SHO Sports Video News Update: Froch vs. Johnson
Posted on | June 2, 2011 | No Comments
Tags: Auto > draft > Johnson > news > news update > SHO > Sport > sports video > update > video > video news
ELITE SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS ANDRE WARD, LUCIAN BUTE, MIKKEL KESSLER WEIGH IN ON FROCH-JOHNSON SEMIFINAL
Posted on | June 2, 2011 | No Comments
This Saturday, June 4, LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/PT
NEW YORK (June 2, 2011) – Carl Froch is the heavy favorite to defeat Glen Johnson Saturday in Atlantic City live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), but Super Six World Boxing Classic Finalist Andre Ward believes there’s a decent chance that “The Road Warrior” can upset “The Cobra” to claim the WBC Super Middleweight title and advance to the tournament Final.
“It’s a 50-50 fight,” Ward said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Carl Froch dominated Glen Johnson and I wouldn’t be surprised if Johnson pulled the upset.”
Ward (24-0, 13 KOs) will face the Froch-Johnson winner in the Final of the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic Cup and global recognition as the world’s No. 1 168-pound fighter.
“Mentally, I’m prepared to fight either guy,” Ward said. “The fans want to see Ward and Froch but it is Froch’s job to take care of his business and uphold his end of the bargain and Glen Johnson will have something to say about that on June 4.”
Mikkel Kessler, who defeated Froch in Group Stage 2 before withdrawing from the tournament with a serious eye injury, thinks Froch will have the upper hand in the Semifinal showdown.
“These are all difficult fights but I think Froch will win,” said Kessler, who will return to the ring for the first time since April 2010 in Saturday’s SHOWTIME co-feature. “It will be an awkward fight for both of them. They have different styles and different sizes, but Froch should win it.”
Kessler (43-2, 32 KOs), of Denmark, will face France’s Mehdi Bouadla (22-3, 10 KOs) in a same-day-delay telecast from Parken Football Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark. Kessler, who lost the WBA title to Ward in Group Stage 1, has shown interest in challenging Froch or Ward in a rematch in the future, or squaring off with IBF Super Middleweight Champion Lucian Bute, should he emerge victorious from Saturday’s comeback bout.
“I’d prefer a rematch against Froch in the future over a fight against Johnson,” Kessler said. “Froch would make the best matchup for Ward. I hope that Froch will learn from Ward’s previous fights. I didn’t know much about Ward when I fought him – he’s fast and clever. I definitely would want to see Ward vs. Froch in the Final.”
Like Kessler, Bute – who will be ringside for the fight – also thinks Froch will edge out Johnson in a tough scrap.
“I think Carl Froch will beat Glen Johnson in a spectacular fight,” Bute said. “Glen is a good fighter with a lot of experience. He’ll do his best to get to the Final of the Super Six. But Froch is younger and physically stronger. He’ll win by decision in a tough fight.”
While Bute (28-0, 23 KOs), of Montreal, Canada, by way of Romania, hasn’t fought any of the fighters in the tournament, he’s eagerly awaiting his chance to face the best 168-pounders in the world.
“I want to face anybody who wants to fight me,” Bute said. “I’m ready for everyone. I can’t wait for my next fight in my own country of Romania in July. It’s going to be an amazing experience for me and a dream come true. I will beat (Jean-Paul) Mendy. After that, I want a big fight this fall and then face the winner of the Super Six.”
Bute will defend his IBF title against Mendy (29-0-1, 26 KOs) on July 9 in Bucharest, Romania. Highlights from the fight will be televised on the July 9 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader. Brando Rios will defend his WBA Lightweight Championship for the first time against Urbano Antillon in the main event while Kermit Cintron will square off with Carlos Molina in the co-feature.
While Bute thinks Froch will defeat Johnson, he asserts “The Road Warrior” would be a tougher opponent for Ward in the Final.
“In my opinion, Carl Froch and Glen Johnson could be a good match up for Andre Ward,” Bute said. “Froch-Ward would be more a strategic fight; Froch has a good jab and he moves well in the ring.
“But Johnson-Ward would be more spectacular. Johnson is an aggressive fighter and he would constantly pressure Andre Ward. With either matchup it’s really a win-win situation.”
Froch-Johnson is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Warriors Boxing and Carl Froch.
For more information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic including exclusive photos, fight highlights and interviews, plus to view all episodes of the acclaimed documentary series FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic, please visit the website at www.WorldBoxingClassic.com.
Tags: Andre Ward > Auto > Boxing > care > Carl Froch > championship > chance > copenhagen denmark > decent chance > draft > Eye > eye injury > fight > finalist > football stadium > FROCH-JOHNSON > future > Glen Johnson > global recognition > Group > group stage > interest > June > Lucian Bute > matchup > mehdi > middleweight > middleweight title > Mikkel Kessler > pound fighter > recognition > rematch > ring > road warrior > semifinal showdown > SHOWTIME > something > Super Middleweight > time > WBA Title > winner > world boxing
Wrestling Links (6-2-11)
Posted on | June 2, 2011 | No Comments
| Full Impact Wrestling Taping Results For Tonight Wrestling News World Below are full taping results for tonight’s edition of Impact Wrestling. We’ll have live coverage of the show tonight at 9 PM EDT here at WrestlingNewsWorld.com. * The show opens with Velvet Sky and ODB fighting backstage they come through the Impact … See all stories on this topic »
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| Lions set wrestling schedule Centre Daily Times UNIVERSITY PARK — The Penn State wrestling team will begin defense of its NCAA title on familiar ground. The Nittany Lions’ 2011-12 schedule, which was released Wednesday, includes seven home meets and no journeys beyond Pennsylvania during November … See all stories on this topic »
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| Thursday Morning Backlash on Macho Man Randy Savage Inside Pulse JZ Says: Randy Savage was always one of my favorite wrestlers to watch as a kid. While I’ve been watching wrestling since before I can even remember, the years I start having clear memories are the years that Macho Man was blowing up. … See all stories on this topic »
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| Five most underrated Wrestlers in WWE Yahoo! Sports Contributor Network 12 hours, 27 minutes ago While the names like John Cena and Randy Orton draw all the media attention, it is the mid-card wrestlers that have helped elevate WWE. Back in the days of World Championship Wrestling, these were the lucha … See all stories on this topic »
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| Rutgers gives Goodale five-year extension Asbury Park Press Since leaving Jackson Memorial High in 2007, Scott Goodale has rewarded Rutgers with a top-10 national wrestling program. On Wednesday, Rutgers rewarded Goodale. The Scarlet Knights’ fourth-year wrestling coach signed a five-year contract extension, … See all stories on this topic »
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| Top Ten Pro Wrestling Hotties By Camel Clutch Blog Who are the hottest women in the squared circle? Check out the top ten wrestling beauties and see if your favorite Diva or Knockout made the top ten. Business Insider – http://www.businessinsider.com/ |
Tags: Auto > Bleacher Report > Blend > Centre > centre daily times > Cinema > clear memories > com > draft > edition > familiar ground > five knuckle shuffle > Hulk Hogan > John Cena > journeys > kid > Macho > macho man randy > mediabistro > Morning > nbsp > NCAA > ncaa title > news > nittany lions > NWA > odb > Park > show > sports > Thursday > TONIGHT > topic > velvet sky > Wednesday > World Heavyweight Champion > wrestler flair > wrestling links > wrestling news world > wrestling team > WrestlingNewsWorld > Yahoo Sports
UFC trainer and Golden Gloves Boxing Champion to make MMA Debut at WCF 11 on June 18th
Posted on | June 2, 2011 | No Comments
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Tags: action > Arts > Auto > bestway > BJJ > Bombsquad > Boxing > camp > champion > championship > combat > Dan Lauzon > draft > dragon lair > england championship > fight > fighting > first timer > Frank Shamrock > Golden > Golden Gloves > grappling > kaos > lightweight championship > Main > Maurice Smith > Maxx > Michael Bisping > mike mason > miss this opportunity > Mixed Martial Arts > nbsp > Pacheco > role > Smith > USA Boxing > video > WCF > weisman > youtube video
Godfrey at Crossroads against Kayode
Posted on | June 2, 2011 | No Comments
PROVIDENCE (June 2, 2011) – World cruiserweight title challenger Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (20-2, 10 KOs) finds himself at the crossroads of his professional career, preparing for his June 10 10-round main event throw-down against undefeated, ultra-hyped Nigerian knockout artist Lateef “Power” Kayode for the vacant NABA title, live on ShoBox from Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California.
After being stopped for the first time in his career last August, when he unsuccessfully challenged World Boxing Organization champion Marco “Kapt’n” Huck in Germany, Godfrey was somewhat lost and confused as a promotional free agent. Matt put full trust in his manager, Brett Hallenbeck, who negotiated the fight against Kayode, switched Matt’s head trainer, and guided the Providence fighter into signing a contract with Rumble Time Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.
Kayode (16-0, 14 KOs), trained by living legend Freddie Roach, is rated in the top eight in the four major governing bodies: WBA #3, WBO #4, WBC #5 and IBF #8. “Fighting a top 10 fighter is a great opportunity for me to get back where I belong with the top cruiserweights in the world,” Godfrey said. “I needed to take this fight and then win it impressively on one of the biggest networks. A big win puts me in the top 10 and right back in the picture.
“I’m confident I can win against anybody I fight because I have all of the tools to beat the best. It’s just a matter or execution. I saw his (Kayode’s) last fight (in which he looked vulnerable against Nicholas Iannuzzi) and he was tested. But I’m expecting to be fighting him at his best, not like he looked in his last fight, because I know he’s been working on making those improvements. I don’t think his last fight, or mine, have any bearing on this fight. I can’t go back to my last fight. It’s like a quarterback who throws an interception. He can’t take that back out on the field and have it in his head. I can’t go into the ring for this fight thinking about Huck. That’s in my past.”
The 30-year-old Godfrey is a full-blooded Native American (Wampanoug) who was rated No. 10 by The Ringmagazine before his fight with Huck. He has held a number of regional titles including the NABF, NABA, USNBC, WBA Continental Americas and Sovereign Nations Boxing Council. His most notable victories as a pro have been against Felix Cora, Jr, Danny Batchelder, Shaun George, Emmanuel Nwodo, Shawn Hawk, Ernest Mateen and Jermell Barnes.
Godfrey-Kayode is a classic match-up of contrasting styles with the consummate boxer taking on the powerhouse slugger.” My game plan is to box but things change sometimes when you get punched in the face,” Godfrey explained. “I realize what this fight means. I’m going in the ring to win this fight with my skills and experience. I will be in the best condition of my life – I guarantee that – and people are going to see the best of me.
“I’m not going to stay in the pocket with him all night, but I’m not going to stay away from him like everybody he’s fought. I have to adjust during the fight and not keep doing the same things over and over again. I’ll do some stuff that’s uncharacteristic for me and I’m going to try and make him do some uncharacteristic things, too.”
Years ago, Matt started boxing at Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket with “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr., another world title challenger and star of The Contender, Season One reality television program, and 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada.
Godfrey is back training at Manfredo’s Gym. Peter Manfredo, Sr. is his assistant trainer, while Ross Enmait – also a top strength-and-conditioning coach – moved up from assistant to head trainer.
“I’ve been training with Ross the past three, four years,” Matt added. “I had been doing 60-percent of my training with him. So this is no big deal for us. He may be better known as a strength-and-conditioning coach, but he’s also been a good trainer for many years.”
Godfrey was an outstanding amateur boxer, culminating with a 194-23 record, and first alternate position as a heavyweight for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team. He captured six national championships (four open tournaments including the 2004 Everlast U.S. Championships, plus two in the Junior Olympics), a Bronze medal at the 2001 Pan-American Games, Silver Medalist in all four of that year’s national major tournaments – National Golden Gloves, PAL (Police Athletic League), U.S. Championships and U.S. Challenge – and reigned as a six-time New England Golden Gloves champion.
His amateur victims included several leading contemporary pros such as former WBA middleweight title challenger Randy “The Gentleman Griffin), Chazz “Mensa With Muscles” Witherspoon, Devin Vargas, Corey “Black Ice” Cummings, Leonard “Haitian Sensation” Pierre and John Johnson.
Now, however, Godfrey is at the crossroads with a monster looming in the opposing corner.
Tags: assistant > Auto > big win > Boxing > champion > Chumash > chumash casino in santa ynez > contract > DiBella > draft > event > fight > fighting > Freddie Roach > free agent > Godfrey > Golden > governing bodies > GYM > hallenbeck > head > Huck > hyped > interception > kapt > last fight > living legend > main event > manager > nbsp > Nigerian > organization > professional career > ring > round > santa ynez california > ShoBox > time > time promotions > WBC > WBO > World Boxing Organization
Official Statement: Graham Earl – We’re finally there, Earl-Katsidis II Agreed
Posted on | June 2, 2011 | No Comments
Graham Earl – We’re finally there, Earl-Katsidis II Agreed.
Earlier today Michael Katsidis and his manager Brendon Smith issued a statement saying that an agreement had been reached with Graham Earl and that the long awaited rematch of their epic 2007 encounter will take place in Queensland, Australia later this year.
Their first encounter, for the WBO interim Lightweight title, took place before a packed house at Wembley Arena. The fight rightly earned the 2007 Fight of the Year honours as the fans were treated to a full on battle royale. For five action packed rounds the pair traded punches. Both tasted the canvas, Earl three and Katsidis once before Graham’s corner retired him on the stool.
Earlier today Graham responded to Michael and Brendon’s statement, “Yeah, brilliant, we’re finally there. Once we’ve got the contracts and we’ve signed them it’ll be all systems go.
We’re looking at the end of August or early September but no later than the first week of September. Location wise I’m not a hundred percent sure other than it will be in Queensland.
I know that there are a lot of doubters out there and obviously I can’t blame them.
With regards to the loss to Henry Castle that was purely down to a fighter shouldn’t have to train himself and having no sparring. To be honest with you it wasn’t very professional and that’s what that all came down to.
I know that there are a lot of doubters out there that are saying ‘no you shouldn’t fight you’ll get hurt’ and that, but most of these people have not been in the ring before.
People get hurt when they don’t do the weight and cut out the fluids and food. I’ve been there and see it happen. But I’ve always done it right and I will always do it right.
I’ve been training, I’ve been ticking over myself. I didn’t want to go jump the gun until it’s a hundred percent done deal. We’ve been here before, maybe once or twice before and it’s gone off.
Now it’s finally here and it’s really going to happen so now I’ll sit down and start putting it together and work out what we want to do.
I can’t wait to avenge my loss of 2007. It’s going to be another war, I have no choice on that as it’s the way Katsidis fights. To be honest with you it’ll be a tough, tough fight but I found it quite easy fighting that way last time.
I’ve seen that fight so many times in my head there wont be any half heartedness from me. I’ll make sure that and give the fans the fight they want and deserve.”
An announcement, giving the date and location of the highly anticipated rematch, is expected shortly.
Tags: action > Auto > battle royale > brendon > canvas > contracts > deal > draft > Earl > early september > encounter > fight > first encounter > half > head > Henry Castle > honours > house > Lightweight title > location > manager > Michael Katsidis > percent > place > punches > Queensland > queensland australia > rematch > RIGHT > royale > statement saying that > time > wait > WBO > YEAR
RYAN BARRETT Vs. GEOFFREY MUNIKA; International Masters Lightweight Title; SEARCH AND DESTROY
Posted on | June 2, 2011 | No Comments
4th June 2011 @ York Hall, London
London – Thursday, 2nd June 2011
Ryan Barrett – I Will Still Be Champion On Saturday
On September 11th 2010 Ryan ‘Mr Attitude’ Barrett comprehensively destroyed Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander, in just one minute and thirty six seconds, to be crowned the International Masters Lightweight Champion.
Ryan was clinical in his approach and within that 96 seconds sent the highly rated Alexander to the canvas no less than three times.
This coming Saturday Ryan will return to the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, to defend his title, against former Kenyan Super Featherweight Champion Geoffrey ‘The Tiger’ Munika, at the Olivia Goodwin Main Events promoted ‘Search & Destroy’ super show.
Ryan’s opponent on Saturday is no mug either, in his career Munika has challenged for various titles, including the WBF World crown. he’s traveled the World challenging many well known stars, include some here in the UK.
A couple of years ago Munika traveled to London, more specifically York Hall, where he challenged current British Light Welterweight Champion Ashley Theopane. Munika may have lost but he took the heavy hitting Theopane the full fight distance.
Just two weeks later Munika was back in action at York Hall, this time against the current British Welterweight Champion Lee Purdy. Munika went one step further this time, holding Purdy to a 57-57 draw.
Three months later Munika returned to the UK to face two-time British Lightweight title challenger John Watson. However this time Munika was less successful and was stopped in the first round.
Out of his last six fights Munika has won four, three by stoppage, had one technical draw, after his opponent was injured, and just the single loss, which is not that different from Ryan, who in his last six outings has five wins, with just the one by stoppage, and a single loss.
Munika’s not the only one to have fought some big British names in his career. Besides Alexander, Ryan has fought Willie Limond, for the WBU Lightweight World title – and if you see that fight you already know some good old home cooking, in Limond’s favour, took place to rob Ryan of that title. Ryan also fought British and Commonwealth champion John Simpson and more famously current WBA Light Welterweight World Champion Amir ‘King’ Khan.
That’s all history now though as, on June 4th, these two battle hardened warriors will go to war on twenty foot by twenty foot of canvas at York Hall, for ten rounds, or less, after which one of them will be crowned the International Masters Lightweight Champion as well as catapult up the rankings to compete for further championship honours.
Earlier today Ryan explained how the fight with Munika came about, “He (Geoffrey Munika) said he wanted a crack at a big fight, so I spoke to Steve and Olivia and we made the fight.
he doesn’t seem to travel too well, he got stopped by John Watson and lost to Ashley Theopane on points, so I think it’ll be a sturdy test for maybe a few rounds, like when I fought the Croatian and I think it’ll be a middle, late rounds stoppage for me really.
I am certain I will still be Champion on Saturday”
Ryan then went on to talk about his career since the victory over Mark Alexander to lift the coveted International Masters belt, as well as his future aspirations, “It seems that before the Mark Alexander fight everyone was prepared to fight me, but now the phone don’t ring and I just get lumbered with odds and ends really. It was a bad move by me, it definitely scared them all off.
I think that fight made me realise I’d played around for a few years and messed about with it. I’d not trained properly, I’m always fit just never sparred or did my training how it should have been done.
Once Steve (Goodwin) arranged the Alexander fight, it was a meaningful fight, and since then made me realise if I put my mind to it I can do it.
I’d only ever been given half a chance, they’d call me in at two weeks or so notice. The Khan one was five or six days. I never really got to have a fair crack at it. Under Steve I always get a fair crack, sometimes ten weeks to prepare for a fight, like a championship fight.
I’d get to go away, I might go abroad for a couple of weeks and run in the mountains or I get proper sparring in and I get time to prepare for a fight and one opponent, not a chop and change of opponents. It makes a big difference.
At the 9-9 limit I’d fight any of them really, I’d really like the winner of Murray-Rees or Mitchell-Murray or Alex Arthur doesn’t seem to be doing nothing. Any of those guys I’d fight for the British title.
But before that I have the fight on Saturday, once I win that then we can look at one of those other fights.”
Ryan Barrett versus Geoffrey Munika for the International Masters lightweight Title headlines the Olivia Goodwin Main Events promoted ‘Search & Destroy’ event at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 4th June 2011.
Tickets, priced £35 (Standard seated) and £50 (Ringside) for the ‘Search and Destroy’ event are available on-line now atwww.tkoboxoffice.com, in person at The TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA or from any boxer appearing on the show. For further information call: 07960 850645
Tags: Auto > Barrett > Bethnal Green > british welterweight > challenger > draft > flash alexander > international masters > john watson > lightweight champion > Lightweight title > london london > london thursday > olivia > opponent > purdy > six seconds > stoppage > super featherweight champion > title search > welterweight champion > world crown
Mixed Martial Arts Links (6-2-11)
Posted on | June 2, 2011 | No Comments
| MMA Fighting Stances: Mixed martial arts intelligence from the cage and ring USA Today That contract allows Diaz to fight for both of Zuffa’s mixed martial arts promotions. But it precludes professional boxing, which Diaz originally planned to pursue in the fall. “They were very fair in their dealings with us,” Gracie said. … See all stories on this topic »
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| 50 Things You Absolutely Will Never See in the UFC Bleacher Report Under Dana White’s leadership, the UFC is leading the sport of mixed martial arts into uncharted territory as the fastest-growing sport in the United States, and probably several other nations to boot. Along with the lengthy lists of great fighters, … See all stories on this topic »
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| Martial, marital arts prove a labor of love MyCentralJersey.com I won’t let you be average,” Holland recalled the sensei at the Watchung Tiger Schulmann’s Mixed Martial Arts telling her while assessing her physical abilities. “I was a little mad,” she admitted. “I asked a friend, ‘Can you believe the nerve of this … See all stories on this topic »
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| How’s Taste My Tweet Tweet? Mixed Martial Arts on Twitter for the 1st Week of June Bloody Elbow “Sherdog(all 3 Judges) Bloody Elbow, Heavymma and MMA rising all gave the fight to Miguel Torres. What did you guys think? …Over 2500 people voted on who they think won between Torres and Johnson. 77% say Torres… Its a shame the judges don’t seem … See all stories on this topic »
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| Coquitlam makes move on MMA Coquitlam Now Council voted unanimously Monday to forward a letter to the Great Canadian Gaming Corp. expressing support for mixed martial arts (MMA) events at the Red Robinson Theatre, provided they be sanctioned by a governing body known as the Mixed Martial Arts … See all stories on this topic »
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| TUF 13 Episode 10 Recap: Season’s Final Episode Determines Finalists MMAWeekly Lesnar is elated by Tony’s performance and hopes that his natural ability will help fill in the holes that have yet to be satisfied in his mixed martial arts game. “We’re just hoping that his pure athleticism will make up for some things,” says Lesnar. … See all stories on this topic »
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| Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 13 Finale fight card: Kyle Kingsbury vs Fabio Maldonado … MMAmania.com Maldonado was 22-0 in boxing and he’s got 12 knockouts in MMA. The Arizona State product should only stand with him long enough to lower his defenses and allow for takedowns. How he got here: Fabio Maldonado was an esteemed Brazilian boxer who made the … See all stories on this topic » |
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