MIGUEL COTTO & HALL OF FAME TRAINER EMANUEL STEWARD MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES

Posted on | February 23, 2011 | No Comments

Cotto vs. Mayorga – Saturday, March. 12,

at MGM Grand Garden Arena, LIVE on SHOWTIME PPV®

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., (Feb. 22, 2011) – World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight champion Miguel Cotto and his Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward met with the South Florida media on Tuesday to talk about the Pride of Puerto Rico’s upcoming matchup with two-division world champion Ricardo Mayorga, which will take place on Saturday, March 12, at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev.

Cotto vs. Mayorga will be produced and distributed LIVE on SHOWTIME PPV®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Cotto and Steward started working together prior to Cotto’s win over former WBA super welterweight champion and future rabbi Yuri Foreman in June of 2010. Cotto, of Caguas, Puerto Rico, has held a world title every year since 2004 and has won 15 of the 17 world championship bouts he has fought. Mayorga, of Managua, Nicaragua, is known for his reckless abandon and fearlessness inside the ring – a style of fighting that has produced 23 knockouts out of his 29 victories and legions of fans.

Here’s some of what Cotto and Mayorga had to say on Tuesday:

MIGUEL COTTO:

“We are having a good training camp. We know that we need to be in great condition to do what we want to do in the ring.”

About Mayorga:

“Mayorga is a wild puncher and you have to be very concentrated at all times.

“He’s a big puncher and will try to use his power, but we will be ready for whatever he brings that night.”

On Steward:

“I feel very good working with him. He wants me to go back to my boxing style and it’s working very well.

“This is our second camp together and we are getting to know each other and working much better together this time around.”

On fighting in Las Vegas:

“I always enjoy fighting there and I am sure that I will have a lot of support.”

EMANUEL STEWARD:

“Miguel was always a beautiful boxer and I am trying to get him back to doing that more.”

“Mayorga is wild and throws punches from everywhere and that’s the biggest challenge for Miguel in this fight.”

“We are working better this second time around because we know each other better. He is very smart is open to everything I bring to him.”

The Cotto vs. Mayorga pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95. It will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV®. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. For Cotto vs. Mayorga fight week updates, log on to www.sports.SHO.com or www.toprank.com

Quarterfinal Golden Gloves Bouts, sponsored by Gleason’s March 9, 2011

Posted on | February 23, 2011 | No Comments

March 9, 2011. This Wednesday evening show is part of the quarterfinals of the Daily News Golden Gloves.

The first bout will begin at 7:30PM.

The location of the show is the Masonic Temple at 317 Clermont Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225.

The ticket price is $25 per person.

Please support Gleason’s Athletic Club a 501 c 3 corporation, which runs our amateur program and our “Give A Kid A Dream” foundation.

Come to the show and have a really good time. Some of New York’s best amateur boxers both male and female will be competing this evening.

Buy your tickets in advance. Call Gleason’s Gym at (718) 797 2872 or email the gym at info@gleasonsgym.net and arrange for payment.

If you cannot attend the show in person, you can still be a supporter and make a donation payable to Gleason’s Athletic Club. Please send your check to 77 Front St. 2nd Fl., Brooklyn, NY 11201. You can also call the gym at (718) 797 2872 or email the gym at info@gleasonsgym.net and give a donation by credit card.

“ACTION HEROES” TAKE TO THE BIG STAGE ON APRIL 9 IN AN EVENT FEATURING SIX ALL-ACTION CHAMPIONS

Posted on | February 23, 2011 | No Comments

ERIK MORALES VS. MARCOS MAIDANA

WINKY WRIGHT VS. MATTHEW MACKLIN

ROBERT GUERRERO VS. MICHAEL KATSIDIS

FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS

AND TELEVISED LIVE ON HBO PAY-PER-VIEW®

LOS ANGELES, CA (February 22) – To become a legend, you must beat a legend and on Saturday, April 9, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., six “Action Heroes” will be featured in one night of all-out action fights where every bout pits two fighters looking to prove something against each other. The HBO Pay-Per-View televised event features Five-Time and Three-Division World Champion Erik “El Terrible” Morales taking on former WBA Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana in the main event. The telecast also features former Undisputed Junior Middleweight World Champion Winky Wright facing current European Middleweight Champion Matthew “Mack The Knife” Macklin as well as former World Champions Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Michael Katsidis “The Great” squaring off in what promises to be a slugfest.

“Given the styles, heart and determination of both fighters, Morales vs. Maidana has Fight of the Year written all over it,” said Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. “These two fighters only know one way to fight, and that’s moving forward. Plus, we have a crossroads battle between a future Hall of Famer in Winky Wright, against a young slugger trying to make a name for himself in the U.S. in Matthew Macklin. You can expect one of the greatest matchups of lightweights in the game today when Robert Guerrero and Michael Katsidis, two warriors who will leave everything in the ring, face each other. I personally can’t wait to watching all three of these great fights on April 9.”

“Boxing fans are filled with anticipation for April 9,” said Mark Taffet of HBO Pay-Per-View. “Boxing legends Erik Morales and Winky Wright in tough comeback fights; non-stop action fighters like Marcos Maidana and Michael Katsidis; and courageous Robert Guerrero continuing his rise to the top. We’re looking forward to a great event.”

The pride of Tijuana, Erik “El Terrible” Morales (51-6, 35 KO’s) has epitomized the heart and skill of the Mexican warrior for 18 years and at 34 he believes he still has plenty to offer the boxing world. A winner of world titles at junior featherweight, featherweight, and junior lightweight, Morales’ resume reads like a who’s who of the best of this era, with his list of vanquished foes including Daniel Zaragoza, Junior Jones, Wayne McCullough, Kevin Kelley, In-Jin Chi, Paulie Ayala, Jesus Chavez and Carlos Hernandez. The last man to defeat Manny Pacquiao, which he did in their first of three bouts in 2005, “El Terrible” is best remembered for his classic trilogy with Marco Antonio Barrera, a rivalry which captivated all of Mexico and the entire boxing world. Following his 2007 bout with David Diaz, Morales took a nearly three year hiatus from the ring, but upon his return in 2010, he has been in championship form with wins over Jose Alfaro, Willie Limond and Francisco Lorenzo, setting the stage for one of boxing’s most highly anticipated showdowns when he takes on Maidana.

“Marcos Maidana is an exciting young fighter and there is no quit in either of us,” said Morales. “Like true warriors, we will keep fighting until the end. I know my hand will be raised as the winner when it is over.”

Quickly becoming known as one of boxing’s most exciting fighters, Santa Fe, Argentina’s Marcos “El Chino” Maidana (29-2, 27 KO’s) has won over legions of fans in the United States since he made his American debut in June of 2009. It was in that fight that Maidana burst onto the international boxing scene with a stunning upset victory over “Vicious” Victor Ortiz. The bout lasted less than six rounds, but saw Maidana hit the canvas three times and Ortiz twice before the action was halted in the sixth round in a fight that received mention as a Fight of the Year candidate. One of the most powerful and concussive punchers in the sport, as evidenced by the fact that 93% of his wins came via knockout, 27-year-old Maidana once again wowed fans in his last fight on December 11, 2010 when he took on WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Amir Khan in the Boxing Writers Association of America 2010 Fight of the Year. In a back-and-forth battle, Maidana fought through a first round knockdown and endured through the early rounds as he closed the gap against Khan in the late rounds. Khan survived a vicious tenth round onslaught by Maidana in which he looked to be on the brink of being knocked out, and went on to win a close unanimous decision in an instant classic. Maidana will look to give his fans a little more of his brand of boxing excitement when he faces Morales on April 9.

“Erik Morales is one of the greatest fighters of all-time and I’m honored and excited to be fighting him,” said Maidana. “But when the bell rings, I will put respect aside and do what I do best – which is knock my opponent out.”

A mainstay on the pound-for-pound list throughout his reign as Undisputed Junior Middleweight World Champion and as a top middleweight contender, St. Petersburg, Florida’s Winky Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO’s) is a gifted technician in the ring whose skill and savvy have befuddled opponents for two decades. The 39-year old Wright won his first world title in 1996 when he defeated Bronco McKart for the WBO Junior Middleweight crown and, with the exception of a majority decision loss to Harry Simon and a controversial majority decision loss to Fernando Vargas that most observers had Wright winning, he reigned over the 154-pound division for eight years. His biggest wins came in 2004 when he defeated Shane Mosley in back-to-back bouts. In 2005, Wright moved up to the middleweight division and issued defeats to Felix Trinidad, Sam Soliman and Ike Quartey, proving over and over that he was among boxing’s pound for pound best. His only defeats in nearly a decade came at the hands of future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins (at Light Heavyweight) and Paul Williams in his last fight in April of 2009. On April 9, he returns to the ring to begin his search of a fourth world championship. A win for Wright likely means a world title shot will be in his immediate future. A loss for Wright likely means the end of a great career and induction into the Hall of Fame in five years. In Wright’s mind, the later is not an option right now.

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring on April 9th,” said Wright. “I feel stronger, faster and sharper than ever, and I’m ready to reclaim what’s mine, but first, I’ll have to show Matthew Macklin some new tricks in Vegas.”

A gritty battler hailing from Birmingham, England, Matthew Macklin (28-2, 19 KO’s) is coming back to fight in the United States for the first time since 2005, eager to show fans in Las Vegas just why he has become a European sensation over the last few years. A crowd-pleaser whose only loss in the last seven years was in a classic 10-round brawl with Jamie Moore, the 28-year old Macklin has since won 11 in a row, six by knockout, including a first round TKO of 26-2 Amin Asikainen in September of 2009 that earned him the European Boxing Union Middleweight title. Macklin has defended his title twice, most recently against Ruben Varon (W12) last December, but he’s ready to make a splash on the international stage against one of the best fighters in the game. For Macklin, like Wright, a win on April 9 likely secures him a world title shot. A loss will mean heading back to the drawing board in the U.K. to rebuild, but Macklin fully intends on making some history of his own at the expense of the future Hall of Famer.

“This is exactly the kind of fight I’ve been looking for and I believe it will bring out the absolute best in me,” said Macklin. “Wright is someone I’ve looked up to throughout my career but this is my time to make a big impact in the U.S. and this is the perfect fight to do that in.”

One of boxing’s most talented and inspiring fighters, 27-year-old Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (28-1-1, 18 KO’s) has built up an impressive boxing resume in winning the IBF Featherweight title in 2006, defending it several times, then moving up to junior lightweight and winning a World Championship there in 2009. His achievements are even more impressive when you consider that he has done all of it while helping to care for his wife Casey who was diagnosed with Leukemia in late 2007. In early 2010, Guerrero vacated his title in order to be at his wife’s side as she went through treatment which thankfully sent her cancer into remission. With Casey on the mend, Guerrero returned to the ring, and re-established himself as one of the premier fighters in the world with wins over Roberto David Arrieta (TKO8), Cuban great Joel Casamayor (W10) and former U.S. Olympian Vicente Escobedo (W10). In 2011, he will seek a world title in a third division, but first must get past Katsidis who will is looking to make some lightweight noise of his own.

“The opportunity to face Michael Katsidis after our first fight did not happen is something that means a great deal to me,” said Guerrero. “I appreciate the fact that Michael stepped up for this fight especially when other champions and contenders wouldn’t. I think together we’re going to put on a great fight for the fans.”

The hard-charging pride of Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, Michael Katsidis “The Great” (27-3, 22 KO’s) is a thrill-a-minute warrior who has gained fans around the globe with his “go-for-broke” fighting style. Often compared to the late Arturo Gatti for his tendency to be involved in all-action, dramatic fights (as well as his tendency to get cut), Katsidis is an offensive machine who moves in one direction…forward at his opponents. A two-time holder of the WBO Interim Lightweight crown, the 30-year-old is currently riding a streak of memorable performances which includes a stoppage of Jesus “Matador” Chavez, a stirring win over Vicente Escobedo, a three-round blitz of then-undefeated Kevin Mitchell. Continuing that run, in his most recent bout, he took on Juan Manuel Marquez in a Fight of the Year candidate that saw Katsidis put the future Hall of Famer on the canvas before being halted in the ninth round by the Mexican superstar. Katsidis will look to make a comeback statement against Robert Guerrero on April 9.

“Robert Guerrero is an outstanding young fighter and our styles match up well for a fight everyone will remember,” said Katsidis. “But I’m going to take him places he’s never gone in the ring and I know I will come out with a big win.”

Tickets for “Action Heroes” priced at $350, $250, $150, $75, $50 and $25 are on sale now and availableto charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

“Action Heroes” featuring Morales vs. Maidana in a 12-round junior welterweight bout, Wright vs. Macklin in a 10-round super middleweight fight and Guerrero vs. Katsidis in a 12-round lightweight battle is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Erik Morales’ Box Latino and Universum Box Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, DeWalt Tools and Tres Generaciones. Wright vs. Macklin is presented in association with Winky Promotions and Guerrero vs. Katsidis is presented in association with Sampson Boxing. The bouts will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

The Morales vs. Maidana pay-per-view telecast, which begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $44.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Morales vs. Maidana fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

A stacked slate of undercard bouts, including the rest of the HBO Pay-Per-View broadcast, will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/boxlatino, www.twitter.com/chinomaidana, www.twitter.com/TeamGuerrero or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.

Interview With Kevin Mitchell

Posted on | February 23, 2011 | No Comments

By: Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

15th May 2010 is a date etched deep in the memory of the tens of thousands of Dagenham’s Kevin Mitchell’s supporters. On that fateful night over twenty four thousand of those partisan fans packed in to Upton Park to watch their all conquering hero, who was firm favourite to clinch the interim WBO Lightweight title and to be just one step from achieving his goal of a full blown World title shot.

However it was not to be, as Kevin succumbed to the antipodean upsetter Michael ‘The Great’ Katsides and in doing so not only lost his coveted ‘O’ but also a World title shot in just three short rounds.

I caught up with Kevin at the Ultrachem TKO Gym in Canning Town and got to ask him about the Katsides fight, the on-off-on-off proposed April clash with John Murray and his future championship aspirations amongst other things.

Before we get onto the interview I have to say I was surprised that so many people were quick to write Kevin off, as a genuine contender, following the loss to Katsides and as such feel that it is appropriate to have a quick review of his excellent championship record.

Kevin’s first championship bout, against France’s Mohammed Medjadji for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental Super Featherweight title, was on the undercard of the Audley Harrison-Danny Williams Commonwealth title clash at the ExCel Arena in Docklands on the 10th December 2005.

Kevin, whose record stood at 16 (11 KO)-0, was on top form, he was quick, skillful and powerful. Throughout Kevin showed his superior boxing skills, but the tough Frenchman showed his durability by withstanding Kevin’s constant onslaughts.

In the sixth Kevin really stepped things up, bombarding Medjadji with vicious body shots that were clearly taking there toll on the Frenchman, so much so that with under a minute of the round to go referee Ian John Lewis had no option but to step in and stop the bout as Medjadji had stopped responding with punches of his own.

Just over two months later, on the 25th February 2006, Kevin was back at the ExCel to defend his newly won crown against, another French challenger, Youssouf Djibaba on the undercard of Danny Williams defense of his Commonwealth crown against Matt Skelton.

As before Kevin dominated the proceedings with his superior boxing skills, although Djibaba proved a harder opponent to finish than Medjadji. At the end of twelve hard fought rounds the judges cards read 118-108 and 119-109 (twice) in favour of Kevin.

Kevin’s second defense, and first bout as headliner, came just three months later, on the 13th May 2006 at York Hall in Bethnal Green. Kevin’s Bulgarian opponent Kirkor Kirkorov was a late replacement and had a reputation of being a bit of a spoiler.

Kevin came out fast and went straight to work on the body. Kirkorov defense was strong but Kevin persevered trying to work a breakthrough.

In the second round that breakthrough came, a wicked multi punch combo had Kirkor reeling, Kevin followed up with a vicious left hook to the body and Kirkorov dropped to one knee. Kirkorov survived the round but failed to show for the third.

Kevin had a ‘keep busy’ fight in July against Imad Ben Khalifa which lasted just 214 second, which set him up nicely for his third defense against Belarus’ Andrei Isaeu at the Grosvenor House in Mayfair, London on the 8th September 2006. The fight was stopped after 1:37 of the eleven round due to cuts.

Just over a month later Kevin was back in action again, this time against Ghana’s George ‘Red Tiger’ Ashie for the vacant Commonwealth title. The fight went the full distance and see Kevin add the Commonwealth belt to his collection after the judges scorecards showed 116-113 (Twice) and 116-112 in his favour.

It was March 2007 before Kevin reentered the fray to defend his newly won Commonwealth crown against the tough South African Harry Ramogoadi.

Kevin gave Ramogoadi a pure boxing master class before finally finished him off in round six. Ramogoadi was sent to the canvas following his walking into a solid right hand. Referee Terry O’Connor wisely dispensed with the count.

On the 14th July 2007 Kevin defended his IBF title for the fourth time, as well as challenging for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental super featherweight title, against Russian Alexander Khrulev at the O2 Arena in Greenwich. It was another very short fight as Kevin knocked out Khrulev after less than a minute of the second round.

Another non-championship ‘filler fight’ with Edison Torres was Kevin’s first outing in 2008, a quick finish was the order of the day as Kevin stopped Torres early in the third round.

On the 8th March 2008 Kevin put his Commonwealth title on the line when he challenged Carl Johanneson for his British title.

Kevin started like a runaway train, taking the fight to Johanneson for the first few rounds. Mid way through the fight Johanneson started to turn the fight round but Kevin dug in and eventually stop Johanneson in the ninth to add the Lonsdale Belt to his growing collection.

Three months later Kevin winged his way across the Atlantic to defend his WBO Inter-Continental Super Featherweight title, against Miami based Colombian Walter Estrada at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

I was living in Philadelphia at the time so this was one of the few of Kevin’s championship fights around this time that I actually got to see live.

Kevin seemed to struggle at times against the southpaw stance of Estrada, who wobbled Kevin badly as early as the second round. More trouble for Kevin in the fourth when a large swelling and a small cut appeared under his left eye.

After getting caught yet again by more head shots, Kevin responded with two good right hands to the head of Estrada. With just seconds to the bell to end the fifth, Estrada was sent to the canvas after Kevin let rip with a lightning fast right to the body. Estrada did beat the count but the referee Lindsey Page stepped in to stop the fight.

Another couple of non-championship bouts followed in 2009, the first against Lanquaye Wilson and then Ruddy Encarnacion. Kevin stopped them both.

Next up was Kevin’s first championship bout at Lightweight, and if that wasn’t enough his opponent, for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight title, was none other than Colombia’s Breidis Prescott -the man that KO’d Amir Khan in less than a minute just fifteen months earlier.

Mitchell was savvy and refused to be drawn into a war, instead he relied on his superior skills to frustrate and out box Prescott. Throughout the bout Kevin remained patient, picking his shots with care to totally dominate and win the bout by wide margins on all three judges’ scorecards, 119-110, 118-111, 117-111.

Just a couple of months later, on the 13th February 2010 at the Wembley Arena, Kevin defended the WBO Inter-Continental belt against yet another Colombian Ignacio Mendoza.

Another short fight followed as Kevin knocked out Mendoza, with a peach of a right hand to the head, in just one-minute and 24-seconds of the second round.

Which brings us back to where we started, Kevin’s first career loss when he faced Michael Katsides at Upton Park back in May 2010. The fight has been well covered so I don’t feel the need to say any more – I’ll leave that to Kevin.

Rio – Hi Kevin, thank you for taking the time to talk with me today. Before I get on to boxing related questions I have a more personal one. Last year there was sad news that your five year old Cousin Mitchell Huth had been diagnosed with cancer, I wondered just how young Mitchell is doing these days?

Kevin Mitchell – He’s really well now, he popped round my mum’s house the other day, it was the first time I’d seen him in a while. He’s in a happy state, a good frame of mind. We’re gutted for him but he’s a fighter, his fighting the cancer so good on him.

Rio – Your planned fight with John Murray is up in the air at this point. Do you think there is still a chance it will go ahead or is it completely off the board?

Kevin – I don’t think it’s completely off the board, I think it’s still there. I’m in the gym getting ready for it.

I’m just waiting for a better offer of money for it. It’s all negotiable, Frank (Warren) has always done good by me, Frank’s always looked after me and I think he always will do, so just waiting for me and Frank sitting down and negotiating.

Rio – How did it feel coming out at Upton Park to the tens of thousands of fans, and knowing that they were there supporting you?

Kevin – It’s a crazy feeling, twenty-twenty two thousand standing in front of you, twenty four thousand or whatever was there. It was a mad feeling really. It was something else standing there and an even greater feeling to walk out and seeing all those people there. It made me feel really proud, you know I was really proud to be there.

With losing that though I felt I had let everyone down. Obviously I had done things wrong and want to put things right and make sure I make all the West Ham fans proud again. “

Rio – I know your fight with Michael Katsides has been well and truly covered but what was your view of the fight?

Kevin – I think I knew in the dressing room I wasn’t right, not due to the weight, I’d cut corners because the way my life was at the time. I knew in the dressing room I wasn’t right, I think when you know in the dressing room you’re not right you know you’ve cut corners, you’ve missed out on runs and I was missing out on gym sessions down here, that’s not like me. I like to train everyday, be in the gym every day, train in the gym two or three times a day.

Afterwards I was just gutted that I got beat. If ever I get beat by a better man when I am on top form I’ll hold my hands up. I don’t mind that. But when you get beat due to yourself not being right. But down to not preparing yourself properly, with yourself messing around, you kick yourself in the backside. It’s give me a major lift as well to push myself harder and harder as I’m working now.

Rio – So does that mean you want a rematch with Michael Katsides?

Kevin – Most definitely yeah. I want the fight against John Murray. Get it on with him, show Britain who is the best on the domestic scene, I know it’s me. Beat John Murray, show them I’m back, and then Katsides and then a World title fight.

Rio – You’ve held all the main domestic titles, but you very first title wasn’t domestic it was the IBF Inter-Continental. What made you decide to go straight for an International title?

Kevin – Well that was down to Frank Warren, Frank’s a brilliant promoter he’s the best at his game without a doubt. he said it gives you more of a lift than the Commonwealth title, It puts you in the World rankings.

He put me in there straight away, put me in with good fighters, good opponents. They were learning fights, I was doing twelve rounds. For me it was a good way to learn doing twelve rounds. I was just twenty one when I started fighting twelve rounders, it shows you don’t it.

Rio – You’ve had some great battles over your career, which holds the fondest memories or means the most to you?

Kevin – The most memorable was most definitely the British title fight against Carl Johanneson. I came out for the first four rounds steaming. Thought in a few rounds I was going to blow him out. I was completely wrong, I came unstuck in the sixth, I took the most punches I ever did in my whole career, I was out of it most of the sixth, I took a few big bombs. Without realising It, I was gone. I went back at him legless and caught hold of him again and got him out of there in the ninth.

Being in there in a fight like that is something I am likely to be again someday. Being in fights like that makes me proud and proves that I can get through hard times.

Rio – You’re trained by Jimmy and Mark Tibbs at the Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym – Jimmy’s a legend in the sport and Mark is getting a reputation as a chip of the old block, so just how is having them co-training you going?

Kevin – Working with Jimmy and Mark is brilliant. They’re so much a like. You’ve got Mark bringing in new things and you’ve got Jimmy who is old school. It’s brilliant

I’m really happy here, It’s great being up here at the TKO Gym with all Jimmy and Johnny’s (Eames) fighters and that. One minute you’ve got David Haye, the next minute you have a kid in here or a cabbie in here. It’s a real happy gym. I’m really happy here, everyone’s here to work, whether it’s a cabbie or a World Champion like David Haye training and sparring in here.

Everyone that’s in here is here to work and train hard, there’s no spectators or nothing like that. The only people that will be watching are either a boxer, a trainer, a pad man or someone involved in the boxing. It’s a brilliant place. What they do here is brilliant.

Rio – I was here at the TKO Gym when you sparred Colin Lynes a couple of weeks ago – that was awesome to watch – does it help having such good sparring in-house?

Kevin – Yes most definitely, sparring with Colin Lynes, an ex world champion and a weight or so above me now, you can’t get better than being around guys like that. You’ve got Michael Grant and guys like that around to spar all the time.

You’ve got Nathan Weise in here. The quality fighters that come out of this gym is brilliant. One minute you’ll be sparring so so and the next time it’s someone different. You get to spar with guys with different styles it’s brilliant. It works sparring all the different styles.

I was speaking with Steve Bunce the other day and he said the gym’s always buzzing and there’s plenty of quality sparring. It is and that’s what you want in a gym.

Rio – I know the fight with John Murray is still in negotiations, if it doesn’t go ahead who would you be looking to fight next?

Kevin – As in names it doesn’t bother me, although I want to fight Miguel Vazquez, the IBF Champion, I’ve been watching him, watching what he does, I’d love to have a little do with him.

I want to fight first and then a World title. Either Katsides and then a World title fight or John Murray then Katsides and then a World title fight.

I’m looking to be IBF World Champion.

Rio – You more or less covered my next question with that answer – What does the future hold for Kevin Mitchell?

Kevin – Yeah, what the future holds for me in boxing is, and the fight fans is, a big title in the World of Boxing. I definitely want to fight in Vegas in the future. I really fancy topping some big bills in Vegas, and yeah being World Champion and making lots of money.

Rio – Thank you so much for talking with me today, I wish you nothing but success and hope that you get the title shot you deserve.

Kevin – Thank you, and thanks to all the Boxing fans out there.

TKO Box Office, Steve Goodwin Promotions Presents: ESSEX ERUPTION

Posted on | February 23, 2011 | No Comments

Goresbrook Leisure Centre
Saturday 19th March 2011

For Immediate Release

London – Tuesday 22nd February 2011

Steve Goodwin Talks About His Huge Dagenham Event On March 19th

Steve Goodwin steps up big time to celebrate his one year anniversary, as a boxing promoter, by staging two huge shows in March.

The first, ‘Unleash The Fury’ at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 5th March features former Super Middleweight supremo Toks Owoh against Billy Boyle and is supported by a top class eleven bout card that includes the return of the magnificent Michael Grant and another chance to see sensational Dutch Cruiserweight prospect Mitchell Balker in action,
plus much, much more.

Now whilst ‘Unleash The Fury’ looks set to be one of the best boxing events to take place in the Capital so far this year, it has already been covered at length over the past weeks and as such will concentrate on the Dagenham show.

Steve Goodwin’s planned ‘Essex Eruption’ super show at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham, Essex, is just two weeks after ‘Unleash The Fury’ on Saturday 19th March and at this point looks set to be an even bigger event than the York Hall one.

The Quadruple Headliner, yep that’s right Steve is putting on such star studded card that it has no less than four co-headline bouts, supported by ten exceptional undercard bouts, that features the cream of young prospects from London and the Home Counties.

Rather than give a rundown on the card I’ll leave that down to the man himself, Steve Goodwin, who recently stated, “Part two of my one year anniversary celebration is a huge show, with thirteen or fourteen bouts, at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham on March 19th.

It’s set to be one of the best shows of the year. Officially it’s a triple headline show but we’ve just got another big fighter sign on to make it a quadruple headline.

We’ve got Yassine El Maachi back, since beating Jimmy Colas. We want to move Yassine up this year, we haven’t decided who he’s going to be boxing yet. There is the possibility for the Southern Area if we can find a suitable opponent, someone that’ll want to box him for it. That’s a difficulty as you know.

There is a possibility of bringing someone in from abroad. Were going to sit down with Yassine and his trainer Don Charles in the next couple of days and formulate a plan for him for this year and we’ve heard from Yassine there could be a Prizefighter coming up in May so we will be clamouring for him to be on that. We don’t want people to avoid him as we think it is his time and we can demonstrate to everybody that he can demolish them all at Welterweight, because he’s happy to drop down if
needs be.

So with Prizefighter being potentially there to be made he may be able to demonstrate again that he is World class.

So if the Prizefighter is on in May he’ll go for that and if not our next show will be in May or June and he’ll go on that and possibly take on a bigger task.

Co-headlining we’ve got local star Tony Conquest from Romford, who has just broken into the top ten Cruiserweights in the country. He’s looking to move up to championship contention in the very near future.

We’ve also got Newmarket’s Pat McAleese, and excellent prospect who was unfortunately knocked out in his last fight. Until the knockout he was eight rounds up on points. He’s a very exciting fighter and is on the come back trail and will be looking to fight for another title very soon.

We’re really excited to also have Southern Area Cruiserweight champion Leon Williams now on the show. We all know what an exciting fighter he is. He is another who will be looking to make a statement on the 19th as he pushes for a shot at the British title later in the year.

Supporting the big four we’ve got some of the best local talent, there are some serious prospects looking to make a big statement at Dagenham on the 19th March, including Woodford Green’s Michael Norgrove who is unbeaten in four. Michael faces his toughest challenge to date as he fights in his first International contest against the tough Czech Jan Balog.

Johnny Eames’s Ultrachem TKO Gym, who in addition to having Leon and Pat on the show, have three of their very brightest young prospects on the show.

First of these is Stevenage’s Daniel Herdman, who will be fighting Kevin McCauley. At our last show Daniel put on a fantastic show, he out-boxed Ryan Clarke to take the well deserved win.

Now, we’re really excited that Johnny has his sensational featherweight prospect George Jupp make his first outing of the year on our show.

Last year George became only the second person to stop the durable Pavelsm Senkovs, in thirty fights Pavels has only been stopped just the once previously, and that was a clash of heads. That’s pretty impressive for someone who’s just 20 years old. George is a big talent.

Last, but not least, of the TKO fighters is Carshalton’s Ricky Boylan, who will be looking for his second win of his young career when he comes up against Kristian Laight on the 19th.

We’ve got unbeaten prospect Jamie Boness looking to increase his tally to five and we’ve got Romford Light Heavyweight Billy Slate looking to make up for the disappointment of losing, by a close points decision, to Jack Morris at the recent Prizefighter event.

Also looking to make up for the disappointment of losing recently is Rainham’s Richard Hines, Richard was stopped on his debut by Scott Moises at our York Hall show last December. Up until the stoppage Richard was a country mile ahead on points. I’m sure we will get to see him get his first win on the 19th.

March 19th also sees Kris Agyei-Dua and Danny Brown in their second professional fights, having both won their debut fights on Miranda Carter’s show on Sunday.

The Dagenham show is going to be packed to the rafters as you can see it’s going to be a very exciting night of boxing, if not one of the best nights of boxing of the year so far.”

Tickets for ESSEX ERUPTION at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham, Essex on Saturday 19th March 2011 are priced £35 (Unreserved) or £60 (Ringside) and on sale NOW.

For tickets book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com, call: 07960 850645 or in person at The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.

Also available at TKO Box Office are tickets for the UNLEASH THE FURY at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 5th March 2011.

Happy Birthday Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez

Posted on | February 21, 2011 | No Comments

NEW YORK, NY (Feb. 21, 2011) – World Boxing Council (“WBC”) Emeritus and The Ring Magazine middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez celebrates his 36th birthday today.

Martinez (46-2-2, 25 KOs) is preparing for his March 12th showdown against reigning World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) junior middleweight champion Sergiy “Razor” Dzinziruk (37-0, 23 KOs) in the 12-round main event for the vacant WBC Diamond middleweight title, live on HBO World Championship Boxing (10:30 PM/ET start), from MGM Grand Arena at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Please join DiBella Entertainment in wishing 2010 Fighter of the Year Sergio Martinez a very happy birthday.

“I’m happy to be celebrating my 36th birthday while I’m in the prime of my boxing career,” Martinez said from his training camp in Oxnard, California. “I’d like to thank everyone for sending me birthday wishes and I’m really looking forward to my March 12th fight on HBO.”

More than half of the tickets for “Diamond Elite: Martinez vs. Dzinziruk,” which is being presented by DiBella Entertainment in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Banner Promotions, have been sold and fans are strongly advised to purchase tickets before the show sells-out.

Tickets are priced at $450.00, $250.00, $125.00, $75.00, and $50.00 and on sale through the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.mgmatfoxwoods.com, by calling the MGM Grand at Foxwoods at 1-866-646-0609, or in person at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office.

For more information about DiBella Entertainment, including a list of all upcoming bouts, please visit www.dbe1.com, or follow Lou DiBella on twitter, @loudibella.

Unbeaten Middleweight champ Darren Barker joins Matchroom Sport

Posted on | February 21, 2011 | No Comments

London fighter targets World title shot in 2011

Darren Barker is aiming to fight for the World Middleweight title in 2011 after signing a promotional deal with Matchroom Sport.

The unbeaten 28 year-old had a frustrating year in 2010, with injury forcing him to pull out of defending his European and British belts against Matthew Macklin in September. Barker has set his sights on regaining the European title and wants to follow that with a world title shot as he returns to Sky Sports screens.

“I’m delighted to have joined Matchroom and it’s fantastic to be back on TV again – showcasing my skills on Sky Sports is where I want to be,” said Barker. “The plan is to have three fights this year – regain the European title, defend it and then get challenging for a world title before the end of the year.”

The former Commonwealth title holder returns to the ring for his 23rd fight, taking on Italian Domenico Spada for the EBU belt vacated by Macklin, with a likely date at the end of April. The Barnet fighter says he is itching to get back to boxing and is keen to draw a line under a difficult 2010 and focus on his three-fight plan.

“Last year was a nightmare really but you can’t look back, I’m very optimistic for the rest of 2011 and if it all goes to plan the way we want it to, then potentially I could be World Champion at the end of the year, that’s what it’s all about,” said Barker. “It’s a matter of taking each fight as it comes though and I’m concentrating 100 per cent on fighting Domenico Spada.”

Matchroom Sport’s managing director Eddie Hearn added: “We are delighted to welcome Darren Barker to the Matchroom Team. Darren is one of the boxing’s brightest young stars and has one of the biggest followings in the UK. It has been a frustrating period for him but now it’s all systems go to re-capture the European title he relinquished last year and get a shot at the World title before the end of 2011 – we know he has the ability to do the business and will be ensuring he gets there as quickly as possible.”

Michael Grant Returns 5th March – Unleash The Fury @ York Hall

Posted on | February 21, 2011 | No Comments

Tottenham’s Michael Grant is set to return to the ring, after a year long sabbatical from the sport, at the Steve Goodwin promoted ‘UNLEASH THE FURY’ mega event at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Saturday 5th March 2011.

Michael, who was one of the most exciting young Light Welterweight prospects to explode on the British Boxing scene in the middle naughties, dropped from the radar back in February last year, following his surprising loss to Steve Williams at their clash for the vacant English title.

As the New Year dawned Michael reappeared at long time manager-trainer Johnny Eames’ Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town and started training in earnest again.

With the news that TKO’s Nathan Weise had to drop out, of the 5th March show, MIchael instantly put himself forward as a replacement, and surprisingly deciding to enter the fray at Lightweight rather than his usual division.

Following sparring sessions, with TKO team mates ‘Pretty’ Ricky Boylan and Sam Standing, Michael explained why he took the break and also his switching to the Lightweight division, “There was a lot of things, outside boxing, that were happening in my life and I really needed to sort that out first. I can’t box if I’m not one hundred percent.

Everytime I get in the ring I want to be one hundred and ten percent but I couldn’t do that at the time. Yeah, now I’m back, and back in full effect.

I think I will be a lot stronger at Lightweight. At Light Welter I could handle the weight, I could compete against people at that weight even those that were a lot bigger than me, but I feel I’ll be even stronger at Lightweight.

They’re gonna be amazed, this time out is different. My attitude, my discipline to the sport, everything is different this time. It’s going to be amazing. everyone’s gonna be shocked when they see me back in.

This time as a Lightweight I’m gonna be stopping a lot more people and going all the way. Whether it’s 6, 10, 12 rounds it doesn’t matter, I feel a lot stronger in myself, mentally and physically. It’s gonna be mad, I can’t wait to get back in there.”

Michael Grant, against a yet to be named opponent, will be on the undercard of Toks Owoh versus Billy Boyle at the Steve Goodwin promoted ‘Unleash The Fury’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 5th March 2011.

Main support for the Owoh-Boyle headliner features Michael’s Ultrachem TKO team mate – the exciting London based Dutch Cruiserweight – Mitchell Balker versus Doncaster hard man John Anthony.

The Unleash The Fury undercard features some of London’s best upcoming talents and includes yet another of Michael’s Ultrachem TKO Gym mates ‘Dynamo’ Daryl Setterfield against Birmingham’s Andrew ‘Paddy’ Patterson.

Minster. Kent Light Heavyweight Dan ‘Woody’ Woodgate gets his third outing against Retford’s Lee Nicholson and Waltham Abbey Light Welterweight Phil Gill looks to take his unbeaten run to ten against Aysham’s Scott Moises.

Luton Lightweight Michael ‘Chunky’ Devine makes his welcome return to the ring, following his coveted ‘0’ to Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander last year, and will be looking to get back to winning ways against the highly experienced Daniel Thorpe.

Biggleswade Light Middleweight Jamie Boness will be looking to extend his unbeaten record against Guildford’s Louis Byrne and Woolwich Super Middleweight Eder Kurti faces Welsh banger Jamie Ambler.

Unbeaten, in twelve, Hackney Middleweight Wayne Alwan-Arab is set to face Tooting based Bulgarian Danny Dontchev.

Another of Michael’s Ultrachem TKO gym mates, Caine Brodie, also features on the card against a yet to be named opponent.

Making their pro debuts at ‘Unleash The Fury’ are Harlesden Lightweight Met Sekiraqa, against Robin Deakin and former World Kick Boxing Champion, Llir Canolli, from Cosavo, against a yet to be named opponent.

Tickets for Unleash The Fury at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 5th March 2011 are on sale now – priced £35 (Unreserved) or £60 (Ringside).

For tickets call: 07960 850645, book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.

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