JOHN RUIZ WANTS A CRACK AT SAM PETER
Posted on | September 23, 2007 | No Comments
Ruiz Challenges Peter
LAS VEGAS (September 23, 2007) – Two-time world heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (41-7-1, 28 KOs) has offered to replace injured Oleg Maskaev on October 6 against Samuel Peter (28-1, 22 KOs).
“I’m calling out Peter,” Ruiz said, “or any of the other top heavyweights in the world. If Peter wants to step-up and prove himself against a 2–time world champion who has been in 11 world championship fights (including one interim and one eliminator), I’m more than willing, able and ready for him.”
Ruiz during his 15-year pro career has beaten three world heavyweight champions — Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – as well as top contenders Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo and Kirk Johnson.
-JR-
LIDDELL BEAT AGAIN: UFC 76 POST-FIGHT REPORT
Posted on | September 23, 2007 | 2 Comments
UFC 76
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FIGHT 1: Tyson Griffin vs. Thiago Thavares – (LIGHTWEIGHT) –
Griffin is from Couture’s camp in Vegas. Thavares is coming off a win against Jason Black. The Fighters start by feeling each other out. Griffin starts with a strong leg kick. Goes to ground with Griffin in guard and throws a good punch. Back up clinched against cage. Still clinched. Thiago trips Griffin but Grifin stays on top. Ends in the clinch not too much action. Randy says in Griffin’s corner he had a good round. Tells him to throw some elbows.
ROUND 2 – Thiago throws a flying knee beautifully and shakes up Griffin right at the start. Now Thiago on top of Griffin in the corner. Griffin is almost up, but Thiago gets him back down. Thiago on Griffin’s back. Griffin stands with Thiago hanging on his back in body triangle. Griffin stands with Thiago on his back for about 30 seconds. He finally gets him to the ground safely almost gets caught in an armbar but Thavares couldn’t hold it. Griffin did an excellent job there. Now on top he lands some punches to Thiago’s face. Thiago has side control gets his back AGAIN. AGAIN Griffin stands up with stands up with Thiago on his back but slams him on his head this time. Beautiful move by Griffin. Round ends with Griffin throwing blows in Thiago’s gaurd. GREAT ROUND.
ROUND 3 – Big mouse under Thiago’s eye. Thiago gets Griffin in uma plata position but Griffin spins out of it beautifully and spins around the back of Thiago to the cheers of the crowd. Back on their feet Clinched….Griffin throws couple of nasty elbows that connect. Ends on the ground with both men scrambling back and forth with various submission attempts. I would give this fight to Griffin….we’ll see what the judges say……..Unanimous for TYSON GRIFFIN. This is Thiago Thavares’s first loss.
FIGHT 2: Lyoto Machida vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura – (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)
Nakamora makes a ummmm…..grand entrance carrying none other than a Parisol (umbrella). ROUND 1 – Hmmmmmmmm…..round is over…..nothing eventful at all except one high kick to the head by Machida.
ROUND 2 – Machida comes out aggressive with punches takes Nakamora to ground gets Nakamora’s back….Nakamora spins to gaurd…..Machida throws elbows…..Nakamora spins and Machida get his back again almost gets a rear naked choke but Nakamora gets out…..they stand up clinch…..back to ground Machida on top with some ground and pound…..flurry of punches….Nakamora gets up somehow though….clinched…..knee by Mahida…still clinched…knee from Machida…both throw punches…nice punch my Machida as Nakamora throws kick. Nakamora is not being very aggressive at all. He does get a trip on Machida now and has Machida on his back. He tries to throw a couple of punches but not much.
ROUND 3 – Nakamora more aggressive now…lands a punch. Clinched now…..knees by Machida….Machida trips Nakamora down….doing some ground and pound….elbows and body punches…..Nakamora rolls and gets up….he has to do something….comes forward but Machida lands a solid punch now Nakamora bleeding from the nose. Knees from Machida…clinched…elbow from Machida…knees…still clinched and still dirty boxing from both…Machida gets a trip takedown as the bell rings. Machida had to of win this in my opinion……but we’ll see………..30-27 all three judges for Machida.
FIGHT 3: Diego Sanchez vs. Jon Fitch – (WELTERWEIGHT) –
An intense Staredown. Diego looks pumped. Djiego Flies out but gets stuffed from trying a takedown. Clinched. Knees from Diego. Diego looking for takedown. But that’s going nowhere. Diego finally gets a takedown. A very slow takedown but Fitch comes right back with a takedown. He’s on top. Open guard. Closed Guard. Open guard. Closed Guard..Looking for armbar by Diego. Fitch throwing punches to body. Diego still on bottom. Diego looking for submissions but Fitch pounds his face. This is intense.
ROUND 2 – Deigo goes for takedown but Fitch lands on top. Fitch kicks but Deigo catches it and takes him down. Fitch looking for submissions Dieigo scambles. Deigo gets on Fitch’s back and Fitch slams him…nice. they scramble….Fitch on top…both men are hungry. Fitch lands a good hammerfist on Deigo’s face. Deigo is bleeding from that hammerfist.
ROUND 3 – Lots of scrambling, grappling, submission attempts. Diego had a deep guillotine on Fitch at one point………..and also a deep triangle at one point. Fitch landed some punches from the top but I think Deigo got the third round with the submission attempts. Stayed on the ground most of if not entire round. Judges taking awhile. Cecil 30-27 Fitch 30-28 Sanchez, 29-28 Fitch….Split Decision to FITCH. Cecil Peoples gave it a 30-27 which there’s no way Fitch won that third round but anyway. Fitch wins it.
FIGHT 4 – Forrest Griffin vs. Shogun Hua (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT) – Forrest may well be in over his head…..maybe not. Forrest looking good. Shogun’s in Forrest’s guard right now. Shogun stands up to posture but Forrest controls him. Forrest controlling and not receiving damage. Forrest was able to get to his feet. Leg kick Forrest Shogun pushing forward. Forrest gets the trip and takes Shogun down. Both on their feet now. Big knot on Shogun’s head from Forrest. Shogun gets Forrest down. Trying to pass gaurd. Forrest gets on top. Forrest does a GREAT job and probably won the round.
ROUND 2 – Shogun in Forrest’s guard. Elbow from Shogun. Big right hand froom Shogun….Griffin bleeding. Shogun takes Hua down though. They’re both on their feet. Griffin stuffs a takedown. Shogun is UNBELIEVABLEY TIRED….. And Forrest is pounding him from the back and top. BUT Forrest is also tired but NOT as tired as Shogun. Great round and I think Forrest won it man…..
ROUND 3 – Shogun in Forrest’s guard. Forrest in half gaurd throwing elbows and punches to Shoguns face. Lots of elbows. Randy has predicted Forrest to win. Forrest is doing some good ground and pound. He has Shogun’s back now…Shogun has to be gassed. Shogun is covering up on the ground. Now Forrest is in is half gaurd now raining down ground and pound. One minute to go. Forrest trying to get full mount. Forrest has choked him out with a rear naked choke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOD SHOUGN HAS SUBMITTED!!!!!!!!!!!! with about 20 seconds left.
on a side note here: Bruce Buffer has a new strange thing when he announces a fighter he flicks his head really quick toward them and points like a “quick draw” announcement…..strange and looks funny…..
FIGHT 5 – Chuck Liddell vs. Keith Jardine (LIGHT HEAVEYWEIGHT) – And Randy Couture just picked Liddell to win. Goldberg put him on the spot and asked him the question…..so will Randy keep up his picks…..
ROUND 1 – Chuck didn’t even look in Jardine’s eyes in the “staredown”. Here we go. Will we make it to round 2……….lots of punches thrown by both and leg kicks by Jardine….Jardien hit about 4 of those leg kicks on Chuck. Chuck landed some good blows too.
ROUND 2 – Jardine landed another kick this time to the body. Jardine knocked Chuck to the ground with a right. Body kick to Chuck’s body. Jardine looks very confident now and waving Chuck in. Jardine is throwing those big overhand rights. Jardine is outscoring Chuck Liddell. Jardine landing alot of kicks. Jardine is bleeding tough. Chucks’ waist is raw from the kicks. Chuck tries a spinning back fist. Chuck went to the wrong corner after the round…..he must be weary…..
ROUND 3 – Jardine has thrown about 20 leg kicks and landed EVERY ONE. Chuck looks terrible I hate to say it. Chuck just lets Jardine kick him over and over. Chuck just wants to knock Jardine out and is ONLY looking for that. I say JARDINE WINS BUT WE KNOW THESE DAMN JUDGES…..lets see……..no doubt Jardine won but can they really give a decision to Jardine over Chuck???? If they give this to Chuck…it’s a big setup…….for sure………JARDINE GOT A SPLIT DECISION FAIR AND SQUARE……… I don’t even know how it was a split but oh well…..the guy got it. Jardine was VERY classy and gave Chuck alot of credit and said he was actually seeing stars the whole first round.
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Tags: action > armbar > attempts > body > cage > camp > cheers > crowd > Eye > fight 1 > fight report > fighters > grand entrance > GREAT > Grifin > head > heavyweight > job > Kazuhiro Nakamura > knee > leg kick > Machida > move > Nakamora > nbsp > punch > punches > report > RIGHT > round > some elbows > submission > TELLS > Thiago > time > Triangle > Tyson Griffin
MASKAEV PULLS OUT OF PETER FIGHT DUE TO INJURY
Posted on | September 22, 2007 | No Comments
DINO DUVA AND SAM PETER CALL FOR IMMEDIATE WBC INTERIM HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT FOR PETER
Promoter Dino Duva, president of Duva Boxing, and WBC no. 1 contender Samuel Peter, issued this statement on the injury to heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev, forcing Maskaev to pull out of October 6 title fight at Madison Square Garden:
“We are shocked and disappointed that Maskaev is pulling out of the fight. We intend to verify this injury and the extent of it.
“In the meantime, we are urging the WBC to allow Samuel to fight for WBC interim heavyweight title on October 6. If and when Maskaev gets healthy, we obviously look forward to fighting him at that point in time.
“Sam Peter has waited too long for this title fight; he can’t wait around for Maskaev to get healthy; Samuel Peter should fight for the heavyweight championship on October 6.”
INSIDE MMA PREMIERE EPISODE
Posted on | September 21, 2007 | No Comments
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FIRST EPISODE OF INSIDE MMA
CLASH OF TITANS FEATURES MESI AND ESTRADA
Posted on | September 21, 2007 | No Comments
Joe Mesi-Shannon Miller and Olympian Jason Estrada heavyweight headliners in Oct. 12th “Clash of the Titans” at Twin River in Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE (September 20, 2007) – The CES debut of unbeaten (35-0, 28 KOs) “Baby” Joe Mesi and the return of 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada co-headline in a pair of heavyweight bouts on October 12 in “Clash Of The Titans,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., continuing “The Budweiser Night at the Fights” series, at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
“Clash of the Titans” will be taped live and air Saturday night, October 13 starting at 9:00 PM/ET on by CN8, The Comcast Network as well as Cox Sports Television.
Buffalo sports icon Mesi, former WBC No. 1 contender and NABF heavyweight champion, has beaten former world champion Vassiliy Jirov, in addition to past world heavyweight title contenders DaVarryl Williamson and Monte Barrett. He’s matched against dangerous Shannon Miller (15-3, 9 KOs) in a 10-round bout for the vacant WBC USNBC heavyweight title.
Providence product Estrada (9-1, 1 KO), rated No. 14 by the NABO, also is scheduled to fight an opponent to be determined on “Clash of the Titans.”
“What a great card,” Burchfield said. “Two heavyweight fights featuring Joe Mesi’s CES debut against the toughest opponent he’s fought in his comeback (6-0), Shannon Miller and our own Olympian, Jason Estrada, headlining ‘Clash of the Titans.’ Also on the card is four-time world champion Jaime Clampitt, WBC Youth super featherweight champion Matt Remillard returning to the ring, and we have three other unbeaten fighters on this show.”
Reigning IWBF light welterweight and lightweight champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (18-4-1), Jackie Kallen-managed Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (11-0, 7 KOs), who has been inactive for more than a year due to hand surgery, are scheduled to fight opponents to be determined in six-round bouts.
Unbeaten light welterweight Eddie “The Puerto Rican Sensation” Soto (8-0, 4 KOs) takes on Shakha Moore (10-11-3, 2 KOs) in a four-rounder. Also on the undercard in separate four-round fights, are Rhode Island super middleweight Angel Camacho, Jr. (7-0, 4 KOs), Brockton (MA) light heavyweight Manuel Antonio Lopes and New Hampshire cruiserweight Rich Gingras (3-0, 3 KOs), the 2006 Ringside World heavyweight champion as an amateur. All boxers and bouts are subject to change.
Tickets for “Clash of the Titans” are priced at $40.00, $45.00, (Bronze), $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and may be purchased by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), or any TicketMaster location. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
(Twin River announced that it has waived its 18+ rule for “Class of the Titans.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)
-CES-
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Joe Mesi: “I’m going to be a very comfortable fighter at Twin River, starting with my first fight here October 12th. In my two years off with injury and legal battles there were times I thought I wouldn’t fight again. It was like a roller coaster ride. I’ve had a few tune-ups and done well – I needed them and won. My father (manager Jack) and I decided that we needed a promoter to get into the top 10. We talked to the Kings, Arums…..all of the big names. We signed with Mr. Burchfield. He is the most respected, the most honest and liked. He has no enemies in this business and, like I’ve said, that’s rare in boxing.
“CES is a great family and team. With fighters like Estrada, Godfrey, Manfredo, Clampitt, Balletto and the others, I’m very fortunate to be here. I do a lot of community work back home in Buffalo. New England and Providence are going to be my second home and I’m going to do community work here, too. I like it. I fought in Rhode Island on a Mr. Burchfield show back in 2000. This is the next step, a new beginning that will get me back in the top 10. And I will be world heavyweight champion. I’ve said that I may not be the best boxer in the world, but I’m the biggest ticket seller in the heavyweight division, and the most exciting heavyweight. The heavyweight division is lacking a lot and I have a lot to offer this great sport of boxing. Like me or not, even my opponents get paid more to fight me. Enjoy the ride.”
Jason Estrada: “I’m really happy to be getting back in the ring. I’ve been working extremely hard. My father’s (manager/head trainer Roland) been screaming at me and we have a new addition (to the corner), Matt Godfrey (WBC No. 2 rated cruiserweight), who has been worse than my father. He’s working with us. I have a big fight coming up. I’m very well prepared. I’m going to show everybody the fighter I am. I’m going to get a belt and take the first step towards becoming the heavyweight champion of the world.”
Jaime Clampitt: “Welcome, Joe (Mesi). I’m taking a little step backwards fighting six rounds. Hopefully, next year the Christy Martin fight or a big one will happen. My trainer, Kurt Reader, has been getting me ready for anybody.”
Matt Remillard: “I feel great. October 12th is like my homecoming. I’ve been off a year. Dr. Margeles – a great hand surgeon from Boston – cleared me to fight. Welcome, Joe Mesi. Team CES is privileged to have you on the team.”
Angel Camacho, Jr.: “Jimmy (Burchfield) talks about CES being a major league franchise and that’s exactly what it is. I’ve been on the disable list but I’m back on the roster. I’m ready to go. I love fighting. Our entire team is full of exciting fighters.”
Manuel Antonio Lopes: “I’m looking forward to this fight. I’m in good shape. I’m going to put on a real good show. It’s exciting to be on this card with all of these great fighters.”
ESPINO VS. ORTEGA HEADLINES CALIFORNIA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHT CARD
Posted on | September 21, 2007 | No Comments
On Friday September 21, 2007 the Double Tree Hotel in Bakersfield California will be host to a great night of boxing when WBC CABOFE middleweight champion, Miguel Espino (16-2-1 5 KO’s) defends this title against Ray Ortega (10-5-2 7 O’s) in the main event where both fighters are predicting a knock out. In the co-main event Sergey Stepkin (17-2 9 KO’s) squares off against Eric Mitchell (20-4-1,10 KO’s) for the IBF International Junior middleweight crown. Local native’s, Brian Gordon (2-0 2 KO’s) and Adrian Lopez (Pro Debut) round of the card as they battle Juan El Issa (3-3-3) and Guadalupe Perez (1-2). Cota Boxing Promotions brings you the action as doors open up at 6:30, fights start at 7:30. Tickets priced at $50 (ringside) $35 (general) can be purchased by calling (818) 274-7129.
Miguel Espino and Ray Ortega will weight in tomorrow, Saturday September 21st at 1pm. Both fighters have to be present to make the bout official. Ortega is flying in from Arizona in the morning.
LEARN FROM THE BEST AT DUANE LUDWIG’S TRAINING CAMP
Posted on | September 21, 2007 | No Comments

ROF Fans: Come Learn From One of the Most Feared Strikers In The World In An Up Close and Personal Training Camp!!
Open to All Ages and Experience Levels!!
Fresh off his ROF 30 k.o victory of Mario Stapel, Duane BANG! Ludwig will host a MUAY THAI TRAINING CAMP on Saturday, September 21st.
The camp will be held at NEXT LEVEL TRAINING STUDIO in Wheatridge, CO. Assisting Ludwig will be RING OF FIRE Bantam Weight Champion Christian RELENTLESS Allen. The cost is $75.00 per person for the four hour training course. All particpants will need cup, mouthpiece, shin pads, and boxing gloves.
To for more information please contact Brian Wood at 720-898-9272, or 720-938-9088 www.ne xtleveltrainingstudio.com or www. myspace.com/nextlevelsports
ABOUT DUANE BANG! LUDWIG
Soon after the sport of mixed martial arts entered an explosive growth stage a few years ago, fighters who had been competing under other types of rules suddenly began flocking to the cage where greater career opportunities clearly existed. Just over twenty bouts deep into his mixed martial arts career, world kickboxing champion and K-1 veteran Duane “Bang” Ludwig continues to elevate his grappling game and improve his position as a top contender in the sport’s 170 pound limit division.
At the age of 15, Ludwig, now 28 years old, discovered the versatile and highly effective fighting art of Muay Thai at a gym near his Denver, Colorado home and quickly became fluid using his fists, feet, knees, and elbows as weapons in the squared circle. His collection of amateur and, later, professional Muay Thai title belts, mounted at a furious pace.
In January 2004, Ludwig reached the pinnacle of his professional kickboxing career by capturing the International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) World Junior Middleweight Muay Thai championship in Denver. The victory was by no means simple as he was forced to contend with Thailand native Malaipet Sitprapom in a five-round, toe-to-toe war before earning a unanimous decision from the judges.
Ludwig displayed tremendous potential by winning 8 of his first 10 mixed martial arts contests, but it was his 11th start on January 25, 2003 in which he made his first big mark in the sport. Matched with former UFC 155 pound champion, Jens “Little Evil” Pulver, in the main event of a star-studded card at Montreal, Canada’s Pierre Charbonneau Centre, Ludwig stunned onlookers when he caught his fellow knockout artist with a punishing right hand that prompted the referee to call a stoppage to the bout at the 1:13 mark of the bout’s first round.
On January 16th of last year, Ludwig returned to the UFC and scored a knockout on Jonathan Goulet only 11 seconds into their matchup by countering a left hand with a straight right punch to the chin that put Goulet on the mat.
In his first start with Strikeforce last October, Ludwig suffered a hard-fought loss to fellow top contender, Josh “The Punk” Thomson. Nonetheless, he returned to Strikeforce action on December 8th and staged the performance of the evening against 170 pound UFC veteran, Tony “The Freak” Fryklund. It was Ludwig’s brilliant execution of Muay Thai that dominated the fight and earned him three knockdowns, the third of which came by way of a knee strike and prompted the referee to step in and halt the bout at the 3:37 mark of the second round. Ludwig was awarded a technical knockout victory for his effort.
Four and a half years ago, Bang was taken under the wing of mixed martial arts legend, Bas Rutten, who took notice of the young fighter’s talent and fighting spirit during a grappling event in which Ludwig was a competitor. Rutten, a former UFC heavyweight champion and King Of Pancrase, was instrumental in bringing his protégé to the forefront of the sport’s talent-filled 155-170 pound weight class.
EL GATO HAS NEW BUDDY IN HIS CORNER
Posted on | September 21, 2007 | No Comments
New Buddy in El Gato’s corner
MIAMI (September 21, 2007) – NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa now has James “Buddy” McGirt as his new head trainer and the two are working together at Figueroa’s training camp at McGirt’s Gym in Vero Beach, Florida.
The Spanish Harlem-born, Bronx-raised Figueroa (17-2, 13 KOs), now fighting out of Miami, has cracked the top 15 ratings, ranked No. 12 by the World Boxing Council and No. 14 by the International Boxing Federation.
McGirt working his corner represents a move by Figueroa’s manager, Sal LoNano, to take Frankie to the next level and into a position for a world title fight by the end of 2008. LoNano and Buddy became good friends during the Gatti-Ward trilogy, when LoNano managed “Irish” Micky Ward, and McGirt trained Arturo Gatti. They worked together as a manager-trainer act for the first time with Paulie Malignaggi, which culminated with Malignaggi capturing the IBF light welterweight title this past June.
LoNano, who no longer manages Malignaggi, signed Figueroa this past spring and he immediately set out to get McGirt onboard. “Buddy’s the best trainer around,” LoNano explained, “plus, we’re like family. I knew ‘El Gato’ was only scratching the surface of his talent; now Buddy’s teaching him. Frankie has a lot of talent but he hasn’t gotten to that next level, yet, where he can challenge for a world title. Buddy’s going to get him there and that’s why I wanted Buddy to train Frankie.”
Frankie gained invaluable experience sparring with the likes of Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton and Arturo Gatti. “I had Frankie in camp with Arturo when he was getting ready to fight (Thomas) Damgaard,” McGirt spoke about his familiarity with Figueroa before this training camp. “I saw that he had a lot of ability and moved well. But at that time he had a trainer and I didn’t want to mess around. That’s not my style. I’m going to be able to study him at this camp and then I’ll know a lot more about him.”
U.S. Army veteran Figueroa is thrilled to be working with McGirt, the former 2-time world champion and 2002 Trainer of the Year. “Buddy was referred by my manager, Sal, and they’ve done a lot of great things,” Frankie remarked. “He is one of the great trainers in boxing today. Buddy’s a down to earth guy who doesn’t get on my case. Every trainer critiquing a new fighter notices some things a previous trainer may not have seen. He’s noticed what’s been missing in my style and I’m walking a path with Buddy that I haven’t walked before.
“There was good chemistry between me and Buddy going back to when I was sparring with Gatti (end of 2005, beginning of 2006). He’s going to take me to another level. He’s accessing me now and we’re bonding. Buddy can be a joker like me. I focus on training but I also like to giggle and joke, not have a closed camp where nobody smiles. That’s my character, I’m a Gemini. I’m glad that Buddy has accepted me for who I am. This is my first elite training camp.”
Figueroa is in training camp preparing for his next fight, probably in mid-November, against an opponent to be determined by his promoter, Yaseen Malnik (Seeno Group), and LoNano.
For more information about Frankie Figueroa visit his web site at www.gatofigueroa.com.
-FF-
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