Undefeated southpaw James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland (17-0, 15 KOs) and unbeaten Timothy “Desert Storm’’ Bradley (17-0, 10 KOs) will take on Billy Lyell (14-3, 2 KOs) and Manuel Garnica (22-6, 12 KOs), respectively, in the co-featured bouts Friday, Feb. 2, on “ShoBox: The New Generation.” SHOWTIME will televise the action at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
“Kirkland is a must-see for fight fans,” said “ShoBox’’ color commentator Steve Farhood. “He has an intensity that can only be described as ‘Tysonesque.’ He is a legitimate power hitter who tries to crush his opponent with every shot. I have been looking forward to his “ShoBox’’ debut for months. Even though he still has a lot to prove, Kirkland is going to be fascinating to watch in the meantime.’’
Bradley will box Garnica in an eight-round junior welterweight fight in the opening half of a twin bill promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.
The “ShoBox” card transpires a day before a “Super Saturday” world championship doubleheader on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). In 12-round bouts, World Boxing Council (WBC) Light Heavyweight Champion Tomasz Adamek will defend his crown against No. 2 contender Chad Dawson, while Jesus Chavez will risk his International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight crown against IBF Interim 135-pound titleholder Julio Diaz.

Get your cameras and boxing gloves ready for FASHION KNOCK-OUTS, the "Main Event" during Fashion Week and it's only at The EXCLUSIVE trade show in Las Vegas.   For the first time, The EXCLUSIVE has invited the Retired Boxers Foundation to be the beneficiary of a special event hosted prior to the FASHION KNOCK-OUTS Main Event—an autograph signing featuring the stars of FASHION KNOCKOUTS.  The World Boxing Council (WBC), as part of their "WBC Cares" community outreach, will join the Retired Boxers Foundation in support of their mission:

SMOKIN' JOE FRAZIER
TOMMY "THE HITMAN" HEARNS
RAY "BOOM BOOM" MANCINI,
KEN NORTON
JESUS "LITTLE POISON" PIMENTEL
RANDY SHIELDS
JAMES "LIGHTS OUT" TONEY
OSCAR DE LA HOYA'S GOLDEN BOYS DANIEL PONCE DE LEON AND ABNER MARES…
 

The Fashion Knockout Main Event MC is the Classy JIMMY LENNON, JR ., "THE VOICE OF BOXING".
The "by invitation only" event will get to go to the Fashion Knockout Main Event and get autographs from legends and champions of the Sweet Science.   
A donation will be requested for the autograph signing with 100% of the proceeds going to the Retired Boxers Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist retired professional boxers in the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a dignified retirement.  The Retired Boxers Foundation will also have a booth at The Exclusive trade show.  
When: Wednesday February 14, 2007, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Where: Sands EXPO, Hall G, Las Vegas, NV

For more info, press & VIP credentials contact Amy Freeman amy@theexclusiveshow.com or 323-571-0613  
 

From WBC President Jose Sulaiman:

As has been widely reported, both Samuel Peter and Vitali Klitschko have claimed certain rights and privileges in contradiction of the claims of the other to be the next challenger for the WBC world heavyweight championship, while the reigning champion, Oleg Maskaev, has requested to fight Vitali Klitschko first.
Contrary to certain reports, the WBC has not issued any order in this regard, finding itself between competing claims. The WBC wishes to do only what is fair to all parties.

Full Story
 

Before they get down to their own serious business, the stars of this year’s biggest fight, “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya and the “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather, are headed to football’s biggest game. De La Hoya and Mayweather, who face each other May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, will attend Super Bowl in Miami, taking part in the weekend activities surrounding the biggest event in sports.
Both fighters will conduct interviews among the throngs of journalists covering the event—including the NFL Network, ESPN and a pass through the infamous radio row. The duo will also walk a red carpet with other top sports and celebrity names as they have been invited to attend the NFL Players, Maxim and Sports Illustrated parties while in town.
“It’s one of the most exciting, well-covered and watched event in sports,” said De La Hoya. “We have the opportunity to let all of those people—fans and the media—know that this year there’s another Super Sports Event happening in May and that’s our fight.”
De La Hoya and Mayweather will officially announce their fight through a planned 11-city media tour later this month.
In the most anticipated fight to hit the sport in decades, 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, Nevada. Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, the fight will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

TRIBUTE TO RINGSIDE PHOTOG
DAVID LEE WAITE

Top Rank photographer Chris Farina is putting together a tribute dinner on Thursday night for David Lee Waite, the former Las Vegas Sun and ringside photographer for many years. Waite, 64, passed away recently as the result of heart failure.
"From 1969 until the late 1980s, David took ringside photographs of every big fight in Las Vegas," Chris said. "We met at a boxing event, became friends, opened a studio together in 1988 and worked together for 10 years. He was the best there ever was in Las Vegas. He took pictures of all the boxing stars, Muhammad Ali included, and was at ringside for the Hagler/Leonard fight at Caesars Palace back in 1987.  All of David's work is now in storage."
Waite worked 20 years in the photo department at the Las Vegas Sun.
Farina, an award-winning photographer, said all are invited to the tribute dinner on Thursday, Feb 1st at 7 pm, at Macayos Restaurant, 4457 West Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas.

Trainer Freddie Roach wants to squash the rumors, and misreporting concerning his relationship with Manny Pacquiao. Recently, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum went on the record and called Roach an "idiot," and there were reports that Manny Pacquiao had fired Freddie Roach after learning that Roach and De La Hoya would be working together, "Bob Arum needs to spend less time trying to get me fired, and more time helping Manny, and getting Manny to the Wild Card. Bob needs to be working with me, and not against me. Manny Pacquiao is my boy and I am going to take care of him." Roach said he spoke with Manny last night, and reports that Pacquiao gave him his blessing, and wished him luck with Oscar. Freddie also suggested the possibility that Pacquiao could go to Puerto Rico to train with Oscar to prepare for his possible fight against In Jin Chi. Roach also informs Fightnews that they will be training at Wilfredo Gomez's gym in Puerto Rico.

"Who is Paul Williams?" asks WBO welterweight champ Antonio Margarito (34-4, 24 KOs). "I don't know how he got to be the #1 mandatory. I don't know who he has beaten, who he has fought to get there. He hasn't fought anybody!" Margarito says his next fight will be a business decision. "They are offering us more for a fight with Cotto," he said. "Whoever offers more is the fight that I am going to take, whether it is Paul Williams or Cotto. If the sum is greater to fight Paul Williams then I will fight Paul Williams, if the sum is greater to fight Cotto, then I will fight Cotto."

Undefeated WBC light heavyweight title challenger Chad Dawson says he will turn champion Tomasz "Goral'' Adamek 'inside out' when they meet in a mouth-watering main event on Showtime next Saturday (February 3).
"He's a one-dimensional fighter," southpaw Dawson said of Adamek. "He's strong and tough but he's only got one way to fight - straight ahead - and I'm gonna take full advantage of that. I'm going to use my jab and turn him, turn him, turn him. He won't know where he is."
"No-one knows where Bernard Hopkins is going to fight next," Dawson said. "He's talking about fighting heavyweight but, whatever he does, it is time for an young American to take his spot at the top of the light heavyweight division. It is my time."
 

On Friday, February 16, at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, California, highly-avoided heavyweights Timor Ibragimov (21-1-1, 13 KOs) and Tony Thompson (28-1, 17 KOs) will do things the old fashioned way by fighting each other and leaving no doubt as to which fighter is truly the most deserving contender. The bout, presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions, in association with Seminole Warriors Boxing, will be telecast live on a special boxing edition of Fox Sports Net’s 'Best Damn Sports Show Period.' "This is a rare meeting of two fighters at the top of their games who could have easily fought journeymen while waiting for a shot at the world championship," said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. "I respect both men for putting it all on the line, and I’m expecting a great fight on February 16th."

Today, Oscar De La Hoya announced that Freddie Roach will take over the rein's as his trainer for the upcoming mega fight on May 5th at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas against Floyd Mayweather Jr. replacing Floyd Sr.
Oscar stated that he did not want to drive the distance between Floyd Sr. and Floyd Jr. any further apart. He also stated that this was not an easy decision to make and he hopes that the Mayweathers will someday get back together.

Pre-camp workouts have already begun for De La Hoya, with his training camp to officially kick off in Puerto Rico on March 1st. Roach, who will leave his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, CA, to exclusively train Oscar in Puerto Rico, said he was congratulated by his other main fighter, super featherweight superstar Manny Pacquiao, and stated that if Manny has a fight (rumored to be April 28 against Injin Chi) during the period he's training Oscar, Manny is comfortable working with Roach's assistant Justin Fortune. Roach also said he spoke about his decision with other fighters under his guidance including super middleweight Peter Manfredo who will challenge WBO champion Joe Calzaghe on April 7, Robert Guerrero who faces Spend Abazi on February 23 for the vacant IBF featherweight crown, and WBC super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez who faces Rafael Marquez in a March 3 superfight
 

TICKETS SOLD OUT!

Tickets for the highly anticipated super fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather sold out in three hours Saturday afternoon at MGM Grand's box office and thru TicketMaster's website. More than 5,400 tickets for the fight, Saturday, May 5 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, were devoured by fans eager to help establish the record-breaking live gate of $19 million. The previous record was $16,860,300 for the November 13, 1999 Lennox Lewis vs. Evander Holyfield II championship event at the Thomas and Mack Center. "This is a huge success right out of the gate, unparalleled in boxing and underscores the importance and magnitude of this sporting event," said Richard Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Boy Promotions. "We are now in the process of setting up a record number of closed circuit locations in Las Vegas to ensure that any and all boxing fans can be part of this 'Super Fight Weekend.' I urge fans to make their reservations now to be in Las Vegas on May 5."

The Miami Heat organization will honor, WBO heavyweight champion Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs, during their halftime show versus the Milwaukee Bucks at the American Airlines Arena in Miami.  The NBA’s defending champs and their fans will get a see the champ go toe to toe with the Heat mascot, while viewing a highlight reel of Shannon’s KO’s.  Briggs dramatically captured the WBO crown last November, when he knocked Serguei Lyakhovich out of the ring in the final seconds of round 12.   The newly crowned champ and Brooklyn native, is scheduled to fight undefeated Russian slugger, Sultan Ibragimov (19-0-1 16KO’s) on March 10^th at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.  Televised live to millions watching on HBO championship boxing, the Briggs vs Ibragimov bout is sure to capture America’s interest as our nation will rally behind the United States of America and its only heavyweight champion.  Doors open up at 7:30 EST.

The Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio, Colo. will kick off their 2007 boxing season on Saturday, April 7 with a six- or seven-bout card. The card is in the works, but so far, IFBA super flyweight champion Terri Cruz (15-4-2, 7 KOs) of Denver, Colo, WBA lightweight champ Layla McCarter (22-12-5, 4 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nev., and, possibly, Bloomfield's Joe Gomez (9-1-1) will be featured in the main bouts, from 8 to 12 rounds. Also on the lineup: super bantam Victor Barela (7-0-1, 2 KOs) of Farmington, inactive since '04, will attempt a comeback, against Oscar Marin (3-0, 1 KO) of Las Vegas, Nev.; Durango jr. welter Miguel "El Coyote" Gallegos (4-0-1, 1 KO) takes on Las Vegas' Blaine Jacobs (2-0-1, 1 KO); jr. lightweight Joe Barela (4-1, 1 KO) takes on Terrance Jett (2-5, 1 KO) in a rematch; and Blanding, Utah's Sylvania Morris will make a debut as the opening bout.

The Pros & Cons of being James McGirt, Jr. in Boxing

Being the son of a former world champion, as well as one of boxing’s most respected contemporary trainers, certainly has its pros and cons for unbeaten middleweight prospect James McGirt, Jr., who has won all 13 of his pro fights with seven knockouts.
McGirt, 24, was born into boxing, the son of famed James “Buddy” McGirt (73-6-1, 48 KOs), former IBF light welterweight (1987-88) and WBC welterweight champion (1991-93), as well as 2002 Trainer of the Year (Boxing Writers Association of America). “I was a part of boxing from the time I came out November 25, 1982”.

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MARGARITO AGREES TO COTTO MEGA FIGHT  
JUNE 9 AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN! 

World Welterweight Champion Antonio Margarito has agreed to take on two-time world champion Miguel Cotto on a Top Rank mega event June 9 at Madison Square Garden.  
Bob Arum of Top Rank and Team Margarito made the announcement today.  
"This is the biggest fight out there for me," Margarito said. "I am anxious to get into the ring against Cotto."  
Margarito, the 'Tijuana Tornado' with a record of 34-4 with 24 knockouts, is presently out with an injury in his right wrist. Margarito, managed by Sergio Diaz and Francisco Espinoza, will attend the Miguel Cotto vs. Oktay Urkal WBA world welterweight championship fight on March 3 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. If Cotto wins, a formal Cotto vs. Margarito announcement will be made that night.  

Goossen Tutor Promotions has two more talented and determined pugilists in the fold with the signing of popular San Jose super middleweight Ricardo Cortes and Santa Barbara super welterweight Francisco Santana. Cortes is 19-1-1 with 14 KOs, while Santana is 5-0 with 3 KOs. Santana is trained by former bantamweight champion Wayne McCullough and managed by Wayne's wife Cheryl McCullough. Cortes is managed and trained by Ted Lucio. Goossen Tutor Promotions' Northern California connection also includes undefeated 2004 Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward from Oakland and former IBF featherweight champion Robert Guerrero of Gilroy
 

Eyes Title Fight with Bernard Hopkins this year

DiBella Entertainment has reached agreement with Roy Jones, Jr. to co-promote the former world champion with Square Ring, Inc., it was announced today by DBE president Lou DiBella.

Jones is a former titlist in four weight categories – middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight – and is on the comeback trail, eyeing a title shot against another active, living legend – light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins – later this year.

“Roy Jones Jr. is not only one of the legendary fighters of this generation, but one of the greatest boxers in the history of the game.  I am excited about the opportunity to promote him with Square Ring,” said DiBella. “We will move forward to make the superfight against Hopkins on July 21 as long as the deal is fair to all parties and the fight is on an even playing field.”

DiBella went on to add, “I have never failed to make a fair deal with Golden Boy when we have negotiated for a fight that our fighters wanted.”

The Pensacola, FL born and bred Jones has put forth an amazing 50 victory career with only four losses, and 38 triumphs coming by way of knockout. After setbacks to Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson in 2004 and 2005, Jones hit the comeback trail last July with a unanimous decision victory over Prince Badi Ajamu.
 

Undefeated flyweight prospect Giovanni Segura will face Jesus Martinez on Friday, February 16^th at Cicero Stadium in the twelve round main event of FEBRUARY FURY

Living up to its billing of “Sky Brawl,” six solidly-matched bouts brought in a full house tonight at Sky City Casino in Acoma, N.M. for Romero Promotions’ third and, by far, best show yet. In the main event, Monica Lovato (9-1, 4 KOs), of Espanola, paid back Julia Rubalcava (4-1, 1 KO), of Westminster, Calif., for her sole loss with an eight-round unanimous decision for the vacant NABF super flyweight bout. The fight was far from one-sided, with Rubalcava’s boxing skills, quick overhand rights and counter-punching up against Lovato’s stronger, straight lefts and aggression. Cards read 78-74 and 79-73 twice. In the co-main event, Socorro/Luna’s Joaquin Zamora (13-2-1, 10 KOs) survived a devastating first round knockdown in the first round by Juarez’s Nelson Estupinan (12-4, 9 KOs), paying the Mexican fighter back with two knockdowns on his way to a unanimous decision win with scores of 98-89 x 3, for the vacant WBC’s USNBC welterweight belt. Estupinan later said he’d broken his hand with the knockdown punch in round one. On the undercard: Albuquerque super bantamweight David Proa (1-0, 1 KO) scored a first round KO (2:59) in his pro debut against Las Cruces’ Steven Lozoya (1-4); middleweight Jesse Lovato (1-1), of Albuquerque, won his first fight with a split decision win over Las Cruces’ Tony Cano (0-3), with scores of 40-36, 39-37 and 37-39; in the biggest surprise of the night, and best fight, Soccoro jr. middleweight Adrian Lopez (0-0-1) and Santa Fe’s Gabe Montoya (0-0-1) fought a toe-to-toe four-round draw, with scores 38-38 twice and 39-37 Montoya; heavyweight Felix Abner (2-1, 1 KO) suffered his first pro loss by split decision to Dallas debuter Kirby Lee Gillespie (1-0), scores of 39-37, 37-39 and 40-36.

I'LL BET NIKOLAY WOULDN'T BREAK ROCKY'S RECORD
 IF  "TWO TON" WAS AROUND
by Jim Amato

Nikolay Valuev is a giant of a man. At 7'+ and 325 pounds. He is quite an imposing figure to say the least. They say he is a nice man and that may well be true, but... This nonsense of him tying or breaking the long standing 49-0 record of the great Rocky Marciano is beyond my realm of comprehension. Who has he beaten? Even after padding his record for years and then finally upgrading his competition, he beat who? He barely beat the limited John Ruiz to win the "title".
 

Full Story

By David Finger
fightnews.com

Yesterday, Golden Boy Promotions officially announced what promises to be one of the most anticipated fights of 2007, when Mexican superstars Marco Antonio Barrera (63-4, 42 KO's) takes on arguably the best counter puncher in the sport in Juan Manuel Marquez (46-3-1, 35 KO's) in a twelve round WBC super featherweight championship fight on March 17 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Despite the billing of the fight as a Mexican "Civil War" by promoter Oscar De La Hoya, there was no question that both fighters brought more than one meaning to the tag 'civil' as they both heaped praise and respect on each other.

Full Story

February 14, 2007 at The Orleans Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, Nevada in the Mardi Gras Ballroom, Doors open at 6pm, first fight at 7pm.

Main Event
GBU Lightweight Championship of the World
McCARTER VS HERNANDEZ

GBU Champion Layla McCarter will defend her title against the WIBA champion Melissa Hernandez over a scheduled 12 three minute rounds. There are 5 other fights scheduled. Tickets are priced at $25-50.00 and as always, there is not a bad seat in the house.

Main Events has signed International Hall of Fame Boxing Promoter/Matchmaker J Russell Peltz as a Consultant/Matchmaker, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. "Main Events has worked with Russell since its inception in 1979,” said Duva. “We have tremendous respect for his abilities as a boxing matchmaker and boxing 'sage,' and we are delighted that he is in our corner once again." Peltz stated, "I am excited about working with Main Events again. The have a lot of good, young prospects and they have a lot of irons in the fire that people aren’t aware of. I’d like to help them move their fighters and hopefully they can help me move mine. This should be a good marriage."
 

Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing’s sensational “Punchin’ at the Paradise II” show from the Paradise Theater in Bronx, New York, will be televised via tape delay in two parts on the HDNet network.
Part one will be broadcast on January 26. Part two is scheduled for February 2. Both begin at 9:30 pm.
While the exact bout lineup is yet to be determined, “Punchin’” features a terrific main event pitting USBA Junior Middleweight champion Terrance “The Heat” Cauthen (32-3, 9 KOs) defending against New York’s former champion Raul Frank (27-5-3, 13 KOs). The fight, scheduled for 12 rounds, is also an eliminator for the IBF’s #2 world ranking.
The undercard is a celebration of tough New Yorkers, including a six-round featherweight scrap between the Bronx, via Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic’s Pasquel Rouse (19-11-3, 11 KOs) and Pennsylvania’s once-beaten Eric Hunter (5-1, 3 KOs), as well as undefeated “Baby from the Bronx”, Maureen Shea (8-0, 4 KOs) in a women’s six-round super featherweight showcase against tough Watertown, New York, native Elizabeth Villareal (2-1-1). Rockland, New York, resident Denys Lozado (2-1) will face New Brunswick, New Jersey’s Mike Ciccone (1-2) in a light heavyweight four rounder against .
If you love world-class boxing and non-stop boxing action, don’t miss either thrilling night! Both the January 26 and February 2 broadcasts will begin at 9:30 EST on the HDNet network.

READ WHAT PAULIE HAD TO SAY

©2007 by Mary Ann Owen

Johnathon Banks UD8 over Zack Page

Melinda Cooper TKO1 over Delia Hoppe

Photo Gallery

By Jason "J-Gon" Gonzalez
Fightnews.com

Raul Frank (28-5-3) scored a seventh round TKO over Terrance Cauthen (32-4) to win the USBA light middleweight championship on Thursday night at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx. Frank actually dropped Cauthen with an unintentional headbutt, not a punch, but when Cauthen got up he staggered a few steps, then went back down at which point the bout was halted with Frank being declared the victor. Time was 2:59 of the seventh. At the time of the stoppage, Cauthen was ahead 60-54, 59-55, 59-55. Promoter Joe DeGuardia is protesting the result and the NY commission will hold a hearing next week.
Other results:
Maureen Shea W6 Elizabeth Villareal (featherweight)
Eric Hunter W6 Pasquale Rouse (featherweight)
Joel Castillo W4 William Gill (light heavyweight)
Denys Lozada TKO2 Mike Ciccone (light heavyweight)
Vaughn Parham TKO1 Travis Waters (heavyweight)
Suszannah Warner TKO3 Nancy Bonilla (jr flyweight)
Tommy Rainone W4 John Lipscomb (welterweight)

“Blood, Sweat & Guts,” presented by
Silverhawk Championship Boxing, features five 12-round title fights Friday night (Jan. 26) at Destiny Nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
 

IBF International cruiserweight champion William “KO King” Guthrie (35-3-2, 28 KOs), former IBF light heavyweight champion, has been added to the all-star card in a 12-round bout against Marlon “Rumblin’ Hayes (22-5, 11 KOs) for the vacant NBA cruiserweight title.
USBO heavyweight title-holder Leo “Paco” Nolan (26-0, 10 KOs) headlines in the main event versus Texas State champion Hector Ferreyro (12-5-1, 10 KOs).
Former two-time world lightweight champion Stevie “Lil’ But Bad” Johnston (39-4-1, 18 KOs) faces Tyrone “Fury” Harris (18-2, 13 KOs) in the co-feature for the vacant IBA lightweight championship.
IBO Intercontinental middleweight title-holder Aaron “Homicide” Mitchell (25-1-1, 20 KOs) fights Jose “Seek & Destroy” Spearman (27-12-4, 11 KOs) for his championship belt as well as the vacant NABA title.
Former NABF super featherweight champion Fernando “El Pillo” Trejo (27-12-4, 17 KOs) meets Sean “Pit Bull” Plessis (17-3, 4 KOs) for the vacant IBO Intercontinental super featherweight crown.
Also on the undercard in 4/6 rounds matches are unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Alfredo Escalera (12-0, 10 KOs), son of the great Puerto Rican
world champion Alfredo Escalera, against Darryl Holley (5-2, 1 KO) and Ft. Lauderdale heavyweight favorite Richard Brown (4-0, 2 KOs) versus TBA.
Tickets, priced at $25.00 and $65.00, are available by calling Destiny’s (407.531.9803) or Ron Remus Productions (407.333.3051)

The downward spiral of former WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison continued today when the troubled Scotsman failed to show up at a BBBC hearing. Harrison remains suspended from boxing in the UK until he resolves the issue. Harrison was in the hot seat to explain himself for pulling out of a December 9 world title defense against Nicky Cook just three days prior to the match. Harrison was incarcerated in a Spanish prison during much of the time he normally would have been training for that fight and was unable to make the weight.

On Valentine's day, February 14, 2007, at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada, there will be an excellent women's bout on the card in the main event. Layla McCarter, of Las Vegas, will be defending her GBU lightweight title for the second time, and this time it will be against WBAN's pick for "hottest rising star in 2006" Melissa "Hurracan" Hernandez. The two will be fighting 12 three minute rounds.
The undercard will be announced shortly.

The full line-up is set for Saturday night's Romero Promotions' "Sky Brawl II: Rising Champions" card at Sky City Casino in Acoma. In one of two co-features, Monica Lovato ( 8-1, 4 KOs) takes on Julie Rubalcava (4-0, 1 KO) for the NABF 115-pound title. The other co-main, also a title fight, for the WBC U.S. Nationals welter belt, features Socorro's Joaquin Zamora (12-2-1, 10 KOs), vs. Juarez brawler Nelson Estupinan (11-3, 8 KOs). On the undercard, four four-rounders: 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 middleweights Jesse Lovato (0-1) and Tony Cano (0-2) mix it up. Tickets ranging from $25 to $50 are available at the Sky City box office by calling 800-SKY-CITY. Doors open at 6 PM; first bell is at 7 PM. The show is open to all ages. --

Undefeated, hard-hitting James Kirkland (17-0, 15 KOs) will risk his unblemished record against Billy Lyell (14-3, two KOs) in the co-featured bout Friday, Feb. 2, on "ShoBox: The New Generation." SHOWTIME will televise both contests at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Kirkland and Lyell will collide in a 10-round junior middleweight fight. Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, will promote the doubleheader at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Por Jaime Estrada
vidaboxeo@cox.net

On March 10, HBO will air the Wladimir Klitschko vs. Ray Austin IBF heavyweight title fight live from Mannheim, Germany at 5PM ET/ 2PM PT. Then at 10PM ET/PT, the network will replay Klitschko-Austin followed by the live Shannon Briggs vs Sultan Ibragimov WBO heavyweight title fight.

Silverhawk Championship Boxing announced that it has signed a pair of Mexican warriors, former world title challenger Carlos “El Elegante” Bojorquez and welterweight prospect Jose “El Nino” Reynoso, to promotional contracts. Both were born in Mexico and now fight out of Mira Loma, California.
Bojorquez (26-9-6, 22 KOs), a well tested junior middleweight-middleweight, has beaten Hall of Fame bound and former undisputed world champion Pernell
“Sweet Pea” Whitaker as well as Grady Brewer, winner of The Contender Season 2, during his nine-year pro career.
Reynoso (7-1, 1 KO), two-time California Golden Gloves champion, is a slick, 22-year-old southpaw.
“Carlos and Jose signed with Silverhawk because they believe their new promoter can take them where they want to go,” Borjorquez and Reynoso’s manager Charlie Perez said. “Carlos has beaten all of the B+ fighters but he always got last minute calls to fight top fighters like Verno Phillips and Kassim Ouma. Borjorquez still has a good shot at beating some top guys and, with a couple of good wins, Silverhawk can get him a big fight. Jose’s goal is to be a world champion. Unless a good promoter backs a fighter, he can’t move-up quickly in the rankings. Now he has that good promoter in Silverhawk.

©2007 by Mary Ann Owen

(L-R)  Hard-hitting 6'8" heavyweight contender 'Big Sky' Tye Fields, Las Vegas, Nv.(36-1,33 KO's) , Irish Middleweight sensation Andy Lee and Kendrick Releford, Ft.Worth, Texas pose at Top Rank's press conference today for their  upcoming card at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, Jan. 25 on VERSUS network. Fields co-headlines the card against Releford.

Andy Lee, Irish middleweight boxer from the Kronk stable, Detroit will make his first outing of 2007 against 29 year old Arturo Ortega from Phoenix, Arizona with a record of 12-2-3 7KOs and is 10-0-2 in his last 12 fights.

The stakes will be higher than ever for Juan Lazcano and Vivian Harris on Saturday, Feb. 10th, when the two highly regarded contenders battle it out in a 12-round WBC super lightweight elimination bout which is the co-featured attraction of the “Battle At The Bay” card at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
“Battle At The Bay” – Sugar Shane Mosley vs. Luis Collazo, and Vivian Harris vs. Juan Lazcano will air live on HBO World Championship Boxing at 9:45 PM EST / 6:45 PM PST.
“Both Juan Lazcano and Vivian Harris are at the top of their games, and as far as I’m concerned, this matchup is as good as, if not better, than a world title fight,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “These are two veterans with a lot on the line, and it may be safe to say that while the winner goes on to fight for the championship, the loser may have to re-evaluate his career and where he’s headed. That type of pressure always makes for a great fight.”
Tickets to “Battle At The Bay” are priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50 and are on sale now. 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.

SHOWTIME continues to live up to its billing as America’s No. 1 Boxing Network as it delivers yet another compelling match-up on Saturday, March, 3, 2007. In one of the most highly anticipated fights in years, Israel Vazquez will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title against International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9 p.m. ET/PT delayed on the west coast).
The showdown between two of boxing’s most exceptionally talented and exciting warriors will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions in association with Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions. A venue for the bout is yet to be determined.
ESPN.com wrote: “We're going to get exactly what we've been asking for -- to see Marquez move up to junior featherweight for a career-defining fight against champion Israel Vazquez.”
Vazquez, 29, is 41-3 with 31 knockouts. A two-time world champion at 122 pounds, he will make the third defense of the WBC title he captured by scoring a third-round TKO over Oscar Larios Dec. 3, 2005, in Las Vegas. Overall, Vazquez has won nine consecutive bouts, including seven inside of the distance.
Managed by Frank Espinoza, Vazquez is promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy.
Marquez, 31, has been victorious in 15 straight bouts, including 12 by knockout. The tough, dangerous counter-puncher and brother of Juan Manuel Marquez will make his long-desired step up in weight after successfully defending his IBF 118-pound crown seven times.
Regarded as one of the world’s best fighters, Marquez also is the International Boxing Organization (IBO) bantamweight titleholder.
Marquez is managed and trained by Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain and promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.

Microsoft today announced a grant worth more than $1 million in software to the Oscar de la Hoya & Microsoft Learning Center. Through this grant, the foundation will receive a makeover to include new Windows Vista-equipped personal computers. "We are grateful to Microsoft for this extremely generous donation," Oscar de la Hoya said. The Oscar de la Hoya Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to the development of children, families and communities in Los Angeles. The Learning Center is located at 1114 South Lorena Street in East Los Angeles, on the site of the former Resurrection Gym which de la Hoya purchased in 1996 and completely renovated. It will be open to the community starting Jan. 27.

©2007 by Mary Ann Owen

Unbeaten IBF junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton has been advised by friend and former world champion Wayne McCullough to alter his lifestyle. "The Hitman" admittedly balloned to 180lbs before his bout with Juan Urango and he is known to enjoy drinking beer with his friends. "Nobody's saying he can't drink," McCullough told the BBC. "But it's up to him to say 'I'm getting older, maybe it's time to cut down'.....to put 10lbs or so on [between fights] is pretty normal, but when you go any higher it makes it harder. But that's Ricky Hatton. He goes to the bar and drinks with the boys. So far he's been getting away with it and it's his choice." As for Hatton's next opponent, Jose Luis Castillo, McCullough was even less flattering. "I think [Castillo's] probably shot. He's had a lot of tough fights, he's not a big guy and I think Ricky beats him easy."

The only thing Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ International Boxing Federation (IBF) interim lightweight champion Julio Diaz is willing to lose when he opposes defending IBF lightweight champion Jesus Chavez on Saturday, Feb. 3, is that nagging “interim” label.
“I’m in great shape, at the right weight and really excited,” Diaz said. “I’m ready to go.’’
Diaz (33-3, 24 KOs), of Indio, Calif., takes on Chavez (42-3, 29 KOs), of Austin, Texas, in the opening half of a world championship doubleheader on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Fla.
 “This will be a great fight,’’ said Diaz, who captured the IBF interim title in his most recent start with a lopsided 12-round decision over Ricky Quiles on May 18, 2006, in Hollywood, Fla. “Chavez is a great fighter, someone I respect very much. But he’s not at my level.
“I’m a legit lightweight. He’s a great junior lightweight moving up. I expect a great fight but I will dominate because he’s slower and smaller than me. Chavez’s style is perfect for me.’’

Golden Boy Promotions announced today that it has inked super featherweight Rocky Juarez to a promotional deal. "Seeing Rocky Juarez in back to back fights with Barrera showed us not only Rocky’s skill and determination in the ring, but his character as well, and he is a perfect fit for our company," said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya. "We're honored to have him on the team and we're looking forward to leading him to a world championship." Juarez’ first bout under the Golden Boy Promotions banner will be against Emmanuel Lucero on February 9 at the Diamond Desert Casino in Tucson, AZ.

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is pulling out all the stops to avoid the prison term Maricopa County chief prosecutor Andrew Thomas has very publicly vowed to seek. Tyson's "Dream Team" of four lawyers includes celebrity defense attorney David Chesnoff, who represented television personality Martha Stewart in her high profile insider trading trial, as well as pop star Britney Spears and hip-hop entrepreneur Suge Knight among others. Chesnoff was with Tyson during a brief appearance at the Maricopa County Superior Court on Monday morning where a "not guilty" plea was entered on Tyson's behalf. Tyson has been charged with drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs. He is facing up to a seven-and-a-half prison term if convicted on all counts. Iron Mike's next court date will be an initial pretrial conference before Judge Sherry Stephens on February 26 in Mesa.

Several local favorites dominate the undercard of Joe DeGuardia’s “Punchin’ at the Paradise II” return to the Paradise Theater in the Bronx, New York, on Thursday, January 25. Scheduled bouts in support of the 12-round IBF’s #2 eliminator main event between USBA Junior Middleweight Champion Terrence “Heat” Cauthen and former champion Raul Frank include a six-round featherweight scrap between the Bronx, via Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic’s Pasquel Rouse (19-11-3, 11 KOs) and Pennsylvania’s once-beaten Eric Hunter (5-1, 3 KOs), as well as undefeated “Baby from the Bronx”, Maureen Shea (8-0, 4 KOs) in a women’s six-round super featherweight showcase against tough Watertown, New York, native Elizabeth Villareal (2-1-1). Rockland will be represented by tough light heavyweight Denys Lozado (2-1) in a light heavyweight four rounder against New Brunswick, New Jersey’s Mike Ciccone (1-2). Other local products making appearances will be the Bronx own undefeated light heavyweight Joel Castillo (4-0, 3 KOs), as he takes on Tom's River, New Jersey’s William Gill (6-13, 5 KOs) over six; transplanted New Yorker Suszannah Warner (6-3, 1 KO) in a non-title fight against an opponent that is TBA; and a heavyweight double pro debut between New York City’s Vaughn Parham and Delaware’s Travis Wates. Rounding out the action is a six-round, welterweight duel between Ohio veteran John Lipscomb (2-7) and undefeated Philadelphian Ray Robinson 1-0. Tickets are available at the Paradise Theater Box Office at 1 800 353-8040 or by visiting www.TheParadiseTheater.com, Ticket Master by phone at (212) 307-7171, at all TicketMaster outlets, or by visiting TicketMaster.com.
 

Said De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions, "Antonio Escalante is one of the hottest young prospects in boxing today.  He is coming up the rankings very quickly, and I believe that with two or three more good wins he will be ready for a world title. This next fight with Mauricio Pastrana is a very important step in the right direction". "Pastrana is a quality opponent, who faced Rafael Marquez (IBF Bantamweight World Champion) twice and gave him many problems.  A win against a former world champion like Pastrana will propel Escalante into the next level, and make him a threat to any World Champion".

FULL CARD:

Antonio Escalante vs. Mauricio Pastrana, super bantamweights, 12 rounds

Historia Completa

BILV talked to Andrade and he said that he has accepted the March 24th date and that after stepping aside twice he is ready to get on with this fight. He said that he and trainer Wayne McCullough will most likely go to Big Bear, California to start training camp next week.
 

 Por Jaime Estrada

©2007 by Mary Ann Owen

Photo Gallery

by Karl Freitag
fightnews.com

The clash for the vacant IBF featherweight title between the two highest ranked contenders, Spend Abazi of Denmark and American Robert Guerrero is now officially set for February the 23rd. Danish Promoter Bettina Palle also informs today that the venue will be the Falconer Center in Copenhagen, Denmark. The former European bantam champ Abazi (35-1, 10 KOs) is preparing for the world title fight with his long time trainer Benny Jorgensen and his new physical trainer Poul Duville in Copenhagen, while former IBF world champ Guerrero (19-2-1, 12 KOs) is preparing with highly regarded trainer Freddie Roach at the famous Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
 

Former WBO/WBA world jr welterweight champion Randall Bailey (35-5, 32 KOs) destroyed southpaw Harrison Cuello (13-5-2, 9 KOs) on Friday night outdoors at Mallory Square in Key West, Florida. Bailey, who has long been one of the most fearsome punchers in the 140lb ranks, hurt Cuello with a big right, then pounced on his prey, dropping Cuello twice before the bout was stopped by referee Frank Gentile at 2:24 of round two. Cuello came in late notice after original foe Michael Warrick failed an eye exam. Bailey has now won his past seven consecutive fights – five by knockout.

photo courtesy Tom Casino/Showtime

Looking more and more like a genuine contender than a prospect, undefeated southpaw Juan Manuel Lopez scored an impressive, one-sided sixth-round TKO over Cuauhtemoc Vargas in Friday’s main event on “ShoBox: The New Generation.”
The co-feature between Victor Ortiz (pictured above) and Manuel Cordova ended in a bizarre first-round technical draw. A match that appeared to have the makings of a terrific shootout was stopped due to a severe cut suffered by Ortiz from an inadvertent elbow by Cordova during the final 10 seconds of the session.
Cordova, who was headed to the mat after a slip, caught Ortiz on the way down with an accidental elbow high on the forehead near his scalp above his right eye. It was not clear to the naked eye what had caused the severe laceration, but television replays confirmed it was an elbow.
Sharp from the outset and getting stronger and gaining momentum as the bout progressed, Puerto Rico’s 2005 pro “Prospect of the Year”  (Lopez) coupled beautiful combinations with pinpoint power shots to beat up and batter a game Vargas (15-2-1, 10 KOs). Mere seconds before the bell sounded to begin the seventh, Vargas and his corner informed the referee to stop the contest.

*****
Friday’s bouts will re-air this week as follows:
Saturday, Jan, 20, at Midnight ET/PT SHOTOO
Monday, Jan. 22, at 10 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME
Tuesday, Jan. 23, at Midnight ET/PT SHO EXTREME
Thursday, Jan. 25, at 11 p.m. ET/PT SHOTOO
*****
The next “ShoBox” telecast is Friday, Feb. 2 (SHOWTIME, 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). Undefeated, hard-hitting junior middle James Kirkland (17-0, 15 KOs) and unbeaten junior welter Timothy "Desert Storm'' Bradley (17-0, 10 KOs) risk their unblemished records against Billy Lyell (14-3, 2 KOs) and Michael "Cold Blood'' Clark (36-4, 17 KOs), respectively, in the co-featured bouts

©2007 by Mary Ann Owen

IBF junior welterweight champion Juan Urango (R) 17-0, 13 KOs and former two-division champion Ricky Hatton (L) 41-0, 30 KOs both weighed in at 139 lbs. at Friday's weigh-in for Saturday's big fight card at Paris Las Vegas.
 

Also, former two-time champion Jose Luis Castillo (R) 54-7-1, 47 KOs, who has notoriously had problems making weight in recent fights weighed in at 139 lbs. for his WBC 140lb eliminator against Herman Ngoudjo (L) 15-0, 9 KOs who scaled in at the division limit of 140 lbs. All fighters made weight on the first attempt.
These two fights will be broadcast on HBO starting at 6:45pm.

IBF International Welterweight title

 Frank Houghtaling146 vs Matthew Hatton 146

Nicky Smedley 143 vs Juan Pablo Montes de Oca 148
John Ibbotson 175 vs Shannon Anderson 175
Richard Abril 139 vs Marcus Luck 138

Multi-award winning artist Richard T. Slone has unveiled his latest painting. Slone rendered English boxing superstar Ricky Hatton in a painting to honor Hatton’s first Las Vegas fight, which will take place on Saturday, January 20th, at the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Hatton is one of the most exciting fighters in the world” said Slone, “He is a throwback, a real warrior – he fights hard and is a credit to the sport.”
The 16 x 20 inch “Hatton” acrylic and enamel painting captures Ricky Hatton at his professional and personal best, Slone’s placement of color and shapes make a loud statement, Hatton is ready to attack, focused and dangerous, living up to his ‘Hitman’ nickname.
Richard T. Slone has been hailed as the next great artist. His work is widely collected by art collectors and high-society. Owners of his originals include Donald Trump, Nelson Mandela, Hugh Hefner and Muhammad Ali. He is the official artist of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and at only 32 years of age is one of the most accomplished emerging artist’s in the world. In 2006 Slone inked a deal with the The Ultimate Fighting Championship® brand and became their officially licensed artist. He also recently signed a ten-year deal with the National Geographic company, which will publish some of Slone’s work.

Related Internet links:
Richard T. Slone official site http://www.sloneart.com  

Conferencia de Dominación Total
en el Paris Hotel de Las Vegas
Por Jaime Estrada
fotos por Jorge Najera

El teatro Anthony Cools  estuvo saturado por diferentes medios de información tanto domestica como internacional. La comida estuvo variada y deliciosa.
En el foro se hablaba del reconocimiento otorgado a Ricky Hatton por la Reina Isabel y del evento montado por Promociones Banner y la Academia de Peleas.
 

Historia Completa

photo courtesy Tom Casino/Showtime

Juan Manuel Lopez (14-0, 12 KOs) of Caguas, Puerto Rico, meets Cuauhtemoc Vargas (15-1-1, 10 KOs) of Mexico City in a 10-round super bantamweight bout and Victor Ortiz (16-1, 11 KOs) of Oxnard, Calif., faces unbeaten Marvin Cordova Jr. (12-0, 8 KOs) of Pueblo, Colo., in an eight-round junior welterweight scrap Friday on “ShoBox: The New Generation.’’
Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc. will promote the excellent doubleheader from the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Ariz., on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/ PT (delayed on the west coast).
NOTE – WEIGHTS: Lopez and Vargas each weighed 123 pounds at Thursday’s weigh-in, while both Ortiz and Cordova 142.

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ
“I feel great and very comfortable. I am proud to be compared with other great Puerto Rican fighters, but I feel no pressure. I always figured if I kept winning, it (the attention) would happen anyway. Vargas is an aggressive, hard-punching, fast fighter. This definitely will be one of my toughest fights.
“People want me to step up, but I take my fights one at a time. Yes, I would like to step up at some point soon. But, now, my only focus is winning Friday on SHOWTIME.’’

CUAUHTEMOC VARGAS
“I respect Lopez, like I would any opponent, but I am not getting into the Mexico City versus Puerto Rico rivalry thing. We are both young fighters on the way up so in a way it is not surprising that we are going to meet. This is going to be a very good fight. I know I have to be at my best and fight with intelligence.
“If I do my thing, and win this fight, it will be my biggest win. Lopez is highly regarded so if I win I will be highly regarded too. This is a dangerous fight, but it is too good an opportunity to pass up.’’

VICTOR ORTIZ
“All I know is that I am going to bring it Friday night. I feel I am getting stronger and improving all the time. I also know that I am still too eager, but I am learning patience. Right now, I am just doing what I have to do but everybody knows I am more than willing to fight any of the big guys in my division. Maybe in two or three more fights I will get my shot at one of them. I am a fighter who loves to fight.
“My ultimate goals are to capture a title at 140, 147 and then 154. I have known about Cordova for a long time. I know he is undefeated and coming to fight and give his all. This should be a great fans’ fight.’’

MARVIN CORDOVA JR.
“I am confident of beating Ortiz and fighting hard for all eight rounds. I plan to get off first all night and keep throwing punches. I am going to show him a bit of everything I’ve got. I really have not been tested since turning pro. I have never been down and never lost a round. I know, though, that is a real fight.
“Knowing Ortiz is so highly thought of has only given me more motivation. I look forward to being able to show my skills and talent on such a great national stage as SHOWTIME.’’
 

©2007 by Mary Ann Owen
L/R: Juan Urango, Jose Luis Castillo, Herman Ngoudjo, Ricky Hatton

The final press conference was held today for Saturdays HBO televised card featuring Ricky Hatton meeting Juan Urango for the IBF Jr. welterweight title and Jose Luis Castillo meeting Herman Ngoudjo in a 12 round welterweight elimination. The fight will be held at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas and will be televised on HBO starting at 6:45pm PT.

The services for Lilly Rodriguez are as follows:

Wake, 7pm Monday 1-22-07
Church on the Way, East Campus
14300 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, California 91405

Funeral, 11am Tuesday 1-23-07 same location with burial to follow.

Woman boxer, wife, mom dies at 59
BY BRENT HOPKINS

The world knew Lilly Rodriguez as a hardened fighter, but her husband remembers her as a striking, black-haired beauty.
Punching her way into the record books with karate, kickboxing and boxing, she was decorated as a champion and inducted into multiple halls of fame. But to Blinky Rodriguez, who fought alongside her in martial arts and relied upon her as his family anchor through long years of gang intervention, she was always the striking 21-year-old who caught his eye when he was a teenager.

Full Story

Promoter Art Pelullo said today, “Contrary to a report on the internet earlier today, Acelino Freitas is not fighting David Diaz on April 28 or any other date.
“I have negotiated a deal with Joel Casamayor’s promoter, Luis De Cubas, for Freitas to fight Casamayor in his next fight for the WBC and WBO lightweight championship of the world.”

Matthew Hatton's High Stakes Vegas Gamble

Full Story

Five-time former World Champion and living legend Johnny (MI Vida Loca) Tapia 55-5-2 28 KO’s, held a press conference on Wednesday, January 17 to announce his final fight. The fight will be held at Isleta Casino and Resort in Albuquerque, NM on February 23, 2007.  Tapia, already a lock for the Boxing Hall of Fame, lost his last fight in September of 2005 and refuses to end his career with a defeat.  He will take on IIido Julio 33-10-1 29 KO’s.
Tapia said at the press conference that this is for sure his last fight.  With over 60 professional fights, over 200 amateur fights, and a lot of street fights, Johnny says, “it’s time for me to hang up the gloves, but I want to go out with a win and to be on top.”
“I will give my hometown one last fight” stated Tapia. “I really want to out-box Ilido but, you know once he hits me and I taste blood, it's on. It's time for me to pass the torch to the younger guys and give them the opportunity.” Tapia plans on training fighters in Farmington, NM after this fight. His son Johnny Tapia II makes his amateur debut in March and will be Tapia's first student. There is no doubt this will be an emotional night for Tapia, his family and the fans.  Tapia has spilled his blood, sweat and tears for his fans and family.  We expect nothing less on this special night.  “A living legend comes to the end of his Hall of Fame career and we are very happy to be putting on this show for Johnny” states Promoter Lenny Fresquez.  “This will be Johnny's ninth fight with Fresquez Productions Inc. and he has never disappointed us or his fans.  We are just proud to be putting this fight on and having this great night of action, says Fresquez.”
Tickets start at $25 and are available at Tickets.com or Isleta Box Office or by calling  505-884-7484. Go to www.fresquezproductions.com  for more information
In the co-main event, Albuquerque’s David Martinez (16-2-1, 3 KOs) will go eight at 122 with Santa Fe’s Bryan Garcia (7-16, 2 KOs), who seeks to end an eight-fight losing streak. Also scheduled: A six-round super flyweight bout between Espanola’s Tony Valdez (6-3-2, 6 KOs) and Juarez’s Evaristo Primero (14-9-1, 7 KOs); a four-round jr. lightweight rematch between Willie Villanueva (3-0) vs. TBA; and the pro debut of Antonio Ortiz vs. El Paso's Albert Jimenez (1-0, 1 KO)

By many accounts, fans may be witnessing two more future world champions when Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez and "Vicious" Victor Ortiz co-headline the Friday, Jan. 19 edition of "ShoBox". Both Lopez and Ortiz face stern assignments on Jan. 19. Lopez (14-0, 12 KOs) faces 22-year-old Cuauhtemoc "El Guerrero Azteca" Vargas (15-1-1, 10 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Ortiz (16-1, 11 KOs) meets unbeaten Marvin "Much Too Much" Cordova Jr. (12-0, eight KOs) in the eight-round welterweight co-feature. Bob Arum's Top Rank, Inc., will promote the attractive doubleheader on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) from the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Ariz.
The philosophy of the popular SHOWTIME boxing series, "ShoBox: The New Generation'' is simple: to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing young fighters determined to fight for a world title. Since its inception in July 2001, several "ShoBox" alums not only have challenged for, but won world titles, among them: Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Robert Guerrero, Eric Aiken, Juan Urango, David Diaz (interim), and Kermit Cintron.

WBO lightweight champion Acelino Freitas (38-1, 32 KOs) will fight interim WBC titlist David Diaz (32-1-1, 17 KOs) on April 28. The fight will be televised in the USA by HBO. "I've always said that I wanted the WBC belt", said Freitas through his press agent. Diaz will be Popó's first fight since regaining the WBO lightweight title with a split decision against Zahir Raheem last April 29, which means that this will be the Brazilian's first fight in one year. On the other hand, the 30-year-old southpaw Diaz won the Interim WBC belt with a come-from-behind 10th round TKO win over Jose Armando Santa Cruz last August. No site has already been decided for the bout.
 

By Rusty Rubin
editor-in-chief of the Ringsports.com publication

Ricky Hatton takes on Juan Urango in Vegas this weekend. Two undefeated fighters, with Hatton having three times as many bouts (41)...Don’t know a lot about Urango, but I do know that Hatton has to deal with the possibility of facial swelling and cuts, and Urango, the IBF champion is a southpaw.

Full Story

“…do the honorable thing and face us instead of trying to cash out against one of the Klitschkos.”

“The WBC title is not for sale,” flatly states Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter’s manager Ivaylo Gotzev to Dennis Rappaport, promoter of WBC Heavyweight Champion Oleg Maskaev. Rappaport has been waging a public and private campaign for the WBC to allow Maskaev to avoid facing mandatory challenger Peter in favor of a number of other “big money” opponents.
“He’s out trying to sell the belt to the highest bidder and that’s something that should be beneath the dignity of a WBC Champion. We’ve earned our position not once, but twice, so they should do the honorable thing and face us instead of trying to cash out against one of the Klitschkos.”
Peter (28-1, 22 KOs) has been the WBC’s top contender since beating James Toney for the first time last September. “He’s been going around saying that he’s trying to do what’s best for boxing. That’s ridiculous. The WBC gave him the opportunity to make an easy defense in Russia for some cash. Now it’s time for him to make a mandatory. If he’s so interested in what’s best for boxing, then he should be helping arrange the legitimate #1 heavyweight in the world, Sam Peter, get his first shot at a championship. That’s a fight people want to see.”
Gotzev says after two straight victories over James Toney, his fighter has earned his title shot and Maskaev, who has already made one optional defense of his title, should now face his mandatory obligation like a true champion. “Sam Peter played by the rules to earn his title shot and now it’s Maskaev’s turn to play by them. It’s time for his camp to stop milking the cash cow and face Samuel Peter.”

©2007 by Mary Ann Owen

by Butch Gottlieb

Happy Birthday Champ!
Alex Ramos shares his birthday with legends
Ali & Barrera & McGirt.
By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation

Millions of people, worldwide, know that Muhammad Ali, "the greatest of all time", turns 65 years old today. Also, hoards of boxing enthusiasts are well aware that current WBC super featherweight world champion Marco Antonio Barrera is celebrating his 33rd birthday bash and former champ and now world class trainer Buddy McGirt is celebrating #43.
Happy and Healthy Birthday wishes go out to both these great champions and boxing icons!
Unfortunately, not nearly enough people, in or outside of boxing, know that January 17th also marks the birthday of Alex Ramos.

Full Story

Historia Completa
 

by Jason Frost

Junior Witter believes long-term rival Ricky Hatton is a ‘coward’ and a ‘bully’ who is ‘hiding behind smokescreens’ and has called for him to settle their long running feud in a massive winner takes all showdown for the sake of the British public.
The two are fighting on the same Sky Sports Pay Per View Event this Saturday night, but on different promotions.
 

Full Story

In what is one of the most incredible success stories in boxing history, the Irvine Marriott’s Battle In The Ballroom begins its 23rd consecutive year as Orange County’s only pro boxing series, on Thursday, February 8th. And to make this 23rd year something special, promoter Roy Englebrecht announced today the unveiling of a newly redesigned website at www.battleintheballroom.com. The website will allow fans to select and purchase any available seat in the Grand Ballroom for any of the seven 2007 shows. All show fight cards will be listed, and they can also read some of the great stories written during this 23 year run, as well as view an all new boxing photo gallery.
 

Golden Boy Promotions is pleased to announce that the hottest ticket in sports, Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather, will go on sale Saturday, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. The unprecedented battle between six-division world champion De La Hoya and unbeaten, four-division world champion Mayweather will be held Saturday, May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Tickets are priced at $2000, $1,500, $1,000, $750, $350 and $150 and will be available at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Ticket sales at $2000, $1,500, $1,000 and $750 are limited to six (6) per person and ticket sales at $350 and $150 are limited to two (2) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com  or www.ticketmaster.com.
For room packages and availability at MGM Grand, as well as event ticket information, call (800) 929-1111 or (702) 891-7777 or log onto the World Wide Web at www.mgmgrand.com
The live gate could exceed a Nevada-record $18 million which would shatter the $16.8 million generated by the Lennox Lewis vs. Evander Holyfield rematch in 1999. There is high anticipation that ticket sales will be brisk and could sell out quickly.

Five time former World Champion Johnny (Mi Vida Loca) Tapia will hold a press conference on this Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Isleta Casino and Resort. The former champion will reveal details on his retirement fight to take place in February.
Press conference is open to the public and will announce the full undercard. Come and meet Tapia’s opponent and the rest of the undercard. 

The fight everyone wants is now a done deal. Frank Espinoza, manager of Israel Vazquez, has stated; "I am happy to announce that an agreement has been reached for the highly anticipated clash between my fighter, WBC Super Bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez and IBF Bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez. The fight is set for March third at a location yet to be determined. I would like to thank Sycuan Ringside, Gary Shaw Promotions, and Golden Boy Promotions for helping to make this super-fight a reality. I would also like to thank SHOWTIME championship boxing for having the vision to put on such an explosive confrontation. This will be a battle between two proven gladiators that is destined to become a classic.

©2007 by Mary Ann Owen
Two undefeated World Champions: Laila Ali and Ricky Hatton at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas:
 

L/R: Ricky Hatton, Juan Urango at the media workout at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas earlier today.

In an exclusive interview with Boxinginlavegas earlier today, Floyd Mayweather Sr. told us that he turned down Oscar De La Hoya's offer to train him for the fight against Floyd's son, Floyd Mayweather Jr. which will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 5th.
Mayweather said that De La Hoya offered him $500,000 plus a bonus of $500,000 if he won the fight and then came back with another offer totaling $1 million dollars when Senior turned down the first offer. Mayweather is sticking to his guns of $2 million to train De La Hoya for the fight.

Open Letter From Ricky "Hitman" Hatton
 
One week before the fight and training couldn't have gone any better. Saturday finished my usual grueling 15rounds on the body belt, so this hard slog is now done.
One more week now to wind down and then its just getting in there to do the job and hopefully bring back to Britain world title belts five and six, the IBF and IBO.
Just one or two rumors I need to squash before I go into action on Saturday.

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Oscar De La Hoya's long-time trainer Floyd Mayweather has further escalated his already very public demands for a $2 million fee to train the Golden Boy in his May 5 megabout against Mayweather's son Floyd Mayweather Jr. "I told him my figure and he said he'd get back with me," Mayweather Sr. told USA Today. "I haven't heard from him yet, but soon it's going to be time to step up or step off." Floyd Sr. also stated, "What I'm asking for is nowhere near what he's going to make. There's too much money for me to take chits and bits."

Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing has announced the signing of Dominican welterweight boxer/puncher Delvin Rodriguez (20-1-1, 12 KOs). The 26-year-old native of Santiago de los Caballeros, now living in Danbury, Connecticut, comes to Star Boxing on a 10-fight winning streak, including 7 knockouts. “This is an exciting move in my career and to have a promoter like Joe DeGuardia gives me even more confidence to be the future of the welterweight division” said Delvin. Rodriguez first came to prominence with a nationally televised all-time-classic knockdown of then undefeated and heavily favored Allen Conyers. On his way to scoring a dominating victory, Rodriguez used a perfect left hook to send Conyers out of the ring, face first onto the concrete floor. He has followed the victory up with stoppages over Oba Carr conqueror Luther Smith, former world title challenger Virgil McClendon, and a USBA title-winning TKO 3 over Luis Hernandez.
“Delvin is a tireless worker in the gym; he’s a devoted father and a credit to the sport in every way. We’re looking forward to making him the star he deserves to be in boxing,” said DeGuardia.
 

By Karl Freitag

fightnews.com

The February 17 HBO "Boxing After Dark" tripleheader will take place at the cozy 1,600-seat Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. "This is sort of a club show to the tenth power," said promoter Lou DiBella, who promotes his Broadway Boxing series at the same venue. "One of the reasons it's in the Hammerstein, frankly, is that the sold out room and the people going nuts will be people who have supported the Broadway Boxing franchise before, and will [now] be able to support some of the same fighters on Boxing After Dark and watch them graduate to the big time." The card features three Broadway Boxing alums in lightweight Paulie Malignaggi, junior middleweight Sechew Powell and welterweight Andre Berto. Malignaggi (21-1, 5 KOs) faces Edner Cherry (21-4-2, 10 KOs), Powell goes against the Contender's Ishe Smith (18-1, 8 KOs) and Andre Berto (16-0, 14 KOs) battles veteran Ben Tackie (29-6-1, 17 KOs). DiBella said 400 seats are already gone and he expects to sell out very soon. For tickets call 212-947-2577.
 

No news yet on when heavyweight contender Calvin Brock (29-1, 22 KOs) will resume his boxing career following a KO loss to IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko last November, but Main Events CEO Kathy Duva announced today that the "boxing banker" is becoming the "boxing travel agent." Brock has started www.CalvinBrockTravel.com, an online travel agency. "The online travel industry is growing fast," said Brock. "More people are comfortable booking their own travel and getting cheaper prices than using a traditional travel agency." Brock learned about the travel business opportunity through a friend who offered to bring him onboard. After doing his own research Brock realized "the money making potential of my friend's travel website and how many people he had brought into the business, so I decided to start my own site.
 

The winner of the purse bid for the mandatory defense of WBC/WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler vs WBC mandatory challenger Librado Andrade was Palm Promotions from Denmark with a winning bid of USD $1,777,777, outbidding Palle Promotions $1,678,876 and Golden Boy Promotions $1,312,000. Palm Promotions is a new company headed by former European welterweight champion Hans Henrik Palm, who was formerly promoted by Palle chief Mogens Palle.

Let’s Get It On Promotions Returns
Licensed in Nevada

Let’s Get It On Promotions is back! Boxing’s most famous referee, television judge, and national personality Mills Lane and his two sons, Terry and Tommy, have put the company back in business and plan to start putting on fights soon.

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by Butch Gottlieb

High-profile referee Laurence Cole has been suspended for three months by the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation for informing Juan Manuel Marquez that he was ahead on the scorecards during a November 25 fight against Jimrex Jaca. Cole, the son of Texas' top boxing official Dickie Cole, was also fined $500 and will serve three months on probation after the suspension ends. The incident occurred after Marquez was cut by a accidental headbutt in round eight. To his credit, Marquez continued to fight and bravely went on to knock out Jaca.

Jose Luis Castillo weighed in at 146.5 pounds in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, seven days prior to his WBC 140lb eliminator against Herman Ndgoujo on January 20 in Las Vegas. Castillo stated that he doesn't have any problems making 140 lbs., and he feels wonderful. Team Castillo will arrive in Vegas on Tuesday via private jet. Ngoudjo’s weight was 145.5 pounds.
*****
The WBC has promised Humberto Soto, who won a title eliminator last August, he'll get a shot at the 130lb title, but he'll probably have two interim fights before that happens. Titleholder Marco Antonio Barrera will face Juan Manuel Marquez on March 17, then another attempt will be made to put Manny Pacquiao in with the winner. Soto's turn will come after that.
 

Super middleweights Rubin "Hollywood" Williams (29-2, 16 KOs) and Antwun "Kid Dynamite" Echols (31-6-2, 27 KOs) battled to a twelve round split draw on Friday night at the at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Scores were 114-113 Williams, 115-111 Echols, and 113-113. Williams was deducted points for low blows in rounds seven and nine costing him the win.
Mary Jo Sanders (23-0, 7 KOs), daughter of former Detroit Lions superstar running back Charlie Sanders, KO'd Gina Nicholas (11-6-2, 8 KOs) in three in a fight that should never have been approved as Nicholas had not fought in over 5 years. Sanders added the IBA middleweight title to her other 5 titles with the win. Heavyweight Cedric Boswell (23-1, 18 KOs) needed just 1:12 to destroy Robert Kooser (9-7, 8 KOs), who was on the deck three times.

Minnesota bragging rights and regional title belts were on the line Friday night before a big crowd of 8,872 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, as former Contender star Anthony Bonsante(28-8-3, 17 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over archrival Matt "The Predator" Vanda (35-2, 21 KOs) for the state middleweight title and vacant IBA Americas belt. Bonsante rocked Vanda several times in the late rounds and dropped Vanda in the tenth on the way to a 98-92, 98-91, 98-91. Bonsante is next expected to face IBA middleweight titleholder John Duddy (18-0, 15 KOs) on March 16 in the marquee fight live on pay-per-view from The Theatre in New York City's famed Madison Square Garden
 

by Ron Borges,
HBO.com

All Ricky Hatton wanted for Christmas was his two front teeth, which he got.
Although not without a fight.

While most people were opening presents and downing figgy pudding, the British "Hitman'' was sparring at his familiar old gym outside Manchester, England on Christmas morning, sacrificing a normal life the way prize fighters so often must if they intend to be successful.

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photo courtesy Rob De Lorenzo/Golden Boy

Yesterday, the historic Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California, was the scene of the press conference announcing the scheduled showdown between three time world champion, Sugar Shane Mosley, against former WBA welterweight champion, Luis Collazo. There will be a world championship at stake in the interim WBC welterweight championship. The current WBC welterweight champion is Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather, but as a result of his jump to junior middleweight to challenge Oscar De La Hoya, the WBC has seen fit to have an interim championship. Should Mayweather wish to retain his WBC championship, he would be required to fight and beat the winner of Mosley - Collazo later in 2007
"I had two opponents to choose from for this fight, Kermit Cintron and Luis Collazo, and in the end, Kermit had some problems and we decided on Collazo" said Mosley. "Luis is a difficult fighter because he is a southpaw and he is going to come with everything to try to beat me."
Speaking on behalf of the Collazo camp was his manager, Nirmal Lorick. Lorick said that he believed this to be a passing of the torch and that it is Collazo's time for glory. Lorick called Collazo the uncrowned champ since he believed that he beat Ricky Hatton even if the judges disagreed.
This fight has been dubbed the "Battle At The Bay" as it will take place at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on February 10th. It will be a joint promotion between Golden Boy Promotions and Don King Productions
"Battle At The Bay" will air live on HBO at 9:45 PM EST / 6:45 PM PST. Tickets are priced at $300/$200/$100/$50 and may be purchased at Mandalay Bay's box office or at any Las Vegas Ticketmaster location.
 

Two division champion and UFC Hall of Famer Randy “The Natural” Couture announced his return to the Octagon during this week’s “INSIDE THE UFC” on Spike TV. Almost a year since his “retirement,” Couture is set to challenge UFC heavyweight champion Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia on March 3rd at UFC 68 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Couture, who held the UFC heavyweight championship on two separate occasions before dropping down to light heavyweight, has not fought since February of 2006 when he was knocked out by current light heavyweight champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell. Couture outlined that he has signed a four-fight deal with UFC that will take place over the next two years. “Once you're a fighter it’s hard to shake that loose,” Couture said. “I feel that I have a lot of fight left in me and I want to get back in there.” UFC 68 will also feature the return of two other former champions when Matt Hughes and Rich Franklin take to the Octagon in separate fights since losing their respective titles.
Tickets for UFC 68: THE UPRISING are available at Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, at all Ticketmaster ticket centers (including online) or call (614) 431-3600. UFC 68: THE UPRISING is LIVE on PAY-PER-VIEW in Standard or High-Definition (HD) where available 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. Checkout www.UFC.com for more info on the Ultimate Fighting Championship!

An Arizona Grand Jury has indicted former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson on two counts of drug possession and two counts of driving under the influence of drugs according to Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas. If convicted on all charges, Iron Mike is facing up to seven-and-a-half years in prison. Tyson was arrested on December 29th after nearly colliding with a police vehicle. Police say he was carrying two bags of cocaine on his person. The county's top prosecutor has already gone on the record saying he will try to put Tyson behind bars.

Lightweight contender world rated lightweight Almazbek Raiymkulov a.k.a. Kid Diamond (24-1-1, 14 KOs) had too much firepower for late sub Emmanuel Augustus (34-28-6, 18 KOs) on Thursday night at the New Alhambra Arena in Philadelphia, PA. Diamond stalked Augustus from round one and piled up the points with his trademark hard punches. Augustus, who took the fight on two days' notice, opened up for short spurts, but was unable to slow down Diamond's relentless attack. Diamond finally dropped Augustus in round nine and battered him on the ropes for the rest of the round. Diamond loaded up in the tenth, but Augustus was still standing at the final bell, only to lose by lopsided scores of 99-90, 100-89, 100-89. Diamond threw 1,000 punches even in the fight, impressively doubling up Augustus' output.
Super welterweight contender Anthony Thompson (23-1, 17 KOs) delivered a six round beating of Robert Frazier (31-8-4, 15 KOs). Thompson hurt Frazier in round three and dropped him with a body shot in the sixth. The bout was stopped by the ringside physician after round six.

Dennis Hobson and Ricky Hatton
photo ©Paul Speak

FRED STERNBURG, BANNER PROMOTIONS: 
Undefeated two-division world champion Ricky “Hitman” Hatton will be making his Las Vegas debut when he challenges undefeated IBF jr. welterweight champion Juan “Iron Twin” Urango on Saturday, January 20 at Paris Las Vegas.  It will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. East Coast time and at 6:45 p.m. West Coast time.  Ricky is going to attempt to regain the title that he previously held before vacating it to win the WBA welterweight title. 

Read what the fighters had to say

Four talented, promising prospects with a combined record of 57-2-1 with 41 KO's and a 95 percent winning percentage will be featured on an excellent "ShoBox: The New Generation" doubleheader on Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
In the 12-round main event, undefeated, 23-year-old, hard-hitting southpaw junior featherweight Juan Manuel Lopez (14-0, 12 KOs) of Caguas, Puerto Rico, gets what could be the toughest test of his career when he faces once-beaten, 22-year-old Cuauhtemoc Vargas (15-1-1, 10 KOs) of Albuquerque, N.M., by way of Mexico City.
In the 10-round co-feature, once-beaten, 19-year-old left-hander Victor Ortiz (16-1, 11 KOs) of Oxnard, Calif., will be opposed by undefeated 21-year-old Marvin Cordova Jr. (12-0, 8 KOs) of LaJunta, Colo., in a super lightweight encounter.
Bob Arum's Top Rank Inc, will promote the twin bill at The Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Arizona.

©2007 by Mary Ann Owen

(L) Ricky Hatton (R) Wayne McCullough

RICKY Hatton was quick to throw off his 'Ricky Fatton' tagline during a training session before his Las Vegas debut later this month.
But when the Hitman ballooned up to 12 stone 7lbs before Christmas, he wasn't far off the mark.
However, Hatton is now a shadow of his recent former self.
And if Juan Urango thinks he can take liberties in their IBF light welterweight world title fight at the Paris Las Vegas on January 20, the dangerous Colombian had better think again.
Hatton is back to being a lean, mean fighting machine.
And that's good news for the 3,000 Mancunians who are expected in Nevada to watch the lad from a Hattersley council estate fulfill his lifelong ambition.

New York Boxing fans will get the opportunity to see three of the most exciting young faces in the fight game when DiBella Entertainment presents a tripleheader featuring lightweight Paulie Malignaggi (vs. Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry, 21-4-2,10 KO’s); junior middleweight Sechew Powell (vs. Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith 18-1, 8 KO’s); and  welterweight  Andre Berto (vs. Ben “Wonder” Tackie, 29-6-1, 17 KO’s) on Saturday night, February 17, 2007, at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center. HBO Sports will televise all three fights on its popular Boxing After Dark series beginning at 9:45 PM/ET.

Tickets for the January 27 "Sky Brawl II: Rising Champions" card promoted by Romero Promotions at Sky City Casino in Acoma, NM are now on sale. Tickets ranging from $25 to $50 are available at the Sky City box office by calling 800-SKY-CITY. In the main event, Monica Lovato (8-1, 4 KOs) takes on Julia Rubalcava (4-0, 1 KO) for the vacant NABF superflyweight belt. Six bouts are slated for the undercard.
 

A press release was sent yesterday by Fresquez Productions, Inc. to the media concerning statements made by Mary Jo Sanders' camp in regard to fighting Holly Holm:

Read the Release

It looks like a super bantamweight superfight between WBC champion Israel Vazquez and IBF bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez will take place on April 7 in Las Vegas or Los Angeles. It will be another acid test for Vazquez after his victorious war over WBO bantamweight titlist Jhonny Gonzalez last September. The bout could be televised in the U.S. on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.
 

"I'm putting out an all-points bulletin...I'm looking for a new home for this fight," said promoter Don King today in regard to the big SHOWTIME-televised Super Bowl eve world title tripleheader that had been scheduled for February 3rd at the Miami Arena. A new site became necessary when a third party investor group working with the Miami Arena bounced a $500,000 check to DKP. King said the card is still definitely on and that he would find a new home for the card, preferably in Florida. The event consists of the WBC light heavyweight bout between champion Tomas Adamek and Chad Dawson, the IBF jr middle battle between champion Cory Spinks and Rodney Jones, plus, the lightweight clash between champion Jesus Chavez and interim champ Diaz. In his three-plus decades of promoting, King has overcome many challenges, and he is expected to conquer his obstacle as well.
 

by Jason Frost

Bradford’s Junior Witter, who made history in September by becoming the first ever Brit to win a WBC world championship at 140lb, believes the clock may be ticking on an all-domestic marquee affair against Ricky Hatton.
Whilst the 32-year-old has a raft of options ahead of him as the holder of the most prestigious belt in the division, he has admitted that long-term rival Hatton is still on his radar as ‘an itch he wants to scratch.’

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photo courtesy Chris Farina/Top Rank

Hall of fame promoter Bob Arum (R) announces the signing of hard-hitting heavyweight contender 'Big Sky' Tye Fields (L), Las Vegas, Nv. (36-1,33 KO's) to a promotional contract with Top Rank at a press conference today. Tye will headline at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, Jan.25 on VERSUS network.

Former world middleweight champion Armand Krajnc's career over - at least on Swedish soil. Krajnc (29-3, 21 KOs) was today denied a license to fight on the historic boxing event that goes ahead in Gothenburg January 27th. "We were forced to take this decision due to the medical background of Armand, although we would have loved to have him perform in a Swedish ring as we have waited more than 30 years for this moment, and nothing would have been nicer than to have him on the card, but our backs were against the wall," says Björn Rosengren of the Swedish Pro boxing commission. A severe setback for New Sweden Boxing Promotions AB.
 

Promoter Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions will present a fight card on Monday in the Pend O'Reille Pavillion at Northern Quest Casino in Airway Heights, near Spokane, Washington. In the 10-round main event, unbeaten heavyweight prospect Alonzo Butler (24-0-1, 18 KOs) will fight spoiler Troy Beets (12-9-1, 8 KOs). "Alonzo Butler is one of the most exciting young prospects in the division, and matching him with a tough veteran like Troy Beets should produce some fireworks in the ring," predicts Pelullo. The 27-year-old Butler is managed and trained by Ace Miller, who took John Tate to the WBA heavyweight world title in 1979. "Big Zo" has put together 22 straight wins. Tickets are $35, $50, $70. Call 509-340-6700.

Former two-division world champion Zab Judah returns April 27 at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi. A press conference will be called in February to officially announce Judah's return to the ring following a one year lay-off. An opponent is expected to be named in 24 to 48 hours. The event will be promoted by Prize Fight Boxing.

Boxing's best known road warrior Emanuel Augustus is on his way to Philadelphia. Augustus left early today from his adopted home town of Brownsville, Texas, and his destination is Philadelphia, where he will face Kid Diamond in an expected barnburner scheduled for 10 rounds. As reported earlier, Antonio Pitalua had been unsuccessful in trying to acquire a visa in time to leave Mexico City and arrive for his fight against Kid Diamond. Enter fan favorite Emanuel Augustus who stepped up to save the Top Rank main event on Thursday's Versus Channel (formerly OLN) televised fight card. Before the phone call Augustus received for the proposal to fight Diamond he was getting set to leave for Florida, as he was hired to be Edner "The Bomb" Cherry's chief sparring partner for Edner's fight against Paulie Malignaggi.
 

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Antonio Pitalúa's streak of bad luck in the USA continues as he is now having problems getting a visa for his up coming fight against Kid Diamond this Thursday in Philadelphia. "There is no doubt that Pitalúa is a very good fighter but with very bad luck," Ricardo Maldonado Jr. told ESTO hours after learning that the visa would not be ready in time for Pitalua to be able to make the necessary time frame for the match up. "We were supposed to pick up the visa on Monday morning, and we would be ready to leave on Tuesday. Unfortunately we were unable to do so," lamented Maldonado. On February of 2006, Pitalúa was supposed to fight former super lightweight champ Randall Bailey at the Miccosukee Resort in Miami, unfortunately 15 minutes before leaving his dressing room, Bailey feinted and the fight was canceled. Maldonado did mention that Top Rank is still trying hard to work on the visa, but he believes it will be a hard task to accomplish.
 

WBA #10 junior middleweight contender, Anthony "The Messenger" Thompson (22-1, 16 KOs) is scheduled to square off against veteran Robert "Pushup" Frazier (31-7-4, 15 KOs) at the New Alhambra in South Philadelphia, on Thursday, January 11. The main event of the evening will pit "Kid Diamond" Almazbek Raiymkulov (23-1-1, 14 KOs) against Antonio Pitalua (41-3, 35 KOs) for the NABF Lightweight title. The card is being promoted by Top Rank Inc., in association with Joe Hand Promotions Inc. and Peltz Boxing Promotions Inc. The Versus Network will televise
 

©2006 by Mary Ann Owen

Undefeated two-division world champion Ricky "Hitman" Hatton (41-0, 30 KOs) arrived at the Eiffel Tower in front of Paris Las Vegas today. Hatton will be making his Las Vegas debut when he challenges IBF junior welterweight champion Juan Urango (17-0-1, 13 KOs) on January 20 at Paris Las Vegas. The co-featured fight will match former two-time WBC lightweight champion and current #1 ranked contender Jose Luis Castillo (54-7-1, 47 KOs) against #2 ranked Herman Ngoudjo (15-0, 9 KOs) in a WBC super lightweight title elimination bout. After talking to the media Ricky went to workout at a private location.

EXCLUSIVE WORK OUT PHOTOS
BY MARY ANN OWEN
 

Fields will be featured on Top Rank's big show at The Orleans Arena on Thursday, Jan. 25.  He is scheduled to take on Kendrick Releford, 14-8-1, of Ft. Worth, Texas. Fields is managed by Billy Baxter who has worked with top boxing stars including Roger Mayweather, Vernon Forrest and Bruce Curry.  Fields lives in Las Vegas and is trained by Jesse Reid.
Fields didn't get involved in boxing until he was 24 years old. "I never had an amateur fight," Fields said. "I had to learn as a professional."
Arum will outline the fight card at The Orleans which will include a world title match with light flyweights Ulises Solis and Will Grigsby.
The Solis vs. Grigsby title fight and Fields vs. Releford bout will be televised on the VERSUS network.
Tickets for the event are $100 VIP, $50, $35 and $20 and will be available at The Orleans Arena this week.

Pro Elite (PELE.PK) announced the fight card for its first live EliteXC^TM mixed martial arts (MMA) event featuring legendary middleweight Frank Shamrock versus Renzo Gracie of the first family of Brazilian Jujitsu making history on February 10, 2007 (10 p.m. ET/PT) from the Desoto Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi. Tickets are on sale now at the DeSoto Civic Center Box Office and at Ticketmaster outlets, it was announced today by EliteXC President, Gary Shaw. Tickets are priced at $25, $50, $75, $100, $125, $150, $175 and $250
The main event of Shamrock vs. Gracie will be televised live on the leading premium television network SHOWTIME along with four undercard bouts including world-class fighters Antonio Silva, David Loiseau, Joey Villasenor, the next female MMA star Gina Carano, and more. Additional undercard fights will be streamed live beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) at EliteXC.com, a growing Internet destination for the MMA community.
“Because I promote boxing matches across the country, I know fans love a great fight. That is what Shamrock and Gracie will deliver,” said Shaw. “Shamrock and Gracie are royalty in this sport and this is a match-up that is long overdue.  I am certain these athletes are primed for combat, and having these two leaders in the world of Mixed Martial Arts go to battle against each other on February 10^th is truly Destiny

Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero is set to fight for the vacated IBF featherweight championship of the world in his next bout, this time he will have a new face in his corner, Freddie Roach. Guerrero stated "I look forward to working with Freddie and his experience will be well appreciated." Team Guerrero feels that Freddie Roach is the primer trainer in boxing and can help Guerrero become a dominant force in the 126lbs and 130lbs division. Negotiations have been worked out with Goossen-Tutor and Team Abazi, as the fight will take place in Denmark sometime in March.

“Sam Peter Punishes And Beats James Toney”
by Frank Gonzalez

Saturday night at the Hard Rock Live Arena in Hollywood Florida, Heavyweight James “Lights Out” Toney (69-6-3-1, 43 KO’s) fought a defining rematch against Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter (28-1, 22 KO’s). Their first fight resulted in a controversial Decision win for Sam Peter.

The rematch Saturday night was a clear victory for Peter.

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NO MORE DOUBT…
SAMUEL “THE NIGERIAN NIGHTMARE” PETER DOMINATES JAMES TONEY IN REMATCH; DUVA HEAVYWEIGHT NOW HAS SIGHTS SET ON WORLD BOXING COUNCIL CHAMPION OLEG MASKAEV

In a complete domination on all scorecards – the judges, media and fans –  Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter put forth a career performance as he controlled James “Lights Out” Toney from start to finish in their rematch on Saturday night at Seminole Hard Rock Casino. Now, the Duva Boxing star has his sights set on World Boxing Council Heavyweight Champion Oleg Maskaev in his quest for the heavyweight title.

“It was a dominant triumph for Sam, and by far the most impressive win of his career,” said promoter Dino Duva. “James Toney has been a great champion, but Sam proved that he is the superior fighter, and closed the case on the controversial first fight. Samuel left absolutely no doubt as to who was the winner on Saturday night.” The judges scorecards read: Daniel Van de Wiele, 118-110; John Keane 118-110; and Peter Trematerra, 119-108, all for Peter.

“Jose Suiliman has been a man of his word in declaring Sam Peter the number one contender for the WBC belt, and we intend to begin negotiations immediately for a title bout against Oleg Maskaev,” added Duva. “Sam clearly illustrated that he is the top heavyweight contender for all of the belts, if not the best heavyweight in the world today.”

La Historia de 3x12 entre mujeres se consumo antes del tiempo reglamentario.
Por Jaime Estrada

No hay duda alguna sobre le popularidad que goza el Hotel Orleáns de en sus eventos de fistiada en uno que otro viernes y el día 5 de enero no fue la excepción ante un lleno total en el Mardi Gras Ballroom y todavía con mas ímpetu bajo la promoción de Crown Inc que trae al Valle de Las Vegas Sus Noches de Boxeo Caliente.

Historia Completa

Boxing superstar and Three-time world champion Sugar Shane Mosley makes his long awaited return to the ring on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV., with a new opponent in the opposite corner but the same desire to kick off the New Year with a resounding bang.
Now looking to take Mosley down will be former welterweight champion Luis Collazo, an exciting, upset-minded boxer/puncher eager to topple the three-division titlist.
“Battle At The Bay” - Mosley vs. Collazo, will be presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Don King Productions. The fight will air live on HBO World Championship Boxing at 9:45 PM EST / 6:45 PM PST.
Tickets to Mosley vs. Collazo are priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50 and go on sale Saturday, January 6 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.
 

Read what the fighters had to say

ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” kicks off the New Year in southern style by returning to Biloxi, Mississippi, where the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino hosts co-main events featuring Anthony and Lamont Peterson in arguably their toughest bouts to date. Anthony Peterson (21-0, 15 KOs), ESPN’s 2006 prospect of the year, defends his NABO Lightweight title against current Mexican Lightweight Champion Juan Humberto Garza (28-2, 23 KOs). Lamont Peterson (19-0, 8 KOs), campaigning one weight class north of his younger brother, is slated to face IBO Light-Welterweight Challenger Joaquin Gallardo (17-5-1, 5 KOs).

Tapia returns, Holm to unify
by Chris Cozzone
fightnews.com

In what could turn out to be the top two biggest fight cards of the year for New Mexico, Fresquez Productions, Inc. will be headlining the return of five-time world champion Johnny Tapia (55-5-2, 28 KOs) and two-time world champ Holly Holm (16-1-2, 5 KOs) in their next two fight cards. Tapia's return to the Duke City could come as soon as Feb. 23, and no later than March 16 or 17--the date should be set soon. On the same card, Albuquerque's Hector Munoz (17-1, 11 KOs) is matched up against Juarez/El Paso's Miguel "Conan" Torrecillas (16-5-1, 7 KOs), and San Antonio contender Gabriel Elizondo (22-2, 10 KOs) will rematch El Paso’s Cesar Lopez (20-3, 4 KOs). A rematch with Willie Villanueva (3-0, 1 KO) and Gabe Gonzales (1-1, 1 KO) is also penciled in. Then, on Thursday, Mar. 22, at Isleta Casino, south of Albuquerque, and televised on FOX Sports' "The Best Damn Sports Show", Holly Holm will unify all four major welterweight belts (WBA/WBC/WIBA/IFBA plus IBA) in women's boxing, against an opponent to be revealed in the next 10 days. Currently, Holm holds the IFBA at 154, the WBA at 147 and the Women's IBA belt at 140. After both Mary Jo Sanders (22-0, 6 KOs) and Laila Ali (23-0, 20s) have turned down a fight with Holm--Ali passing up her biggest payday of $150,000--promoter Fresquez says he will campaign Holm as a unifier of world title belts. Two more women's world titles will be televised on the card: IFBA super bantam champ Jackie Chavez (9-2, 3 KOs), of Albuquerque and IFBA featherweight champ Kelsey Jeffries (36-9-1, 3 KOs), of Gilroy, Calif. will defend their belts against opponents TBA. Stay tuned for more as these cards are developed.
 

photo courtesy Tom Casino/Showtime

Former three-time world champion and current No. 2-ranked heavyweight contender James "Lights Out" Toney and the newest member of Team Toney, renowned training and fitness guru and Tae-Bo creator Billy Blanks, at dinner Wednesday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla. In addition to thousands of sit ups, hundreds of rounds of sparring and many miles of road work, Blanks also has helped Toney resist empty calories and excess carbohydrates as he prepares to face No. 1-ranked contender Samuel Peter in Saturday's eagerly awaited WBC Heavyweight Elimination bout on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT).

Promoter Frank Warren announced today that in just three weeks, over 10,000 tickets have already been sold to the Joe Calzaghe-Peter Manfredo, Jr. super middleweight championship, and with three months to go before the big night, the world title fight is projected to be fought in front of the biggest live boxing audience in United Kingdom history! Warren also pointed out that ticket sales for Calzaghe-Manfredo are better than the sales for the fight between Kostya Tszyu and Ricky Hatton, (June 4, 2005 at MEN Arena in Manchester, England) over the same time period.
"We are ecstatic that the public is showing such tremendous support for this fight," said Warren. "It's a tribute to Joe Calzaghe and also to the popularity of Peter Manfredo and "The Contenders" series. Peter was mobbed by fans when he was over here last month. If tickets keep going like this, Joe's 20th title defense may well be in front of the biggest live audience in UK boxing history."
Promoted by Sports Network, in association with The Tournament of Contenders, Calzaghe-Manfredo will take place Saturday, April 7. HBO World Championship Boxing will broadcast it live at 5 P.M. ET/2 P.M. PT in the United States.

Well known boxing executive Carl Moretti is leaving his position as vice president/matchmaker at Main Events to head up boxing operations with promoter Lou DiBella's DiBella Entertainment according to ESPN. DiBella had an opening in his firm with the sudden resignation of VP David Itskowitch a few weeks ago. Moretti had been a key employee with Main Events for over a dozen years.
 

Four months after one of the most exciting heavyweight fights in years ended amid a whirlwind of controversy, Samuel Peter (27-1, 22 KOs) and James Toney (69-5-3, 43 KOs) will go at it again in the main event this Saturday, Jan. 6, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) in Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino at Hollywood, Fla.
So who is going to triumph? Will Peter repeat or can Toney avenge the disputed defeat?
Last time around, the experts favored Toney by a 2-1 margin. In the rematch, Toney is again the choice, but by a lesser margin. Of the 37 boxing media sorts who participated in a SHOWTIME Prediction Poll, 23 picked Toney and 14 chose Peter.
Here’s how they see the 12-round WBC eliminator that will determine once and for all who the mandatory challenger to WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev will be:

Read what the Media had to say
 

By Rusty Rubin,
editor-in-chief of Ringsports.com magazine

I am quite interested in the new plan set forth my New Jersey Commissioner Larry Hazzard, to use instant replay when controversy arises in a bout held in that state. I have two problems with it, a corner can use the replay request to stall for time when a fighter is in need of a longer rest, and secondly, with the promoter supplying the equipment, can the equipment be rigged to favor the promoter’s fighter?

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