FELIX TRINIDAD AND JERMAIN TAYLOR CONFERENCE CALL QUOTES
Posted on | July 17, 2007 | No Comments
FELIX TRINIDAD AND JERMAIN TAYLOR
CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT
Introduction: Oscar de la Hoya
Moderator: Kelly Swanson, Swanson Communications
July 16, 2007, 2:00 pm CT
Kelly Swanson: Swanson Communications. Thank you so much you guys. Thank you everybody for being patient. It’s quite a feat to have three of the greatest fighters in boxing on the line at the same time. We are fortunate enough today to have both Felix Tito Trinidad and Jermain Taylor on the phone to discuss this Saturday’s big contest between Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright for the light heavyweight title.
I do also have Oscar De La Hoya on the phone with us. He is going to make an introductory comment and then unfortunately he has to get off the phone. His time is limited, but he did want to make an introductory comment. So I’ll turn it over to Oscar De La Hoya at this time. Oscar?
Oscar De La Hoya: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much. Members of the media, we appreciate you being on. We truly respect the fact that you can make it on at this time. We have two of the (greatest) fighters that boxing has seen in our era today — Felix Trinidad, who has fought both of them, knows their – both styles and knows that these two fighters, Bernard Hopkins, and Winky Wright, are coming to fight at the headline says for this event. Trinidad is, as we know, a great and respected fighter, a great (human being) and an icon in Puerto Rico. And we respect the fact that he’s here to talk about his encounters with both fighters.
And what can I say about Jermain Taylor, who has accomplished so much at such an early stage of his career. He still has a lot to go. He’s still learning. He’s one of our great champions of this era. He has faced both fighters and has beaten both fighters. And it is a privilege to introduce to you Jermain Taylor.
Kelly Swanson Okay. Thank you so much, Oscar. Operator, we will now open it up to questions. Media, there’s a lot of people on the phone, so we’re going to limit it to one question the first go around and then we’ll see how long that takes us and then you can rejoin the cue to ask another question. .
If I could get one comment from both Jermain Taylor and from Tito about this Saturday night’s fight and what they expect and what think is going to happen during the fight, we would appreciate it. I’d like to start with Jermain Taylor. Jermain?
Jermain Taylor: I think it will be a great fight. I can’t wait to see it. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time. I feel like Winky is going to bring his (A) game and Hopkins going to bring his A game. It’s going to be a great fight. And I don’t know who going to win, so I’m telling you right now it’s a toss up fight. But I’m looking forward to it.
Kelly Swanson: Okay great. And Tito if you could please give us an opening comment?
Felix Tito Trinidad: Well first of all thanks. Hello to everybody in the press and my comment that it is the right thing to think Winky will beat Bernard Hopkins next Saturday.
Operator: First question, Diego Martinez (Reforma Newspaper)
(Diego Martinez): ((Spanish spoken)).
Man: Let me translate the answer for the people who speak English. The question was about Tito. There were some comments when Tito retired that he was really hurt from his eyes. And if you check everything with (unintelligible) and it’s okay to fight (unintelligible), he’s willing to (unintelligible). Tito (unintelligible) he never been hurt. It’s not true those comments. He went out of the (unintelligible) but healthy. He went to (unintelligible) been trying to do the fight with (unintelligible). It didn’t happen, so he’s (unintelligible).
(Keith Idec): New Jersey Herald. Could you just ask Tito if he’s, you know, if he’s 100% committed to coming back and when he thinks that that will happen?
Man: The opportunities are coming back. Not 100% yet sure that he’s in the process right now discussing everything but one thing for sure is he said it will come back (finally) from retirement, he will be really committed and whatever it is the opponent, he will going to beat him.
(Iram Dorraca): El Nueva Dia ((Spanish spoken)).
Man: Question was if what happened – what’s left for Tito to be 100% committed to coming back from boxing and if he saw the Jones fight. And Tito say it’s not 100% official he will be returned, because there’s still things to work out with his promoters and that’s – he’s in the process at this moment. And about the Jones fight and he looked good (on that fight).
Operator: Thank you. Our next question is coming from (Claudio Colomel) with FOX Sports. Please go ahead.
(Claudio Colomel): ((Spanish spoken)).
Man: Question was about if Tito is already begin training for his comeback. (Is this true)? He always training for himself. He’s a clean fighter – always healthy and training for keep his health and always (have his body) in good shape. And if finally he is coming back he will be 100%, committed will not lose to anybody.
Operator: Our next question is coming from (Keith Idec) with (Herald) News. Please go ahead.
(Keith Idec): I just had a quick question for Jermain. Jermain I was just wondering if you happened to see Roy Jones’ fight on Saturday and maybe what you thought that Roy might have left.
Jermain Taylor: I didn’t see the fight………..I was watching the fights on HBO.
(Keith Idec): Oh Jermain, I’m – okay I didn’t’ hear you there. Why – if you had to bet on the fight, which I know you don’t, but I know you don’t wager but who would you put your money on in the fight on Saturday between Hopkins and Wright?
Jermain Taylor: It’s a toss up, man. I mean – because they both are great fighters. It’s going to be a toss up. I cannot sit here and make a bet but I just heard that Trinidad is going for Winky. I would like to ask him why, but I don’t speak Spanish, so I can’t ask him.
(Keith Idec): Do you expect Winky to press the fight against Bernard like he did against you last year?
Jermain Taylor: That’s what I’m saying. If Winky come out with the attitude with the same kind of fight that he used with me in the first round, if he come out fighting like that, I believe he’ll win, but if he don’t, you know, and he let Hopkins dictate the fight, you know, it’s going to be Hopkins’ fight. But if he come in there and fight like he fought me, he’ll win.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question is coming from Tom Thompson with tigerboxing.com. Please go ahead.
Tom Thompson: Greetings everybody. This is a question for Jermain. Jermain if Winky beats Bernard this Saturday, would you be interested in a re-match with Winky and 168 pounds?
Jermain Taylor: Yes. I wanted to fight Winky at 160, (you know), but it didn’t happen. (Here it is) I’m champion and I’m chasing him, you know. But that’s their question to answer.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question is coming from (John Coty) with St. Petersburg Times. Please go ahead.
(John Cody): Hey Jermain, could you compare and contrast the offensive attack of Bernard and Winky and the defensive attack and kind of maybe tell us who you think has an edge in each category and maybe who is tougher for you to handle?
Jermain Taylor: Well, you know, (Hopkins) – (Hopkins) is hard to defend because he, you know, he throws his head and his hands at the same time so you don’t know which one to block. But as far as Winky, you know, he throws his punches, you know, not a lot but he’s accurate with them, you know. And the punches he do throw, you know, he lays them pretty good, you know. He don’t waste a lot of punches. Hopkins don’t waste a lot of punches neither.
I think they both have great offensive skills but the better offense skills might be with Hopkins because, you know, Hopkins – you don’t know what’s coming, you know?
(John Coty): Who do you think hits harder?
Jermain Taylor: But they both hit about the same, you know what I mean? And neither one of them has no knock-out power.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question is coming from (Brett Newton) with (poundperpound.com).
(Brett Newton): Okay, this question is for Jermain. Jermain I can’t help but think that maybe having Trinidad on the other line – this might be setting up or greasing wheels for you or possible for Trinidad down the road. Any word from you guys talking to (Don King) camp about that?
Jermain Taylor: I haven’t heard anything. If you do then let me know. But I’ll fight Trinidad, it don’t make any difference.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question is coming from (John Whistler) with San Antonio Express. Please go ahead.
(John Whistler): This question is for Felix. I apologize for this question but I think you said if you come out of retirement it probably would be against Roy Jones. What about Oscar de la Hoya? Would you consider a rematch with him?
Man: ((Spanish spoken)).
Felix Tito Trinidad: (Unintelligible).
Man: Hello and about Oscar, we’ve been trying to (deal that fight) for almost seven years. Apparently Oscar didn’t want to fight. That question you should have to ask Oscar. We always told him we’ll be available to do the rematch.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question is coming from (Anwar Richardson) with the (Tampa Tribune). Please go ahead.
Anwar Richardson: Yeah this question is for Jermain. Jermain, are you at all impressed with Bernard and what he’s able to do at the age of 42? Are you, you know, impressed that his last fight with (Tarver) and really what he’s able to do over the age of 40?
Jermain Taylor: I am. I am. I mean I give that man my respect for what he do. I mean he’s amazing. I man he’s showing me that, you know, you take care of your body, you do right, you know, and age and get, you know, when people say that you’re old, you know, I respect him for that and man, I’m there. I wish him the best of, you know, all his career.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question is coming from (Sergio Macado) with AOL Latino. Please go ahead.
(Sergio Macado): Trinidad (Unintelligible).
Man: (Unintelligible). Why are you coming back from retirement?
Man: The reason why I consider to coming back to boxing is this is something I love and if I do it everybody would see that I will be okay and I will be in good shape to do very well.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question is coming from Dan Rafael with ESPN. Please go ahead.
Dan Rafael: Okay first off, are either Tito or Jermain going to Saturday night’s fight first off?
Jermain Taylor: I don’t know yet man. I’m still thinking about going – I just bought me a new boat. I’m out there on the water.
Dan Rafael: And what about Tito? Is Tito going to attend the fight?
Kelly Swanson: I believe Tito’s going (confirmed after the call Trinidad will be in attendance.)
Dan Rafael: I have another question for Jermain. Jermain, been a lot of talk in the press last couple of weeks about your fight with Kelly Pavlik’s supposed to happen on September 29 – been also some confusion about what the weight for the fight will be? Are you committed to making this fight at 160 pounds or over the weight?
Jermain Taylor: I’m 160 pounds – 160 pounds.
Dan Rafael: And that will be your last fight at 160?
Jermain Taylor: Yes sir.
Operator: Our next question is coming from (Chuck Johnson) with USA Today. Please go ahead.
(Chuck Johnson): Yeah I’d like to ask this to Jermain. Jermain, after the fight with Winky both of you guys were determined to say that hey, you know, you had to have things your way. I mean, you know, Winky said he could do without you and you said you didn’t need him either. Do you think that – in any way that boxing is being cheated by you guys not settling that draw?
Jermain Taylor: Well I don’t think it was me, you know. I think it was more of him. But to answer your question, yes. I think boxing was cheated. I think (unintelligible), you know, I’m middle-weight champion of the world and here he trying to get a 50/50 split. It don’t work like that, you know, I’m champion, you know? This is how he (can’t work). He know that better than I do. He been (gaining weight) longer than I do but to answer the question sir, yeah.
(Chuck Johnson): But getting the high profile fight against (Bernard Hopkins), do you think that Winky has succeeded in proving that he really didn’t need to?
Jermain Taylor: Well probably the (unintelligible) fight, you know, all right – I don’t feel like – I used to, like, I used to like, you know, fight with both of them so, you know, what are they trying to prove? I mean what is his fight going to prove? You know, I (whipped) both of them so what does it make a difference who (unintelligible)?
Operator: Our next question is coming from (Chris Givens) with (Arkansas Democrat). Please go ahead.
(Chris Givens): Okay, this is a question for Jermain. Dan just brought up the Kelly Pavlik fight Jermain, and I was curious as to, you know, there is so much discussion whether it’s going to be 168 or 160 and I know that some of your camp approached Kelly about fighting at 168. Are you personally glad that this fight’s going to be at 160 so you can defend your middle-weight championship one more time? Did you want one more middle-weight championship fight?
Jermain Taylor: I am. You know, I told Hopkins that, you know, I was going to keep the (belt) as long as I could, you know, and I’m not going to give him up to nobody. You know, he want to fight, let’s fight at 160. I’m going to keep my (belt) and I want to – I don’t retire my belt at 160 as a champion, you know?
(Chris Givens): And a quick follow up if I could – you had said before this fight was made that this is a fight that you wanted to happen because your fans wanted this to happen and you felt that boxing as a whole wanted to see you fight Kelly Pavlik.
Jermain Taylor: Yeah.
(Chris Givens): Now that it looks like this is going to happen, are you, you know, happy that they were able to come to this agreement and make this fight?
Jermain Taylor: Well, very happy, you know. I feel like this will (market) me, you know – that all the fans want to see a fight, so we made it happen, you know.
That’s what boxing is all about. They all, you know, and then I want to start thinking about, you know, who I’m fighting next, you know, after I beat this guy.
(Chris Givens): All right. Thanks Jermain.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question is coming from (Keith Ideck) with (Hello News). Please go ahead.
(Keith Idec): Hi, Jermain. They’ve – Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright have made a point of saying how exciting that this fight is going to be – particularly to people who were thinking it was going to be a tactical fight and one that people might not want to buy on pay-per- view – or may think might be a – somewhat of a boring match up.
Do you think it has the possibility to be an exciting fight? And if you were a boxing fan, would you plunk down, you know, $49.95 to see it?
Jermain Taylor: I would. I would because I think it’s going to be a very exciting fight. I mean, these guys are both great fighters. They’re both good at defense, you know. Anybody who understands boxing knows that, you know, whichever fighter is the smarter (and aggression) fighter will win, you know.
And I just can’t wait to see – I’m just like the (realist) man. I cannot wait to see it. And if don’t go, I’m definitely going to pay the money to see it. And I advise everybody else to pay they money and see it too.
Kelly Swanson: Okay, Jermain. We have one more question from you coming from (George Willis), who’s next in the line.
(George Willis): New York Post. Jermain, I wanted to know if you’ve been told by anyone on your team or any medical people that it would be dangerous for you to get down to 160 and fight again? Have you been told that?
Jermain Taylor: Nobody told me that.
(George Willison):Okay. And the other question I have is, do you know where you’re going to train for the fight?
Jermain Taylor: I think it’s the Poconos.
(George Willison): The Poconos. So you’re open to going to the Poconos?
Jermain Taylor: I’m open to go anywhere if they, you know. If (Manny) say Poconos, that’s where I’m going. He say Egypt, we going to Egypt, you know. It don’t make a difference (unintelligible) you know. I’m going to fight. I need a coach (unintelligible).
Kelly Swanson: Okay, I’d really like to take this opportunity to thank Jermain Taylor for joining us today – the Middleweight Champion of the World. I’d also like to especially thank (Norman Horton), his publicist for helping us arrange this call with Jermain.
Jermain, we appreciate your time.
Jermain Taylor: Thank you.
Kelly Swanson: And have a good time on your boat. We’re jealous.
Jermain Taylor: Thank you so much.
Kelly Swanson: Okay, thank you. Okay, now everybody – we do have Tito Trinidad back on the line.
And before he starts, I’d just like to mention one thing. For all these great questions that have been coming to both fighters – that we’d appreciate the mention that they were part – they were talking today as a result of their interest in the Hopkins vs. Wright fight which is Saturday, July 21 on HBO Pay-Per-View.
(Chuck Johnson): What made Winky even tougher to fight than it was to fight against Hopkins? I’d like to ask Tito what made it more difficult against Winky Wright – even more difficult than it was against Bernard Hopkins?
(Pepe): Yes. Basically what Tito say is he fight both fights and both were difficult for him – Winky a little bit more – much more difficult than (hops) Bernard.
And he wanted just to say a comment about, he said he lost those fights. And it’s true that he lost both fights – no excuses. But he along side those two others were – he wasn’t himself. Is not an excuse for losing but he feeling sad of himself that he wasn’t the (real) Tito in the ring and that is part of the reason he is now coming back and we’d love to have the rematch with both guys – to fight them back again.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question is coming from (Carlos Nava) with (El Dia Newspaper). Please go ahead.
Man: Would you consider so would somebody fight for Golden Boy?
(Pepe): First if Tito fights at all it is for Don King. That is he’s promoter. So fighting for Golden Boy Promotions, it would be very difficult to do it because he already has some promoters for interest of fighting with us.
Operator: Okay. Our final questions is coming from (Iram Derococa) with El Nuevo Dia. Please go ahead.
(Pepe): The question was about the – Tito picking Winky. And he was watching Winky training and the possibilities of how the fight will look. Tito says that he is very good in training and Winky is training hard and determined and he feels that Winky will win the fight. And he say that if he coming back to boxing he does see this happening soon. It will probably happen.
Kelly Swanson: Okay, great. Okay. Please, we’d like to thank everybody for participating in today’s call. Thank you again. Hopkins versus Wright coming to fight – is this Saturday, July 21 at the Mandalay Bay Resorts and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada – promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, in association with Winky Promotions – is sponsored by Southwest Airlines, Tecate Beer and Rock Star Energy Drink.
HBO Pay-Per-View will televise the fight live at 9:00 pm Eastern Time. And again, the Hopkins/Wright fight is for the Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Belt. So thank you so much. If you have any questions, feel free to call my office: (202) 783-5500. And again, we will be sending out a transcript. So, Tito – thanks for your participation. Jermain Taylor, we thank you. (Oscar), we thank you. And thank the press for being a part of this great call. Bye.
Hopkins vs. Wright “Coming to Fight” is for Hopkins’ Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight belt and will take place Saturday, July 21st at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. “Coming to Fight” is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Winky Promotions, and sponsored by Southwest Airlines, Tecate Beer and Rockstar Energy Drink.
The Hopkins vs. Wright pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your Hopkins vs. Wright fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
HOPKINS AND WRIGHT ARRIVE IN VEGAS
Posted on | July 17, 2007 | No Comments
“COMING TO WORK”
HOPKINS AND WRIGHT ARRIVE AT MANDALAY BAY FOR SATURDAY’S LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
LAS VEGAS, NV (July 17, 2007) . . .Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright both arrived at the Mandalay Bay Resorts and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada today for their light heavyweight championship fight Saturday night. Welcomed by promoter Oscar de la Hoya, whose company—Golden Boy Promotions—is promoting the fight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center and live on HBO Pay-Per-View, both combatants looked in excellent physical condition and expressed their readiness to fight.
BERNARD HOPKINS
“In 1988 I fought my first fight as a light heavyweight so I will be better prepared at this weight than Winky, because I have been here longer, but I do not take it for granted that Winky walks around at 190.
“Am I an aging fighter? Well I do not know if that means me. An aging fighter is someone who shows his age especially if his age is old. Come Saturday you will be the judge. I guarantee you will see a younger more fit Bernard Hopkins.
“Better fighter, better plan will win this fight.
“I am a competitor, I am the Michael Jordan of boxing, and I always have something to prove to myself, this is not about money anymore. It is to know that at 42 years old in this world, I can easily rule.
“Unless you are a world class athlete, you will never understand our competitive nature. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Venus Williams, and myself—we are world class athletes and competition is what drives us.
“Anyone will tell you that Bernard Hopkins is the most disciplined athlete out here, there is nothing that a trainer or coach can teach me. Freddie Roach brings wisdom. The best basketball team has the best coach, a young inexperienced trainer couldn’t do nothing with Bernard Hopkins, I would be teaching them…
“I am the underdog? The odds have always been against me so I think I am prepared for being the underdog.
“You want my strategy, what do you think I am an idiot?
On Tito picking Winky to win the fight—“I ruined Tito’s career on September 29 at Madison Square Garden. He took a terrible beating. I took his soul, taking someone’s soul is worse than taking their confidence. When he fought Winky, he had no business being in the ring. I will win and I will make it look easy.”
WINKY WRIGHT
“Camp was great. We were in Las Vegas training hard.
“This is going to be a great fight and definitely not boring. It will be a battle of wills but more importantly a bigger battle of wits.
“Bernard is more comfortable at this weight because he’s been here before.
“Fans can expect a great fight…Winky Wright to win, no doubt.
“I took this fight because it will be a challenge….I take any challenge that comes my way
“I am going to whoop him…
“This is going to be a smart fight, greatest match of the year….Winky Wright to win no doubt.”
Photo Caption: Rob Delorenzo, Golden Boy Promotions
Tuesday, July 17… Winky Wright arrives at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on Las Vegas, Nevada Tuesday in anticipation of Hopkins vs. Wright “Coming to Fight” July 21.
Photo Caption: Rob Delorenzo, Golden Boy Promotions
Tuesday, July 17… Winky Wright is welcomed by Promoter and President of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya at Wright’s grand arrival to Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada Tuesday in anticipation of Hopkins vs. Wright “Coming to Fight” July 21.
Photo Caption: Rob Delorenzo, Golden Boy Promotions
Tuesday, July 17…Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard Hopkins arrives at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on Las Vegas, Nevada Tuesday in anticipation of Hopkins vs. Wright “Coming to Fight” July 21.
Photo Caption: Rob Delorenzo, Golden Boy Promotions
Tuesday, July 17…Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard Hopkins arrives at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on Las Vegas, Nevada Tuesday in anticipation of Hopkins vs. Wright “Coming to Fight” July 21.
Hopkins vs. Wright “Coming to Fight” is for Hopkins’ Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight belt and will take place Saturday, July 21st at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. “Coming to Fight” is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Winky Promotions, and sponsored by Southwest Airlines, Tecate Beer and Rockstar Energy Drink.
The Hopkins vs. Wright pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your Hopkins vs. Wright fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
FEMALE MMA FIGHTER SHAYNA BASZLER INTERVIEW
Posted on | July 17, 2007 | 4 Comments
Shayna Baszler Interview
BY: Michael Fountain
Shayna Baszler is one of the top female fighters in MMA today. Shayna has fought many of the top fighters competing today such as Tara LaRosa, Roxanne Modaferri and Amanda Buckner. Shayna’s next fight is July 27TH on the Bodogfight Pay Per view against one of my personal favorites Jan Finney.
1. What path led you to professional mixed martial arts?
I started off training and fighting at small low level local shows, and with success came more and more offers until I just got the right offer at the right time.
2. Are there any extra hurdles being a female in pro MMA, or is it basically the same struggle for both genders?
I think it’s pretty much the same struggles, especially with people who are uneducated about the sport. It’s the same stupid discussions. As for within the sport, I think we do have to work harder in order for people, especially other males, to take us seriously.
3. What brings you the most fulfillment out of MMA?
I love what MMA does for me as an entire person. It’s not just about the fighting; it’s about completing who you are as a person. I think anyone whose ultimate goal is the fighting is missing out on a big part of MMA and martial arts in general.
4. Who are some of the people who have influenced you?
Bruce Hoyer and Aaron Hullinger really influenced me to train for real at a legitimate school. If not for them I would not be at this level. John Arends really opened my eyes to how endless standup can be as well. I never had a true appreciation for it until he started training me.
5. What are your other interests outside of mixed martial arts?
I am basically a big nerd. I love video games. I read. I play the guitar and the cello. I like street magic. And I love working with kids.
6. who’s someone in particular you’ve always admired in the sport and why?
I would have to say Greg Nelson. I think the thing I admire the most about him is that even though he is one of the most accomplished martial artists in the country and runs one of the best schools in the country, he never stops learning. He is forever a student and therefore forever growing. I think that’s an important quality to have.
7. What is one of your most memorable fights?
I would have to say my 2nd fight with Amanda Buckner. That’s the 1st fight where I believed that I could hang with someone that was up there. That fight really matured me as well.
8. What would you say to young fighters looking to make a career in mixed martial arts?
I would say first of all to not miss out on the lessons martial arts and fighting teaches, like I said, there is more to fighting than just fighting. On the practical side, I would really advise that people train true arts. There are so many “MMA” schools that just train MMA. There stuff is watered down; their technique is not quite as good. Like, learn Maui Thai for the sake of Maui Thai, learn jiu jitsu for the sake of jiu jitsu, and learn wrestling for wrestling. Don’t go into something learning it for MMA. Take time on your own to put it all together outside of those settings. I learned you come to understand the techniques better and the reasons they apply if you do it that way. Also, going back to what I said before, if you do it this way, you get the history and the intrinsic aspect a little better as well.
9. What’s it like to fight for Bodogfight.
It’s an absolute blast! They take SUCH good care of ALL of their fighters. It’s seriously the best thing I could be doing right now. It’s so bad how good they treat you that I get bummed out if I’m not gonna be on the next card.
10. What’s it like to fight over seas?
Just traveling in general is a blast to begin with and then add me doing what I love on top of that….what could be better! It’s really cool because MMA is still a baby sport in the US. It’s nice to go places where people are educated about it like it’s an everyday thing.
11. What’s it like when you get in the ring or cage and the Ref says FIGHT?
I’ll say this; I’ve played sports my entire life. I’ve stood in the batters box with 2 strikes and the winning run on 3rd. I’ve stood on the free throw line with .2 seconds left and tie game. But, NOTHING compares to that moment when you are across the ring staring at your opponent and the ref says, “Are you ready?” FIGHT!”
12. Where is Pro MMA headed?
I only see it getting more and more accepted. There’s more and more of it in the mainstream media and as that happens, people’s understanding of it will grow as well as their acceptance of it.
13. Will Pro MMA take the spotlight away from Boxing? Or is there room for both sports in the hearts of fight fans?
I think it’s apples and oranges. I like both sports. Many people do. The only reason people compare them now is because they are uneducated about the sport and that’s the closest reference they have.
14. What’s next for Females in Pro MMA?
It’s only going to get better and the talent pool will get deeper and deeper as more shows choose to showcase the females simply because of the increase in opportunities for us.
IF I don’t ask the next couple of questions I will never be able to live with myself.
15. There are so many fighters out there today in so many weight classes it’s hard for the fans to say who is the best female or male fighter. What do you think? Who do you think is the Best female? And Male? And why?
MY favorite female fighter is probably Amanda Buckner. I think her technique is so clean compared to everyone else’s. Favorite male…hmmmm. I don’t want to sound cliché, but I have to go with Couture. I think his game planning is the best in the biz.
16. Who would you like to fight next? I would love to see you and Jan Finney get in the ring.
I am actually fighting Jan on Pay per View on July 27th. I would love a rematch with Tara LaRosa someday.
17. What’s next for you?
Jan on the 27th, Bodog in October, grappling tourneys in between.
Shayna’s Videos:
Video #1:
Video #2
QUINTON “RAMPAGE” JACKSON MAKES BAD MOON RISING APPEARANCE IN DES MOINES, IOWA
Posted on | July 17, 2007 | 1 Comment
PHOTOS BY: KRISTIN VAN ZEE
QUINTON “RAMPAGE” JACKSON RECENTLY MADE AN APPEARANCE AT “BAD MOON RISING” AT THE WELLS FARGO ARENA IN DES MOINES, IOWA. BETWEEN SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS, SHOWING OFF HIS BELT, AND MEETING HIS FANS AS PART OF THE TITLE FIGHT CHAMPIONSHIPS JUNE 30TH EVENT, JACKSON EVEN TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENTER THE CAGE TO TALK WITH ANNOUNCER AND PROMOTER SCOTT CASBER.
INTERVIEW WITH IOWA’S OWN MARK “HOLLYWOOD” ANDERSON
Posted on | July 17, 2007 | 1 Comment
BY: JOE BALL
Q. Growing up in the Quad Cities, home of the MMA powerhouse – Miletich Fighting Systems, was MMA always a consideration for a career choice for you?
A. Kind of, I always wanted to be a professional athlete, and speaking of Pat Miletich I had the oportunity to meet him in my school wrestling days. I was friends with his nephew Matt Finn and I wrestled around with Pat in the 6th grade up to high school. He would come in and help us out in Bett Middle and High School.
Q. While battling your way to a Pro MMA record of 5 wins and 3 losses what is your motivation?
A. My motivation is remembering all those people who told me it can’t be done.
Q. You are a self trained fighter out of Oskaloosa, Iowa, what do you focus on most in training, and why?
A. I focus on my mental training the most, because I can have a strong body, but a weak mind is a weak fighter.
Q. What are your passions in life, outside of fighting?
A. Racing, and any thing that challanges me.
Q. Self training is hard work for many different reasons. How do you fit your training in while working a full time job? And if the opportunity came your way to relocate and become a member of a team you admire would you grab at the chance?
A. Yeah it’s hard, but if it was easy everyone would do it. But while I’m at work if I carry something or do anything I make it a workout. So really I’m getting 40 + hours of conditioning in a week, but I would like to have a sparring partner if I get the opportunity I would. I’d see what they have to offer and if I like what we can do, then YES in a heartbeat
Q. You are a fighter through and through, taking most of your fights on short notice, knowing little or nothing about your opponents. How do you cope with that?
A. It’s more to an advantage because stats are there to scare you, just because he’s 7-0 that doesn’t mean he can beat you, it just means he can beat those 7 other guys. It gives me the chance to fight everybody like they are the baddest guy I’ll ever fight.
Q. If given the chance to fight someone from past or present, local or on the big stage, who would it be, and why?
A. Pat Miletich, becasue he is a God in my eyes in this sport.
Q. You do all aspects, coaching, training, fighting, and managing yourself. Do you find it hard to get a good fight/challenge in Rural Iowa?
A. No, It’s hard for people to take me seriously, becasue I do it all myself.
Q.You’re looking for a fight, what makes you stand out as a fighter? Why should bigger promotions put you on their card?
A. The way I carry myself in the ring I’m always moving and slamming and I get the crowd going the louder they get the harder I hit.
Q. Which of your fights stands out the most to you?
A. When I fought Chris McDanials from Branson, Missouri. He gave me 7 knees to the temple and I still kept coming. I have never been hit like that, but I learned I can take a lot and that was always in the back of my mind.
Q. What is your favorate moment in a fight?
A. When they tap
Contact info
Email ~ oskyshollywood@yahoo.com
KERNER SIGNS ENDORSEMENT DEAL
Posted on | July 17, 2007 | No Comments
Ronnie “The Rottweiler” Kerner signs endorsement deal with V-Shield Inc.
Ronnie “The Rottweiler” Kerner has become the newest face of V-shield Inc.
The WBC (World Boxing Council) is the governing body that has agreed to cross-market and cross-promote the new company with the RBF (Retired Boxers Foundation) and V-Shield. “We have 400 V-Shield boxing trunks and 17 of them will be given away to championship caliber boxers, many of which will be fighting on ESPN, ESPN2 and HBO”says Gumersindo Vidot the companies President. Then he added, “Ronnie “The Rottweiler” Kerner will be one of them”.
Ronnie believes heavily in the company and what they stand for. Gerry Cooney, whom is Kerner’s chief second, runs the F.I.S.T. organization which has a similar cause.
V-shield is a new clothing line that is specifically made for athletes & the general public. It is an under garment type garment used for maximum workouts. The products are antibacterial and antimicrobial, which is comfortable. V-shield will also be manufacturing Trunks, corner man’s jackets, and a full line of casual wear. V-shield will be focusing on all sports as well as boxing. V-shield will be offered in 161 countries. V-Shield Inc. will soon be a heavy-hitter in the performance-clothing industry. The company has begun the development of a cutting edge Internet site and started a renovation project for a multi-level retail store. Eventually, V-shield is looking to start a Ronnie “The Rottweiler” line.
Due to Mr. Kerner’s growing popularity & documentary being shot on him,
Ronnie is already speaking with a multitude of potential sponsors and endorsers. Many companies are pursuing him for product placement, both on and off camera.
You will see Ronnie “The Rottweiler” Kerner in all of the companies print & website catalogs.
Ronnie is quoted saying “it is an honor and a pleasure to represent a company with such high morals and ethics”. He followed with “they are true gentlemen”.
HALL CALLS OUT TARVER
Posted on | July 17, 2007 | No Comments
Richard Hall: “Antonio Tarver is a Joke”
By Knockout Publicity
WEST PALM BEACH, FL-The paying consumer deserves to get their money’s worth. Give us warriors, men who persevere through adversity, throwback pugilists with brazen hearts equipped for battle. Richard “The Destroyer” Hall meets those criteria. In a lackluster division void of entertaining stars, Hall looks to shake up the light heavyweights with his balls-out wanton and fan-friendly banging style. That is, if the opposition is up to the challenge.
Richard Hall comes to fight, a fact that stirs up apprehension in most 175 pounders. “I’m still hungry like the day I started boxing. At the same time, I’m disappointed. Nobody wants to step up to the plate and go to war. This is my dream. I love boxing.”
Last month, Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson were featured on a twin bill card televised by Showtime. Although they are both world-ranked light heavyweights, neither man felt obligated to face a known fighter. “Who the hell is Jesus Ruiz?,” Hall asked of Dawson’s opponent. “Chad should be ashamed for facing a 19-4 fighter in a world title bout. He is supposed to be the next big thing, but he fights club fighters.”
Antonio Tarver’s opponent was Elvir Muriqi, a virtual unknown who held Antonio to a majority-decision. “Antonio Tarver is a joke! He claims to be this great legend, but he cannot dominate ESPN fighters. I want Antonio Tarver so bad, it’s like I’m starving.”
Defeating Antonio Tarver would exorcise many demons in Hall. As teenaged amateurs, Tarver was awarded a bogus decision over the young Hall in a fight the Jamaican-born slugger clearly won. Rico Hoye is another fighter with whom Richard Hall has unfinished business with. Hall entered their 2003 bout with an undisclosed spinal injury that resulted from a motorcycle accident 2 weeks before the bout. Since it was an IBF Light Heavyweight title eliminator, Hall decided to go through with the bout anyway. Now healthy, Hall hopes to settle the score on a level playing field.
“I’d love to fight Rico Hoye tomorrow morning. I wasn’t 100 percent, but I am now and I’d walk through hell to get my hands on Rico Hoye.”
“People pay their money to see guys go duke for duke. It’s a blood sport. If people don’t have fighters that inspire them, they will go to UFC. I don’t believe in the judges, they don’t see what goes on in the ring. I love the knockout. If the fight goes to the decision, I feel like I’m cheating the fans. I’m still the roughest Jamaican bad boy in boxing. I see you guys with the belts, and I’m coming for all of you.”
FOR INTERVIEWS AND OTHER INQUIRIES
CONTACT 561-503-9948
Pawel Wolak crushes another one!
Posted on | July 17, 2007 | No Comments
Impressive knockout thrills Atlantic City crowd.
By: Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
July 16, 2007
While Arturo Gatti’s decisive loss Saturday night essentially ended the career of a revered and beloved New Jersey boxing legend, Polish-born Pawel Wolak’s promising career continues to rise at a meteoric pace.
Fighting on the non-televised portion of the Main Events Promotions fight card, Wolak awakened the sparse “Pre-Gatti” crowd as his avid fans turned the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall into a small sea of red and white with their Polish flags that greeted Pawel “The Raging Bull” Wolak as he made his way into the boxing ring.
Facing a willing opponent in Edgar Reyes, a native of Orlando, Florida, Wolak swarmed Reyes at the fight’s opening bell and both fighters unleashed power shots. As Wolak became more aggressive and started landing the bigger punches, Reyes was pushed back onto the ropes and Wolak dug in, landing several hard shots to the body and head, which hurt Reyes.
As Reyes walked back to his corner at the end of the first round, it was obvious to all that Wolak was the stronger and better conditioned fighter, and Reyes, while game and a professional, was in trouble.
Wolak started off round two in similar fashion and quickly snapped back the head of his Puerto Rican opponent with a bunch of sharp punches.
Sensing desperation Reyes forged forward and went toe-to-toe with the heavy handed Wolak. The Mt. Arlington, NJ resident hurt Reyes with a lethal barrage of body shots and the damaged Reyes was forced to take a knee and drop to the canvas. Buying a few extra seconds of time by pushing out his mouthpiece was about the only answer Reyes had to stop “The Raging Bull”, who knew the end was near and pounced on his prey.
With his big legion of fans on their feet and cheering him on, Wolak fired away at the head of the hurt and dazed thirty-two year old fighter, who had lost his last three fights in a row, and five of his last seven, coming into this scheduled eight round jr. middleweight contest. Now overpowering Reyes, Wolak connected with a vicious combination which forced referee Lindsey Paige to jump in between the two battlers and wisely calling a halt to the one-sided brawl.
Wolak, who can now only dream of reaching the heights of success and adulation as his hero Arturo Gatti, adds another impressive knockout win to his still perfect record, which now stands at 16-0 (11 KO’s). Reyes, who must be commended for his heart and grit, drops to 10-8 (3 KO’s).
While Arturo Gatti was dominated, suffering a seventh round technical knockout loss at the hands of Alfonso Gomez; a fighter who is Mexican tough – but not as talented, he “went out on his shield” and had the badges of honor (a nasty cut lip and swollen face) to prove it.
Arturo Gatti finishes his glorified career (40-9, with 31 KO’s) fighting on HBO, with lots of money, great memories to be proud of, and maybe more important to him, the ultimate respect of knowing that everything he had to give in a fight was left inside the boxing ring, in Atlantic City, where he is loved by all.
Thanks Champ! For giving it all you had and fighting the only way you knew how – with your guts and your oversized heart.
Mike Indri
RBFNJMIKE@aol.com
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