ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights To Televise From Morongo Casino Resort & Spa

LOS ANGELES, June 30 – A former world super middleweight champion, Jeff Lacy made his name in the boxing world behind his concussive power and trademark left hook; equally powerful Epifanio Mendoza has never taken a backwards step in his nine-year pro career. On Wednesday, July 23 at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California, Lacy’s irresistible force meets Mendoza’s immovable object in a 10 round bout which should leave fight fans on their feet and cheering.

Lacy vs. Mendoza, a 10 round super middleweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions, will air live on ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. This bout marks the first ever ESPN2 Wednesday Night Fights card at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa.

Tickets, priced at $35, $75 and $125, go on sale Tuesday, July 1 at 12 p.m. and can be purchased at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa Box Office at (951) 755-5391 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the first bell rings at 5:30 p.m.

“Jeff Lacy has waited a long time to get back in position to regain his title and if he can beat a dangerous opponent like Epifanio Mendoza, he will be one step closer to his goal,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “This fight should be one of the best of 2008, but with the power of both guys, I don’t expect it to go the distance.”

“We’re very excited to take part in ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights,” said Morongo Casino Resort & Spa general manager, Sean Sullivan. “This is an opportunity to show the nation that Morongo is the home of “BIG TIME” boxing.”

A 2000 United States Olympian, Jeff ‘Left Hook’ Lacy (23-1, 17 KO’s) has been one of boxing’s most consistently exciting performers ever since he turned pro in 2001. A world champion in just his 18th fight after stopping Syd Vanderpool for the IBF World Super Middleweight crown in 2004, Lacy successfully defended his title four times before being outpointed in a 2006 title unification bout against Joe Calzaghe. The St. Petersburg, Florida native returned to the ring nine months later and outpointed Vitali Tsypko, only to have it revealed that he had torn his rotator cuff early in the fight. After surgery and almost a year away, Lacy was back in championship form last December as he scored a ten round unanimous decision win over ‘The Contender’s Peter Manfredo Jr.

“This is going to be my first fight this year and my first time fighting at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa,” said Lacy. “I’m going to make it a good one and I will definitely make the statement that I’m ready for another world title shot.”

Colombia’s Epifanio Mendoza (28-5-1, 24 KOs) fought under the radar in his native country until his 16th fight on October 13, 2002 when he scored a shocking 30 second stoppage of unbeaten and highly touted Tokunbo Olajide. Since then, the 32-year-old has been the one guy you don’t want to see when you look across the ring. Among his victims are Rubin Williams (KO1) and Rito Ruvalcaba (KO8), and though he fell short in a light heavyweight title fight against Chad Dawson last September, Mendoza knows that at 168 pounds, he’ll be hard to beat.

“Jeff Lacy is a former world champion and he’s a good fighter, but I’m hungrier than he is,” said Mendoza. “I need a win in this fight and I won’t stop throwing punches until they raise my hand in victory.”

By ALEXANDER PYLES
The News Journal

With mixed martial arts continuing to gain mainstream popularity, local boxing promoter Keith Stoffer said he wouldn’t mind if MMA disappeared.

“It’s no secret that this movement has, especially on television, taken away from boxing,” Stoffer said.

He may end up getting his wish, at least temporarily.

On Tuesday, state Rep. Robert J. Valihura Jr., R-Beau Tree, introduced legislation that would ban “combative fighting” in Delaware.

House Bill 501, which is being called the “Toughman Legislation,” lumps MMA with Toughman competitions.

The bill defines Toughman events as elimination tournaments between amateur participants without any boxing experience or training.

The bill would ban both forms of fighting in Delaware. Promoters and fighters who violate the law would face class A misdemeanor charges.

Delaware does not have a state boxing commission. Instead, boxing is sanctioned by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, which does not currently regulate MMA.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of State Web site, the commission voted in July 2007 “to approve draft regulations that would allow [MMA] events to occur in Pennsylvania.”

But those regulations have not been adopted and likely won’t go into effect until around Thanksgiving, Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission director Greg Sirb said.

Even if the Pennsylvania regulations are approved, it would be up to Delaware officials to ask the commission to oversee MMA events in the First State.

James Collins, director of the state Division of Professional Regulation, said Delaware officials would not rule out eventually allowing Pennsylvania-sanctioned MMA events to be held here.

“I don’t think we can do it [MMA] safely in Delaware at this time,” Collins said.

Collins and Valihura believe unregulated MMA is too dangerous.

“The safety of the individual is the concern,” said Valihura, the bill’s primary sponsor. “We intended to outlaw bare-knuckle boxing matches at the turn of the [20th] century. This seems a reincarnation [of that].”

Valihura said the bill was drawn up by the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation based on a 2003 Joint Sunset Committee recommendation to investigate combative fighting in the state. An unsanctioned event being promoted in Hockessin that year made officials realize that they didn’t have a system in place to regulate such fights, Valihura said.

Valihura’s bill is modeled in part after a 2005 Texas law that bans Toughman, asserting that amateurs fighting in the elimination tournament do not receive adequate medical attention during or after the fights.

Illinois and Tennessee passed similar laws in 2004, according to USA Today.

New Castle boxer Michael “No Joke” Stewart believes that the Delaware legislation is a step in the right direction.

Stewart said Toughman competition should be outlawed. But although he doesn’t like MMA, Stewart admitted it could be beneficial to the state financially if it was regulated.

“It’s a brutal sport,” Stewart said. “MMA is just something I can’t get into, to be honest with you. I just think it’s more animalistic [than boxing].”

Leon Tabs, who trains Stewart and also has worked ringside as a cutman for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) since the popular MMA league’s inception in 1993, said MMA actually is less dangerous than boxing.

“I thought it was brutal initially,” he said. “But now I’m not sure it’s as brutal as boxing.”

Tabs said there are fewer direct shots to the head in MMA, and fewer sparring sessions during the weeks heading into a fight, making it less physically taxing for participants.

A recent report in Rolling Stone magazine, citing a Johns Hopkins study from the March 2008 British Journal of Sports Medicine, said 23.6 percent of MMA fighters sustained some kind of injury in the 635 fights observed from March 2002 to September 2007.

But injuries consisted mostly of facial lacerations, with just 3.3 percent of fights ending in a knockout. That’s less than one-third of the KO rate in boxing, the article said.

According to the Electronic Journals of Martial Arts and Sciences, 78 pro and amateur boxers worldwide died in the 1990s.

The organization also reported that from 1979, when Original Toughman competitions started, to last November, 13 Toughman fighters died of injuries sustained in the ring.

By comparison, MMA has had one documented death from a sanctioned event — Houston fighter Sam Vasquez died last December after being injured in a fight almost two months earlier.

Beyond the question of safety, Tabs said he has seen the financial impact UFC events can have on the cities and states that hold fights.

“I’ve seen [representatives] from the various states come in and witness the amount of money generated,” Tabs said. “You don’t see many boxers drawing [such large crowds].”

The last official event, “UFC 85: Bedlam,” drew a crowd of 14,900 fans at O2 Arena in London, according to UFC publicist Rachel Trontel. The event grossed a gate of approximately $3 million.

UFC earned $200 million in pay per view revenue in 2006, compared to $170 million for HBO Boxing, according to an American Chronicle report.

Tabs believes that as MMA continues to become more popular, states won’t have any choice but to embrace the sport.

Delaware’s legislative session ends Monday, and Valihura said the fate of his bill likely will depend on how it is received in the Senate. Valihura said the bill, which made it out of committee Wednesday, likely would not face resistance in the House.

Rep. Deborah Hudson, R-Fairthorne, is co-sponsoring the bill, and Sen. David P. Sokola, D-Newark, is an additional sponsor.

6/30/2008 Harry Joe Yorgey was declared the winner on Friday, June 13, 2008, in his arbitration case over his manager James E. Deoria. Both parties were in a dispute over the boxer-manager contract that was signed between them on February 9, 2006. At the age of 30, Harry is a five-year pro. A veteran boxer at 154 pounds, he is a very popular performer in his home area in Pennsylvania. He has an impressive ring record of 20 wins, no loses and 1 draw, with 9 wins coming by knockout. Make that 10 knockouts with his latest victory.

In a decision by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission on the 13th of June, the commission ruled that Harry Joe Yorgey “may take part in any contest or exhibition or otherwise exercise his talent without the approval of Manager Deoria, as long as Deoria receives 15% of the fighter’s purses, instead of the original Boxer/Manager contract of 40%”.

Yorgey can now participate in boxing matches without the approval of Deoria, who had previously contested any bouts that were presented to Yorgey by his new promoter Arthur Pelullo of Banner Promotions.

Harry Joe Yorgey was previously scheduled to fight on March 7th, 2008 at the Foxwoods Casino on the ESPN Network in the televised co-feature versus Jason LeHoullier for the vacant NABA Super Welterweight title. Deoria blocked that bout from taking place with the legal battle that he started against Harry Joe Yorgey.

With the decision from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, it has cleared the way for Yorgey to continue his career and challenge Jason LeHoullier for the title in the co-feature of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on August 22nd, 2008 at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tennessee, a fight that should have happened five months ago will now finally happen.

By Dan Rafael of ESPN.com

LAS VEGAS — Top Rank promoter Bob Arum likes to joke that Manny Pacquiao is so good that maybe someday he could challenge heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Arum is obviously kidding, but his point is well taken.

Pacquiao continued to defy boxing logic by once again moving up in weight and turning in another dominant, title-winning performance on Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, this time claiming a lightweight championship.

And for those who didn’t already have Pacquiao No. 1 on the pound-for-pound list, perhaps favoring Joe Calzaghe like ESPN.com has since Floyd Mayweather’s retirement earlier this month, get ready for another change of the guard.

Pacquiao is the new king.

His victim this time was big-hearted, but skill-deprived David Diaz, who showed huge heart but had no answers for Pacquiao’s swarming style, much to the delight of the 8,362 mostly Filipinos who filled the arena to cheer their favorite son.

It was all Pacquiao, from the opening round until he finally knocked Diaz face-first to the mat with a left to the jaw at 2:23 of the ninth round.

Diaz was so thoroughly beaten that referee Vic Drakulich didn’t even bother to count.

Diaz had been cut severely over his right eye in the fourth round.

His left eye was a purple, swollen mass.

His face was a bloody mess.

And Pacquiao, who by the mid-rounds looked like a boy pulling the wings off a fly with the way he was tormenting Diaz, did not have a mark on him. He looked like he could fight again next week.

The victory put Pacquiao into the historic elite as he claimed a title in his fifth weight division. Pacquiao, who began his professional career at 106 pounds, has won titles at flyweight (112), junior featherweight (122), featherweight (126, by virtue of his knockout of lineal champion but sanctioning belt-free Marco Antonio Barrera) and, in March, he outpointed Juan Manuel Marquez for the junior lightweight title (130).

It was up the scale again to challenge Diaz, the overachieving 32-year-old from Chicago and former Olympian who made his best payday, $850,000. But Diaz who paid for it the entire fight.

It begs the question: Just how high can Pacquiao, 29, keep moving up the scale and maintain his brutal effectiveness?

At 135 pounds, Pacquiao looked strong, fast and sharp. He’s going to be a handful for anyone in the deep division, and that includes recognized champion Joel Casamayor, unified titleholder Nate Campbell, Marquez (who is moving up to fight Casamayor in September) and former titleholder Juan Diaz.

David Diaz (34-2-1, 17 KOs), for one, is a believer.

“Manny was too fast,” he said.

Understatement do you think?

“I could deal with the power but not his speed,” Diaz said. “I got tricked by his speed. I gave it my all. His speed is what it sealed it for me. His speed was uncontrollable.”

“[The cut] didn’t bother me,” he said. “But I thought he had a knife. It’s like he was hitting me with a blade. I thought [Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach] was in there hitting me too. What can I say? I lost today, I’ll win tomorrow. To go like that with a guy like Manny Pacquiao, I think I’m doing pretty good.”

Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs) was clearly at the top of his game against an outgunned opponent.

You can see his pure dominance again when HBO replays the bout on Thursday (9:30 p.m. ET/PT) and again on Saturday (10 p.m. ET/PT).

“I feel much stronger and more powerful at 135,” Pacquiao said. “This is where I plan to stay.”

That should be scary for the rest of the division. But Pacquiao also brings the golden ticket to the division. He earned at least $3 million and is by far the most bankable attraction in the division.

Whomever gets the next crack at him will probably make a career-best purse.

“Diaz caught a lot of punches,” Pacquiao said. “I’m surprised he didn’t go down earlier. It’s hard to fight a southpaw, but I jabbed, jabbed to set him up for the knockout. I can fight in November. Who I fight is the job of my promoter.”

Pacquiao likely will defend his new belt in the fall. But beyond that there is talk of his moving up yet again to the 140-pound junior welterweight division, where Ricky Hatton reigns as king.

Hatton, of course, faces titleholder Paulie Malignaggi in November. But after that, a fight with Pacquiao could happen in the first part of 2009.

So how will Pacquiao fare?

“I would think that Manny can fight at 140,” Arum said. “But I think going past 140 would be a mistake. Every time I think of Manny in a ring with [welterweights] Miguel Cotto or Antonio Margarito it begins to look a little ludicrous. Hatton would be OK. He could probably fight a Hatton or [Ricardo] Torres or [Kendall] Holt. He’d be all right there. I wouldn’t make him a favorite, but he’d be OK. But going past 140 would be a big problem. Hatton would be a legitimate fight.”

Trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s longtime trainer, agrees with Arum.

“I would say the right 140-pounder would be OK,” Roach said. “I wouldn’t take all of them. Ricky Hatton is not a big guy. He’s about the same height as Pacquiao, maybe an inch taller. And he’s one guy I would let Manny fight at 140. But not the giants.”

But what about the often-discussed possibility of a move to welterweight (147) to fight Oscar De La Hoya?

Although it’s a long shot, the possibility of the fight has been tossed around, and Roach said they’d be interested.

“Then they talk about De La Hoya,” he said. “If De La Hoya said he wants to fight, we’d fight him at 147 because it’s the right guy at 147 because he’s older. He’s not the same guy that he was when he was younger. With the right money, we’d take that fight, yes. You’re probably supposed to lose that fight, but I don’t think he loses though. I know Oscar pretty well. I like Oscar, I have nothing against him, but it would be a good fight.”

Isn’t every Pacquiao fight?

Opinion By Rusty Rubin June, 27, 2008

Rusty Rubin is editor of Ringsports.com website and the author of three acclaimed boxing books! “Woozel, Boxing and Me”, “Off the Canvas” and “Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot” co-authored by Tom Donelson.

The California Boxing Hall of Fame honored many great fighters and boxing folks at their June 21st induction ceremonies at the Sportsman Lodge in Studio City, Cal. More than 600 folks were in attendance, braving the heat, and length of the long, but enjoyable event.

Among those being honored were Joe Louis, Jackie McCoy, Eddie Futch, Laila Ali, Mando Ramos, and many more. Late word is that Barry Gordy of Mowtown fame will be on hand as well.

I wanted to attend, as many of my friends were being honored, but sadly, it was not something I could easily do.

What I can and will do is pass along my sincerest congratulations to everyone honored.***

Some people are spamming using my name and e-mail address. Neither me nor Ringsports.com are sending these ads. I advise everyone to ignore anything not expected. Feel free to check with me if you have any questions.***

I thank everyone who has taken time to make to write me and express your kind words about the mag and my journalistic efforts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.***

I’ve gotten a lot of queries about when, or even if. the magazine will publish again. I hope we do and ask fans to be a little patient. I’ve also had a few inquiries, but like the TV show, the price has to be right. Anyone interested in putting in a bid for the mag (in its 19th year, and 51% control of the website), please contact me. No firm decision has been made on the date or disposition of the final publication or website, and none is expected to be made soon.***

Here’s another great book for our friends to read and enjoy, “Boxing in the Los Angeles Area 1880-2005. Great pics of some great fighters, and very well written and produced by Tracy Callis and Chuck Johnston. It’s published by “Pastime Memorabilia”.***

Clearly, Edison Miranda has a lot of work to do on his defense, which let him down in the fourth round, and giving the stoppage to still undefeated champion ‘King’ Arthur Abraham.

Two former greats faced off in an over-the-hill battle in Melbourne, Australia. With a combined age of 95 years between them, Jeff Fenech took a ten round decision from Azumah Nelson. Fortunately, neither was injured.

The question here has to be, who cares? We should always remember and honor our great champions, and at their age, both Fenech and Nelson are just shells of their former selves. Let them fight in they have something to prove, but the glory days for both of them are gone forever.

This week, in Vegas, Manny Pacquiao, a fighter that most people feel will be the next pound for pound world champion if Mayweather stays retired, takes on tough David Diaz for the WBC version on the lightweight crown.

We have two guys; counter-punchers who tend to get banged up a bit, facing off in what figures to be an exciting fight, because these two guys always come to fight.

I can see a lot of blood flowing in this one, and a late TKO by Pac Man, over a game, David Diaz. This could be a fight made for a rematch, but don’t expect it soon. Word is that if Pacquiao wins, up next for him will be Ricky Hatton.

Glove2Glove:

The boxing world lost Motsumori Seki, 66, a top fighter from Japan, who lost five title shots to the best around, .Please say a prayer for his soul.

Please say a prayer for the complete recovery of ring announcer Michael Buffer who has been diagnosed with throat cancer.

Former President of the Golden State Boxers Assn. and wrestling great Count Billy Varga is in a So. Cal. nursing home and would love to hear from his fans….Please drop him a line at Brighton Gardens of Northridge, 17630 W. Devonshire St., Northridge, Cal 91330.

Prayers for the return to health of Patti Brandenburg, wife of boxing manager Gary.

Please say prayers for the recovery of good friend and great boxing guy Norm Cote, Past President of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, who is undergoing dialysis three times a week. Norm’s a great guy and a real fighter and we have to be there in his corner.

Please say a prayer for the recovery of Geneva Luna, mother of our ace photographer, Ray. Geneva suffered a stroke on Easter Sunday. Word is that she is recovering nicely.

Prayers also for former World Boxing Hall of Fame President Charlie Casas who is having some severe health problems as well as one of the founders and past President, Dub Harris, who suffered a stroke.

Prayers for Audrey Talmo, wife of solid boxing guy, Ed. Also prayers for the recovery of Mills Lane and Denis Wilxox.

Please say prayers for Phill Grazide of Santa Rosa, CA. a big supporter of amateur boxing, who is suffering the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis.***

Needless to say we need prayers for the return to health of both former champs Greg Page and Gerald McClellan, both confined to wheelchairs.***

Glove2Glove is a non-denominational group set up to aide those boxing folks and their friends and relatives in need of prayers and cards. We accept no money and contact our members when someone is in need. It’s absolutely free to join. God doesn’t ask for money, and neither do we. Joining us is as Simple as sending us your e-mail address. And even if you’re not a member, feel free to contact us if you are aware of some boxing person in need.***

By Bill Dwyre of The LA Times

10:35 AM PDT, June 27, 2008

In light of recent developments, the sport of boxing can fairly be asked this question: Who’s got next?

It is pertinent to explore now, because the longtime reign of the ruler, King Oscar the First, is within months of ending. Oscar De La Hoya, 35, will probably fight his last fight in December, and with that, he will go from being the face of boxing to being a face in boxing.

Before De La Hoya, the sport relied on the heavyweight division. If Ali, Frazier, Foreman and even Larry Holmes and Earlobe Mike Tyson had spread out their birthdays a bit more, this discussion wouldn’t be needed. A rarity, Mexican heavyweight Christobal Arreola has a 24-0 record and a chance to be as huge as his punches, but he is still a few successful spots away from the big spotlight.

Once the Ali era aged, De La Hoya, Olympic hero, pride of East L.A., somehow perceived to be 51% American and 49% Mexican, took over, even while fighting at lower weights. He became to boxing what Tiger is to golf, Federer to tennis.

Interestingly, De La Hoya achieved his stature without achieving anywhere near the win-loss dominance of the other two. He was beaten, several times, in situations where Tiger and Federer would never have succumbed.

Still, where big punches failed, charisma and marketing prevailed. If he couldn’t always be the Golden Boy in the ring, he seldom failed outside of it. His boxing promotions company, foundations, charity work and instincts for community service will make him an ongoing presence in boxing.

Except in the ring, where it counts the most.

Even up to several weeks ago, before Floyd Mayweather Jr. decided to take his millions and his unbeaten record and call it a career, the scheduled Mayweather-De La Hoya rematch in September had enough appeal to postpone looks into the future.

But now that Floyd has fled, leaving De La Hoya to scramble for a grand-finale foe, the sport must look elsewhere, after all these years, for Oscar the Next.

Arguably, there are two candidates, and one fights Saturday night at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Manny Pacquiao is the pride of the Philippines, as well as a great fighter. He will be moving up a weight class to 135 to fight former Olympian David Diaz of Chicago, who has recently emerged as a marquee boxer after years of matches against guys who went back to the their day jobs at McDonald’s after he beat them.

Pacquiao, 29, with a record of 46-3-2, first needs to win. Then somebody needs to explain to him where he might sit in the history of boxing, what he might do outside the ring to keep his sport in the headlines and on the 10 o’clock news. There are appearances, interviews, dinner speeches, helping little old ladies across streets, all things that paid De La Hoya — and his sport — incredible dividends.

The things Pacquiao has going for him are his boxing skills, his good looks and quick smile, and the well-documented Robin Hood role he has played for the poor in his native Philippines. With Floyd flaking out, Ring magazine recently transferred the crown of best pound-for-pound fighter in the world to Pacquiao.

If you aren’t exactly sure what that means, join the crowd. But rest assured, in boxing it is a huge deal.

Pacquiao’s English is passable, but you are never quite sure how much of the conversation is getting through, and that’s crucial. Millions of Filipinos can love you, but there’s nothing like getting off a good line on Leno to really stir the masses.

The other candidate is Kelly Pavlik, the 160-pound champion, who is also a great fighter. His English is that spoken in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, so it is mostly understandable. He is rugged-looking and direct, somebody who looks you in the eye and actually seems interested in your side of the conversation.

When promoter Bob Arum first tried to sell HBO on Pavlik, network officials reacted in disbelief that there was a white guy from the Midwest who could actually fight. Now the TV people can’t get enough of him.

The drawback with Pavlik, 26 and unbeaten in 34 fights, is that he really is a homebody. His favorite nights out are with his small circle of friends, shooting darts at a neighborhood bar. Being Oscar the Next probably means more nights in tuxedos than jeans and T-shirts. Still, he has already done considerable charity work and shows up at schools around Youngstown a lot.

Maybe each will spend some time as the name at the top of the marquee. Maybe neither. Maybe the next big thing in boxing will emerge, a la De La Hoya, from this year’s Olympics.

Or maybe nobody will emerge for a while and more fan base will shift to the barefoot kickers and scratchers in the cages.

Pacquiao showed real potential the other day, but the moment slipped past mostly unnoticed. The promoters of his fight with Diaz called a news conference and, apparently seeing no chance of one fighter spitting on the other’s sister or something normal for a fight news conference, set a new high (low?) for gimmicks.

Diaz, a big Chicago Cubs fan, was told that there would be a goat on hand, that it would represent the famous curse of the goat that Cubs fans often point to as the reason their team has been generally worthless for the last 500 years, and that, were he to win the fight, the curse of the goat would be off.

The problem was, Diaz wasn’t told this until minutes before the goat was brought out. Wanting no part of this kind of pressure and muttering the name Steve Bartman, Diaz headed for the men’s room.

In his absence, Pacquiao welcomed the goat, smiled broadly, petted the animal and uttered the immortal words: “Goat is my favorite food.”

Top that in Youngstown.

Opinion by Rusty Rubin

Rusty Rubin is editor of Ringsports.com website and the author of three acclaimed boxing books! “Woozel, Boxing and Me”, “Off the Canvas” and “Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot” co-authored by Tom Donelson.

The California Boxing Hall of Fame honored many great fighters and boxing folks at their June 21st induction ceremonies at the Sportsman Lodge in Studio City, Cal. More than 600 folks were in attendance, braving the heat, and length of the long, but enjoyable event.

Among those being honored were Joe Louis, Jackie McCoy, Eddie Futch, Laila Ali, Mando Ramos, and many more. Late word is that Barry Gordy of Mowtown fame will be on hand as well.

I wanted to attend, as many of my friends were being honored, but sadly, it was not something I could easily do.

What I can and will do is pass along my sincerest congratulations to everyone honored.***

Some people are spamming using my name and e-mail address. Neither me nor Ringsports.com are sending these ads. I advise everyone to ignore anything not expected. Feel free to check with me if you have any questions.***

I thank everyone who has taken time to make to write me and express your kind words about the mag and my journalistic efforts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.***

I’ve gotten a lot of queries about when, or even if. the magazine will publish again. I hope we do and ask fans to be a little patient. I’ve also had a few inquiries, but like the TV show, the price has to be right. Anyone interested in putting in a bid for the mag (in its 19th year, and 51% control of the website), please contact me. No firm decision has been made on the date or disposition of the final publication or website, and none is expected to be made soon.***

Here’s another great book for our friends to read and enjoy, “Boxing in the Los Angeles Area 1880-2005. Great pics of some great fighters, and very well written and produced by Tracy Callis and Chuck Johnston. It’s published by “Pastime Memorabilia”.***

Clearly, Edison Miranda has a lot of work to do on his defense, which let him down in the fourth round, and giving the stoppage to still undefeated champion ‘King’ Arthur Abraham.

Two former greats faced off in an over-the-hill battle in Melbourne, Australia. With a combined age of 95 years between them, Jeff Fenech took a ten round decision from Azumah Nelson. Fortunately, neither was injured.

The question here has to be, who cares? We should always remember and honor our great champions, and at their age, both Fenech and Nelson are just shells of their former selves. Let them fight in they have something to prove, but the glory days for both of them are gone forever.

This week, in Vegas, Manny Pacquiao, a fighter that most people feel will be the next pound for pound world champion if Mayweather stays retired, takes on tough David Diaz for the WBC version on the lightweight crown.

We have two guys; counter-punchers who tend to get banged up a bit, facing off in what figures to be an exciting fight, because these two guys always come to fight.

I can see a lot of blood flowing in this one, and a late TKO by Pac Man, over a game, David Diaz. This could be a fight made for a rematch, but don’t expect it soon. Word is that if Pacquiao wins, up next for him will be Ricky Hatton.

Glove2Glove:

The boxing world lost Motsumori Seki, 66, a top fighter from Japan, who lost five title shots to the best around, .Please say a prayer for his soul.

Please say a prayer for the complete recovery of ring announcer Michael Buffer who has been diagnosed with throat cancer.

Former President of the Golden State Boxers Assn. and wrestling great Count Billy Varga is in a So. Cal. nursing home and would love to hear from his fans….Please drop him a line at Brighton Gardens of Northridge, 17630 W. Devonshire St., Northridge, Cal 91330.

Prayers for the return to health of Patti Brandenburg, wife of boxing manager Gary.

Please say prayers for the recovery of good friend and great boxing guy Norm Cote, Past President of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, who is undergoing dialysis three times a week. Norm’s a great guy and a real fighter and we have to be there in his corner.

Please say a prayer for the recovery of Geneva Luna, mother of our ace photographer, Ray. Geneva suffered a stroke on Easter Sunday. Word is that she is recovering nicely.

Prayers also for former World Boxing Hall of Fame President Charlie Casas who is having some severe health problems as well as one of the founders and past President, Dub Harris, who suffered a stroke.

Prayers for Audrey Talmo, wife of solid boxing guy, Ed. Also prayers for the recovery of Mills Lane and Denis Wilxox.

Please say prayers for Phill Grazide of Santa Rosa, CA. a big supporter of amateur boxing, who is suffering the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis.***

Needless to say we need prayers for the return to health of both former champs Greg Page and Gerald McClellan, both confined to wheelchairs.***

Glove2Glove is a non-denominational group set up to aide those boxing folks and their friends and relatives in need of prayers and cards. We accept no money and contact our members when someone is in need. It’s absolutely free to join. God doesn’t ask for money, and neither do we. Joining us is as Simple as sending us your e-mail address. And even if you’re not a member, feel free to contact us if you are aware of some boxing person in need.***

June 20, 2008 – Mexico City.

From the office of WBC President Jose Sulaiman:

WBC STATISTICS

WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship

FedEx Forum - Memphis, Tennessee

June 21, 2008

This will be 1,672nd sanctioned fight in the 46-year history of the WBC.

ANDRE BERTO (US) vs. MIGUEL “Miki” RODRIGUEZ (MEXICO)

ANDRE BERTO

Ranked WBC No. 1 at 147 pounds (66.81 kg)

Age: 24

Date of birth: September 7, 1983

Residence: Winter Haven, Florida

Place of birth: Miami, Florida

Professional record: 21-0, 18 KOs

Guard: Orthodox

Knockout percentage: 85 %

Total rounds: 80

WBC affiliated titles held: North American Boxing Federation welterweight

Promoter: Lou DiBella

MIGUEL “Miki” RODRIGUEZ (MEXICO)

Ranked WBC No. 2 at 147 pounds (66.81 kg)

Age: 29

Date of birth: September 16, 1978

Residence: Toluca, Mexico

Place of birth: Mexico City, Mexico

Professional record: 29-2, 23 KOs

Guard: Orthodox

Knockout percentage: 79 %

Total rounds: 127

WBC affiliated titles held: Continental Americas welterweight

Promoter: Don King

WBC WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS:

1. Luis Manuel Rodriguez (Cuba)

2. Emile Griffith (Virgin Island)

3. Curtis Cokes (US)

4. Jose Napoles (Mexico)

5. Billy Backus (US)

6. Jose Napoles (Mexico) *

7. John Stracey (GB)

8. Carlos Palomino (Mexico)

9. Wilfredo Benitez (P. Rico)

10. Ray Leonard (US)

11. Roberto Duran (Panama)

12. Ray Leonard (US) *

13. Milton Mccrory (US)

14. Don Curry (US)

15. Lloyd Honeyghan (Jamaica-GB)

16. Jorge Vaca (Mexico)

17. Lloyd Honeyghan (Jamaica-GB) *

18. Marlon Starling (US)

19. Maurice Blocker (US)

20. Simon Brown (Jamaica-US)

21. James McGirt (US)

22. Pernell Whitaker (US)

23. Oscar De La Hoya (US)

24. Felix Trinidad (P. Rico)

25. Oscar De La Hoya (US) *

26. Shane Mosley (US)

27. Vernon Forrest (US)

28. Ricardo Mayorga (Nicaragua)

29. Cory Spinks (US)

30. Zab Judah (US)

31. Carlos Baldomir (Argentina)

32. Floyd Mayweather (US)

33. Shane Mosley (US) Interim *

* Regained

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION IN THE HISTORY OF THE WBC:

28 world champions have been recognized by the WBC, of which only four have regained their title: Jose Napoles (Cuba-Mex); Ray Leonard (US); Lloyd Honeyghan (Jamaica-GB); Oscar De La Hoya (US-Mex); Shane Mosley (US).

108 welterweight world championship fights have been held in the history of the WBC, 82 of which have taken place in the United States.

WORLD WELTERWEIGHT TITLE BOUTS BY COUNTRY IN WBC HISTORY:

US: 82

Mexico: 8

England: 8

Puerto Rico: 2

France: 2

Canada: 2

St. Maarten Island: 1

Spain: 1

Monaco: 1

Italy: 1

TOTAL: 108

WBC TITLE BOUTS HAVE BEEN HELD IN TENNESSEE:

Five bouts have been held in Tennessee in WBC history. Three title fights in the middleweight division have been held in Tennessee in WBC history.

BREAKDOWN BY DIVISION:

Middle: 3

Heavy: 1

Super welter: 1

TOTAL: 5

WBC Statistics by Luis Medina.

Correction for WBC News - June 18, 2008: Oleydong Sithsanerchai was ahead on the scorecards, not behind, after the eighth round of his strawweight world title defense against Junichi Ebisuoka on June 18 in Phuket, Thailand.

August 15th at the Visalia Convention Center…with the main event sure to appease a hungry crowd. Emanuel “Hard Core Kid” Newton, who fought Kyacey Uscola for the Gladiator Challenge Light Heavy Weight belt and won and has also fought in the IFL, is fighting UFC Veteran and Ultimate Fighter Season 1 competitor, Lodune Sincaid. Emanuel is on a 6 fight winning streak, and is known for his love of slamming his opponent to the mat as many times possible. He is equally efficient in his striking and his ground game while Lodune has fought guys such as Nathan Quarry, Kyacey Uscola, James Irvin and Doug Marshall. Lodune is sure to push Emanuel to his limits to see what he’s really made of. Scott Lighty, who styles his striking after his training partner Chuck Liddell, has an impressive record of 23-8-2 (6 KO’s) in the K-1, steps into our cage for the second time to further his 2-0 MMA career. You may have seen him at our event Feb. 29th in Visalia where he devastated Paul Mince in the main event with his vicious strikes and overbearing ground and pound that ended the night with Lights Out for Paul.

We have an equally exciting under card with another one of Chuck Liddell’s teammates, Cruz Gomez. With only one fight under his belt since his 6 year absence from the cage and after losing to a controversial decision against Isaac de Jesus in May at the Bring The Pain event in Stockton, he’s very eager to take a fight and finish it. Also we have debuting in our cage, Dan Liddell..and at 265 lbs his opponent will have to be equally massive to go against his gigantic stature and overpowering strength.

Don’t miss a night of explosive mixed martial arts action as 20 of the state’s best fighters as well as stars on the rise, steps into the cage at the Visalia Convention Center Friday, August 15th. The doors open at 6pm and fights start at 7:30pm. For tickets, call 559-713-4040 or go online at www.purecombatmma.com.

The weighins for this event will be at the Cellar Door in downtown Visalia on the corner of Main St. and Court. Come early and be a part of the filming as Knockout TV brings their High Definition cameras capturing the crowd and the fighters as they prepare for the next evenings event. The weighing in officially starts at 8PM but come early and be a part of the excitement.

COURTESY OF www.dmboxing.com
David Martinez / Boxing Historian

On Saturday, June 21, 2008, a sizzling day in the Los Angeles area where the temperature exceeded 110 degrees, the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City was the setting for a sizzling event: the California Boxing Hall of Fame. A standing room crowd of 635 boxing people gathered to witness the 2008 class of inductees which included Berry Gordy, Mando Ramos, Paul Banke, Joey Olivo, Andy Nance, Jackie Kallen, Johnny Ortiz, Ben Lira, Albert Sandoval, Jack Mosley, Joe Valverde, Allen Syers, Pat Connolly, Steve Belijan, John Hall, Orlando De La Fuente, Steve Harpst, Michele Chong, Bernard Docusen, Maxie Docusen, and, in a special Posthumous Category, Jackie McCoy, Eddie Futch, Keeny Teran, and Joe Louis.

Also a special introduction was made of newly crowned WBC Super Lightweight Champion Timothy Bradley, who was gracious and humble in receiving that recognition.

I was personally honored to have been chosen to be the presenter of my friend Joe Valverde. Joe is a man with a most successful resume of high standards in the Los Angeles and Southern California areas.

I was also honored to have been chosen to be the presenter and speaker for the legendary Eddie Futch, who, in my view, was the greatest trainer in our era of boxing. He led 22 boxers to world titles, and has this amazing feat to his credit: of the five professional losses that the great Muhammad Ali had in his career, four of the five men to beat Ali were trained or managed by Futch.

A special “thank you” to Don Fraser for putting together this successful event.

June 20, 2008 - Green Dot Public Schools, the largest charter school organization in Los Angeles, announced Thursday that Ten-Time World Champion boxer, Oscar De La Hoya, donated $3.5 million to fund his namesake Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo Charter High School and additional Green Dot schools. De La Hoya presented this gift to Green Dot Public Schools at the commencement ceremony of the Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo Charter High School on Thursday, June 19th. The ceremony took place at Sullivan Field at the Loyola Marymount University campus.

De La Hoya, whose foundation is dedicated to helping underprivileged families in East Los Angeles, has been actively involved with his namesake school since its inception in 2003 and delivered the commencement speech last year to the first-ever graduating class. De La Hoya is a strong believer in supporting the community and often visits the school to encourage the students to study hard and dream big.

“Growing up in East Los Angeles, I know how important it is to keep a positive attitude and to stay focused on your goals,” said De La Hoya. “I’m so proud of these students. Every one of them deserves a quality education and I’m honored to help them realize their dreams! This is a landmark day for everyone involved with Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo Charter High School and I’m thrilled to be building a new school in my hometown.”

Green Dot has founded and is in the process of building Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo Charter High School and sixteen other Green Dot high schools, including several new schools representing the re-structured Locke High School in Watts. Green Dot schools offer quality education facilities to Los Angeles communities faced with educational, social and economic adversity. Last year, 92% of the seniors at Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo graduated and 71% of those students were accepted to four-year universities. Students from this year’s graduating class are expected to go on to four-year universities including: University of California Los Angeles, University of California Davis, University of California Berkeley, University of California Irvine and many others.

“Oscar De La Hoya has been an amazing source of inspiration to Green Dot since its inception,” added Steve Barr, founder and CEO of Green Dot Public Schools. “With his generosity and goodwill, so many gifted students have been granted the opportunity to obtain a safe, quality education and a chance to succeed in life. With De La Hoya’s current donation, we will be able to continue to build schools that will ensure all kids receive a quality education for years to come.”

The success of the Green Dot schools, whose students score on average 113 points higher than Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) high schools on the state of California’s Academic Performance Index, is credited to the “Six Tenets” school model. The “Six Tenets of High Performing Public Schools” calls for schools to: 1) be safer and no larger than 500 students each; 2) implement a college preparatory curriculum for all students; 3) empower principals, teachers, parents and students to own all key decisions related to budgets, curriculum and hiring; 4) add more dollars to classrooms and significantly increase teacher pay; 5) value and support parent participation; 6) stay open later for community use.

By implementing this model, Green Dot has produced incredible results, helping students close the achievement gap, graduate from high school and attend four-year colleges. Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo is ranked among the top 10% of high schools in the state of California that serve similar communities.

By: Shelley Williams

Art Pelullo of Banner Promotions threw a “Free for All” featuring both Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas presumably in an attempt to fuse the rabid fans of both mano-a-mano sports.

The main event which was televised by ESPN “Friday Night Fights” featured Las Vegan Friday “The 13th” Ahunanya (24-5-3, KO13) who was the victor by way of a 10-round unanimous decision over formerly undefeated Alonzo “Big Zo” Butler who fell to 26-1-1 (KO19). Judges Richard Houck and Jerry Roth had it 95-94, while Dave Moretti scored the bout 96-93. Rust took its toll on Butler after 13 months of inactivity due to a detached retina. The bout only had one knockdown courtesy of Friday in round four.

The most exciting bout of the night featured Kevin Burnett (13-1-1 KO8) and Horace Grant (12-2-0 KO7). Burnett was cruising to a sweet victory which was almost thwarted when Grant floored him with a rancorous right in the eighth and final round. He sucked it up and struggled to his feet at referee Joe Cortez’ count of nine. The Judges awarded Burnett the victory by scores of 78-73, 79-72 and 79-72 educing vehement boos from the crowd.

Fast forward to the second half of the night when the mixed martial artists took center stage. In the main event of the evening, John “The Natural” Alessio submitted to Pete “Secret Weapon” Spratt by rear naked choke two minutes into round two. Both fighters had experience with UFC. Alessio suffered a broken right forearm early in the bout. Brice Ritani-Coe and Patrick Gonsalves both scored victories in their debuts in the ranks of the Mixed Martial Arts. The sweetheart of the night was a unanimous decision victory by Kim Rose over Las Vegan Kim Couture who is the wife of deposed UFC champ Randy Couture. Couture survived three rounds and was later taken to the hospital with an injury to her jaw.

The testosterone-driven crowd was in heaven, and the Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts fans seemed to play well together. Good idea Artie!

Their first fight played out like a Hollywood script: rife with drama, incredible two-way exchanges, a broken jaw, multiple head butts, low blows and controversy.

On Saturday, June 21, undefeated middleweight champion Arthur Abraham, and the explosive, hard-hitting Edison Miranda will co-star in the emotionally charged sequel, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). Abraham won the first fight on a hotly disputed unanimous decision in a scintillating affair on September 23, 2006. The 12-round rematch will be contested at a catch weight of 166 pounds.

Abraham and Miranda took time from their workouts Tuesday to offer some insights on how training camp has been, what they thought of their first fight and their views on the rematch.

ARTHUR ABRAHAM

“It is an advantage for me that I already know Miranda. I know how I will fight against him and that is why I know how to prepare. It gives me even more security.

“The fight weight is definitely good for me. I feel even stronger. Making weight can be a real torture but I do not have to do it this time.

“I know that I have to be more active from the first bell on. It is also important to stay concentrated. Miranda is a guy who makes you pay for mistakes. But I will not give him a chance to do so. I will win.

“In the first meeting the broken jaw kept me from showing my true potential. I will make up for that on June 21.”

EDISON MIRANDA

“Abraham is making the biggest mistake of his life. The last time, I broke his jaw when I was weak and struggling to make 160 pounds. At super middleweight I’m so strong it’s scary. I’d be surprised if he makes it five rounds.

“The last fight was the worst night of my career because I had the title stolen from me. Now we’re on a level playing field and the only thing determining the outcome of this fight will be my fists. And I will get my redemption on Saturday.

“He’s a good fighter and I respect him as a fighter. But I will not hesitate to destroy him when we’re in the ring. This is a man’s business and I don’t know if he belongs here anymore.

“Abraham made me wait almost two years for my rematch and on Saturday I will make him pay for every minute I waited.

“I’ve had my best camp ever. I’m on weight and I’m just climbing the walls waiting for the first bell to ring. After I send Arthur Abraham back home I want to settle another score with Kelly Pavlik. Joe Calzaghe won’t fight him, but I will, and it won’t be the same story the second time around.”

NEW YORK (June 12, 2008) – Their first fight played out like a Hollywood script: rife with drama, incredible two-way exchanges, a broken jaw, multiple head butts, low blows and controversy.

On Saturday, June 21, undefeated middleweight champion Arthur Abraham, and the explosive, hard-hitting Edison Miranda will co-star in the emotionally charged sequel, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Abraham won the first fight on a hotly disputed unanimous decision in a scintillating affair on September 23, 2006. The 12-round rematch will be contested at a catch weight of 166 pounds.

In the SHOWTIME co-feature, undefeated middleweight Giovanni Lorenzo (26-0, 18 KOs) of New York, by way of Dominican Republic, will face Raul Marquez (41-3, 29 KOs) of Houston, Texas, by way of Mexico, in an IBF World Championship eliminator. The two-fight telecast will originate from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., and is promoted by Seminole Warriors Boxing and Sauerland Event in association with The Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Setting the stage for the most anticipated rematch since Marquez-Vazquez II, SHOWTIME will re-air Abraham-Miranda I for the first time on U.S. television this Monday, June 16, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME 2™, again on Thursday, June 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO2 and on Saturday, June 21, at 6 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®.

Miranda (30-2, 26 KOs), long known as one of the most feared punchers in boxing, delivered considerable punishment in the first fight. Miranda broke Abraham’s jaw with vicious shots to the head early in the bout and blood flowed steadily from Abraham’s mouth until the final bell.

Miranda, fighting on Abraham’s home turf in Germany, lost five points for low blows and head-butts. Abraham, (26-0, 21 KOs) the current IBF middleweight champion, survived the brutal injury to win a decision by five, six and seven points respectively on the judges scorecards to retain his title.

“In all my life as a boxing fan, and as a producer for more than 20 years, I have never seen anything like it,” said David Dinkins Jr., executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports telecasts, of Abraham’s broken jaw. “For a guy to fight through that kind of injury—and win—is truly remarkable. There’s some unfinished business here. I am really looking forward to seeing them go at it again.”

Fans should look for the same kind of thrilling action on June 21.

“Miranda doesn’t have to fear me in the ring, but he sure better respect my skills,” Abraham said. “I’m going to fight my fight and if he wishes to stand in the ring with me, he better respect my talents.”

“I’m training twice a day,” continued Abraham. “My sparring partners have been excellent. This is the right rematch at the right time.”

Miranda has since moved up to super middleweight where he is much more comfortable and looked dominant in his last two fights.

“The adjustment from middleweight to super middleweight hasn’t been tough at all,” Miranda said. “I feel great at this weight. My punching power didn’t decrease as many thought it would. I fight with a lot more energy at this weight.”

The undefeated Abraham has dominated the middleweight division since he won the vacant IBF belt with a fifth round knockout over Kingsley Ikeke on Dec. 10, 2005. He has made seven successful defenses, four coming by way of knockout.

Nicknamed “King Arthur,” Abraham has brutal power having knocked out more than 80 percent of his opponents.

One of boxing’s most devastating punchers, Miranda is no stranger to world title belts and eliminators. Miranda’s only other loss came against current WBC and WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in a WBC eliminator on May 18, 2007.

After the loss to Pavlik, Mirada moved up to super middleweight. On Oct. 30, 2007, he defeated Henry Porras with a fifth-round TKO and in his last fight he demolished David Banks on Jan. 11, 2008 with a brutal third-round knockout.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING announcers Steve Albert and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside with Jim Gray reporting from ringside. The telecast will be produced by Chuck McKean with Bob Dunphy directing. Dinkins is the executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports.

By Don Steinberg
Special to ESPN.com

If Chazz Witherspoon, left, can get by Chris Arreola, he’ll emerge as a top heavyweight contender.

In 1813 or so, English gentleman Pierce Egan called boxing “the sweet science of bruising.”

On June 10, Philadelphia heavyweight contender Chazz “the Gentleman” Witherspoon, who has studied a bit of science and personally done some bruising, put a more clinical spin on it.

“I call boxing pain management, because that’s what it is,” Witherspoon said as he stretched his 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame to begin a workout, 11 days before the biggest fight of his life. “When you’re in there, you might get hit with something that hurts. But you’ve got to wear your poker face and push through and act like it didn’t affect you. You have to look at yourself and ask: Are you ready to endure this pain?”

If Witherspoon brings an analytical approach to a brutal sport, blame his background. In 2005, he graduated from St. Joseph’s University with a degree in pharmaceutical marketing, a profession in which pain management doesn’t involve getting hit in the face by 240-pound guys. Unfortunately that may be part of the curriculum on Saturday in Memphis, Tenn., when Witherspoon (23-0, 15 knockouts) goes in as an underdog against unbeaten Californian Chris Arreola (23-0, 21 KOs) to see who emerges as America’s top young heavyweight contender.

“The winner is clearly going to be the guy [who emerges as a top heavyweight contender],” says Lou DiBella, who since becoming Witherspoon’s promoter last year has stepped on the fighter’s career gas pedal. “One of them is going to propel himself toward a championship, and the other one is going to have to go back to the drawing board a little bit.”

Chazz Witherspoon

Witherspoon excelled at several sports as a child, but he found his calling in the ring.
The path so far has been more like a chalkboard for Witherspoon, 26, a quick study who has been boxing only since he was 20. Before 2002, he’d never been in the ring or even attended a boxing match, even though his cousin is former heavyweight champ Tim Witherspoon. As a kid, Chazz played baseball, football, soccer and basketball. In high school track, he went to the state championships in the 400 meters and high jump.

“There’s never been a week since he was 5 years old when he hasn’t trained somewhere,” says his father, Eric Witherspoon, a second cousin of Tim Witherspoon. Chazz was offered three Division I basketball scholarships and two for track, but chose to attend St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia on an academic scholarship. He didn’t think about boxing until he was a sophomore (one story says he decided not to play basketball as a freshman and when he reconsidered the next season, the spurned coaches snubbed him, so he looked off campus).

Tim Witherspoon, at that point wrapping up his own career, offered advice.

“The first thing Tim said to me was ‘Chazz, this is not for everyone,’” Chazz recalls. “He got me ready to appreciate the mental side of boxing. I didn’t understand it then. I understand it now.”

Then Tim connected the young student with seasoned trainers Wade and Randy Hinnant at the Joe Hand Gym in Philadelphia. (”Smokin” Wade Hinnant was 14-2 as a Philly junior welterweight in the late 1970s.) Within two years, Chazz made the 2004 Olympic team as an alternate and won a national Golden Gloves title. In fact, he became the first Gloves fighter in nationals history to score stoppages in all of his bouts. After 32 amateur fights, he turned pro in 2004, and the education continued.

“Chazz approaches things in an academic way,” says Ron Boddy, an adviser. “Each opponent was picked because he was going to give Chazz a particular problem. We had tall runners who knew how to use reach, and little thickset guys who knew how to punch to the body and stay close and hold. Then he was set to specific tasks in specific bouts — which is how he likes to do things. He might need to nullify a guy’s right hand, or work with a guy inside.”

Witherspoon has hand speed and the mechanics to load up on big shots. He’s never been in real trouble in a fight, though he has felt the pain and doesn’t especially like it. Boddy says there were times when Witherspoon could have blown opponents out early but would have missed the chance to learn.

Chris Arreola

The stiffest test of Witherspoon’s career will come in the form of Arreola, left.
“I think Chazz has had a good learning curve,” DiBella says. “The Arreola fight is the best step at the moment. It’s a big step, but it’s the best step.”

Arreola, 27, moves very well for his size (6-foot-4, 244 pounds for his last fight). He throws hard combinations. He presses opponents against the ropes, where he clears the way for a lights-out right with ramming left jabs.

“This guy comes at you, and he’s a big puncher,” says Tim Witherspoon, who is in camp for this fight, teaching Chazz some heavyweight ring logistics.

Young Witherspoon is considered the underdog against Arreola.

“I like that,” said Wade Hinnant, before wrapping Chazz’s hands for a sparring session. “We haven’t really experienced that since the amateurs.”

Questions will be answered on Saturday. One was already answered last week, before Witherspoon got into the ring to spar. What exactly is pharmaceutical marketing? Is it like, “Ask your doctor if Viagra is right for you”?

“No, we’re the people who come in and explain the new medicines to the doctors, let them know the indications to look for,” Witherspoon said. “We have to know about the half-life and how it interacts with the body, all the pharmacology. And we have to know about promotion, price, placement and position, the four P’s of marketing.”

Then he put on headgear and gloves and got into the ring for some pain management, where he and Israel Garcia — a 235-pound Brooklyn heavyweight with a 19-1 record — traded monster shots in a Philly-style gym war, competing to tear each other’s heads off.

By MMAjunkie.com

The full card for Saturday’s Adrenaline MMA event will be available online, the organization today announced.

Although the main card of the event will be shown live on HDNet, viewers can also watch the entire 14-fight card online at Vividas.com.

Saturday’s event, Adrenaline MMA’s debut show, takes place at the Sears Centre Arena near Chicago and features a main event between Mike Russow and Jason Guida. A host of UFC, PRIDE and IFL veterans are also booked for the show.

“Those MMA fans who can’t see the fights live or watch on HDNet will have the opportunity to see all the fights, including the preliminaries, live through Vividas,” Adrenaline MMA CEO Monte Cox said. “Our undercard is as loaded as our main event.”

Vividas will offer a high-quality, full-screen feed of the event beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The televised main card of the event begins at 9:30 p.m. ET.

A foursome of UFC veterans make up the two feature bouts. Chicago’s Terry Martin (16-4) faces Japan’s Daiju Takase (7-11), and Chicago’s Brian Gassaway (25-17) takes on Las Vegas fighter Tony Fryklund (14-9). IFL standouts Bart Palaszewski, Mark Miller and Zac George are also in action.

The full card includes:

* Jason Guida (23-17) vs. Mike Russow (9-1)
* Daiju Takase (7-11) vs. Terry Martin (16-4)
* Forrest Petz (11-5) vs. Brian Gassaway (25-17-1)
* Marcus Levesseur (12-1) vs. Mark Miller (9-3)
* Jeff Cox (9-6) vs. Bart Palaszewski (28-11)
* Jay Ellis (11-15) vs. Rory Markham (14-4)
* Jameel Massouh (15-3) vs. Clay French (14-2)
* Herc Hayes (7-5) vs. Kerry Schall (22-9)
* Aaron Rosa (10-2) vs. Ron Fields (23-24-1)
* Hector Urbina (11-3) vs. Dave Kleczkowski (6-3)
* Dom O’Grady (5-0) vs. Mike Stumpf (9-1)
* Joe Jordan (41-11) vs. Ryan Williams (6-1)
* Louis Taylor (4-0) vs. Adam Maciejewski (6-4)
* Joe Pearson (22-9) vs. John Hosman (8-3-1)

June 12th, 2008

SHOWTIME Will Re-air Their Memorable First Fight For The First Time On U.S. Television
June 16, 19 on SHO2 and June 21 on SHOWTIME

NEW YORK (June 12, 2008) – Their first fight played out like a Hollywood script: rife with drama, incredible two-way exchanges, a broken jaw, multiple head butts, low blows and controversy.

On Saturday, June 21, undefeated middleweight champion Arthur Abraham, and the explosive, hard-hitting Edison Miranda will co-star in the emotionally charged sequel, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Abraham won the first fight on a hotly disputed unanimous decision in a scintillating affair on September 23, 2006. The 12-round rematch will be contested at a catch weight of 166 pounds.

In the SHOWTIME co-feature, undefeated middleweight Giovanni Lorenzo (26-0, 18 KOs) of New York, by way of Dominican Republic, will face Raul Marquez (41-3, 29 KOs) of Houston, Texas, by way of Mexico, in an IBF World Championship eliminator. The two-fight telecast will originate from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., and is promoted by Seminole Warriors Boxing and Sauerland Event in association with The Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Setting the stage for the most anticipated rematch since Marquez-Vazquez II, SHOWTIME will re-air Abraham-Miranda I for the first time on U.S. television this Monday, June 16, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME 2™, again on Thursday, June 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO2 and on Saturday, June 21, at 6 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®.

Miranda (30-2, 26 KOs), long known as one of the most feared punchers in boxing, delivered considerable punishment in the first fight. Miranda broke Abraham’s jaw with vicious shots to the head early in the bout and blood flowed steadily from Abraham’s mouth until the final bell.

Miranda, fighting on Abraham’s home turf in Germany, lost five points for low blows and head-butts. Abraham, (26-0, 21 KOs) the current IBF middleweight champion, survived the brutal injury to win a decision by five, six and seven points respectively on the judges scorecards to retain his title.

“In all my life as a boxing fan, and as a producer for more than 20 years, I have never seen anything like it,” said David Dinkins Jr., executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports telecasts, of Abraham’s broken jaw. “For a guy to fight through that kind of injury—and win—is truly remarkable. There’s some unfinished business here. I am really looking forward to seeing them go at it again.”

Fans should look for the same kind of thrilling action on June 21.

“Miranda doesn’t have to fear me in the ring, but he sure better respect my skills,” Abraham said. “I’m going to fight my fight and if he wishes to stand in the ring with me, he better respect my talents.”

“I’m training twice a day,” continued Abraham. “My sparring partners have been excellent. This is the right rematch at the right time.”

Miranda has since moved up to super middleweight where he is much more comfortable and looked dominant in his last two fights.

“The adjustment from middleweight to super middleweight hasn’t been tough at all,” Miranda said. “I feel great at this weight. My punching power didn’t decrease as many thought it would. I fight with a lot more energy at this weight.”

The undefeated Abraham has dominated the middleweight division since he won the vacant IBF belt with a fifth round knockout over Kingsley Ikeke on Dec. 10, 2005. He has made seven successful defenses, four coming by way of knockout.

Nicknamed “King Arthur,” Abraham has brutal power having knocked out more than 80 percent of his opponents.

One of boxing’s most devastating punchers, Miranda is no stranger to world title belts and eliminators. Miranda’s only other loss came against current WBC and WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in a WBC eliminator on May 18, 2007.

After the loss to Pavlik, Mirada moved up to super middleweight. On Oct. 30, 2007, he defeated Henry Porras with a fifth-round TKO and in his last fight he demolished David Banks on Jan. 11, 2008 with a brutal third-round knockout.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING announcers Steve Albert and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside with Jim Gray reporting from ringside. The telecast will be produced by Chuck McKean with Bob Dunphy directing. Dinkins is the executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports.

History is in the making as the boxing scene is buzzing about the recent retirement of Floyd Mayweather and its effect on the Oscar De La Hoya.  As De La Hoya eagerly searches for a worthy opponent, he will find one in former Middleweight champion, Ronald “Winky” Wright, of whom he’s been avoiding for years.  Upon hearing the news, Wright exclaims, “It’s destiny… Floyd retired, nobody cares to fight Oscar, but here I am.  He can’t run from me any more.” 

De La Hoya has yet to concede to Wright’s call; however, Wright plans to aggressively pursue De La Hoya.  “I’m not giving up…” Wright says, “If he thinks I’m going to fall back and let it go – he’s wrong.  He must have forgotten who I am.  I’m the guy who’s fought around the world to prove I’m the best pound for pound fighter.  And after I pound Oscar, the world will see what I’ve been telling them my whole career:  that I am the greatest.”

While Wright’s comments may raise eyebrows due to his hiatus from the ring due to his recovery period and alleged outstanding financial requests, he assures that this fight can be a reality. He states, “See, you can’t get caught up in the hype.  I can and will do everything in my power to make this fight happen.  I’ve been dying to get at Oscar for years, but he’s just been too scared.  He, along with the rest of the world, may think the fight won’t happen because I’ve been out of the ring or want too much money, but that’s not true.” 

Wright continues to clear up the confusion and speculation, adding why Oscar needs to step up to the plate.  “What the media won’t tell you is that I’ve always had to get the short end of the stick in order to make fights happen.”  He says.  “I took a pay cut, so these fights could happen.  So now that I’m asking for what I’m worth I supposedly want ‘too much money’? Everyone knows a Wright – De La Hoya fight is a big ticket, so give me my justice. I’ve worked for it and I deserve it.  He knows what this fight can do for him too. He knows he can really get paid, so why keep running? It’s about time that the best get back to fighting the best in boxing.  No more warm up fights.  Just get in the ring with me and go for twelve rounds.  Just do it.”

No official discussions have been made, but Wright’s camp is ready, willing and able.  Damian Ramirez, Wright’s advisor agrees with Wright.  He says, “It’s about time.  This needs to happen.  Not just for Winky, but for boxing.  Everyone’s hungry for a fight like this.”

About Ronald “Winky” Wright

Ronald Winky Wright is one of boxing’s most prolific southpaws of the 21^st century.  The Washington, DC native started his career at the age of 18-years old, fighting against international contenders in, France, South Africa, Germany and England.  His claim to fame and US recognition came upon his two victories against “Sugar” Shane Mosely and his classic bout against Felix “Tito” Trinidad, which forced Trinidad into retirement.  Wright cemented his status as one of the best pound for pound fighters nationally and internationally with these victories.

LAS VEGAS, NEV (June 11, 2008) — Great eras in sports are defined by the athletes that compete in them. On the eve of the U.S. Open golf championship, we are reminded of golf’s “Big Three” — Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player — who ushered in the sport’s television era contributing to its popularity explosion. Boxing’s “Big Three” — MIGUEL COTTO, MANNY PACQUIAO and KELLY PAVLIK – is attracting the same excitement and international attention from media and fans alike. Together, Cotto, Pacquiao and Pavlik own “Majors” — world titles — in seven different weight divisions, with a combined record of 112-3-2 (90 KOs) – a winning percentage of 95.7% and a victory by knockout ratio of 80%!

“Their “go-for-broke” style of fighting, reminiscent of Palmer’s style of play during his heyday, has sold out major arenas and attracted millions of pay-per-view buys.” said promoter Bob Arum. “They are the new generation of boxing and best of all they are all under 30 with their peak years ahead of them!”

Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, The Philippines, may be the smallest of the trio physically, but fiscally, he takes a back seat to no one. His memorable trilogy against Mexican icon Erik Morales attracted over one million pay-per-view buys alone – a record for the lower weight divisions. So revered by his country he was declared a “National Treasure” by the government, Pacquiao’s exciting style has helped fill his trophy case with the WBC flyweight, the IBF junior featherweight, The Ring magazine featherweight and the WBC super featherweight world championship belts with victories over Morales (2), Marco Antonio Barrera (2) and Juan Manuel Marquez . On June 28 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Pacquiao will attempt to become the first Asian fighter to win sanctioned world titles in four different weight divisions when he challenges WBC lightweight champion David Diaz. Their fight will be broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View.

Cotto (32-0, 26 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, one of boxing’s most feared and avoided champions, held the WBO junior welterweight title for two years, successfully defending it six times before moving up and capturing the WBA welterweight title in December 2006 where he has reigned supreme through four title defenses. He has single-handily restored boxing glory to Madison Square Garden where he has been a headliner three of the last four years. His knockout victory over Zab Judah last year produced the first boxing sellout at “The Mecca of Boxing” since the Lennox Lewis-Evander Holyfield world heavyweight title unification fight in 1999. Victories over former and current world champions, including Judah, Shane Mosley, Paulie Malinaggi and Ricardo Torres have solidified his position as one of Puerto Rico’s greatest world champions. On July 26, Cotto will defend his welterweight title against two-time world champion Antonio Margarito in the year’s most anticipated fight. HBO Pay-Per-View will broadcast it live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pavlik (34-0, 30 KOs), from Youngstown, Ohio, captured the public’s imagination when he survived a second-round knockdown to come roaring back five rounds later to dethrone the undefeated defending middleweight champion Jermain Taylor last year. Since then, America has embraced “The Ghost” and his self-deprecating sense of humor, community pride and small town sensibilities. One of the hardest punchers in the sport, Pavlik commands a loyal following from his economically-strapped hometown that follows him by the thousands to every fight. He’s already being compared to Arturo Gatti as a great ticket seller in Atlantic City where thousands of fans show up just for his weigh-in! Since winning the world title, Pavlik beat Taylor in their rematch followed by his first successful title defense, a third-round TKO of No. 1 contender Gary Lockett. Pavlik, boxing’s version of folklore hero John Henry, is scheduled to fight two more times this year.

LAS VEGAS, NEV (June 11, 2008) — Great eras in sports are defined by the athletes that compete in them.  On the eve of the U.S. Open golf championship, we are reminded of golf’s “Big Three” — Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player — who ushered in the sport’s television era contributing to its popularity explosion.  Boxing’s “Big Three” — MIGUEL COTTO, MANNY PACQUIAO and KELLY PAVLIK – is attracting the same excitement and international attention from media and fans alike.   Together, Cotto, Pacquiao and Pavlik own “Majors” — world titles — in seven different weight divisions, with a combined record of 112-3-2 (90 KOs) – a winning percentage of 95.7% and a victory by knockout ratio of 80%! 

“Their “go-for-broke” style of fighting, reminiscent of Palmer’s style of play during his heyday, has sold out major arenas and attracted millions of pay-per-view buys.” said promoter Bob Arum. “They are the new generation of boxing and best of all they are all under 30 with their peak years ahead of them!”

            Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, The Philippines, may be the smallest of the trio physically, but fiscally, he takes a back seat to no one.  His memorable trilogy against Mexican icon Erik Morales attracted over one million pay-per-view buys alone – a record for the lower weight divisions.  So revered by his country he was declared a “National Treasure” by the government, Pacquiao’s exciting style has helped fill his trophy case with the WBC flyweight, the IBF junior featherweight, The Ring magazine featherweight and the WBC super featherweight world championship belts with victories over Morales (2), Marco Antonio Barrera (2) and Juan Manuel Marquez .  On June 28 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Pacquiao will attempt to become the first Asian fighter to win sanctioned world titles in four different weight divisions when he challenges WBC lightweight champion David Diaz.  Their fight will be broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View.

            Cotto (32-0, 26 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, one of boxing’s most feared and avoided champions, held the WBO junior welterweight title for two years, successfully defending it six times before moving up and capturing the WBA welterweight title in December 2006 where he has reigned supreme through four title defenses.  He has single-handily restored boxing glory to Madison Square Garden where he has been a headliner three of the last four years.  His knockout victory over Zab Judah last year produced the first boxing sellout at “The Mecca of Boxing” since the Lennox Lewis-Evander Holyfield world heavyweight title unification fight in 1999.  Victories over former and current world champions, including Judah, Shane Mosley, Paulie Malinaggi and Ricardo Torres have solidified his position as one of Puerto Rico’s greatest world champions.  On July 26, Cotto will defend his welterweight title against two-time world champion Antonio Margarito in the year’s most anticipated fight.  HBO Pay-Per-View will broadcast it live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

            Pavlik (34-0, 30 KOs), from Youngstown, Ohio, captured the public’s imagination when he survived a second-round knockdown to come roaring back five rounds later to dethrone the undefeated defending middleweight champion Jermain Taylor last year.  Since then, America has embraced “The Ghost” and his self-deprecating sense of humor, community pride and small town sensibilities.  One of the hardest punchers in the sport, Pavlik commands a loyal following from his economically-strapped hometown that follows him by the thousands to every fight.  He’s already being compared to Arturo Gatti as a great ticket seller in Atlantic City where thousands of fans show up just for his weigh-in!  Since winning the world title, Pavlik beat Taylor in their rematch followed by his first successful title defense, a third-round TKO of No. 1 contender Gary Lockett.  Pavlik, boxing’s version of folklore hero John Henry, is scheduled to fight two more times this year.