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JOSEPH KING KONG AGBEKO, ABNER MARES PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND PHOTOS FROM SATURDAY, AUG. 13, 2011, AT HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO LAS VEGAS

Posted on | July 14, 2011 | No Comments

The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All
LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

LAS VEGAS, NEV., (July 14, 2011) – Just steps away from where all the action will take place one month from now at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Joseph King Kong Agbeko and Abner Mares took part in a spirited press conference Thursday at Muse Hall.

The press conference was well attended by a group of Las Vegas’ finest boxing media who heard from both fighters and their camps and promoters, including the legendary Don King, who waved flags for both Ghana and Mexico while heaping praise on Agbeko.

International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight champion Agbeko takes on undefeated rising star and World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver 118-pound titleholder Mares in The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All on Saturday, Aug. 13, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

“With the type of fight this will be, it’s proper for this fight to be at a place called Hard Rock,” King said.

Here are what the fighters and their promoters had to say on Thursday:

Joseph King Kong Agbeko:

“I had my first fight in Vegas at Hard Rock and won by KO.  I’m happy to be back.

“I want to thank Abner Mares and his team for their patience.  It’s going to be a great fight.

“I thank SHOWTIME for this tournament.  It will make me the best 118-pounder in the world when I win on Aug. 13.

“My prediction is that the announcer will say “And STILL IBF bantamweight champion of the world…

“I love fighting boxers over fighters because boxers use their brain.  This will be a good fight.

“I know that we have both fought Vic (Darchinyan) and Yonnhy (Perez).  He survived that but he will not survive me.


Abner Mares:

“I expect nothing but tough fights at this point in my career.  It helps me prepare better.  Against Vic (Darchinyan), I fought a war. I’ll do whatever I need to do.

“In December, I had to change my plan because of the cut (on my head).  Depending on how the fight goes over the first few rounds, I’ll adjust. I plan to box more this time but you never know.

“It would mean everything to get the IBF world title. Knowing you’re the world champ, that’s everything.

“It was frustrating at the time the first fight was called off.  I was at the peak of my training and I can’t lie, I’m human and I was very frustrated.  It destroyed me a little bit, but then I regrouped and the more mature Abner prevailed.  It’s Joseph’s health and that’s serious. I’m glad he’s better.  I saw him at the press conference before the fight in April and he was weak and limping.  I felt bad and realized that could have been me.

“I took three weeks off after the fight was called off and took my family vacation but I went right back to the gym when I got home and now I feel just as ready as last time, ready to be a world champ.

“Never in my short life did I think that I’d be sharing the stage with Don King.  This is incredible.

“I want to be Mexico’s 20th world champion.  I made my dream come true when I went to the Olympics in 2004 and now I will make my dream come true of becoming a world champion.

“Thanks to SHOWTIME for showcasing me.  Many people know who I am because my last two fights were on SHOWTIME.”

Don King, Agbeko’s Promoter:

“It’s always a pleasure to be in Las Vegas.  Thanks to Ken Hershman who chose to endure and conquer. This is more than a fight. It will be dedicated to W.E.B. DuBois.  He died in ’93 in Ghana and now the mantle has fallen on Joseph Agbeko. DuBois said in the 20th century color line is the biggest problem in America and now, King Kong will come down and beat on his chest and the elephants will come running.  Mares will be Poncho Villa and Agbeko will win for his Ghanaian people.  This is a fight for unity, solidarity and togetherness.

“I like Mares but it’s going to be a day for Joseph.  You’ve got to be there on the scene.  If you can’t, check it out on the screen.  This fight is a statement.  We’re part of history, and sorry Abner, to be a part of history, one must be sacrificed.

“Not only did Agbeko defeat something I can’t pronounce (Sciatica) but he will defeat Abner Mares this August 13 and we’ll be going on to better things.

“This is a great tournament.  SHOWTIME has been a vanguard for fighting for what is right.”

David Itskowitch, Golden Boy Promotions COO and Mares’ Promoter:

“I’m excited about this event, the Final of The Bantamweight Tournament.

“The first round was a great one and Saturday, Aug. 13, live on SHOWTIME at The Joint, we’ll have a great ending.  Tickets are very reasonable, starting at $25.  You can get tickets at the Hard Rock box office and Ticketmaster.com.

“When Abner wins this fight on Aug. 13, he will be the first fighter to have his pro debut all the way through winning a world championship with Golden Boy.  It’s been quite a journey.  I’m proud to know him. He is a family man and an example for all athletes.  He got here by winning a great knock-down, drag-out fight against Vic Darchinyan and the Final should be just as exciting.

“The Joint is a great place to see a fight.  It’s a fun spot.  There’s not a bad seat in the house.

“This fight would not be happening without SHOWTIME.  I want to thank Ken Hershman.  We hit a bump in the road with this tournament but Ken stuck with it.  He has a lot of experience in persevering like he has in the Super Six.  Thanks to Gordon Hall, David Dinkins (Jr.), Chris DeBlasio and the entire team that kept everything together.”

The world championship fight is promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions and is sponsored by Corona.

Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $25, along with a limited number of VIP suite seats priced at $150, are on sale now and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online atwww.Ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

For more information, visit www.donking.com or www.goldenboypromotions.com, become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or follow the event on twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing orwww.twitter.com/abnermares00.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://sports.sho.com/.


ATLANTIC CITY’S FINEST PROSPECTS TOP UNDERCARD THIS SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE NEW RESORTS IN ATLANTIC CITY

Posted on | July 14, 2011 | No Comments

 

Lavarn Harvell; Isaiah Seldon and Qa’Id Muhammad plus undefeated Kyle McNutt and Thomas Hardwick showcased on Heavyweight championship undercard


ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY (July 14, 2011)—This Saturday night at The New Resorts Hotel & Casino, Carla Hill Promotions will present a Heavyweight championship fight card that will be headlined by Maurice Harris and Derric Rossy battling for the USBA Heavyweight championship.

That fight will be supported by an outstanding undercard that will feature five undefeated fighters with three of them hailing from Atlantic City.

The entire show can also been seen LIVE around the world on www.gfl.tv for just $9.99 by clicking:
http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Carla_Hill_Presents_Boardwalk_Boxing/1123

Heading the undercard will be undefeated Lavarn “Baby Bowe” Harvell taking on Hamid Abdul Mateen in a four round Light Heavyweight bout.

Harvell of Atlantic City has a redord of 7-0 with three wins coming by knockout.

The twenty-three year old turned pro in 2008 with a win over Rafael Jastrzebki and hasn’t looked back ever since.

He has a first round knockout over then undefeated Randy Campbell and is coming off a first round stoppage over Khalil Farah on November 19, 2010.

This will be Harvell’s seventh fight in Atlantic City.

Mateen of Hempstead, New York has a record of 2-1 and is a on two fight winning streak.

He is coming off a four round unanimous decision over Bakari on April 13th.

The son of former World Heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon, Isaiah Seldon will take on Artie Bembury in a four round Middleweight bout.

Seldon of Atlantic City has a record of 4-0 with two knockouts.

He has been pro for just over a year and is making a name for himself.

He turned pro last July 2nd with a four round unanimous decision over Damion Reed and is coming off a third round stoppage over Juan Zapata on March 4th.  This will be Seldon’s fifth straight fight in Atlantic City.

Bembury of Bronx, NY has a record of 3-4 with one knockout.

The twenty-nine year turned pro in 2006 with a four round unanimous decision over Jose Guerrido and in his next fight he scored a four round unanimous decision over undefeated Jose Cardona.

He is coming off a first round knockout over David Tomlin on June 18th.

Making his return after almost a two-year absence is the explosive Qa’Id Muhammad.

Muhammad of Atlantic City will put his perfect knockout record (5-0, 5 KO’s) when he takes on Jose Rivera in a four round Bantamweight bout.

Muhammad turned pro in 2008 at the age of eighteen and went on a rampage by knocking out every opponent with his electric fast hands and dynamite power.

He turned pro with a fourth round stoppage over Mario Gaxiola and is coming off a third round stoppage over Alfredo Berto on July 31, 2009 in Atlantic City.

This will be Muhammad’s fifth appearance in Atlantic City.

Rivera of New Rochelle, NY has a record of 3-2-2 and has fared well against good competition.

The twenty-three year old turned pro with a four round unanimous decision over Gustavo Naranjo in 2004.

He followed that up with a draw with undefeated Raul Lopez.  Two fights later he scored a unanimous decision over undefeated Dwayne Larry Jr.  He then lost a majority decision to Elton Dharry before beating nineteen fight veteran Eilon Kadem.

In his last fight, Rivera fought a spirited draw with Angel Cruz (5-1) on June 25th in Philadelphia.

Two more undefeated Heavyweights will see action in separate four round bouts.

Thomas Hardwick (1-0,1 KO)of Yonkers, NY will take on Rodell Bolar (0-3) of Akron, Ohio.

Kyle McNutt (1-0, 1 KO) of Battle Creek, MI is taking on Keon Graham (2-6) of Akron, OH.

Rounding out the card will be local favorite Troy Maxwell (2-2, 1 KO) taking on Darrion Fletcher (1-1, 1 KO) of Evansville, Indiana in a four round Super Middleweight bout.

Tickets are priced at $125; $100; $75; $55 and $40 and can be purchased via Ticketmaster; The Resorts Box Office or calling 609-453-7994

The Doors open at 6:30 pm and the first bout is at 7:30

 

Bastardi, McFarland, Pritzlaff, Bormet, Duggan, Brisco on Saturday’s Takedown

Posted on | July 14, 2011 | No Comments

Fight Now USA Presents Takedown Wrestling from the Brute studios in Des Moines, Iowa at 1460 KXNO. Takedown Wrestling is brought to you by Kemin Agrifoods!

Join Takedown Wrestling Host Scott Casber and Brad Johnson with the Takedown Wrestling Headline News. Listen in this Saturday for Takedown Wrestling 9 to 11 AM CST/ 10 AM to 12 Noon Eastern.

Special in studio guests this week: Producers for the Live Pro Show to support the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Pro Hall of Fame at the Gable Museum, Danny Waggner and Troy Peterson

Our guests include:

9:01 Joe Bastardi- Our Penn State Wrestling Insider joins us

9:20 Joe McFarland- Head Coach of Michigan Wolverines
The Big 10 and the wrestling world waited while the ink dried and in the end the
staff and future for the Wolverines changed over night

9:40 Donnie Pritzlaff- New Assistant Coach of Michigan Wolverines

9:50 Max Muscle Minute with Ty Barkley

10:01 Sean Bormet- New Assistant Coach of Michigan Wolverines

10:20 Hacksaw Jim Duggan- High School Champion, NFL Player, Pro Star
WWE Hall of Famer, Cancer survivor will receive the Frank Gotch Award
at the Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa

10:40 Gerald Brisco- Oklahoma State Cowboy, WWE Hall of Famer

10:50 Maureen Roshar Wildrose Casino and Resort in Clinton, Iowa

Fans, Athletes, Coaches this is your sport. Now you can Join in the conversation LIVE, have an opinion just don’t suck, ask questions. 866-333-5966 515-204-5966

Join us LIVE 9 to 11 AM CST for Takedown Wrestling. Listen on radio, on computer, your Blackberry or
I Phone with the I Heart Radio App. KXNO.com, Takedownradio.com, I Heart Radio App

Scott Casber
Founder/Host
Takedown Wrestling Radio and TV
USA Wrestling Weekly
515-707-8657

Takedown Wrestling Media Weekly Interview Archive Update 07/14/11

Posted on | July 14, 2011 | No Comments

 

Audio Interview: Kim Couture
Jul 13, 2011 02:00 pm

Kim Couture According to Showdown Entertainment The ongoing saga of Kim Couture, continues to make headlines around the world. The official in her bout vs Sheila Bird seems to have blown it. At 1:33 in to the bout Bird apply’s a leg scissors choke to Couture and the referee repositions himself to get a better look at Couture’s face, she’s now trapped for twelve seconds, Couture’s legs go limp at 1:45 seconds and she goes unconscious. Another Six seconds go by and the ref finally steps in and halts the bout. Bird then releases the choke at 1:51. Was the official in question certified to ref an MMA bout. If the answer is No, then the Calgary commission should be taken to task. Others might blame Bird for not releasing

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Takedown Radio July 9 2011
Jul 10, 2011 08:50 pm

Interviews Mike Ester Mike Moyer Rich Bender Robbie Waller

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Wrestling fans-
Click here: to Watch the Latest Episode of TDRTV.
Click here: to Listen to the Latest Radio Episode.
Check your TV Guide for showtimes, our side column for local listings.

 

Boxing World Champion Bernard Hopkins to Become a Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Posted on | July 14, 2011 | No Comments

Ripleys

 

Ripley’s F/X Department to Create a Wax Figure of Champion

 

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 14, 2011) – While opponents have always thought fighting the current WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins was as hard as fighting two men in the ring, he will soon be able to show everyone there really is TWO of him!HopkinsDoor

 

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! will make a wax figure of the winning fighter to be displayed at a Ripley Odditorium in the future.

 

On Monday and Tuesday, July 18 and 19, Hopkins will be in the F/X Department at the world headquarters of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Orlando to begin the tedious task of having a full body  wax casting  made as the first step in having a wax figure created of himself.

 

Hopkins ActionHopkins, a future Hall of Fame two-time light heavyweight champion and former undisputed middleweight champion, became the oldest fighter at 46-years old in boxing history to win a major world championship with his unanimous decision victory over 28-year-old Jean Pascal on May 21, 2011.  He broke the previous world record set by former heavyweight champion George Foreman 16 years ago-Believe It or Not!

 

The figure will be unveiled to the public at a press conference during fight week activities for Hopkins’ next fight, which will be against Chad Dawson on Saturday, October 15.  An official announcement with more details about the fight and the figure unveiling will be forthcoming.

 

 

City Boxing’s Denis Grachev Stops Caminero

Posted on | July 14, 2011 | No Comments

CITY BOXING

Light heavyweight Denis “The Pirate” Grachev (11-0-1, 7 KOs) picked up the WBC Inter-Continental belt via a third-round stoppage victory over Eddie “Thunder” Caminero (7-5, 7 KOs). Picking off his wild-swinging opponent with crisper, stronger shots, Grachev steadily increased his output going into the third round, dazing Caminero along the ropes. Referee Frank Gentile jumped in to stop the action at 1:29 of the round, much to the chagrin of Caminero and the vocal crowd.


Russian-born light heavyweight Denis “The Pirate” Grachev (11-0-1, 7 KOs) of San Diego plundered the vacant WBC Inter-Continental belt with his 3rd-round stoppage over Eddie “Thunder” Caminero (7-5, 7 KOs) of Lawrence, Massachusetts in the 10-round main event. Grachev, the 28-year old former two-time World Kickboxing champion, continues to win on the road– scoring successive prior victories against former unbeaten fighters Vladine Biosse in Connecticut and Haitian Azea Augustama in Miami.

Caminero, a Puerto Rican puncher who likens his style to former champion Felix “Tito” Trinidad, started the action with wide-swinging power shots to Grachev’s body. The taller Russian took these shots in stride, using superior balance and footwork to locate his range and score lead right hands upstairs. Caminero came out blasting in the second round, winging power shots that often left him off balance when Grachev stepped to his side. The two men exchanged thudding right hands but Grachev followed his up with three crisp left hooks to the head and body to give him the first two rounds on the scorecards.

The third round showcased an accelerated attack from Grachev, who started mixing in right uppercuts to his arsenal. Caminero felt these shots and started backing away for a reprieve. However, The “Pirate” gave no quarter and stepped on the gas with crushing right hands and a double jab, straight right-left hook-right cross combo to leave Caminero treading water along the ropes. Referee Frank Gentile jumped in to wave off the surging Russian’s assault, much to the vocal disdain of Caminero and most of the crowd. It seemed an academic point as the dazed Puerto Rican stopped returning fire and faced another half-round of punishment when Gentile stepped in at 1:29 in the third.

Grachev commented afterwards: “I was ready for knockout, but referee didn’t give me much time. He saved the guy.” Now that he holds a regional belt in the talent-laden light heavyweight division, Grachev predicts: “I’m going to the top, for world title.” Given his penchant for pounding out victories away from home, the trip should be fun to watch.

Downtown 1059 14th Street San Diego, CA 92101

SIX QUESTIONS WITH GORDON HALL, SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Posted on | July 14, 2011 | No Comments

10th Anniversary This Weekend

Friday, July 15, Texas Station Gambling Hall & Casino, Las Vegas
Live at 11:05 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME®

NEW YORK (July 14, 2011) – When Gordon Hall was selected 10 years ago to be the executive producer of a new boxing series on SHOWTIME dedicated to giving young prospects a place to display their skills and start what would ultimately become the first steps to winning a world title, there was no way he could envision the success the series would attain.

This week, the popular ShoBox: The New Generation celebrates its 10th anniversary on Friday, July 15, at 11:05 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from Texas Station Gambling Hall & Casino in Las Vegas. Hall said he is excited for the fight-week festivities and the Top Rank-promoted doubleheader which will feature a night of junior lightweight action with undefeated Diego Magdaleno (19-0, 7 KOs) squaring off against Alejandro Perez (15-2-1, 10 KOs) and Casey Ramos (13-0, 4 KOs) taking on Georgi Kevlishvili (8-2, 3 KOs).

Hall knows the importance of a fighter getting the “ShoBox call” from him. “For young boxers, it’s a good opportunity to be seen and be the focal point of the broadcast,” Hall said. “And because they are in step-up fights, it helps to develop their careers at a faster pace, which is good for them.”

Hall describes himself as a “casual” boxing fan in college, who became an educated fan after arriving to work at SHOWTIME in 1990.

“I knew a lot of the bigger names and would get together with friends to watch the big fights,” he said. “It wasn’t until I worked as a Production Manager on NBC Sportsworld where we regularly showed boxing that I started to follow it more closely. Then when I started at Showtime, all we did was boxing, so it wasn’t hard to become an educated fan.”

Hall answered six questions recently:

Question: Take us back to that first night of ShoBox in 2001. What was going through your mind when the ShoBox fighters were introduced for that first show?

Hall: “That was a long time ago and my memory is not what it used to be but obviously, there’s a lot of time and effort put into launching a new series and this series was not one that focused on big name fighters or contenders. I just wanted to get across our definition and purpose of the series and the fighters’ stories. Then hopefully see some talented fighters, have some competitive fights. Though the fights could have been more competitive, we did get a look at Leonard Dorin, who became the first fighter to fight on ShoBox and go on to win a world title.”

Question: Did you envision ShoBox would be where it is today, stronger than it’s ever been?

Hall: “I never really thought about it. I just always believed in the show and hoped what we were doing would help develop fighters, give them exposure, and help grow the sport.”

Question: This past weekend Rico Ramos became the 43rd ShoBox alum to win a world title. Did you think this many future world champs would emerge from the series?

Hall: “The 43 world champions is significant primarily because we have only had a little over 150 shows – that’s roughly one every fourth show. I didn’t think about how many future titlists we would feature but I am pleased with what we have accomplished.”

Question: You watch a lot of undercard fights and a lot of tape of upcoming fighters. What do you look for in a potential ShoBox fighter?

Hall: “I generally look for a fighter who has had some amateur credentials as a lot of the fighters that fight on ShoBox don’t have much pro experience. I’ll review their pro records, speak with matchmakers and promoters about their development and try to get them to take the next step.”

Question: You must be proud when you look at a Top 10 pound-for-pound fighter like Andre Ward who displayed his skills early in his career on ShoBox. Did you think Andre was going to turn into such a special fighter watching him develop?

Hall: “Yes. Andre Ward is a source of pride for everyone at ShoBox because we feel like we essentially helped develop his career early on. Of course, Andre was well-known to some for winning an Olympic gold medal but we wanted him on ShoBox to let more fans get a look at him in the early stages of his pro career. After four ShoBox fights against not the best opposition, Ward proved he was a complete fighter – and not just a skilled fighter – against the rough-and-tumble Edison Miranda. That was a defining fight for him at the time and it let the public see that he wasn’t just a pretty fighter, but a legitimate Top 10 guy. One thing we’ve tried to do with this series is create an awareness and a familiarity with upcoming prospects who fans might be interested in following all the way to a possible shot at a world title. We’ve tried to bring guys back like Chris Avalos, Luis Franco and Lateef Kayode. Edwin Rodriguez and Shawn Porter are also guys who we feel have a good shot at becoming future world champions. That’s what ShoBox is all about.”

Question: What is your favorite ShoBox memory?

Hall: “We had a title fight on ShoBox between Tim Bradley and Junior Witter. Bradley had fought on ShoBox three times, never fought out of California and was in the top 10 and went to England to fight Witter for the title. Bradley was a big underdog but upset Witter for the title. We had a sense of accomplishment because Bradley developed on ShoBox and because of those opportunities we gave him, he was put in position to fight for the title.”

The 10th anniversary edition of ShoBox will be dedicated to the late Nick Charles. Curt Menefee will call the action alongside expert analyst Steve Farhood. Gordon Hall is the executive producer of ShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing the Rick Phillips directing.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http:// sho.com/sports.

UFC Newsletter (7-14-11)

Posted on | July 14, 2011 | No Comments

Tito’s Back – The Huntington Beach Bad Boy Takes On Rashad Evans At UFC 133
Former champions collide when Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz meet once again in the Octagon at UFC 133 on August 6th live from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia – on Pay-Per-View and UFC.TV. Tickets available now at Comcasttix.com

UFC 133 VIP Packages Now Available
Get front row seats, meet & greet UFC fighters, backstage tours, autographed merch, and more in Philadelphia!

STRIKEFORCE Challengers on Showtime – Friday, July 22 – Las Vegas, NV
STRIKEFORCE Fedor vs Henderson on Showtime – Sat. July 30 – Chicago, IL
UFC 133 Evans vs Ortiz on Pay-Per-View – Sat. August 6 – Philadelphia, PA

 

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