ELITEXC CONFIRMS KIMBO SIGNING
Posted on | October 11, 2007 | No Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LEGENDARY STREET FIGHTER KIMBO
SIGNS LONG-TERM CONTRACT WITH ELITEXC
Internet Superstar Makes Television Debut On Nov. 10 ‘Renegade’
MMA Fight Card Airs Live On SHOWTIME
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 11, 2007) – The notorious King of Street Fighting and one of the meanest, roughest, toughest, baddest brawlers in the history of YouTube, Kimbo Slice, has signed a multi-year contract with Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc.’s Live Fight Division, EliteXC.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“Kimbo is a street fighting and Internet legend who has in excess of five million downloads on YouTube,” said EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw, who made the announcement Thursday. “He is a brutal fighter who has a take-no prisoners approach.
“We have had our eye on Kimbo from day one and have been actively pursing him since. We struck when the time was right, and now we have our man.
“For those who have never seen him, they are going to witness perhaps the most vicious of all fighters. It is going to be very exciting for Mixed Martial Arts fans who have been anxiously waiting for him to step into the cage on SHOWTIME to see how Kimbo does as he continues to cross over into MMA.
“I can’t express how happy we all are to have Kimbo become a part of our ProElite/EliteXC family.’’
A sign of the times, perhaps, the incredibly popular Kimbo could be the first superstar athlete to get his start in any professional sport after making a name for himself via the Internet. Now, finally, he is going from the small screen of a computer to the big screen of television.
The major question, of course, is can his well-documented prowess on the pavement translate into success in MMA.
One thing is certain: Kimbo (kimboslice.proelite.com) brings the same fervor and edge-of-your-seat anticipation into a cage as a young Mike Tyson brought to the ring in professional boxing.
“Fans could never blink during a Tyson fight and the same goes with Kimbo,’’ said Shaw, adding that Kimbo will make his EliteXC and SHOWTIME debut on the Nov. 10 “Renegade” cage fight card extravaganza at Corpus Christi, Texas. His opponent will be announced shortly.
The 6-foot-2-inch, 33-year-old, 250-pound Kimbo has been honing his MMA skills in recent months under the tutelage of legendary fighter and trainer, Bas Rutten.
“I’m excited about this great opportunity,” the soft-spoken Kimbo said. “I’ve been waiting to fight and this is my chance. I’ll be ready for whoever they put me in with on Nov. 10.
“Gary Shaw and the entire ProElite and EliteXC teams have been great to me from the start. I could tell immediately that I could trust them and they were my friends. These are the kinds of people that I want in my circle. I really appreciate what J.D. Penn and Jeremy Lappen have done to make this all happen.’’
Raw, powerful, dangerously explosive, extremely heavy-handed and always one punch away from ending a fight, Kimbo won his lone MMA outing with a 1:12, first-round victory over former world boxing heavyweight champion “Merciless’’ Ray Mercer in June 2007. Ironically, he submitted Mercer via a guillotine choke.
About Pro Elite, 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
NICK DIAZ SIGNS LONG TERM WITH ELITEXC
Posted on | October 11, 2007 | No Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ELITEXC SIGNS NICK DIAZ
TO LONG-TERM EXTENSION
MMA Superstar Backed By ProElite Family
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 11, 2007) – Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc., which celebrated its first birthday recently, received a belated present from Nick Diaz when the exciting, popular fan favorite and Mixed Martial Arts superstar signed an exclusive, long-term contract extension with the company’s Live Event’s Division, EliteXC.
Terms and length of the deal were not disclosed.
“Nick is a tremendously talented young fighter and we are extremely thrilled to have him join our family,” said EliteXC Live Events President, Gary Shaw, who made the announcement Thursday. “He is a very humble young man and dedicated athlete with an enormous wealth of talent.’’
Diaz (nickdiaz.proelite.com), who is 15-6, will make his next start for EliteXC when he collides with hard-hitting KJ Noons (kjnoons.proelite.com), who is 5-2, for the EliteXC world title in a brand new weight division – 160-pounds – in the main event of “Renegade” on Saturday, Nov. 10, in Corpus Christi, Texas, on SHOWTIME.
Adds Shaw: “This contract extension, while continuing to validate that EliteXC is a major player in the MMA market, also means that Nick will be surrounded by a loving fight family and have a home for good. Nick is going to be a major star and is quickly becoming a household name not only in MMA but in the world of sports.’’
Diaz, 24, of Stockton, Calif., is already one of the most recognizable and popular figures in MMA. A Brazilian black belt who is a member of Team Gracie, the confident southpaw has fought some of the sport’s biggest names in his illustrious six-year career.
In a career-best performance in which he rallied from the brink of defeat, a battered, bruised and bloodied Diaz scored an impressive, legendary gogoplata submission victory over then-consensus No. 1 lightweight contender, Takanori Gomi (takanorigomi.proelite.com), in a 2007 Fight of the Year candidate that wound up going into the books as a no contest.
Diaz made his EliteXC debut on Sept. 15, 2007, in Hawaii, and registered a hard-fought three-round split decision over determined local favorite, Mike Aina, in an exhausting, bloody, give-and-take battle. A fierce competitor, Diaz survived an early knockdown and a cut right eye to outpoint the local favorite by the scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 28-29.
“This is really awesome,’’ said Diaz, referring to the long-term signing extension. “Everybody knows that I am just a fighter who is looking for some respect and an organization that will let me be me. Gary Shaw and EliteXC really stepped up and I am so grateful and happy for it. The ProElite family is growing every day and I am really excited to be part of it.
“Everybody has made my job easier for me. Now I can focus on training to be the best I can be in and out of the cage.’’
For more information on EliteXC and other MMA-related stories, including bios, videos, photos, stats and more, please visit ProElite.com, EliteXC.com and www.SHO.com/Sports.
About Pro Elite, Inc.
ProElite, Inc. 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 CommunityTM.
MIGUEL ESPINO ANNOUNCES JOHN BRAY AS TRAINER/MANAGER
Posted on | October 11, 2007 | No Comments
WBC CABOFE MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
MIGUEL ESPINO ANNOUNCES
JOHN BRAY AS TRAINER-MANAGER
Press Release For Immediate Release
FIGHTER ~ TRAINER ~ MANAGER
title victory
Oct, 9 2007
When Miguel Espino and John Bray united back in 2000, it was just another fighter/trainer type relationship. Bray, recovering from a stroke at the time, saw Miguel as a fighter with a lot of potential. Miguel in return hired Bray to be his trainer while believing that he had the tools to get him to the top. They both helped each other out, sticking by one another through thick and thin. Currently Espino is being promoted by Cota’s Boxing Promotions. Today Miguel announces that John Bray will act as his manger/trainer. Managerial discussions on Espino’s behalf will be obtainable through John Bray whereas Manny Cota will deal with the promotional phase.
Miguel stated, “Everyone knows people sometimes get burned in boxing and you got to watch your back at all times. John Bray is someone that I consider like a brother. We’ve been together from day one and I believe he has the knowledge to guide my career and connections to get me into a title fight. Right now I’m exclusively fighting for Manny Cota and “Cota’s Boxing Promotions”. Manny will handle all the promotional dealings. Those who want to negotiate purses can call John Bray.”
Bray, who’s been involved in boxing for over 25 years acknowledged, “I only want what’s best for Miguel. I’ve been in the game long enough to know what’s going on. Right now we are knocking on the doorstep of a title shot. We’re all in this together as a team. Miguel, Manny and myself.”
Anyone that wants to consult on behalf of Miguel Espino, please contact John Bray at (818) 807-9665 or via email at johnbrayboxing@yahoo.com. For promotional aspects contact Manny Cota at (818) 612-9296
Mario Serrano
Publicist
boxingpublicist@aol.com
TUF 6 REVIEW: BOWMAN VS. HIGHTOWER
Posted on | October 10, 2007 | No Comments
TUF 6: Bowman vs. Hightower
Team Hughes contemplated who Team Serra will choose for the next fight. They expected Serra to chose Blake Bowman as he has no fights under his belt. Matt Serra called Matt Hughes a dick and an ego maniac. Serra matched his fighter Ritchie Hightower with Blake Bowman as expected. Each coach believed his guy’s opponent is the opposing team’s weakest link. Mac Danzig has no idea why Bowman is on the show but said he likes him and wants to see him “smash Ritchie Hightower.” Danzig tried to give Bowman advice which Bowman giggled about. Danzig reminded him that he supposedly broke someone’s ulna bone. Bowman admitted it was an accident. Hughes said he believes that while Bowman doesn’t train or practice well, he’ll get it done in the cage. Bowman injured himself during training but was afraid to tell the doctor that he felt something pop in his chest out of fear he would be sent home. Bowman was nearly in tears over the thought of going home without the opportunity to fight.
Bowman was told by the doctor to avoid contact for a week but didn’t send him home. Bowman felt that since his injury was just bruising and inflammation, there was no reason he should not fight Hightower short of Hightower pulling off a flying double stomp. Dorian started feeling dizzy and was told to sit out training. Dorian slapped at the boom mic to keep from having his crying recorded. He then got ticked at the camera man for focusing on him, charging the crewman before being stopped by a teammate. Dorian’s coaches let him know that he cannot behave that way against the crew just doing their jobs. He swore he was only planning on “using some superlatives” but wasn’t planning on swinging. Dana White got involved as threatening the production crew is clearly against the rules. Matt Hughes, Dorian’s coach, explained what happened and asked White to consider not taking Dorian off his team but acknowledges that it is ultimately White’s decision.
Dorian believed he was going home because he knew Dana White was called in. Mac Danzig felt Dorian was jumping to conclusions and encouraged Dorian to settle down and take a wait and see attitude. Dorian complained that his teammates were against him and believed White would not listen to his side of the story. Team Hughes’ Billy Miles reflected that Dorian was having a hard time dealing with his humanity being televised. White called Dorian down to the gym to discuss what happened. White informed the fighter that his behavior was not that of a professional fighter but that of a thug. He let Dorian stay but warned him to behave or he really will be forced to leave. Dorian thanked Dana White for the way he handled the situation, saying, “Dana, you’re cool in the black community, cuz.”
Bowman celebrated his birthday and the other fighters contemplated beating him down for his birthday but couldn’t because of his fight against Hightower. Hightower discussed his preparedness for the fight, explaining that he’s in it to win it and he will do that one fight at a time. Bowman hinted at some new technique he wanted to try out on Hightower. Bowman believed Team Serra felt he was there for comedic relief and ratings. Bowman predicted he would win by strikes and knees. Hightower said Bowman could use his ice cream birthday cake to soothe him when he lost.
Bowman entered the octagon 0-0 while Hightower stood at 7-1. John McCarthy refereed. Bowman threw jabs that didn’t connect while Hightower landed a hard leg kick just above Bowman’s right knee. Hightower rushed his opponent, catching a kick to the ribs and ate a knee. Bowman covered up but Hightower landed a flurry of uppercuts and combinations before Bowman’s knee buckled causing him to fall to the floor. Hightower took the opportunity, dropping bombs until Big John pulled him off, stopping the fight. Hightower took the win by TKO due to strikes while Bowman took a bag of ice taped to his knee.
Next week: Danzig turns on Bowman, calling him a skinny hillbilly from Arkasas. Bowman is from Carrollton, GA.
Posted on | October 10, 2007 | No Comments
HDNet FIGHTS CARD FINALIZED FOR
SATURDAY, OCT. 13…AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER, DALLAS
DALLAS, TEXAS—Matchmaker, Guy Mezger, of HDNet Fights has announced the final Fight Card for Saturday nights HDNet Fights event at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Mezger, the former UFC Champion and Hall of Fame MMA fighter from Dallas, announced ten fights on the card that will feature former World Shooto champion, Erik Paulson, taking on 5-Time World Kick-Boxing Champion, Jeff Ford, in the main event.
Of the 20 Fighters represented on the Fight Card, eleven Texans will take to the cage, including former UFC fighters Jason House (Dallas) and Pete Spratt (Sherman). Two other former UFC stars, Justin Eilers and Drew Fickett will also be fighting.
Dallas’ House (7-3)will be featured in the Semi-Main Event, battling Austin’s highly regarded, Freddie Espiricueta (4-2). Fickett (30-5, Tucson, AZ) will face off with up and coming prospect, Anthony Lapsley (11-1, Fort Wayne, Indiana) in the other co-feature bout.
Main Event fighters, Jeff Ford (left) and Erik Paulson face off during Media Day at the Gym on Tuesday.
PRO-ELITE UPDATE
Posted on | October 10, 2007 | No Comments
Update for the Week of October 8, 2007
This week we have a ProElite.com forum chat with Sam Caplan on Thursday, October 11th, whom we recently signed a deal with. A few new fun features have been added to ProElite.com, including “Badges” on user profile pages. We also have the next big ShoXC coming up on October 26th.
This Thursday, October 11th, Sam Caplan will be dropping by the forums for our latest Q&A session at 1pm PT/4pm ET. Sam writes for CBSSportsline.com and his own blog FiveOuncesofPain.com. Sam has been writing several blogs a day for ProElite.com since we acquired his services a short time ago, and no topic is safe from his mighty typing fingers. Stop by this thread for more information about his forum chat: http://www.proelite.com/forums/12345/topics/31753.
ProElite.com is getting more high-tech by the day, thanks to technology and product employees like Scott Kriz and Erik Gustavson. This week we’ve rolled out a bunch of new features, which Scott Kriz kindly took the time to blog about. Check it out here (http://scottkriz.proelite.com/61572). Chief among the new features is the addition of “Badges” for user pages. Badges are little icons next to your “Mix Medal” and “Rank” that define certain attributes. For example, all ProElite.com employees have a custom badge that says “Ambassador,” to signify our undying loyalty to the company and the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. In the future, special badges may be awarded for contest prizes, important milestones, or even to signify which users are officially fighters or trainers. Check out Gina Carano’s user page for an example of some of the various badges you may see (http://ginacarano.proelite.com/). If you have any ideas for badges, feel free to shoot Scott an email and let him know what you think.
If you haven’t had the chance yet, make sure to start your page today: www.proelite.com/registration.
On October 26th, EliteXC and Showtime are putting on a great ShoXC event at the Chumash Casino and Resort. Featured on the card are Javier “Showtime” Vazquez, Aaron Rosa, Malaipet, and many other rising stars. The Thursday before the event, we will have another “Mega-Chat” in the forums with several fighters from the card. The ShoXC event itself will be broadcast live on Showtime at 11pm ET/PT (delayed on West Coast), with the ProElite.com undercard live streaming at 6:30pm PT/9:30pm ET. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming fights as it becomes available.
That wraps it up for this week’s ProElite.com happenings. Stay tuned for more ProElite.com news and updates next week.
RUIZ WAITING FOR CONTRACT SIGNING TO FIGHT LIAKHOVICH
Posted on | October 10, 2007 | No Comments
Ruiz waiting on Liakhovich
SAN JUAN (October 9, 2007) – Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (41-7-1, 28 KOs) is disappointed that former WBO title-holder Serguei “White Wolf” Liakhovich (23-2, 14 KOs), rated No. 2 by the WBA, hasn’t signed a contract to fight him Saturday night in Chicago.
Ruiz’ legal advisor, attorney Anthony Cardinale, noted that the WBA No. 3 rated Ruiz and Liakhovich first learned about their Oct. 13th fight in mid-September, negotiations continued for weeks, and both fighters received the revised bout agreement on October 1.
“We’ve heard that they’re claiming there wasn’t enough time to fight me,” said Ruiz who signed his contract Oct. 3. “We both learned at the same time and I signed to fight him. If he doesn’t sign to fight me on Saturday, we will petition the WBA to drop him from the No. 2 spot and move me up to that position. I also plan on fighting Saturday in Chicago against Liakhovich, if he signs the contract or another suitable opponent if he doesn’t.”
ENZO ANSWERS THE CHALLENGE
Posted on | October 10, 2007 | 1 Comment
Maccarinelli Talking While Wilson Waits
WBO Champion talking tough, but hesitating at the prospect of facing red hot “Ding-a-Ling Man”
WBO Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Maccarinelli (27-1, 20 KOs) has responded to the public challenge of KO artist Darnell “Ding-a-Ling Man” Wilson (22-5, 19 KOs).
Wilson and his co-promoters, Dino Duva of Duva Boxing and Sal Musumeci of Final Forum, issued a release last week, daring opponent-shopping Maccarinelli to face him on the November 3 Calzaghe vs. Kessler undercard at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
In a sharply worded story in the South Wales Evening Post that begins “Wbo cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli has responded to loudmouth Darnell Wilson’s criticism by labelling the American one dimensional and one-paced.” Maccarinelli goes on to question Wilson’s worth as a challenger and points out his five career losses.
“Who the hell has he ever beaten?” asked an annoyed Duva. “Outside of a decision over Wayne Braithwaite, his opponent list is like a graveyard. The “Ding-a-Ling Man” is one of the top challengers in the world. He’s fought and beaten many of the world’s best 200-lb fighters and always in spectacular fashion. Maccarinelli has a lot of proving left to do before he can start talking about who is worthy of facing him. Darnell Wilson would be going into this fight as one of the hottest fighters in the entire sport. If Maccarinelli thinks he deserves to be called champion, he should agree to face Darnell immediately and stop posturing in his local paper.”
Duva says he’s yet to hear from Maccarinelli’s people, but is hopeful their man has the “champion’s mentality” to take on the most worthy challengers. “He (Maccarinelli) has said in the past that he’s looking to fight the best. Well, the Ding-a-Ling Man is calling him out right now. Is he going to act like a champion or continue the silly talk while avoiding him? Just getting in the ring with Darnell takes courage, so let’s see if this guy can back up the talking he’s doing and make this fight happen.”
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