Boxing News Thread
- Thread starter heyzel
- Start date
Well, yeah that's one way to look at it. But the other side (where I'm coming from) is that a loss early on aint nothing. Bernard Hopkins, Manny Pacquiao, JM Marquez, all lost very early in their careers and they are all ranked top 5 P4P. Matter of fact, I actually think "undefeated" is overrated and in some cases (Jeff Lacy, etc.) it can be a bad thing. Losing sometimes can be more valuable the winning. And In Lee's case, well if he's truly a good fighter, he has plenty of time to prove it. There is no rush, he'll have more chances if he can bounce back.
On the other hand, regarding the technicality over the stoppage, I'm not going to argue with you. It's a tough call to make and again, the fan in me would like to see it continue. But I understand the ref looking out for the well-being of a very young fighter.
.. I was also a little drunk when I watched so I'll have to rewatch to see what's up.
On the other hand, regarding the technicality over the stoppage, I'm not going to argue with you. It's a tough call to make and again, the fan in me would like to see it continue. But I understand the ref looking out for the well-being of a very young fighter.
.. I was also a little drunk when I watched so I'll have to rewatch to see what's up.
Joel Casamayor: "I Want Manny Pacquiao"
By Mark Vester
Cabazon, California - Moments after Joel Casamayor, down on two official scorecards, caught Michael Katsidis with a check-left-hook to set up a come from behind TKO win in the tenth-round of their WBO interim-lightweight title bout, he began to call for a fight with current WBC super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao.
Nate Campbell, holder of the WBO/WBA/IBF lightweight titles, is currently regarded as the top fighter in the lightweight division after dominating Juan Diaz to win the titles on March 8 in Cancun. Casamayor beat Campbell by a unanimous ten-round decision in 2003. Campbell, who was watching the fight from ringside, was more than happy to give Casamayor a shot at his titles. Casamayor downplayed a rematch with Campbell to a live television audience, and said that he is far more interested in fighting Pacquiao.
“I beat Nate Campbell with three weeks of training,” Casamayor said. “Now I want (Manny) Pacquiao, I want (Marco Antonio) Barrera, I want other guys.”
Last weekend, Pacquiao captured his title with a close split-decision over Juan Manuel Marquez. Along the way, Pacquiao suffered a bad cut near his eye. He is scheduled to make a move to lightweight on June 28 in Las Vegas against WBC champion David Diaz. The date may move to July or even later, if Pacquiao is unable to heal in time for the fight.
Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, is not fond of placing Pacquiao in the ring with fighters who move a lot and possess quick hands. Joan Guzman lost his place in the Pacquiao sweepstakes after his win over Humberto Soto. Arum said in a post-fight interview that Guzman "moves too much." Arum would much rather place him in the ring with stationary fighters like Diaz, Ricky Hatton or a Nate Campbell.
Casamayor proved against Katsidis that he is still capable of using his legs to create a lot of movement, he still packs a big punch and his chin is still going strong. He is an unlikely candidate to land Pacquiao in the near future. Should Pacquiao get past Diaz, most predict his year-end opponent to either be Nate Campbell or another jump in weight for a mega-million dollar fight with Ricky Hatton at junior welterweight or a possible catch-weight.
By Mark Vester
Cabazon, California - Moments after Joel Casamayor, down on two official scorecards, caught Michael Katsidis with a check-left-hook to set up a come from behind TKO win in the tenth-round of their WBO interim-lightweight title bout, he began to call for a fight with current WBC super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao.
Nate Campbell, holder of the WBO/WBA/IBF lightweight titles, is currently regarded as the top fighter in the lightweight division after dominating Juan Diaz to win the titles on March 8 in Cancun. Casamayor beat Campbell by a unanimous ten-round decision in 2003. Campbell, who was watching the fight from ringside, was more than happy to give Casamayor a shot at his titles. Casamayor downplayed a rematch with Campbell to a live television audience, and said that he is far more interested in fighting Pacquiao.
“I beat Nate Campbell with three weeks of training,” Casamayor said. “Now I want (Manny) Pacquiao, I want (Marco Antonio) Barrera, I want other guys.”
Last weekend, Pacquiao captured his title with a close split-decision over Juan Manuel Marquez. Along the way, Pacquiao suffered a bad cut near his eye. He is scheduled to make a move to lightweight on June 28 in Las Vegas against WBC champion David Diaz. The date may move to July or even later, if Pacquiao is unable to heal in time for the fight.
Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, is not fond of placing Pacquiao in the ring with fighters who move a lot and possess quick hands. Joan Guzman lost his place in the Pacquiao sweepstakes after his win over Humberto Soto. Arum said in a post-fight interview that Guzman "moves too much." Arum would much rather place him in the ring with stationary fighters like Diaz, Ricky Hatton or a Nate Campbell.
Casamayor proved against Katsidis that he is still capable of using his legs to create a lot of movement, he still packs a big punch and his chin is still going strong. He is an unlikely candidate to land Pacquiao in the near future. Should Pacquiao get past Diaz, most predict his year-end opponent to either be Nate Campbell or another jump in weight for a mega-million dollar fight with Ricky Hatton at junior welterweight or a possible catch-weight.
Joe Calzaghe: "I Will Knock Hopkins Out
By Mark Vester
WBA/WBO/WBC super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe has predicted a win by knockout when he moves up in weight to challenge recognized light heavyweight champ Bernard Hopkins on April 19 in Las Vegas.
In a recent interview with Setanta Sports, Calzaghe said he's not worried about the selection on an American ref, he just plans to dominate Hopkins from start to finish.
"I'm very excited," Calzaghe said. "I've been champion for 10 years plus and said I wanted career-defining fights. Now I'm getting them - Jeff Lacy, Mikkel Kessler and I'm stepping up again with Hopkins. It's a new weight and I'm looking forward to it.
"It's exciting, it's great to go out there. I watched Hatton-Mayweather and saw the tremendous reception Ricky got. It'd be a shame not to go there and sample it. You can't pick the referees, they're all Americans so I have to go out there and beat him and make sure it's not a close fight. My plan is to dominate him.
Calzaghe plans to come out swinging, looking to become the first fighter to knock Hopkins out.
"He understands how difficult a challenge he is getting as he's got his dream team together to get in the best shape of his life," Calzaghe said. "I'll go out there and keep focused and away from the hustle-bustle of the Strip and go out there and basically take this guy's head off."
He feels the combination of his jab and quicker hands will possibly get him the knockout in the late rounds.
"It's difficult to say if he's better than Kessler. He's older while Kessler was younger and more determined with a different style. Styles make fights and I don't think Hopkins will be in front of me or come chasing me. Usually, when I chase fights I don't look very good but I've got to be controlled and keep focused, use the jab and my speed and I believe I'll win the fight comfortably - possibly even stop him late on.
"I don't think he realizes what he is up against on April 19. It's going to be a benefit to have speed and more punching power. I need to shut this guy up."
By Mark Vester
WBA/WBO/WBC super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe has predicted a win by knockout when he moves up in weight to challenge recognized light heavyweight champ Bernard Hopkins on April 19 in Las Vegas.
In a recent interview with Setanta Sports, Calzaghe said he's not worried about the selection on an American ref, he just plans to dominate Hopkins from start to finish.
"I'm very excited," Calzaghe said. "I've been champion for 10 years plus and said I wanted career-defining fights. Now I'm getting them - Jeff Lacy, Mikkel Kessler and I'm stepping up again with Hopkins. It's a new weight and I'm looking forward to it.
"It's exciting, it's great to go out there. I watched Hatton-Mayweather and saw the tremendous reception Ricky got. It'd be a shame not to go there and sample it. You can't pick the referees, they're all Americans so I have to go out there and beat him and make sure it's not a close fight. My plan is to dominate him.
Calzaghe plans to come out swinging, looking to become the first fighter to knock Hopkins out.
"He understands how difficult a challenge he is getting as he's got his dream team together to get in the best shape of his life," Calzaghe said. "I'll go out there and keep focused and away from the hustle-bustle of the Strip and go out there and basically take this guy's head off."
He feels the combination of his jab and quicker hands will possibly get him the knockout in the late rounds.
"It's difficult to say if he's better than Kessler. He's older while Kessler was younger and more determined with a different style. Styles make fights and I don't think Hopkins will be in front of me or come chasing me. Usually, when I chase fights I don't look very good but I've got to be controlled and keep focused, use the jab and my speed and I believe I'll win the fight comfortably - possibly even stop him late on.
"I don't think he realizes what he is up against on April 19. It's going to be a benefit to have speed and more punching power. I need to shut this guy up."
USA BOXING NAMES THE 2008 OLYMPIC COACHING STAFF
of outstanding coaches will lead the United States boxing team at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China next summer. USA Boxing National Director of Coaching Dan Campbell (Colorado Springs, Colo.) will be joined by William “Willy” Price (Peshtigo, Wis.) and Robert “Herb” Martin (Washington DC) in coaching the squad in Beijing. 2004 Olympic Head Coach Basheer Abdullah (Fort Carson, Colo.) has joined the team as the Technical Advisor
"I'm very pleased that all of the first-choice coaches we wanted accepted the opportunity to join the U.S. Team," commented USA Boxing CEO, Jim Millman. "It's a veteran coaching staff that's particularly skilled at relating to young athletes who are all approaching the prime of their amateur careers."
The coaching philosophy is moving in a new direction with Martin serving as offensive coach and Price handling the defensive responsibilities. The innovative approach will allow the three trainers to use their individualized strengths in leading the United States team to international success.
"Being named Olympic head coach is the highlight of my life other than my children. It's a great honor and I'm going to do my best to put this team on top," Campbell said.
Campbell has been involved in boxing since his childhood when he took up the sport at a YMCA in his native St. Louis. He continued to compete upon joining the U.S. Navy, but took a hiatus from boxing until the early 1990s when he stepped outside the ropes to begin coaching. Since that time, he has led numerous athletes, including his daughter, to success at the national level. Known for his work at the junior Olympic level, Campbell was hired as National Director of Coaching in 2005. Since that time, he has brought a renewed focus to the international scene, instituting training regimens and programs to teach United States athletes how to be successful at major events across the globe. Campbell has led United States teams at major international tournaments at every division, including the senior, junior, cadet and women’s world championships.
Price will serve as the defensive coach for the 2008 U.S. Olympic boxing team. He began boxing over 30 years ago at a Boys and Girls Club in Menominee, Mich. The Wisconsin native has served as head coach for several major national events as well as leading United States teams at numerous international competitions and elite level training camps, including the 2005 World Championships camp. A level four coach since 2004, Price opened his own gym, the Peshtigo Boxing Club in 1997. When he is not training young people, Price drives a school bus and works for the city of Peshtigo. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Barb, and his two daughters Crystal and Jennifer as well as his grandchildren.
The offensive responsibilities for the 2008 U.S. Olympic team lie with soft-spoken Washington DC United States Postal Service employee, Martin. Known for his skills as a mitt man in addition to his offensive knowledge, Martin has been coaching at the national level since 1998. He works closely with bantamweight Olympian Gary Russell, Jr. and the entire Russell family, and has coached national events at every level over the past decade. Most recently, he served as a coach for both the 2006 Cadet World Championships and Cuba Olympiad Training Camp. Martin has two daughters, Chyerl and Sherice.
Abdullah will be taking part in his third Olympic Games and his second as the Technical Advisor. He made his Olympic debut at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, filling the same role he will enjoy in Beijing. Abdullah returned to the Olympics in 2004, working as the Head Coach for the Olympic Team. He competed as a boxer prior to entering the coaching ranks in 1993, and serves as the Head Coach for the Army’s World Class Athlete Program. A two-time USA Boxing Coach of the Year, Abdullah enjoys spending time with his wife, Sylvia, his two sons Abdur-Raheem and Bilal, and his daughter Samirah.
of outstanding coaches will lead the United States boxing team at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China next summer. USA Boxing National Director of Coaching Dan Campbell (Colorado Springs, Colo.) will be joined by William “Willy” Price (Peshtigo, Wis.) and Robert “Herb” Martin (Washington DC) in coaching the squad in Beijing. 2004 Olympic Head Coach Basheer Abdullah (Fort Carson, Colo.) has joined the team as the Technical Advisor
"I'm very pleased that all of the first-choice coaches we wanted accepted the opportunity to join the U.S. Team," commented USA Boxing CEO, Jim Millman. "It's a veteran coaching staff that's particularly skilled at relating to young athletes who are all approaching the prime of their amateur careers."
The coaching philosophy is moving in a new direction with Martin serving as offensive coach and Price handling the defensive responsibilities. The innovative approach will allow the three trainers to use their individualized strengths in leading the United States team to international success.
"Being named Olympic head coach is the highlight of my life other than my children. It's a great honor and I'm going to do my best to put this team on top," Campbell said.
Campbell has been involved in boxing since his childhood when he took up the sport at a YMCA in his native St. Louis. He continued to compete upon joining the U.S. Navy, but took a hiatus from boxing until the early 1990s when he stepped outside the ropes to begin coaching. Since that time, he has led numerous athletes, including his daughter, to success at the national level. Known for his work at the junior Olympic level, Campbell was hired as National Director of Coaching in 2005. Since that time, he has brought a renewed focus to the international scene, instituting training regimens and programs to teach United States athletes how to be successful at major events across the globe. Campbell has led United States teams at major international tournaments at every division, including the senior, junior, cadet and women’s world championships.
Price will serve as the defensive coach for the 2008 U.S. Olympic boxing team. He began boxing over 30 years ago at a Boys and Girls Club in Menominee, Mich. The Wisconsin native has served as head coach for several major national events as well as leading United States teams at numerous international competitions and elite level training camps, including the 2005 World Championships camp. A level four coach since 2004, Price opened his own gym, the Peshtigo Boxing Club in 1997. When he is not training young people, Price drives a school bus and works for the city of Peshtigo. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Barb, and his two daughters Crystal and Jennifer as well as his grandchildren.
The offensive responsibilities for the 2008 U.S. Olympic team lie with soft-spoken Washington DC United States Postal Service employee, Martin. Known for his skills as a mitt man in addition to his offensive knowledge, Martin has been coaching at the national level since 1998. He works closely with bantamweight Olympian Gary Russell, Jr. and the entire Russell family, and has coached national events at every level over the past decade. Most recently, he served as a coach for both the 2006 Cadet World Championships and Cuba Olympiad Training Camp. Martin has two daughters, Chyerl and Sherice.
Abdullah will be taking part in his third Olympic Games and his second as the Technical Advisor. He made his Olympic debut at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, filling the same role he will enjoy in Beijing. Abdullah returned to the Olympics in 2004, working as the Head Coach for the Olympic Team. He competed as a boxer prior to entering the coaching ranks in 1993, and serves as the Head Coach for the Army’s World Class Athlete Program. A two-time USA Boxing Coach of the Year, Abdullah enjoys spending time with his wife, Sylvia, his two sons Abdur-Raheem and Bilal, and his daughter Samirah.
Changing Cuba may alter the face of boxing
By William Dettloff
Special to ESPN.com
It is a common belief among many boxing people, if a mostly unspoken one, that Fidel Castro has ruined more fighters than have drink and dirty promoters combined.
By steadfastly prohibiting Cuban boxers from competing as professionals on the world's largest sporting stages, he effectively doomed all of them to lives of a sort of enchanted torture.
They know they are among the best on the planet at what they do but can neither prove it against other professionals, nor use it to better their lives in a substantive way.
Teofilo Stevenson, left, is one of the finest boxers to have never fought professionally.
There may not have been a more dominant heavyweight fighter in all of history than Teofilo Stevenson, the bomb-throwing, three-time Olympic gold-medal winner. His successor, the mighty Felix Savon, also won gold medals in three consecutive Olympic Games. Either one would have made millions as a professional heavyweight competing against the best big men of his era.
Other Cuban stars, too numerous to name, continue to burn up their primes in international competition and excel as members of the most feared and successful amateur boxing team in the world.
Except for the brave few who defect, the world remains mostly closed to them.
Castro's resignation last month as Cuba's leader has led some to hope that there will be a gradual loosening of the restrictions around professional sports in general and boxing in particular.
"For now it's going to stay the same, but eventually it will ease up," said Louie DeCubas, who handles U.S. operations for Germany-based Arena Box Promotions. DeCubas has worked with virtually every Cuban fighter who has defected in the hope of bettering his life through boxing.
"With the three last guys that defected, and then the two that were over in Venezuela, that's five gold medals lost," he said. "So there are going to be some changes. It's going to get better -- it has to."
DeCubas is talking about standouts Odlanier Solis, Yan Barthelemy and Yuriorkis Gamboa, who defected while training in South America and are now fighting professionally in the United States to mostly fawning reviews, and Guillermo Rigondeaux and Erislandy Lara, who were arrested last August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for overstaying their visas. Both have denied they were trying to defect; most believe they are lying. Castro reportedly has confiscated the houses and cars they had been given, and also said they would no longer be permitted to box for Cuba. That's in line with punishments mandated for such offenses in the past.
Amateur standout Guillermo Rigondeaux, right, tried defecting from Cuba in hopes of pursuing a career as a professional boxer -- and was punished severely for it.
There is a long list of Cuban amateur stars who have defected over the past 20 years, some more successful in their pro careers than others.
World lightweight champion Joel Casamayor is probably the most accomplished, at this writing, and despite a miserable performance last time out against Jose Armando Santa Cruz, he has yet to be decisively beaten in 39 fights. Running a close second is Juan Carlos Gomez, who had a very long run as a cruiserweight titleholder fighting almost exclusively out of Germany. He's currently fighting at heavyweight, where his merit is yet to be determined.
Others didn't live up to expectations. Junior welterweight Diosbelys Hurtado was a solid top-10 contender for years, but failed in three world title fights, each time by knockout. After building a long undefeated streak and a fearsome reputation, heavyweight Jorge Luis Gonzalez was knocked out by Riddick Bowe in 1995 and retired in 2002 after several more losses. More recently, heavyweight Ramon Garbey, whom DeCubas describes as one of the greatest fighters he's ever seen, proved undependable as a pro, losing several fights he was expected to win, the last to 9-4-1 Kendrick Releford. He hasn't fought since 2006.
Given their amateur pedigree, why don't more Cuban defectors excel as professionals?
"A lot of these guys, after they come off the island, after living under Communist rule, they can't handle the abundance of freedom in America," said veteran trainer Joe Goossen, who worked with Hurtado and was, for a long time, Casamayor's head trainer. "When they're 5 years old they come off the milk rations and then when they're 15 they go into indoctrination camps and then what? They can't go anywhere or do anything; they're in jail. Then they come here and have a hard time reining in their freedom."
Goossen says the temptations of nightlife, especially in Miami, where many Cuban expatriates settle, are no good for a fighter, especially one who's had no experience with money. Casamayor, famously, was given a bicycle by Castro in recognition for having won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. He traded it for a pig so he could feed his family.
"There are a lot of things to do here besides train, which is all they can do in Cuba," Goossen said. "Then you put some money in their pockets and they can buy a lot of things they couldn't buy in Cuba. The living is fast and hard and it tends to take away that edge they had as amateurs. These young guys come over here and it's a brand-new world."
DeCubas agrees.
"They can't stay in Miami. Miami is terrible for fighters. It swallows them up," he said. "They have to leave that town to train. Casamayor is the only one that had the [guts] to do that -- he went out to Los Angeles and that's what saved him."
Still, DeCubas is more upbeat about what Cuban defectors have been able to accomplish and notes that even the less accomplished defectors are able to make their mark in the pro game. He cites heavyweight Elieser Castillo, who he says was the last guy to make the Cuban team, wasn't a particularly highly regarded member of that team, and still managed an important upset win over Lawrence Clay Bey in 2003.
The bigger question is what happens if the ban on professional sports is lifted in Cuba and the floodgates are opened.
"If Cuba breaks [down the sports embargo], it'll save professional boxing," DeCubas predicted. "That's all the kids do in Cuba -- play baseball and box. There are boxing gyms on every block. The amateur team won't be as great because they'll all turn pro, but you'll have 300 pro fighters right now. In every division there are so many fighters and they're all good."
Some of the great fighters of the past 50 years were born in Cuba: Kid Gavilan, Jose Napoles, and to a lesser extent, Luis Rodriguez, who had a wonderful series of fights with Emile Griffith in the 1960s. There might well be new versions of those guys working out right now in gyms in Havana.
We should hope we get to see them soon, and that they don't have to defect to make it happen.
The Ring's senior writer William Dettloff co-wrote the book "Box Like The Pros" with Joe Frazier.
By William Dettloff
Special to ESPN.com
It is a common belief among many boxing people, if a mostly unspoken one, that Fidel Castro has ruined more fighters than have drink and dirty promoters combined.
By steadfastly prohibiting Cuban boxers from competing as professionals on the world's largest sporting stages, he effectively doomed all of them to lives of a sort of enchanted torture.
They know they are among the best on the planet at what they do but can neither prove it against other professionals, nor use it to better their lives in a substantive way.
Teofilo Stevenson, left, is one of the finest boxers to have never fought professionally.
There may not have been a more dominant heavyweight fighter in all of history than Teofilo Stevenson, the bomb-throwing, three-time Olympic gold-medal winner. His successor, the mighty Felix Savon, also won gold medals in three consecutive Olympic Games. Either one would have made millions as a professional heavyweight competing against the best big men of his era.
Other Cuban stars, too numerous to name, continue to burn up their primes in international competition and excel as members of the most feared and successful amateur boxing team in the world.
Except for the brave few who defect, the world remains mostly closed to them.
Castro's resignation last month as Cuba's leader has led some to hope that there will be a gradual loosening of the restrictions around professional sports in general and boxing in particular.
"For now it's going to stay the same, but eventually it will ease up," said Louie DeCubas, who handles U.S. operations for Germany-based Arena Box Promotions. DeCubas has worked with virtually every Cuban fighter who has defected in the hope of bettering his life through boxing.
"With the three last guys that defected, and then the two that were over in Venezuela, that's five gold medals lost," he said. "So there are going to be some changes. It's going to get better -- it has to."
DeCubas is talking about standouts Odlanier Solis, Yan Barthelemy and Yuriorkis Gamboa, who defected while training in South America and are now fighting professionally in the United States to mostly fawning reviews, and Guillermo Rigondeaux and Erislandy Lara, who were arrested last August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for overstaying their visas. Both have denied they were trying to defect; most believe they are lying. Castro reportedly has confiscated the houses and cars they had been given, and also said they would no longer be permitted to box for Cuba. That's in line with punishments mandated for such offenses in the past.
Amateur standout Guillermo Rigondeaux, right, tried defecting from Cuba in hopes of pursuing a career as a professional boxer -- and was punished severely for it.
There is a long list of Cuban amateur stars who have defected over the past 20 years, some more successful in their pro careers than others.
World lightweight champion Joel Casamayor is probably the most accomplished, at this writing, and despite a miserable performance last time out against Jose Armando Santa Cruz, he has yet to be decisively beaten in 39 fights. Running a close second is Juan Carlos Gomez, who had a very long run as a cruiserweight titleholder fighting almost exclusively out of Germany. He's currently fighting at heavyweight, where his merit is yet to be determined.
Others didn't live up to expectations. Junior welterweight Diosbelys Hurtado was a solid top-10 contender for years, but failed in three world title fights, each time by knockout. After building a long undefeated streak and a fearsome reputation, heavyweight Jorge Luis Gonzalez was knocked out by Riddick Bowe in 1995 and retired in 2002 after several more losses. More recently, heavyweight Ramon Garbey, whom DeCubas describes as one of the greatest fighters he's ever seen, proved undependable as a pro, losing several fights he was expected to win, the last to 9-4-1 Kendrick Releford. He hasn't fought since 2006.
Given their amateur pedigree, why don't more Cuban defectors excel as professionals?
"A lot of these guys, after they come off the island, after living under Communist rule, they can't handle the abundance of freedom in America," said veteran trainer Joe Goossen, who worked with Hurtado and was, for a long time, Casamayor's head trainer. "When they're 5 years old they come off the milk rations and then when they're 15 they go into indoctrination camps and then what? They can't go anywhere or do anything; they're in jail. Then they come here and have a hard time reining in their freedom."
Goossen says the temptations of nightlife, especially in Miami, where many Cuban expatriates settle, are no good for a fighter, especially one who's had no experience with money. Casamayor, famously, was given a bicycle by Castro in recognition for having won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. He traded it for a pig so he could feed his family.
"There are a lot of things to do here besides train, which is all they can do in Cuba," Goossen said. "Then you put some money in their pockets and they can buy a lot of things they couldn't buy in Cuba. The living is fast and hard and it tends to take away that edge they had as amateurs. These young guys come over here and it's a brand-new world."
DeCubas agrees.
"They can't stay in Miami. Miami is terrible for fighters. It swallows them up," he said. "They have to leave that town to train. Casamayor is the only one that had the [guts] to do that -- he went out to Los Angeles and that's what saved him."
Still, DeCubas is more upbeat about what Cuban defectors have been able to accomplish and notes that even the less accomplished defectors are able to make their mark in the pro game. He cites heavyweight Elieser Castillo, who he says was the last guy to make the Cuban team, wasn't a particularly highly regarded member of that team, and still managed an important upset win over Lawrence Clay Bey in 2003.
The bigger question is what happens if the ban on professional sports is lifted in Cuba and the floodgates are opened.
"If Cuba breaks [down the sports embargo], it'll save professional boxing," DeCubas predicted. "That's all the kids do in Cuba -- play baseball and box. There are boxing gyms on every block. The amateur team won't be as great because they'll all turn pro, but you'll have 300 pro fighters right now. In every division there are so many fighters and they're all good."
Some of the great fighters of the past 50 years were born in Cuba: Kid Gavilan, Jose Napoles, and to a lesser extent, Luis Rodriguez, who had a wonderful series of fights with Emile Griffith in the 1960s. There might well be new versions of those guys working out right now in gyms in Havana.
We should hope we get to see them soon, and that they don't have to defect to make it happen.
The Ring's senior writer William Dettloff co-wrote the book "Box Like The Pros" with Joe Frazier.
Joel Casamayor: "I Want Manny Pacquiao"
By Mark Vester
Cabazon, California - Moments after Joel Casamayor, down on two official scorecards, caught Michael Katsidis with a check-left-hook to set up a come from behind TKO win in the tenth-round of their WBO interim-lightweight title bout, he began to call for a fight with current WBC super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao.
Nate Campbell, holder of the WBO/WBA/IBF lightweight titles, is currently regarded as the top fighter in the lightweight division after dominating Juan Diaz to win the titles on March 8 in Cancun. Casamayor beat Campbell by a unanimous ten-round decision in 2003. Campbell, who was watching the fight from ringside, was more than happy to give Casamayor a shot at his titles. Casamayor downplayed a rematch with Campbell to a live television audience, and said that he is far more interested in fighting Pacquiao.
“I beat Nate Campbell with three weeks of training,” Casamayor said. “Now I want (Manny) Pacquiao, I want (Marco Antonio) Barrera, I want other guys.”
Last weekend, Pacquiao captured his title with a close split-decision over Juan Manuel Marquez. Along the way, Pacquiao suffered a bad cut near his eye. He is scheduled to make a move to lightweight on June 28 in Las Vegas against WBC champion David Diaz. The date may move to July or even later, if Pacquiao is unable to heal in time for the fight.
Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, is not fond of placing Pacquiao in the ring with fighters who move a lot and possess quick hands. Joan Guzman lost his place in the Pacquiao sweepstakes after his win over Humberto Soto. Arum said in a post-fight interview that Guzman "moves too much." Arum would much rather place him in the ring with stationary fighters like Diaz, Ricky Hatton or a Nate Campbell.
Casamayor proved against Katsidis that he is still capable of using his legs to create a lot of movement, he still packs a big punch and his chin is still going strong. He is an unlikely candidate to land Pacquiao in the near future. Should Pacquiao get past Diaz, most predict his year-end opponent to either be Nate Campbell or another jump in weight for a mega-million dollar fight with Ricky Hatton at junior welterweight or a possible catch-weight.
By Mark Vester
Cabazon, California - Moments after Joel Casamayor, down on two official scorecards, caught Michael Katsidis with a check-left-hook to set up a come from behind TKO win in the tenth-round of their WBO interim-lightweight title bout, he began to call for a fight with current WBC super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao.
Nate Campbell, holder of the WBO/WBA/IBF lightweight titles, is currently regarded as the top fighter in the lightweight division after dominating Juan Diaz to win the titles on March 8 in Cancun. Casamayor beat Campbell by a unanimous ten-round decision in 2003. Campbell, who was watching the fight from ringside, was more than happy to give Casamayor a shot at his titles. Casamayor downplayed a rematch with Campbell to a live television audience, and said that he is far more interested in fighting Pacquiao.
“I beat Nate Campbell with three weeks of training,” Casamayor said. “Now I want (Manny) Pacquiao, I want (Marco Antonio) Barrera, I want other guys.”
Last weekend, Pacquiao captured his title with a close split-decision over Juan Manuel Marquez. Along the way, Pacquiao suffered a bad cut near his eye. He is scheduled to make a move to lightweight on June 28 in Las Vegas against WBC champion David Diaz. The date may move to July or even later, if Pacquiao is unable to heal in time for the fight.
Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, is not fond of placing Pacquiao in the ring with fighters who move a lot and possess quick hands. Joan Guzman lost his place in the Pacquiao sweepstakes after his win over Humberto Soto. Arum said in a post-fight interview that Guzman "moves too much." Arum would much rather place him in the ring with stationary fighters like Diaz, Ricky Hatton or a Nate Campbell.
Casamayor proved against Katsidis that he is still capable of using his legs to create a lot of movement, he still packs a big punch and his chin is still going strong. He is an unlikely candidate to land Pacquiao in the near future. Should Pacquiao get past Diaz, most predict his year-end opponent to either be Nate Campbell or another jump in weight for a mega-million dollar fight with Ricky Hatton at junior welterweight or a possible catch-weight.
Pacquiao’s Side Rejected a Rematch Clause
BY Ronnie Nathanielsz
GOLDEN Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer said the handlers of Manny Pacquiao did not want to give Juan Manuel Marquez a rematch clause in the fight contract for their showdown at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Schaefer made the statement following inquiries as to how and why Pacquiao was granted a rematch clause in case he lost to Marquez, while the Mexican, who was champion at the time, didn’t enjoy what champions are normally granted except in a mandatory title defense.
Schaefer said Golden Boy Promotions, which handles Marquez, “certainly asked for it but it was rejected. As a result, Marquez had to make a decision—take the fight under conditions dictated by Pacquiao or not have the fight. Frankly, not much of a choice.”
He earlier said that Marquez had made some unbelievable concessions, just to ensure that the fight took place including a cut in his purse and other perks.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach earlier revealed that Marquez’s purse was only $1.5 million, while Pacquiao, who was the challenger, received $5.5 million, plus perks that are expected to bring in an additional couple of million dollars.
Meantime, boxing writer and TV reporter James Blears, who lives in Mexico City, referred to the fight as the “Great One.”
In an email to Viva Sports/Standard Today, Blears said both Pacquiao and Marquez “interwove every fiber of their contrasting but complementing styles into the tapestry of combat. It was a potent brew with each, drawing deep into the well of individual experience and the reservoir of firepower while trying to impose sheer willpower, through ebbs and flows in the unrelenting action. That is why it evolved into a truly brilliant, edge-of-your-seat contest
BY Ronnie Nathanielsz
GOLDEN Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer said the handlers of Manny Pacquiao did not want to give Juan Manuel Marquez a rematch clause in the fight contract for their showdown at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Schaefer made the statement following inquiries as to how and why Pacquiao was granted a rematch clause in case he lost to Marquez, while the Mexican, who was champion at the time, didn’t enjoy what champions are normally granted except in a mandatory title defense.
Schaefer said Golden Boy Promotions, which handles Marquez, “certainly asked for it but it was rejected. As a result, Marquez had to make a decision—take the fight under conditions dictated by Pacquiao or not have the fight. Frankly, not much of a choice.”
He earlier said that Marquez had made some unbelievable concessions, just to ensure that the fight took place including a cut in his purse and other perks.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach earlier revealed that Marquez’s purse was only $1.5 million, while Pacquiao, who was the challenger, received $5.5 million, plus perks that are expected to bring in an additional couple of million dollars.
Meantime, boxing writer and TV reporter James Blears, who lives in Mexico City, referred to the fight as the “Great One.”
In an email to Viva Sports/Standard Today, Blears said both Pacquiao and Marquez “interwove every fiber of their contrasting but complementing styles into the tapestry of combat. It was a potent brew with each, drawing deep into the well of individual experience and the reservoir of firepower while trying to impose sheer willpower, through ebbs and flows in the unrelenting action. That is why it evolved into a truly brilliant, edge-of-your-seat contest
BJ Flores: "I Will End Maccarinelli's Career
By Rick Reeno
A few days ago, it was announced that cruiserweight Enzo Maccarinelli (28-2, 21KOs) is looking at a tentative return in June, and his promoter Frank Warren wants to match him with a good, ranked opponent. Macca was stopped in the second-round of his unification bout with David Haye on March 8. Warren wants to put him in position for a another title shot by the end of the year.
The search may be over. Unbeaten BJ Flores (21-0, 13KOs) contacted BoxingScene.com to answer Warren's call for a ranked opponent to face Macca.
"I'm ranked number 2 by the IBF, number 6 by the WBO and number 12 by the WBA. I'm ranked number 1 by the NABO, NABF and NABA, and I'm the USBA champion. I would love to fight Maccarinelli and knock him off the map with another loss. After I'm done with him, his boxing career will be over," Flores said. "He's going to leave boxing to find another line of work. I would love to head over to Wales to fight him. I have no issue with going to Wales."
"Warren keeps talking about finding him a good opponent. Well, I'm right here. Now it's time to step up or shut up. I have a bigger name on my resume in Darnell Wilson, than any of the fighters Maccarinelli has beaten. He didn't even beat a real champion for the WBO title. The title was handed to him. He didn't beat Johnny Nelson. He doesn't want a real challenge. He would rather fight guys like Mark Hobson and Mohamed Azzaoui. Let them give me enough time to train and let's make the fight. Last time they called me with a late offer and gave me almost no time to prepare. All I need is 60 days notice and I'll be more than ready to give Enzo another loss."
Flores was alos annoyed by some of the recent comments made by Maccarinelli's trainer, Enzo Calzaghe, with respect to Haye.
"I keep reading how Enzo Calzaghe is disrespecting David Haye. He keeps saying if the fight went twelve, Maccarinelli would have ended Haye. How can you show no class when your fighter was knocked out so quick? Haye said after the fight that I would take over the cruiserweight division after he moves up to heavyweight. He didn't have to say that and I appreciate it, but I want to prove my worth in the ring by fighting the best out there."
"Hey Frank, this will be a real easy process. I'm a free agent. All you have to do is contact my advisor Lou Mesorana or my manager Jerry Giuliani. I'm undefeated. I have a high ranking. Let's fight and the winner can move on for a shot at IBF champion Steve Cunningham."
By Rick Reeno
A few days ago, it was announced that cruiserweight Enzo Maccarinelli (28-2, 21KOs) is looking at a tentative return in June, and his promoter Frank Warren wants to match him with a good, ranked opponent. Macca was stopped in the second-round of his unification bout with David Haye on March 8. Warren wants to put him in position for a another title shot by the end of the year.
The search may be over. Unbeaten BJ Flores (21-0, 13KOs) contacted BoxingScene.com to answer Warren's call for a ranked opponent to face Macca.
"I'm ranked number 2 by the IBF, number 6 by the WBO and number 12 by the WBA. I'm ranked number 1 by the NABO, NABF and NABA, and I'm the USBA champion. I would love to fight Maccarinelli and knock him off the map with another loss. After I'm done with him, his boxing career will be over," Flores said. "He's going to leave boxing to find another line of work. I would love to head over to Wales to fight him. I have no issue with going to Wales."
"Warren keeps talking about finding him a good opponent. Well, I'm right here. Now it's time to step up or shut up. I have a bigger name on my resume in Darnell Wilson, than any of the fighters Maccarinelli has beaten. He didn't even beat a real champion for the WBO title. The title was handed to him. He didn't beat Johnny Nelson. He doesn't want a real challenge. He would rather fight guys like Mark Hobson and Mohamed Azzaoui. Let them give me enough time to train and let's make the fight. Last time they called me with a late offer and gave me almost no time to prepare. All I need is 60 days notice and I'll be more than ready to give Enzo another loss."
Flores was alos annoyed by some of the recent comments made by Maccarinelli's trainer, Enzo Calzaghe, with respect to Haye.
"I keep reading how Enzo Calzaghe is disrespecting David Haye. He keeps saying if the fight went twelve, Maccarinelli would have ended Haye. How can you show no class when your fighter was knocked out so quick? Haye said after the fight that I would take over the cruiserweight division after he moves up to heavyweight. He didn't have to say that and I appreciate it, but I want to prove my worth in the ring by fighting the best out there."
"Hey Frank, this will be a real easy process. I'm a free agent. All you have to do is contact my advisor Lou Mesorana or my manager Jerry Giuliani. I'm undefeated. I have a high ranking. Let's fight and the winner can move on for a shot at IBF champion Steve Cunningham."
JOEL CASAMAYOR: "WE WANT TO FIGHT EVERYBODY"
By Josh Jordon | March 23, 2008
"Nate Campbell had his shot. We ran him out the ring. We want to fight Barrera. We want to fight Morales. We want to fight Pacquiao. We want to fight the big names," stated linear lightweight champion Joel Casamayor just seconds after saying that he wants to fight everybody. Check out what he had to say about his impressive win over Michael Katsidis, his future plans and more. watch video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AMgwLB4MYGU&feature=related
By Josh Jordon | March 23, 2008
"Nate Campbell had his shot. We ran him out the ring. We want to fight Barrera. We want to fight Morales. We want to fight Pacquiao. We want to fight the big names," stated linear lightweight champion Joel Casamayor just seconds after saying that he wants to fight everybody. Check out what he had to say about his impressive win over Michael Katsidis, his future plans and more. watch video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AMgwLB4MYGU&feature=related
NATE CAMPBELL: "BE A MAN AND FIGHT"
Everybody wanna talk about fighting somebody else whenever my name is mentioned," stated WBA, IBF & WBO lightweight champion Nate Campbell as he made it perfectly clear that he wants to face his WBO mandatory challenger, linear lightweight champion Joel Casamayor, despite the fact that nobody is eager to mention his own name as a future opponent. Check out what he had to say about Casamayor, Pacquiao and more. watch video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=04drHP5r6JU
Everybody wanna talk about fighting somebody else whenever my name is mentioned," stated WBA, IBF & WBO lightweight champion Nate Campbell as he made it perfectly clear that he wants to face his WBO mandatory challenger, linear lightweight champion Joel Casamayor, despite the fact that nobody is eager to mention his own name as a future opponent. Check out what he had to say about Casamayor, Pacquiao and more. watch video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=04drHP5r6JU
Macca: "Calzaghe Will Avenge Me, Rees, Hope
By Mark Vester
Former cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli told Western Mail that Joe Calzaghe will avenge the Calzaghe stable on April 19 when moves up to light heavyweight to challenge Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas.
Macca, Gavin Rees and Kerry Hope are all trained by Joe's father, Enzo Calzaghe. On March 8, Macca was stopped in two-rounds by David Haye. Rees and Hope were handed defeats over the weekend. Macca says that Calzaghe, the last remaining champion of Wales, will knock Hopkins out to show their stable is still strong.
“Joe’s too strong mentally for the last couple of weeks to harm him,” said Maccarinelli. “He’s done his training his own way for so long and I can see only one result in Vegas. It won’t affect him and he’ll do the business against Hopkins.
“We all fight individually, but we’re still a team. We’re not used to defeat as a gym, but we’ve got to put up with it. Gavin and Kerry will both come back stronger because we’ve got faith in our boss Enzo (Calzaghe). We’ll be back on top again, all of us
By Mark Vester
Former cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli told Western Mail that Joe Calzaghe will avenge the Calzaghe stable on April 19 when moves up to light heavyweight to challenge Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas.
Macca, Gavin Rees and Kerry Hope are all trained by Joe's father, Enzo Calzaghe. On March 8, Macca was stopped in two-rounds by David Haye. Rees and Hope were handed defeats over the weekend. Macca says that Calzaghe, the last remaining champion of Wales, will knock Hopkins out to show their stable is still strong.
“Joe’s too strong mentally for the last couple of weeks to harm him,” said Maccarinelli. “He’s done his training his own way for so long and I can see only one result in Vegas. It won’t affect him and he’ll do the business against Hopkins.
“We all fight individually, but we’re still a team. We’re not used to defeat as a gym, but we’ve got to put up with it. Gavin and Kerry will both come back stronger because we’ve got faith in our boss Enzo (Calzaghe). We’ll be back on top again, all of us
Spinks-Phillips To Air Live on DonKingTV.com
Spinks-Phillips To Air Live on DonKingTV.com
Pride of St. Louis: Cory Spinks vs. Verno Phillips & Devon Alexander vs. Miguel Callist
Spotlight Don King Promoted Card at Scottrade Center
ST. LOUIS—Promoter Don King has always been one for accomplishing “firsts” in the world of boxing.
The world came to St. Louis and now the World’s Greatest Boxing promoter, Don King will be taking St. Louis to the world as he steps into the future and starts his own television network via the internet at www.donkingtv.com on Thursday, March 27.
King presents a spectacular “Meet Me in St. Louis” championship doubleheader plus several special attractions free to boxing and sports fans worldwide on DonKingTV.com at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT live from the Scottrade Center.
St. Louis boxers Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks and Devon Alexander “The Great” will showcase their talents before their hometown fans in this pioneering extravaganza, “Pride of St. Louis” sponsored by Kelly Oil Co. Inc., Bentley St. Louis, Don King Presents Prizefighter Game on 2K coming June 10th and the Scottrade Center.
Spinks is a world champion, who will be joined by two former Heavyweight Champions, father Leon and uncle Michael Spinks ringside. His protégé Alexander is nearing his first world-title fight. The last time Spinks performed in his hometown, the second greatest attendance in boxing history was established as 22,370 fans were part of sold-out history.
Spinks (36-4, 11 KOs) will defend his International Boxing Federation junior middleweight championship against IBF mandatory challenger Verno Phillips (41-10-1, 21 KOs) in the main event at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
A second championship fight pitting undefeated World Boxing Council Continental Americas super lightweight champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (14-0, 8 KOs) opposing World Boxing Association FEDELATIN super lightweight champion Miguel Callist (24-6-1, 17 KOs) will also be featured during the four-hour webcast as Col. Bob Sheridan will deliver the blow-by-blow call from ringside..
“This is another new and exciting adventure for us,” said Don King. “Like the Gateway to the West, we will be taking St. Louis and this trailblazing fight card worldwide via the internet. Fans will be able to see IBF 154-pount champion Cory Spinks take on Verno Phillips and undefeated 140-pounder Devon Alexander against Miguel Callist. We want as many people as possible to see just how great our technology is, so we’re making four exciting hours of action available free of charge.”
"The Internet continues to be a driving force in revolutionizing how sports are consumed," said Brad Rinklin, vice president of marketing, Akamai Technologies. "Akamai is excited to collaborate with DonKingTV.com to deliver the live streaming for this premiere event, and to help bring this first-of-its-kind Internet channel to the world of boxing."
The webcast will not be available in St. Louis where fans can see the event live and in person at Scottrade Center. Tickets are still available for the night of boxing featuring nine bouts beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Scottrade Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at 314-241-1888 for an automated line or 314-421-4400 or 618-222-2900 for sales rep, or online at ticketmaster.com. A per-ticket facility fee will be added to all tickets purchased at all locations, including at the Scottrade Center Box Office. Additional Ticketmaster service charges and handling fees apply. For disabled seating, call 314-622-5420.
Spinks is the former undisputed welterweight champion who won the IBF 154-pound crown won in St. Louis on July 8, 2006, when he won a majority decision over Roman Karmazin. Phillips is a former three-time 154-pound world champion, a native of Belize now fighting out of Denver, Colo.
In his last appearance, Spinks moved up in weight to face then World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor at the FedEx Forum in Memphis on May 19, 2007.
Taylor experienced tremendous difficulty exerting his will over Spinks, who proved he could not only appear against a unified middleweight kingpin, but that he could compete at the weight. He darted within range to land punches and frustrated Taylor with his defensive skills throughout the fight.
It was difficult to find agreement on a winner among ringside observers after the fight concluded its 12 rounds. Rarely in boxing history have the disparities been greater between three judges. Dick Flaherty rewarded Spinks for his consummate boxing skills by the wide margin of 117-111. Gale Van Hoy favored the heavier-handed Taylor by the same score of 117-111. Michael Pernick favored Taylor by one round with a score of 115-113 to break the deadlock.
The road to retaining his junior middleweight crown will be no easier for the 29-year-old Spinks when facing the veteran Phillips, 38, who has won an impressive three world championships in his career, all at the 154-pound limit.
Phillips won his last world title in 2004 but dropped a close decision to Kassim Ouma in his next match.
Phillips has won his last three fights, most notably scoring a technical knockout over Teddy Reid and winning a unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Candelo.
Alexander has been a child prodigy fighting out of the Spinks camp. He made a significant move up in level of opposition in his last appearance, making a strong statement by winning a lopsided unanimous decision over respected former world champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley to win the WBC Continental Americas super lightweight championship.
Alexander will be in a championship unification match against Callist, who lives in Colon, Panama. At a just-turned 21, Alexander is believed by many boxing experts to be one of the top prospects in the sport. If he can defeat Callist convincingly, Alexander will edge closer to his first world-title fight.
Callist will certainly have the edge in experience. He’s 12 years older at age 33, and he has participated in 31 professional fights to Alexander’s 14. Like Corley, Callist is a southpaw but appears to be on the rise while Corley’s best days are probably behind him.
Callist has only lost once in his last seven matches—to undefeated Marcos Rene Maidana in 2006. In his last appearance, he won a unanimous decision in eight rounds over Charlie Navarro on Aug. 16, 2007.
Pride of St. Louis is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Banner Promotions.
For multi-media event page link, go to http://www.donking.com/events/prideofstlouis/
It's not TV. It's DONKINGTV.COM
Don King Productions has promoted over 500 world championship fights with nearly 100 individual boxers having been paid $1 million or more. DKP also holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including three of the top five: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995.
DKP promoted Cory Spinks vs. Zab Judah II: Arch Rivals… Meet Me in St. Louis, which boasted the second-largest attendance for a boxing match at an indoor arena in history when 22,370 patrons sold out the Savvis Center (now known as the Scottrade Center) in advance on Feb. 5, 2005.
DKP has promoted or co-promoted 11 of the top 15 highest-grossing live gates in the history of the state of Nevada including four of the top five: Holyfield vs. Lewis II, paid attendance: 17,078, gross: $16,860,300 (NOTE: Also second-highest live-gate gross for any event in the history of the world.), date: Nov. 13, 1999; Holyfield vs. Tyson II, paid attendance: 16,279, gross: $14,277,200, date: June 28, 1997; Holyfield vs. Tyson I, paid attendance: 16,103, gross: $14,150,700, date: Nov. 9, 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995.
Scottrade Center, located in the heart of downtown St. Louis, is one of the finest sports and entertainment complexes in the country, with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment and an unprecedented commitment to quality and service. Opened in 1994, the arena is home to the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club and also features a full range of arena programming, including concerts, ice shows, family shows and other sporting events. The building is operated by Sports Capital Partners, owner of the St. Louis
Spinks-Phillips To Air Live on DonKingTV.com
Pride of St. Louis: Cory Spinks vs. Verno Phillips & Devon Alexander vs. Miguel Callist
Spotlight Don King Promoted Card at Scottrade Center
ST. LOUIS—Promoter Don King has always been one for accomplishing “firsts” in the world of boxing.
The world came to St. Louis and now the World’s Greatest Boxing promoter, Don King will be taking St. Louis to the world as he steps into the future and starts his own television network via the internet at www.donkingtv.com on Thursday, March 27.
King presents a spectacular “Meet Me in St. Louis” championship doubleheader plus several special attractions free to boxing and sports fans worldwide on DonKingTV.com at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT live from the Scottrade Center.
St. Louis boxers Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks and Devon Alexander “The Great” will showcase their talents before their hometown fans in this pioneering extravaganza, “Pride of St. Louis” sponsored by Kelly Oil Co. Inc., Bentley St. Louis, Don King Presents Prizefighter Game on 2K coming June 10th and the Scottrade Center.
Spinks is a world champion, who will be joined by two former Heavyweight Champions, father Leon and uncle Michael Spinks ringside. His protégé Alexander is nearing his first world-title fight. The last time Spinks performed in his hometown, the second greatest attendance in boxing history was established as 22,370 fans were part of sold-out history.
Spinks (36-4, 11 KOs) will defend his International Boxing Federation junior middleweight championship against IBF mandatory challenger Verno Phillips (41-10-1, 21 KOs) in the main event at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
A second championship fight pitting undefeated World Boxing Council Continental Americas super lightweight champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (14-0, 8 KOs) opposing World Boxing Association FEDELATIN super lightweight champion Miguel Callist (24-6-1, 17 KOs) will also be featured during the four-hour webcast as Col. Bob Sheridan will deliver the blow-by-blow call from ringside..
“This is another new and exciting adventure for us,” said Don King. “Like the Gateway to the West, we will be taking St. Louis and this trailblazing fight card worldwide via the internet. Fans will be able to see IBF 154-pount champion Cory Spinks take on Verno Phillips and undefeated 140-pounder Devon Alexander against Miguel Callist. We want as many people as possible to see just how great our technology is, so we’re making four exciting hours of action available free of charge.”
"The Internet continues to be a driving force in revolutionizing how sports are consumed," said Brad Rinklin, vice president of marketing, Akamai Technologies. "Akamai is excited to collaborate with DonKingTV.com to deliver the live streaming for this premiere event, and to help bring this first-of-its-kind Internet channel to the world of boxing."
The webcast will not be available in St. Louis where fans can see the event live and in person at Scottrade Center. Tickets are still available for the night of boxing featuring nine bouts beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Scottrade Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at 314-241-1888 for an automated line or 314-421-4400 or 618-222-2900 for sales rep, or online at ticketmaster.com. A per-ticket facility fee will be added to all tickets purchased at all locations, including at the Scottrade Center Box Office. Additional Ticketmaster service charges and handling fees apply. For disabled seating, call 314-622-5420.
Spinks is the former undisputed welterweight champion who won the IBF 154-pound crown won in St. Louis on July 8, 2006, when he won a majority decision over Roman Karmazin. Phillips is a former three-time 154-pound world champion, a native of Belize now fighting out of Denver, Colo.
In his last appearance, Spinks moved up in weight to face then World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor at the FedEx Forum in Memphis on May 19, 2007.
Taylor experienced tremendous difficulty exerting his will over Spinks, who proved he could not only appear against a unified middleweight kingpin, but that he could compete at the weight. He darted within range to land punches and frustrated Taylor with his defensive skills throughout the fight.
It was difficult to find agreement on a winner among ringside observers after the fight concluded its 12 rounds. Rarely in boxing history have the disparities been greater between three judges. Dick Flaherty rewarded Spinks for his consummate boxing skills by the wide margin of 117-111. Gale Van Hoy favored the heavier-handed Taylor by the same score of 117-111. Michael Pernick favored Taylor by one round with a score of 115-113 to break the deadlock.
The road to retaining his junior middleweight crown will be no easier for the 29-year-old Spinks when facing the veteran Phillips, 38, who has won an impressive three world championships in his career, all at the 154-pound limit.
Phillips won his last world title in 2004 but dropped a close decision to Kassim Ouma in his next match.
Phillips has won his last three fights, most notably scoring a technical knockout over Teddy Reid and winning a unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Candelo.
Alexander has been a child prodigy fighting out of the Spinks camp. He made a significant move up in level of opposition in his last appearance, making a strong statement by winning a lopsided unanimous decision over respected former world champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley to win the WBC Continental Americas super lightweight championship.
Alexander will be in a championship unification match against Callist, who lives in Colon, Panama. At a just-turned 21, Alexander is believed by many boxing experts to be one of the top prospects in the sport. If he can defeat Callist convincingly, Alexander will edge closer to his first world-title fight.
Callist will certainly have the edge in experience. He’s 12 years older at age 33, and he has participated in 31 professional fights to Alexander’s 14. Like Corley, Callist is a southpaw but appears to be on the rise while Corley’s best days are probably behind him.
Callist has only lost once in his last seven matches—to undefeated Marcos Rene Maidana in 2006. In his last appearance, he won a unanimous decision in eight rounds over Charlie Navarro on Aug. 16, 2007.
Pride of St. Louis is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Banner Promotions.
For multi-media event page link, go to http://www.donking.com/events/prideofstlouis/
It's not TV. It's DONKINGTV.COM
Don King Productions has promoted over 500 world championship fights with nearly 100 individual boxers having been paid $1 million or more. DKP also holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including three of the top five: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995.
DKP promoted Cory Spinks vs. Zab Judah II: Arch Rivals… Meet Me in St. Louis, which boasted the second-largest attendance for a boxing match at an indoor arena in history when 22,370 patrons sold out the Savvis Center (now known as the Scottrade Center) in advance on Feb. 5, 2005.
DKP has promoted or co-promoted 11 of the top 15 highest-grossing live gates in the history of the state of Nevada including four of the top five: Holyfield vs. Lewis II, paid attendance: 17,078, gross: $16,860,300 (NOTE: Also second-highest live-gate gross for any event in the history of the world.), date: Nov. 13, 1999; Holyfield vs. Tyson II, paid attendance: 16,279, gross: $14,277,200, date: June 28, 1997; Holyfield vs. Tyson I, paid attendance: 16,103, gross: $14,150,700, date: Nov. 9, 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995.
Scottrade Center, located in the heart of downtown St. Louis, is one of the finest sports and entertainment complexes in the country, with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment and an unprecedented commitment to quality and service. Opened in 1994, the arena is home to the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club and also features a full range of arena programming, including concerts, ice shows, family shows and other sporting events. The building is operated by Sports Capital Partners, owner of the St. Louis
BREAKING NEWS: FREDDIE ROACH IN NEAR-DEATH ACCIDENT
Breaking News: just learned that this weekend on the way back from the Casamyaor-Katsidis fight, trainer Freddie Roach was in a terrible accident that nearly cost him his life.
While driving down US 60 a women driver lost control of her car and struck Freddie Roach's brand new 2008 Lincoln SUV sending it into a tailspin where he was struck by another car traveling down the highway. The woman's car also spun out of control and slammed into a semi-trailer truck to cause more havoc.
The woman driver was traveling with a baby in the car that wasn't strapped into a child seat. The child was later discovered clear across the road as he was thrown out of the car on impact. The child is in critical condition. The woman lost an eye and was rushed to the hospital. Freddie Roach suffered a broken tooth as well as back and neck injuries. Roach is reportedly OK.
Breaking News: just learned that this weekend on the way back from the Casamyaor-Katsidis fight, trainer Freddie Roach was in a terrible accident that nearly cost him his life.
While driving down US 60 a women driver lost control of her car and struck Freddie Roach's brand new 2008 Lincoln SUV sending it into a tailspin where he was struck by another car traveling down the highway. The woman's car also spun out of control and slammed into a semi-trailer truck to cause more havoc.
The woman driver was traveling with a baby in the car that wasn't strapped into a child seat. The child was later discovered clear across the road as he was thrown out of the car on impact. The child is in critical condition. The woman lost an eye and was rushed to the hospital. Freddie Roach suffered a broken tooth as well as back and neck injuries. Roach is reportedly OK.
Manny Pacquiao: "I Want Diaz and His Belt
By Mark Vester
According to a recent report in The Manila Times, Manny Pacquiao returned home on Monday to hero's welcome and announced that he was going to move up to the lightweight division to pursure a fight with WBC champion David Diaz. The current working date is June 28.
“I definitely want Diaz and his lightweight crown,” Pacquiao told the media during a press conference.
Pacquiao is coming off a close split-decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez. Many ringside observers have been split over which fighter actually deserved the decision. He would like to fight Marquez for a third time, but he already made a decision to pursue a title at 135-pounds. Pacquiao suffered two bad cuts during the brawl with Marquez. He told reporters that his cuts should heal in time to prepare for the June date.
“Much as I would like to give Marquez a rematch to settle once and for all our unfinished business, my mind is now focused on moving to the 135 division,” Pacquiao said.
There have been v erbal protests over the decision by Marquez's camp, and his promoters, Golden Boy Promotions. Pacquiao is not bothered and wishes them the best.
“I cannot do anything about that. Whoever said that, well, that’s their opinion. But in boxing there are judges to decide on who wins a fight. The judges had spoken and we must respect that in the same manner that I would have also respected had the decision was in reverse.”
By Mark Vester
According to a recent report in The Manila Times, Manny Pacquiao returned home on Monday to hero's welcome and announced that he was going to move up to the lightweight division to pursure a fight with WBC champion David Diaz. The current working date is June 28.
“I definitely want Diaz and his lightweight crown,” Pacquiao told the media during a press conference.
Pacquiao is coming off a close split-decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez. Many ringside observers have been split over which fighter actually deserved the decision. He would like to fight Marquez for a third time, but he already made a decision to pursue a title at 135-pounds. Pacquiao suffered two bad cuts during the brawl with Marquez. He told reporters that his cuts should heal in time to prepare for the June date.
“Much as I would like to give Marquez a rematch to settle once and for all our unfinished business, my mind is now focused on moving to the 135 division,” Pacquiao said.
There have been v erbal protests over the decision by Marquez's camp, and his promoters, Golden Boy Promotions. Pacquiao is not bothered and wishes them the best.
“I cannot do anything about that. Whoever said that, well, that’s their opinion. But in boxing there are judges to decide on who wins a fight. The judges had spoken and we must respect that in the same manner that I would have also respected had the decision was in reverse.”
Jesus Chavez, Jhonny Gonzalez Return on 4/4
LOS ANGELES – Two of boxing’s most popular former world champions – Jesus ”El Matador” Chavez and Jhonny Gonzalez – return to the ring on Friday, April 4th, as Golden Boy Promotions presents ‘Solo Boxeo’ on Telefutura from the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California.
The former super featherweight and lightweight champion of the world, Chavez will battle San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Daniel Jimenez, while former world bantamweight champion Gonzalez takes on Los Mochis, Mexico’s Edel Ruiz. Both bouts are scheduled for ten rounds
One of the most inspiring fighters of this era, Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico-born Jesus Chavez (42-4, 29 KO’s) came up the hard way in the fight game, eventually winning the WBC World Super Featherweight crown in 2003 with a victory over Sirimongkol Singwancha. The always exciting “El Matador” added the IBF Lightweight World Title to his resume in 2005 and though he would lose it a year and a half later when he injured his right knee during a fight against Julio Diaz, the 35-year-old warrior is healed and ready to make another run at the title, beginning with his bout against Daniel Jimenez (17-2-1, 10 KO’s). A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the 27-year-old Jimenez is a tough fight for anyone he steps in the ring with, as evidenced by his big 2006 win over previously unbeaten 2004 Olympian Vicente Escobedo. Since then, Jimenez has won three of four fights and is looking forward to getting his 2008 campaign off to an impressive start against Chavez.
Perhaps the hardest punching lower-weight fighter in the world today, Mexico City’s Jhonny Gonzalez (36-6, 30 KO’s) has specialized in the art of the knockout for years. A former WBO Bantamweight World Champion who made two defenses of his title and owns wins over Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, Ratanachai Sor Vorapin and Fernando Montiel, the 26-year-old Gonzalez is currently on a two-fight winning streak that he hopes to extend on April 4th. In Edel “Cuate” Ruiz (29-19-4, 20 KO’s), Gonzalez will be facing a rugged competitor from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico who is always aggressive in seeking victory
LOS ANGELES – Two of boxing’s most popular former world champions – Jesus ”El Matador” Chavez and Jhonny Gonzalez – return to the ring on Friday, April 4th, as Golden Boy Promotions presents ‘Solo Boxeo’ on Telefutura from the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California.
The former super featherweight and lightweight champion of the world, Chavez will battle San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Daniel Jimenez, while former world bantamweight champion Gonzalez takes on Los Mochis, Mexico’s Edel Ruiz. Both bouts are scheduled for ten rounds
One of the most inspiring fighters of this era, Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico-born Jesus Chavez (42-4, 29 KO’s) came up the hard way in the fight game, eventually winning the WBC World Super Featherweight crown in 2003 with a victory over Sirimongkol Singwancha. The always exciting “El Matador” added the IBF Lightweight World Title to his resume in 2005 and though he would lose it a year and a half later when he injured his right knee during a fight against Julio Diaz, the 35-year-old warrior is healed and ready to make another run at the title, beginning with his bout against Daniel Jimenez (17-2-1, 10 KO’s). A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the 27-year-old Jimenez is a tough fight for anyone he steps in the ring with, as evidenced by his big 2006 win over previously unbeaten 2004 Olympian Vicente Escobedo. Since then, Jimenez has won three of four fights and is looking forward to getting his 2008 campaign off to an impressive start against Chavez.
Perhaps the hardest punching lower-weight fighter in the world today, Mexico City’s Jhonny Gonzalez (36-6, 30 KO’s) has specialized in the art of the knockout for years. A former WBO Bantamweight World Champion who made two defenses of his title and owns wins over Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, Ratanachai Sor Vorapin and Fernando Montiel, the 26-year-old Gonzalez is currently on a two-fight winning streak that he hopes to extend on April 4th. In Edel “Cuate” Ruiz (29-19-4, 20 KO’s), Gonzalez will be facing a rugged competitor from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico who is always aggressive in seeking victory
