Boxing News Thread

[heyzel]

Evander Holyfield Issues Warning To David Haye

By Mark Vester

In a recent interview with Inside Sport, former four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield issued a warning to WBC/WBA cruiserweight champion David Haye. Haye recently revealed his intention to move up in weight to challenge the best heavyweights within the division. Holyfield feels that Haye may be putting on too much weight in a short amount of time.

Haye meets WBO champ Enzo Maccarinelli to unify the titles on March 8 at the O2 Arena in London. Should he get past Macca, Haye plans to pack on the muscle for a move to heavyweight within the next few months.

"Weight doesn't make you a bigger puncher. If he is not careful, he will get too heavy," Holyfield said.

Asked whether or not he would have interest in facing Haye, the former heavyweight champ said it wasn’t in his plans.

"At this point of time, I'd rather fight someone I've seen before and seen when I was champion," Holyfield said. "I'm not going to start going after the young guys. If I do that, I'll never retire."

 

[heyzel]

2008 US Future Stars Nationals Are Set

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) – Following several months of qualifying competition, the 2008 U.S. Future Stars National Championships participants have been set. Over 270 of the top male and female boxers from across the United States have earned berths in the event, which will be contested March 9-14 at the Olympic Training Complex in Colorado Springs.

The men’s side boasts 24 Olympic Team Trials for Boxing participants, four Junior Olympic Champions making the jump to the senior level and one returning champion from the 2007 event. Bantamweight Ronny Rios (Santa Ana, Calif.) took home two national championships in 2007, winning both the U.S. Championships and Golden Gloves and he is back in 2008, hoping for another outstanding year. Two-time Junior Olympic national champion Louie Byrd (Denver, Colo.) will compete in his first senior level tournament after tremendous success at the amateur level. He is joined by 2007 Junior Olympic national champions: flyweight Johnny Determan (Omaha, Neb.), flyweight Raul Lopez (Bronx, N.Y.); and welterweight Wesley Padilla (Rock Springs, Wyo.).



On the women’s side, eleven current or former national champions will take the ring at the Olympic Training Center. Record-breaking five-time national champion, Cheryl Houlihan (Santee, Calif.) will compete for her sixth straight gold medal, competing in the flyweight division. Two-time national champion and World Championships bronze medalist Marlen Esparza (Houston, Texas) will make her third straight trip to Colorado Springs, as she looks to defend her title in the light flyweight division. Three-time middleweight national champion Franchon Crews (Capitol Heights, Md.) has dropped down to the light middleweight division for the 2008 edition of the event. She could face two-time welterweight national champion Lisa Kuronya (Portland, Maine) in her new light middleweight class.



The 2008 U.S. Future Stars National Championship will showcase many of the current and future stars of the sport of amateur boxing. New computer scoring systems will be utilized in the premier amateur boxing national championship. For the first time the United States will use the same equipment that will be showcased in the 2008 Olympic Games and was on display at the recent AIBA World Championships. In addition, the scoring will be shown in the arena for the fans to keep up with the action.



Preliminary action will kick off on March 9 and run through March 11, semifinal competition will be contested on March 12, the women will compete in final round bouts on March 13 and the men’s championship contests will take place on March 14. Tickets start at only $2 and for more information, go to www.usaboxing.org.

2008 U.S. Future Stars National Championship Schedule

Sunday, March 9: Noon and 6 p.m. (Preliminary Bouts)
Monday, March 10: Noon and 6 p.m. (Preliminary Bouts)

Tuesday, March 11: Noon and 6 p.m. (Preliminary Bouts)

Wednesday, March 12: Noon and 6 p.m. (Semifinal Bouts)

Thursday, March 13: 7 p.m. (Women’s Championship Bouts)

Friday, March 14: 7 p.m. (Men’s Championship Bouts)

All competition will take place in Sportscenter I at the U.S. Olympic Training Complex

2008 U.S. Future Stars National Championship Rosters

Men’s Roster

Light flyweight/106 lbs/48kg
Keola McKee,Wailuku, Hawaii – Hawaii (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Gino Padilla, Las Vegas, Nev. - PAL
Micheal Benedosso, Ft. Huachuca, Ariz. - Army
Stephon Young, St. Louis, Mo. - Heartland
Fabian Cervantes, Ableta, Calif. - Great West
Hector Torres, New Haven Conn. - Northeast
Oscar Cantu, Kingsville, Texas - Texas
Sergio Ramerez, Omaha, Neb. - North Mid-West
Louie Byrd, Denver, Colo. - Four Corners (Two-time Junior Olympic National Champion)
Malcom Franklin, Colorado Springs, Colo. – At-large (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)

Flyweight/112 lbs/51 kg
Michael Ruiz, Jr., Fresno, Calif. - Central Pacific
Bruno Escalante Jr., Waimanalo, Hawaii – Hawaii (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Louie Padilla, Las Vegas, Nev. - PAL
Terail Singleton, St. Louis, Mo. - Heartland
Randy Caballero, Coachella, Calif. - Great West
Raul Lopez, Bronx, N.Y. - Northeast (2007 Junior Olympic National Champion)
Adam Lopez, San Antonio, Texas - Texas
Johnny Determan, Omaha, Neb. - North Mid-West (2007 Junior Olympic National Champion)
Jorge Rosario, Chesterfield, Mich. - Great Lakes
Mike Herrera, Arroyo Seco, N.M. - Four Corners
Daniel Lozano, Bowling Green, Fla. – At-large (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)

BANTAMWEIGHT/119 lbs/51 kg
Roman Morales, San Ardo, Calif. - Central Pacific
Isaiah Manalo, Waimanalo, Hawaii - Hawaii
John Franklin, Fort Carson, Colo. – Army (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Laundale Williams, Prichard, Ala. - Southeast
Shawn Nichol, Lakewood, Colo. - PAL
Aaron Loya, St. Louis, Mo. - Heartland
Teddy Padilla, Las Vegas, Nev. - Great West
Luis Rosa, East Haven, Conn. - Northeast
Jerrel Barbour, Tacoma, Wash. - Pacific Northwest
Jerry Guevarra, Brownsville, Texas - Texas
Juan Brisenia, Kansaba, Wis. - North Mid-West
Kevin Lamont Rivers, Oxon Hill, Md. - East Central
Johnnie Roland, Cape Code, Fla. - Southeast Coast
Antonio Nieves, Cleveland, Ohio - Great Lakes
Ronny Rios, Santa Ana, Calif. - Golden Gloves (2007 National Champion and U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Paul Romero, Phoenix, Ariz. - Four Corners
David Clark, San Diego, Calif. – At-large (Two-time U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)

FEATHERWEIGHT/125 lbs/57 kg
Guy L.A. Robb Jr., Sacramento, Calif. - Central Pacific
Lean Gumboc, Wailuku, Hawaii - Hawaii
Alexis Ramos, Fort Carson, Colo. – Army (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
David Green, Monroe, La. – Southeast
Derrick Murray, St. Louis, Mo. - Heartland
Lesley Walker, Las Vegas, Nev. - Great West
Danny Aquino, Meriden, Conn. - Northeast
Jesse Carnell, Jerome, Idaho - Pacific Northwest
Andre Ramirez, Camp Lejune, N.C. - USMC
Mercedes Manriquez, Houston, Texas - Texas
Naquan Smalls, Marrinette, Wis. - North Mid-West
Rosey, Summerville, Sumter, S.C. - Air Force (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Glenn T. Dezurn, Baltimore, Md. - East Central
Nicholas Chin, Pt. Saint Lucie, Fla. - Southeast Coast
Ryan Schmidt, Grand Rapids, Mich. - Great Lakes
Vincent Montoya, Cheyenne, Wyo. - Wymondak
Robert Rodriguez, Evans, Colo. - Four Corners (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)

LIGHTWEIGHT/132 lbs/60 kg
Eric Alta Mirano, Concord, Calif. - Central Pacific
Isaac Arasato, Honolulu, Hawaii - Hawaii
Connor Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. - Army
Shemuel Pagan, Brooklyn, N.Y. – PAL (2008 U.S. Olympic T eam Trials participant)
Adam Davis, Leeds, Ala. - Southeast
Jaron Singleton, St. Louis, Mo. - Heartland
Jose Roman, Garden Grove, Calif. - Great West
Chazz McDowell, Mt. Vernon, N.Y. - Northeast
Andre Keys, Tacoma, Wash. - Pacific Northwest
Edgar Ramirez, Camp Lejeune, N.C. - USMC
Eric Fowler, Montgomery, Texas - Texas
Adrian Martinez, Milwaukee, Wis. - North Mid-West
Chance Yearwood, Charleston, S.C. - Air Force
Cordaro Simpkins, Chesapeake, Va. - East Central
Braden Wallace, Alpharetta, Ga. - Southeast Coast
Brett Simmons, East Cleveland, Ohio - Great Lakes
Duran Caferrero, Helena, Mont. – Wymondak (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Fidel Alfred Maldonado, Albuquerque, N.M. - Four Corners
Miguel Gonzalez, Cleveland, Ohio – At-large (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Jesse Carradine, Cincinnati, Ohio/NMU – NMU

LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT/141 lbs/64 kg
Michael A. Morales, Bay Point, Calif. - Central Pacific
Earl Fitts III, Wailuku, Hawaii - Hawaii
Adrian Orrostieta, Brandenton, Fla. - Army
Charles Watson, Johnson City, Tenn. - Southeast
Jamal James, Minneapolis, Minn. - PAL
Jeff Strum, Wichita, Kansas - Heartland
Luis Mora, Los Angeles, Calif. - Great West
Michael Brooks, Oceanside, N.Y. - Northeast
Juan Ulloa, Bend, Ore. - Pacific Northwest
Samuel Martinez, Camp Lejeune, N.C. – USMC (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Jermoll Charlo, Houston, Texas - Texas
Oscar Soto, St. Paul, Minn. - North Mid-West
David Russell, Pope Air Force Base, N.C. - Air Force
Emanuel Taylor, Edgewood, Md. - East Central
Jared Robinson, Sumter, S.C. - Southeast Coast
Adrian Granados, North Riverside, Ill. - Great Lakes
Ryan Soft, McLaughlin, S.D. - Wymondak
Ronnie Reams, Colorado Springs, Colo. - Four Corners
Daniel O’Connor, Framingham, Mass. – At-large (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Andre Sherard, Milwaukee, Wis. – At-large (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Tremaine Woodard, Marquette, Mich. - NMU

WELTERWEIGHT/152 lbs/69 kg:
Jaime Valdez, Tulare, Calif. - Central Pacific
Kolten Foo, Waipahu, Hawaii - Hawaii
Rodrigo Garcia, Santa Ana, Calif. - PAL
Nathaniel Hicks Fort Gordon, Ga. - Army
Orlando Utsey, Little Rock, Ark. - Heartland
Anthony Campbell, Covington, Tenn. - Southeast
Jose Elizondo, Carson, Nev. - Great West
Glen Tapia, Passaic, N.J. - Northeast
John Peak, Jr., Seatac, Wash. - Pacific Northwest
Erral Spence, Desoto, Texas - Texas
Javontae Starks, Maples, Minn. - North Mid-West
Joshua Gomez, El Paso, Texas - Air Force
Albert King, Kingsbay, Ga. - Navy
Jeremiah Wiggins, Newport News, Va. - East Central
William Waters, Phenix City, Ala. - Southeast Coast
Leandro White, Detroit, Mich. - Great Lakes
Wesley Padilla, Rock Springs, Wyo. – Wymondak (2007 Junior Olympic National Champion)
Arturo Crespin, Las Vegas, N.M, - Four Corners
Greg Carter, Waterbury, Conn. – At-large

MIDDLEWEIGHT/165 lbs/75 kg
Richard Hargraves, San Francisco, Calif. - Central Pacific
Kainoa Oca-Kauhane, Honolulu, Hawaii - Hawaii
Zacchaeus Hardrick, Fort Carson, Colo. – Army (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Keandrae Leatherwood, Tuscaloosa, Ala. - Southeast
Denis Douglin, Morganville, N.J. - PAL
Joe Strong, Midwest City, Okla. - Heartland
Christopher Chapman, San Diego, Calif. - Great West
Aleem Whitfield, Geneva, N.Y. - Northeast
Micheal Gavronski, North Bend, Wash. - Pacific Northwest
Jonathan Culbertson, Camp Lejeune, N.C. - USMC
Chap Huggins, Ft. Worth, Texas - Texas
Ceresso Fort, St. Paul, Minn. - North Mid-West
Thomas Jacobs, Bonaire, Ga. - Air Force
James Taylor, San Diego, Calif. - Navy
Jesse Hart, Philadelphia, Pa. - East Central
Lamar Russ, Fayetville, N.C. - Southeast Coast
Ramon Valenzuela, Chicago, Ill. - Great Lakes
Andre Penn, Rapids City, S.D. - Wymondak
Jesus Correa, Albuquerque, N.M. - Four Corners
Shawn Porter, Stow, Ohio – At-large (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Luis Arias, Milwaukee, Wis. – At-large (2006 Cadet World Championships silver medalist)
Dominic Wade, Largo, Md. – At-large (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT/178 lbs/81 kg
Joseph Gumina, San Mateo, Calif. - Central Pacific
Nainoa Seitz, Honolulu, Hawaii - Hawaii
Jeffery Spencer, Fort Carson, Colo. – Army (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Dorian Anthony, Lynwood, Calif. - PAL
Tyrone Davis, Monroe, La. - Southeast
Jeff Page, Andover, Kansas - Heartland
Framanu Pritchard, Long Beach, Calif. - Great West
Lionell Thompson, Buffalo, N.Y. - Northeast
Marquice Weston, Tacoma, Wash. - Pacific Northwest
Kelly Buchanan, Cosicana, Texas - Texas
Micheal Falk, St. Paul, Minn. - North Mid-West
Rodney Ellison Jr., Cheyene, Wyo. - Air Force
Jerry Martin, Norfolk, Va. - Navy
Thomas Williams, Laurel, Md. - East Central
Abdulah Dobey, Miami, Fla. - Southeast Coast
Terrell Gausha, Cleveland, Ohio - Great Lakes
Adam Axelson, Bozeman, Mont. - Wymondak
Andrew Hernandez, Phoenix, Ariz. - Four Corners
Siju Shabazz, Las Cruces, N.M. – At-large (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
DeRae Crane, Marquette, Mich. - NMU

HEAVYWEIGHT/201 lbs/91 kg
Melvin A. Holland, Fairfield, Calif. - Central Pacific
Matt Monkewiczm, Honolulu, Hawaii - Hawaii
Andrew Shepherd, Fort Carson, Colo. – Army (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Michael Bissett, Smyrna, Tenn. - Southeast
Joey Dawejko, Philadelphia, Pa. - PAL
Jeremiah Graziano, Lenexa, Kansas - Heartland
James Thomas, San Diego, Calif. - Great West
David Thompson, Brooklyn, N.Y. - Northeast
David Imoesiri, Seattle, Wash. - Pacific Northwest
Jerome Amato, Camp Lejeune, N.C. - USMC
Craig Baker, Baytown, Texas - Texas
Donnovan Dennis, Davenport, Iowa - North Mid-West
James Sterling Jr., APO - Air Force
Paul Koon, Philadelphia, Pa. - East Central
Yuwshua Zadok, Atlanta, Ga. - Southeast Coast
Craig Lewis, Detroit, Mich. - Great Lakes
Sifou Sua, Murray, Utah - Four Corners
David Carey, Anchorage, Alaska – At-large (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)

SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT/201+ lbs/91+ kg
Rodney Hernandez, Modesto, Calif. - Central Pacific
Keenyn Pahio, Honolulu, Hawaii - Hawaii
Jabril Temple, St. Louis, Mo. - Heartland
Andrew Deon Shepard, Ft. Carson, Colo. - Army
Anthony Webster, Birmingham, Ala. - Southeast
Alex Rivera, Coachella, Calif. - Great West
Tor Hamer, New York, N.Y. - Northeast
Lester King, Lacey, Wash. - Pacific Northwest
Josue Torres, Camp Lejeune, N.C. - USMC
Darlington Agha, Richmond, Texas - Texas
Toby Batie, Cedar Rapids, Iowa - North Mid-West
Javon Wallace, Fort Worth, Texas - Navy
Tavon Sol, Baltimore, Md. - East Central
Lenroy Thompson, Pt. Saint Lucie, Fla. - Southeast Coast (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials participant)
Jamey Medlock, Country Club Hills, Ill. - Great Lakes
Theon Pappas, Rapids City, S.D. - Wymondak
Terrance Perro, Denver, Colo. - Four Corners


Women’s Rosters

95 lbs
Gina Ramos, Honolulu, Hawaii

Pinweight/101 lbs/46 kg
Colleen Loo, Mililani, Hawaii - Hawaii
Sadie Roberts, Hudson, Iowa - North Mid-West (2007 National Champion)
Sylvia Villapondo, Houston, Texas - Texas
Brittany Walker, Beach Island, S.C. - Southeast Coast
Samantha Guzman, Oak Park, Ill. - Great Lakes

Light Flyweight/106 lbs/48 kg
Amber Goodwin, San Jose, Calif. - Central Pacific
Evonne Amantial-Williams - Hawaii
Kathrine Rodriguez, Riverside, Calif. - PAL
Marlen Esparza, Houston, Texas (two-time national champion) - Texas

Flyweight/110 lbs/50 kg
Courtney Ogawa, Mountain View, Calif. - Central Pacific
Amaris Quintana, San Diego, Calif. - Great West
Gina D’Andrea, Baltimore, Md. - East Central
Cheryl Houlihan, Santee, Calif. (Five-time national champion)

Light bantamweight/114 lbs/52 kg
Latonya King, Warren, Mich.
Keisher McLeod, Brooklyn, N.Y. - Northeast
Kristin Peterson, Chicago, Ill. - Great Lakes
Amy Sowers, Bozeman, Mont. - Wymondak
Nicole Pasillas, Aurora, Colo. - Four Corners

Bantamweight/119 lbs/54 kg
Raelene Pineda, San Bernardino, Calif. - Great West
Teresa O’Toole, North Hollywood, Calif. (two-time national champion) - PAL
Christina Cruz, New York, N.Y. (2007 National Champion) - Northeast
Kayla Combs, Lubbock, Texas - Texas
Latonya King, Warren Mich. - Great Lakes
Cynthia Moreno, Phoenix, Ariz. - Four Corners

Featherweight/125 lbs/57 kg
Patricia Manuel, Gardena, Calif. - Great West
Cherrie Moyer Golden City, N.Y. - Army
Jody-Ann Weller, Pomona, N.Y. - Northeast
Stephanie Eggink, Bellingham, Wash. (2007 National Champion) - Pacific Northwest
Alexandria Cardenas, San Angelo, Texas - Texas
Victoria Munoz-Cardoza, Dallas, Texas
Ashley Barnett, Cleveland, Ohio - Great Lakes (2005 National Champion)

Lightweight/132 lbs/60 kg
Katonya Fisher, Bakersfield, Calif. - PAL
Liz Leddy, Portland, Maine - Northeast
Jessica Chambers, Tacoma, Wash. - Pacific Northwest
Sarrah Schmadle, Marinette, Wis. - North Mid-West
Stephanie Han, El Paso, Texas - Texas
Camille Currie, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Geni Taylor, Marrero, La. - Southeast
Althea Saunders, Atlantic City, N.J. - East Central
Jacqueline Hernandez, Cummings, Ga. - Southeast Coast
Racheal Gray, Chicago, Ill. - Great Lakes

Light welterweight/138 lbs/63 kg
Kara Potter, San Jose, CA - Central Pacific
Triva Pino, Honolulu, Hawaii - Hawaii
Kimberly Rose, San Diego, Calif. - PAL
Wendy Casey, Binghampton, N.Y. - Northeast
Queen Underwood, Seattle, Wash. - Pacific Northwest (2007 National Champion)
Katy Klinfeter, Iowa City, Iowa - North Mid-West
Crystal Wortman, Panama City, Fla. - Air Force
Jessica Owens, Norfolk, Va. - Navy
Ishika C. Lay, Jacksonville, Fla. - Southeast Coast
Kristin Gearhart, Oak Park, Ill. - Great Lakes

Welterweight/145 lbs/66 kg
Christina Swanson, Hollywood, Fla. - PAL
Dariana Casado, New York, N.Y. - Northeast
Jacki Peterson, Vancover, Wash. - Pacific Northwest
Jennifer Fenn, Cedar Creek, Texas - Texas
Suzana Rodríguez, Plymouth, Ind.
Brittany Inkrote, Red Lion, Pa.
Nikisha Copeland, Aiken, S.C. - Southeast Coast
Vanessa Jackson, Columbus, Ohio - Great Lakes

Light middleweight/154 lbs/70 kg
Heather Hartman, Hayward, Calif. - Central Pacific
DeQuesa Martinez, Denver, Colo. - PAL
Lisa Kuronya, Portland, Maine (two-time national champion) - Northeast
Grace Parks, Bellingham, Wash. - Pacific Northwest
Maria Torres, Norfolk, Neb. - North Mid-West
Bambi Manzo, Baytown, Texas - Texas
Tia Daniels, Palm Bay, Fla. - Southeast Coast
Franchon Crews, Capitol Heights, Md. (three-time middleweight national champion) - East Central

Middleweight/165 lbs/75 kg
Lindsey Taylor, Monroe, La. - Southeast
Meredith A. Della Giustina, Lexington, Ky. - Great Lakes

Light heavyweight/176 lbs/80 kg
Meredith Hilderman, Waipahu, Hawaii - Hawaii
Jaclyn Nichols, Berlin, N.J.
Elizabeth Sabatier, Tombell, Texas - Texas

Heavyweight/189 lbs/86 kg
Denise Rico, Los Angeles, Calif. - Great West
Victoria Perez, Ventura, Calif. - PAL
Anne Gibbon, Annapolis, Md. - Navy (2007 National Champion)
Nikki Cane, Wendell, N.C. - Southeast Coast
Tiffany Hearn, Louisville, Ky. - Great Lakes

Super Heavyweight/189+ lbs/86+ kg
Angela Sperry, Helena

 

[heyzel]

HBO vs. Showtime: The Network Wars Begin

By Jake Donovan

It happens every year, right around this time of the year, in fact. HBO and Showtime, the two premiere stateside powerbrokers, manage to play nice for a couple of months, before deciding to go head-to-head in their boxing schedules.

From there, it's on. It's never a one-and-done affair; usually no fewer than five times, sometimes upwards of eight times per year as was the case in 2007

It's a strange rivalry as it remains solely in-house. Neither network will allow their boxing schedule to compete against other sports.

When was the last time a major fight card went head-to-head with Game 1 of the Major League Baseball World Series? In fact, big fights aren't even scheduled for the last weekend in October for fear that the World Series will extend to at least a 6th game.

Anyone who remotely follows college basketball knows that March Madness – bracket season - is now upon us. Boxing fans can relax and take in all of the action without fear of schedule conflict. Why? Because boxing doesn't schedule any major fights beyond the second round of the tournament, and won't come back until a college hoops champion is crowned, with the regional and Final Four rounds both taking place on Saturdays.

It is during both of the aforementioned (beginning of March and October) that scheduling conflicts between the two networks can most commonly be found.

Exhibit A is offered this weekend, as HBO and Showtime both offer top shelf boxing action, with both shows taking place outside of the U.S.

HBO travels to Cancun, Mexico, which plays host to its first ever heavyweight alphabet title fight, as Oleg Maskaev takes on Samuel Peter (Saturday, 9:30PM/6:30 PT). The winner angles for a future unification match with Wladimir Klitschko, though it's quite possible he will first have to go through big brother Vitali. The co-feature offers a lightweight title fight with heavy future implications, as undefeated and unified alphabet titlist Juan Diaz faces mandatory challenger Nate Campbell.

On the other side of the pond, Showtime offers boxing for the second time in as many weeks, traveling to London, England for the world cruiserweight championship between linear king David Haye and Enzo Maccarinelli (9:00PM ET/PT).

With the starting times a mere 30 minutes apart, the question now becomes, which do you watch live, and which do you TiVo.

So without further ado, here is what you can expect this weekend.

SHOWTIME: DAVID HAYE vs. ENZO MACCARINELLI

What's at stake:

The linear cruiserweight championship and U.K. cruiserweight bragging rights. Haye (20-1, 19KO) makes the first defense of the crown he snatched last November from two-time cruiser king Jean-Marc Mormeck. No soft touch lined up here, with Maccarinelli (28-1, 20KO) regarded as a Top 3 cruiserweight, in addition to bringing alphabet hardware to the table.

Why you should choose this show:

- Guaranteed excitement: For all of the criticism directed at the cruiserweight division, when was the last time a fight with the linear cruiserweight championship at stake did NOT produce plenty of bang for your buck? Haye's off-the-canvas stoppage victory of Mormeck was HBO and Showtime's loss. Ditto for Mormeck's regaining the crown from O'Neil Bell in their rematch earlier in the year, which aired live on MSG Network. The first fight aired in January 2006, with Bell overcoming a rough start to knock out Mormeck in ten rounds, in what became the year's first Fight – and Upset – of the Year contender.

That Mormeck-Wayne Braithwaite (April 2005) was the weakest entry of the aforementioned linear title fights tells you how high the stakes have been raised when this crown is at stake. Couple that with both fighters possessing fight-altering power, Haye's general disregard for defense, Maccarinelli's brawling style and neither fighter boasting much of a chin, and an all-out war is all but guaranteed.

- Instant clarification: Regardless of the outcome, this weekend's cruiserweight fight already has a clear-cut leader going in, and will have one at night's end. Haye is the linear champ. Maccarinelli may claim to be the best and may possess an alphabet title, but in order to BECOME the best, he must beat Haye, no ifs, ands or buts about it. Compare that to HBO's offering, where the Maskaev-Peter winner will still have to face at least Wladimir Klitschko before heavyweight supremacy is decided. And where Juan Diaz, despite gaining momentum as the best lightweight on the planet, cannot lay linear claim to the title until he forces Joel Casamayor to relinquish the crown – either in the ring or via retirement.

- Spoiler-free zone: How many times have you instead opted to watch an HBO broadcast and TiVo the Showtime card, only for Jim Lampley or Larry Merchant to randomly blurt out the result on "that other network" during the middle of the HBO show? The network almost always offers an apology afterward, insisting that it wasn't deliberate. But if they were truly sorry, they wouldn't do it, and therefore having to keep apologize for it.

Why you should wait or pass:

- Who cares about Euro fighters: The message was sent loud and clear last November, when HBO announced that the Joe Calzaghe-Mikkel Kessler card was its lowest rated telecast of the year. Regardless of the skill level or of conversations in barber shops, by the water cooler or on message boards to the contrary , your average American boxing fan generally doesn't care about two European fighters going head-to-head. Calzaghe entered the fight with major backing from HBO, and Kessler benefited from a showcase earlier in the year, yet fans still didn't care. So who will care about Haye or Maccarinelli, neither of whom have ever appeared on a major card hosted by HBO or Showtime?

- The bigger they are, the more they'll disappoint: The trend in recent years has proven the lower weight classes are carrying the sport on their tiny backs while the sport's bigger boys collectively clog up space. Despite the track record of past cruiserweight championships, the division is due for a letdown. While Haye and Maccarinelli both love to throw down, there's also the off-chance that both will be wary of the other's power, that you tune in for a fight and a boxing match will instead break out. Given their starting times, Haye-Maccarinelli will run head-to-head with the Diaz-Campbell lightweight fight on HBO.

- There's always the West Coast feed: Unlike HBO's World Championship Boxing series, which airs live throughout the country, those with satellite or digital cable can always catch Showtime's card three hours later on the West Coast feed. It's only one fight, which means no matter how late you stay up to watch, your Showtime viewing experience is still over in 12 rounds or less. Plus, you can still catch it directly after the HBO card, if their two scheduled bouts cover the entire time slot allotted for the show.

HBO: OLEG MASKAEV vs. SAMUEL PETER/JUAN DIAZ vs. NATE CAMPBELL

What's at stake:

Bigger and better things in the heavyweight and lightweight divisions. The Maskaev-Peter winner will be one step closer toward heavyweight unification, with only Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev standing in their way of gaining universal recognition as the undisputed leader of boxing's longtime glory division. The Diaz-Campbell winner can be considered the best lightweight in the world, even if the linear championship exists elsewhere (for the moment, around the waist of Joel Casamayor).

Why you should choose this show:

- If it was good enough for Showtime…: Ironic that when Maskaev-Peter finally comes off, it will air opposite the network that planned to host it all along. The fight was first scheduled for last October, after months of political football in getting the fight put together. When Maskaev pulled up lame, Showtime was forced to instead go with Peter-Jameel McCline. The backup plan became February 2, only no arena could be secured in time. Showtime said, "thanks but no thanks" when the bout was rescheduled for March 8, the slot already filled by Haye-Maccarinelli. Their loss becomes HBO's gain, as both Maskaev and Peter are noted punchers. Maskaev's been down and out before, while Peter tasted the canvas for the first – and second, and third – time against McCline.

- Two fights are better than one: No matter how great Haye-Maccarinelli turns out to be, Showtime's night is done in 12 rounds or less. Boxing junkies get more for their money with HBO's doubleheader, with both fights just as intriguing as Showtime's one bout. Peter and Diaz are both considerable favorites, but Maskaev and Campbell both have notable upsets under their belts in recent years. Maskaev's alphabet title-winning effort came in come-from-behind fashion, rallying back to stop Hasim Rahman in the 12th round of their August 2006 rematch. Campbell accepted assignment against Kid Diamond on less than a month's notice. He made the lightweight contender pay dearly in their October 2005 bout, beating the breaks off of him before stopping him in ten brutally one-sided rounds, snatching his "0" in the process. Both are live dogs in their fights, with Peter showing major vulnerabilities last October against McCline, and Campbell's 5" reach advantage against Diaz possibly playing a major factor in the type of lightweight fight he's demanded for well over a year.

Why you should wait or pass:

- Who cares about heavyweights: Blame Wladimir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov. It's not entirely their fault, but you can certainly understand if anyone considered their fight two weekends ago to be the last straw in holding out hope for the dysfunctional heavyweight division. When your division's encore performance is an oft-postponed matchup that, in separate tries, struggled to find a home, sell tickets or even come off, it's tough to envision a rosy outcome. But even if this fight came off in a timely fashion, there's still no end in sight to the clutter toward the top. This weekend's winner most likely faces Vitali Klitschko rather than Wladimir, who is looking at separate mandatory challenges to occupy the remainder of his 2008 schedule.

- Diaz-Casamayor or bust: Let's face it, Diaz-Campbell is happening because it has to, not due to any demand for it (outside of Campbell and his camp). Not to say that Nate doesn't deserve a title shot – he took on every fight demanded of him, with the promise of a shot at the winner of last year's "Dia de los Diaz" bout, yet still had to aggressively lobby for the fight before all parties willingly gave in. But that doesn't mean the fans have to care. It was the threat of lawsuits that forced Don King's - and Juan Diaz' – hands in making this fight. The one fight most lightweight followers demanded was a showdown between the man regarded as the linear champ – Joel Casamayor – and the man regarded as today's best lightweight – Juan Diaz – to clear up once and for all who is without a shadow of a doubt, the man at lightweight.

- Quantity does not equate quality: It's tough to ignore the fact that the night's best – and most significant - matchup, on paper, takes place on Showtime. In an era where fans demand the most for their money, HBO subscribers may feel cheated in getting a heavyweight fight nobody really demanded and a lightweight bout that may or may not lead to a bigger lightweight fight, knowing that far less confusion comes out of what Showtime has to offer.

With so much to choose from and so little time to spare, a decision will have to be reached come Saturday night. It's just a shame that a boxing fan's greatest dilemma has to be the sport competing against itself, and that this weekend won't be the only time this year, with another head-to-head matchup already scheduled for April 12.

It's an even greater pill to swallow knowing that it won't offer any flex when another game comes to town.

HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY TOP THAT?

Regardless of which show you choose this weekend, chances are it won't top last weekend's incredible rubber match between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez.

Just when you thought Vazquez had Marquez' number, he falls into a hole – and eventually to the canvas for the first time in the trilogy. Just when you thought Marquez finally proves to be a step ahead of Vazquez, he falls behind. Just when you suspect Vazquez will stay in the lead, back comes Marquez, with only a 10th round point deduction standing in the way of possibly taking the fight off of the table heading into the championship rounds.

The ultimate difference – their desire heading into the 12th and final round.

It doesn't happen often, but on this particular evening, Nacho Beristain, one of the game's absolute best cornermen, was outcoached. The advice in the Marquez corner was to be smart and to not get caught, perhaps firmly believing that they had the fight won on the cards and didn't want to risk a knockout. The word from the Vazquez corner – whatever you have left, leave it all in the ring.

To their credit, both men astutely heeded the advice of their cornermen. Only it won Vazquez the fight – while Marquez blew his chance to preserve his lead.

Vazquez went balls to the wall in the 12th and final round, to where it could be argued that the round would've been 10-8 even without the late knockdown. Marquez offered very little, perhaps because he had very little left in the tank. When he was hurt (at least twice), he would clinch. It worked for 2:45, but Marquez no longer possessed the energy to fend off a relentless Vazquez.

A volley of clean, unanswered head shots sent Marquez reeling into a corner, with his right hand grabbing the top rope the lone course of action preventing a trip to the canvas. Despite post-fight protests from Marquez and promoter Gary Shaw, referee Pat Russell correctly ruled it a knockdown. The standing eight-count ate up most of the remaining clock, with no time left for a Vazquez follow up.

Rather than protest, Marquez should thank Russell; no break in the action leaves him open for another ten seconds. Vazquez had already twice landed clean shots after Marquez was driven into a corner. No telling how many more shots land, and how well Marquez takes them.

Nevertheless, not even Shaw and Marquez' post-fight protest - following the second and third fights – can spoil what must be regarded as the greatest trilogy in boxing history.

The only thing that can top it, would be Vazquez-Marquez IV. This time, in a Mexican bullring, where 50,000 or so fans can pack the arena, giving these two diminutive warriors the audience it deserves.

 

[heyzel]

De La Hoya Promises To Retire after 2008

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Oscar De La Hoya has begun training and getting into shape for his May 3 fight against Steve Forbes and says after that he wants a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr who won a split decision in their incredible “The World Awaits” showdown last May 5 which some fight fans believe De La Hoya should have won.

Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today tried to contact De La Hoya but Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez said he was “training at this time in Puerto Rico” according to his wife Millie but would get back to us when he was free. The 35 year old boxing icon with a record of 38-5, 30 KO's faces the 31 year old former IBF super featherweight champion Forbes who has a record of 33-5, 9 KO's at the Home Depot in Carson, California.

Appearing on Bloomberg television in a lengthy and informative interview, De La Hoya said “I can compete on the highest level. I know I can beat the best and Mayweather is the best. I need that rematch. I have to have it.” The fight against the undefeated, 31 year old Mayweather( 39-0, 25 KO's) has been planned for September 20 in Las Vegas.

De La Hoya said he wanted to fight three times before retiring and that he had “not decided yet who the opponent can be” for his final bout but added “obviously it will be one of the best.”

De La Hoya, known for years as the “Golden Boy” of boxing after he won an Olympic gold medal which he had promised his mother he would do, said “I have always been known to fight the best over the years in my career so this will be no exception.”

He said that by December “my body will be winding down, I’ll probably be tired of all the training that I’ll be going through this year but I will continue to fight the best and December (the third and last fight) will be no exception.”

De La Hoya said his schedule meant “constant training and it’s a dedication that I have to put myself through. Not necessarily prove to myself but just to do it smart. I want to set a standard, I want to make sure that the young and upcoming fighters, these kids, will look at my career and say ‘wow, Oscar did it, I can do it too.”

 

[heyzel]

James Toney Puts Joe Mesi On Blast (03/03/08)

Editor: You're calling me early on Saturday and I know why. Tell us what you'd like to say in response to Joe Mesi's remarks on Friday Night Fights.

James Toney: "Joe Mesi's on ESPN Friday Night Fights talking all that trash, but he wants to do nothing about it. He would NEVER fight me. He reminds me of Rocky Balboa, but in the opening scene of the first movie when he was just a club fighter. That's all he is, he's just a club fighter and now he's being promoted in Hicktown, Rhode Island with Jimmy Bumfield and they're going to fight one bum after another. They threw some little number at us knowing we would turn it down, so all that trash he's talking is just a facade"

Editor: Would you like to fight Mesi in your first fight out the gate?

James Toney: "We could have fought in January and we could have fought in December, but they'd rather fight bums in Utah and North Dakota. He's not even on my level. He's a bum. He's a low class fighter. He lives in Buffalo, what's in Buffalo? The Bills? They suck just like him. He's a low budget boxer. He ain't never fight nobody and when he did he got beat. He got a gift against Monte Barrett and Jirov almost killed him. I mean Jirov beat the shit out of him and that's what caused him getting that brain damage he supposedly had."

Editor: Were you shocked when you heard his remarks?

JT: "I was surprised, but if he wants to talk his shit talk that shit in my face. This guy wasn't even on my radar. But now that's he's running his mouth about me he's got my undivided attention. All that talking he better be ready to back it up because when I see him I'm going to slap those fake Italian teeth out of his mouth."

 

[heyzel]

Steve Forbes: I'm Going To Ruin Mayweather-de La Hoya Ii (02/28/08

Editor: Congrats on landing the De La Hoya fight. Can you tell us how you felt when you first heard the news and tell us what you plan on doing to destroy the mega-fight in September?

Steve Forbes: "When I first heard the news I thought somebody was playing a bad joke on me. I didn't think it was serious, but being that it's probably been a good month where I couldn't say much at all because there was a lot of speculation. But now everything is done and I'm heading out your way. I'll be in NYC tomorrow and I'm really excited about it. I'm here to interrupt that Mayweather-De La Hoya rematch."

Editor: You're fully aware that they're trying to use you as a tune-up to Mayweather. How does that motivate you?

Steve Forbes: "It motivates me even more. I look at it like this, it don't matter how I got here. Now I'm here. I've been waiting for this my whole career. This is the opportunity for me to show against a legendary figure in boxing. He's not a legend yet, but he's still breaking barriers with everything he's done. With a guy that well known and that appreciated, it's the biggest stage anybody could ever ask for. I'm definitely motivated to pull off the shocker."

Editor: How confident are you that you'll be able to last twelve rounds with him at 147 pounds?

SF: "I'm supremely confident. It's funny because I've never really talked about this, and people want to go off of the Grady Brewer fight where I didn't train at all. I never remarked on that because I didn't want to take anything away from Grady. He had a good night that night, but I didn't train properly. I did what a lot of the others fighters and I let me supposedly being a shoe in to win the show get to my head. That's why I so anxious to fight a guy like Demetrius Hopkins to show that I Can go out there and whoop on a young prospect. I did that and I then took short money to fight Bojado to once again show that I Can fight anybody. I have no problem knowing that I"m going to be able to go for twelve rounds and I'm going to be winning a lot of these rounds man. I really honestly feel that way."

Editor: Can you tell us why you fell you stylistically have what it takes to defeat De La Hoya?

SF: "It's simple. I have the Mayweather style. Oscar has trained with Mayweather, but I've been training with them my whole life so I think I'm more used to the style than he is. I think Oscar's going to want to prove that he can walk through me, but I'm slick and I'm going to have everything working. I'm bringing 100% of everything. I know he's going to try to use the Mayweather style, but I know that style better and I think that's going to be the difference."

Editor: Are you concerned that Roger is training you to beat Oscar who is supposed to be fighting his nephew in the biggest fight in boxing this September?

SF: "Not at all. One thing about the Mayweather's and I Said this at the press conference, is if they train you they want to win. They're so competitive that they want to prove that they can make the difference. Roger is taking this fight no different. He would love to say he's got two wins over Oscar with two different guys. And now he's going against his brother this time, so I know he's going to show me everything I need to do to win. It's my job to put it into action."

Editor: I know you're coming to win, but at the same time is this a win-win for you based on the fact that most people are expecting to you to lose, so even if you lose you're still viable at 140?

SF: "Absolutely. I couldn't have said it better myself. It's true. I'm the huge underdog which is fine, but when people don't expect a whole lot whatever you give them is going to be better than they expected. And when people see I how come to fight on May 3, I think people will be impressed at the showing I give them. This is right up my alley because Oscar might believe he's going to be able to walk through me also. I know Mayweather Sr doesn't think that."

Editor: HBO is going to bill this as the prelim to the super-fight. The last time such a prelim took place was when Oscar fought Felix Sturm as a prelim to Bernard Hopkins. When Oscar fought Sturm, many felt Sturm deserved the decision but didn't get it because of all of the money that loomed in the Hopkins fight. Are you in the same position here where winning a decision might be impossible based on the $150,000,000 event already set for September?

SF: "Yeah, but it's like I said, boxing is ran by you guys and the fans. They can make or break your career pretty much. With the Demetrius Hopkins fight, everybody knows I won that fight and it lead to better opportunities, so I'm sure if I win this fight and they give him the decision, it's going to lead to bigger and better things for me. Oscar is such a huge name that people would be outraged if I deserved the decision and don't get it. It would only make me bigger like the Hopkins fight did, so I'm not worried about that at all. I'm expecting things to be fair, I'm sure they'll be a little slanted towards Oscar and they should be, but I'm confident that if I come performing at my highest level, I'll be fine."

Editor: Floyd Mayweather viewed De La Hoya as a one handed fighter, do you feel the same way and will you focus on his left because you're not going to be as concerned with his right?

SF: "Of course, I know he's big with his left hand. I'm looking for both of them, but we know the left hand is where it's at with him, so there's going to be a lot of focus on his left hand."

 

[MOREBASS]

I honestly don't think even a De La Hoya loss would stop Oscar and Floyd from fighting and collecting all that damn money. Stevie is a slick boxer, and I thought that he schooled D-Hop when they fought...but obviously, with it being a Golden Boy Promotion...the judges decision was another questionable one.

 

[heyzel]

man I don't want to even see a odh and pbf rematch I think it a waste of time

 

[heyzel]

Jose Luis Castillo Having Weight Issues?

It appears that the scales of justice may be unbalanced for the upcoming World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight title elimination bout between undefeated No. 1 contender TIMOTHY "Desert Storm" BRADLEY and No. 2 rated JOSE LUIS CASTILLO, the former two-time WBC lightweight champion. Bradley (21-0, 11 KOs), from Palm Springs, Calif., weighed 143.5 lbs at his seven-day weigh-in, well below the 147 lbs. maximum allowed. Castillo (56-8-1, 48 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, in his last WBC report, did not include his seven-day weight, a clear violation of WBC rules. Castillo, who has a history of not making weight for fights, reportedly weighed 151 lbs at his 30-day weigh-in, leading to speculation that he may be suffering from dietary inflation. The weight limit for their March 8 fight in Cancun, Mexico is 140 lbs.

The rules are explicit and we expect the WBC to enforce them," said Gary Shaw, Bradley's, co-promoter. "I've been down this road too many times with Castillo and I will not tolerate it again. Castillo, his manager and promoter have a responsibility to adhere to the rules and the WBC is equally accountable to enforce them. It's the only way to maintain a level playing field for both fighters. Bradley is fighting a very popular ex-WBC champion in his own backyard, I don't think we're asking too much. All parties know Castillo's history for not making weight. I'm confident the WBC will make sure Castillo and his team don't try to manipulate the scale at the official weigh-in like they did for the first rematch with Diego Corrales. How it got to this point, four days from the fight, is incomprehensible and inexcusable."

 

[heyzel]

Holyfield Defends Third Mike Tyson Bout

By Mark Vester

Speaking with BBC's Inside Sport, Evander Holyfield, 45, became defensive over the criticism regarding a potential third bout with Mike Tyson, 41. Holyfield revealed last week that Jeff Fenech, on behalf of Tyson, contacted him to inquire if he was interested in a trilogy bout. Following Holyfield's disclosure, criticism rained down from all corners of the sport.

Holyfield holds two wins over Tyson, an eleventh-round TKO in 1996 and third-round disqualification win in the 1997 rematch after Tyson was penalized for biting off a piece of Holyfield's ear.

British heavyweight Danny Williams told BBC Sport that Holyfield-Tyson III would be "a freak show", and "an insult to everybody's intelligence."

Lennox Lewis also says a third meeting should never take place.

"I wouldn't give Tyson a hope," Lewis said. "Evander's obviously the better fighter but I'd rather see him do something else. Why fight the same fight again? We all know who would win."

Holyfield on the other hand said that he was going to do what he wanted to do, and feels that a third Tyson bout is a good thing.

"It's up to me as an adult what I want to do. Tyson wants to regain his character. I want a good showing, he wants a good showing - so the best man would come out on top. It was my choice to forgive him," said Holyfield. "I forgave him that same night he bit me. I had to forgive him because it would make me want to do something bad to him

 

[2-0-Sixx]

god damn it, Green suspended indefinitely!

Wednesday, March 5 2008


The Louisiana State Boxing & Wrestling Commission has placed super middleweight contender Allan Green on indefinite suspension. Green, who hails from from Oklahoma, was scheduled to fight against Antwun Echols on last Friday's ESPN show in Marksville, Louisiana, but failed to appear. He will remain suspended by the state until further notice.

 

[MOREBASS]

I saw Echols fighting last night on ESPN...? He was getting wrecked...didn't catch who the other guy was. LOL...how you gonna no show your fight tho ? Its not like a court appearance...shit...go get your money !

 

[2-0-Sixx]

I think he has some funk with the promoters or some shit

 

[naner12]

god damn it, Green suspended indefinitely!

Wednesday, March 5 2008


The Louisiana State Boxing & Wrestling Commission has placed super middleweight contender Allan Green on indefinite suspension. Green, who hails from from Oklahoma, was scheduled to fight against Antwun Echols on last Friday's ESPN show in Marksville, Louisiana, but failed to appear. He will remain suspended by the state until further notice.

I don't think he's too worried about being suspended from here too much. We don't have ANY big fights down here anymore.

 

[heyzel]

Juan Manuel Marquez Media Interview

Richard Schaefer: Welcome everybody, good afternoon, Juan Manuel Marquez versus Manny Pacquiao, Unfinished Business—great, great fight. Just a week to go, anticipation is big. Juan Manuel Marquez is in a tremendous shape. I was down in Mexico, I saw him. Everybody in Mexico and Hispanics here in the United States, they are all talking about this fight. Juan Manuel Marquez is going to be the last man standing for Mexico, after Pacquiao of course beat two other fighters in Erik Morales and Mark Antonio Pravara. He is going to enter the ring as the champion, as the WBC champion. And they will be fighting for the vacant ring magazine, Super Feather Weight Championship as well.

As I said before, he's going to enter the ring. But he's going to have 100 million Mexicans behind him. This is for pride this is for country. This really is for Mexico, and he will be coming out with a big victory for Mexico Saturday, March 15 at the Mandalay Bay live on HBO Pay Per View, we have not doubt about that. Tickets are still available, very few tickets though, the $100 and $200 tickets are sold out. There are a handful of $300 tickets left and a couple hundred of $400 and $600 tickets. So maybe all in all, four or five hundred tickets are left. Make your reservations. Go and grab these last remaining tickets.

We will be opening up the Mandalay Bay for closed circuit seats as well. So if you are not going to get any tickets, still go to Vegas, go and be part of it of this historic weekend. The sponsors are Tecate Beer, Rock Star Energy Drink and Southwest Airlines. They have done a tremendous job to support this show. And finally thank you as well to Bob Arum and Top Rank for pulling off this great and big promotion. So again, it's going to be an amazing, a great night of boxing, a little over a week. And I look forward to see you all there.

I am joined today by Jaime Quintana, Manager for Juan Manuel and Ignacio Beristeain, his trainer.

QUESTIONS—All questions interpreted by Jaime Quintana

Dan Rafael, ESPN: I would like to know from Juan Manuel about the fact that this rematch has been quite a few years in the making. Their first fight was such a great fight. But, I wonder if he could reflect a little bit on the first fight, and talk me through that; what happened there in that first round where he got knocked down three times. And also how he was able to come back and, you know, gain a draw, a fight that many people thought that he won? And has that been on his mind ever since, you know, in getting this rematch together, has that motivated him to get this rematch?

Juan Manuel Marquez: What I can tell you is that I was pretty confident on that fight. I mean I was connecting well in the first round. And I was confident. I thought it was going to be an issue fight. But, whoa, I got a surprise that it wasn't. I mean he got me with three great punches. I went down three times. But I got up. I got up because of the great condition that I was in at that time. But also because, I was defending two titles. Two titles that cost me a lot to win them. And I wasn't letting them go in three minutes, just like that.

So that's why I got up and because of my great heart, and also because of my people, because of that great support that I was having that night.

Dan Rafael: I guess most people would figure he's not getting dropped three times in the first round. And if he doesn't get knocked down three times, he probably ends up winning the fight on the scorecards that first time. How does he think that this second fight, what will he think, what does he think will be different about it, besides the fact that few people would expect him to get knocked down three times in the first round?

Marquez: Well I can tell you that because what people are going to see is a great fight, a great fight. I'm going to put everything in the ring. And obviously, I won't be so confident. I'm going to be around from the first, when the bell rings until the end of the last round, it won't matter what ends the fight, but I'm going to be alert, I'm going to pull all my senses. Everything is going to be in the ring.

So I promise you, I won't disappoint you guys. I'm going to be alert, and I won't be as confident, so it's going to be a great fight.

Dan Rafael: Did he say he won't be confident or he will be confident?

Marquez: He won't be so confident. I mean given that he is going an issue fight. He's going to be concentrated and be alert.

Dan Rafael: Got you, okay. Thank you very much - appreciate it. Look forward to seeing the fight.

Robert Morales, LA Daily News: Hello everybody. Hello Juan and Jaime. How is everybody doing? Jaime would you ask Juan if having just watched his brother engage in a very brutal fight, if that could have a negative psychological affect on Juan, as he had heads into a fight that could also be very brutal?

Marquez: Well not at all. I mean as you won't see any of the fight, never lost a fight. And I'm going to be pretty concentrated on the fight. I'm going put everything in the fight and that's what motivates me now, more than that I need to win this fight because of what happened to my brother.

And I promise you, I'm going to put everything in it.

Franklin McNeal, Star Ledger: Hi Juan. In the first fight after the first round, you seemed to really make adjustments and pretty much dominate the fight.

Were there things that you figured out from that first fight that you think will help you in the second fight, in this rematch?

Marquez: Well yes, I made some adjustments and I had to make them. And from that fight to this fight, that's four years now. And Manny Pacquiao became better. I have become better. I'm a better boxer, better fighter. And it's going to be a totally different fight. Nevertheless, it's going to be a great fight. Yes, they will see a great fight and experience a great fight. But yes, from that fight, from the previous fight, Manny Pacquiao had a great experience. I had a great experience from that fight.

And I just can tell you that I'm going to be into the fight. I'm going to be concentrating in the fight. And it's going to be a hell of a fight. I mean that's all he can tell you.

Franklin McNeal: One question; A lot of time has gone past since that fight. Does he see the timeframe being an advantage to him rather than having thought, or would he have preferred to fight Manny sooner?

So does he thing it could be advantageous for him, the delay?

Marquez: Well, no, and I can tell you that it won't be an issue. My age won't be an issue in the fight. I can tell you right now that I feel better than ever.

I feel so strong, so prepared for this fight. And I mean the timing; this second fight is coming at the right time. I don't see that it is not the correct time. And I didn't want to fight him sooner, but everything is falling into place, that's my feeling.

Good afternoon. Mr. Marquez, you had spoken just a couple minutes ago that this is going to be a totally different fight. And talked about how you've improved, how your opponent's improved.

Can you talk a little bit about how specifically you've improved and how specifically you see that this fight is going to be totally different?

Also, are you concerned that your opponent may weigh considerably more than you do?

Marquez: Well it's going to be different because, obviously, it’s now four years later, and I have acquired more experience. I'm stronger now; I think I have more speed. Manny Pacquiao has also changed. He has become a different fighter. Because of the styles, that's why I'm saying that it's going to be totally different. But, nevertheless, it's going to be a great fight. And I'm going to put everything on it.


Jose Sanchez, HOY Newspaper: (Spanish spoken.) The first question was Juan Manuel, why do you think you are better than Manny Pacquiao? In what ways?

Marquez: Well I can tell you that I'm a better fighter. I'm a more technical fighter, in better condition, and I proved it in the first fight.

Watching the first fight I saw that Manny Pacquiao was getting tired, and I wasn't. I was in my prime throughout the fight. So I can tell you that that's why I consider myself better than Manny Pacquiao because I'm a better boxer, a better fighter.

(Jose Sanchez): Manuel, what are your worries about Manny Pacquiao?

Marquez: As you all know, he's a very fast and very quick fighter, a very strong fighter. He has strong punch and that's all I can I worry about. But I'm prepared and I'm ready for that. I have done a pretty good enough job in the gym conditioning that I think I'm going to win. I'm going to win. I have everything to give Manny Pacquiao.

Michael Woods: Juan, I'd like to get your take on people who don't know you and your brother. What are the differences in you guys technically? And are you better than your brother? Is their rivalry? Which is the better Marquez brother?

Marquez: Well I don’t know who is better, my brother is a great fighter. He proved he proved himself last Saturday. He's a great fighter and I admire him.

I do my job inside the ring too; we prepare the same and we do our job in the ring. So that's all I can tell you, there's no rivalry between my brother and I, not at all. We are brothers and we respect each other, but I don't necessarily consider myself better than him

Michael Woods: That first fight, the third time that you went down, Juan it looked like possibly you were in a little bit more trouble. There was the possibility that you weren't going to get up.

How close were you to not being able to get up the last knock down of the first fight?

Marquez: To stay down means to loose the fight, and that's something that never crossed my mind. I’ve always said that. It cost me a lot of effort and I put in a lot of time in boxing to conquer two titles.

And for me to loose in two or three minutes—it was almost impossible. And I was pissed, I was angry because Manny Pacquiao punched me when I was down and the referee never said anything to him. I was mad and I realized that I had to do my best since the referee was not doing his job the properly.

I was angrier at the referee than I was with Manny Pacquiao.

Michael Woods: Which knock-down does he allege Manny of punching him when he was down?

Marquez: It was on the third knock down.

Michael Wood: Third knock down, all right. Thanks a lot.

Jerry Glick: Hello everybody. Hello Juan. I have a question about the time delay that was mentioned earlier.

When you were in the ring that night almost four years ago, after battling your way back from those knockdowns, did you feel that the momentum was in your favor? And do you feel that you've lost that feeling of momentum with four years passing?

Marquez: Well I mean we all know what happened—we all know I won that fight. He did win the first round though, maybe one or two others. I won the rest of the fight. From what I was feeling and from that fight, I feel I won and I know they can’t lie to people about the outcome.

But people saw that I won that fight and I was happy. I was happy because the public knew that I truly won that fight.

Jerry Glick: At what point after that first round did you feel that you were back in the fight after those knock downs?

Marquez: Well I can tell you that for sure that after the fourth round I was dominating the fight. Like I said, Manny Pacquiao only won one or two rounds, three at the most. After all, I was winning and clearly won the rounds.

Jerry Glick: What do you feel that you learned in that fight that you're going to be bringing into this fight?

Marquez: That you have to be alert from the first round all the way to the end, and that you never take anything for granted. And that's all, I clearly learned that from that fight past time. Also, you need to be into the fight 100%, every round.

Ricardo Celis: Telefutura: Now that you know the power that Manny Pacquiao has, is there anything different that you guys did during the training, like fighting more defensive?

Marquez: There were no major changes in training. We have great sparring and that's what is helping us a lot now. I mean now we have left handed south-paw sparring that we never had before. I mean in the previous fight, the promotional component that we were before, said that they were sending some south-paw sparring and they never got to Mexico. And now we have three great sparring, along with south-paw. Thanks to Golden Boy, because they send them. And the only thing that we are cautious of and working on is Manny Pacquiao’s left-hand. We know Manny Pacquiao left-hand is like a bullet, very powerful and very fast. Also, we are aware of his right and left hook. He has become a better fighter and he has a great trainer. So those are little details that we have worked on and I don’t see any other major changes in Juan Manuel's training. Everything is the same except for that.

Ricardo Celis: Juan Manuel do you think there's any pressure for being the hope of all the Mexicans after Pacquiao defeated Morales, Pravara and Chalolo Larrius?

Marquez: Well, pride and motivation will certainly outweigh pressure in this fight I know that Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter and he defeated all the fighters that you mentioned. But yes, I'm pretty motivated. And it is a big responsibility for me taking this fight. I know that I should do pretty well considering the good job in the gym and in the mountains I have done as well as conditioning. I know that I can beat Manny Pacquiao and I want to come back home with my belt.

Joseph Simontel, Asian Journal: You know, I just want to talk about Juan Manuel Marquez's legacy here. Despite all the accolades that you know you have, all those championship belts, you don't have that marquee name like Pravara or Morales. Do you think a win will solidify your legacy among some of the top Mexican boxers?

Marquez: I can definitely tell you that I know what I have done in boxing. People know what I have done in boxing. And people are the ones that give you the recognition. I have the recognition from the people. I don't see it necessary for people to compare Erik Morales, Pravara and myself. We are three different fighters. Obviously winning against Manny Pacquiao would be great. I'm doing this for me and my people because I know that they understand the importance of this fight. But there's no need to compare Erik Morales and Barrera with me.

Joseph Simontel: And one last question, how do you see this fight play out? Do you expect this to go all 12 rounds? Maybe a knock out? What do you think?

Marquez: Well I don't know how it's going to end, but I can tell you that I'm confident of what I have done in the gym. I'm mentally and physically ready for this fight and I know that I'm going to beat Manny Pacquiao.

Andres Rodriguez,ESPNDeportes.com: The first question was: Juan Manuel why do you think it took you so long to get the rematch with Manny Pacquiao? And at the same time, do you think that waiting so long for this fight will affect you on your preparation for this fight?

Marquez: You all know that the second fight never took place right after 2004 because of my old promoter.
After four years in waiting for this fight, it's going to affect me with my conditioning and technicality as a boxer. I am taking this fight very seriously. I have trained very hard for this and I'm going to win.

Rodriguez: How do you handle and control those emotions—to not to get involved in your preparation in your fight, with this kind of fight that you were waiting for so long?

Marquez: I can tell that it's normal. It's like any other fight. The only thing is that when they told me that I was going to fight Manny Pacquiao, I was relaxed. I know that I had to be well prepared and I am. But that’s the experience and the confidence that you acquire throughout the years.

Dan Rafael, ESPN: Okay, my question for Ignacio is we spent a lot of time talking with Juan Manuel about what happened in the first fight, particularly in the first round. I would like to know what Nachio was like in the corner. What was he thinking when he saw this fighter that he'd had for so long, had been so great, won titles and all of a sudden he's down three times. How concerned was he that maybe the fight was over with? And what, did he say anything to Juan Manuel in the corner to help him get back into the fight?

Ignacio: Well I mean what I can tell you that I was confident on the welcome, on the gym. But I was worried, and I was mad more than worried. I was angry that I saw him on the canvas three times and he was so confident, he was so relaxed in the first round, in the first half of the first round, connecting punches the way he wanted a combination and everything.

And I was thinking to myself that this is not the way he's supposed to be fighting because I mean he seemed so relaxed. And knowing Manny Pacquiao he is like a wildcat, he throws punches from everywhere. I knew at that time that he was connecting with Juan Manuel Marquez. Now this happens because sometimes fighters start listening to people, saying because people come, they come close to you and they say you know what? Don't worry, it's going to be an easy fight. You can win this fight. You can knock him out. And that faces every fighter. But I just told him, I mean, and you got to, when he came back to the corner, I just told him “I told you.” I urged you not to do what you were doing. So please go back to the plan that we had and everything is going to be fine.

And he did it. He did it because he had a great preparation. He had a great condition, and you saw it. I mean he went all the way to distance.

Dan Rafael: Can you ask him, Nachio, what particularly was he doing wrong? Because you said that Nachio had said that he looked relaxed, he was landing punches.
I would figure that's exactly what his trainer would want him to be is relaxed and landing punches? So what was it that he was doing wrong that was of concern to Nachio?

Ignacio: Everything was going fine except that like I said, he was fighting so relaxed. So loose like he had an invisible opponent in front of him. And that's what cost him the three knockdowns.

Dan Rafael: Okay. I have one more question for Juan Manuel. You know, there had been discussion right after the fight the first time that they were going to do a rematch right away. And I guess it had been talked about and offered. And Juan Manuel made a comment a few moments ago that it didn't happen right away because of his previous promoter Top Rank. I'm wondering what particularly was it about it that didn't happen? Was it because the money was unsatisfactory? Or some other point of the deal that was unsatisfactory? What was it that prevented it from happening then and us waiting, you know, four years for it to take place?

Marquez: Well basically Manny was the issue. They promised me more money or a better promotion for the second fight with Manny Pacquiao. And my promoter never came through and never delivered, and he was offering me less money, half of the money that TV was offering.

And they were lying to me about the promotion. That Manny Pacquiao was making the same I was making. And a lot of crap, you know. And I decided not to do it because I knew that they were lying, and I just didn't like it. We decided to go to Indonesia for a lot less money. But because of my pride, because of the person I am, I don't like lies and I don't like people to try to fool me, you know.
That's why I didn't take it at first, the second fight so early, and now I'm taking it because I have a new promoter, and they had come through with everything, money and everything else that they had promised me.

Dan Rafael: Just one more thing very quickly. Does he have any regrets about going to Indonesia and all the things that happened after that?

Marquez: No, not at all. I don't regret anything. It was a great experience. And what I can tell you is that, and I have a saying, whatever doesn't kill you make you stronger.
And that's what happened there. I acquired a lot of experience and I think it was an experience.

Nube Urgiles El Diario: Juan Manuel do you feel any pressure for being the, let's say it this way, the most recent Mexican fighter fighting Manny Pacquiao? I won't say the last one, but the recent fighter fighting, the recent Mexican fighting Manny Pacquiao.

Marquez: Oh no, it's not a pressure. I mean they have a compromise and I'm taking this as ladder, as a compromise for my people and I promise it. I'm promising that I'm going to put everything out there, I'm going to give everything in the ring. So it's going to be a great fight.

 

[heyzel]

Chagaev-Valuev II, Hernandez-Braithwaite

By Per Ake Persson

Cuban cruiserweight, based in Berlin and promoted by Sauerland Event, Yoan Pablo Hernandez faces ex-WBC champ Wayne Braithwaite March 29 in Kiel in the chief support to Arthur Abraham vs. Elvin Ayala. Hernandez has scored several quick wins of recently, over decent guys as well, but has a tendency to fade if the fight drags out and Braithwaite will surely expose that - if it's enough to win is a different matter.

It seems like we can look forward to Ruslan Chagaev vs. Nikolai Valuev II sometime during the summer after the WBA turned down a request from Universum to do a Chagaev - Luan Krasniqi fight in late April. The WBA have set April 3 as deadline for agreement or purse bids.

Russian Vyachslav Gusev and Ugandan, based in Sweden, Abdu Tebazalwa clash for the vacant WBA I/C featherweight title April 12 in Ekaterinburg.

German heavyweight Steffen Kretschmann faces Latvian Alex Kosobokovs on March 11 at home in Halle/Saale.

Dario Cichello and Vincenzo Imparato fight for the Italian light heavyweight title on March 15 in Pisa. Middleweight Luciano Abis is on the undercard.

It will be German Marco Heiniechen that squares off against Frenchman Jean Marc Monrose March 8 in Metz. Monrose takse on EBU champ Johny Jensen on May 3 in Marseille.

Hassan Ssaku, reigning ABU champ at welter, facse Albert Starikov in Narva, Estonia, March 22.

Stefania Bianchini and Simona Galassi clash for the WBC female flyweight title on March 29 in Forli. Antonio Brancalion defends the EU light heavyweight crown against Frenchman Karim Bennama in the chief support.

Danish jr. middleweight Thomas Poulsen is in against Venezuelan Carlos Donquiz on March 14 in Odense. Donquiz took out then unbeaten Reda Zam Zam on his previous visit to Denmark and Poulsen, 9-0 with no inside the distance wins and several close calls, is in very tough in this one. Donquiz is a battle tested journeyman with a decent punch

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Mikkel Kessler fears Edison Miranda!!!!!!!!!!!

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Despite offers to hold the bout in a neutral location and significant offers from both HBO and Showtime for the television rights to the bout, handlers of Mikkel Kessler have walked away from a lucrative showdown with the feared ‘Pantera’, Edison Miranda. “Viking Warrior?” asked Miranda, referring to the former super middleweight champion’s nickname. “Kessler should turn his horned helmet in after disgracing such a tribe of true fighters. He talks like a fighter, has tattoos like he’s a tough guy, but when it comes down to being a real fighter, he’s not even worthy of carrying my gloves.”

“I have a message for Mikkel Kessler, or Kessler the Kitten as I call him after he gave away his belts without a fight last year," said Miranda. "Joe Calzaghe is not going to fight you again. What more does he have to prove after he slapped you around for 12 rounds? The only way you’re going to erase that loss from the fans' memories is if you beat a legitimate fighter like me, but you know you can’t beat me, that’s why you won’t take this fight. So my advice to you is to retire and leave the fighting to the men. I challenge any of the so called top super middleweight contenders to step up and fight Pantera, but I doubt any of you have the guts."

 

[heyzel]

edison is crazy is hell

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Who the fuck is Gary Lockett?????????

Youngstown’s Kelly Pavlik will make his first middleweight title defense against the WBO’s No. 1 challenger, Gary “The Rocket Man” Lockett of Wales, on June 7 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, according to a source close to the Pavlik camp.

The fight, which will be broadcast by HBO, had not been officially announced because no contracts had been signed.

The fight is expected to be finalized sometime this week.

The 31-year-old Lockett (30-1, 21 KOs) holds a middleweight title from the World Boxing Union, a lightly regarded sanctioning body. He has never fought in the United States and has only fought once outside the United Kingdom, winning on points against Victor Kpadenue in Italy in 2005.

Pavlik (33-0, 29 KOs) holds the WBC and WBO titles. He has never fought in New York.

Lockett is relatively unknown to American boxing fans and has not beaten any big-name fighters. His lone defeat came at 154 pounds, losing a 12-round split decision to Yuri Tsarenko in 2002. He’s since won 14 straight bouts, including a second round TKO of journeyman Kai Kauramaki in December.

Lockett’s trainer is Enzo Calzaghe, the father of super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe.

At 6-foot-21⁄2, Pavlik will hold a sizeable height advantage over the 5-10 Lockett.

Money appears to have played a role in Lockett’s selection. Pavlik’s handlers had been considering five fighters, including the WBC’s No. 1 challenger, Giovanni Lorenzo. But Pavlik’s manager and promoter were determined to keep the asking price down.

Although no figures were released, it appears Lockett met that price.

Pavlik was originally expected to fight Irishman John Duddy, but those talks broke down after Duddy sustained cuts during a victory over Walid Smichet two weeks ago. A Pavlik fight with Duddy later in the year, in either November or December, is still possible.

Pavlik won both middleweight titles with a seventh-round knockout of Jermain Taylor last September in Atlantic City. He earned a 12-round unanimous decision against Taylor last month in Las Vegas, however the fight was at the 166-pound “catch weight,” meaning the titles were not on the line.

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I don't know who the fuck this dork is, but Pavlik by KO

 

[MOREBASS]

You've never heard of him ?! He's only the WBU Champion of the world ! C'mon man...LOL...




What the hell is that all about ?! Did they already run out of quality fighters for him ? Haha..