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Almazbek Raiymkulov, better known as Kid Diamond, makes the first defense of his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight title when he boxes hard-hitting Antonio Pitalua in the scheduled 12-round main event Thursday evening, Jan. 11, at the New Alhambra, Swanson & Ritner Streets, next to Forman Mills, in South Philadelphia. First of seven fights at 7.30 p.m. The Versus network will televise the Diamond-Pitalua fight as well as the scheduled 10-round junior middleweight semifinal between Anthony Thompson and Robert Frazier.
The show is being promoted by Top Rank, Inc., in association with Joe Hand Promotions, Inc., and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc. Tickets priced at $35, $45, $50, call 215-765-0922.
 

DREAM FIGHT ; LEWIS -vs- IBEABUCHI

by Jim Amato

Ike "The President" Ibeabuchi scored his twentieth and last victory on March 20, 1999. It was an impressive knockout stoppage of unbeaten, future WBO and IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd. Twenty one months earlier he had handed David Tua his first defeat. Ike was a serious heavyweight contender but then he took a detour to prison.

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photo ©2006 by Mary Ann Owen

CAN ANYONE STOP THE ICEMAN?

by Butch Gottlieb

Tonight at the UFC66 in Las Vegas, light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell once again proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the best fighter in the UFC, bar none by once again destroying former champion Tito Ortiz.

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Photo Gallery

In what was considered an upset, Keith Jardine defeated Forrest Griffin by TKO in the first round. Jardine caught Griffin coming in with a big uppercut followed by a left hook dropping him and Jardine jumped right on Griffin who was helpless throwing punches

Andre Arlovski TKO1 (strikes) Marcio Cruz

Jason McDonald W2 (choke) Chris Leben
Michael Bisping TKO1 (strikes) Erich Schafer
Thiago Alves TKO2 (strikes) Tony DeSouza
Gabriel Gonzago W1 (arm bar) Carmelo Marrero
Yushin Okami TKO3 (strikes) Rory Singer
Christian Wellisch W UD Anthony Perosh

By Dennis Principe
fightnews.com

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SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING begins its 21st year of televising world-class events with a doubleheader on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The telecast will start at a special time in order to accommodate fans tuning into the NFL Wild Card games airing the same night. Normally, the SHOWTIME telecasts start at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
In the main event at Hollywood, Fla., Samuel Peter will face James Toney in a rematch of an exciting and controversial fight won by Peter on Sept. 2, 2006 on SHOWTIME. In the Jan. 6 co-featured bout, Jose Antonio Rivera will defend his WBA super welterweight title against undefeated Travis Simms.

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Bonsante's stalking of Vanda
ends Jan. 12 in "Bad Blood"

Newly crowned Minnesota middleweight champion Anthony "The Bullet" Bonsante's years of stalking bitter intra-state archrival Matt "The Predator" Vanda finally ends January 12 when they headline  "Bad Blood" in the 10-round main event at The Target Center in Minneapolis.

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ALL PHOTOS ARE ©2006 BY MARY ANN OWEN

LIDDELL 205                          ORTIZ 205

From the MGM Grand Garden arena for tomorrow night’s UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz showdown:

Chuck Liddell 205 vs. Tito Ortiz 205
Forrest Griffin 205 vs. Keith Jardine 205
Andrei Arlovski 236 vs. Marcio Cruz 236
Chris Leben 186 vs. Jason Macdonald 184
Michael Bisping 205 vs. Eric Schafer 205
Thiago Alves 170 vs. Tony Desouza 171
Gabriel Gonzaga 244 vs. Carmelo Marrero 220
Rory Singer 185 vs. Yushin Okami 184
Christian Wellisch 235 vs. Anthony Perosh 236
 

Photo Gallery

by Lisa Scott
fightnews.com

Mike Tyson appeared before a judge early this afternoon in connection with his DUI arrest at 2 a.m. Friday morning. The former heavyweight champ was released without bail and charged with one count of narcotic drug possession - a felony. Under the terms of his release, the judge ordered Tyson not to leave the state of Arizona and not to possess any weapons or drink alcohol. Additionally, he cannot take drugs without a prescription, must check in with a pre-trial service officer later today and be forced to take drug and alcohol tests. Law enforcement sources told reporters that after Tyson was stopped, the former fighter was cooperative and acted like a gentleman and admitted that he had been using illegal drugs over the last few days. According to court documents, cops claim they found: "two bags of a white powder substance in his back left pocket. In addition a bag was located on the driver seat in a Marlboro cigarettes pack." Drug tests revealed that Tyson was "under the influence of a depressant, stimulant and cannabis." The report also went on to say that the former fighter admitted to the arresting officer of possessing the bags of cocaine and said he: "uses anytime he can get his hands on it," and that he: "is an addict and has a problem."
 

WORLD BEST FIGHTER
USA vs ASIA
Event Moved From Friday, January 5, 2007 to Saturday, February 3, 2007
Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey

An unfortunate scheduling mix-up has forced this huge event to change from Friday January 5, 2007 to Saturday, February 3, 2007.
Team USA, led by the legendary David “Tank” Abbott will takes on top competitors from Korea, Japan and China, collectively known as Team Asia in explosive Mixed Martial Arts and kickboxing action.
All the exciting bouts are presented to you by Roy Foreman’s RoRo Productions, along with World Mac Entertainment, and will takes place live at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
It marks the first time in US history that China’s National Team will participate in such an event on US soil. It also marks the first of multiple shows that will take place all over the country.
All the action begins at 7pm ET. Tickets are priced from $25 - $150, and can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations or at www.ticketmaster.com 

Romero Promotions has a solid seven-bout card set for Jan. 27 at the Sky City Casino in Acoma, NM. In the main event, Socorro welterweight Joaquin Zamora (12-2-1, 10 KOs) will take on El Paso slugger Bobby Joe Valdez (9-3-2, 4 KOs) in a long-awaited rematch from a 2004 fight that ended in a no-contest. Zamora-Valdez will be a ten-rounder for a belt to-be-determined. In the co-headliner, Espanola contender Monica Lovato (8-1, 4 KOs) will not only get the chance to erase the one loss on her record in fighting Julia Rubalcava (4-0, 1 KO), of Westminster, Calif., but get the chance to take home the vacant NABF super flyweight belt. Five bouts are slated for the undercard: Albuquerque strawweight Jodi Esquibel (4-1, KOs) and Melissa Shaffer (9-4, 5 KOs), of Tacoma, Wash., will mix for the third time--the two are 1-1 against each other; heavyweight Felix Abner (2-0, 1 KO), of Chicago, takes on former top amateur and pro debuting Kirby Lee Gillespie, of Houston; Socorro jr. middle Adrian Lopez and Santa Fe's Gabe Montoya will fight each other in a battle of debuters; Albuquerque super bantam debuter David Proa will debut against Las Cruces' Steve Losoya (1-3); and, in a four-rounder between lightweights, Albuquerque's Gabe Gonzales (1-1, 1 KO) and Las Cruces' Colbert "The Pittbull" Losoya (4-8) will go four. Ticket info will be released next week.

Upon reading world super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez' December 18th article on the internet, former bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez's manager Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain immediately responded through Mexico's biggest sports media outlets Esto, La Opinion and Notimex. "No one has contacted me at the moment but we would accept a fight with Vazquez immediately," Beristain is quoted as saying. "Vazquez is the best fighter pound for pound at 122 pounds and a very valiant champion. The ideal site for a fight of this magnitude could be the Staples Center in Los Angeles. If it's possible, the fight could be made March 2007. Why wait?" After reading Beristain's comments, a delighted Frank Espinoza (Vazquez's manager) said "This is great news! That's half the battle in making this fight happen. The promoters can easily make this fight happen now that both fighters, both managers, and the fans want the fight. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved. It makes no financial sense for either fighter to fight anyone else first. It's in the hands of the promoters now."
 

Public invited to Workout & Ring Card Girl Contest this Saturday at the Hard Rock!!
 

Don King Productions is hosting an OUTDOOR open-to-the-public media workout on Saturday at 1 p.m. with WBC No. 1-ranked heavyweight Samuel "The Nigerian Nightmare" Peter and WBA super welterweight champion "El Gallo" Jose Antonio Rivera in front of Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The public and media members will also be treated to a Hard Rock-sponsored Ring-Card Girl Contest beginning immediately after the workouts at 2 p.m. Weather forecast: High 78/Low 74. The workout and Ring-Card Girl Contest support the biggest fight ever staged at Hard Rock Live featuring Peter in a rematch with James "Light Out" Toney and Rivera defending his WBA 154-pound crown against "Tremendous" Travis Simms on Saturday, Jan. 6. Both fights will be televised on SHOWTIME beginning at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)."
 

©2006 by Mary Ann Owen

by Butch Gottlieb

The final press conference was held today for UFC66: 

LIDDELL vs. ORTIZ 2 taking place live from Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena this Saturday, December 30, 2006.
Tickets for UFC 66: LIDDELL vs. ORTIZ 2 (not including applicable services or taxes) are priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $200 and $100 and are available at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations, and by telephone at 800-929-1111 or 702-891-7777 (Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s stores and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.ufc.com  www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
UFC 66: LIDDELL vs. ORTIZ 2 is available live on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, Bell ExpressVu, Shaw Communications and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $39.95 ($39.99 CAD).
The fighters really did not have much to say:

Liddell said that he could not wait to hit Ortiz again and Ortiz said that this fight will be a totally different fight since he has done nothing but train in Big Bear, California for it and this time he is in GREAT shape.

Local talent will also be in the Roseland ring with unbeaten featherweight from New York City Cindy Serrano (13-0-1, 7 KO’s) scheduled in a 10 round contest; and light heavyweight slugger Joel Castillo (4-0, 3 KO’s) of the Bronx squaring off against James North (8-15-2, 3 KO’s) of Weston, WV. Coveted amateur star Darrel Madison, (1-1, 1 K0) the heavyweight from West Islip, Long Island, will be looking for his second big career knockout. Dominican Juan Dominguez, now residing in New York, will make his pro debut in a four round junior featherweight bout. And two New York City youngsters – Raymond Rodriguez and Samuel Ortiz Gomez – face off in their pro debuts.
Tickets are priced at $150, $100. $75, and $50, and are available through Gotham Boxing, 212 755-1944, Ticketmaster and the Roseland Box Office.

A pair of talented, unbeaten boxers with eerily similar pro careers will collide when Nick Casal (15-0-1, 1 NC, 12 KOs) faces Jose Antonio Izquierdo (15-0-1, 13 KOs) in an excellent co-featured attraction on Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, on “ShoBox: The New Generation.”
The Casal-Izquierdo eight-round junior welterweight skirmish will precede the 12-round finals of a “ShoBox” super middleweight tournament that pits Jean Paul Mendy (23-0, 12 KOs) against Tony Hanshaw (21-0, 14 KOs). The telecast airs on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
The event, co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and Round One Entertainment, will take place at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Miss.

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EVEN PAZ DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH KRYPTONITE TO STOP  "SUPERMAN"

by Jim Amato

He may be one of the most overlooked champions of the 1990's. He had style and skill. He won 49 of 55 bouts and a piece of the welterweight title. He knocked out 31 but he himself was never stopped. His name was Aaron Davis and they called him "Superman"

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IS SHANE READY FOR CINTRON?
by Jim Amato

I like Sugar Shane Mosley. He has been good for boxing. He was a fine lightweight champion who jumped right to welterweight and defeated the "Golden Boy", Oscar De La Hoya. He has had his ups and downs since. The two losses to Vernon Forrest at 147 and two more Winky Wright at 154. In between those losses he beat Oscar again at 154. He returned to form recently at junior middleweight by twice halting Fernando Vegas. Now Shane going back to welterweight and he will be meeting once beaten Kermit Cintron for the IBF version of the title on February 10th in Las Vegas. Is Cintron the best welterweight in the world ? No...He was destroyed in five rounds by WBO titleholder Antonio Margarito in 2005.

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“Sugar Shane” Mosley will climb the mountain once again as he looks to become the welterweight champion of the world for the second time when he faces International Boxing Federation (IBF) 147-pound champion Kermit Cintron. The explosive battle, destined to be one of the most memorable fights in 2007, will take place Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
“SUGAR AND SPICE!,” Mosley vs. Cintron, will be presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Bobby Bostick Promotions. The fight will air live on HBO World Championship Boxing at 9:45 PM EST / 6:45 PM PST.
Tickets to “SUGAR AND SPICE!” are priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50 and go on sale Thursday, Jan. 4 at noon. Tickets will be sold at any Mandalay Bay box office and all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s stores and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call the Mandalay Bay box office at (702) 632-7580 or Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com  or www.ticketmaster.com.

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UFC 66: LIDDELL vs. ORTIZ 2 taking place live from Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena this Saturday, December 30, 2006.
Tickets for UFC 66: LIDDELL vs. ORTIZ 2 (not including applicable services or taxes) are priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $200 and $100 and are available at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations, and by telephone at 800-929-1111 or 702-891-7777 (Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s stores and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.ufc.com  www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
UFC 66: LIDDELL vs. ORTIZ 2 is available live on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, Bell ExpressVu, Shaw Communications and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $39.95 ($39.99 CAD).
 

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CLOSET CLASSIC
Bob Foster vs Andy Kendall

by Jim Amato

Not too long ago one of my favorite writers, Ted Sares asked me if I could come up with some bouts as he described them as " closet classics ". I came up with a few for Ted. Here recently I was making a tape for a friend. One of the bouts was the 1969 light heavyweight title fight between Bob Foster and Andy Kendall. I have a mint copy of this fight and what a war it was while it lasted.
 

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Teddy Atlas says he has once again chosen principle over money as he has told Henry Maske to find a new trainer for his March 31 rematch against Virgil Hill. During the four months Atlas spent with Maske, Teddy says the boxer made tremendous progress. Atlas executed his plan to build Maske technically, physically and mentally, helping Maske to deal with his fears and doubts by arranging a series of private fights. The first was held on November 4, at which Maske won a six-round decision over Tony Pope. The relationship broke down when Maske, shortly before the second private fight, scheduled for December 21, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee, thereby sabotaging the fight. Maske told Atlas that he was visiting a specialist in Vale, Colorado for a consultation, but hid from his trainer the fact that he was actually going there for surgery. Maske refused to allow assistant trainer Saul Avelar or camp director Don Elbaum to accompany him to Colorado. Atlas says "issues of character" were behind Maske's failure to tell him of the planned surgery which led to Atlas informing his charge that he would need to hire a new trainer.
 

Solo Boxeo Tecate returns to the Windy City!
Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, has announced that NABO super bantamweight titlist Antonio Escalante (14-1, 9 KOs) battles Leivi Brea (16-3-3, 8 KOs) in the twelve round main event January 26th at Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois. The Escalante-Brea bout will be televised on Telefutura. Also featured - in separate bouts - are undefeated lightweight prospect Mike Gonzales, undefeated featherweight Brooke Dierdorff and super bantamweight crowd favorite Ivan Hernandez. Doors open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm. Tickets, starting at $30, are on sale in advance by calling 312-226-5800
 

"Baby" Joe Mesi and Hasim Rahman will do battle, but in separate bouts on February 22nd at the Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in West Virginia. Rahman will fight in the ten-round main event and Mesi will box in a ten-round co-main event with opponents yet to be named. Top Rank will promote the show with the two bouts being televised on the Versus Network. With both Mesi and Rahman on the same card, a possible showdown between these heavyweights in the near future may finally happen. This will be Mesi's 5th fight since his suspension was lifted and Rahman is looking to rebound from his last loss that cost him the title.
 

An Open Letter From Alex Ramos On Keith Mullings

The Retired Boxers Foundation has an expert on Veteran's Benefits who is more than willing to help Keith Mullings. The process does take time, but with expert help, it will take half the time.

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On December 20th the WBC sent representatives to weigh both Jose Luis Castillo and Herman N'Goudjo at their respective camps. Castillo's numbers are of particular interest as he recently failed spectacularly in making the weight limit for two scheduled WBC lightweight title fights against Diego Corrales. Jose Herrera Ornelas weighed Castillo in Toluca, Mexico and his weight is 154 lbs. Jack Woodburn weighed N'Goudjo in Canada and his weight is 153.5 lbs. Castillo and N'Goudjo collide on January 20 in Las Vegas in a WBC super lightweight (140lb) eliminator. At the 30 day weigh-in, a fighter cannot weigh over 10% of his contract weight, so both fighters are right about at the limit. At the seven day weigh-in, a fighter must be within 5% of his or her contract weight.
 

TO ONE AND ALL
 

by Mike Marley

The drum beat keeps getting louder and louder. The message, although totally unsubstantiated so far, is that Floyd Mayweather Sr. is getting the axe as Oscar de la Hoya's trainer and that the Golden Boy is deciding on a replacement. The bottom line for Oscar is that he does not need the mental distraction of the father and son pissing contest which is guaranteed to erupt.

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UNBEATENS MENDY, HANSHAW TO COLLIDE
IN “SHOBOX” SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TOURNAMENT FINALS

Boxers, Both Co-Favored Entering Competition, Square Off In Main Event On
“ShoBox: The New Generation’’ Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at 11 p.m. ET/PT

No BCS controversy or photo finishes here. The two most talented fighters in the “ShoBox” super middleweight tournament will clash for the championship when Jean Paul Mendy faces Tony Hanshaw, Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) from the Desoto Civic Center in Southaven, Miss. Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and Round One Entertainment will co-promote the event..
Mendy and Hanshaw were in a tourney that offered two boxers in an international field of eight the rare opportunity to appear on national television three times in six months. The co-favorites were decisive winners in both their bouts. Each was triumphant by early-round knockout and lopsided decision.
“What more could we want than a battle of unbeatens who Steve Farhood and I handicapped to be in the finals?” asked “ShoBox” blow-by-blow announcer Nick Charles. “While Mendy and Hanshaw are prospects, the fact they are 32 and 28, respectively, should cause both to realize this is an opportunity that may not surface again. It gives this final more urgency.

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IT IS WHAT IT IS!

by Jim Amato

My God, in the words of Tony Soprano, that is is state of today's heavyweight division. Sad...Very sad indeed. The # 1 ranked heavyweight by most people's opinion is Wladimir Klitschko. I'm a little uncomfortable with that. Why ? Because as Corrie Sanders, Lamon Brewster, DaVaryll Williamson and Sam Peter have shown, no one will ever compare Wlad to Jake LaMotta in the chin department.

Oleg??? I beg you not to take me there...
Valuev??? He makes Carnera look like Muhammad Ali...
To the winner of Sam Peter-James Toney II...Good luck, you'll need it !
Shannon Briggs...His win over Sergei Liakhovich put the division back ten years and then some.
And people wonder why I live in the past ? Duh !!!!

From WBC President Jose Sulaiman:
 

Due to the current legal situation concerning the WBC mandatory super featherweight contender Manny Pacquiao, the WBC has suspended the purse offer that was scheduled for January 12, 2007, for the mandatory title defense of world champion Marco Antonio Barrera.
The WBC is currently researching this situation and will continue doing so until the clarification of the facts for the free negotiations, and will keep everybody informed after the holidays.
I take the opportunity to wish everybody the best for Christmas and a very happy and successful 2007.
 

Unbeaten cruiserweight B.J. "El Pelogroso" Flores plans on going from prospect to contender with an impressive winning performance January 13 against Chris "Cold Steel" Thomas for the WBF and NBA cruiserweight titles at Knox Arena in Olive Branch, Mississippi.
Flores (17-0-1, 12 KOs), reigning WBF All-Americas champion, is rated No. 26 by the WBC, as well as No. 3 by the NABF and No. 5 by the IBA. "I wanted to make a statement against an opponent who poses a real threat," Flores said. "I wanted this fight, he wanted this fight, and Jan. 13 we'll answer all of the questions. A win should get me into the top 15 and after that we'll see which way my team wants to go. I'm not looking past Thomas, who is a good puncher and former NABA champion, but I'd like to get a title shot against (IBF champion) Krzysztof Wlodarchzyk. I'd go to Poland to fight him. (Steve) Cunningham wasn't robbed in his fight against Wlodarchzyk. He didn't land enough clean punches. When you go to the other guy's country you need to knock him out or dominate. You need to grab the brass ring and Cunningham didn't dominate the fight. Wlodarchzyk is perfect for me; he comes straight ahead and doesn't move too much. A fight between us would have a lot of action.
Since dropping down to cruiserweight from heavyweight after signing a promotional contract with Silverhawk Championship Boxing, Flores has registered back-to-back first-round TKOs.

The New York State Athletic Commission has announced that the shocking December 15 technical decision loss suffered by fan-favorite heavyweight Vinny Maddalone has been changed to a no decision by virtue of opponent Julius Long having tested positive for an, as yet, unknown illegal substance.
Fighting in the main event of a show at the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, Maddalone (27-3, 19 KOs) suffered a nasty cut in the fifth round as a result of a head butt that rendered him unable to continue and necessitated the fight going to the scorecards prematurely. Maddalone found himself on the losing end of a technical decision, although most fans believed he was winning, despite having taken a few rounds to adjust to the long arms and roughhouse tactics of the 7’ 0” Detroiter Long (15-8, 12 KOs).
“That fight left a bad taste in my mouth all week and I’m glad Vinny won’t be tagged with a loss because of it,” said relieved Maddalone promoter Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing. ”Long did most of his fighting that night outside the rules and cut up up Vinny pretty bad with his head, forearms, elbows, and solid punches after the bell, so it was questionable to award him a victory to begin with. A no decision was the right thing to do in this case, even if it turned out to be for a different reason than we hoped.”
Maddalone required more than fifty stitches to close the cut he suffered that night.
 

Thursday, January 4, 2007, at 9 p.m. ET, VERSUS (formerly OLN) will kickoff the new year by televising the sixth installment of "Fight Night: Top Rank's Legends of the Ring," hosted by Michael Buffer. January's episode will feature the rarely-seen first fight between VITO ANTUOFERMO defending his world middleweight title against the legendary MARVELOUS MARVIN HAGLER, November 30, 1979, at Caesars Palace.
It looked like Hagler would be the new middleweight champion after the 10th round, but a funny thing happened to Hagler on his way to the 11th round … he got cautious and stayed that way. Whether he or his corner was nervous about going the full 15 rounds, Hagler pulled back, seemingly trying to save himself for the later rounds, thus letting the defending champion, Antuofermo, back into the fight. Antuofermo, despite the controversy, did a good job of bulling and bustling. Hagler boxed nicely and sharply but Antuofermo’s hustling made it too close, producing a Draw. It was after this fight that Hagler went into his “Destruct & Destroy” mode which produced sixteen consecutive victories, 14 of them by knockout, including Antuofermo, in their June 13, 1981 rematch at the Boston Garden .
Classic fights scheduled to air this year include:
* Hearns vs. Barkley I & II
* Arguello vs. Mancini
* Carbajal vs. Gonzales I & II
* De La Hoya vs. Brehahl
* De La Hoya vs. Chavez I & II
* Mayweather vs. Hernandez
* Morales vs. Barrera I
* Toney vs. Jones
* Arguello vs. Escalera I
* Hagler vs. Leonard
* Hagler vs. Mugabi
* Leonard vs. Hearns II
* Leonard vs. Benitez
* Duran vs. Barkley

By Duva Boxing

On the twelfth Day of Duva Boxing:
A twelve-round (or less) beating.
Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter (27-1, 22 KOs) knows that James Toney has been naughty for too long and when he meets him again on January 6, Peter will give Toney his late Christmas present: a nice long nap on the canvas while sugar plum fairies dance in his head.

Read rounds 1 thru 11

DE LA HOYA vs. MAYWEATHER SUPER FIGHT
MAY 5 AT MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS

It will be an unprecedented super fight between two boxing superstars and former Olympians. It will be an event poised to shatter records many believe would never be broken. Golden Boy Promotions is pleased to announce six-division world champion Oscar De La Hoya will meet unbeaten, four-division world champion Floyd Mayweather Saturday, May 5 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev., in the biggest fight to hit the sport in decades.
“This is what boxing is all about and fighting Floyd Mayweather is the type of fight that truly gets me motivated to go through a hard training camp and make the sacrifices I have to make to be the best,” said Oscar De La Hoya. “We’ve talked about it, the press and the fans have asked for it, and now we’re going to put it all on the line and fight. I can’t wait for May 5.”

Full Story and ticket info

©2006 by Mary Ann Owen
L/R: Stallone, Vito Antufermo, Antonio Tarver

THE RED CARPET PREMIER OF ROCKY BALBOA (THE SIXTH AND FINAL CHAPTER IN THE ROCKY MOVIES) WAS HELD ON DECEMBER 19th AT THE ALADDIN/PLANET HOLLYWOOD HOTEL IN LAS VEGAS

PHOTO GALLERY

El 19 de Diciembre se le dio honor al filme de la película Rocky Balboa (#V1)

No. 1 Contender to Visit Deerfield Beach Boys and Girls Club on Thursday,
December 21, at 4 PM

Peter to Kick off the Holidays Spending Afternoon with 100 youngsters from the City of Deerfield Beach Faces James Toney in Heavyweight Rematch on January 6

No. 1 heavyweight contender Samuel Peter, training in Deerfield Beach for his rematch against James Toney, will spread some holiday cheer to 100 youngsters at the Deefield Beach Boys and Girls Club this Thursday, December 21, at 4:00 PM.  Peter will visit and talk to the kids beginning at 4:00 PM.
The hottest young heavyweight in the world, Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter, and one of the craftiest pugilists in history, James “Lights Out” Toney, will meet in a World Boxing Council-ordered re-match on Saturday, Jan. 6, in the Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. 
The main event will be televised on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) and is being promoted by Duva Boxing, Goossen Tutor Promotions, Warriors Boxing Promotions, and Don King Productions. 
Tickets priced at $500, $300, $150, $100 and $50* go on sale Tuesday at noon at the Hard Rock Live Box Office (open daily from noon until 7 p.m. ET), all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: Miami-Dade (305) 358-5885, Broward (954) 523-3309 and Palm Beach (561) 966-3309. *Additional fees and/or service charges may apply

Hopkins vs Maskaev – Is it worth their risk?
 By Rob Scott

Like so many others, I’ve followed the career of Bernard Hopkins for some time now. His trials and tribs in and out of the ring have been well documented. From a young Hopkins’ troubles with the law, to the still developing Hopkins’ trouble with Roy Jones in his first attempt at a world title, we all have been witnesses. From his first title win over Segundo Mercado, to his historic win over Felix Trinidad to become the undisputed king of the middleweights – we all have been witnesses. From his record setting 20 middleweight title defenses, to his ascension up the scales to emphatically take the light heavyweight title from Antonio Tarver in June of this year – yes we all have been witnesses to the metamorphosis of Bernard Hopkins into Mr. Hopkins.
 

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IBA World middleweight title-holder "Ireland's" John Duddy, does not have a career-threatening detached retina, contrary to an erroneous report, and he pulled out of his scheduled January 11th fight in New York because cuts over his eyes, suffered September 29 in his title-winning fight against Luis Ramon "Yory Boy" Campas, haven't completely healed.
Duddy (18-0, 15 KOs), rated No. 7 by the WBO and No. 9 by the WBA, is preparing to headline an Irish Ropes Promotions show March 16 - St. Patrick's Day Eve - in The Theatre at Madison Square Garden that will be broadcast live all over the world, including on pay-per-view in North America.
"I'm not fighting January 11th on the advise of my eye specialist who didn't want to risk the cuts being opened in sparring and jeopardizing my eyebrows," Duddy explained. "He said the best thing to do was rest. I want to be 100-percent for March 16 and didn't want to jeopardize my career."
"The fact it's the night before St. Patrick's Day and I've fought there twice before sellout crowds, Duddy noted, "I don't think it'll be any different this time. There's also going to be a lot of young talent on the card. I think it's going to be great for the Irish, people in New York City, and boxing fans all over the world watching me headline my first pay-per-view show. I think there was a sigh of relief back home, you know, when I pulled out of the January fight because so many people from Belfast, Derry and other towns in Ireland are coming here for the March 16 fight. They didn't want anything to happen to me that could have jeopardized the March 16 show. Even if my fans can't be here for that fight, they can watch it all over the world, in Irish pubs and homes. Everything worked out well for everybody this way. Happy days."

After edging out James Toney, Samuel Peter was thinking championship challenges. But a funny thing happened on the way to fighting for the WBC championship against Oleg Maskaev, the WBC ordered a rematch with Toney. Originally, Peter thought that his last bout was an elimination bout but in the Byzantine world of boxing, he found that the first Toney bout was a mere eliminator to fight another elimination bout.

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"LAURENCE COLE HAS NOT BEEN FINED OR SUSPENDED"
By Elisa Harrison

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By Bernie McCoy
 

I recently watched a tape of the remarkably good Ann Sophie Mathis/Myriam Lamare fight, from France, and I thought of a line a very smart woman once gave me about the present being "simply the ever moving outer edge of the past." Here's how good those seven rounds, that ended with Lamare, at last, giving in to Mathis' relentless attack, were: you had no trouble thinking of the past and wondering whether "this is what Rijker/Martin would have been." And I'm not talking about the Bob Arum-induced fiasco of 2005, but, rather, Christy Martin and Lucia Rijker, as they were before the turn of the last century, climbing into the ring, maybe around 1998, when both women were at the peak of their talent.
 

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At age 40, heavyweight Eric "Butterbean" Esch (76-7-4, 57 KOs) is still going strong. The 385-pounder from Jasper, Alabama, scored a first round knockout over local 222-pound Joaquin Garcia (4-3, 1 KO) on Saturday at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan. The 'Bean had a disaterous 2005, losing four out of six bouts, but the win over Garcia capped a 3-0 campaign for "The King of the Four-Rounders" in 2006. 1,300 attended the AdoreAble Promotions card which featured seven scheduled four-round bouts.
 

WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, boxing's current longest-reigning world champion (1997-present, 19 title defenses) says he would love to defend his title against middleweight champion Jermain Taylor. "Not only is he a terrific middleweight champion, he's the man who beat the man -- Bernard Hopkins -- TWICE. Perhaps in another year Jermain will be ready to step up and challenge me and we can have a fight between two belt holders. I just don't think it's fair to push him up to my level yet. It's frustrating for me because it would be a big money fight, but it's obvious he's just not ready." Meanwhile, Calzaghe will face The Contender's Peter Manfredo on April 7 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
 

British heavyweight champion Scott Gammer has turned down a £100,000 offer to fight Audley Harrison on February 17 at Wembley Arena. Harrison's promoter Frank Warren said, "I'm stunned that Boyce [Scott Gammer's manager Paul Boyce] has turned down the biggest pay day of Gammer's career. I don't think the purses from his last five fights add up to the amount I'm offering him to defend his title against Harrison. Maybe Gammer has something different to say about it than Boyce? Here's a chance for Gammer to make a name for himself and if he losses to Harrison it will be good experience and one that he can come back from. The offer is still there for them but I reckon Boycie will have to discuss it with Marlene first!" Boyce has said there is no incentive for Gammer to defend his title against Harrison as the offer wasn't what he wanted financially and he has other plans for the unbeaten Welsh puncher.

by Rob Scott

 
He was the best in the sport, but not the best in the welterweight division, a contradiction that only can happen in the sport of boxing. But after watching Floyd Mayweather’s masterful performance against defending champion, Carlos Baldomir, I once again felt a strong sense of boxing déjà vu. I immediately thought back to HBO’s countdown show leading up to the ‘87 showdown with ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler vs. ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard.

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“Jose Hernandez Upsets Jason Litzau
With KO In Eighth”
by Frank Gonzalez Jr.
 

Saturday night at the Miccosukee Gaming Resort in Miami Florida, rising Featherweight Prospect, Jason “The American Boy” Litzau (20-1, 18 KO’s) stepped into the ring undefeated and left with his first L. That loss came by way of an eighth round knockout, compliments of a big right hand from Jose Hernandez, who improved his record to 22-3, with 14 KO’s.
 

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Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a trash talker and I like to let my actions in the ring speak for itself, but enough is enough already...its time for all of the talk to stop and the action to start!  This is slightly out-of-character for me, but I am frustrated and angry that women's boxing is going nowhere.  And it's because a majority of the so-called women champions are pretending to be fighters.  It's time for someone to call it like it is and tell them to put up or shut up! 

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THE GREATNESS OF LENNOX LEWIS AND FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR.
AND THE GAMENESS OF SHANNON BRIGGS AND ARTURO GATTI
by Jim Amato

I had the great treat of watching replays this weekend of Lennox Lewis vs Shannon Briggs and Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Arturo Gatti. Within the realm of these bouts I saw and respected two things. Tremendous talent and equally tremendous courage.

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IBF #1 middleweight Edison Miranda (27-1, 24 KOs) showed why he could be the future of the middleweight division with a sensational first round knockout of Willie Gibbs (20-2, 16 KOs) on Saturday night at Miccosukee Resort & Gaming in Miami, Florida. Miranda sent Gibbs reeling with a massive right hand then followed up with a barrage that sent Gibbs to the deck. A confused Gibbs watched referee Tommy Kimmons count him out at 2:59.
All Miranda could talk about afterwards was that he wants a rematch with Arthur Abraham. He did say that if they could not make that fight that he would like to fight Jermain Taylor.
*****

For the second consecutive year, Miguel Cotto of Caguas, Puerto Rico was named the Boxer of the Year at the Premios Fox Sports which announced it Thursday night at the Jackie Gleason Theater in South Miami, Florida.
The two-time world champion was in Miami to receive the award, which is voted by fans from all over the world. Cotto, 3-0-0 this year, became the WBA welterweight champion of the world on December 2 in Atlantic City with a sensational stoppage of fellow countryman Carlos "El Indio" Quintana.
"We work very hard to succeed in the ring." Cotto said at the awards ceremony. "When that effort is recognized by the fans and media it makes all the sacrifices even more worthwhile."
The other nominees for the award were Antonio Margarito, Carlos Baldomir, Marco Antonio Barrera and Israel Vazquez.
Fox Pan American Sports Annual Premios Fox Sports presented by DHL is the only awards program of its kind to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of Latino athletes and personalities from the world of sports both on and off the field.
The show will be telecast on December 17, 2006 on Fox Sports Espanol and Fox Sports Latin America.
 

by Jason "J-Gon" Gonzalez
fightnews.com

Seven-footer Julius Long (15-8, 12 KOs) busted up Vinny Maddalone (27-4, 19 KOs) and won an upset technical decision on Friday night at the Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island, New York. Long's aggressive and sometimes dirty tactics paid off when the bout went to the scorecards in the fifth round after an accidental headbutt left Maddalone with a gash in the middle of his forehead. Scores were 50-45, 48-47, 49-46.
*****
New York State heavyweight champion Derrick Rossy (15-0, 9 KOs) scored a TKO over "Iron Man" Ed Gutierrez (15-4-1, 6 KOs). A right hook to the body sent Gutierrez to a knee at :48 of the fourth round.
*****
Olympian Dante Craig (17-6-1, 13 KOs) was demolished in just 78 seconds by journeyman William Gill (6-13, 5 KOs) in a light heavyweight bout.
 

Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ undefeated teenage sensation Jorge Paez Jr. stopped veteran Rafael Urias by technical knockout at 2:37 of the first round in their lightweight bout scheduled for six rounds Friday in Mexicali, Mexico.
The 19-year-old Paez Jr., who now has a record of 12-0 with eight knockouts, dropped Urias three times in the first.
The first knockdown by Paez Jr. was a straight right to the head. The second knockdown was a left hook to the head. And the third and final knockdown, which prompted the referee to halt the bout, was another straight right to the head.
Urias landed several solid left hooks to the head of Paez but never hurt the teenager.
Both Paez Jr., fighting in his hometown of Mexicali in more than one year, and Urias, from Los Mochis, Mexico, weighed 135 pounds.

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Promoter Dino Duva of Duva Boxing and his hall-of-fame father, Lou Duva, wish to send their sincerest congratulations to former multiple world champion Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker upon the announcement of his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.

The Norfolk, Virginia, southpaw, who retired with a final mark of 40-4-1, with 17 KOs, won a gold medal in the 1984 Olympic Games and went on to capture six world titles in four different weight classes (WBA, WBC and IBF Lightweight, IBF Light Welterweight, WBC Welterweight, and WBA Light Middleweight) in a glorious professional career that spanned 17 years.

“I was his manager,” says a proud Lou Duva, “and I think it’s fantastic he’s been inducted. He’s done so much for boxing. Pernell was a real team player. I can’t say enough about him. He’s been a credit to boxing.”

Dino Duva echoes the sentiment: “In the 30 years I’ve been in the boxing business, Pernell Whitaker is the best and most technically perfect fighter I’ve ever been involved with and also, from a personal standpoint, he was the most loyal boxer I’ve ever been involved with as well.” (Whitaker spent his entire career under the promotional auspices of the Duva family)

Whitaker, Duva reveals, is on the verge of signing on to serve as head trainer for one of Duva Boxing’s most promising up-and-comers. “Duva Boxing and I, personally, are looking forward to working with Pernell in his second boxing career as a trainer. We are very close to finalizing arrangements for him to train one of Duva Boxing’s brightest prospects, welterweight Raymond Biggs Jr.”
 

Promoters Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions and Dennis Hobson/Fight Academy, in association with Top Rank, Inc., will present a sensational world championship fight card on Saturday, January 20, 2007, at Paris Las Vegas, located at 3655 Las Vegas Boulevard South in Las Vegas. The main event and co-featured fight will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 P.M. ET, 7:00 P.M. PT.
In the 12-round main event, former jr. welterweight and welterweight world champion Ricky “Hitman” Hatton, 41-0 with 30 knockouts, of Manchester, England, will challenge IBF Jr. welterweight world champion Juan “Iron Twin” Urango, 17-0-1 with 13 knockouts, of Monteria, Colombia.
The co-featured fight, also scheduled for 12 rounds, will match World Boxing Council No. 1 ranked Jose Luis Castillo, 54-7-1, with 47 knockouts, of Mexicali, B.C., Mexico, against No. 2 ranked Hermann Ngoudjo, 15-0 with 9 knockouts, of Montreal, Que., Canada. This fight is a final eliminator to determine the WBC’s No. 1 ranked mandatory challenger at 140 pounds.
Tickets go on sale Friday, December 15, at 10:00 A.M.
Ticket prices: $50, $100, $200, $300, $500, plus applicable fees. Tickets are available at: Paris Las Vegas box office or by calling 877-374-7469, and can also be purchased at the Caesars Palace and Bally’s box office. Tickets can be purchased online at TicketMaster.com or www.parislasvegas.com.
Doors open at 4:30 P.M., first fight at 5:00 P.M. PT.
HBO will begin its live telecast of the co-featured bout at approximately 7:00 P.M. PT, (10:00 P.M. ET), with the main event to begin approximately 15 minutes after the conclusion of the co-feature.
 

Full Story and Schedule

Brooklyn’s  Curtis “Showtime” Stevens replaces Sechew Powell in the main event at Manhattan Center this Thursday Night, December 14^th

Brooklyn’s Curtis “Showtime” Stevens (15-1, 11 KO’s) will be an 11^th hour replacement for Sechew Powell in the co-main event, when he faces  veteran Jonathan Corn (47-15-2, 26 KO’s) in a 10-round super middleweight season finale of Broadway Boxing Presented by StubHub this Thursday night, December 14^th, at the Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center. 

DiBella Entertainment’s newly signed James “Buddy” McGirt, Jr. (12-0, 7 KO’s), son of the legendary former World Champion and current top trainer Buddy McGirt, Sr., makes his DBE debut in an eight-round middleweight affair against Dennis Sharpe (17-3-3, 4 KO’s) of Jersey City, NJ, in the co-main event. The season’s wrap up also includes an appearance by Dash-DiBella Promotion’s Gary “Kid” Stark, Jr. (17-0, 8 KO’s) of Staten Island against Vernie Torres (27-2, 15 KO’s) of Los Angeles in the 10-round New York State Junior Featherweight Title bout.
Tickets priced at $152, $102, $82, $62, and $42 for standing room only are available by calling DiBella Entertainment at 212-947-2577.
 

By Lee Bates

Fightnews.com

Fightnews.com reported Tuesday that WIBF flyweight world champion Regina Halmich was in search of an opponent for her January 13th fight in Germany. Well it didn't take long for her to get a response from a familiar face. WIBA world flyweight champion Elena "Baby Doll" Reid (18-3-5, 5 KOs) says she's ready to step in. "I would be more than willing to fill in and fight Regina again," said Reid. "I feel I beat her both times we fought." (Reid lost a controversial draw in their first fight and by close decision in the rematch, with both fights being fought in Germany). "It's the biggest fight out there in woman's boxing," Reid continued. "It would be even bigger this time around because I am a world title holder as well. It doesn't get any bigger than unification. Add on top of that this would be the 3rd fight between us. Trilogies are huge in boxing. Look no further Regina. Let's do this!" (Photo: Paul Gonzalez)

Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ undefeated teenage sensation Jorge Paez Jr. has a new opponent, veteran Rafael Urias, for his six-round, lightweight bout Friday, Dec. 15, in Mexicali, Mexico.
“This change in opponents won’t bother me,” said Paez Jr., the son of former International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization featherweight champion Jorge Paez. “I’m ready. I feel I’m in better shape and more focused than I have been in eight months.”
A confident Paez Jr. took time out from his training Wednesday to pass out hundreds of toys, provided by Sycuan Ringside Promotions, to boys and girls in his hometown of Mexicali.
“This was the first time I’ve fought in Mexicali in over a year, and because it is the holiday season Sycuan Ringside Promotions and I thought it would be great if I could give gifts to the boys and girls,” said Paez Jr. “The looks of joy on their faces is my Christmas present.”
 

December 18th will be the last chance for fight fans in the United States (and most of the world) to watch LIVE championship boxing in 2006.
The champion putting his world title on the line that night is undefeated Joan Guzman, who will be defending his WBO 130-pound title for the first time against #5 rated contender Antonio “T-Rex” Davis at the Palacio De Los Deportes in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The only place to watch one of boxing’s most talented fighters defend his junior lightweight title LIVE is on www.MaxBoxing.com, the leading provider of boxing content on the web.

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Nikolai Valuev's third defense of his WBA belt will certainly be a special one. His meeting with Jameel McCline (Jan. 20) is not just the first ever heavyweight title fight on Swiss soil but also the "biggest" championship in the history of boxing. "Almost 600 pounds will be in the ring," manager Wilfried Sauerland said. "The new year kicks off with a true boxing highlight." While the Russian Giant (45-0, 33 KOs), the tallest and heaviest champion of all time, is likely to weigh in around the 330-pound-mark, McCline normally puts up around 265 pounds in weight. The bout in Basle will be a completely new challenge for either fighter - even for Valuev. "This will be a very tough fight for me because Jameel cannot be compared to any of my previous opponents," Valuev said at a press conference in Basle. "Not in terms of height, not in terms of weight and not in terms of experience. I will be training harder than ever."
photo courtesy of Sauerland Events.

by Stephen Quadros

Originally conceived to settle the now obsolete debate of which martial arts style is “the best,” the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) has come a long way. Moving past the linear myopia of ‘style vs. style’ that has held the martial arts back for centuries, MMA now represents the epitome of athletic competition the way its original rough draft, the ancient sport of Pankration, intended it to be.

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The World Boxing Council has notified the camps of WBC super featherweight world champion Marco Antonio Barrera and WBC mandatory contender Manny Pacquiao that the free negotiations period for their mandatory title defense has begun. If no agreement is reached, the WBC will conduct a purse offer on January 12, 2007, in Mexico City.

WBC super-flyweight champ Masamori Tokuyama, Japan, officially renounced his belt through the Japan Boxing Commission. He kept his throne by outscoring the top contender Jose Navarro last February, and hasn’t fought since for some 10 months. He will move up to the bantam category to anticipate a shot at the WBC 118-pound belt against Japan’s Hozumi Hasegawa, who, however, seems reluctant to face Tokuyama in a voluntary defense. If so, it might be a question whether Tokuyama will go on fighting until he becomes the WBC’s official challenger, since he declares that he will sing a swan song in his one and only big game next.

REPORT FROM THE WBC CONVENTION IN CROATIA ON WOMEN'S BOXING

“THE WBC HAS RESEARCHED FEMALE BOXING FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WILL CONTINUE TO TRY TO FIND MEDICAL GROUNDS FOR SAFETY IN BOXING AND FEMALE BOXING. WE WILL NOW WORK VERY HARD TO MAKE FEMALE BOXING A HIGHER STANDARD FOR BIGGER PURSES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CHAMPIONS
AND FIGHTERS IN GENERAL . WE WILL WORK TO GET FEMALE CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS ON TELEVISION AND TO BRING DIRECT BENEFITS TO PROMOTERS AND FIGHTERS.
 

Full Story and rule changes

By Johnny 'B'
fightnews.com

An article in today's Chicago Tribune tells about the December 31st closing of the historic Windy City Gym after 85 years. Boxers from the era of Muhammad Ali, Ernie Terrell and Sugar Ray Robinson to Andrew Golota, Montell Griffin and David Diaz trained at the famous facility.
The closure will be a day of sad news for Chicago boxers both amateur and professional. With the closing looking like it's a done deal, the question is where will the boxers go to train?
 

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Joe Calzaghe, promoter Frank Warren and Peter Manfredo, Jr. at yesterday's news conference in London for their April 7 WBO super middleweight title fight at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. HBO will televise live at 5 PM ET/2 PM PT. Today, the press tour goes to the Millennium Stadium.
 

Top Rank will announce this week that their big January 27 HBO show will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Two-time world champion Jorge 'Travieso' Arce (45-3-1, 35 KOs) will headline and box 12 rounds. Powerful undefeated middleweight Kelly Pavlik (29-0, 26 KOs) will open the telecast. Arce, one of the most charismatic fighters in the world today, is a two-time world champion, 16-1-0 in world title fights and is rated WBC #1 in the 115-pound division. He became a national celebrity in Mexico after appearing on the reality show 'Big Brother V.I.P.' "I was on the show two and a half months and it took my stardom to a new level," Arce said. "I am, today, the most recognized fighter in Mexico." NABF middleweight champion Pavlik is rated WBC #2, WBA #4, WBO #5 and IBF #10. Tickets at the Honda Center in Anaheim will go on sale Saturday. Prices are $200, $100, $75, $50 and $25

Fans witnessed a real barnburner last Saturday night in an exciting, action packed fight that ended in dramatic fashion when IBF International Light Heavyweight Champion William "KO King" Guthrie flattened former NABF and WBC Continental Americas Champion Donnell "Cadillac" Wiggins at 2:21 of the fourth round of their scheduled eight round bout at the Florence County Fairgrounds in Florence, South Carolina.
Wiggins (24-8-3, 14 KO's) came to fight, determined to dethrone the "KO King," as well as rejuvenate his status in the light heavyweight division, only to find that Guthrie would have no part of his plan.
With this win Guthrie improved his record to 35-3-2 28 KO's and put himself back in the mix as a light heavyweight contender.
"We plan to aggressively seek a world title fight for Guthrie with any of the current world champions at light heavyweight," said Al Mermini of Silverhawk Promotions. "Roy Jones called William Guthrie a 'true champion' at his press conference last June in Boise, ID before his fight with Prince Badi Ajamu, (Guthrie stopped Luke Munsen on the Jones-Prince Badi card.) He comes to fight and his power is incredible. William is a marvelous puncher and we believe he can beat anyone in the top 10. Just look at his longevity and ability; even at his age he is still improving and looking better and better each time out."

                      Malas Intenciones puso una pesadilla violenta al Sueno                                       
Por Jaime Estrada

Historia Completa

Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ undefeated teenage sensation Jorge Paez Jr. appears in his second six-round bout when he faces veteran Joel Padilla in a lightweight fight Dec. 15 in Mexicali, Mexico.
The 19-year-old Paez, who has a record of 11-0 with seven knockouts, is coming off four decision wins, three of which were on HBO pay-per-view cards.
“I’m developing; I just turned 19,” said Paez Jr., the son of former International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization featherweight champion Jorge Paez. “But I know, ultimately, I will be a world champion. I’m confident of that. I hope I can be as great a champion as my father was.”
 

Former WBA and European bantam champ Johnny Bredahl (56-2, 26 KOs) was assaulted Sunday morning in the streets of Copenhagen, Denmark. The circumstances surrounding the assault are still unclear, as the police have refused to give information. No one has been arrested so far. Johnny's brother, fellow former WBO and European jr. light champion, Jimmi Bredahl and Johnny's wife appeared in TV interviews today. In the segments, a picture from the hospital of Johnny's badly swollen face was shown. Apparently the boxer has been trampled in the head by the attackers. He is still under observation at the hospital in Copenhagen and doesn’t remember anything from the incident. Luckily his life is not in danger according to his wife.
 

Promoter Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing staged a card Friday night at the Paradise Theater in New York City. In the main event, unbeaten heavyweight Kevin Johnson (13-0-1, 5 KOs) took a ten round unanimous decision over Charles Davis (17-11-1, 4 KOs) by scores of 98-90, 99-90, 98-91. In other action, the “Kosavo Kid” Elvir Muriqi (33-3, 20 KOs) needed just 55 seconds to dispatch Derrick Reed (13-7, 11 KOs) in a light heavyweight contest. A junior middleweight bout between former world title challenger Raul Frank (27-5-2, 13 KOs) and spoiler Thomas Davis (10-3-1, 6 KOs) ended in a no-contest. Jon "The Fighting Marine" Schneider remained unbeaten, moving to 3-0 with 2 KOs after a unanimous decision (40-36, 40-35, 39-36) over Darryl Holley (0-1). Also, junior middleweight veteran Pasqual Rouse shut out Carlos Diaz 60-53, 60-54, 60-54, "atomweight" Suzannah Warner topped Yvonne Caples over eight by scores of 78-74, 79-73, 78-74 to claim the NABF 102lb title and junior welterweight "Sugar" Ray Robinson defeated Nigel McKnight 40-36, 40-36, 40-36 in the pro debut for both fighters.

Promoter Frank Warren confirmed today that the super middleweight championship bout between Joe Calzaghe and Peter Manfredo Jr has been moved from March 3 to April 7 due to a logistical problem with the venue, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The event will remain at the Millennium Stadium on the new date.

The weigh-in for tonight's Danny Williams vs Audley Harrison rematch in London almost had more action than their first fight. While posing for photographers during Friday's weigh-in, Williams stuck his face close to Harrison's, which didn't suit Audley and he pushed Danny away. Williams responded by throwing a wild punch at at Harrison - which missed. The resulting melee drew in members of both boxers camps and security guards. Williams won a controversial split decision in their first fight last year. Williams weighed 267 pounds (21 pounds lighter than in his last fight). Former Olympic gold medalist Harrison scaled in at 251.5.

DURAN, WHITAKER AND RICARDO LOPEZ
ARE 2007 I.B.H.O.F. INDUCTEES
by Jim Amato

Three of the best pound for pound fighters I've ever seen were rightfully voted to be inductees this coming June to the International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Roberto Duran, my favorite boxer of all time. Pernell Whitaker and Ricardo Lopez will become members of the elite this year.

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Just when you think you've seen it all, something in boxing will surprise you. On Wednesday afternoon in New York City, it was the first official press conference in recent memory to announce that the fight the promoters originally intended on putting on wasn't going to happen.  Popular middleweight prospect John Duddy (18-0, 15 KOs) was originally scheduled to headline a card at the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan on January 11. But injuries Duddy sustained in his sensational clash with "Yory Boy" Campas earlier in the year have yet to heal sufficiently and he was denied medical approval to re-enter the ring so soon.

It was the perfect holiday gift for the Seminole Warriors Boxing promotional team, as they were informed on Tuesday that the Nevada State Athletic Commission unanimously approved their application to promote boxing events in the state of Nevada. “This is a big day for Seminole Warriors Boxing, as we are now cleared to promote in the capital of the boxing world, Nevada,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. “We thank the commission for approving our application and we vow to promote shows in Nevada with the same high standard we always have elsewhere.” Plans for Seminole Warriors Boxing’s first Nevada show are in discussion, with further information to be released shortly

Promoter Frank Warren has commented on the late pull-out of WBO featherweight titlist Scott Harrison 72 hours before his scheduled title defense against Nicky Cook on Saturday. "I have promoted some of the nicest guys in the world and some of the biggest a***holes in the world, and this situation is beyond belief," said Warren today at a London press conference. "I cannot think of a time ever like this. You cannot deal with things when people are not telling you the truth and you are not getting the information. I had no knowledge at all that Scott was pulling out of the fight and it is all pretty dreadful. We are seeking legal advice because there will be a lot of fall-out over this and we will deal with that and, after the show, I will give an absolute comprehensive response to everything." Harrison, who spent more than five weeks in a Spanish prison on allegations of stealing a car and assault, had repeatedly assured the press that making weight for the fight would not be a problem, but reportedly was seven pounds over the limit when he pulled out Wednesday. Cook will still box on the show in a non-title 10 rounder.

Four-division champion Roberto Duran, two-division champion Ricardo "Finito" Lopez, four-division champion Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, trainer Amilcar Brusa, long time WBC president Jose Sulaiman and artist Leroy Neiman are the 2007 inductees to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY

Boxing returns to the Mississippi Gulf Coast on Friday, January 5th as ESPN2 opens its 2007 season of “Friday Night Fights” live from the beautiful Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. Featured on the 5 bout card from the Beau Rivage will be the undefeated Peterson brothers who will be making their fourth appearance on ESPN. #3 ranked Anthony Peterson 21-0 (16 KO’s) will be putting his NABO Lightweight Title on the line against Juan Humberto Garza 28-2 (23 KO’s) in the 12 round main event. In the co-feature jr. welterweight Lamont Peterson 19-0 (8 KO’s) puts his undefeated record on the line against Juaquin Gallardo 17-5-1 (6 KO’s). The undercard features some of the best boxers on the Gulf Coast, topped with super middleweight Dupre Strickland 17-1-1 (7 KO’s) versus “Smiling” Martin Verdin 14-7-1 (9 KO’s). Tickets are $14.95 ($9.95 with Beau Rivage Players Club Card), $29.95 and $49.95. Call 888-566-7469.
 

With just a few days left before his  first home title defense against  Kassim “The Dream” Ouma on Saturday, December 9^th at Alltel Arena in Little Rock, Arkansas, World Middleweight Champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor will make a guest appearance with ESPN2’s Stephen A. Smith tonight on the hit series “Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith”. The show airs tonight on ESPN2 at 10:30pm (ET) / 9:30pm (CT) / 7:30pm (PT).
The 12-round main event Taylor vs. Ouma is being promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Golden Boy Promotions and Peltz Boxing and will be aired Saturday, December 9^th on HBO's World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00PM (ET) / 9:00PM (CT) / 7:00PM (PT). The event is sponsored by Alltel Wireless, StubHub and the motion picture Rocky Balboa. 
Tickets priced at $650, $500, $300, $200, $150, $125, $75, $45, & $25 (Students Under Age 18, Seniors & Active Military) are available through Alltel Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets (501-975-7575) and online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ . 

FIGHT PROMOTER UNIVERSITY RETURNS
BIGGER, BETTER THAN EVER

From a Main Event featuring a popular Northern Virginia boxer fighting for a championship title, and a former world champion coming out of retirement to a popular radio talk show host putting on the gloves for the first time, and a star-studded crowd of boxing celebrities inside and outside the ring, the December 9^th professional boxing event at the Patriot Center promises to bring some holiday cheer, electricity and excitement to fight fans.

Full Story and line up

WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison has pulled out of his scheduled WBO title defense against Nicky Cook at the Excel Arena in London on Saturday. As a result, Harrison will give up his WBO title, allowing interim champion Juan Manuel Marquez to assume the full crown. Harrison, who recently spent five weeks in a Spanish jail, could not get closer than seven pounds of the featherweight limit and his team rejected the bout with Cook at a catch weight. Where the troubled Harrison will go from here remains to be seen.
 

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has suspended WBC Jr flyweight champion Omar Nino and former IBF featherweight champion Orlando Salido. Nino has denied using methamphetamine, although he tested positive for the drug after his controversial draw against Brian Viloria on November 18. He may be stripped by the WBC pending further review of his tests which have been sent to UCLA. Salido tested positive for the steroid nandrolone after dethroning Roberto Guerrero on November 4 and was immediately stripped by the IBF. Salido contends that the substance was created by his body naturally. Both fighters requested a formal hearing to plead their cases. The commission also suspended 1 MMA fighter and 2 other boxers.

The Inner City Games Los Angeles, Hollenbeck Youth Center and the Oscar De la Hoya Foundation present the 25th Silver Anniversary of the Miracle On 1st Street Christmas Toy Giveaway.
- The toys will be given out by Golden Boy Promotions fighters - WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon, WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Israel Vasquez, 2004 Mexican Olympian Abner Mares, Librado Andrade and fellow fighter Enrique Ornelas.
WHAT: 10,000 inner city kids to receive toys, laughter and joy for the holiday.
WHEN: Saturday, December 9th, 2006
9:00 AM VIP Reception (Dignitaries, Celebrities, City, State, Government officials, etcetera)
9:45 AM Gifts to the selected 30 families
10:30 AM Parade to kick off start of gift distribution
10:45 AM Gifts to 10,000 kids
10:45 AM to 4:00 PM/ Santa Claus Lane: Gifts, Refreshments, Entertainment, Celebrity autographs, Sports Personalities, Goody Bags, Interactive kids event
4:30 PM ----Adjourned
WHERE: The Hollenbeck Youth Center, which is located at 2015 East 1st Street. The
event will take place between Cummings Street and St. Chicago Street.
Kids will be lining up on Cummings Street towards Cesar Chavez Ave. (Additional 5 blocks)
 

The Rico Hoye vs. Max Heyman fight originally announced for Friday at the Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson, Ariz. is off--because it was never really on. Albuquerque's Heyman says he was offered the fight but negotiations were never completed. He hopes to get into the ring against the top ten-rated Hoye, but it will have to be for more than the $2,000 they were offering him.
 

After suffering a detached retina early on in his fight against Sergei Liakhovich, former WBO heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster has been given a clean bill of health. He is eager to prove he remains the best and most exciting heavyweight out there, and intends to take on any of the current champions and unify the belts once and for all. “Contractually I am a free-agent, Brewster confirms, and I am ready to move on and go after what the public demands, and that’s an exciting aggressive American heavyweight who will unify the belts.” Brewster says “The eye injury was an unfortunate injury, and it cost me the title, but I learn from every fight, and I intend to be very aggressive in all my future bouts. My strength is my power and I intend to KO all opponents from now on.

The Prize Fight Network announced today that it will web cast the Holly Holm-Tricia Turton fight beginning Wednesday December 6th. The fight was for the Jr. Middleweight world title and can be viewed for free by fight fans simply by going to www.prizefightnetwork.com and clicking on the
Holm-Turton box.
In this historic battle, promoted by Fresquez Promotions, Holm attempted to win a third world title in three different weight classes.
Also featured on the web cast are battles between Hector Munoz and Jeremiah Torres, Taurus Sykes and Patrick Smith, and Felix Flores and Alex Becerra.
The Prize Fight Network is the leader in web casting boxing and MMA events on a pay per view and free basis. Archive and new product is available at www.prizefightnetwork.com.
 

At Today’s press conference formally announcing Peter vs. Toney 2, promoter Don King and Ken Hershman, Showtime Networks senior vice president of Sports Programming, announced the addition of Rivera vs. Simms to the Jan. 6, 2007 edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. The world title doubleheader will air live at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) and is being promoted by Duva Boxing, Goossen Tutor Promotions, Warriors Boxing Promotions, and Don King Productions.
The main event features the hottest young heavyweight in the world, Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter, and one of the craftiest pugilists in history, James “Lights Out” Toney, fighting a WBC-ordered rematch at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

Read what the fighters had to say
 

Is Ouma " Tailor " Made For Taylor ?
by Jim Amato

Middleweight champion Jermain Taylor will take on former junior middleweight titleholder Kassim Ouma in his hometown this weekend. This is a good showcase fight for the talented Taylor after two bouts with Bernard Hopkins and a match with clever Winky Wright. Although Ouma is a good fighter with a name and a reputation, do you honestly think team Taylor would pick a boxer they weren't sure he was going to beat in Little Rock ?
Ouma is moving up in weight. Taylor is a big middleweight. I see him soon moving to 168 and eventually to 175. I see Ouma putting up a good fight in the early rounds but Taylor will take over and dominate. I cannot see this fight going the distance.
Then I'll be ready for Jermain Taylor -vs- Kelly Pavlik.

One of the big fights in the pipeline for the coming year will be WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito (34-4, 24 KOs) against undefeated mandatory challenger Paul "The Punisher" Williams (32-0, 24 KOs). "If he's the number one ranked contender, then I have to fight him next," said Margarito after his win over Joshua Clottey on Saturday night. "I don't need him to tell me I'm next," Williams stated. "I couldn't be any happier being the WBO mandatory and I am in the gym getting ready to put my punishment on him. He likes to fight and everyone knows that I'm all action in the ring. All I know is Mr. (manager/trainer George) Peterson and I will bring the title belt to South Carolina in a very exciting slugfest."
 

Heavyweight contender James "Lights Out" Toney has added the services of Tae Bo fitness guru/infomercial pitchman Billy Blanks to ensure he steps into the ring on January 6, 2007 in the best possible condition when he takes on Samuel Peter in their WBC title elimination rematch at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Toney, will work with Blanks right up until the fight. "The first time I beat Peter up and humiliated him," Toney insisted. "This time I will be both stronger and faster than him. I've already shown I can go the distance. For sure this time I'm gonna put his lights out.
 

Miguel Cotto:
 

"Puerto Rico has had many great champions -- Trinidad, Gomez, Ortiz, Benitez -- and I have always dreamed of being considered like them.

"Now, with two world titles, I hope that I'm on my way.

"I am happy and very proud of this win. I want to dedicate this win to all my fans, but especially to my mother Juana and my father Miguel Sr who have always being in my corner.

"I want to thank everyone who was behind me for this fight and also to the ones who did not believe in me, because they motivated me to work even harder......"

“Cotto Wrecks Quintana In Five.”
by Frank Gonzalez Jr.

Saturday night, winter said hello with some icy wind on a cold, clear night, but inside the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City NJ, a heated battle was on the menu as former 140-pound World Champion, Miguel Cotto (28-0, 23 KO’s) of Caguas battled fellow Puerto Rican, Carlos Quintana (23-1, 18 KO’s) of Moca, for the vacant WBA Welterweight Title.

Full Story
 

 En el Times Forum de St. Pete Florida.
Por Jaime Estrada

World boxing champion Joe Calzaghe has been crowned BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year for 2006.
Undefeated Calzaghe, 34, added the IBF world super middleweight belt to his WBO belt this year and was named the British Boxer of the Year.
Calzaghe cemented his position as the world's best super middleweight by delivering a master class of boxing in comprehensively beating American Jeff Lacy in March to claim the IBF title. The victory finally brought long-overdue acclaim and respect from the previously unconvinced US boxing media.
Calzaghe then defended his WBO belt for the 19th time with a unanimous points victory over Sakio Bika.
"It feels good to win again," said Calzaghe. "I won it in 2001, but now it's voted by the general public it feels even more special to win.
"I'm getting on, I'm 34 years old, and to win it again is fantastic.
"A big thanks to my dad [trainer Enzo] who's been with me from the start. I've been waiting for years for this so-called career defining fight against Jeff Lacy.
"It's been a fantastic year for me and a great year for Welsh boxing."
 

Two-time former middleweight champion Felix Sturm (26-2, 11 KOs) scored a clinical and one-sided sixth round TKO over Gavin Topp (20-3-2) on Saturday night at the Estrel Convention Center in Berlin. The bout was stopped at 1:08 due to a cut suffered by Topp over his left eye on the recommendation of Dr. Torsten Dolla. The cut was opened up by a sharp right hand from Sturm, who put on an almost technically flawless performance. Felix is now hoping to land a shot at newly crowned WBA middleweight champion Mariano Natalio Carrera, who seized the title from Javier Castillejo earlier on the same card.

Argentina's Mariano Natalio Carrera (30-4, 21 KOs) dethroned Javier Castillejo (61-7, 41 KOs) in controversial fashion to claim the WBA middleweight title. Panamanian referee Guillermo Perez called a very quick halt to a competitive bout at 1:53 of the eleventh round, prompting Castillejo's trainer Ricardo Atocha to go after Perez. Atocha had to be held back by security. It was Castillejo's first defense of the title.
 

Although Mario Santiago hails from Puerto Rico, the Golden State and “ShoBox” are fast becoming the undefeated fighter’s homes away from home. For the third time in his last five fights, the 28 year old recorded a knockout in California on America’s No. 1 boxing network by stopping Salvador Garcia in the seventh round Friday on “ShoBox: The New Generation.”
In the junior welterweight co-feature from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., Timothy Bradley remained undefeated by scoring an eighth-round unanimous technical decision over Jaime Rangel. SHOWTIME televised the Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, doubleheader.
 

Full Story

Former heavyweight contender Duncan Dokiwari (25-3, 22 KOs) took the first step towards a return to the world rankings with a fourth round stoppage of Willie Palms (10-5-1, 5 KOs) Friday at the Avi Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. Dokiwari dropped Palms in rounds two and four before the carnage was halted at 1:39 of the fourth, earning Dokiwari the vacant WBC USNBC heavyweight belt. In the co-main event, super middleweight Carlos De Leon Jr. (17-1-2, 11 KOs) , son of the former cruiserweight champion of the world, outpointed Ted Muller (19-9-2, 9 KOs) over eight by scores of 78-74, 78-74, 80-72. Also, super middleweight Willie Stewart (23-2, 12 KOs) outpointed William Gill (5-12, 4 KOs) by 60-54, 59-55, 59-55; welterweight Don Juan Futrell (17-3-1, 10 KO's) topped Francisco Maldonado (11-25-4, 2 KOs) over six.
 

by Chris Cozzone

fightnews.com

Last night at the Isleta Casino in Albuquerque, NM: In a one-sided fight, Albuquerque's Holly Holm (16-1-2, 5 KOs) pitched a near-shutout unanimous decision win over Seattle's Tricia Turton (8-2, 3 KOs) for the vacant IFBA junior middleweight belt. Although game, the granite-chinned Turton ate a steady diet of big lefts and jabs all night from Holm, who dominated the fight for her third world title.
In the co-main, Albuquerque's “Hurricane” Hector Munoz (17-1, 11 KOs) took care of a game Jeremiah “Jet” Torres (7-14, 1 KO), of Belen, with a fourth round (2:06) TKO for the vacant WBC U.S. Nationals super welterweight belt. On the Undercard: Brooklyn heavyweight Taurus Sykes (25-3-1, 7 KOs) KO’d Denver's Patrick Smith (5-8-2, 4 KOs) in the third round; El Paso bantam Alex “Diablo” Becerra (19-4, 9 KOs) TKO’d Felix Flores (13-8-1, 11 KOs) of Colombia at the end of the fifth; welters Joe Gomez (9-1-1, 3 KOs) of Aztec, NM, and Bobby Joe Valdez (9-3-2, 4 KOs), of El Paso, fought a six-round draw; flyweight Cesar “Gallito” Lopez (20-3, 4 KOs), of El Paso, won by unanimous decision over Colombian Luis Doria (20-15-1, 13 KOs) and Albuquerque strawweight Jodi Esquibel (4-1, 2 KOs) destroyed first-time boxer Holly Kunisch (0-1) of Denver with a TKO at 1:10.

photo courtesy Tom Casino/Showtime

WBO Jr. Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto (R), and top contender Carlos Quintana (L),  pose as New Jersey boxing commissioner Larry Hazard (far right) looks on after weighing in (Cotto 146 lb, Quintana 147 lb) at Caesars Atlantic City for their upcoming Welterweight title fight for the vacant WBA World Welterweight Championship to be held at the historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. and promoted by Top Rank in association with Caesars Atlantic City, Saturday, December 2 on SHOWTIME

photo courtesy Tom Casino/Showtime

WBO Welterweight champion Antonio 'The Tijuana Tornado' Margarito (R), and contender Joshua Clottey (L), pose after weighing in (both fighters were 147 lb)

By Scott Foster
fightnews.com

Winky Wright 159.2 vs Ike Quartey 157
Jeff Lacy 166.5 vs Vitali Tsypko 167
Rey Bautista 122 vs Giovanni Andrade 121.5

Venue: St Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Fla
Promoter: Golden Boy Promotions
TV: HBO

One day before Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito co-headline a terrific world championship doubleheader on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, a spectacular 2006 season of late night Friday fistic festivities will end on Dec. 1 when unbeatens Mario Santiago and Timothy Bradley co-headline the final presentation of the year on "ShoBox: The New Generation." Santiago (16-0, 11 KOs), of Ponce, Puerto Rico, will face revitalized Salvador Garcia (14-3-2, seven KOs), of Whittier, Calif., by way of East Los Angeles, in the 10-round featherweight main event. Bradley (16-0, 10 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif. will make his anxiously awaited "ShoBox'' debut against Jaime Rangel (30-9-1, 26 KOs), of Cordoba, Colombia, in an eight-round junior welterweight match. Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, will promote the attractive doubleheader on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.
 

Margarito and Cotto plan to shine in AC
By Rob Scott

Who is the best fighter in the world? For that matter I ask, who is the best welterweight in boxing today? Usually when a fighter climbs up those ring stairs and enter the squared circle, bright lights that signify that they are the center of attention welcome them. This weekend Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto will have those hot lights shine on them when Top Rank, in association with Northeast Promotions and Caesars Atlantic City, bring both to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City in two separate welterweight championship bouts that will be broadcast live on Showtime championship boxing.
 

Full Story

Former two-time heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and current IBF and IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will be named UNESCO Champions by Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of the organization, on Monday, Dec. 4. Many celebrities, politicians and athletes are expected to attend the event.
The designation of the Klitschko brothers is a tribute to their exceptional success in boxing, their long-term commitment on behalf of the less-privileged, their exemplary efforts to promote and support UNESCO’s “Education For Children In Need’’ program and their valuable contribution to furthering the organization’s ideals and objectives.
In August 2006, the Klitschko brothers traveled to Namibia to promote educational activities for the children of the San community, who are among the most isolated and underprivileged in the north and west of the country. In 2004 and 2005, the brothers lent support to a UNESCO project in Romania. In 2002, they helped a project in Brazil. In addition, they have created several foundations in Ukraine that benefit children and sport.
Before successfully defending his heavyweight titles against previously unbeaten Calvin Brock Nov. 11, 2006, Wladimir announced he would donate part of the revenue of ticket sales from that fight to UNESCO’s “Education For Children in Need.’’ During the Dec. 4 ceremony, he will present a check for $285,000 to the Director-General.

Undisputed and undefeated World Middleweight Champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor defending his title against Kassim “The Dream” Ouma will be the icing on the cake of the December 9^th DiBella Entertainment championship fight card at Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, as there are heaping portions of excitement layered on a truly stellar undercard as well.

Undefeated 2004 Olympian Andre Berto (15-0, 13 KO’s) will make his HBO World Championship Boxing debut, when the Winter Haven, Florida stalwart faces the stiffest test of his young career against Philadelphia area native Miguel Figueroa (25-4-1, 14 KO’s) in a ten round welterweight co-feature.

Full Story and Line Up

by Andre Courtemanche

fightnews.com

On December 16, Toughman, One Stop Fight Shop and Budweiser present a night of professional boxing at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan, that will feature 10 matches. Headlining the card is Eric “Butterbean” Esch (72-7, 54 KOs) against “The Tejano Pride”, Joaquin Garcia of Saginaw. The rest of the card includes debuts by Lee Thomas of Saginaw against Lance Anderson of Detroit; Anthony Cannon (1-2) of Saginaw versus Sean Purdy (2-2) of Detroit; Both Jimmy Hall (3-2) of Owosso and his son Corey Hall of Brant fight Chuck Henengar of Monroe and Reuben Troche of Detroit respectively; Rick Dufty of Bay City looks to avenge his loss to Phillip Jewel of Detroit; C.J. Glover of Bay City battles Toledo’s Dan Whetzel; former Toughman Champion and local favorite Ole “The Lumberjack” Thorson of Skidway Lake faces Sacramento, California’s Jerry Bunch; and Bay City, Michigan’s Cory Peterson looks for his second career win against Chicago’s Tommy Mack. Tickets are on sale now at the Dow Event Center Box Office, online at ticketmaster.com and by phone at 989.754.4800. Advance tickets priced as low as $15.00 are on sale now. For more information, contact Stephen Coppler at 989.684.8410.
 

Former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Danny Williams has been handed a shock rematch against bitter rival Audley Harrison on December 9th at the ExCeL London after Matt Skelton fractured his hand. Skelton, the current Commonwealth king, injured his hand during a sparring session last week and it was made worse by when he continued with his training program not knowing the severity of the injury. Following medical consultation and receiving X-Ray results, it was confirmed that Skelton had broken a meta carpel bone in his right hand and has been advised to rest. The search was on for a replacement and Williams took the fight as soon as he was offered it and it will go ahead as a 12-round non-title fight. "Now I can really end the career of Audley Harrison once and for all," stormed Dynamite Dan. "Harrison's got no excuses at all when I smash him up this time and I've only had one weeks notice for the fight."

The IBO have sanctioned their Lt-Welterweight title, Ricky Hatton vs Juan Urango will box for the vacant title on the 20th Jan 2007 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. A dream come true for the undefeated Manchester fighter, It has been a quiet time for the IBO in the UK, But across the pond things having been moving fast, The heavyweight title has been won and defended by Wladimir Klitschko, and down under, The mighty IBO flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan has done the same.

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