Bronx,NY - Aug 11, 2008 On September 5th at the Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing returns with yet another sensational night of boxing. Mike Arnaoutis and Kevin Johnson, two of Star’s top fighters will be showcasing their goods in a special double feature.

“I’m really looking forward to this card,” said CEO of Star Boxing Joe DeGuardia. “Anytime you have either of these guys fighting as the main event on a show it’s going to be an exciting night of boxing. Now that we have both Kevin and Mike on the same card together, I can only begin to imagine what Bally’s is going to be like that night. We feel that both Mike and Kevin are ready to challenge for major world titles and we expect them to both look spectacular and put on a great show come September 5th,” stated DeGuardia.

Ken Condon, Sports and Entertainment Consultant for Bally’s Atlantic City states that once again, “Bally’s Atlantic City will host an incredible night of boxing action on September 5th. Both main events feature, not only local fighters, but local fighters that excite fans and leave everything they have in the ring. Arnaoutis has really connected with the Atlantic City fans, and we’re excited to get a look at Kevin Johnson during his rise to top of the heavyweight division. This is shaping up to be must see fight card.”
Mike In the main event WBO #11, IBF #14″Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (19-2-2, 9KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ takes on power punching Nasser Athumani (20-6, 16KO’s) of South Egg Harbor, NJ in a ten round jr. welterweight contest.

Arnaoutis has become a fan favorite here in the U.S., particularly in his adopted hometown of Atlantic City, for his non-stop, always exciting, aggressive style. Bally’s will be packed with Arnaoutis’s large Greek fan base, waving their flags, banging their drums and chanting for the “Pride of Greece”, “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis.

JOHNSON TAKES ON FORMER WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP
KJaction In the second co-main event of the evening the WBA #7 rated heavyweight in the world, and top American heavyweight hopeful Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (19-0-1, 6KO’s) of Asbury Park, NJ takes on former WBA World Heavyweight Champion Bruce “The Atlantic City Express” Seldon (38-6, 34KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ. Johnson has continuously climbed the heavyweight ranks since he first turned pro back in 2003 and a win over Seldon should solidify his position for a heavyweight championship bout. This fight is very important for Johnson not only for what a victory does for his career, but also it is a chance to take care of a personal vendetta against Seldon. Seldon has been calling out Johnson for some time now and Johnson has seemingly had enough. Upon receiving a direct letter from Seldon, Johnson called his promoter Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing to set the fight up so that he can once and for all send the former world champion Seldon into retirement.

A complete list of the undercard will be announced shortly. Tickets are priced at $90 and $60 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1(800)736-1420 or going online to ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available by calling Star Boxing at (718) 823- 2000 or by going online to www.starboxing.com

Don King to Announce Plans for Boxing Event

In Chengdu, China, during 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing

Proceeds Pledged to Rebuild City after Devastating Earthquake

BEIJING, China (Aug. 12, 2008)—Legendary promoter Don King arrived in Beijing, China, today (Tuesday) and will be holding a press conference here on Wednesday (Aug. 13) where he will announce his plans to promote a boxing event in Chengdu, China. The boxing card will be staged in November and is planned to be presented at the Chengdu National Stadium.

After the Beijing press conference, the China Boxing Association has invited King to attend Olympic boxing.

King and the Chinese government pledged to donate part of the proceeds of the boxing event to help rebuild Chengdu, which was devastated by an earthquake in May. King will visit Chengdu and host a press conference there with the city’s Mayor Ge Lin on Thursday (Aug. 15).

King has been to China before. He promoted in Beijing what was to have been the third meeting between then World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz and former four-time heavyweight champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield on Aug. 5, 2001.

The fight—with King and both fighters in Beijing preparing for the match—was postponed just nine days prior to the event after John Ruiz sustained a neck injury that forced him to withdraw.

King’s presence in China drew positive attention to the country, especially in the sports world, which was appreciated by the Chinese as officials were vying to become the host of the 2008 Olympic Games at the time. King was particularly outspoken in his support of China’s Olympic bid.

PROVIDENCE (August 14, 2008) – One of boxing’s great all-time warriors, Gary “Tiger” Balletto, will be inducted into the prestigious CES Ring of Honor during a special ceremony at the August 22nd “August Annihilation” pro boxing show, featuring the return of The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr., at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Promoter Jimmy Burchfield, president of Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), established the CES Ring of Honor in 2005 in order to pay respect to inductees for their special accomplishments and contributions to New England boxing. Charter members include 5-time world champion Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Paz, former WBA and WBC welterweight title-holder Marlon “Magic Man” Starling, and 3-time The Ring Fighter of the Year (2001-2003) participant “Irish” Micky Ward. Other CES Ring of Honor members include former 3-time world champion “El Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera, world light heavyweight contender “Iceman” John Scully, famed Connecticut trainer Johnny Dukes, 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade, “Sucra” Ray Oliveira and Israel “Pito” Cardona.

“We’re proud to honor Gary ‘Tiger’ Balletto, one of New England’s most exciting fighters ever,” Burchfield said. “Gary was a true warrior who could hit with the best of them. Few fighters in the past 20 years were as charismatic as ‘Tiger,’ who was a true throwback fighter that always left it all in the ring. And he was as tough as they come, too. Nobody stopped him in 36 pro fights.”

Providence-native Balletto (31-3-2, 26 KOs), who starred in The Contender Season Two, was the IBU lightweight champion. Today, he owns a gym and also manages a fighter on “August Annihilation,” Providence’s pro debuting junior lightweight Omar Pena, the former 9-time New England Golden Gloves champion matched Aug. 22 against Rasool Shakoor (1-3, 1 KO) in a four-round bout.

WBC rated No. 20 contender Manfredo (30-5, 15 KOs), star of The Contender Season One, fights Donny “The Savage” McCrary (24-7-2, 13 KOs), star of The Contender Season Three, in the 12-round main event for the NABF Interim super middleweight title.

“August Annihilator” is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Twin River, The Tournament of Contenders, and CN8, The Comcast Network. The show will be taped live and air Saturday, August 23 at 7:30 PM/ET on CN8, The Comcast Network as well as Cox Sports Television.

In the co-feature, WBO No. 12 rated Power punching Joey “KO Kid” Spina (22-1-1, 15 KOs), former USNBC and IBF Intercontinental super middleweight champion, takes on former IBC Americas heavyweight title-holder Jim “Steel Chin” Strohl (27-6, 21 KOs), of Las Vegas, in a six-round super middleweight bout..

On the undercard in a pair of six-round super middleweight bouts, Rhode Island super middleweight Angel Camacho, Jr. (10-0, 4 KOs) puts his undefeated record on the line against Brooklyn’s Ariel Espinal (6-3-2, 2 KOs), while Providence favorite Bobo “The Bull” Starnino (9-4-1, 2 KOs) faces Lowell (MA) brawler “Irish” Joey McCreedy (8-2, 5 KOs) in an old fashioned throw-down.

Also on the undercard card is undefeated middleweight prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (7-0, 5 KOs), former two-time U.S. national amateur champion out of Worcester (MA), squaring off against Marcus “Team Savior” Upshaw (8-2, 3 KOs) in a six-round bout. Former world title challenger, Greek featherweight Sandy “Lil’ Tyson” Tsagouris (7-1, 3 KOs), takes on Adawirky Lopez (1-0), who is a Pan-Am Games gold medal winner, in another six-round match.

Providence junior welterweight Jesus Caro (1-0, 1 KO) tangles with pro debuting Clarence Smith in a four rounder. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for “August Annihilation” are priced at $40.00, $50.00 (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club SOLD OUT) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Events Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), at the Players Club booth (2nd floor) at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.

Tickets are also on sale at Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket (RI), 401 Gym in Cranston (RI), Rivera Brother’s in Lynn (MA), Balletto’s Gym in Providence, Big Six Academy in Providence, and Larry Army (508.407.5152).

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.

Since his release on bail several weeks ago, Edgar Santana has been diligently training as he works on his imminent return to the ring. In good spirits and eager to fight, Santana is spending a lot of time with family and working on his plans to open up his barber shop in Spanish Harlem.
On Monday 8/11 he makes a scheduled court appearance with attorney Dan Ollen. Santana, his team and family feel optimistic about having a favorable outcome regarding the allegations against him.
While the team is not allowed to speak about the details of the case they feel that the evidence used to indict him does not come even remotely close to the outlandish way the charges were presented to the public. We will however say that no drugs or cash were confiscated from Santana and the possession of drugs or cash are not part of the evidence against him.
The sideshow fashion with which Santana, who does not have a criminal record, was paraded for the benefit of the press and the language used to describe his involvement were completely over the top. Santana’s arrest has received media coverage that not even boxers who win World Championships receive.
Sadly, that same media coverage was not there when Santana donated money and equipment to unfunded boxing gyms, visited sick children at hospitals, spoke to elementary school children or participated in many community events throughout New York. Santana has been a preeminent role model for his community in Spanish Harlem and will continue to do those things have made the community proud of him. The stereotypical way he has been presented will be countered aggressively and proven to have no merit.
We want to continue to thank all those who have sent us wishes of continued support. The outpouring has been overwhelming and rest assured that Santana’s campaign toward a World Title continues and more importantly, the fine reputation he has earned as an individual will be restored.

Best Regards,

Team Santana

NEW YORK (August 8, 2008) – DiBella Entertainment has signed former welterweight champion Kermit “The Killer” Cintron (29-2, 27 KO’s) to a promotional agreement. “I am happy to work with Kermit,” said DBE head Lou DiBella. “He is a tough, quick, aggressive fighter in the ring and a class act out of it. It’s a wide open welterweight division. Kermit is a devastating puncher and certainly has the ability to win another world title.”

“I’m definitely happy,” Cintron said. “I think that Lou DiBella has the right people around him. He’s a very good promoter who can take me back to the top.”

Cintron captured the IBF Welterweight title in 2006, knocking out Mark Suarez (25-3, 13 KO’s) in the sixth round. Cintron then made two successful defenses in 2007, the first in July with a second round knockout of highly touted Argentinean Walter Dario Matthysse (26-4, 25 KO’s) in Atlantic City. Cintron followed that impressive win when he pulled off a tenth round knockout of an extremely game Jesse Feliciano.

Cintron is looking to get back into the thick of the division after dropping his title to Antonio Margarito (37-5, 27 KO’s). “Kermit is still a young man in the prime of his career, and losing to a fighter the caliber of Margarito is certainly no disgrace,” said DiBella. “Kermit is an intelligent athlete who knows exactly what he has to do to get to the top of the most talented division in boxing. We will help him get there.”

HOLLYWOOD, FL, August 8 – With a combined knockout percentage of 85% in their 53 pro bouts, it is easy to see why Joel Julio and ‘Mean’ Joe Greene are considered two of the most powerful punchers in boxing today. On Wednesday, August 13, at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, these “Heavy Hitters” will look to add two more names to their victims list as they co-headline ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights.

Julio will compete in a ten round bout and Greene will fight in a 12 round NABA title fight. “Heavy Hitters” is presented by Seminole Warriors Boxing and Main Events. Doors open at 6:30pm and the first bell rings at 7:30pm. ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights broadcast begins at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. Tickets for “Heavy Hitters”, priced at $152, $102, $52 and $27, are on sale now, and may be purchased at Hard Rock Live Box Office or TicketMaster.com.

Ruiz challenges media critics to wager

LAS VEGAS (August 7, 2008) – Two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-7-1, 29 KOs) has issued a challenge to his media critics regarding his style.

Over the years, Ruiz often has been criticized for his unpopular “clutch-and-grab” style, but in his last three fights with head trainer Manny Siaca, Sr. in his corner, “The Quietman” has returned to the aggressive fighter he was when he first won the heavyweight title in 2001. The problem is Ruiz’ last four fights, including his first against Valuev, have not been televised in the United States, although that hasn’t prevented critics from continuing to unfairly bash him.

The WBA vacated the title due to an injury to Ruslan Chagaev, declared him “champion in recess” and ruled that the top two rated contenders had to fight for the title. Ruiz, rated No. 2 by the WBA, leaves August 22nd for Germany once again to fight the 7-0, 320-pound giant who took his title belt 2 ½ years ago, No. 1 contender Nikolai Valuev (48-1, 34 KOs), on August 30 in Berlin for the WBA title.

“It’s sad to say but right after my last fight against (Jameel) McCline,” Ruiz said, “a reporter asked me about me going back to holding my opponent. It’s easy for them to say that because they think that’s my style. There are two fighters in the ring and I wasn’t the one holding. Reporters are just used it, I guess, but I’m challenging them to a bet. They can watch my last fight against McCline, as well as my first against Valuev, and then we can make a bet about who will hold more, me or Valuev. It can be by the round, or the entire fight; so much money per hold (differential), or a flat rate. If I hold more, I’ll make a donation to the charity of the reporter’s choice; if Valuev holds more, the reporter has to make a donation to my charity. They can have as many reporters as they want betting for what ever amount they can choose. I’m giving them a chance to put their money where their mouths are. Then, finally, they will realize that I don’t fight like I used to; no more clutching and grabbing for me.”

Ruiz has been sparring with a pair of 7-footers the past two weeks in Las Vegas, where John lives and trains, to prepare to fight Valuev on the road in The Giant’s backyard. “It’s been a great camp,” Ruiz remarked. “We’ve been working hard to make sure that I stay focused. There’s a lot less stress with Manny than at my old training camps. My sparring partners are working out good.

“I hope I don’t have to knockdown Valuev every round to get a split decision,” Ruiz joked. “I have to stay inside and busy, like in our last fight, but this time I need to throw better combinations and give him different angles. We don’t want to let him just stand still and throw punches. I’m going to make him move. I’ll be taking the fight to him, but more around him, to see what he can do when he has to move.”

The Puerto Rican-American Ruiz, living in Las Vegas, is the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world. He has fought in 10 world championship fights, defeating three world heavyweight champions — Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – in addition to beating top contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Kirk Johnson and McCline during his 15-year pro career.

LOS ANGELES (August 7) – Tickets officially go on sale tomorrow, Friday Aug. 8, at 10:00am PT for the Junior Welterweight World Championship unification bout between England’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton and New York’s Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Tickets priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150 and sales are limited to four (4) per person at the $1,000 price level and a total of two (2) tickets either at $750, $500, $300 or $150. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com .

An international superstar hailing from Manchester, England, the storied career of Hatton (44-1, 31 KOs) began in 1997 and for the last 11 years, he has been thrilling fight fans around the world with his aggressive style in the ring and down to earth attitude outside of it. Owner of wins over Kostya Tszyu, Vince Phillips, Luis Collazo, Jose Luis Castillo and Juan Urango, Hatton – a two division world champion – fell short of the pound-for-pound and world welterweight championships in his 2007 super fight against Floyd Mayweather. However, the 29-year-old bounced back impressively at his natural weight of 140 pounds in May as he scored a near shutout 12-round unanimous decision over Juan Lazcano.

Known for his flashy style and pound for pound ability to out-talk any fighter in the world, Brooklyn’s Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KOs) has also developed a positive reputation for his heart and determination to overcome adversity throughout his seven-year pro career. A dazzling boxer with a stiff jab, lightning speed and quick combinations, the 27-year-old gained a legion of fans for his gutsy effort in a 12-round defeat at the hands of Miguel Cotto in 2006, and even more followers jumped on his bandwagon when he nearly shut out Lovemore N’dou in 2007 to win the IBF Junior Welterweight World crown. Malignaggi has since defended his title against Herman Ngoudjo and in a rematch against N’dou, but a victory over Hatton is what this New Yorker is truly seeking.

New York (August 7, 2008) — “Super” Joe Calzaghe vs. “Superman” Roy Jones has been officially rescheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden in New York City. The superfight, originally scheduled for September 20, was postponed due to an injury suffered by Calzaghe during training. Calzaghe vs. Jones, presented by Square Ring, Inc. and Calzaghe Promotions in association with Madison Square Garden, will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.

The undefeated Calzaghe, boxing’s longest reigning world champion, will put his perfect record on the line against Roy Jones Jr, eight-time world champion in four weight classes. With the light heavyweight battle the most anticipated among the fall boxing schedule, Calzaghe and Jones are ready for the challenge.

“I can’t wait to get back to America and triumph over another boxing legend,” said Calzaghe.

“I am just glad to be blessed with the opportunity to be God’s instrument that he plays his beautiful music thru and I just can’t wait for the 8th,” said Jones.

Hailing from Newbridge, Wales, Joe Calzaghe’s (45-0, 32 KOs) biggest victory of his career was his most recent, a win over multi-divisional world champion and future Hall-of-Famer Bernard Hopkins on April 19 in Las Vegas. The win, Calzaghe’s first fight on US soil, elevated “Super” Joe to the top of most boxing experts’ pound-for-pound lists. Preceding the Hopkins bout, on November 3, 2007 Calzaghe won a super middleweight unification bout against WBA & WBC undefeated champion Mikkel Kessler with over 50,000 strong at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The win was Calzaghe’s 21st successful defense, surpassing Bernard Hopkins and Larry Holmes for most consecutive successful title defenses, in any weight class.

“Superman” Roy Jones (52-4, 38 KOs) from Pensacola, FL has been world champion at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. On March 1, 2003, Jones defeated then-champion John Ruiz to become the first former middleweight champion to win a world heavyweight crown in over 100 years. Jones was virtually unstoppable for over a decade, and from 1993 to 2004 he was regarded by most as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. No less than fifteen opponents on the losing end against Jones have worn a world championship belt around their waste.

The Calzaghe vs. Jones pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, 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 Calzaghe vs. Jones fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com .

IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KOs) is significantly ahead of schedule in terms of full recovery from his May 28th surgery to repair a fractured metacarpal bone of the middle finger on his right hand.

Malignaggi already is preparing for his November 22nd mega-showdown against Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas, lightly working out in Brooklyn’s famed Gleason’s Gym as well as running three days a week.

“I can start punching in a few weeks,” an ecstatic Malignaggi said after last week’s evaluation by renowned boxing hand specialist, Dr. Steven Margles, at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts. “I’m building a base now and excited about soon starting training camp (with head trainer Buddy McGirt in Vero Beach, Florida). After I beat Hatton I will be universally recognized as the top junior welterweight in the world.”

Dr. Margles reported, “I’m impressed with how the bone has healed. It looks great and is way ahead of normal healing schedules. Paulie will be able to punch the light bag (probably by the end of next week) and two weeks later punch with more resistance.”