BLUE HORIZON FIGHT NIGHT PREVIEW
Posted on | December 2, 2007 | No Comments
CHAMBERS TO FACE GINORIO IN SIX ROUND JR. WELTERWEIGHT BOUT TO HIGHLIGHT ALL-STAR UNDERCARD ON DECEMBER 7TH AT THE LEGENDARY BLUE HORIZON
Philadelphia (November 30, 2007)?Rising Jr. Welterweight Steve Upsher Chambers will take on Francisco Ginorio in a six round bout that will serve as one of the featured undercard bouts when Vernoca L. Michael and Blue Horizon Boxing promotions presents the Annual Holiday show on Friday December 7th at The Legendary Blue Horizon in Philadelphia.
Chambers, twenty-two years old of Philadelphia has been on a roll as he has racked up eleven straight victories since suffering his only loss three and a half years ago. All of those victories have come at The Legendary Blue Horizon. He is coming off a six round unanimous decision over Jason Jordan on September 7th at The Legendary Blue Horizon.
Ginorio, is twenty-eight years old from Palm Bay, Florida by way of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Ginorio brings in a record of 7-6-2 with two knockouts and he is on a two fight winning streak which includes his last performance when he stopped previously undefeated William Correa (5-0) in five rounds.
Exciting middleweight, Naji Murray (2-0, 1 KO) coming off his explosive knockout on September 7th will now take on the debuting Mario Mina of Brooklyn, New York in a scheduled four round bout.
Mina will be making his pro debut and is the nephew of former Peruvian great Maura Mina who had a record of 52-3.
Those Bouts are added to an already packed card scheduled for December 7th where the main event will see Israeli sensation, Elad Shmouel take on the tough Lenny Divictoria in an eight round Jr. Middleweight bout.
Jules Blackwell and Paul Fernandez will get it on in a six round featherweight attraction that pits two undefeated fighters against one another.
The Big boys will get it on as HUGE Grant Cudjoe (14-3, 9 KO?s) takes on a spoiler in Cornelius Ellis in a six round heavyweight affair.
Woman?s sensation, Olivia ?The Great? Fonseca will try to rebound from her only pro loss when she takes on knockout artist Michelle Linden in a four round jr. middleweight tussle.
Also witness the fistic fury of Gee Culmer, Louis Castro, Raymon Serrano, Kamarah Pasley and more as eleven big bouts are planned for December 7th.
Ticket prices for this great night of boxing are $200 for Queen Seating, $125 for Presidential seats, $60 for VIP, $47 for Ringside, and $40 for General Admission and can be purchased by calling The Legendary Blue Horizon at 1-215-763-0500 or by logging on to comcasttix.com. Doors open at 6:30 PM / 1st bout begins at 7:30 PM
The Legendary Blue Horizon is located at 1314 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA
THERE WILL BE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5TH AT THE LEGENDARY BLUWE HORIZON AT 11 AM
For more information, log on to www.legendarybluehorizon.com
HOLIDAY HITS FEATURES SOME GREAT BOXERS
Posted on | November 29, 2007 | No Comments
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RICKY HATTON CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT
Posted on | November 29, 2007 | No Comments
Ricky Hatton Conference Call Transcript
Moderator: Kelly Swanson
November 27, 2007
KELLY SWANSON: Thank you operator, and thank you everybody for joining us today for Ricky Hatton’s conference call, his last call before the big fight December 8th. And now without further ado, I’d like to turn the call over to Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, PRESIDENT, GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS: Thank you very much Kelly. We are getting closer to the big fight, Undefeated. Now Ricky Hatton is looking in tremendous shape. He feels ready to go, and from the talks we’ve had with Robert Diaz who was our matchmaker for Golden Boy Promotions. He’s telling us that Ricky is looking in the best shape ever. He’s never seen Ricky like this, so we’re very confident that Ricky is going to do and be the first to give that 0 to Mayweather.
And let me tell you one thing, with the odds, a lot of people are going to be losing a lot of money in Vegas. And, Ricky Hatton, I believe, is in for the treat of his life. He’s going to be in fight mode and ready to go, and we’re just totally excited to be working with Ricky Hatton and be working with both fighters. But without any further ado, we’d like to introduce to you Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton.
KELLY SWANSON: Just one more programming note, the third episode of Mayweather Hatton 24/7 airs this Sunday December 2nd at 10:00 PM. And so the other two parts of the series, if you haven’t seen them already, are on HBO on demand at this time.
OK, so now Ricky Hatton.
RICKY HATTON: Hello everybody. Thank you for joining us this morning. Yes, I’m sure every fighter says the same thing when there are travel preparations. They all say they’re in the best shape of their life. But just don’t want this to be true again, but the training is going absolutely fantastic. And my sparring partners were exceptional. No perfect mirror image to me opponent. I’ve had several sparring partners. I mean all in all for the five weeks or six weeks I’ve been sparring now about maybe five, six, seven different sparring partners and it has been great. The training has been great. No injuries, and I’ve been down on the weight for some time, so me and my food has been better than ever. My strength training with Cary Kays has been better than ever. I mean if I could have written down on a piece of paper how I wanted my preparations to go, the stage I would like to be at this moment. I’m in training camp. It’s exactly the way it is at the minute. I am just roaring to go.
I mean as the fight gets nearer, you would expect me to start feeling a little more nervous, but, I feel with confidence building with each day that passes by really. I mean there’s no doubt in my mind what the outcome of this fight is going to be. And it’s great to finally set foot in Las Vegas. I think when you set foot in Las Vegas the fight is upon you, it’s here now. So you get a little bit of a tingle down your back because you know it’s finally nearly upon us.
Yes, my body clock’s back on track now. Obviously it takes maybe three or four days to get your body clock on track what with the long flight over and the time difference, but I’m back to normal now in that department so to speak. So we’ve settled in nice to the house. We’ve got our routine in the gym and everything, so it can’t be going any better at the minute. And I don’t ask for much, but the only thing I ask for is that every person from the past picks for Floyd Mayweather to win this fight I think. But I’m sure you’ve all got a lot of questions you want to ask.
So rest assured, I’m in the best shape of my life, and looking forward to shocking the world. So thank you for listening and finally your questions guys.
DAN RAFAEL, ESPN: Hey Ricky, I’ve been watching 24/7 like I’m sure most of the folks have. And I’ve seen also yourself and the way you interact with Billy in the corner and the way you guys get along outside the ring in the press conference and such. Can you just talk a little bit about the bond that you and Billy have developed over the years? He’s quite a character it seems like. Obviously you like to have a good time also, but you seem to get real serious, obviously, in the ring when you’re training, but it seems to be a real friendly relationship outside the ring. Just talk about the way you guys get along with each other and how that’s worked over.
RICKY HATTON: Yes absolutely ?
DAN RAFAEL: your 43 fights.
RICKY HATTON: I mean, yes, everybody needs to realize that, there’s things that it seems to be when you look up my camp there seems to be a lot of laughing and joking and a little bit of fun in there and Mickey taking and stuff like that. But, one thing that’s priority and one thing that is probably, a country mile ahead of everything else is how hard we train. It’s just we like to make the training fun, me and Billy. I know one thing for certain. I know I hear that Floyd Mayweather is a fantastically fit fighter. He very rarely gets sided in his training and he gives and obviously where he’s got in boxing that goes without saying. But I can categorically say that there is one thing that will, is unanimous in this fight, he won’t be training as hard as Ricky Hatton, and he won’t be in his best shape like Ricky Hatton.
But, yes, Billy and I have been mates for years. I started working with Billy when I was 15, 16 years of age, and we hit it off right from the start. Sometimes, when we talk about tactics or opponents, he’ll already be, we won’t even have to say anything because we’ll both be thinking it. He only has to say one word to me to know what he means. And that’s the way you should be with your trainer. You’ve got to be on the same wavelength as your trainer, and the silly thing about me, but if boxing ended five years ago would we still be mates, it’s we’ve never had nothing more than a handshake between us, me and Billy, in all the years we’ve been together, which in boxing these days is I would probably say is quite a rare thing.
So no, it’s a wonderful relationship and there is time to laugh and joke and there is time to be serious. And, when it comes to boxing, you won’t get two more serious men in the sport than me and Billy Graham. I think that was felt by the performance I put on the shake, that, I mean come December 8th really. But we’re just two local lads from Manchester, from the housing estates that have done very, very well. And sometimes when you get to a certain level of certain profile, I suppose, people always expect you to act differently. We say what the best and what comes into our mind really, which I think on the 24/7 program has made for quite entertaining viewing at times.
BERNARD FERNANDEZ, PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS: Ricky, a lot of us had read the story in ESPN the magazine about, the fact that throughout your career, tended to go up 35, sometimes every 40 pounds between fights. How familiar are you with Roberto Duran’s history of doing the same thing, and how amazing is it that he was able to stay on top or pretty close to the top for 30 years?
RICKY HATTON: Yes, I mean so I have a lot in common with my hero. We never take a backwards step. We’re very, very passionate. We’re very, very fiery characters. And yes, fight his style, great to watch, but yes, we have enjoyed ourselves. I mean a lot of people would say well that will affect your longevity. But I suppose it can do, but I mean a lot of people have said for years, and that’s the whole purpose. I mean Floyd has tried to insult me by calling me Ricky Fatton, but what he doesn’t realize is I’ve called myself Ricky Fatton in the first place.
I do put on a lot of weight in between me and my fights, and that’s the whole reason I’m putting a Ricky Fatton T-shirt on after the fight because for so many years now fashion critics have turned on me and said, well he’s too much weight. He’s put too much weight on. I think it was the Kostya Tszyu where it comes to the fourth one when I put on about 40 pounds, and then they turned around and said, oh, Ricky Hatton won’t last four rounds. He’s put on too much weight. And, just things like, I feel like saying, change the record a bit now. You’ve been going on about this for the last maybe six, seven years, and in that time now I’ve won four world titles, two weight divisions. Probably one of the longest unbeaten ones in British fighting, and I’m fighting the pound for pound best per fight in the world. So maybe it’s time you should stop pointing the finger at my weight because obviously, it’s whatever I’m doing it’s working for me. It certainly won’t work for the reversal, and up to now it’s working for me.
I always feel the need before I start training companies to be out of shape. And I need to put loads of weight on and I need a bit of a mountain to climb so I knuckle down to it, well I mean the beauty thing about boxing is training efforts there’s no right way or wrong way. Ideally it would be best if I didn’t put as much weight on. But that’s the way I am. That’s what makes me what I am, you know? It’s just if it worked hard for it, it worked for me. It might not work for everyone. Floyd doesn’t put an ounce on him between his fights, but every fight is different and that’s what makes it such a unique sport.
GEORGE ROSENLASSER, VALLEY NEWS: I wanted to know if you’re happy with the way you’ve been portrayed in 24/7, and have you learned anything about Floyd Mayweather in the show?
RICKY HATTON: A little bit. I’ve been happy the way I’ve been portrayed. I mean the way I’ve been portrayed is the way I am. You know, one thing I think that you see in them is that we are a family.
The other statement I have is, I don’t lie about a single thing. People say, do you like to have a drink of alcohol, and I say, yes, yes, of course, I love to. And do you like fat foods, yes. And do you put weight on, yes. And, these people are maybe a little bit more vain, would probably not admit to that, and I do. And I think with what you see with me, you see an honesty in my life, the way I am period. There’s honesty in the way I train and prepare for me fights. And, I’d like to think Ricky Hatton is more of the whole package to him. He’s not just, my fan base isn’t just because of the way I fight. It’s the way I am and the way I act, and I think it portrays me, to be exactly what I am, just a normal kid doing very well at what he does. And, yes, no, it’s been great.
And as far as learning anything from Floyd, it’s nice to see the little bits that he does, and I mean he’s been quite public on 24/7 of the fallout with his father Floyd Sr., which is a shame bearing in my mind how close I am to my family. But, he’s putting things right and essentially you see him spending time with his kids. I mean that’s probably another side of Floyd where the fans have been able, to see.
But I’m enjoying the 24/7 show. I like what I’m seeing from his training camp. And I like watching his pad work because although it’s fantastic for his hand speed, I don’t think, I think it’s a lot of training in the comfort zone, hitting the speed ball and just, hitting the bag and hitting the pads very, very lightly with very little power I might add. And also the person, Carlos Baldomir who he’s sparring with, which I think Carlos Baldomir certainly isn’t the quickest, and he plods forward as opposed to move forward, so I think it’s when they think they’ve got, if they’ve got Baldomir spar to emulate me, then that’s a very, very good sign because I think Baldomir ? no disrespect to Carlos Baldomir. When he was in the best shape of his life, when he fought Floyd he was far from fit and quick enough, so I don’t know what he’s going to be like when he’s out of shape.
So there are a lot of positives. And I’m looking when I see Floyd in the 24/7. The trouble has risen with his hands again which is common knowledge that Floyd has bad hands. I’m just wondering from my point of view, I mean on the night if Floyd Mayweather beats Ricky Hatton, which I don’t think he will, but if Floyd Mayweather was to beat Ricky Hatton and it was a fair result, I would hold me hands up and say, well I was beaten by the better man. But on the night if I beat Floyd Mayweather and it is, seems to be a very fair result, I hope Floyd Mayweather doesn’t blame it on the dancing and doesn’t blame it on his hands.
ROBERT MORALES, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS: Listen, considering that you are going up against the fighter that most experts believe is the pound for pound best in the world, what would a victory over him mean to you in your heart, and what would it mean for your career?
RICKY HATTON: What it would mean? It would mean everything. I mean being a world champion was obviously the dream of every youngster who starts off boxing, but I’ve become the best fighter in my weight division when Kostya Tszyu. But to be the best fighter in your weight division in the world is one thing, but to become the best fighter in the world in any weight division I think is, I think it just goes without saying it’s (INAUDIBLE) and not my words but (INAUDIBLE) words. It will be the biggest win in British boxing history. So I think that it doesn’t need me to say what it would mean to my career and what it would mean to my life really, to be the best in boxing period would really be something else. I just can’t wait. I believe I’m going to do it. There’s not a doubt in my mind, obviously 24/7 shows the best bits, but I mean the more I watch of the 24/7 show it fills me with confidence. As the fight gets nearer sometimes doubt can come in. It’s not been the case. Yes, these are the days you’ve dreamed off. It’s massive, it’s huge.
CHUCK JOHNSON, USA TODAY: With both of you guys being unbeaten, you and Mayweather, I just want to know, in terms of how you view your record, how important is that 0 to you being unbeaten, to your self-esteem and how you feel about yourself as a fighter?
RICKY HATTON: Well I mean a defeat doesn’t finish your career. I think fighters through history have shown that, but, it is nice to have that unbeaten one. It’s for your marquee value, obviously financially, being unbeaten, especially when you’ve got a long unbeaten runs like me and Floyd. So it is important. It’s not the be all and end all. I mean fighters have got beat and come back to be better fighters. So it isn’t the be all and end all, but, yes, it is important if you’re a fighter and a fighter in your heart it’s pride, knowing that you’ve never been, you’ve never tasted defeat. So yes, it is important.
GARETH DAVIES, DAILY TELEGRAPH: Ricky, at the beginning of this conference call, Oscar de la Hoya said that a lot of people are going to be surprised because they’re going to lose a lot of money at the fight, probably referring to the fact that he expects you to win. How do you feel about him backing you to win, and has he given you any technical advice because he’s obviously been in, been Mayweather before?
RICKY HATTON: Yes, we chat along the way of, styles and what might work and what might not work. Obviously Oscar sometimes leaves us to our devices because I mean what me and Billy Graham have done from day one, I mean it’s got me to this point. It’s won me 44, it’s 43 fights unbeaten, and all them world fights. So, I think Oscar realizes that, he knows what we’re doing, but obviously, there are bits of advices and a little bit, especially with Oscar sharing the ring and being the fighter and the person he is, he’s someone who you look up to give you advice, but, yes, he has been great. We’re very (INAUDIBLE) from Oscar the sparring partners, I mean both me and Billy we’ve gotten all these years, so we have been doing something right, you know.
So no, it just can’t be going back to where it is, it does make you feel good when someone like Oscar, who certainly knows boxing believes you can do it. And yes, I think a lot of people in Vegas are going to lose money because I think everybody has picked Floyd to win this and everyone has expected him to win me. And I think very few people are picking me to beat him, which really suits me fine. In fact, I wouldn’t be, I wouldn’t give two shits if everybody picked Floyd Mayweather because I know what an oh sweet victory that’s going to be when I do it. And the last time nobody give me a chance was against Kostya Tszyu and we made him quit, and I think I’m going to make Floyd quit.
RON LEWIS, THE TIMES: First thing, could you tell us how you, and what you’re still doing training-wise now that you’re in Vegas. And last week Cary told us that you, as you put it up to nutrition for the fourth time. Is he actually letting you eat anything you actually want to eat yet?
RICKY HATTON: No, I mean, it would be frivolous to eat anything you want to eat. I mean you can eat as much as you want to eat, but obviously the key is it’s got to be good food. There’s no point in, if your weight starts and you’re going out eating barbeque, spare ribs and chips, I mean that’s not going to do you any good. But no, I mean my weight is well on target. I’m on the weight now, so I can increase me diet. The diet’s gotten better as the weight’s gone down. I mean as the training has intensifies the diet’s got better. So I’m bearing in mind, I won’t for this fight. I’ll be in as good a shape and I’ll probably have more energy because I won’t have to deplete my body down to the 10 stones, to the 140 pound mark. I’ve got to just get down to 147. So, yes, I mean everything is going perfect.
MICHAEL KATZ, MIAMI HERALD: Hey, going back to Kostya Tszyu, another fight where nobody really gave you much of a chance to win, do you have that same kind of feeling coming into this fight as you did going into that fight?
RICKY HATTON: Very much so. I mean nobody gave me a fair chance against Kostya Tszyu, and I think Floyd would like to think that with this being the biggest stage that I will have boxed on, I think he’d like to think that the pressure will get to me. But I think I’ve always boxed big, although it is the biggest stage I’ve boxed, bearing in mind I’m fighting for the pound for pound title but before I was world champion, I was boxing in front of bigger crowds than I’m going to box on December the 8th. So I think I’ve always been at the right preparation. I’ve been groomed for this level. I think that with the Kostya Tszyu fight nobody gave me a prayer. With me, my pressure, when I put people on you, put pressure on a match, but everybody expected me to walk onto one of them right hands of Kostya Tszyu and that would have been it. But my determination, my stamina, my chin, everything, I was oblivious to tiredness, and I was oblivious to pain that night because of the man I was facing. And I knew if I left him alone for just half a second he would probably line me up and nail me with that big right hand.
So with Floyd Mayweather, it’s a different, a totally different tale, but I think to beat Ricky Hatton, I think maybe you need that fire power to stop me coming. I mean if you don’t hurt me, I’ll keep coming all night. And although Floyd has different attributes and different manners than Kostya Tszyu, I mean, probably Floyd has the speed and the defense and the boxing ability over Kostya Tszyu had the strength inside, the physical strength of that right hand, so what I’m trying to say is I think you need power and I think I’ve been more worried facing power than speed in many ways because I think you’ve got to stop me coming at you. I mean that’s one thing you’ve got to do. You’ve got to stop Ricky Hatton coming at you because I’ll keep coming all night unless you hurt me. And has Floyd got the power to hurt me? I have no doubt at times in the fight he might lead me a bit of a merry dance and put me off with his speed and his wonderful boxing ability. But can he do it for 12 rounds, and has he got the power to stop me coming? I mean Kostya Tszyu couldn’t do it with that big murderous right hand. I think it will be difficult for Floyd, but obviously Floyd has his strengths, his speed, his dependencies, you know, his boxing ability.
So there is no different problems to the Kostya Tszyu fight, but ultimately has he got the fire power to deal with my agitated pressure, and that’s the key, agitated pressure, yes.
DAVID ISAACSON, SUNDAY TIMES: I read some time ago that you met Floyd at a boxing fight, and when you approached him he was quite rude to you. Would you mind taking us through that and just saying whether that’s going to pay effect to it all in terms of your mindset going into this fight?
RICKY HATTON: I don’t think it will affect my mindset going into the fight. It was when, it was at the Hopkins fight, Jermaine Taylor, and it was blown up to be a little bit worse than what it actually was to be honest with you. I mean I think we both sat in the same row, and he sat a few seats further down, so he had to obviously walk past me. And I stood up and I went to shake his hand, and he wouldn’t shake me hand, and he muttered something under his breath. I think somewhere on the lines of, how let’s get it on, I’ll knock you out, or something like that. So, I mean he didn’t want to shake me hand, I mean there was no incident, pushing or shoving or arguments. It wasn’t merely a thing, but out of respect I just, hi Floyd, how are you doing, went to shake his hand, then he just dismissed me, as if I was saying, I want to beat you type attitude. But I have to be honest, I didn’t lose a wink of sleep over it. So, I mean that’s Floyd really. I mean and it’s not like we should all get to a stage where you, that’s the dominance issue, you shouldn’t lose any sleep and get worried about it. No, that won’t affect me before the fight. I think it’s not just how Floyd acts in this fight, it’s how he acts in all his fights. So I don’t take anything personal. I think that’s just Floyd.
DAVID ANDERSON, DAILY MIRROR: Hey Ricky, I was just curious to see how you’re getting along. It sounded like some sort of student (ph) highs (ph) with you, Matthew (ph) Market (ph) at home watching Porky’s (ph) videos. I hope you’re all behaving yourselves.
RICKY HATTON: Well the last thing I think we, last kind of thing that we come (ph) under (ph) is students (ph) I think, but, no, I mean this is a busy house. You know, we’ve got, there’s me, Matthew, you’ve got Matthew Matten, Lee Beard who is one of the coaches at the gym. And we’ve got popular security guards that keep an eye on the house when we’re out, and people are coming in and out of the house and I’m not one of these fighters that like’s to shut himself away from everything. I like my life to, I don’t want people to act different around me, and I don’t want my life to change as much, although, we miss your homely surroundings and your home comforts like back home, but you try and get on as much as, as normal as possible don’t you? And that’s what we’re doing really Dave.
DIEGO MARTINEZ, REFORMA NEWSPAPER: Hi Ricky. Diego here from Reform Newspaper in Mexico. Ricky, when you watch the videos, what mistakes you have found in Floyd Mayweather’s title?
RICKY HATTON: What mistakes? Well he has a lot in his armor. He’s very, very good at what he does. He’s got a wonderful defense, and he likes to take the steam out of his opponents by making them miss. There’s nothing more tiring than when you’re missing your opponent.
But yes, I mean he has a lot of strengths, I think he waits for his opponent and when it’s me he shouldn’t be waiting too long because someone who is constant and on you all the time as me, I mean who doesn’t really tire and get stronger in the fight, he doesn’t want to wait around too much. But, no, he’s got fantastic hand speed. I mean, but I think, I think my styles or attributes to diffuse what he does. I mean speed is a good thing, but I move in very, very quickly on me opponents and stick to them like glue for long periods. I have a constant buddy at that and generally he’s struggled against people that have put the pressure on him, Castile, the first fight, against de la Hoya, and really I wouldn’t even call that pressure, to be honest with you. I mean if that’s, if that’s what pressure is and he tends to not like pressure then I think he’s got a whole lot of trouble coming his way.
STEVE CARP, LAS VEGAS REVIEW: When Manny Pacquaio fought here in October, he talked about the tremendous burden that comes with being a national hero, and I’m wondering, for you back in the U.K., with all the people that are coming over here to support you, as well as back at home, how do you deal with the pressure that comes and the responsibility that comes with being a national hero?
RICKY HATTON: I think I deal with it quite well really. I mean it all depends on your frame of mind. I, you know, it’s, you know, for me it’s just another fight. I’d like to think that there have been more nerves at this stage, but I mean I think as the fight gets nearer and doubt starts creeping into your mind, the pressure does tend to come under you. But I mean, doubt hasn’t come into my mind yet. This isn’t a fight where there’s the slightest bit of doubt in my mind that I’m going to lose. So obviously in knowing that, you’re fighting an opponent that you believe you can beat. The pressure doesn’t come under you as much as what you’d maybe have if you were going in there expecting to lose.
But no, I have a fantastic following. It spurs me on. It makes me feel proud. I get a huge rush when fight fans turn around and say how much they love me and that I’m the people’s champion. They respect me because of all the success that I’ve had, I haven’t changed one little bit. My feet are still firmly on the ground. And I look at myself as no different than the man in the crowd. So that spurs me on I think, it doesn’t make me, where the pressure should get on you. It doesn’t get on me. The only pressure I have on myself is to myself, needless to say I want my fans, to make my fans and country proud, but I try and use it to me advantage and it is an advantage. And it’s all down to the mentality of the person or to your self really. I mean my mentality is it doesn’t affect me. I just look forward to doing them proud rather than I don’t look forward to the burden of letting them down. I look forward to how proud I’m going to do when I do win.
JOHN DILLON, DAILY EXPRESS LONDON: I want to come up to, over to Mr. de la Hoya and ask a question there and ask his assessment of the two fighters’ styles and his assessment of the contest.
OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Yes, I’m here.
JOHN DILLON: Yes, I wondered just, could you just give us your assessment of them, of both fighters with two very contrasting styles? And just tell us what you think really.
OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Well I mean my thinking is, I’ve been in there with Floyd Mayweather and we fought at 154 pounds, even though he was lighter, probably weighing around 150, 151. Obviously the power is different. Where Floyd really doesn’t rely on power, he relies more on his speed. And from what I’ve seen with Hatton, he relies on both, because he has both. He has speed and power. And I think the difference with any fighter that Hatton has faced is that Hatton brings intelligent pressure. And I think that’s the key word there. He not only comes forward and puts pressure on you more than, more than I did and even more than Castillo did, but he does it in a very intelligent way. And so I think that’s going to play a big part in this fight. It’s going to be a tremendous fight. You’re going to have both of the best fighters in that ring that night and it’s all about who is going to be in the better shape and who is going to want it more. And it’s going to be a great fight.
MARKS STANIFORTH, PRESS ASSOCIATION: There are quite a few obvious comparisons from a British point of view between this fight and Lloyd Hunigens win over Donald Coolio a time ago. I just wondered if you’d seen tapes of that fight and whether there was anything you can take from it and, if you appreciate those certain similarities?
RICKY HATTON: Yes, there was some, I think, most people would have, some call it the best pound for pound fighter in the world at the time. And I think what Floyd’s best attribute when he comes into the ring was his famous approach. He got into the ring and, it was like, I don’t care who you’ve beat or who’ve you’ve won or how many titles you’ve won or how many weight divisions. He didn’t look at the stats. He just looked at the man. And, he went out there without jumping right on him straight away, let the punches go, combinations, I mean real, put the pressure on him, controlled pressure, and totally threw him out of his stride and beat him up in the end.
It’s stuff like that, I mean nobody gave Floyd Hunigen, nobody gave Lloyd Hunigen a chance. Nobody gave me a chance against Kostya Tszyu. And some Robert Geran against Sheboy Leonard the first fight. Nobody gave Geran a chance really. I mean sometimes the fellow with the most talent doesn’t always win. I mean the tactics right, who wants it most, who is in the best shape, who gets off to the best start. And there are lots of things in the equation that sometimes result, and if boxing has told us one thing, look how many upsets there’s been through boxing history really.
Not anybody says that this fight is beyond me. I mean I think I’ve got the style to give Floyd Mayweather absolutely nightmares. I mean, when you think the fight he’s come closest to losing was obviously against Oscar last. Oscar put the pressure on him. And Castillo the first fight. And Castillo in a lot of people’s eyes won the first fight. And so a lot of people would turn around and say, well when, Ricky put on a bad performance against Castillo, than Floyd did, but then you’ll also have some that will say well Castillo has seen better days.
But if I can make a statement now without sounding too disrespectful to me old friend Jose Luis Castillo, even Castillo in the first fight against Mayweather, when he was seen to be in his pride, if you narrow it down and say, was his footwork, was Castillo’s footwork as good and as quick as Ricky Hatton’s is? Was his body punching as good as Ricky Hatton? Does he move in on his opponent as quickly as Ricky Hatton does? Is he as big a hitter as Ricky Hatton is? Does he have as much boxing ability as Ricky Hatton does? Does he have a better work rate than Ricky Hatton? I would have to say no to all of them. And, as you know, he nearly did it, so I’ve got huge confidence out of that, I know what I’m up against, I know what his strengths are and I know what his weaknesses are and I know what I think he tries to do in the fight. I think I’ve got the tools for the job, and that wasn’t meant to be disrespectful to Jose Luis Castillo. I mean but I think in every department from footwork to strength to speed to boxing ability to power to work rate, I think even in his prime I think I have it in every department. And when you think Castillo nearly beat Floyd, that’s the way I see the fight going.
RAUL SAENZ, NOTIFIGHT: Ricky, in the last teleconference with Floyd, he says that, he mentioned that he’s not fighting the best British boxer right now. For him, the best British boxer is Joe Calzaghe. When he never has fought out of Europe, what are your opinion about that?
RICKY HATTON: Well people will make their own minds up how, you know, people will make their own minds up how good they actually think I am or how good they actually, or how good they think I am in the standings of boxing champions, past and present. I mean it’s up to the people to make their own minds up. I mean I let them make it up. I’m not going to go out and say I think I’m the best. I think this, I think I’m not but little comments like that makes me, throws me compliments for the fight really because he’s not as clever as what he thinks. One minute he’s saying he’s the best pound-for-pound. If he’s saying he’s the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and in fighting me he’s not fighting the best fighter in Britain, what a fool he’s going to look when he gets beat.
EDDIE GOLDMAN, SECOND OUT RADIO: I don’t know if you’ve gotten a chance to see the full HBO 24/7 series that they’re showing in the states here. On the second episode, they seem to hint that maybe Floyd is having some problems with his hands. They showed him getting physical therapy a couple of times a week, and at the same time they showed you doing all the leg presses and messing up Billy Graham’s finger during the training. Do you think there’s anything to that or that may be a factor in the fight?
RICKY HATTON: Well I mean Floyd has always had problems with his hands. I mean that’s pretty common knowledge. I mean he’s had it for all his fights apparently. We never saw that on the last 24/7 fight, the last 24/7 build up with Oscar and Floyd. So, but that, I mean he might be having trouble with his hands. And to be honest, I’m only worried about how my preparation is going. I mean I’m not worried about Floyd mainly. If Ricky Hatton’s preparation is OK, that’s all I’m bothered about. But I think, as I said earlier to answer the questions to one of the guys, I mean I’m not going to turn around and call Floyd a liar. I mean it is common sense everybody knows he has problems with his hands. I don’t think it will happen, but if Floyd Mayweather was to beat me on the night and it was a fair result, I would hold my hands up and say well I got beat by the better man. But I think if I beat Floyd Mayweather on the night and it was a fair result, I hope Floyd doesn’t bring out the old, my hand got, because I mean we’re the best pound-for-pound fighters I mean that’s, if you wanted to be a cynic you could probably say, well if you’ve got an injury you want to hide the fact, so why is he telling everyone. So if I beat Floyd Mayweather on the night and it’s a fair result, I would like to think Floyd would be man enough and turn around and say, well I got beat by the better man on the night, the better man won. And I would hate to think that he would turn around and say, well, I got beat because I went in the dancing competition or I got beat because of me hands. You know? That’s just the way I see it.
FRANCIS WALKER, BLACKATHLETE.COM: Ricky, Mayweather talks a lot of trash and he’s talked down to you on a number of different occasions. Do you think it’s an attempt for Mayweather to try to get into your head or is this just all for show?
RICKY HATTON: I don’t know. I’m not really bothered. And you need to know me personally before you, to realize that whatever he’s doing, I mean it’s not getting under me skin. I mean he’s tried to insult me by calling me Ricky Fatton. I mean doesn’t he realize I named myself Ricky Fatton in the first place. I mean I don’t think everything he’s tried to do, I think he’s an insecure person. I think that’s why he surrounds himself with five or six bodyguards, and they always seem to be yes men. You know? And he always needs people whispering in his ear, you’re the man, you’re number one, you’re going to do this, your going to do that. And that’s all a sign of insecurity. You don’t need anybody whispering in your ear, to tell him the best, if you believe that. If you believe you’re the best then you don’t need anybody reminding you or reassuring you, and that’s the way I feel.
I think he’s an insecure person and I think he does like to play mind games. And I don’t think he does it to try to intimidate you because he needs to look in the world. He’s not exactly what you call intimidate looking with his nice suits on and his bling. He doesn’t exactly make me want to run down the street away. But I think what he tries to do is get under your skin and annoy you, more annoy you rather than scare you. He must surely know when he sees me and he looks in the mirror and he knows that I’m not scared of him, and he knows that I believe I can win. And he knows I have no fear with him. So I think, especially when we did the promotional tour, I think when he realized what little reaction he got from me, I think that would have affected him more than me. He really does not bother what me when he insults me or care what he throws at me. I could not care less, from the bottom of me heart, couldn’t care less.
“UNDEFEATED” ? WBC world and Ring Magazine welterweight champion “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather will meet world junior welterweight and Ring Magazine champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton for the WBC world welterweight and Ring Magazine championships Saturday, Dec. 8 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, and sponsored by Rock Star Energy Drink, Tecate Beer and Southwest Airlines, the fight will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View. For more information on Mayweather vs. Hatton, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com.
The HBO all-access series “MAYWEATHER/HATTON 24/7” debuts a new episode Sunday, Dec. 2 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. The four-part series, with unprecedented access, will chronicle the fighters’ preparations for the Dec. 8 super-fight at MGM Grand and will provide viewers with a compelling look at two extraordinary champions.
MATT YANOFSKY’S BEST UNDEFEATED FIGHTERS
Posted on | November 28, 2007 | No Comments
The Best Undefeated Fighters
By Matt Yanofsky
Boxing has its fair share of undefeated fighters most however have not been tested. Even with the southern circuit helping build up records of plenty young fighters {see JD Chapman, and David Rodriguez} there are some world class fighters who have yet to taste defeat. Here are the 15 best fighters in the world pound for pound with out a loss along with 10 more who are worth an honorable mention.
1. Floyd Mayweather 38-0 ? Universally recognized as the best fighter in the world, Mayweather is easily the best undefeated fighter around. He has defeated Jose Luis Castillo {once clearly, once controversially}, Oscar De La Hoya, Zab Judah Carlos Hernandez, and the Diego Corrales among others. Mayweather has a December 8th date where he is the favorite to defeat fellow undefeated star Ricky Hatton
2. Joe Calzaghe 44-0 ? Calzaghe opened the eyes and earned respect from just about all of his critics following his dominant victory over previously undefeated and unified champion Mikkel Kessler. Calzaghe is one of the few fighters who have performed his best during his biggest fights {see his fights against Jeff Lacy and longtime champion Chris Eubank}. If Calzaghe ends up facing Bernard Hopkins next and clearly defeats him, he may arguably be the best undefeated fighter in the world.
3. Ricky Hatton 43-0 ? Hatton, the world champion at 140 lbs has been dominating the division since his stoppage win of legend Kostya Tszyu. Hatton has also defeated world champions Juan Urango, Carlos Maussa Vince Phillips, Luis Collazo {although some felt he lost}, and most recently the legendary Jose Luis Castillo. Hatton is now set to tangle with Floyd Mayweather December 8th and he is a live underdog.
4. Kelly Pavlik 32-0 ? The Ghost burst onto the world boxing scene following his impressive knockout victories over contender Edison Miranda and former undefeated unified middleweight champion Jermain Taylor. Pavlik also stopped former world champion Bronco McKart, as well as tough guys Fulgencio Zuniga and Jose Luis Zertuche. The new ?American Boy? Pavlik is scheduled for a rematch with Jermain Taylor at a catch weight of 166 lbs.
5. Miguel Cotto 31-0 ? After defeating boxing legend ?Sugar? Shane Mosley, Cotto showed us his versatility and a powerful jab that we had not previously seen. The best body puncher in pro boxing has defeated world champions Zab Judah, Paulie Malignaggi, Demarcus Corley, Randall Bailey, Ricardo Torres, and Lovemore N?dou among others. Cotto is waiting for either Oscar De La Hoya or the Floyd Mayweather Ricky Hatton winner. Beating any of those three would sky rocket him up the list!
6. Juan Diaz 33-0 ? Diaz is another quickly rising American star. Diaz was very impressive in dominating IBF champion Julio Diaz. Juan also made a name for himself by forcing Acelino Freitas to quit on his stool while ceasing his WBO belt last April. Diaz has the WBA,WBO, and IBF belts and is clearly the number one fighter at 135 lbs. He is set for what should be an exciting fight against all action and fellow undefeated fighter Michael Katsidis.
7. Ivan Calderon 29-0 ? This world class boxing machine made 11 defenses of his Strawweight title before moving up to 108 lbs and handing linear champion Hugo Cazares his first loss since 1999. This defensive expert has made just about all of his opponents look bad over 12 rounds {scoring only 6 knockouts along the way}. Calderon is set to face contender Juan Esquer in what expects to be UD12 for this mini-machine.
8. Joan Guzman 28-0 ? Guzman just scored an impressive victory on HBO over Humberto Soto, who was arguably the most rejuvenated fighter in the world. Guzman has the world of talent and incredibly fast hands. Guzman also dominated world champion Jorge Barrios, Javier Jauregui, and the Late Agapito Sanchez. I would love to see Guzman fight Manny Pacquaio because I think Guzman can push him but the politics of boxing will probably prevent the fight from happening.
9. Chris John 40-0-1 ? Although John has fought mostly in obscure Indonesia, he is easily the best featherweight in the world. John has a unanimous decision victory over top 5 pound for pound Juan Manuel Marquez. John has also defeated former champ Derrick ?Smoke? Gainer. John is a very good boxer, but will have a hard time moving up the list unless he gets up to 130 lbs where there is a world of talent.
10. Edwin Valero 22-0 ? Valero is currently adding to his cult following in America. Undefeated with all knockouts, Valero impressively stopped his first 18 opponents IN THE FIRST ROUND! The current WBA super featherweight king won his title after trading knock down with Vincete Mosquera before stopping him in the 10th. Valero?s biggest problem aside from weak competition so far is his United States Medical suspension. Valero was hurt in a motorcycle accident and failed a brain scan that is preventing him from fighting in America. Unless he is cleared to fight in
11. Ruslan Chagaev 23-0-1 ? ?The White Tyson? as he is improperly nicknamed is coming off a shocking victory over 7 foot Russian giant Nikolay Valuev {who was 46-0 and had the WBA belt}. Chagaev also defeated former world champion John Ruiz and handed highly ranked Vladimir Virchis his only loss. Chagaev may be stuck waiting for fights to fall into place as he blew unification with Sultan Ibragimov due to an illness.
12. Chad Dawson 25-0 ? This supremely talented southpaw opened a lot of eyes with his dominant victory over then WBC Light Heavyweight Tomasz Adamek {who was 31-0 at the time I may add}. Dawson also defeated former world champion Carl Daniels, and long time contender Eric Harding. Dawson was denied a unification fight against Antonio Tarver but does have an April TV date. Expect it to be against 24-0 Adrian Diacnou who is his mandatory.
13. Paul Williams 33-0 ? Williams was the only man willing to face Antonio Margarito and he made the most of his opportunity. Williams used his classic volume punching to hand the long time WBO Welterweight king only his second loss since 1996. Williams, who also dominated former champion Sharmba Mitchell is scheduled to face Kermit Cintron February 2nd but that fight may fall a part due to Cintron?s hand injury this Friday against Jesse Feliciano.
14. Arthur Abraham 24-0 ? Abraham is coming off a knock out of the year quality stoppage of top ranked contender Khoren Gevor in August. Abraham generated some talk with his controversial victory over Edison Miranda {who was undefeated at the time}. Abraham broke his jaw in the 5th round but battled back for a decision victory and then spent over a week in the hospital from his injuries. In addition, Abraham defeated long time contenders Howard Eastman, Shannon Taylor, and Kofi Jantuah. Abraham is set to tangle with British champ Wayne Elcock on December 8th with hopes of coming to America and facing Kelly Pavlik if victorious.
15. Lucian Bute 21-0 ? Canada?s top fighter is coming off an impressive stoppage of power punching monster Alejandro Berrio where he picked up the IBF Super Middleweight belt. Bute also handily defeated Contender season 3 champion/world title challenger Sakio Bika this summer on ESPN. With Calzaghe likely moving up to 175, look for Bute to pick up another belt
Honorable mention: Jorge Linares, Sultan Ibragimov, Zsolt Erdei, Alexander Povetkin, Marco Huck, John Duddy, Joachim Alcine, Steve Molitor, Wladimir Sidorenko, and Sergiy Dzinziruk
Tags: Alexander Povetkin > Arthur Abraham > Best undefeated boxers > Chad Dawson > Chris John > Edwin Valero > Floyd Mayweather > Ivan Calderon > Joachim Alcine > Joan Guzman > Joe Calzaghe > John Duddy > Jorge Linares > Juan Diaz > Kelly Pavlik > Lucian Bute > Marco Kuck > Miguel Cotto > Paul Williams > Ricky Hatton > Ruslan Chagaev > Sergiy Dzinziruk > Steve Molitor > Sultan Ibragimov > Wladimir Sidorenko > Yanofsky > Zsolt Erdei
ROB ZOMBIE TEAMS UP WITH HDNET FIGHTS
Posted on | November 28, 2007 | No Comments
ROB ZOMBIE’S HALLOWEEN TO SPONSOR
HDNet FIGHTS “RECKLESS ABANDON”
Saturday, December 15…American Airlines Center
DALLAS, TEXAS—Mark Cuban’s HDNet FIGHTS has inked a promotional deal with Rob Zombie’s HALLOWEEN UNRATED to sponsor “RECKLESS ABANDON,” scheduled for December 15th at Dallas’ American Airlines Center. The ten-bout mixed-martial-arts event will feature two of the sports top middleweights, Frank Trigg and Jason “Mayhem” Miller, in separate co-main event fights.
Each fan attending the event will receive Zombie’s HALLOWEEN UNRATED on DVD. HALLOWEEN is scheduled to be released on DVD to the public on December 18th.
For HDNet Fights CEO, Andrew Simon, the match-up with Zombie’s HALLOWEEN was a natural fit. “A lot of our fight fans are HALLOWEEN fans as well,” Simon pointed out. “For our customers to be able to come to the Fights and also receive a movie, valued at $30, is just an added bonus to the fun that they will be having on December 15th.”
Tickets for RECKLESS ABANDON are priced at $25, $50, $100 and $300 (Cageside Club). Cageside Club seating includes: Seating in first 4 rows, Platinum Parking, Pre-Fight Dinner/Meet & Greet, Complimentary T-Shirt and program. Tickets are on sale at the American Airlines Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster Outlets, including www.ticketmaster.com and by phone at 214-373-8000.
In an inter-promotional battle that experts are predicting will be a candidate for “Fight of the Year” – IFL standout Tim Kennedy (8-1) steps into the cage to fight HDNet Fights superstar Miller (19-5). The two fought as part of an Extreme Challenge eight-man middleweight tournament in February of 2003. Kennedy won a unanimous decision en route to winning the tournament. Mayhem seeks redemption and will undoubtedly fight with reckless abandon!
Trigg (15-6), a veteran of both UFC and Pride, will be taking on Edwin Dewees (43-10) in a 3-round clash of top middleweights.
Also slated for action on the card will be one of the world’s top lightweights, Yves Edwards (29-13-1, Houston). Edwards will be taking on Alonzo Martinez (20-8). UFC veteran Pete Spratt and exciting newcomer Nissen Osterneck are also scheduled to appear on the fight card.
TURNER HOPES DUDDY BECOMES CHAMP 21
Posted on | November 28, 2007 | No Comments
Bob Trieger
Full Court Press
Turner plans on Duddy being his lucky No. 21
NEW YORK (November 28, 2007) ? Veteran trainer Don Turner believes WBO No. 2 rated middleweight contender ?Ireland?s? John Duddy (22-0, 17 KOs) will become his 21st world champion. First, though, Duddy has to get past former European champion and 2-time world title challenger Howard ?The Battersea Bomber? Eastman (42-5, 35 KOs) on December 8 in the 10-round main event at King?s Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Duddy, who hails from Derry (N. Ireland) but now lives in Queens (New York City), has been training in North Carolina under the guidance of Turner, whose former world champions include Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes, Aaron Pryor and Mike McCallum.
Turner has been in Duddy?s corner for his last two fights, victories by TKO against Alessio Furlan and Prince Arron, both in Dublin. Duddy?s improvement under Turner has become more evident, fight-by-fight, and figures to even more prominent against Eastman.
?John?s not getting hit as much,? Turner said about the area where John has improved the most. ?He was a boxer before, as an amateur, but he got off track. It?s not like he didn?t do it (box) before he started getting hit. He?s gone back to doing what he did as an amateur boxer. Unless a fighter is a great one-punch guy who opponents fear, not getting hit is a matter of balance and leverage, as well as how his feet are planted and how to turn properly. The best way not to get hit is to hit a guy and put him on the defensive. That way he can?t counter punch. The great Ray Robinson never worked on defense because his offense was his defense. Now, John?s not getting hit as much.?
In 47 pro fights, Eastman has been only stopped only once, by powerful Edison Miranda. His other losses have been to world champions Bernard Hopkins, Arthur Abraham and William Joppy, as well as world title contender Wayne Elcock by close 12-round decision (116-113-, 115-113, 115-114) in his last fight on September 28.
?I know Howard Eastman and losing two world title shots is all that?s kept him from making real money,? Turner continued. ?He?s going to bring his best to get back up there. Eastman is going to try to keep moving forward. John has to be aggressive, throwcombinations, and push Eastman back. That?s what John does best.
?If John Duddy takes care of himself, keeps his weight down, and behaves like a fighter should, he has the potential to be a world champion but it?s all up to him. I?ve had 20 world champions and John?s going to be my 21st.?
Duddy is on the verge of a major world title shot in 2008, provided he defeats his toughest opponent to date, Eastman. The popular Irishman also is rated No. 4 by the WBC, No. 7 by the WBA and No. 13 by the IBF.
?I have a good working relationship with Don Turner,? Duddy noted. ?I?ve really enjoyed working with Don. I?ve learned a lot. I?m looking forward to fighting Howard Eastman, who is a dangerous customer. He has a great record, good experience and has been in against some of the best middleweights of his era. Hopefully, after fighting Eastman, the doors will be open for me to fight one of the top middleweights for the world title. But all I?m focused on right now is fighting Eastman and showing everybody how much I?ve improved training with Don.?
For more information about Irish Ropes Promotions or John Duddy go to www.irishropes.com.
-IR-
BOBBY GUNNING FOR ADAMEK FIGHT
Posted on | November 28, 2007 | No Comments
Bobby Gunning for Tomasz Adamek!
For Immediate Release!
Former IBA champion and world ranked Cruiserweight Bobby Gunn 18-3 {15 KO?s} is hoping for a fight with former WBC Light Heavyweight and current IBO Cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek. Gunn was recently mentioned for a fight with Antonio Tarver, but was passed by for Danny Santiago. ?I watched the fight of the Antonio Tarver and Elvir Muriqi again recently. Elvir showed me that he is a true warrior, and I believe Tarver didn?t like the pressure he applied. This is honestly why Tarver won?t fight Glen Johnson a third time. Tarver didn?t want to fight me because he would be pressured to death!?
?I am done with Tarver after being played with via press releases and phone calls. My goal is to now fight Tomasz Adamek because I am a small cruiserweight, while he is a former top Light Heavyweight and this would make one hell of a fight!? Here are the facts; you probably have a title defense coming up soon. The money fights for you are unifications with Maccarinelli, Haye or Cunningham but you need to defeat a colorful opponent before tangling with the big boys at cruiserweight.?
I?ll fight you in Poland, your family can be the judges and referee it don?t matter to me because I?ve already been burnt twice and I promise you I won?t be coming out the same way I did against Enzo Maccarinelli. This time, the judges and referees won?t have a chance to stop the fight prematurely. I think of you as a Polish warrior, and a very proud man wouldn?t want that either so I figure you would want a good scrap. Let?s make this fight; it can be like Adamek vs Briggs but the cruiserweight version!?
?With all due respect, your people ducked me in New Jersey do you remember that? I?ll have you more clueless and defeated then Chad Dawson did. You are known as a Polish warrior, but you look like a Polish sausage because your face is so plump from the beatings you?ve taken. You want a war; fight me I?ve fought all over the world as a pro and amateur. I?ve been in world title fights just like you have. Give Team Gunn a call 201-681-1733; you have my number now so there are no excuses. I will fight you anytime and any place including Poland! Antonio Tarver wouldn’t fight me, will you??
Tags: Boxing > european > footwork > hook > jab > Johnny Bredahl > Oleg Maskaev > pugilism > punching > ring > Sam Peter > Vitali Klitschko
PFC 6 loaded with headliners
Posted on | November 28, 2007 | No Comments
LEMOORE, Ca. ? There?s no looking back for the Palace Fighting Championship.
After giving the mixed martial arts community one of the very best events in Central California history in October, Christian Printup and the PFC are looking to raise the bar even further for Thursday, January 17th.
Printup, the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino Entertainment Director, confirmed three blockbuster PFC World Title fights for the Jan. card and also confirmed deals with a pair of elite fighters.
Maybe the biggest announcement is that of the PFC Lightweight Championship will be on the line. Interim champ Poppies Martinez (13-3) of Lemoore will tangle with Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Diego Saraiva (9-6-1) of Atlanta.
?Diego Saraiva is a very exciting fighter. He’s a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and he likes to bang. Poppies management and his head trainer, Urijah Faber, are excited about this opportunity for Poppies. Poppies has always just fought who was put in front of him and to this day the only fight he has ever asked for was the Cole Escovedo fight,? Printup said. ?Saraiva is coming off three losses, but to really good fighters. I believe this fight is a career defining fight for both guys. Both guys are excited to fight each other. This is a great fight for PFC fans. These are the types of competitive match ups that the sport needs.?
Saraiva lost three straight in the UFC, most recently a unanimous decision at UFC 76 in Sept to Des Moines, Iowa?s Jeremy Stephens (12-2).
?Saraiva is a three-time UFC veteran, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and had Fight of the Night against Jorge Gurgel in a fight where he broke Gurgel?s jaw,? super agent Ken Pavia said.
Pavia and the PFC also came to terms with 145-pound phenom Rafael Junior Assuncao (11-1).
?This might be the first time that Lemoore has ever had a World Ranked guy fighting at one of their events,? Pavia said. ?Assuncao is No. 10 in the World right now at 145 pounds and holds a victory of TUF fighter Joe Lauzon. His only loss was a controversial, split-decision loss to Jeff Curan and after the fight Curan got on the mic and even said he felt he had lost the fight.?
An opponent for Assuncao, who is also fighting out of Atlanta, has not been named.
Martinez is a local favorite from Lemoore and is expected to fighting one of his toughest opponents to date in Saraiva. Martinez was scheduled to take on San Bernardino?s Shad Smith (9-8-2), but Smith failed to meet his contract obligations in a scheduled bout in Oct., which has left a sour taste in Printup?s mouth.
?Coming off the last bout agreement we had with Shad Smith I just don’t feel comfortable with him actually seeing a rematch through with Poppies. Diego Saraiva vs. Poppies is a great fight and we have it signed sealed and delivered and we don’t have to worry about whether Saraiva will show up. They’re both going to collide head on and may the best man win,? Printup said.
In a PFC World Featherweight Title fight, Oroville?s Shawn Bias (12-5) will put his belt on the line against Oakdale featherweight Art Arciniega (5-1) and Porterville bantamweight Shawn Klarcyk will put his PFC World Championship on the line against Oakdale?s Rolando Velasco (4-0).
Bias won the title defeating Minneapolis, Minnesota?s Aaron Maldonado (3-2) by decision in June, but since has gone 1-1 in fights away from the PFC. He most recently defeated Fernando Arreola (1-4-1) on Nov 11th in a Gladiator Challenge show in Porterville.
?Shawn Bias vs. Art Arcienega is a great fight. On paper these guys match up well. Neither will back down an inch in this fight I guarantee and if Art wants Shawn’s belt he will probably have to be willing to walk through hell and back to get it. I love this fight,? Printup said.
Klarcyk earned the title in a 5-round war against Sacramento?s David Espinosa (3-1) in June at PFC 3. That fight was the most exciting fight ever held in the Place?s Bingo Hall.
?Rolando Velasco is a serious threat to Shawn Klarcyk. Both guys have tremendous wrestling and ground-and-pound skills and coming off the Espinosa fight to win the belt nobody can question Klarcyk?s heart.? Printup said. ?This is as good as it gets in the bantamweight division in any organization. Whomever stands as the PFC bantamweight champion come January 17th to me is the best 135 lb champion in the United States. I’d put them in against anyone in any other organization.?
Other confirmed fights include;
Lemoore welterweight Andrew Martinez (5-0-1) vs. Taft?s Doug Hunt (3-2).
Santa Rosa middleweight Nate Loughran (6-0) vs. Roseville?s Dan Molina (10-7).
Pavia, who is an agent for 51 fighters, 41 of which are current or former UFC fighters, is impressed with the PFC.
?The Palace is a diamond rough. This will be one of elite level feeder shows for the UFC,? Pavia said. ? I think this is a very underrated venue and now the hotel is up, it?s a real pleasure to come out here. It?s now a great overall experience and Christian Printup does a phenomenal job. This is a first class show.?
Tickets go on sale on sale December 7th at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at tickets.com or charge by phone 1-800-225-2277.
For more breaking PFC news log on to www.palacefightingchampionship.com.
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