TONY PENECALE’S HOPKINS VS. CALZAGHE PREVIEW AND PREDICTION
Posted on | April 16, 2008 | No Comments
HOPKINS VS. CALZAGHE
** In-Depth Preview and Analysis **
By Tony Penecale
With the multiple alphabet titles today, it is common to see two titlists square off. But since Ring Magazine instituted its championship policy in 2002 of only one recognized champion per division, matchups between the recognized champions have been few and far in between. This Saturday, long reigning middleweight champion and current light heavyweight champion, Bernard Hopkins matches up against current super middleweight champion, Joe Calzaghe, an undefeated Welshman who is venturing to the United States for the first time. It also marks a bout between two of the top five fighters in the sport today as Hopkins is ranked at #4 and Calzaghe at #5. It is a matchup pitting the guile and smarts of the crafty Hopkins against the speed and aggressive style of the favored Calzaghe. In what could be the swan song for Hopkins, will he leave as champion? Or will Calzaghe come to America and claim his title?
AGE, RECORD, AND STATS
Hopkins: Age: 43 years old
Record: 48-4-1 (32 Knockouts)
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 170 ** Weight for last bout (7-21-07)
Reach: 75”
Calzaghe: Age: 36 years old
Record: 44-0 (32 Knockouts)
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 166 * * Weight for last bout (11-3-07)
Reach: 73”
RING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Hopkins: IBF Middleweight Champion (’95-‘05)
WBC Middleweight Champion (’01-‘05)
WBA Middleweight Champion (’01-’05)
WBC Welterweight Champion (’97-’99, ’00)
WBO Middleweight Champion (’04-’05)
Ring Magazine Middleweight Champion (’01-’05)
IBO Light Heavyweight Champion (’06-Pres)
Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Champion (’06-Pres)
Pound-for-Pound #1 Boxer (’02-’05)
Calzaghe: WBO Super Middleweight Champion (’97-’Pres)
IBF Super Middleweight Champion (’06)
WBA Super Middleweight Champion (’07-Pres)
WBC Super Middleweight Champion (’07-Pres)
Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion (’07-Pres)
STYLE
Hopkins: Is no longer the fighter who would apply pressure from the opening bell, winging right hands and left hooks until his opponent succumbed. That version of Hopkins evolved into the patient boxer-puncher seen today several years ago. Uses footwork and works angles well to keep opponents moving and off-balance, dictating the pace with his jab and opening up opportunities for his sharp straight right and left hook. Once in close, will attack the body and use rough-house tactics on the inside, including low blows and elbows. Is also a very tough and physically strong fighter.
Calzaghe: A southpaw punching machine. Calzaghe moves forward and throws punches in bunches, often averaging 75-80 punches per round. Calzaghe works behind his southpaw jab and uses his fast hands to fire combinations to the head and body. Is always in tremendous condition and can keep up a torrid pace in the late rounds. Sometimes will ignore defense when trying to open up his own offense.
STRENGTHS
Hopkins: * Student of the Game – There is not a style today that Hopkins hasn’t seen. From his early career in Philadelphia clubs all the way to his PPV main events, Hopkins has faced and defeated all types of styles including a number of world-class southpaws.
* Defense – Trying to land a clean punch, much less a combination, on Hopkins is like trying to hold water in your hands. Hopkins will block, slip, and parry most punches that come his way, but his best defensive maneuver is the “shoulder roll” where he will make his opponent miss by rolling with the punch and then fire back with a right hand or uppercut at his wide-open adversary.
* Confidence – Hopkins believes that he can handle any opponent at any weight. He is fearless in the ring and will not back down. Often times, his steely demeanor will have opponents unnerved and already beaten when they step into the ring.
Calzaghe: * Speed – Calzaghe has extremely quick hands and uses his rapid-fire punching attack to land punches and keep opponents on the defense. His advantage in speed has carried him to victories over younger and harder-punching adversaries.
* Work Ethic – Calzaghe averages over 80 punches per round and most opponents can not keep pace with him. He often picks up the pace in the later rounds and dominates in the championship rounds.
* Youth – For a 36-year-old veteran of 44 fights, Calzaghe is very fresh. He hasn’t taken a lot of punishment in his career and he fights at a younger man’s pace.
WEAKNESSES
Hopkins: * Too Patient – Hopkins likes to work from the outside and pick his shots. Often times, he waits too long and opponents are able to steal rounds. He gave away early rounds in his bouts against Roy Jones, Oscar De la Hoya, and Jermain Taylor before rallying late. In the case of both Taylor bouts and the Jones bout, it was too late and Hopkins ended up on the losing side of the decision.
* Enemies – Hopkins has a reputation of making enemies, whether it is battling with promoters, arguing with broadcasters, throwing an opponent’s flag on the ground, or as he did most recently, making racial comments. While this often doesn’t equate to an in-ring weakness, it does leave a sour taste in the mouth of many officials, and can be very influential in close fights.
* Fading Power – The Executioner’s Axe seems to have dulled over the years. The younger version of Hopkins was capable of taking out an opponent with one punch like he did to Steve Frank and Joe Lipsey. Those who stood up to his punches were issued frightful beatings. The modern version of Hopkins doesn’t carry the same pop in his gloves. Only one of his last six wins has ended inside the distance.
Calzaghe: * Punching Power – Calzaghe doesn’t own devastating power in either hand. Most of his stoppage victories have come from an accumulation of punishment over the course of a fight. If behind on the scorecards, it is unlikely that Calzaghe can win with a dramatic KO.
* Inconsistent – In his best wins, Calzaghe has been excellent. But he has looked very inconsistent in other bouts. He looked very uninspired against David Starie and encountered some rough moments against the tough but limited Omar Sheika and Sakio Bika. When Calzaghe is on, he is spectacular. When he is off, he is ordinary.
* Unfamiliar Surroundings – Calzaghe has spent his entire career in Wales and Great Britain. And even though, he expects to have a large contingent of fans traveling overseas with him, it will still be the first time that he steps out of his comfort zone and fights in the United States, with differences in climate and altitude.
LAST BOUT
Hopkins: Unanimous Decision over Winky Wright (7/21/07) – This bout was for the Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Title which Hopkins held and was contested at a catch-weight of 170 lbs. Wright, a slick southpaw and defensive master, was a slight favorite coming in, despite never having competed over 160 lbs. After falling behind early, Hopkins gradually wore Wright down with his rough house tactics, sweeping the final four rounds in winning a unanimous decision.
Calzaghe: Unanimous Decision over Mikkel Kessler (11/3/07) – In a bout for all the alphabet title belts and more importantly, recognition from Ring Magazine as the Super Middleweight Champion, Calzaghe was successful in outpunching a surprisingly timid Kessler. Even with Kessler being the younger fighter, it was Calzaghe who finished stronger in winning a unanimous decision.
BEST PERFORMANCES
Hopkins: * Felix Trinidad (9/29/01) – Hopkins was the IBF and WBC middleweight champion coming into this unification bout but he was overshadowed by the Puerto Rican superstar and a 3-1 underdog going in. While he promised to match Trinidad in a rough and dirty fight, he shocked everyone, especially Trinidad, by boxing early and building a commanding lead. Trinidad was visibly frustrated going into the latter half of the bout and attacked without abandon. Hopkins took full advantage and punished Trinidad with a variety of powerpunches, wobbling him at the end of the 10th before finishing him in the 12th to become the unified champion and owner of the Sugar Ray Robinson trophy.
* Glen Johnson (7/20/97) – At the time, it looked like this bout was a masterful win over a boxer with an undefeated albeit padded record. It has become more impressive considering that Johnson has since won versions of the light heavyweight title and scored a spectacular knockout over Roy Jones. Johnson came into the bout with an impressive punch, solid chin, and rugged determination. But it was all Hopkins from the opening bell as he dished out a frightful beating on the inside. Hopkins continued the assault each round, forcing the referee to visit Johnson’s corner several times, before finally halting the contest in the 11th.
* Robert Allen (2/6/99) – In their first encounter, six months prior, Allen had greatly troubled Hopkins with his physical southpaw style before an aggressive Mills Lane attempt to break a clinch resulted in Hopkins falling out of the ring and spraining an ankle. Before the rematch, Allen boasted that Hopkins had taken the easy way out and would be dethroned in the rematch. The Hopkins that entered the ring was focused and seething and punished Allen without mercy, knocking him down in the 2nd and 6th rounds. Allen’s only chance was to try and initiate a disqualification by flopping every time Hopkins landed on his waistline. Another brutal volley in the 7th forced the referee to stop the bout, amid protests from Allen’s camp, to which the referee responded “I don’t see him (Allen) complaining.”
* Antonio Tarver (6/10/06) – This was billed as Hopkin’s retirement bout and he was stepping up to a big challenge, taking on the naturally larger light heavyweight champion. Hopkins, coming off of two decision losses to Jermain Taylor, was an underdog coming in, with many of the experts predicting a Tarver win, citing that Hopkins looked lethargic in his last several bouts. The Hopkins that stepped into the ring against Tarver was a muscular 174 and he looked rejuvenated, outboxing and outfighting Tarver throughout, scoring a flash knockdown, and dealing out punishment over the last three rounds, forcing Tarver to hold on to the final bell, only to see Hopkins seize his title with a one-sided decision.
Calzaghe: * Jeff Lacy (3/4/06) – Lacy was a super middleweight titlist with an Olympic pedigree and devastating punching power. Many expected him to not only defeat Calzaghe in his backyard, but to win by stoppage. Calzaghe was dominant throughout the bout, battering Lacy and knocking him down in the 12th round before winning a dominant decision
* Mikkel Kessler (11/3/07) – Coming into this bout, Kessler, a Dane known as “The Viking Warrior” was sporting an undefeated record and was known for wearing opponents down with a punishing attack. The first half of the bout featured some good two-way action but as the fight progressed, it was Calzaghe who shifted his attack in overdrive and dominated down the stretch winning by unanimous decision.
* Charles Brewer (4/20/02) – Hopkins won’t be the first Philadelphia fighter that Calzaghe has encountered. Former super middleweight titlist Charles Brewer was on the downside of his career but he was still a formidable adversary with knockout power in both hands. Calzaghe took the fight to him and battered him throughout, blistering Brewer with combinations and causing him to back up. In the end, Calzaghe walked away with a unanimous decision.
* Chris Eubank (10/11/97) – Calzaghe was a young 25 year old fighter with only 22 bouts on his resume when he stepped in with Eubank, a British legend who was victorious in 45 of his 47 bouts going in. If Calzaghe was intimidated, he didn’t show it as he outhustled Eubank, winning 9 of the 12 rounds on his way to a unanimous decision victory?
QUESTIONS
Hopkins: * Despite his tough talk, is he still as motivated as he was coming up as an anti-establishment fighter with a king-sized chip on his shoulder?
* How will he counter Calzaghe’s punch output of 75-80 punches per round?
* Can his legs and stamina hold up if Calzaghe sets a brisk pace?
* Will he be able to reach into that well one more time for another great performance?
Calzaghe: * Will Calzaghe be able to handle Hopkins crafty style and frequent dirty tactics?
* How will his first bout in the United State affect his psyche?
* Does he have the power to backup and discourage the iron-jawed Hopkins?
* Will his wide-open offense attack leave him vulnerable to a master counterpuncher like Hopkins?
PENECALE PREDICTION
In this fight, it will be determined by who is able to impose their style. A fight with two-way action and a lot of punches favors the younger and more active Calzaghe. A fight with less punching and more rough-house tactics favors the stronger Hopkins.
I can easily envision scenarios with both boxers winning. I see the bout going the distance. There are two prevailing factors. Hopkins over the last several years, with the exception of the Tarver fight, has formed a bad habit of laying back early and allowing opponents to control the pace and tempo and giving away the early rounds. Calzaghe has said he plans to lessen his punch output to neutralize the opportunity for Hopkins to find his range with counter punches. If he does, he plays right into Hopkins ploy and anything less than 50 punches per round is a fatal mistake.
The early rounds will feature Calzaghe pressing the action and Hopkins giving angles and keeping him off balance. Calzaghe will average 60-70 punches per round over the first three rounds while Hopkins will only throw 15-20 over those rounds. Even though, they will both land about the same amount, Calzaghe will sweep the first three rounds on the scorecards.
Hopkins will pick up his pace in the 4th round, find a home for his straight right and snapping Calzaghe’s head back on several occasion. Each time he lands a significant punch, Hopkins will move in and smother Calzaghe, tying him up with one arm and pounding him to the ribs with the other, trying to wear him down with the tactics that were so effective against Winky Wright. Hopkins will win the 4 th round with Harold Lederman giving one of his famous calls “I gotta give that round to Hopkins. He moved inside and caused more damage. After four rounds, 39-37 Calzaghe.”
Calzaghe will significantly increase his offense in the 5th round. Overall, he will outwork Hopkins throughout the round, but there will be times that he lunges coming in and Hopkins will make him pay with counter right hands and uppercuts.
The 6th round will start the pivotal stretch of the fight. Hopkins will be down four rounds to one but he will start to swing the momentum in his favor. He will be in a rhythm where he is controlling the pace and attacking with offensive bursts. For the first time, Calzaghe will be backing on his heels, with his face showing some of the effects of the right hands he’s absorbed. But not to be deterred, Calzaghe will keep his pace and fire volleys of punches whenever Hopkins takes a lull in the action.
Over the final four rounds, it will be a back-and-forth affair. Calzaghe will continue to throw more punches but Hopkins will pick his shots and land the cleaner hard punches. At the final bell, both fighters will raise their hands in triumph. Calzaghe’s face will show the damage and by virtue of appearance, it will seem to favor Hopkins. It will be a determination of if the judges favored the higher punch output of Calzaghe or the harder counter punches of Hopkins.
One judge will favor the output, awarding Calzaghe the victory by the score of 116-112. The second judge will favor the more effective punches from Hopkins, giving him the nod by the score of 115-113. As it is announced, it will tally the score of 114-114. The bout will end in a draw with both fighters claiming victory at the conclusion.
Tags: Bernard Hopkins > Boxing > cable > Countdown to Hopkins-Calzaghe > Golden Boy Promotions > HBO > HBO On Demand > Joe Calzaghe > Las Vegas > Philadelphia > Tarver > Thomas & Mack Center > Tony Penecale > Winky Wright
QUOTES FROM FINAL HOPKINS-CALZAGHE PRESS CONFERENCE
Posted on | April 16, 2008 | No Comments
Joe Calzaghe
It’s my 11th year as world champion and I finally have arrived in America. Bernard was champion for nearly 11 years. I’m tremendously confident for this fight.
Bernard has never been stopped and that’s something that I think I can do.
I have no respect for my elders come this Saturday night.
I want to be the first person to knock him out and to put him into retirement.
I’m going to cut 1000 punches down to 500 or 600 punches and make them more powerful and punish him.
If I bring my A-game against anyone in the world I win. All I have to do is bring my best.
Bernard had to go to prison to be hard. To me that’s a sign of weakness. I don’t have to go to prison to be hard. He’s been to prison, big deal. In the end you’re going to see a grown man cry.
When I walk in the ring I’m going to be the home fighter…with the support from my fans.
Nazim Richardson
Saturday night you’re going to see a great performance. Bernard is a legend and he’s going to do what legends do.
With the assistant of Mackie (Shilstone) and Freddie (Roach) I was able to sit back and observe Bernard Hopkins. And there are no kinks in his armor.
With all Bernard’s fights you see his punches land. You have seen guys labeled champions, and after they fight Bernard they have never fought the same way.
Bernard Hopkins
After being handed a cane (a “present” from Enzo Calzaghe) – I’m going to find something to do with it. Something Kinky.
This is going to be my third assassination of a southpaw in the last year and a half.
There is nothing for me to hype. Even my worst critics have to bow down and admit that I’m in great shape. The times have changes where 43 is not what it used to be.
I don’t have days off. I don’t do anything to my temple—my body—that’s why I’m here. It comes from discipline that I got from a dark place 20 years ago.
Being an underdog, that’s not a negative to me. That’s a positive. Everything I have I had to fight for.
I was just handling my business and I’m watching the Calzaghe-Kessler fight. And after he wins, what does he say? “I want to fight Bernard Hopkins.” So I put my teeth in, I rocked back in my rocking chair, took a pop of Geritol, and I call Richard Schaeffer and told him to make it happen.
Joe is not a spring chicken. I’m already a senior citizen. He’s knocking on the door.
I’ll be able to show the world how I’ll be missed when I leave the sport. You’re going to see this athlete and man. It’s going to be an eye opener. And every time I’m not supposed to win I step up.
The competition that American and British fighters face is night and day. They get the residue of U.S. fighters.
I’m up for this fight for a lot of personal reasons. For me it’s a cultural fight.
If he throws 1000 punches he’s opening himself up to get hit 1000 times.
*****************************
Hopkins vs. Calzaghe “Battle of the Planet,” is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Frank Warren’s Sports Network and the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, and sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drink and Affliction Clothing. The 12-round light heavyweight championship fight between The Ring magazine champions for Hopkins’ title, will air live from the Planet Hollywood Ring at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on HBO’s World Championship Boxing, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET / 6:45 p.m. PT.
Tags: Bernard Hopkins > Boxing > cable > Countdown to Hopkins-Calzaghe > Golden Boy Promotions > HBO > HBO On Demand > Joe Calzaghe > Las Vegas > Philadelphia > Tarver > Thomas & Mack Center > Winky Wright
PROMOTING THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: BOXING AND MMA
Posted on | April 16, 2008 | No Comments
Boxing vs. MMA?
Printup, Palace offers both
LEMOORE, Ca. — The debates rage on about the sports of mixed martial arts and boxing and the squabbles over if an MMA’er could beat a boxer or vice versa.
It’s one of the hottest topics in currently in combat sports.
But while many promoters, fans and fighters are taking sides, at least one man stands behind both sports — he even cross promotes.
“I have always been a boxing fan. I have always been a fan of combat sports and entertainment. Not everyone knows but one of my first work experiences was as a member of the ring crew for the World Wrestling Federation, which is now the WWE. I was seventeen-eighteen-years-old traveling from my home in Niagara Falls, New York to New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, setting up the rings, doing whatever was needed, airport pick ups, whatever. And we’d get paid like $25 a day plus gas and meals, but I learned so much at a very early age and I’m a better promoter because of it,” Palace Fighting Championship President Christian Printup said.
“MMA has been a huge part of my professional life now for going on seven years and I love everything about the sport. It’s easy for some people to say boxing is in decline and MMA is taking over, but it’s just not true. Boxing is an institution it will never go away; it has been a cyclical sport throughout its history. The health of boxing as an industry has always been heavily dependant upon the landscape of the heavyweight division and that divisions been lacking for some time now,” Printup added.
“People ask me all the time, ‘what’s hurting boxing?’ ‘Is MMA taking away from boxing?’ Honestly, no. What has hurt boxing and what has hurt the heavyweight division in the United States in my opinion is the NBA and the NFL. For decades boxing was a way for a lot of athletes to make a living in professional sports, but boxing is a tough business. You have to really want to succeed and be willing to go through pain and work your way up the ladder and get beat up sometimes for six hundred bucks when you’re starting out, in order to reach the big money fights,” Printup said.
“Nowadays guys that could be the saviors of the heavyweight division in the United States aren’t boxing anymore in the amateurs, they’re playing basketball and football and that’s it. Because of the guaranteed contracts and the guaranteed money out there for them. Why travel the hard knock life of a prizefighter if you’re 6-foot-7, 240-pounds, strong, mean, and coordinated? I would bet my last dollar that if Lebron James, Ben Wallace, Ron Artest, or even going back a few years Larry Johnson. If those guys boxed instead of played basketball they’d be heavyweight champions. I guarantee it,” Printup said.
“MMA just speaks to a younger audience because of the way it’s been packaged and the fact that it’s roots in the United States are still primarily wrestling and traditional martial arts, which are amateur sports and activities that are still thriving for the most part in the United States. Both sports offer unparalleled excitement, tremendous athletes and prolific entertainment value for your hard-earned dollar and both sports will continue to co-exist. We just want to be able to bring them together and give fans of both sports a good show and hopefully allow some traditional boxing fans to become appreciative of the sport of Mixed Martial Arts,” added Printup.
Printup has promoted boxing for seven years and MMA for six years and now is putting both sports in the same venue at the same time to help educate fans as well as help promote both sports to a different market.
“By blending the Palace Fighting Championship into our boxing shows, what we’re trying to do is introduce MMA to traditional boxing fans and at the same time it allows us the ability to keep PFC fighters busy in between full PFC events,” Printup said. “Even though MMA is growing at such a rapid rate, and is more readily available on TV these days, there are still people who can benefit from seeing action live for the first time.”
And on April 17th at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino, Printup and the PFC will have World Middleweight Champion Kenny Ento (9-3) of Visalia take on Taft’s Jeff Terry in a non-title bout on a night of World Championship Boxing at the Palace, which features WBC Champion Carina Moreno (17-1) of Watsonville, NABF Champ Jessica Rakoczy (28-3) of Las Vegas and Dewey Cooper (15-1-2) of Las Vegas.
“Kenny Ento is a very cerebral fighter, he is very gifted naturally and he’s so fluid, and athletic, but he has a mean streak in him that is really opposite of his outside demeanor. Ento is always smiling and giggling, but he is ruthless in the ring. He is the type of fighter I love. He shows up and he doesn’t back down from any challenge. He has never turned down a fight,” Printup said.
“On April 17th some may say ‘awww it’s just a tune up for Kenny while he gets ready for Nate Loughran in May’ but I’ll say this, Jeff Terry is a big strong kid who doesn’t care that Kenny is the Champion. Terry just wants to get in there and exchange punches. He won’t be intimidated and Kenny will need to be ready and not overlook Jeff Terry or his world could crash in a hurry,” Printup added.
Not only does Printup often put MMA bouts on his boxing cards, but he has recently also encouraged some of his boxers to fight MMA.
Cooper was the first, making his PFC debut in June of 2007 with a victory over Adam Smith (0-2). Cooper is currently 2-1 in MMA competition.
Most recently Wasco’s Manuel Quezada entered the PFC ring and dispatched Madera’s Charles Hodges (0-3) by knockout in 1:02 of the first round.
Quezada is one of the Palace’s most coveted boxers on the roster. He is the WBC CABOFE Champion and carries a 22-4 record as a heavyweight with 15 knockouts.
“I think blending the two disciplines is going to be a staple of the future. We’re actually talking to a fellow promoter about blending the two on a show at he Playboy Mansion in June… so our idea seems to be catching on,” Printup said.
Also this month, on the 26th at Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville, Printup will have Hanford welterweight Chris Botelho (3-2) fight Porterville’s Morris Aldaco (5-0) in a special PFC MMA attraction a night of World Championship Boxing, as Quezada defends his title against Tim Williamson, and Fresno’s Frank Mondejar (16-4) and Madera’s Joaquin Marquez (3-0-1) take on challengers.
“The Botelho vs. Aldaco fight initially was going to be a title fight. That’s not the case anymore as both guys have had to take excessive amounts of time off for varying reasons, but what remains unchanged is that this is a great fight, period,” Printup said. “We have tremendous talent and depth at 170 pounds, but whomever wins this fight is definitely right in the mix for the vacant title and could potentially face Bryan Travers for the belt.”
Printup has already had PFC bouts on his boxing cards at the Palace, as Lemoore lightweight Poppies Martinez (13-4) defeated Taft’s Billy Terry (2-7) in December and in February Mexico’s Olaf Alfonso (6-8) won an intriguing lightweight showdown with Fresno’s Casey Olson (6-2).
“The addition of PFC bouts to our boxing shows has generated a lot of positive feedback. The first thing it has done is helped us move tickets there’s no doubt about that. So our boxers are getting some people seeing them that otherwise may not come out. I still think that there is some division between people that are boxing fans and people that are MMA fans,” Printup said. “Boxing has always drawn a more mature, refined audience. MMA has sort of been viewed as a sport for rebellious young adults, but as time has gone on, you’re seeing those lines disappear and I think the answer is simple because at the end of the day since the days of Roman Gladiators human beings have always relished seeing other people beat each other up. There is nothing more dramatic than one-on-one, hand-to-hand combat and the fact that at any moment the unexpected can and often will happen.”
There’s also been talk of some of the PFC fighters making a transition to boxing, as Poppies Martinez has openly talked about boxing, as has Ento.
“I think that Mixed Martial Artists should cross train and box as well as fight MMA, it helps them become more well rounded. As long as they’re doing it because they want to better themselves and improve their overall game and not just for another paycheck, Printup said. “There’s a big difference between the technique and pace of a boxing match versus MMA competition, but if a Poppies Martinez or Kenny Ento were to put in the necessary preparation, as I know they both are into pure boxing it’s a good thing. It makes them well rounded. And, it puts you know what’s in the seats.”
For Thursday’s fights at the Palace, tickets cane be purchased at tickets.com or charge by phone at 1-800-225-2277. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and fights start at 6:30.
For more breaking PFC news log on to www.palacefightingchampionship.com or check http://www.myspace.com/tachipalacefights.
Palace Fighting Championship
PFC 8
Thursday, May 8th, 2008
Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino
Lemoore, CA
Tickets can be purchased at tickets.com or charge by phone 1-800-225-2277.
PFC Lightweight Title Fight
Atlanta’s Diego Saraiva (11-6-1) vs. Bakersfield’s Brian Cobb (11-4)
*Saraiva is the current PFC Champion and will be making his first title defense.
PFC Middlweight Title Fight
Visalia’s Kenny Ento (9-3) vs. Santa Rosa’s Nate Loughran (7-0)
*Ento is the current PFC Champion and will be making his first title defense.
PFC Featherweight Title Fight
Oakdale’s Art Arciniega (6-1) vs. Fresno’s Jorge Evangelista (6-2-1)
*Arciniega is the current PFC Champion and will be making his first title defense.
PFC Bantamweight Title Fight
Oakdale’s Rolando Velasco (5-0) vs. Porterville’s Shawn Klarcyk (7-2)
*Velasco is the current PFC Champion and will be making his first title defense.
Lightweights
Lemoore’s Poppies Martinez (14-4) vs. Huron’s Sergio Cortez (3-3)
Heavyweights
Oregon’s Devin Cole (7-6) vs. Arizona’s Vince Lucero (18-13)
Light Heavyweights
Oxnard’s Lodune Sincaid (12-6) vs. Tulare’s Rafael Del Real (5-8)
Lightweights
Sacramento’s Dustin Akabari (1-0) vs. Cody Canterbury (1-2)
Bantamweights
Sacramento’s Joseph Benavidez (4-0) vs. Los Angeles’ Maurice Eazel (3-6)
Lightweights
Sacramento’s Thonglor Armatsena (1-0) vs. TBA
Featherweights
Lemoore’s Sergio Quinones (2-1) vs. TBA
Lightweights
Mexico’s Olaf Alfonso (6-8) vs. Newport Beach’s Matt Doyle (1-2)
Tags: Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Palace Fighting Championship > PFC > PFC 8
FIGHTERS WANTED: MMA RECRUITER CLASSIFIEDS
Posted on | April 16, 2008 | 2 Comments
Ammys – Birmingham, AL – June 7th
Alabama Boxing and MMA is looking for Amateur MMA Fighters in all weight classes to fill spots on their June 7th fight card in Birmingham, AL.
If you are interested in fighting on this card contact:
Eddie Fielder
205-914-7610
www.profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=326553825
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Ammy 185 & 135 – Tuscaloosa, AL – May 17th
Strike Hard Productions is looking for 185lb and 135lb Amateur Male MMA Fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card May 17th in Tuscaloosa, AL.
If you are interested in fighting on this card contact:
Eddie Fielder
205-914-7610
www.profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=326553825
Team Michigan Tryouts – Casco, MI – April 27th
Local Businessmen Richard Lictawa & James Arnone, owners of The Michigan Unarmed Combat League and Midwest MMA Productions LLC, would like to introduce to you the “Next Big Thing” for MMA.
The International BATTLE League!
After a successful year in working with the Professional MMA League, the IFL (International Fight League) the ISCF has been swamped with requests from literally hundreds of Amateur Fighters and Trainers have been asking the ISCF to create something like the IFL “Team/league” concept, but for Amateurs. Well Fighters…. Your prayers and wishes have been answered!
Casco, MI April 27th, 2008: Tryouts for “Team Michigan” the first real amateur MMA Team Fight League. There will be twelve (12) openings for the top amateurs in Michigan.
Location: Integrated Training Systems
9568 26 Mile Rd.
Casco, MI 48064
(810) 919-7508
Email: its@comcast.net
Lee & Renette Dickenson
Dom O’Grady-Pro MMA Fighter
Date: April 27th, 2008
Time: Registration 12:30-1pm, tryouts to immediately follow
Additional links of interest:
www.iblfights.com , www.iscfmm.com, www.mucl-usa.com, www.itsmartialarts.com
Contact: Rich Lictawa
Michigan Unarmed Combat League
Midwest MMA Productions LLC
6152 River Rd.
East China, MI 48054
Phone 810 488-9575
rich@mucl-usa.com
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2008 U.S. Armed Forces Pankration Invitational
May 17, 2008
52 area Gymnasium
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California
2008 US Armed Forces Pankration:
– This Tournament is open to all Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
– Reservists who are assigned to a drilling unit may also participate.
– Professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighters are prohibited from entering this competition.
– This tournament is being hosted and promoted by Marine Corps Community Services, Camp Pendleton and sponsored by The CompoundMMA.
– Tournament is double elimination with a consulation bracket to determine 3rd place.
Divisions:
– Two Skill Levels – Beginner (one year or less Martial Arts training) and Open (Over one year Martial Arts training)
– Weight Classes – 130 lbs; -140 lbs; -150 lbs; -160 lbs; – 175 lbs; – 190 lbs; – 205 lbs; – 230 lbs & over 230 lbs.
– There are no Women’s divisions as of now. Please contact us if you are a Female and wish to compete.
Mandatory Equipment:
-All Athletes must compete with MMA Style Gloves, a mouthpiece and Cup.
MMA Style gloves will be provided to athletes without their own.
-Other protective gear is optional: Elbow pads, Knee pads, Shin/ Shin & Instep guards, Wrestling Head Gear, Wrestling/ Martial Arts Shoes.
-MMA Fight Shorts with Rash guard is the recommended uniform.
-Athletes may also compete in Traditional Martial Arts attire, shorts or sweats without open pockets or metal, tight fitting T-Shirt or Wrestling singlet.
Important Tournament Information:
-All Athletes and Coaches must know and understand the rules of the tournament. A rules demo will be conducted the morning of the Tournament.
-Competitors may have a maximum of two coaches mat side. Coaches must stay in the designated area on the mat. No cameras are allowed in the coaching area. Any violations may result in penalties against their fighter or removal from the tournament.
-All disrespectful conduct to include that of coaches will result in immediate disqualification from the tournament. Disrespectful conduct includes arguing with referees and officials and intentionally trying to injure your opponent.
-All victorious competitors are required to sign their bout sheet after each match acknowledging the results are correct.
Rules: See rules and regulations at www.fightleague.org/Rules.html
Registration:
– Registrations will be open around April 18th.
– Each Division is limited to 8 competitors.
– Competitors must make weight or be removed from the bracket.
– All Competitors must pre-register.
– A lottery for open spots will be conducted the day of the tournament for those who did not pre-register or spots were full when pre-registration was attempted.
– There is no participation fee for this tournament.
www.fightleague.org
DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH IN DORCHESTER, MA
Posted on | April 16, 2008 | No Comments
Rodriguez & Hinkey ready to shine on
“Diamonds in the Rough” pro boxing card
May 17 in Boston
PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island (April 15, 2008) – Pro boxing returns to Boston on May 17 when promoter Peter Manfredo, Sr., in association with Let’s Get It On Promotions, presents “Diamonds in the Rough” at Freeport (I.B.E.W.) Hall in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Worcester (MA) middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez (4-0, 3 KOs) and super middleweight Derek Hinkey (4-1, 4 KOs) are in separate 6-round co-main events. The Dominican Republic-born Rodriguez, winner of the 2006 National Golden Gloves Championships and 2005 United States Championships, is a potential rising star. Hinkey, fighting out of McDermitt, Nevada, is a Native American fighter with a rich amateur career.
“We’re doing this to promote some young talent,” Manfredo said. “Rodriguez and Hinkey were top amateurs and they have good shots of going places in pro boxing. They’re a little rough around the edges – that’s why we named the show ‘Diamonds in the Rough” – and they’re learning as pros to get to the next level.”
Also scheduled to fight on the May 17 card are Whitman (MA) super middleweight Mark “The Italian Bazooka” DeLuca (3-0, 2 KOs), 2004 National Silver Gloves champion; Hinkey’s younger brother, heavyweight Tyler Hinkey (2-0-1, 2 KOs); Providence junior welterweight Jesus Caro, New England Golden Gloves champion; Brockton (MA) welterweight Alexandria Madgziak. Caro and Madgziak will be making their pro debuts. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $40.00 (general admission), $55.00 (reserved), $75.00 (ringside) and $100.00 (Golden Ringside), are on sale at Freeport Hall and Manfredo’s Gym. Call 401.723.1359 for additional information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
Ballroom Boxing
Posted on | April 16, 2008 | No Comments
NEXT EVENT May 29th- TICKETS ARE ON SALE – 410-766-7474 VOTED BALTIMORE’S BEST SPORTS SCENE Tickets available for: Thursday, May 29th, 2008 EVENT LOCATION – Michaels Eighth Avenue 7220 Grayburn Drive, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 www.ballroomboxing.com Call 410-766-7474 RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW! Doors open at 6:30:00 PM – Fights begin at 8:00:00 PM TICKETS: $35.00 General Admission (Advanced) $40.00 General Admission (Door) $50.00 Reserved Seat $100.00 Premium Ringside
Gleason’s Gym Newsletter
Posted on | April 15, 2008 | No Comments
Pro Boxing
Hammerstein Ballroom
New York City
Wednesday April 16th
A great co-feature with Peter Quillin vs Antwun Echols and Chazz Witherspoon Vs Domonic Jenkins.
Special discount on tickets: $55 tickets now going for $40. Only 34 tickets left.
Call DiBella Entertainment at (212) 947-2577 now!
Golden Gloves Finals Tickets
Gleason’s Gym has set another record. We have 22 finalists in this year’s gloves. Never has one gym produced so many potential champions in one tournament.
The finals are at The WAMU Theater at Madison Square Garden Thursday, April 17,2008 and Friday April 18, 2008. The first bout will start at 7:30PM.
For Thursday I have 28 tickets at $35 and 53 tickets at $25.
For Friday I have 8 tickets at $25 and no tickets at $35.
Professional Massages
Starting on Monday, April 21, 2008, Guenevere Johnson will give Professional Massages by appointment only. She will charge $1.00 per minute. The appointments will be for Mondays only.
Gleason’s Monthly Club Show
Saturday, May 24,2008
Gleason’s will resume the monthly boxing shows now that the Golden Gloves are over. All bouts are pre-matched by New York’s finest matchmaker, Angela Querol. If you wish to participate call Angela at (718) 797-2872. The weigh-in starts at 5:00PM and the first bout will be at 7:00PM.
Tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for gym members and amateur fighters with passbooks in hand.
This Year’s Fantasy Camp
August 29-September 1st, 2008
Slice, Carano, Lawler Sign long-term Elite XC deals
Posted on | April 15, 2008 | No Comments
SENSATIONAL NEWS FOR ELITEXC:
IT RE-SIGNS KIMBO SLICE, GINA CARANO,
ROBBIE LAWLER TO LONG-TERM CONTRACTS
MMA Standouts Will Appear
On Landmark May 31 “CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’’
LOS ANGELES (April 14, 2008) – Fans can continue to expect to see mixed martial arts standouts and fan favorites Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano and Robbie Lawler fighting for Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc.’s live fight division, EliteXC, for a long, long time.
“I am proud and very excited to announce that Kimbo, Gina and Robbie have all re-signed with us,’’ EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw said today. Terms of the long-term, multi-year agreements were not disclosed.
Kimbo, Carano and Lawler are three of EliteXC’s most popular, talented and exciting fighters and all will be featured Saturday, May 31, in the first of four prime time events on the CBS Television Network in 2008.
Kimbo (2-0) of Perrine, Fla., and Carano (5-0) of Las Vegas will face fighters to be announced while the exciting Lawler (15-4) of St. Louis will defend his EliteXC middleweight title against hard-hitting Scott “Hands Of Steel’’ Smith (15-4) of Sacramento, Calif., in a slugfest that figures to be non-stop, toe-to-toe action.
The official lineup for the historic MMA card, the first on network television, will formally be announced in the next few days. The highly anticipated event will emanate from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
“We’re extremely happy to get these deals done with Kimbo, Gina and Robbie,’’ Shaw said. “Fighters know EliteXC is the place to be and the organization to fight for, which is why we’ve always been able to sign or re-sign almost each and every one of our fighters.
“You don’t see our guys leaving. With us, it’s family and all about the fighters. Every fighter who has fought on an EliteXC card has come away being ambassadors for EliteXC.
“Kimbo has already become an MMA star due to his incredible popularity on YouTube. His backyard street fights are legendary. No question Kimbo has made a successful transition from Street to Elite and is on his way to becoming a superstar and world champion.
“Gina became an instant star after her first fight for EliteXC and has gone on to gain even more national prominence. She truly is the face of women’s MMA, an inspiration to many up-and-coming athletes and is a perfect illustration as to why women do indeed have a place in this sport and with EliteXC.
“Robbie’s nicknamed ‘Ruthless’ – what more you need to know? He’s tough, hard-nosed and always been highly regarded. EliteXC is extremely proud to have Robbie as its world middleweight champion. Robbie has shown time and again that he’s one of the most thrilling fighters in any weight class in MMA.
“For sheer action and power, it doesn’t get better than ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler versus Scott ‘Hands Of Steel’ Smith.’’
For more information on EliteXC and other MMA-related stories, including bios, video-on-demand, photos, stats, Fantasy Fight Game TM and more, please visit ProElite.com and EliteXC.com.
About ProElite, Inc.
ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of mixed martial arts enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM
Tags: California > Elite XC > EliteXC > Florida > Gina Crano > Kimbo Slice > Las Vegas > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > network television > New Jersey > Newark > Robbie Lawler > Youtube
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