LAS VEGAS NATIVE ANTUNA READY TO BATTLE
Posted on | July 6, 2007 | 1 Comment
It’s payback time for Antuna
LEMOORE — He was a high school state wrestling champion and an All-American that had scholarship offers lined up from some of the top colleges in the country.
But Las Vegas’ Angelo Antuna was never able to see his dreams realized.
Instead the ultra-talented wrestler, who once had friends pay grown men twice his size to fight him, is now getting paid to do what he loves — FIGHT.
“This is the only thing that I’m good at,” said Antuna (4-0), who will make is Palace Fighting Championship debut at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino on July 19th.
“I had my dreams crushed back in high school and now I’m taking that out on people,” he added.
During Antuna’s senior year at Centennial High, he was linked to the notorious “311 boyz”. Antuna was not part of the gang that was described as middle-to-upper-class youths that engaged in numerous violent acts in northwest Las Vegas.
The “311 boyz” gained national notoriety when video footage was obtained by Las Vegas police of several back-yard style fights and several other crimes. Among some of the footage was that of Antuna fighting.
“I got in a lot, a lot of fights growing up,” Antuna said. “I’ve been in a lot of trouble. I’m just not going to fight on the street for free anymore.”
Instead he takes on Palmdale’s Seth Dikun (1-1) in a featherweight bout on the “Step Up” card. Doors open for the 16-fight event at 5:30 p.m. with bouts slated to begin at 6:30 p.m.
“I’ve been promoting MMA and boxing for over six years and I’ve identified a lot of guys with great talent. With Antuna, the physical side is there, what separates fighters is their mental approach to the game,” said Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino Entertainment Director Christian Printup. “From what I’ve seen of Angelo, he is a kid that can ascend to the highest level of the sport but that’ll depend on how he handles pressure situations.”
Early on in his career, Antuna has handled the pressure with ease, recording four first-round victories. Most recently Antuna won by submission over Kevin Ross at Tuff-N-Uff 1 in December of 2006.
“I love Las Vegas. A lot of people come out to see me fight here. I can really pack a whole arena here,” Antuna said. “I’m really an explosive fighter and all my fights end really early.”
Antuna is expected to make a highly competitive 145-pound division that much tougher.
“Angelo is very impressive. He is very aggressive; his wrestling is as good as any 145 pounder I’ve ever seen… bar none. The difference is his size. He’s very big for a 145 pounder and his stand up is sharp and explosive,” Printup said. “I see great matchups for Angelo in the PFC and he is a guy who can take it to the next level and not just get there, he can make an impression.”
Antuna is with a great team at LA Boxing with Kevin Barry.
“This kid is a killer,” Barry said. “He grew up tough. He fought his way to school and all the way home most days and he’s a little guy. I can’t wait until people see what this kid can do.”
PFC 3 “Step up” is completely sold out for the third consecutive time and is the fastest sellout in Central Valley MMA history.
The card features a pair of championship exciting bouts. Sacramento’s Dave Espinosa (3-0) takes on Porterville’s Shawn Klarzcyk (5-1) for the vacant bantamweight championship and Oroville’s Shawn Bias (10-4) challenges Minnesota’s Aaron Maldonado (4-0) for the vacant featherweight crown.
In the main event, Lemoore’s Chris Botelho (4-2) takes on Bakersfield’s Josh McCartney (1-1) in a welterweight eliminator.
In other bouts:
— Fresno’s Casey Olson (4-1) takes on Stockton’s Brandon Jinnies (2-5) in a lightweight bout.
— Lemoore’s Kenny Ento (6-2) fights Palika Drummondo (2-3) at middleweight.
— Calousa’s Ruben Villareal (11-13-3) takes on Tulare’s Rafael Del Real (4-5) in a heavyweight bout.
— Las Vegas’ Dewey Cooper and Adam Smith of Venice Beach are slated to tangle in their pro debuts at light heavyweight.
— In a welterweight fight, Lemoore’s Mickey Martinez (2-0-1) battles Bakersfield’s Robert Breslin (3-6-1).
— Sacramento’s Mark Munoz (0-0) makes his light heavyweight debut against Elk Grove’s Donny Easterling (0-2).
— In a featherweight bout, Fresno’s Ralph Lopez (2-0) meets Sacramento’s Louie Moreno (1-2).
— Lemoore’s Elvis Franco makes his pro featherweight debut against Anahiem’s Scott Brommage (0-2).
— Visalia’s Mike Cook (3-1) tangles with Bakersfield’s Paul Mince (4-3) in a heavyweight bout.
— Coalinga’s Mario Rivera (3-4) meets Bakersfield’s Joe Chaidez (2-0) in the welterweight division.
— Sacramento’s Jeremy Freitag (4-5) returns to action at the Palace against Philadelphia’s Lamont Lister (3-2) in a light heavyweight showdown.
— In a bantamweight eliminator, Jason Georgianna (3-0) takes on Visalia’s Brandon Miller (2-0).
Weigh-ins are slated for Wednesday, July 18th at 4 p.m. at The Den Sports bar located on the third floor of the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino. Fight fans are encouraged to come see their favorite fighters.
For more breaking PFC news log on to www.palacefightingchampionship.com.
Cooper, Smith to clash in light heavyweight thriller at PFC
Posted on | July 6, 2007 | No Comments
LEMOORE — Adam Smith knows very little about his opponent for his pro mixed martial arts debut at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino on July 19th.
The Venice Beach fighter barely knew his name.
When asked what Smith knew about Las Vegas’ Dewey Cooper, Smith said “Who? My opponent? I think it’s his pro debut, too. I know nothing about him and it doesn’t matter.”
That seems to be much of the case for the casual combat sport fan.
Who is Dewey Cooper?
“You’re not validated as a fighter unless you do MMA now days,” said Cooper, who has complied a kickboxing record of 44-9-3 and a pro boxing record of 15-0-2.
“I’ve been a martial artist all my life and I’m sick of hearing about how you have to do MMA,” Cooper added. “I’m going to prove my talent.”
For hardcore fans it quite possibly could be the most anticipated fight at the Palace Fighting Championship’s “Step Up” event. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with fights starting at 6:30 p.m.
“Dewey’s stand up is probably as good as any light heavyweight in MMA today… period. I don’t care who anyone mentions; they would not have a distinct advantage over Dewey in a stand-up fight. Obviously, he needs to have the ground game to compliment his stand up,” Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino Entertainment Director Christian Printup said.
“What’s great about Dewey is he acknowledges the areas of his game he needs to work on. Is he going to pull guard and look for a submission? No. Why would he? He can KO people with either fist or leg. With solid takedown defense and his willingness to learn and evolve as a martial artist, I believe the sky is the limit for Dewey in MMA.”
Smith is a former pro boxer and compiled a 6-19-1 record. The 28-year-old has one amateur MMA fight under his belt, stopping his opponent in less than 45 seconds.
“I’ve been training for this fight for two months now,” Smith said. “My first fight I ended in under 45 seconds and this one won’t last 30. I’m a stand-up fighter and train in Muay Thai, but my ground game is improving. I’ve really been working on my jiu-jitsu.
“I’m skilled and my cardio is phenomenal. It’s going to be a short fight and end with a quick submission or knockout where I give the fans exactly what they want to see.”
Cooper has been hard at work honing his ground skills with Ricardo Cavalcanti and his standup with boxing coach Kevin Barry, who has trained such boxing standouts as David Tua, Maselino Masoe and Robbie Peden, and Muay Thai under Nick Blomgren, who is known as One Kick Nick and has trained such standouts as Ray Sefo, Alfie Alcarez, Chuck Liddell and Phil Baroni.
“I think this is a tremendous challenge for Dewey,” Barry said. “I think it’s the ultimate challenge. It’s not the sort of challenge you take under when you’re in your 30’s. But he’s a phenomenal athlete and a great kick boxer and boxer. His kicks are unreal. I think his main goal early on is to prevent the takedown.”
Cooper might not have to do that with Smith, who like Cooper is looking for a knockout.
“I love these 4-ounce gloves. I’m not going to make this a street fight, though. I’m going to demonstrate my skills. I’m prepared to go all three rounds if need be. You’re going to see me throwing a lot of techniques at him,” Copper said.
“All I know is he better have his hands up and be ready. My kicks are as strong as ever and I’m going to be throwing a lot of combinations. You won’t see me throwing one punch at a time.”
Cooper has a big fan following in the Central Valley, training such Palace boxing favorites as Las Vegas’ Jessica Rackozy and Fresno’s Frank Mondejar.
“Dewey has an advantage over the average light heavyweight because he is such a complete stand up fighter. He’s 15-0 in professional boxing and sports a very impressive record in kickboxing. Everyone talks about how would a boxer do in an MMA fight? Forget Ray Mercer. Ray is years past his prime. Dewey is the most accomplished boxer to enter the world of MMA. He’s not Tommy Morrison, with special rules or whatever. He’s facing a very tough and strong guy in Adam Smith, who I’ve seen fight multiple times. Smith is no slouch. If he gets Dewey on his back, who knows what can happen.”
PFC 3 “Step up” is completely sold out and is the third consecutive sellout and the fastest sellout in Central Valley MMA history.
The card features a pair of championship exciting bouts. Sacramento’s Dave Espinosa (3-0) takes on Porterville’s Shawn Klarzcyk (5-1) for the vacant bantamweight championship and Oroville’s Shawn Bias (10-4) challenges Minnesota’s Aaron Maldonado (4-0) for the vacant featherweight crown.
In the main event, Lemoore’s Chris Botelho (4-2) takes on Bakersfield’s Josh McCartney (1-1) in a welterweight eliminator.
In other bouts:
— Fresno’s Casey Olson (4-1) takes on Stockton’s Brandon Jinnies (2-5) in a lightweight bout.
— Lemoore’s Kenny Ento (6-2) fights Palika Drummondo (2-3) at middleweight.
— Calousa’s Ruben Villareal (11-13-3) takes on Tulare’s Rafael Del Real (4-5) in a heavyweight bout.
— In a welterweight fight, Lemoore’s Mickey Martinez (2-0-1) battles Bakersfield’s Robert Breslin (3-6-1).
— Sacramento’s Mark Munoz (0-0) makes his light heavyweight debut against Elk Grove’s Donny Easterling (0-2).
— In a featherweight bout, Fresno’s Ralph Lopez (2-0) meets Sacramento’s Louie Moreno (1-2).
— Lemoore’s Elvis Franco makes his pro featherweight debut against Anahiem’s Scott Brommage (0-2).
— Visalia’s Mike Cook (3-1) tangles with Bakersfield’s Paul Mince (4-3) in a heavyweight bout.
— Coalinga’s Mario Rivera (3-4) meets Bakersfield’s Joe Chaidez (2-0) in the welterweight division.
— Sacramento’s Jeremy Freitag (4-5) returns to action at the Palace against Philadelphia’s Lamont Lister (3-2) in a light heavyweight showdown.
— Las Vegas’ Angelo Antuna (4-0) challenges Palmdale’s Seth Dikun in a featherweight fight.
— In a bantamweight eliminator, Jason Georgianna (3-0) takes on Visalia’s Brandon Miller (2-0).
Weigh-ins are slated for Wednesday, July 18th at 4 p.m. at The Den Sports bar located on the third floor of the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino. Fight fans are encouraged to come see their favorite fighters.
For more breaking PFC news log on to www.palacefightingchampionship.com.
AN INTRO TO NEW FNU BOXING WRITER PATRICK MCELLIGOTT
Posted on | July 6, 2007 | 4 Comments
By: Patrick McElligott
Bill Wetzel recently asked if I would be interested in writing a boxing column for Fight News Unlimited. We have been friends for several years, and frequently discuss the sport. Bill and I share an appreciation of boxing that goes beyond the statistics found on a boxer’s record, or the current ratings of any of the alphabet commissions: as in anything that is important in life, it is necessary to understand not only “how?” something happens, but also “why?”
As a retired psychiatric social worker, who comes from a family with a long history of boxing, I have a perspective on boxing that Bill thinks might be of interest to readers here. I want to thank him and Rich for having me here. And I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you.
Boxing has been a part of my extended family’s lives, on my father’s side, since they came to this country from Ireland in the 1800s. Years ago, I wrote a book (From Glenagore to Guilford: Irish Destiny on the O&W) that detailed how my grandfather came from the Old Sod in 1879. Relatives were stone-cutters on the canals and railroads in New York State. Grandpa and a brother-in-law eventually owned a construction company in Nutley, NJ. Among the people who worked for him was Arnold Raymond Cream, who fought in bootleg fights in New Jersey and New York City. He eventually took the name Jersey Joe Walcott, and won the heavyweight title.
Though Grandpa favored baseball, his brother Patrick was a boxer. Uncle Pat’s biggest win was over Bucky Lawless in Sherburne, NY. Though Bucky is but a footnote in boxing history today, and his complete record was never kept, his name can be found in the Ring Record Book on the records of 14 men who held world’s titles, from the lightweight to light heavyweight divisions. Bucky lived with Uncle Pat in Sherburne for a few periods of time, and Pat would drive Bucky to fights in Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester and Buffalo.
Uncle Pat promoted fights in Sherburne. Many of these are not found on various fighters’ official records, in part because they were “bootleg” fights, and many were contests with “no decision.” If there wasn’t a knockout, neither fighter was deemed the winner. Yet fighters like Bushy Graham, the bantamweight champion from Utica, and Carmen Basilio, the welterweight and middleweight king, both fought in Sherburne.
Recently, I was with my younger son at the NYS Eastern Division Golden Gloves semi-finals in Amsterdam, NY. Those who attend or participate in events like the Golden Gloves know that things move at a hectic pace. However, I noticed an elderly gentleman there, who very few of the young fighters would have recognized. His name was Alfred Pescatore, a former European lightweight champion, who had been a sparring partner for guys like the great Willie Pep. Alfred sat and talked a good hour with us, and it gave my son an opportunity to hear first hand about events in places like Sherburne that are lost to everyone except those who sit in the village’s historical society research room.
My father was one of 14 siblings, including brothers who boxed and played baseball. I was the youngest of five, including two brothers who boxed and played baseball. And so my childhood consisted of going to school, working on our small farm, and neighborhood baseball games and backyard boxing matches. By my early teens, I was fighting for the Oneonta Boys Club, for Carl Delberta. In his younger years, he fought as “Carl Del”; he fought Charlie Burley, who Sugar Ray Robinson avoided. Carl’s friend Willie Pep was the referee of my one my fights in Oneonta.
This year, at the regionals of the Silver Gloves, I had the chance to introduce my son to Carl. Again, it was an opportunity to have a 90-year old hand down some history to a teenager. My son has loved Jack Dempsey since he was a little boy, and Carl has some wonderful pictures of him with Jack in training camps. (Dempsey and Basilio were my son’s favorites; my cousin Jack – Uncle Pat’s grandson – had Carmen sign a nice photo for my son a few years back.)
My brothers and I eventually had a good team that represented the Sidney Recreation Center. We fought in places like Oneonta, Binghamton, Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester, NY, and in Scranton, PA. I was friends with Rubin “Hurricane” Carter by this point, and I was good enough at knocking opponents out that I was featured in an article in Boxing Illustrated. I will share some of the Hurricane’s “lessons” in future articles. However, the one that was the most important was that education was more important than amateur boxing, and I began to focus my attention on college rather than the ring.
I ended up with a career in social work. Yet there are areas where boxing and social issues overlap. A few years ago, my oldest brother and I looked at some interesting numbers from the Sidney Rec Center boxing team. In the mid-1970s, there were about 75 kids active in the club. Not all of them boxed competitively: some worked corners, some just sparred. But most fought against teams from the cities across New York State.
Of the 75, we counted more than 50 who had experienced “trouble” at home, in school, and/or in the community. Some had been suspended from school, others had been arrested, were on probation, and a few had been in jail. Yet during the periods of time they were actively involved with the boxing club, none of them had been in any real trouble. I can’t think of any other social program that can claim that type of result.
That doesn’t mean that I view the sport through rose-colored glasses. When I recently spoke with Rubin to ask if he was planning to attend the annual induction ceremonies at the Boxing Hall of Fame, he said, “Pat, I love boxers, but I hate boxing.” The promoters and managers who exploit the athletes are, sadly, as much a part of the sport today as they have ever been. And, though as a teen I never recognized the connection between the punch-drunk pugs I met and the punches my brothers and I were taking, today my oldest brother suffers from the same symptoms as did Jerry Quarry towards the end of his life. Boxing can be brutal.
Still, I enjoy watching the sport on TV, and attending fights – both amateur and professional – from time to time. I enjoy discussing the sport with others on the internet. My experience gives me a perspective that I think is of interest to others. I enjoy being able to connect what happened in the gyms and in the bootleg fights from the early 1900s with more current events. Or, when Rubin was the studio guest on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, being the “fan” who asked him to tell about when he used to spar Sonny Liston.
I again want to thank Bill and Rich for having me here, and I look forward to discussing the sport of boxing with everyone here.
DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT’S THOROUGHBRED ANDRE BERTO FACES COSME RIVERA ON ESPN2’s FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS AT SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY CENTER
Posted on | July 4, 2007 | No Comments
DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT’S THOROUGHBRED ANDRE BERTO FACES COSME RIVERA ON ESPN2’s FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS AT SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY CENTER
ON JULY 27
***Chazz Witherspoon vs. Fernely Feliz in Co-Feature***
New York, July 2—The strength, speed, power and stamina of the thoroughbred will be on display at Saratoga throughout its upcoming summer racing meet. DiBella Entertainment’s undefeated “thoroughbred” – future boxing champion Andre Berto – will showcase all of those qualities and more in Saratoga on July 27 when the welterweight star takes on Cosme Rivera on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights at the Saratoga Springs City Center .
Berto (18-0, 16 KOs), the 2004 Olympian, squares off against ring veteran Rivera (30-10, 21 KOs) in the toughest test of his promising, young career in the headline bout of the annual summer boxing card.
“Andre Berto is going to bring his boxing horsepower to Saratoga,” said Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment. “It is a great opportunity to perform in front of the many avid sports fans assembled at Saratoga for the historic racing meet, and on national television on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights.”
“I am very excited to be able to perform and showcase my talent in front of a broad national audience on ESPN2,” says Berto. “Saratoga is going to be fun because it is a city known for running the best thoroughbreds in the world, and I hope to bring the same kind of excitement in the ring.”
In the co-feature, DBE’s Philadelphia heavyweight prospect Chazz Witherspoon (18-0, 12 KOs) takes on his stiffest challenge to date against Fernely Feliz (29-8, 16 KOs) in the boxing extravaganza promoted by Pugnacious Promotions and DiBella Entertainment during the first weekend of world-class thoroughbred racing meet at the city’s historic race course.
Local favorites Shannon Miller (14-3, 8 KOs), Wayland Willingham (11-0, 6 KOs), Brandon Mitchem (25-4, 8 KOs) and Tommy Rainone (7-0, 2 KOs) will fight challenging opponents on the swing bouts and undercard. Feature fights on the card – held on the first night of twilight racing the evening before the Breeder’s Cup qualifier Whitney Stakes – will be televised on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights.”
Berto, from Winterhaven, FL, is one of the most highly touted youngsters in the fight game, and considered by many to be a future world champion. Berto won his last 14 pro fights by KO, six in the first round. He was also named Prospect of the Year by ESPN’s Dan Rafael. Since turning pro, he has excelled against increasingly difficult competition, stopping recent opponents, Miguel Figueroa (25-5, 14 KOs) and Contender TV’s Norberto Bravo (24-12, 13 KOs) impressively. Rivera, from Culiacan, Mexico, challenged Zab Judah (34-5, 25 KOs) for the undisputed welterweight championship in 2005.
“At this point, I m just taking it one fight at a time and hope to see a title shot on the horizon as I continue to climb up the ranks,” adds Berto. “When that opportunity presents itself, I’ll face whoever is in the top spot.”
Witherspoon was 2004 Olympic alternate and National Golden Gloves winner. He has also impressed in his pro career, remaining undefeated in 18 fights and stopping his last five opponents. In his well-traveled, 14-year career, Feliz from Danbury, CT has faced current heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev (34-5, 26 KOs) and former champ John Ruiz (41-7, 28 KOs).
“Pugnacious Promotions’ annual Saratoga summer show is a great way to start the Saratoga racing season,” said Lisa Elovich co-promoter of the event. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with DiBella Entertainment and bring these exciting, young, high-level fighters to Saratoga. Fans will be chomping at the bit to see these bouts live.”
Tickets and more information are available from Pugnacious Promotions, www.pugnaciouspromotions.com or 518-326-9756. Call or visit for more information. Tickets are $125 for Golden Ringside and $75 for Ringside. General Admission open seats are $40.
KLITSCHKO VS. BREWSTER CONFERENCE CALL QUOTES
Posted on | July 4, 2007 | No Comments
OFFICIALS NAMED FOR WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. LAMON BREWSTER WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT SET FOR JULY 7 IN COLOGNE, GERMANY
***Referee is Sam Williams; Judges are Michael Fischer, Denny Nelson and Alfred Buqwane***
Cologne, July 2—The judges and referee for the Wladimir Klitschko vs. Lamon Brewster World Heavyweight Championship on Saturday night, July 7, have been named. Sam Williams of Michigan will serve as the referee, and the three judges are Michael Fischer of Germany, Denny Nelson of Minnesota and Alfred Buqwane of South Africa.
Klitschko, the IBF and IBO world heavyweight champion, defends against former world heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster in “The Rematch” in the 20,000-seat Cologne Arena in Cologne, Germany. HBO World Championship Boxing will broadcast live from Germany at 5:00 PM/ET and 2:00 PM/PT, and replayed 10:30 PM/ET/PT. This Heavyweight Championship bout will be televised live in Germany on RTL, as well as in over 100 countries.
In their first battle for Klitschko’s WBO championship, Brewster won by fifth round technical knockout on April 10, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The dramatic battle was stopped by the referee in the fifth round. Klitschko dominated the bout, knocking Brewster down in the fourth. Brewster was saved by the bell, and recovered to score a spectacular win to take the title.
“This chance for revenge against Lamon Brewster is a dream come true,” said the 31-year old Klitschko. “He is without a doubt an extremely dangerous opponent, but I always hoped for chance to redeem myself. In the first fight, three years ago, I ran out of gas for some still unknown reason that I still can’t explain. But I am very happy to get back into the ring with Brewster.”
“I will knockout Klitschko again,” said Brewster, “and then no one will be able to say that the first win was a fluke. As fans saw in my knockout win over Luan Krasniqi in 2006, I have no problem fighting in Germany, and am happy to return there.”
Klitschko, a native of Kiev, Ukraine, has a ring record of 48-3, with 43 victories coming by way of knockout. Brewster is 33-3, with 29 KO’s. Brewster was the WBO heavyweight champion from 2004-2006. Wladimir Klitschko captured Olympic gold in the heavyweight division in 1996 in Atlanta, and is currently the longest reigning heavyweight champion.
HBO World Championship Boxing will broadcast live from Germany at 5:00 PM/ET and 2:00 PM/PT, and replayed 10:30 PM/ET/PT.
QUOTES FROM LAST WEEK’S KLISTCHKO VS. BREWSTER CONFERENCE CALL
Lamon Brewster
I am really looking forward to this fight. It will be terrific fight and I encourage everyone to come out July 7 and enjoy it.
Lamon Brewster on taking rematch after long lay off
If you remember, last time Wladimir and I met I had a full year off before that. I believe good sparring takes precedence over not being active in the ring. The time I had off helped me to reflect on my career and realize how bad I want it. I now have the opportunity of lifetime that a lot of people would dream of, an opportunity that I won’t let pass me by.
Wladimir Klitschko on Brewster
Lamon Brewster is one of the toughest fighters in history. His will to win makes Lamon who he is.
I respect Lamon, he showed a lot of heart and he deserved that win (Klitschko-Brewster I).
Vladimir Klitschko on the fight
I am looking forward to fight and I thank Lamon for accepting the rematch. I think this fight is one that the audience wants to see. None of the champions are really exciting to see. Lamon is more exciting to watch than any other champion right now. I am not looking for easy fight as I am taking on the best fighters out there.
Lamon Brewster on his faith
I believe God is going to judge me as far as what I need to do in the fight. I feel I will be victorious but there are certain things I need to do to win this fight
I’m type of fighter that doesn’t go in with premeditations. If those don’t work then you will be lost in the ring. I can’t tell you what’s going to work. Wladimir has matured and is not the same fighter he was in our first fight and I am not the same fighter that I was.
Lamon Brewster on Klitschko Brewster I
I can say this much. I gave the victory to God. He gave me strength to win and pulled me through that. That was a really tough fight for anyone that night, fighting for world title
The accusations that followed did put a cloud on my victory and my heart.
Lamon Brewster on Victories
Every fight I win is the greatest victory. It takes a lot of courage for a man to get in a ring period. Every victory to me is just as important as the other but put world title is number one.
Lamon on trainer, Buddy McGirt
Buddy is not only a great trainer but was a great fighter. He brings confidence to the fighter because he knows how to be a world champion in and out of ring. He does not take away from your style instead he takes it to another level. Buddy brought out stuff in me that had been laying there dormant.
Lamon Brewster on World Title Fight
Fighting for world title, doesn’t matter who I’m fighting. The fact is that I’m fighting for a world title. It is something I want my son to be proud of me achieving. It’s something that has lead me to this point. I tip my hat to Wladimir for this opportunity
Wladimir Klitschko on his progress as a fighter
I am not where I want to be but I am on my way. I have to start consistently winning fights.
Wladimir on the fight
I am looking forward to Saturday. Lamon Brewster is most exciting opponent out there now.
Lamon on being call a world champion and fighting overseas
You can’t call yourself a true world champion if you’re not willing to fight around the world. I feel that if its gods will for me to win it isn’t going to matter where I am or who I am in the ring with. No matter, god will be with me.
Brewster on his last visit to Germany
The people in Germany are pleasant people. They are good people over here and are great boxing fans. A fan is a fan.
I am a fair person and I give my best every time out so fans will appreciate that. All I ask is a fair fight in return. To bring better light and a name to boxing, we need fighters and referees willing to uphold the standards of boxing. I’m glad there are people like Klitschko, clean cut, well spoken, that’s what we need in boxing.
Brewster on coming back after eye injury
Always say hope for the best, expect the worst. I had worked so hard to get to this level in my prime and god heard me and helped me get back into boxing and back into ring. My eye is strong and I try not to think about the negative things, only positive things. I believe god will protect both me and Klitschko.
I have never disliked Wladimir. His image is good for boxing.
I feel stronger, harder than I did. I’m more focused. It makes for a
great fight. Wladimir Klitschko himself has matured.
Whenever you get two warriors to go into the ring you’re going to have a
fight. You’re going to see the best Lamon Brewster. I am the best
American born heavyweight out there today. Instead of allowing it to put pressure on me, I use it as aspiration.
I’ve been working on getting better at being me. I’m just being Lamon.
Wladimir Klitschko
I believe the audience is looking for exciting fights which we will have July 7th in Germany. Sometimes the title doesn’t have much except a name. All a matter of time.
I tried to unify the titles and it didn’t work so I said just be successful in defending my title.
Wladimir on Steward
I was looking for a coach who was respectful to my experience. Emmanuel respects my experience in the ring as a fighter and I enjoy the relationship a lot because of flexibility in our work. There is great respect from both sides.
Roy Jones: “I’ll take care of Hanshaw-then its Tito!”
Posted on | July 3, 2007 | No Comments
July 14th PPV a prelude to Jones-Trinidad Mega fight.
By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
July 1, 2007
While a bit difficult to hear over Tuesday’s jumbled conference call, the legendary Roy Jones Jr. did apparently at least, sound like the Roy Jones of old, rather than simply an old Roy Jones.
“I ain’t ready to give it (boxing) up just yet,” stated the former pound-for-pound king who began his dominant reign following a convincing victory (UD 12, 05/22/93) over Bernard Hopkins, picking up the than vacant IBF middleweight crown in the process, his first of what would eventually amount to seven major championship belts.
Almost eleven years, to the day, Jones’ dominance came to a crashing, and crushing, halt under the fists of archrival Antonio Tarver (TKO 2, 05/15/04). As Jones was assisted from the ring that brutal night, leaving his WBC and WBA light heavyweight belts in the care of Mr. Tarver, boxing’s most superior craftsman was definitely knocked from his lofty position as king of the hill.
Another resounding knockout, at the hands of veteran Glen Johnson (KO 9, 09/25/04), a former world champion himself, followed by a second loss to Tarver (UD 12, 10/01/05) grounded the once thought to be immortal fistic warrior. At this point most boxing fans figured they had seen and heard their last of Roy Jones Jr.
Obviously, we don’t know Pensacola, Florida native Roy Levesta Jones.
“I should have taken more time off after the first Tarver fight (a 12 round majority decision, won by Jones in November of 2003). But I didn’t”.
“Why?” asked the loquacious Jones, who answered his own question, “Because I’m a warrior!”
“It was twenty five pounds of muscle lost, I should have given my body more time to recover.”
Last July, Jones returned to the ring to face Prince Badi Ajamu, (25-3-1, 15 KO’s), a credible foe considering Jones was coming off of those three big losses, two via the knockout route. Jones prevailed, taking Ajamu’s alphabet NABO light heavyweight belt, with a 12 round decision that hardly excited anyone, other than Roy. “I’m Back”, stated the victor.
Hence, the July 14th fight vs. unbeaten Anthony Hanshaw, 21-0-1 (14 KO’s), billed “HE’S BAACK, WITNESS THE RETURN OF A KING.”
No doubt, Roy Jones was boxing’s king for close to a decade, just as Anthony Hanshaw was a highly touted prospect before a self-exiled twenty-six month hiatus, which began in mid 2004 – mainly attributed to personal problems – stifled the upward progress of the talented twenty-nine year old native of Massillon, Ohio. “Roy Jones was a great one. I looked up to Roy, as a kid,” stated Hanshaw, but his time has passed. It’s my time now and I will prove that to him and to the world on July 14 in Biloxi, I can’t wait.”
The IP Casino & Resort in Biloxi, MS is the host of the Murad Productions and Square Ring, Inc co-promoted event, which can be seen for $29.95 on PPV.
While this bout against Jones is the biggest opportunity to date for the twenty-nine year old Hanshaw, an impressive Jones victory could propel “RJ” back into the spotlight of big time boxing. In the works for early 2008 is a huge blockbuster event of a fight against the again un-retired Felix “Tito” Trinidad!
“This fight (vs. Trinidad) should’ve happened back in the day, but his loss to Bernard (Hopkins) ruined it,” stated the confident Jones, adding, “I can’t, and won’t take Hanshaw lightly. I’ll take care of him July 14th, and then me and Tito can get it on…. I love it!”
Roy Jones was thought to have vanished from the boxing scene, now he is a fight away from getting back onto boxing’s grandest stage. Roy Jones would not have it any other way.
Neither would promoter Murad Muhammad, who also promises an explosive undercard, which will feature the brash and cocky super middleweight prospect Ron “The American Dream” Johnson (8-1, with 2 KO’s), from Cleveland. Johnson has improved immensely under the tutelage of Floyd Mayweather, Sr., who also trains Hanshaw.
To order the July 14th Roy Jones Jr.-Anthony Hanshaw “HE’S BAACK, WITNESS THE RETURN OF THE KING” PPV event, contact your local cable operator or dish TV provider.
Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
RBFNJMIKE@aol.com
HOPKINS VS. WRIGHT CONFERENCE CALL QUOTES
Posted on | July 3, 2007 | No Comments
TRANSCRIPT—TRAINER CONFERENCE CALL
Freddie Roach, Trainer Bernard Hopkins
Dan Birmingham, Trainer Winky Wright
Oscar de la Hoya, Host, Golden Boy Promotions
Moderator: Kelly Swanson
June 28, 2007, 3:30 p.m. ET
KELLY SWANSON, SWANSON COMMUNICATIONS . Thank you, everybody for joining us today for the first part of a series of conference calls we’ll be doing for the exciting Hopkins Versus Wright “Coming to Fight,” presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with the Winky Promotions, sponsored by Southwest Airlines, Tecate Beer and Rockstar Energy Drink. Again, the fight is July 21at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, live on HBO pay per view.
It’s my pleasure to just give you a quick update before I introduce our speakers. We’re actually in the fourth week prior to the fight. A lot of things are happening in the camps, and we’re delighted to have the trainers Freddie Roach and Dan Birmingham here today to give us updates. Also, mark your calendars. Next week, the Fourth of July week, we will be distributing Camp Notes as well as another release and the following week we’ll be providing you with undercard fighter quotes too. Most importantly, on Tuesday, July 10, Winky Wright will be doing his national conference call followed by Bernard Hopkins on Wednesday, July 11.
If anybody hasn’t put in for their credentials, please do so to Andy Olsen, Magna Media.
So at this time, we’re fortunate enough to have the President of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya, joining us today, and Oscar, I’d like to turn it over to you, and you can introduce Freddie.
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, PRESIDENT, GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS : Thank you very much, Kelly. Thank you very much to all of the press, international media. We are delighted and privileged to have you cover this fight.
As you know, we already have more than 7,000 tickets sold at the Mandalay base for this fight “Coming to Fight,” which is going to be for Hopkins’ “Ring Magazine” Light Heavyweight title, which will take place July 21 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The show is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Winky Wright Promotions.
I watched Bernard Hopkins train the other day at the Wild Card Gym, and it didn’t surprise me how Freddie Roach and Bernard Hopkins are a perfect match and are working great together.
So without any further ado, I would like to introduce to you one of the best trainers in boxing today, Mr. Freddie Roach.
FREDDIE ROACH: Thank you, Oscar. Bernard’s been working really hard and we get a sparring session today at 2:30, and we’re sparring on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and the mitt work on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and they do very well. We’re working on the game plan of how to correct that defense of Winky’s, and everything’s going really well. We’re getting along fine. He’s a little anxious sometimes. He cracked me a couple of times yesterday, and gees, I’m feeling like making my comeback out here. But everything’s going good. Bernard’s in great shape. His weight’s coming down fine, and we’ll be ready to go soon.
KELLY SWANSON: Great. Thank you, Freddie. OK, Operator, if we can please open up the floor to questioning.
BERNARD FERNANDEZ, PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS : Yes, Freddie, Bernard is coming to you at 42. He’s been around the block a time or two or three. How receptive was he to any, you know, new ideas that you might have asked him and incorporated into what he’s already doing?
FREDDIE ROACH: I think he is very receptive. You know, he’s a veteran. You know, there’s not a lot of to teach him but we’re working on the game plan and how to fight this fight, and there’s some conditioning drills and so forth that we’re working on, and we’re in the process of getting him in the best shape we can, and you know, he’s a young 42. He’s never been in too many wars and never took any beatings. So, you know, in boxing, I mean 42 might be an old number, but by boxing standards, he’s never taken any beatings. So he’s a fresh 42, I would say.
BERNARD FERNANDEZ: OK, my follow-up question is, you know, Emanuel Steward at one point, you know, he was just bringing guys up through the ranks in Detroit with Kronk Gym. Then he got kind of like a reputation for being a hire-again kind of guy, troubleshooter that, you know, established fighters would come to him to get – to get better. Oscar, you know, last time, now you’ve got Bernard Hopkins. Is something like that maybe happening with you?
FREDDIE ROACH: You know, is the thing with the Bernard, that his trainer had a stroke, and he wasn’t able to come to camp with Bernard. So he needed someone to take care of the mitts and so forth, and, well, Oscar he recommended me, and – because, you know, we worked very well together in Puerto Rico. We had a great training camp, I thought, and I think, you know, with Bernard’s trainer being sick right now, he needed somebody to take over, and so that’s why I’m here, and hopefully his trainer will get back on his feet for the next time and be there for the next one if that – if that happens.
JOHN COTTEY, ST. PETERSBURG TIMES: I was wondering if there was anything you can point to specifically unique about Winky Wright’s style defensively that you, you know, either have to deal with or there’s something that is getting a lot of attention from you guys in camp.
FREDDIE ROACH: Well, you know, he’s very great at defensive, a bit of a passive defense. You know, there’s certain ways to correct that, and of course fighting a South Paw, I personally like fighting South Paws, and Bernard also agrees with me. He has no problem with the South Paw stance, and there’s really certain ways to maneuver and box the eye and the shocks and so forth, and we’re working on that, and – but, you know, he’s a good defensive side, but defense doesn’t always win fights.
JOHN COTTEY: Talking about his offense a little bit, do you expect, you know, Bernard’s previous fights with Tarver and Taylor, neither fighter pressed Bernard. Do you expect Winky to press Bernard more than his three previous guys have?
FREDDIE ROACH: Well, I think so because if you – if you’ve seen Winky’s last three or four fights, he’s been a bit more aggressive. I think he’s trying to be a better sell and more active, and I think that his strategy will be that. He’ll make him work in the early rounds, and that’s what we’re getting ready for.
DIEGO MARTINEZ, REFORMER NEWSPAPER : (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
KELLY SWANSON: Oscar, could you please translate that for us, question and answer?
OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Thank you. I’m here promoting the biggest fight that the fans wants, I mean whether it’s a Bernard Hopkins fight against Winky Wright, which is going to happen July 21, which is going to be a very, very intriguing fight, and we can – we can expect a sellout crowd, which, the way tickets are going, very soon we will have sold out gate, and you know, whether it’s fights with Hopkins, Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera or Shane Mosley. You know, Golden Boy Promotions is always willing to put in the best against the best.
TK STEWART, BOXINGSCENE.COM : Yes, hi, Freddie. I was just kind of wondering what is John David Jackson’s role in the camp, and how are you two working together?
FREDDIE ROACH: Oh, you know, I’ve known John for a long time. We’re good friends, and his role in camp, pretty much, is you know, he’s a South Paw and a pretty slick guy, and just I’m working on the South Paw stance and how to work – against that defense of Winky’s, and he’s a great guy to have running. He’s helping with the conditioning and so forth. He’s running with him every morning, they work well together, like we’ll work in the mid day – he works a couple of hours everyday, and then I’ve got to finish up with Bernard, and you know, Bernard’s really aggressive on the mitts and really, really strong, and so he’s doing well, and John David’s a good asset to have working for us because his South Paw stance and his knowledge of …
TK STEWART: OK, and then the other question I have for you too, how was it that you and Bernard came together, or how was it that you too decided to work together?
FREDDIE ROACH: Well, you know, his trainer had a stroke, and he needed somebody to take over, and Oscar recommended me, and then me and Bernard sat down and had a meeting, and he talked to me about the strategy, I mean how to fight Winky, and he liked what I had to say, and we’ve always been friends outside the ring, and so it was just – we really meshed well together. Once we got in the gym, it was no problem at all. It was just work as usual, and you know, he knows I believe in hard work, and he’s a hard worker. So we got along fine.
PAUL UPHAM, SECONDSOUT.COM : What is it about Bernard that allows him to be such a great fighter over the age of 40?
FREDDIE ROACH: Discipline, I would say. He’s a very disciplined person. He lives a disciplined life. He doesn’t – you know, he doesn’t eat junk food. He doesn’t let his weight fluctuate, and he takes care of his body, and you know, again, he’s never taken – he’s never been in any real hard, hard fights where he’s taken any beatings and so forth. So, you know, 42 might be a high number and so forth, but if you – if you look at his career, and you know, age in boxing comes from how many wars you’ve been in, and you know, I mean I was a – I retired at 27 years old because my style was more of a give and take style, and you know, Bernard, he’s a defensive guy, and you know, he doesn’t get hit with shots and so forth. So he’s a very fresh 42, and you know, he takes care of himself and he’s got a disciplined and healthful life, just not letting his weight fluctuate and so forth because, you know, because too many fighters don’t workout between fights and blow up to high weights and have them drop that weight, and that kills fighters.
PAUL UPHAM: Oscar, if I could ask you when Bernard retired after his great win out at Tarver last year, did you ever believe that he would come back, or did – you were surprised that he has come back for another fight?
OSCAR DE LA HOYA: I actually had a good feeling he would fight again. I mean, you know, to have such a spectacular performance against a great fighter like Tarver, you know, he had to be back for some more. I mean Hopkins is a warrior. Hopkinsis a fighter who’s always striving to be the best, and then he’s always willing to fight the best. So, you know, with Hopkins is dominating performance, and him knowing that he can still do this, and he feels young and fresh, you know, there’s many more fights out there for him, there’s many more big events that he can be involved in. So I think he’s really – he’s really remotivated and really looking out just to stay on top for years to come.
EDDIE GOLDMAN, SECONDSOUT RADIO : Hi. I have one question for Freddie and one for Oscar. First, Freddie, this fight seems to be something between two guys who are known as some of the best tacticians and slyest and biggest foxes in the ring. How do you see this playing out and not just being an extremely tactical chess match between these two great fighters?
FREDDIE ROACH: Yes, you know, it’s definitely going to be a chess match, for sure. I mean it’s two smart guys, like to set things up really to think about, you know, what they’re doing, it’s not just two guys out there swinging, that’s for sure. Very technical, the guy that’s going to pull off the strategy and pull that off is going to win the fight, and the thing is we’re just working on, getting through the distance and getting through that defense there of Winky’s and, obviously, we’d like everybody in this fight and break them down a little bit and hopefully get busier in later rounds, and I know Winky’s going to try to start fast and try to come at us.
So we’re just getting ready for those things, and well, I think we have a good game plan, and the conditioning’s coming along fine, and he’s working hard here in California, and he’s a little different for him. He’s getting used to the California climate and so forth, but other than that he’s doing well.
EDDIE GOLDMAN: OK, and Oscar, the question I have is about the pay per view. Your fight with Floyd, of course, broke all the pay per view records, but since then people have had to pay off those bills, and on pay per view there’s competition from stuff like UFC, and there’s also a lot of free services that are pirating these videos online. How do you see this fight? Obviously, it’s two legendary fighters, two guys who are going to be a lock from the Hall of Fame and are still among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. How do you see this doing on pay per view TV?
OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Well, we always – we always have a great indication with how the gate is going, and I know with over 7,000 tickets already sold, that’s a wonderful indication that people are going to tune in and watch this fight. We’re going to announce from top to bottom the undercard, and with – it’s going to be an amazing undercard that we have for this show on the twenty-first, and you know, but the indications are extremely well, and we project a very high number, not only the fact that we have two of the best fighters – two legends fighting each other, but the fact that the “Ring” Magazine belt is also involved.
DAXX KAHN, SADDO BOXING: Hi. Freddie, it’s a question for you. You mentioned a couple of times during the press conference that you expect Winky to press Bernard and try and tire him out, but of course we all know that Winky is most known for his defense. You know, are you guys preparing to be the aggressor? If Winky so chooses to lay back, you know, is Bernard ready to be the one to go after him and chase him down and tire Winky out and be the one to bring the fight for him, or you guys really think that Winky’s going to be the one that try and come to Bernard?
FREDDIE ROACH: Well, I think he’ll try for a little while until he feels Bernard’s strength. Once he feels Bernard’s strength, I feel that he’ll go back to what he does best, and that’s his defensive mode and counter puncher, and the other thing is, at that point, I think we’re going to have to take charge – step up and be the aggressor in the fight. I do see that happening, and you know, I’m an aggressive type of trainer, and so we’re working on the offense, coming to the eye and breaking the body down, and yes, he’ll be coming forward, yes, because I feel after Winky does feel the strength of, you know, Bernard, you know, over 270 pounds of a really strong guy, he’s going to go back to what he does best.
DAXX KAHN: And this is for Oscar. Oscar, since, you know, Bernard is obviously in Golden Boy Productions, after this fight, is there anything clear on what Bernard’s doing next? In the press conference the other day, talk with Roy Jones. He said he wants a rematch with Hopkins, that he approached you guys for it, and you guys turned him down. This is why he’s going without hands showing, and Bernard took – decided to go over with Wright instead. Do you guys think you’ve – and again, this is what Roy Jones had said, you know, he wants to fight Hopkins next. Do you think you guys see that coming up?
OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Well, we don’t really see that coming up, I mean unless Bernard Hopkins wants it to happen. I mean you have to understand that Bernard Hopkins is in a position where he says who he wants to fight and where. You know, I mean as long as he’s beating the Tarvers of this world and comes through with Winky Wright, then we’ll have to sit down with Bernard Hopkins and map out his next – his next move. But that’s a conversation we’ll be having after the – after July 21.
ROBERT MORALES: Hey Freddie, listen, you know, we talked the other day, and you’ve – and you’ve repeated some of the stuff that we’ve talked about, about Bernard not having been in wars and that kind of thing, and certainly, you know, that is very true. But how much of Bernard still being a great fighter also has to do with him just being a rare breed, a guy with rare talent and rare, you know, abilities in the ring?
FREDDIE ROACH: A lot. I mean let’s face it – you know, he’s not your usual fighter. He’s very smart. He thinks he sets things up. You know, I think he’s like it’s pretty much a throwback. He’s not one of those fighters like, you know, like a Roy Jones and so forth. He’s just an athlete, and he’s good at any sport, and just gets away with his athletic abilities. Bernard Hopkins knows the art of boxing, and he’s studied the art of boxing, and he just knows this game so well, and you know, he’s like one of those veterans. He doesn’t make mistakes, his balance is perfect. You should watch him shadow box. I mean, you know, he doesn’t make any mistakes. His feet are always under him. He’s always on balance, his chin’s always down – he’s just very, very well rounded. I mean he reminds me of just an old-school fighter, and a lot of that has to do with just his natural abilities. Yes, he’s a rare breed. That’s for sure.
LUIS SANTIAGO: Hi, Mr. Roach. Just wondering, giving the fact of the return of Tito Trinidad to boxing, what do you say about the possibility of a rematch between Bernard Hopkins and Trinidad ?
FREDDIE ROACH: Yes, obviously, if Trinidad wants to come back, there’s always – that’s a very dangerous fight for him. I think Oscar De La Hoya or Bernard Hopkins would be a great fight for Trinidad. You know, it would sell a lot of tickets, and you know, the thing is, if Tito wants to come back, and those are real tough fights for him. But, you know, he was a great fighter in his day, and the fight – I think Tito would be a great fight and well, I guess, we have to care of Winky Wright first and then see what happens.
PHILLIP PASTRANO, BOXINGREALM.COM : Yes, thank you very much, Freddie. I just have really one question, and that basically has to do with your having to juggle all of these veterans. You know, you have – you had Oscar, you now have Bernard, and you know, his fight is July 21. I guess Israel Vasquez is in South Texas a couple of weeks after that. I’ve read that you ordered many – or I guess maybe order’s not the correct word, but yes, that (INAUDIBLE) the Wild Card Gym on August 1. The question is, are you doing too much, Freddie?
FREDDIE ROACH: Maybe, you know. The thing is, I mean I have a hard time saying no so its as hard. I do as much as I can and so forth. I just get out of the ring where I was just working the mitts with Boom Boom Bautista. But, you know, I love this game, and I work hard at it, and you know, I come to the gym at eight o’clock every morning, and I go home at eight o’clock at night. I don’t have any hobbies outside of boxing. But, you know, I love what I do, and so forth, and then, you know, working with guys like Oscar De La Hoya, it just makes it worth it – working with Oscar and Bernard, like they’re veterans. They know what it’s all about, and it’s just great. You know, I love working with these guys. They’re talented guys, and it’s an honor to be around them.
PHILLIP PASTRANO: Well, I thought you might say that a lot of the work is maybe already done considering you’re dealing with a lot of veteran fighters who have – who have been in the fight game for quite a while already. Would you say that, or?
FREDDIE ROACH: No, it’s just – I just enjoy – I just enjoy working with these guys, and you know working with Oscar and Bernard, they’re very disciplined people, and, you know, I really like them. Good work ethics – I like. You work hard and get things done and then, there’s no room for lazy people in this sport. So, you know, I just enjoy what I do and do the best that I can and sometimes its hard to say “no” to people but, you know I just can’t take much more. my plate’s full right now but it’s just work as usual.
ELIAH CEPEDA, INSIDE FIGHTING: You’re an incredible student of the game, how do you balance – when you’re taking out a new charge like what you did with Oscar and now you’re doing with (INAUDIBLE), how do you balance your expectations that you may have developed of a fighter after (INAUDIBLE) and stuff and processing that in your mind, how do you balance that with the need to learn about them personally and be open to how they already do things and their approach to training and developing a strategy once you’re actually working with them.
FREDDIE ROACH: Eddie taught me a lot about these guys and you know, the thing is they’re all individuals. You can’t – they’re all different. I mean everyone has different – little things about them. You know, and you’ve got to treat them as individuals, you know, because I tried to come up with a perfect formula for training a world champion and fighter, and then – at camp, you know, I would take notes and so forth, what the fighters do every day and so forth, but then, you know, at the end of the day, they’re all individuals and they all need different things.
And, you know, it’s just getting to know them, getting inside their head and getting (INAUDIBLE) my biggest – my biggest thing is to let them know that I’m on their side and I’m with them every step of the way. And, you know, me, sometimes he gets a little excited and if I call a combination and he sees an open after the combination, he’ll take that step sometimes and I told him, we got to stop because I don’t need to be taking shots anymore.
But, you know, he’s a little anxious. I’m getting to know how he thinks and how he takes of all this. Once I, you know, once I get inside their head and I know how they think that’s pretty much it, when they come back to the corner, I have a minute to make a small adjustment with them and I can get to him. And that’s what makes a difference I think.
OPERATOR: Thank you. I will now like to introduce Mr. Dan Birmingham who’s on the line with us.
KELLY SWANSON: OK, Freddie, thank you so much for your time. We really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day. Be careful today in there with Hopkins. It sounds a little dangerous.
KELLY SWANSON: Ladies and gentlemen, we now have Dan Birmingham on the line joining us and Oscar, if you could please introduce Dan.
OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Yes. It is my honor and privilege to be introducing one of the most celebrated trainers, one of the best trainers also of our generation, you know, who have proven himself over and over again. And I think that’s why it makes it such an interesting fight. Not only do you have the best fighters fighting on July 21st, but also you have two trainers in each corner that are really going to have a great impact in the outcome of this fight because of their knowledge and because of their skill when training these fighters.
Without any further ado, let me introduce to you Dan Birmingham. Dan.
DAN BIRMINGHAM: Thank you for the introduction, Oscar, and I’d like to say same to you. I met you one time at the Olympic Training Center when I was there when you were 14 or 15 years old. And I knew you were special.
OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Thank you.
KELLY SWANSON: OK, Dan, if you’d like to just give us a quick update before we open it up to questions, how’s camp going, how you’re feeling about Winky?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: Really, camp couldn’t be going better. I mean, Winky’s right on target. He’s been out here just about eight weeks. We’re right on schedule – 12 rounds with four different guys a week-and-a-half ago and looking forward to getting there and tangle with Bernard. And I’m looking forward to competing with my friend, Freddie Roach. We’re very confident.
KELLY SWANSON : OK, great. Operator, will you please open it up for questions?
JOHN COTTEY, ST. PETERSBURG TIMES : Dan, how’s it going? What is it about Bernard that’s any different than any other fighter Winky has faced? I mean, are there things that you have to incorporate because of Bernard’s style and is there anybody you can compare him to that Winky’s fought as far as, you know, as far as the style of the match up goes?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: Bernard is Bernard and he’s a great champion, and a great fighter, and there’s absolutely nobody like him so we have to prepare specifically for Bernard. You know, he has great attributes. He’s strong, he’s tough as nails, he’s a real sneaker fighter. You go to watch because he steps quick, he’s got quick hands, he likes to rough you up on the inside and of course, his record speaks for himself – itself. I mean, Bernard’s a great fighter so we’re preparing for him specifically.
JOHN COTTEY: Can you talk a little bit about Winky moving up in weight? I mean, until – I think the Solomon (ph) fight he had never fought over 154. I know he walks around a little heavier, but is there – I know he had to put on some muscle and now he’s, you know, bringing the weight down, but how is that process going and how does he look physically compared to previous fights?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: He looks bigger and stronger than ever. I mean, that Darryl Hudson (ph), to me is one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the country. I mean, he was – he was a track star, one of the – one of the fastest guys in the country, competed against Carl Lewis, you know, he was a college football player. I mean, he’s got a degree in nutrition and exercise physiology and he’s really made a real change with Winky. Wink’s not only going to be bigger and stronger, but he’s still going to be flexible and fast as he usually is.
So, you know, we’re not worried about how big and strong Bernard is because Winky’s going to be big and strong, too.
ROBERT MORALES, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS : Hey, with Bernard and Winky, we have two of the most technically sound fighters of the past, you know, quarter of the century anyway, at least, and then with you and Freddie, we have two of the best trainers during that same period. With that said, how much are you looking forward to, as you say, matching the wits with Freddie and also, you know, trying to get your fighter to match wits and ultimately outwit a guy like Bernard Hopkins?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: Well, Winky’s a little smart guy himself. I mean, he doesn’t have to rely on me for intelligence, or wit or anything like that. Winky’s a real sharp guy. I remember when we were in Europe, we would drive around the block and I would get lost, and with Winky he’d be in the call a half-hour and he’d know just every turn how to get you back. I mean, the kid is really smart and, you know, I’m not worried about the wits thing at all. I think he’s really self motivated.
ROBERT MORALES: What about the challenge for you of again, you know, trying to match wits with a guy like Freddie Roach because you’re both great strategists in my opinion?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: I think Freddie probably thinks along the same lines than I do. I’m not worried about what he’s going to do or what Bernard’s going to do. I’m only concerned about myself and my fighter. So, I don’t really worry about the other corner. We make our adjustments accordingly as the fight progresses, and that’s what makes a good strategist, and I think we’re both good strategists. And he’s not going to be concerned about what I’m doing, and I’m not going to be concerned about what he’s doing.
PAUL UPHAM, SECONDSOUT.COM : All right, Dan, just a question about Bernard. Is he one of the best fighters in memory over the age of 40?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: Oh, no doubt about it. I mean, look at his records, 20 defenses. I mean the guy is amazing, really. At 42, I felt – I mean, I’m 56 now, but at 42 I was, you know, like 42. But I don’t know what he did; he must be drinking from the Fountain of Youth because the guy’s incredible. He really is. I give him a lot of respect.
PAUL UPHAM: Looking back at Winky’s fight with Jermain Taylor, is Winky done anything or said he’s going to do anything different in a big fight now to make sure that he never gets stuck with a draw again?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: Well, if you look at Winky’s past history the better the fighter, the more he gets up. And I’ve been putting it in his head since we signed for this fight that Bernard is going to be the best tactical fighter that you fought, the strongest guy that you’re going to fight and the toughest guy you’re going to fight.
So with that regard, Winky knows, you know, that he’s in there with a real KG guy. We had to prepare ourselves better than ever, and that’s what we’ve done.
TK STEWART, BOXING SCENE.COM : Hi, Dan, just a couple of quick questions for you. You know, a lot of fighters in this day and age, they seem to, you know, change trainers like they change their underwear. And, you know, you and Winky have been together all these years. What’s the thing that’s kind of kept you two together all this time?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: Well, Wink and I have been together, this is our 19th year now, and I think it’s just mutual respect and we believe in each other. I mean, when you keep winning, you know, then things are going right and everything looks good and you have a lot of confidence in each other. But mainly it’s the respect. I mean, we respect each other as people and we respect each other you know, as fighter and trainer. So, it goes – it goes with respect.
TK STEWART: OK. And then my other question, are you two still in a position where you can learn from one another or I mean, is the training camp kind of routine or, I mean, you know, do you still work on new things all the time or can you kind of describe that process for us?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: Every training camp is different, and since I brought in Daryl Hudson (ph) a few years ago, the man has a book of exercises. So I rely on him to really not make the camp come to some stagnation. You know, we keep everything fresh, we try different things every day. You know, we’re basically doing the same thing, but not doing the same thing, trying to change it up all the time.
With Bernard, he’s such a special fighter that you have to work on a lot of different things, so we really never get bored at the training.
RAMON ARANDA, 411MANIA.COM : Quick question for you, so, I mean, obviously Bernard’s a notorious defender as is Winky, but it seems like lately we’ve seen Winky become a little bit more of the aggressor in his last couple of fights. Now, you know, should we be expecting him to force the action against the bigger guy or is Winky looking to kind of sit back and let Hopkins come to you?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: Absolutely we’re going to force this fight. We’re going to make Bernard fight, where he’s – I can tell you this, he’s never been hit this much and this often. You look at Winky’s past fights, he’s landed punches every five to 10 seconds on every opponent, and Bernard’s not going to be any exception. We’re coming right at him and we’re going to force the fight. It’s not going to be another Tarver (ph) situation where we laid back and try to wait for something to happen. We’re going to force the issue.
EDDIE GOLDMAN, SECONDS OUT RADIO : Earlier in the conference call, Freddie Roach said that he expects Winky to come on strong early in the fight and that they expect to be able to wear down Winky as the fight goes on. Can you tell us your response to that and how you see the fight going?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: Eddie, that’s absolutely not going to happen. Winky’s in great condition and he just has this mindset this fight, well we all do, that we’re going to start this fight hard and we’re going to finish this fight hard right up until the last second. And if they think they’re going to wear us down, then I’m glad they’re thinking that way because it’s not going to happen I guarantee it.
You’re going to see how strong Wink looks and how strong he fights when that bell rings.
EDDIE GOLDMAN: Some people have said that they expect this fight to be extremely technical and kind of slow paced. Tell us how you see this fight going?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: I don’t ever think Winky’s fights are – none of Winky’s fights have really ever been slow paced and this is going to be the same. I mean, it’s going to be – we’re going to set it fast paced. I mean, it’s going to be up to Bernard to keep up with us because we’re going to set a pace, a hard pace.
EDDIE GOLDMAN: OK, thanks. Good luck in the fight.
ELIAS CEPEDA, INSIDE FIGHTING: Thanks for your time, Dan. I was just wondering, is setting the pace, like you said, setting that hard pace, is that – is that really based on looking to exploit the age Hopkins? I know – I mean, obviously you have a lot of respect for him and you think he’s really a different kind of – different kind of 42 than most people, but is that – is that a little bit of the logic behind that?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: When I studied his past fights, you know, we took a punch count and we looked at what he does, and we figure out a fight plan and we figure out how we have to do a little bit better. And we have to set a harder pace and that’s going to be the case fight night.
You’ll see Winky with an average of probably 70 to 90 punches a round. Whereas, Bernard, with the Tarver (ph) fight, was about 30 punches a round, 40 punches a round. So we’re going to make him fight every second.
ELIAS CEPEDA: Thank you.
LUIS SANTIAGO: Hello, Mr. Birmingham, good afternoon. Just wondering, given the fact of the almost confirmed return of Felix Trinidad to boxing and given the great relationship and friendship between Winky Wright and Trinidad what can you say about a possible rematch between Winky and Trinidad especially if Winky can beat Bernard Hopkins on July 21st?
DAN BIRMINGHAM: I think that’s an impossibility. Tito was up here with us a few weeks ago and they’ve become very close friends, and Winky flies to Puerto Rico occasionally to visit Tito and his family, and then Tito comes to visit Winky occasionally and they’ve become very close and now they’re actually business partners. So, I think a rematch with Tito is an impossibility in the future and that’s just my opinion.
LUIS SANTIAGO: Thank you.
OPERATOR: Thank you. This does end the Q&A session. I’d like to turn it back over to the host for any closing remarks. Ms. Swanson.
KELLY SWANSON: Thank you everybody so much for joining us today. Dan, thank you for taking the time to – out of your training schedule and everything else to join us and answer questions for the fight.
If anybody has any questions or dialed in late, feel free to call my office, 202-783-5500, and we appreciate you being a part of this call and look forward to seeing you on July 21st. Thanks so much.
Hopkins vs. Wright “Coming to Fight” is for Hopkins’ Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight belt and will take place Saturday, July 21 st 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.
San Francisco’s Cynthia Talmadge To Make Pro Debut
Posted on | July 3, 2007 | 55 Comments
San Francisco, Ca – July 2, 2007
“The Riot”
San Francisco Bay Area native and former Golden Gloves champion, Cynthia Talmadge, makes her much-awaited pro debut July 14th at the San Jose Civic Center in San Jose, CA, when she battles Jennifer Barber (1-0) of Northridge, CA.
After a stellar amateur career where she won numerous titles, Talmadge believes her style is better fit for professional competition.
“I’m more of a body puncher that likes to get in close range,” said Talmadge. “In the amateurs, the judging is suited for stick and move type fighters. I like to bang the body.”
Always committed to an offensive approach, Cynthia is a crowd-pleasing fighter; one that boxing fans will surely appreciate.
Tickets are priced at $80, $60, and $40. To charge by phone call promoter Jerry Hoffman at 831-688-1604. Advance orders are recommended. The box office at the San Jose civic will open at 12 noon of fight day, July 14th. Tickets can also be purchased at the Primer Round Magazine headquarters located at 523 South Bascom Ave San Jose Ca 95128 1(877) 759-8822.
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