super VIP), $400 (Platinum) $250 (VIP) and $150 (Gold), as well as for the Greatest Ever Dinner Awards Ceremony and Entertainment at $1000 (Super VIP), $800 (Platinum), $450 (VIP) and $250 (Gold).

Ruiz still clear & present danger

in heavyweight division

“The Quietman” new free agent

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 10, 2009) – Two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz is on a mission to bring the world heavyweight title back to the United States next year and share the championship belt with his Latino fans once again.

WBA No. 1 contender Ruiz (44-8-1, 30 KOs), who had agreed with promoters of last Saturday’s championship bout — defending champion Nicolai Valuev and challenger David “Hayemaker” Haye — to “step aside” as the WBA “Official Challenger,” earned his 12th world title shot against new WBA champion Haye (guaranteed by the end of May, 2010) with his seventh-round stoppage of Adnan Serin in the seventh round of their co-feature match.

Fighting for the first time in 14 months, as well as with a new head trainer in Miguel Diaz, the 37-year-old Ruiz weighed in at 226 pounds, his lightest in six years. Now a promotional free agent since his contract with Don King recently expired, “The Quietman” was more mentally and physically prepared for last weekend’s fight than he’s been since capturing his first WBA crown in 2001 against Evander Holyfield.

Ruiz also displayed a much more fan-friendly style against Serin – no holding, clutching or grabbing — and he’s confident of winning his third world title next year against Haye because of his experience advantage and genuine toughness.

“I hadn’t fought in a long time and was kind of anxious the first few rounds,” Ruiz spoke about his fight against Serin. “I settled down and started putting my punches together. I’m looking forward to fighting Haye and winning my third world title. I’m a free agent now and we’ll be talking to some promoters. This is a good opportunity for me with a title fight coming next year.”

Tony Cardinale, Ruiz’ manager/attorney, believes Haye-Ruiz will be a more action-packed, interesting and entertaining fight than either had against Valuev. “It’s difficult to look good against Valuev,” Cardinale noted. “John scored considerably more in his two controversial fights against Valuev than Haye. John chased Valuev around the ring, not the other way around. His new trainers, Miguel Diaz and Richie Sandoval, will put together an effective game plan for John. Without a doubt, John Ruiz will be the toughest opponent Haye has ever faced.”

Ruiz, the first and only world heavyweight champion of Latino heritage, hopes his fight against Haye will land in Las Vegas, but he’s also comfortable fighting Haye in England or Germany. “I live and train in Las Vegas,” he explained, “so I’d love to fight there. But I’m 6-0 in England and have a good fan base in Germany. Wherever I fight, I need my fans to support me, especially Latinos from al over the world.”

With a book about his life on the horizon, Ruiz notes that the perfect final chapter would include a third world title. “I’ve had an up-and-down career but it’s not over, yet. My life is good right now; I’m in a comfort zone. I got back to the basics and improved my style, earned another world title shot, and I’m a promotional free agent. I want to win another world title for my family and fans. I had fun celebrating Saturday night’s win at a cigar bar with my team and wife, Maribel. But the real party will be next year when I get my belt back. I’m a true fighter and David Haye’s going to find that out in the ring.”

Three-Time World Champion & Current WBA Titleholder

Daniel Santos Wants to Shine Saturday on the World Stage

Faces Undefeated, WBA No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Yuri Foreman
In Featured Pay-Per-View Match on Pacquiao vs. Cotto ‘Firepower’ Card
From MGM Grand in Las Vegas Live on HBO PPV at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

BAYAMON, Puerto Rico—Three-time world champion and current World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Daniel Santos (32-3-1, 23 KOs) will defend his title against undefeated, WBA No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Yuri Foreman (27-0, 8 KOs) as the featured PPV match on the Pacquiao-Cotto “Firepower” card on Saturday from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas telecast live on HBO PPV at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Blessed with natural skills and abilities that most top-flight boxers can only dream about, Santos has achieved a staggering list of ring accomplishments including an amateur record of 117-3 that culminated with an Olympic bronze medal in the Atlanta games of 1996 and being a three-time world champion as a professional, once at welterweight and twice at the 154-pound limit.

“I want to shine on the big stage,” Santos said. “Saturday night is my chance to fulfill the truly great promise of my boxing career.”

Santos, 34, a Puerto Rican native who just completed his training camp in Bayamon, will be showcased in a blockbuster pay-per-view card. He believes that facing the undefeated Foreman, from Belarus, provides him a tremendous opportunity to send a message to all the champions at and around the 154-pound weight limit that his combination of skill and style are what boxing fans want to see in the ring.

“With a great performance on Saturday, I will show that I belong in the biggest and best matches that can be made,” Santos said. “I truly feel that my time has come to move into the spotlight.”

His promoter, Don King, would like nothing more than to see Santos fulfill his dreams.

“Daniel will be the first to tell you that God has blessed him with the ability to box,” King said. “Danny just needs to put it all together right here, right now. Opportunities await him if he can answer the call of greatness, and he has an appointment on Saturday in Las Vegas.”

Santos first became world champion in 2000 by defeating then-World Boxing Organization welterweight titlist Akmed Kotiev. He successfully defended that crown three times before moving to the 154-pound limit in 2002 where he defeated the legendary former world champion Luis “Yori Boy” Campas to capture the vacant WBO super welterweight championship.

Santos successfully defended that title four times, including a technical decision over Antonio Margarito in 2004, before surrendering the belt in 2005 in a very close decision loss to Sergiy Dzinziruk.

Santos became a three-time world champion by knocking out Joachim Alcine in Montreal, Canada, on July 11 to take his WBA super welterweight crown.

BOXERS JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ AND ANTONIO MARGARITO SCHEDULED TO MEET FANS IN LAS VEGAS

Radio Personality Piolin will also Entertain Aficionados in Anticipation of Pacquiao vs. Cotto

WHAT: Adult consumers in Las Vegas will have the chance to be a part of the excitement surrounding the bout between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand on Saturday, November 14 through an exclusive autograph and photo session with Top Rank champions.

WHO: Scheduled to appear as part of Cerveza Tecate’s Mobile Boxing Ring promotion are Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez and Top Rank boxer Antonio Margarito.

Piolin, the celebrated radio personality, will also be on-hand to entertain the fans with his hilarious antics during the live show.

WHEN AND Friday, November 1 3

WHERE: 3 - 5 p.m.

Cardenas Market
4421 E. Bonanza Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89110