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Voracious Pacquiao steals the
show
It was one of those nights.
A night, when the predictable rubbed shoulders with the seemingly impossible, and when Manny Pacquiao topped it all off with a display of the sublime and peerless. Who would have predicted when the night began that Steven Luevano and Mario Santiago would put on the fight of the night, or that Francisco Lorenzo would spend several interminable minutes lying on his back, bleeding on the canvas, until the referee and several officials decided that he was, all appearances to the contrary, the winner? Tye Fields demonstrating conclusively that he is not, in fact, the future of the heavyweight division was less shocking, although the fact that Monte Barrett should be the one to expose that fact so ruthlessly, was perhaps not so expected.
What are the odds that defending WBO junior
welterweight champion RICARDO TORRES successfully defends his title twice
against top-rated contender KENDALL HOLT? According to David Snook, Supervisor
of Race & Sports at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, not very good. Torres
(32-1, 28 KOs), from Colombia, successfully defended his title in their first
meeting, which was staged in his hometown of Barranquilla. It was a bout full of
controversy and mayhem. Holt (23-2, 12 KOs), from Paterson, NJ, the No. 1
contender and mandatory challenger, was ahead on the scorecards when he suffered
a knockdown early in round 11. Referee Genaro Rodriguez stopped the bout with 26
seconds remaining while Holt was trying desperately to regain his footing on a
ring mat slippery from fans throwing full beer cans, bottles of water and soda
and cups of ice in the ring.
A former world super middleweight champion, Jeff
Lacy made his name in the boxing world behind his concussive power and trademark
left hook; equally powerful Epifanio Mendoza has never taken a backwards step in
his nine-year pro career. On Wednesday, July 23 at the Morongo Casino Resort &
Spa in Cabazon, California, Lacy’s irresistible force meets Mendoza’s immovable
object in a 10 round bout which should leave fight fans on their feet and
cheering.
Ten months after a wildly controversial ending to
their first fight, Ricardo Torres will risk his World Boxing Organization (WBO)
junior welterweight title against No. 1 contender Kendall Holt in a rematch on a
special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation this Saturday, July 5, live on
SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Read what the fighters had to say
One year ago yesterday, in an unusual
coincidence, three different unrelated fighters named
Diaz ruled the lightweight division. Juan Diaz held
the WBA and WBO belts, Julio Diaz had the IBF title
and David Diaz wore the WBC diadem. With Manny
Pacquiao's win over David Diaz on Saturday, the entire
Diaz trio has now been dethroned.
*****
Juan Diaz, who eventually lost his titles to Nate
Campbell, is penciled in to face ex-interim champ
Michael Katsidis on September 6 in Houston. A week
later, WBA/IBF/WBO lightweight king Nate Campbell is
stated to face Joan Guzman and current WBO interim
titlist Joel Casamayor has a date with Juan Manuel
Marquez the same day. With most the other top talent
at 135 being tied up in the fall, Manny Pacquiao's
first WBC title defense planned for later this year
could land against former two-time champion Julio Diaz
who hammered previously unbeaten David Torres on ESPN
last week. "I would take a fight with Manny
Pacquiao in a heartbeat," Julio told Fightnews. "Make
no doubt about it that a fight between Pacquiao and I
would be a fight....with me being from Southern
California and a Mexican fighter, a fight between
Pacquiao and I would be a big draw and a great fight
for the fans."
The officials for the Torres vs. Holt II that will take place This Saturday! July 5 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
The referee will be Jay Nady. The
judges are Duane Ford, Robert Hoyle and Bert
Clements. Everyone is from Nevada.
Pacquiao knocks out Diaz to claim
WBC crown Manny Pacquiao became
the first Asian boxer to capture world titles at four
different weight divisions when he knocked out David
Diaz in the ninth round to claim the WBC lightweight
championship on Saturday.
He came. He Saw. He conquered...again!
MANNY PACQUIAO, for the second time this year, in
as many fights and in as many divisions, walked away from the ring victorious
with a world title belt. After dethroning WBC super featherweight champion Juan
Manuel Marquez in March -- a "Fight of the Year" candidate -- Pacquiao put on a
career-highlight performance against the gritty WBC lightweight champion David
Diaz (34-2-1, 17 KOs), knocking out the Chicago native in the ninth round. And
with that victory, Pacquiao became the first Asian to win four sanctioned world
titles in as many divisions.
UFC 86 is LIVE on PPV Saturday, July 5th! The Ultimate Fighting
Championship® (UFC®) organization today announced the
remaining fights for the upcoming UFC 86: JACKSON vs.
GRIFFIN which features opposing coaches for The Ultimate
Fighter® Season 7, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and the winner of the
first-ever season of The Ultimate Fighter, Forrest
Griffin. The Ultimate Fighting Championship organization
presents UFC 86: JACKSON vs. GRIFFIN live from the
Mandalay Bay Events Center on Saturday, July 5, 2008 . .
. .
Click here for more
PacMan hizo lo que quiso con Díaz en duelo de siniestros Por Jaime Estrada
El alias de “Peligroso” que corresponde a David Díaz, se quedo en facilito ante el talento de Manny Pacquiao, quien se consagra como campeón ligero del Consejo ante una audiencia de 8362 en el Mandalay Bay casino el 28 de junio del presente.
by Butch Gottlieb
The legend of Manny Pacquiao continued to grow on
Saturday night before 8,326 at Mandalay Bay Events
Center in Las Vegas as the Pacman added a fourth world title
in his fourth weight division and became the first
Asian in boxing history to accomplish the deed. Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35
KOs) dethroned WBC lightweight titleholder David Diaz
(34-2-1, 17 KOs) via ninth round TKO in a brilliant
display of what boxing is all about. Pacquiao was much
quicker as he outpunched (788 to 463) and outboxed
(landed 140 more punches) the naturally bigger man.
Diaz was busted up by Pacman's sharp punching (large
gash over Diaz's right eye and a cut on the bridge of
his nose and a swollen left eye) and it was target
practice by round five. The gutsy Diaz kept coming,
however, until Pacquiao floored him in the ninth to
end it. Time was 2:24. At the time of the TKO,
Pacquiao had won every round on all 3 judges
scorecards.
*****
Most "boxing experts" expected Manny Pacquiao to walk
out of the ring with David Diaz's WBC Lightweight
Championship belt. Although the tough Diaz had other
plans for his belt, Pacquiao was too fast and accurate
with his combinations and won the WBC Lightweight
Championship when referee Vic Drakulich stopped the
fight in the ninth round with Pacquiao winning by TKO.
Pacquiao displayed not only quick hand speed, which
landed continuously on Diaz, but he also showed quick
foot work. Both fighters were in excellent condition
but The Pac Man was just too strong and quick for
Diaz, who entered the ring as a 5-1 under-dog.
AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE:
DIAZ QUOTES:
"If you get that license number, I'd like to get the name of the truck that hit me. He hits like a son-of-a-b***h
No excuses---speed got me.
Manny had good foot work; he's a clean fighter.
I'll live to fight another day.
Today we lost, tomorrow we'll get back up again.
I had fun tonight even though I lost.
Thank you and God Bless everybody.
PACQUIAO QUOTES:
"I'm so happy that I won.
I felt very comfortable to 135 pounds, stronger than
at 130; I can fight at 140 also.
Diaz hurt me one time. He's strong.
I'm just a fighter. My job is to train hard and
fight.
I'm so happy to win my fourth title in four weight
divisions (he's the first Asian born fighter to do
so).
I dedicated this fight to my countrymen who suffered
in the typhoon. I'm happy that I won tonight."
FREDDIE ROACH:
This was Manny's best performance of his life. We had a great game plan at 135 pounds. He looked great.
In making 135, he didn't starve himself; 135 is more
natural; more fighters should fight at their natural
weight. Diaz is strong. We worked on combinations,
step aside, then more combinations; didn't want to
stay in front of Diaz. Manny had a great right hand
tonight.
In an exciting fight that surpassed all expectations, WBO featherweight
champion Steven Luevano (35-1-1, 15 KOs) and Mario Santiago (19-1-1, 14 KOs)
battled to a twelve round draw. Both fighters were down in round two and took
turns rocking each other thereafter. Santiago slowly began getting the better of
it only to have Luevano surge late. Scores were 117-111 Luevano, 115-113
Santiago and 114-114. Luevano retains his title.
In a very controversial fight, heavily favored super
featherweight contender Humberto Soto (43-7-2, 27 KOs)
punished Francisco Lorenzo (33-4, 14 KOs) for four
rounds, but it was Lorenzo who claimed the interim
version of Manny Pacquiao's WBC 130lb belt**.
In round four, Soto dropped the 36-year-old Lorenzo
twice, however after the second knockdown Soto clipped
Lorenzo after he took a knee, clipped being the
operative word as the punch just grazed Lorenzo's
head. With blood streaming from his face, Lorenzo
remained on the deck (he should be nominated for an
academy award for his performance as he laid on the
mat until the DQ was announced and then he got right
up and raised his arms) Referee Joe Cortez spent
several minutes consulting with other NSAC officials
before deciding to DQ Soto.
** It was announced later that the WBC would NOT award the title to Lorenzo and that there should be a rematch.
Heavyweight Monte Barrett (34-6, 20 KOs) quickly
toppled 6'9" Tye Fields (40-2, 36 KOs) in just 57
seconds. It only took a few punches (Barrett only
threw a total of 10 punches but landed 6 power
shots) to send the big man crashing to the canvas.
Referee Kenny Bayless wasted no time in waving it off.
***** Jesus Rojas W-TKO 6 over Alex Ali Baba Dennis Laurente W-TKO 4 over Steve Quinonez Luis Cruz KO3 Miguel Albares Khadaphi Proctor W-UD4 Carlos Tangrago
Unbeaten middleweight contender John
Duddy (25-0, 17 KOs) scored a punishing ten round
unanimous decision over rugged Charles Howe at "The
Castle" in Boston on Saturday night. Duddy won 100-90
on all cards as he looked impressive in his first
fight with new trainer Pat Burns. “I made a point that
I don’t have to be brave all of the time," said Duddy
afterward. "Just because I can take a punch doesn’t
mean I have to. I had trouble convincing myself. I
proved that I can move my head a lot more. I caught
him with some beautiful shots and I thought that he
was ready to go, but Charlie has a great chin. I have
big plans and I’m still undefeated. I used my jab a
lot tonight. I’m hoping to get a shot at a world
title.”
*****
In other results, middleweight Donny Orr (13-0, 5 KOs)
topped Roberto Valenzuela (44-38-2, 37 KOs) by scores
of (80-71, 80-71, 80-71). Middleweight Edwin Rodriquez
(7-0, 5 KOs) outpointed Hector Hernandez (10-2-2, 4
KOs) over six by scores of 60-54, 60-54, 59-55.
Cruiserweight Mark Clancy (8-0-1) won a six round nod
over Salah Zabian (6-10, 4 KOs) 60-54 on all cards.
Junior welterweight Anthony Accardi (2-0, 1 KO) won a
four round split decision over Broderick Antoine
(2-6-1, 1 KO), 39-37, 39-37, 37-39.
L/R: TORRES, PETERSON, HOLT
Ten months after a wildly controversial ending to
their first fight, Ricardo Torres will defend his World Boxing Organization
(WBO) junior welterweight title against No. 1 contender Kendall Holt in a
rematch on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on Saturday, July 5,
2008, live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Read what the fighters had to say
The WBC has ordered Carl Froch and Jermain Taylor to fight for the the vacant
WBC super middleweight title formerly held by Joe Calzaghe. The clock has
started on a private negotiating period is between Froch’s promoter Mick
Hennessy and Taylor’s promoter Lou DiBella. If there is no agreement then a
purse bid is scheduled for July 25 at the WBC Executive Offices in Mexico City.
“I’m delighted to get the title fight and just hope Taylor shows a real fighting
heart and goes through with this fight,” said Froch. “I’ve heard he was talking
about fighting Jeff Lacy next but that fight is a mismatch in my opinion. I
would knock Lacy out in a round or two and it is an easy fight for Taylor, so I
just hope Jermain doesn’t squirm out of this situation with me and I think the
broadcasters shouldn’t allow him to either. I heard Lou DiBella has said ‘who
the f--- is Carl Froch to American television,' but he will know who the f---
the ‘Cobra’ is when his fighter is laying horizontal in front of him. Then I
will ask him what does he know about boxing?"
Unbeaten bantamweight Abner Mares
(17-0, 10 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over
Jonathan Arias (15-2, 8 KOs) on Friday night at the
Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California.
Mares was in command from the opening bell against
Arias, who stepped earlier this week after Mares'
original foe, former world champion Kermin Guardia,
failed a medical exam. Scores were 99-90, 99-90,
98-91.
***** In the co-feature, super bantamweight Nestor Rocha (19-1, 6 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Jose Angel Beranza (30-13-2, 25 KOs). Although the bout was competitive, scores were 100-90, 99-91, 97-93.
UFC 86 is LIVE on PPV July 5!
*****
Chicago born WBC World Lightweight Champion David Diaz and three-time world champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines weigh in (Diaz 135 lb, Pacquiao 134.5 lb) at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas today for their upcoming WBC World Lightweight championship fight. Diaz vs Pacquiao - "Lethal Combination" will be live on HBO Pay-Per-View Saturday, June 28 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
*****
Tickets go on Sale Saturday, June 28 at 10 a.m.
Mexico celebrated its independence from Spain on the historic date of September 16, 1810 and over the years, this day has grown to become a special day of celebration, especially in the world of sports and entertainment. This year, the boxing world will celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day when reigning Ring Magazine World Lightweight Champion Joel “El Cepillo” Casamayor meets former two-division World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez Saturday, Sept. 13 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. in a 12-round championship bout that celebrates the best of the sweet science and two of its greatest practitioners.
Photo courtesy Chris Farina/Top Rank
Billy Goat makes his grand arrival at the Mandalay Bay Arena Friday in Las Vegas. The Curse of the Billy Goat is a curse on the Chicago Cubs that was started in 1945. Chicago born WBC World Lightweight Champion David Diaz says when he defeats three-time world champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines it will lift the curse at Wrigley Field. Diaz and Pacquiao will battle for the WBC World Lightweight championship on Top Rank's "Lethal Combination" show, live on HBO Pay-Per-View Saturday, June 28 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Notice the fight credential around Billy's neck?
Tragedy Strikes Well-known Boxing Family
On Friday, June 20, Adalaide Byrd, Nevada Boxing judge and wife of World Boxing Hall of Fame Referee, Robert Byrd, received a call that her youngest brother, Aaron Tyndale, 44, of Pennsylvania had been in a terrible motor vehicle accident and his condition was grave. Tyndale had been traveling from Virginia to his home in Philadelphia when his vehicle was run off the road by a tractor-trailer on I-95 in Delaware. Eyewitnesses claim that Tyndale’s vehicle rolled over several times. Byrd’s brother was able to speak briefly after the accident, but shortly after went into cardiac arrest and was taken to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware. As a result of the accident, Aaron Tyndale suffered several severe head injuries and was pronounced brain dead at 4:50 AM on Saturday, June 21.
Soon after it was announced that WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev had pulled out of his July 5 mandatory title defense against former WBA title-holder and No. 1 contender, Nikolai Valuev, due to another injury, John Ruiz, through his advisor and attorney, Tony Cardinale, contacted World Boxing Association officials demanding that, in accordance with WBA rules and regulations, the championship be vacated and negotiations ordered to begin for a title fight between Valuev and former 2-time world heavyweight champion, WBA No. 2-rated John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-7-1, 29 KOs).
World ranked and undefeated cruiserweight BJ
Flores wanted to set the record straight regarding media reports that he
rejected an “offer” to fight CES promoted Matt Godfrey next month on ESPN2.
Fans seeking to participate in the most
significant sporting event in the recent history of Stockton, Calif. -- an
exciting evening of mixed martial arts, which includes two EliteXC world title
fights -- have the opportunity to reserve their seats now.
Jeff Shamrock, nephew of MMA Legend
Ken Shamrock, has signed a multi-fight deal with world
championship fight promotion, Strikeforce. Shamrock’s
first fight under the San Jose based organization will
be announced soon. “I am definitely excited to have Ken
Shamrock's nephew as a part of the Strikeforce team,”
said Strikeforce CEO, Scott Coker. “Jeff possesses that
incredible Shamrock strength that his family is known
for. I expect great things from Jeff and look forward to
his professional debut.”
FROM ONE CHAMP TO ANOTHER--
His entrance into the Professional world of boxing came about on somewhat of a whim, but this Philly banger, father of two and husband, took advantage of a given opportunity, and it paid off …handily and now he’s a world champion. Steve “USS” Cunningham, No, it’s not a naval ship but it is a fight moniker, that true boxing fans need to get acclimated with.
In his Top Rank debut, WBO #3 lightweight Anthony
Peterson (27-0, 19 KOs) pounded out a methodical
twelve round unanimous decision over veteran Fernando
Trejo (30-13-4, 17 KOs) on Thursday night at the
Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Peterson was in command
all the way as he recorded a one-sided 120-108,
120-108, 119-109 score in winning the NABF interim
lightweight title.
***** Unbeaten jr middleweight Vanes Martirosyan moved to 20-0 with 13 KOs after a ten round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Angel Hernandez (28-7, 16 KOs). Martirosyan dropped Hernandez in round one, but was forced to go the distance shutting out Hernandez by the scores of 100-89 on all cards. Martirosyan was taken to the hospital for x-rays on his left hand. Full Report and photo
Gallery coming
Abner Mares (R)
119.25 vs. Jonathan Arias (L) 122
This afternoon, in the next to last round of his final sparring day before his major championship heavyweight fight against Nikolai Valuev, WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev has suffered a complete tear of the Achilles tendon in his left ankle. He is scheduled to undergo an operation on Monday and is expected to be back by the end of the year. The July 5th card will go on as scheduled with WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm's rematch against Randy Griffin as the headliner.
Thirty days
before the big fight, Miguel Cotto weighs in at 157 lbs. and said that he is fit
and ready for his upcoming welterweight championship showdown against Antonio
'The Tijuana Tornado' Margarito. This Top Rank promoted show titled "The
Battle-La Batalla" will be on July 26 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
and televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View.
DIAZ
WANTS TITLE FIGHT WITH PACQUIAO
TO BE A "WAR"
Title holder David Diaz wants Saturday's World Boxing
Council lightweight title fight against super
featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao to be a "war."
"I want it to be a great fight," Diaz told reporters at the Mandalay Bay Resort venue. "I want it to be a war. "I want it to go down as one of the great fights of the year, if not the decade," added the American, who goes into the bout as the underdog.
GOATBUSTERS!
"PACQUIAO WILL EAT DIAZ'S LUNCH ...
AND HAVE BILLY FOR DINNER!"
World-Famous Freddie
Roach
If World-Famous Freddie Roach has his
way, there will be a fourth man in the ring Saturday
night when his star pupil, WBC super featherweight
champion MANNY PACQUIAO, challenges
WBC lightweight titleist David Diaz.
A maître d'!!!
"I have Manny ready to go," said Roach. "Manny's
going to eat Diaz's lunch on Saturday night and have
Billy Goat for dinner. I'm thinking of sending Manny
out with a napkin tied around his neck and a fork in
his glove. If Cubs fans thought the meltdown of 1969
was bad, wait until Manny lights it up like Mrs.
O'Leary's cow!"
Citing issues making the 126-pound weight limit,
Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero vacated his featherweight
world title on Monday and is moving up to the
130-pound junior lightweight class. Guerrero, 25, is
5-foot-8½ and has been making 126 pounds since he was
18, which he said he could no longer do.
"It's been my childhood dream to become a world champion and I've accomplished that goal at featherweight," Guerrero said. "I'm truly appreciative to the IBF for giving me the opportunity to fight for their title. I've been at this weight since the amateurs. I've come to realize that I can no longer make featherweight and feel strong. I'm older now, my body has matured, so it's time for me to move up in weight. The extra four pounds will only make me stronger. At junior lightweight I believe I'll be more effective."
Guerrero's first fight at junior lightweight is up
in the air. Unhappy with promoter Dan Goossen, he
filed for arbitration and there is a July 25 hearing
scheduled, Finkel said. Regardless of the outcome,
Guerrero is anxious to fight bigger names at a
heavier weight.
"My goal now is to become a world champion at the junior lightweight and lightweight divisions," he said. "I want to challenge all the big names, guys like Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. I feel confident in my ability to accomplish my new goals."
Vic Drakulich will referee Saturday's
WBC lightweight championship clash between Manny
Pacquiao and David Diaz at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Judges are Gary Merritt, C.J. Ross and Paul Smith.
***** The third man in the ring for the WBO featherweight championship clash between Steven Luevano and Mario Santiago will be Tony Weeks with Harry Davis, Duane Ford and Dave Moretti scoring the bout. ***** Joe Cortez will ref the WBC interim super featherweight championship clash between Humberto Soto and Francisco Lorenzo with the judging done by Ed Kugler, Jerry Roth and Herb Santos. ***** Kenny Bayless will be the referee for the Tye Fields vs Monte Barrett heavyweight matchup. Bill Graham, Dick Houck and Robert Hoyle will be the judges..
Anthony
Peterson (R) 133 vs Fernando Trejo (L) 132
At the Orleans Arena: Doors open at 4:30PM, first bout at 5:10PM, first TV bout at 6PM
By Flattop fightnews.com
by Kevin Iole
The New York Giants were 13½-point underdogs to
the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, but the media still acted like the
Giants mattered to the event.
Two weeks ago St. Louis native Deandre “THE BULL”
Latimore scored the biggest win of his career as he stopped #1 IBF Junior
Middleweight Sechew Powell in the seventh round at the Hard Rock Café in New
York City. The bout, broadcast on ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights is being called
an early contender for upset of the year.
Conferencia de prensa de Combinación Letal. Por Jaime Estrada
En el centro de convenciones del Mandalay Bay había abundante comida, música norteña, de banda y hasta cumbia. Todos los participantes estaban desde las 11:30 AM incluyendo a David Díaz que estaba sereno, firmando autógrafos y posando para la foto del recuerdo y hasta cotorreando muy quitado de la pena, alegando que aunque digan que su estilo se presta para que Pac Man lo descuente, las cosas se pueden variar a su favor. Solo faltaba Manny Pacquiao que llego con al menos una hora de retraso.
Some
of boxing’s brightest young talents, including eight
unbeaten prospects, will take center stage on Friday,
June 27 when Golden Boy Promotions returns to the
Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California for a
stacked, eight-fight card which promises more explosive
action than you’ll find anywhere else.
 photo ©2008 by Mary Ann Owen
by Butch Gottlieb
Quotes from today's final press conference for
Saturday's WBC World Lightweight title fight between
Champion David Diaz (R) and Challenger Manny
Pacquiao (L). Diaz vs Pacquiao - "Lethal
Combination" will be live on HBO
Pay-Per-View Saturday, June 28 from the Mandalay Bay
Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
WBC Champion David Diaz: I want to Thank God for this opportunity to defend my title against someone of the caliber of Manny Pacquiao. I also want to thank Top Rank for signing me again because I wasn't too good the first time around. I am dedicating this fight to Mexico and to my father whom I love very much. I want to give this fight to Mexico because Manny has been beating up a lot of Mexican's. Challenger Manny Pacquiao: I want to Thank God for his blessings. I have nothing to say, it's all been said. I will do my best on Saturday and I am dedicating this fight to all of the people that were devastated in the recent Typhoon in the Philippines.
Promoter Bob Arum:
Contrary to the rumors, I am not bringing the goat
in here (referring to the goat that he had at the LA
press conference). One unique part of this card is
the heavyweight battle. 2 American heavyweights
facing each other on a pay-per-view.
The rivalry between the Mexican fighters and the Puerto Rican fighters continues with the WBO title fight between the Champion, Steven Luevano, who is of Mexican heritage, and the challenger, Mario Santiago who is from Puerto Rico.
ODDS AT THE MANDALAY
BAY SPORTS BOOK AS OF TODAY:
Manny Pacquiao -550 David Diaz +400
At today's final press
conference for Saturday's HBO-PPV fight between WBC
Champion David Diaz and challenger Manny Pacquiao, Top
Rank chief Bob Arum told the media that there would be
a special news conference tomorrow at the Mandalay Bay
Hotel for a special announcement regarding a new
fighter that Top Rank has signed.
Well in an exclusive given to Boxinginlasvegas.com (cannot say from whom) it was learned that the fighter that Top Rank has signed is IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito Donaire. It looks like Donaire will make his Top Rank debut on August 2, in Las Vegas on the undercard of Zab Judah/Joshua Clottey IBF welterweight title fight.
The grand opening of the WBC Legends of Boxing Museum
will take place on Friday night at the American Sports
University in San Bernardino, California. The invite
only event will honor the Class of 2008 inductions
into the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Those that will be
inducted are Lennox Lewis, Danny “Little Red” Lopez,
Roger Mayweather, Erubey “Chango” Carmona, Ken Norton,
Genaro “Chicanito Hernandez, Diego "Chico" Corrales,
Rene Arredondo, Alberto Davila, Armando Muniz, Bobby
Chacon, Gabriel Ruelas, Armando Ramos, and Paul Banke.
A WBC Legend Award will also be given to Laila Ali,
Marco Antonio Barrera, and Erik Morales. Others
luminaries expected include Julio Cesar Chavez, loyd
Mayweather Jr., Isreal Vasquez, Tim Bradley, Chris
Arreola, Gary Shaw (representing Chico Corrales) and,
of course, Jose Sulaiman. The museum will open its
doors to the public on Saturday, June 28th.
Enzo Calzaghe, father and trainer of
Joe, would not be drawn on the issues surrounding his
son’s controversial split from boxing promoter Frank
Warren, but he did indicate that middleweight boxer
Gary Lockett may retire from the sport. In an
interview with Setanta Sports News during Steve
Bunce’s Boxing Hour, Enzo said, "I’m happy with Gary.
He’s having a well deserved rest. He’ll come back next
week and we’ll have a chinwag together. It’s not like
he’s walking away because he’s 31 years-old and at the
end of the day there’s more to life than boxing. I
hate the word quitting, but if he wants to do
something else he has my blessing and if he wants to
stay on board he’s got my blessing. Come next week
we’ll sit down and talk things over."
Classic Entertainment
& Sports, Inc. (CES) president Jimmy Burchfield has
expressed his disappointed that USBA cruiserweight
champion BJ Flores (21-0-1, 12 KOs) has rejected an
offer to fight NABF cruiserweight title-holder Matt
“Too Smooth” Godfrey (16-1, 9 KOs) in an ESPN2 main
event next month.
Flores is rated No. 2
by the IBF, as well as No. 7 and No. 8,
respectively, by the WBO and WBA. Godfrey, ranked
No. 5 by the WBC, was dropped from the WBA and IBF
rankings when he fought Rudy Kraj (LDEC12) this past
February in an WBC title eliminator.
THE NEXT "CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS" TO BE
BROADCAST JULY 26 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK
CBS and EliteXC announced
today that the next CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
will be broadcast live from the Stockton Arena in
Stockton, Calif. on Saturday, July 26
(9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. The
four-fight broadcast will be highlighted by the highly
anticipated rematch between "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler
and Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith for the EliteXC
Middleweight Title.
Duddy vs. Howe
headlines Saturday night’s
“Hassle In The
Castle” pro boxing show in Boston
The return of unbeaten
world middleweight title contender “Ireland’s” John
Duddy to Boston highlights Saturday night’s (June
28) “Hassle In The Castle,” presented by Irish Ropes
Promotions, at The Castle.
Duddy (24-0, 17 KOs),
rated No. 2 |
