McKee to defend MFC crown against Fickett

Posted on | January 13, 2011 | No Comments

Lightweight championship at stake as co-main event at Supremacy

Title-holder Antonio McKee will face the toughest test of his reign as the Maximum Fighting Championship’s lightweight champ when he comes into the ring at MFC 28: Supremacy.

At the same time, Drew Fickett’s first foray into the MFC will take him right into the deepest waters of the organization’s lightweight division.

It’s a perfect storm.

As the co-main event for MFC 28: Supremacy, McKee (25-4-2) will defend his belt for the second time when he takes on Fickett (40-13) on Friday, Feb. 25 live on HDNet Fights from the River Cree Resort and Casino, just outside Edmonton, Alberta.

“No one – and I mean absolutely no one – gets an easy ride in the Maximum Fighting Championship,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“McKee wants to claim he’s still the man in the lightweight division … then go prove it against one of the hottest fighters on the planet. And Fickett says he’s coming to the MFC to choke out everyone. Great … now go do it against the champion who has lost only once by submission in 12 years.

“The winner will truly deserve the championship belt.”

Fickett, who joined the MFC earlier this week with a multi-fight contract, will ride a four-bout winning streak into the showdown with McKee. The pair has some interesting similarities through their respective well-established careers including a fair number of common opponents.

McKee, who represents his own Team Body Shop from Lakewood, California, earned the MFC’s 155-pound title in his debut fight, securing a five-round decision victory over Derrick Noble. Fickett began his 2010 resurgence, and ended a sour losing skid, with a second-round submission of Noble.

Both fighters have scored decision wins over fellow veteran Edwin Dewees, and both hold victories over Carlo Prater. McKee defeated Prater in what was supposed to be his first title defence but the bout was changed to a three-round affair when Prater missed weight. McKee went on to post a dominating three-round verdict. Fickett has topped Prater twice in his career, submitting him in the third round of a bout in 2004 by way of guillotine choke, and then needing only two minutes to beat him last year via rear-naked choke.

McKee is undefeated under the MFC banner. On top of his wins over Noble and Prater, McKee notched one of his most impressive victories when he earned just the third TKO win of his lengthy career thanks to first-round smashing of Luciano Azevedo at MFC 26.

The televised main card for MFC 28: Supremacy is finalized with:

Light-heavyweight title – Dwayne Lewis vs. Ryan Jimmo

Lightweight title – Drew Fickett vs. Antonio McKee

Lightweight – Kajan Johnson vs. Richie Whitson

Light-heavyweight – Razak Al-Hassan vs. Rodney Wallace

Welterweight – Thomas Denny vs. Sheldon Westcott

Lightweight – Robert Washington vs. Tyrone Glover

A three-fight undercard will be finalized in the near future.

Tickets for MFC 28: Supremacy are available solely and exclusively through the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024. Visa, MasterCard and American Express accepted for phone orders.

FEDOR EMELIANENKO & ANTONIO “BIG FOOT” SILVA, STRIKEFORCE, M-1 GLOBAL & SHOWTIME EXECUTIVES CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS

Posted on | January 13, 2011 | No Comments

NEW YORK (Jan. 13, 2011) — MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko and former heavyweight world champion Antonio “Big Foot” Silva participated in an international media conference call on Thursday to discuss the upcoming, highly anticipated STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix – Heavyweight Tournament that begins on Saturday, Feb. 12, at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J., live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Also participating on the call were STRIKEFORCE CEO Scott Coker, SHOWTIME Sports Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Hershman and M-1 Global Co-Founder Vadim Finkelchtein.

In the main event, Fedor (31-2, 1 NC) will take on Silva (15-2) in a STRIKEFORCE and M-1 GLOBAL co-promoted event. The co-feature will match former world champion Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (15-8) against Sergei Kharitonov (16-4), the last man to defeat STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight World Champion Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem, in the first of two quarterfinal fights in the three-stage, single-elimination tournament on Feb. 12.

The famed Fedor, 34, of Stary Oskol, Russia, will be making his first start since it was announced that STRIKEFORCE and M-1 GLOBAL, in association with SHOWTIME, had signed a new, multi-year agreement to co-promote events headlined by the MMA legend.

What the fighters and the executives had to say Thursday:

SCOTT COKER
“Tickets for our event go on sale to the public tomorrow (Friday) at 10 a.m. Our pre-sale started yesterday and it was the largest pre-sale of any Fedor fight to date so we’re very excited about that.

“I’d like to thank Ken Hershman and all the guys at SHOWTIME. This is something we talked about three or four months ago and he gave us the green light to do it and it’s something we’ve wanted to do for a long time. So I thank him and SHOWITME for believing in this event.

“There was some confusion on the rules and regulations so I just wanted to clarify. All quarterfinal and semifinal matches will be scheduled for three, five-minute rounds and the tournament final will be five, five-minute rounds for the STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix Championship. Any fight that ends in a draw, an independent fourth judge will determine the winner and who advances based on the fighters overall performance in the fight. If a fighter qualifies to advance in the tournament but for whatever reason cannot continue to fight in the tournament, we are forming a five-person tournament review committee who will select a fighter to advance in his place. This fighter will come from a pool of fighters which will include previous opponents and winners of reserve matches.

“The review committee will be headed by STRIKEFORCE rules committee director Cory Schaefer, who has been with us since the beginning. The winner of the final match will be crowned STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix Champion and will have the opportunity to fight for the STRIKEFORCE World Championship belt at that time.

“The tournament format in martial arts fighting has been around for a long time. I’ve (seen) a lot of tournaments in my day and I always thought this would be a fun tournament to (do) with all these great fighters. We took a look at the SHOWTIME boxing format and saw what they’ve done. It’s going to be a good ride and we hope everyone enjoys it.

“It’s an exciting time and we’ve been well received. We had the fighters in (New York City) this week and you can just feel the energy. Everybody’s just real excited and pumped to put these fights on.”

KEN HERSHMAN
“Scott said it great. We’re thrilled to extend out agreement with M-1 Global and Fedor and we think it is going to be a real fruitful relationship for a long time to come. We’re even more thrilled that Fedor has agreed to jump into this tournament because having the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world as part of this collection took it to another level and we’re very proud of that.

“We’ve prided ourselves on putting on the best fights and if you look at this lineup that holds true. I thank Scott because I know through our Super Six (World Boxing Classic) how tough these things can be to put together. I can’t wait for the first set of fights.

“Scott has had to do a lot hard work on this as far as getting the fighters to come together. I think if you look at the lineup you have to extrapolate out that these are the eight top heavyweights in the world and that nothing would be easy getting them to agree on this. And Scott did this in a very quick amount of time.

“I think MMA is an important component to what we do at SHOWTIME. The sports offering has brought a new audience to SHOWTIME and it’s been successful beyond our original plans. I would label MMA as a very core part of our sports offering and I think the programming for all of SHOWTIME has been off the charts. We’re proud of the results we’ve delivered. I look back at how great the programming has been to date and then I look at the schedule for 2011 and it’s off the charts how great the schedule has been. This tournament is spectacular and a key component to what we’re doing and we could not be more excited about it. If you’re a sports fan, now is the time to subscribe to SHOWTIME.”

VADIM FINKELCHTEIN
“I am very happy that we have a new deal and that we can now move forward on this with SHOWTIME and STRIKEFORCE. We are very, very happy that Fedor has reached a new deal and will fight more often than he has in the past. In my opinion this heavyweight tournament is a wonderful idea and a first for us being in the U.S. with the best heavyweights in the world. MMA fans will get more this year than they’ve ever hoped for.”

FEDOR EMELIANENKO:
“Nothing has changed for me (since the loss). I train just as I’ve trained before. It just so happened that I had made an error in the previous fight so in training I have just worked on trying not to make that same mistake again. For me nothing has changed inside of me and I still have the same beliefs. I just want to train harder for the next fight.

“I feel very good about participating in this tournament. I feel very proud to be part of the eight who have been chosen and I feel proud to be representing my country in the tournament. I’m training to win the tournament. I’m training hard and whatever happens after that is up to God but I’m training hard and I look forward to performing.

“I’m ready and prepared to step into the cage against Fabricio (Werdum) at any time. It’s something that I’d very much like to do. In regard to Antonio, he’s a very tough opponent, a very dangerous opponent. We’ve never fought before so I’m very happy that we’re getting the opportunity to fight. We’ve seen each other in locker rooms and he’s always been very cordial and a nice person. He’s very qualified and I think it’s going to be a great fight. I really don’t think that I should be fighting anyone else and I’m just going to fight whoever they want me to fight.”

How does this compare to the Pride Tournament you participated in?
“I believe that this tournament has assembled enough quality fighters and some of the strongest and most interesting heavyweight fighters in the world so I think that in no way is this tournament any less than the ones I competed for with Pride. I believe it’s just as good, if not better.

“I don’t think that the years I spent in Pride can give me any type of advantage or dictate how I will perform in this tournament. Certainly experience in this tournament is something that is valuable. Nevertheless, I have to train very hard for this fight and we’ll see what happens.

“I’m probably going to train in Russia. I’m more comfortable there and I like to be close to my family. It’s likely I’ll probably stay in Russia. But I wouldn’t mind training somewhere else and with someone like Shane Carwin, who is a good fighter. But most likely I’ll stay in Russia.

“Many times people have sized me up and tried to say what my strengths and weaknesses are but if they say they’ve found what my biggest weakness is then let them take advantage of it.’’

Why do you train in the remote mountain areas?
“Firstly when I train in the mountains in remote areas I train in the high altitude where it’s very cold — even near freezing. It just makes the entire training process that much more difficult, which I believe is beneficial because if I can get through it then I’ll be that much better for it. Another reason I do it is because nobody bothers me. All I do up there is train, eat and sleep. And all I need to concentrate on is the entire process of my training regimen without any distractions. I believe that’s what allows me to be in maximum shape leading up to a fight.”

ANTONIO “BIG FOOT” SILVA
“I am very happy to be fighting Fedor, who people still consider the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. Fedor is a legend and to be a legend you have to beat a legend. And I’m ready to be the best heavyweight in the world.

“Fedor is the best so this is the top of the food chain. For me, this is the final and I will give it all I have to make this happen. This is my dream and I’m going to beat the legend and I’m going to be a legend.

“I think Fedor is a complete fighter and he’s very well-rounded. It’s tough to determine how this fight will go. I think I will do more stand up in this fight. If it goes to the ground then it does. One thing I have in my mind is that Werdum showed to the world that Fedor’s main weakness is on the ground. But he’s a complete fighter and I’m going to follow where the fight goes.

“Everyone has been saying that I can be the man to beat Fedor in the future. And now I know in my mind that I can beat him. I know this is the right time and that God has given me this time and that I can beat the great Fedor.”

Holyfield going back to future for Williams

Posted on | January 13, 2011 | No Comments

Jan. 22nd “Redemption In America’ PPV show

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 14, 2011) – Future Hall of Famer Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield is an old-school fighter who has gone new wave in terms training.

The 48-year-old, ultra fit Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs) defends World Boxing Federation heavyweight title against challenger Sherman “Tank” Williams (34-11-2, 19 KOs), headlining the January 22nd “Redemption In America: The Journey Begins Now” Pay-Per-View Event, live from America’s resort — The Greenbrier’s Colonial Hall — in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

“Redemption In American,” presented by ARK Promotions in association with The Greenbrier, will be distributed in North American by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay per view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the United States, as well as Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

“Redemption” will fuse world class boxing and entertainment; showcasing a production that includes high-energy music presented by Broadway performers, along with dancers and aerial artists. World-renowned saxophone player Clarence Clemons will also headline a live band between rounds and throughout the night.

Holyfield has accomplished as much as nearly any prize fighter in history during his illustrious 26-year career, defeating a Who’s Who list of the heavyweights and cruiserweights such as world champions such as Mike Tyson (twice), George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe, Michael Moorer, James “Buster” Douglas, John Ruiz (twice), Hasim Rahman, Chris Byrd, Pinklon Thomas, Michael Dokes, Dwight Muhammad Qawi (twice), and Carlos De Leon. Holyfield’s last fight was a win by eighth-round technical knockout against Frans Botha (47-4-3) last April for the vacant World Boxing Federation crown.

Competitive, entertaining undercard fights will set the stage for the main event showcasing Holyfield on his journey to become the first heavyweight champion to regain the coveted world title four different times. If today’s 50 is yesterday’s 40, Evander still has a lot left in tank, largely because of the foundation for success and longevity he established many, many years ago.

“With me,” he explained, “I’ve always had a plan to live a long time. I plan to be heavyweight champion again, too. To live a long life I have had to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Every kid eats what he wants. Once I made the Olympic Team I developed a habit of eating right and there was no sense changing.

“I’ve been an athlete since I was eight and started trying to be successful back then. At some point I reached my goal and have since maintained my conditioning. My training and conditioning has evolved from the start. I go back to the past for some things because there are no reasons to change from a good base foundation. But if something new has proven to work, I do that, too. There’s no sense riding a horse when you have a car. For weight training today there are so many different people, different ways and different equipment. It’s easier using machines (as opposed to free weights) because you don’t need a spotter. I have different machines at home and they’re much safer with kids around.”

Holyfield’s opponent, Williams, is a rugged, durable veteran who has been stopped only once (by Robert Davis in 1999) in 47 pro fights. He has beaten former world champion Alfred “Ice” Cole, fought a draw with multiple world title challenger Jameel McCline, and took former world heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev the full distance in their 2005 fight.

“Fighters take a chance every time they get into the ring,” Holyfield concluded. “I’m not upset with Williams. He’s just taking a chance to make it by fighting me. At 48, I’m going to prove to him that I can still go.”

NABA Heavyweight Champion Cedric “The Bos” Boswell (32-1, 25 KOs) defends his title against Dominique “Diamond” Alexander (19-9, 9 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature, while former world heavyweight title challenger Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett (34-9, 20 KOs), coming off of an impressive draw with WBO No. 2 rated David Tua, faces former WBC Latino Heavyweight Champion Charles Davis in a 10-rounder.

World Boxing Federation Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Travis “GW Hope” Kauffman (21-1 (16 KOs) takes on 7’ 2” Julius “Towering Inferno” Long (15-14, 13 KOs) in an 8-round match.

Also fighting on the undercard in 8-round bouts are unbeaten Detroit middleweight Domonique Dolton (9-0, 7 KOs) versus Venezuelan veteran Marcos “The Terminator” Primera (20-22-2, 13 KOs), as well as 2008 US National AAU lightweight champion, Cleveland junior welterweight Miguel “Silky Smooth” Gonzalez (12-2, 11 KOs) against 31-fight veteran Ramon “Che” Guevara.

Lithuania-native Donatas Boundoravas (10-1-1, 3 KOs) tangles with undefeated Willie Fortune (9-0, 5 KOs), of Detroit, in a 6-round fight to round-out the card. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Ticket/hotel packages can be purchased at www.greenbrier.com or by calling 1.800.453.4858. Deadline to book reservations is Jan. 21.

Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET, and first PPV fight at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT.

For more information about the Holyfield-Williams PPV event go to www.greenbrier.com, www.NCMusicFactory.com, www.AmericanBoxingLeague.com or www.integratedsportsnet.com.

MMA’S TOP FEATHERWEIGHTS TAKE CENTER STAGE THIS FRIDAY ON HDNET

Posted on | January 13, 2011 | No Comments

Consensus Top 10 Featherweights Marlon Sandro and Hatsu Hioki Collide; Plus UFC #1 Featherweight Contender Mark Hominick on Inside MMA – Friday, 9:00 p.m. ET

DALLAS (January 13, 2011) With the recent merger of the WEC and UFC, mixed martial arts’ Featherweights are having a coming out party as they ascend to the sport’s biggest stage. This Friday on HDNet, Your Home for MMA, three of the world’s top Featherweights take center stage both in and out of the ring.

“HDNet Fights: World Victory Road- Soul of Fight Part 1” makes its North American debut at 10:00 p.m. ET. In the main event of the evening top ten consensus ranked Featherweights square off when #4 Marlon Sandro (17-1) defends his SRC Featherweight Title against #8 Hatsu Hioki (22-4-2) in a bout that Michael “The Voice” Schiavello described as “truly exceptional.”

Other featured fighters on part one of Sengoku’s New Year fighting festival include former SRC Featherweight champion Masanori Kanehara, Dave “Pee Wee” Herman, Kazuo Misaki, Ryo Chonan, and new Japanese female star, the muscle-bound Rin Nakai.

Another top Featherweight takes his turn in the spotlight as UFC #1 contender Mark Hominick joins Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten on “Inside MMA” at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Dana White recently tapped Hominick as the next challenger to Jose Aldo’s UFC Featherweight title, but standing in the “The Machine’s” way is a fight with George Roop at next week’s UFC “Fight for the Troops.” Mark steps into the “Inside MMA” cage with Bas on to breakdown the big fight.

UFC lightweight Melvin Guillard also stops by to talk about his upcoming fight with Evan Dunham. “The Young Assassin” opens up about his troubled past and how he has refocused himself to go 5-1 since returning to the UFC.

Rounding out the panel is USA Today’s Sergio Non who offers a first hand perspective on the growing acceptance of MMA by the mainstream media.

Plus, Ron Kruck continues his look “Inside America’s MMA Gyms” with a stop at Team Quest in Portland, Oregon.

Gleason’s Gym Newsletter (1/13/2011)

Posted on | January 13, 2011 | No Comments

The first show for the 2011 Gleason’s Gym monthly boxing series will be January 15, 2011.

The show is open to any registered amateur. This includes Juniors, Seniors and Master boxers. There will be both male and female bouts.

The weigh in will begin at 4:00PM and the first bout will begin at 6:00PM.

All our bouts are pre-matched. They are sanctioned by USABoxingMetro. All boxers must have their boxing book with them in order to participate.

The ticket price is $20 per person. Children 6 and under are not charged. All gym members and registered amateurs with their books in hand pay $15 per person.

This show will be shown live and free of cost on: www.gofightlive.tv . The blow by blow for these fights will be done by our very own Champion Sonya Lamonakis.

Tonights Pro Show at the Masonic Temple has been postponed one week until Thursday, January 20,2011.

You can still buy tickets through Gleason’s Gym. Our telephone number is: 718 797 2872.
Gleason’s Boxers on the card are the Main Event, Alicia “Slick” Ashley and also Martin Wright, Scotty “Bang Bang” Burell and Armin “Gazija” Mrkanovic.

Personal Trainers-Boxing Certification Clinic

Gleason’s Gym will host the first Boxing Certification Clinic for PersonalTrainers. January 27, 28 and 29,2011.

The cost of the clinic is $349.00.

Gleason’s Own Keisher “Fire” McLeod Wells

Returns to the ring

Tickets can be purchased at Gleason’s Gym. The telephone number is 718 797 2872.

Ticket prices are: $125, $100, $75, and $55. All ticket sales benefit Fire. Please buy your tickets here and show your support for one of the rising stars in Women’s Boxing.

Third Annual Masters Clinic and Show

Gleason’s Gym will host it’s third annual Masters Clinic and boxing show February 17-19,2011.

The cost of the Clinic is $349.00.

All Female Boxing Clinic

Gleason’s Gym will host the first All Female BoxingThe amateur show will be sanctioned by USA Amateur Boxing.

The cost of the clinic is $299.00.

Gleason’s Gym is live on the computer every weekday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

The sight is free for Gleason’s Gym viewing. The sight is: www.gofightlive.tv

All amateur shows in Gleason’s Gym are shown live and free of cost.

Robinson not impressed with Gunderson

Posted on | January 13, 2011 | 1 Comment

Lemoore, Calif. – Dominique Robinson isn’t the type to worry about a fighter’s record… unless it’s his own, which he claims is off by nearly 10 wins.

“I don’t care how many fights he has,” Robinson said of his opponent John Gunderson prior to their Tachi Palace Fights lightweight showdown on Friday, February 18 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.

“I’m better than him at everything, so really it doesn’t matter. The pressure is on him. He is supposed to beat me not the other way around.”

Robinson carries a 5-4 record according to Sherdog.com, but the Oakland, Calif. mixed martial artist claims several of his wins, 10 in fact, have not been recorded on his record.

“I can’t say that I don’t respect him, I do. Gunderson has been places that I want to be and luckily I’m in a sport where when you beat some one you take their luster,” Robinson added.

Gunderson (31-11-2) is 9-year veteran in the cage fighting for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, International Fight League and also fought at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino for the Palace Fighting Championship.

“I like it out there in Lemoore. I fought there after I had knee surgery and won a split decision and then lost a decision to Bryan Travers,” said Gunderson, who splits his time training at the Tapout Training Center with Shawn Tompkins and at Xtreme Couture.

“At the time, I really didn’t like the three minute rounds that were used out there. But I like the changes that have been made.”

Tachi Palace Fights will stream live and free on MMAJunkie.com at 5:30 p.m. (PST) with MMAJunkie’s John Morgan, Tachi Palace Fight’s welterweight champ John Alessio and Fresno’s B95 Andre Covington cage side with the call.

The stream will be blacked out to fans within 100 mile radius of the Palace unless there is a sellout.

Tickets can be purchased at www.tachipalace.com or charge by phone at 1-800-225-2277. Tickets may also be purchased at the Tachi Palace Gift Shop and start at a low price of just $30 for general admission seating.

Gunderson is familiar with Robinson, who defeated Gunderson’s Team Tompkins teammate David Kaplan by technical knockout in July.

“Robinson’s a tough guy, an athlete, has good striking and is well-rounded,” Gunderson said. “He is one of those guys that doesn’t have that big name, but is very dangerous.”

Robinson doesn’t offer the kind words in return.

“I know he is a UFC and IFL vet, but I’m not impressed honestly. He has a lot of fights, I’m still not impressed. He fights out of Tompkins’ gym, so I guess they want a little revenge,” Robinson said. “He calls himself quick guns, but most of his wins are by submission, so he really needs to change his fight name.”

In the main event, Tachi Palace Fights Middleweight Champion Leopoldo Serao defends his title against Montreal Quebec, Canada’s David Loiseau. Serao (17-7) rides a 3-fight win streak and the Oakland, Calif. based grappler has recorded 13 submissions in his 17 wins. Meanwhile, the former UFC title contender Loiseau (19-10) has won four of his last six bouts.

The co-main event features a pivotal flyweight tilt, as the World’s top ranked 125 pounder Jussier da Silva puts his unblemished record on the line against World Extreme Cagefighting vet Ian McCall. Brazil’s Da Silva (9-0) made his first appearance in the U.S. in December with a decision victory over Danny Martinez. McCall (8-2) has notable losses to Dominic Cruz and Charlie Valencia, but the San Clemente, Calif. fighter will be looking to turn things around in a more natural weight class.

Las Vegas, Nev.’s Ulysses Gomez (7-1) will defend his Tachi Palace Fights Flyweight title against Chino, Calif.’s Darrell Montague (8-1) and Parlier, Calif. middleweight Mike Moreno makes his return to the cage after a two year absence to take on UFC vet Tempe, Ariz.’s Jesse Forbes (14-5).

In other bouts;
-Porterville, Calif. lightweight C.J. Keith (7-0) vs. San Diego, Calif.’s Fabricio Camoes (10-5-1).

-Lemoore, Calif. welterweight Andrew Martinez (7-2-1) vs. Taft, Calif.’s Doug Hunt (8-4).

-Las Vegas, Nev. lightweight David Bollea (3-0) vs. Sacramento, Calif.’s Ryan Burton (3-0).

-Santa Rosa, Calif. middleweight Collin Hart (2-1-1) vs. San Bernardino, Calif.’s Mike Arellano (3-7).

-Las Vegas, Nev. featherweight Tyler Freeland (0-0) vs. Henderson, Nev.’s Diego Melendez (0-0).

-Clovis, Calif. welterweight Kyle Griffin (1-0) vs. Los Angeles, Calif.’s Alan Jouban (0-0).

PRIZEFIGHTER’S EAGER FOR LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE SHOTS

Posted on | January 13, 2011 | No Comments

Contenders for January 29 showdown hungry for glory

The fighters in the line-up for Prizefighter Light-Heavyweights II show at Olympia in London on January 29 were put through their paces by Sky Sports – and each admitted their desire to fight for a major title after lifting the trophy.

The eight boxers headed to Sky’s studios in London on Wednesday (January 12) to start the promotional campaign ahead of the 16th edition of Matchroom Sport’s eight-man, one-night tournaments – donning their special 3D glasses as the show becomes Sky Sports’ second boxing event to be broadcast in 3D.

The line-up for the show is one of the most competitive since the show’s inception and with the Light-Heavyweight scene in Britain ready to be attacked by the winner, the fighters are aware that along with the £32,000 winner’s cheque, they could be launched to the head of the queue for a title shot.

“All this stuff at Sky has been brilliant,” said Menay Edwards, the unbeaten fighter from Kent. “This is what I talked to my trainer about four years ago, all the promo work, the cameras and the interviews – I don’t see the point of aiming for something and doing it half-heartedly, I want to go all the way in boxing and today has been a taste of what it’s like at the top and I want more of it.”

The most experienced fighter in the line-up, Surrey-based Pole Michael Banbula, singled out Commonwealth title holder Tony Bellew and Sunderland’s Olympian favourite Tony Jeffries as targets should he lift the trophy.

“I would love a rematch with Jeffries but the dream would be a fight with Bellew for the Commonwealth title,” said the veteran of 40-fights, who drew with Jeffries last July. “If I win Prizefighter then I know I can get a big shot – money comes and goes but the chance to fight for that title would be brilliant.”

One man in the line-up who is no stranger to title shots is former British champion Tony Dodson, the Liverpudlian who enters the night after close fought tussles with local rivals Tony Quigley and Paul Smith in British title fights. The 30 year-old has the bit between his teeth again and said he is eager to get into battle to avenge those losses and earn another crack at the British belt.

“I should have beaten Quigley, I dominated that fight and it wasn’t even close on points, even with the knockdown,” said Dodson, who was stopped by Quigley in the 12th. “With the Smith fight, I took a negative approach to it and I didn’t do enough work. At the end of the 12th I stood there and thought, ‘I should’ve put my foot down there.’ I don’t want to take anything away from either Tony or Paul though, they both beat me and I’m friends with the pair of them. But I said it when they started coming through and I’ll say it again – I’ll still be here when they are gone and I’m ready for another shot.”

Dodson is fighting with Travis Dickinson for early favouritism with the bookies – the 22 year-old from Durham is unbeaten from his first seven fights as a pro and is hoping to follow his brother Jon-Lewis onto the winner’s roster after his older sibling claimed the Cruiserweights II title in April 2010.

Joining Edwards and Dickinson as unbeaten fighters in the line-up are former Wales amateur captain Llewellyn Davies has five wins to his name with three KOs, and popular Romford man Billy Slate is undefeated after his opening two fights as he kicks off his career at 28.

St. Albans boxer Joe Smyth will be aiming to build on a 7-1 record and Jack Morris was recently confirmed as the final fighter in the line-up. He has revenge in his sights as the only defeat in his six-fight career came in his debut against Banbula.

Tickets for the Prizefighter Light-Heavyweights II are on sale now, with tickets starting at £20 and £30, ringside tickets at £40 and £50, and VIP packages at £120 – tickets are on sale at SeeTickets.com or through Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.

Douglin Inks with Haymon!

Posted on | January 12, 2011 | No Comments

Morganville, NJ (January 12, 2011) – Junior Middleweight sensation Denis “Da Mommas Boy” Douglin has signed an exclusive agreement with world renowned advisor Al Haymon.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in professional boxing, Haymon’s impressive clientele includes Floyd Mayweather, Paul Williams, Andre Berto, Daniel Jacobs and Antonio Tarver amongst others. His fighters all have appeared in lucrative bouts and on the biggest fight cards to ensure maximum exposure, which is exactly what Douglin was looking for.

“I’m excited about working with Al,” said Douglin, who was voted as New Jersey’s best prospect by a panel of local journalists. “He’s done great things for his fighters and I’m happy to have him as part of the team. 2011 is definitely going to be a huge year for me.”

A 2008 National Golden Gloves Champion, Douglin’s unblemished professional ledger stands at 12-0 with 8 wins by knockout. He was a perfect 6-0 with 5 stoppages in 2010 and is recognized amongst the top prospects on the east coast. In addition to his well rounded skill set, many in the boxing world have taken an interest in Denis’ career due to the fact that he is trained by his mother.

Douglin’s next bout is scheduled for February 18 in Salisbury, MD on an ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights undercard.

Fans can follow Denis at twitter.com/damommasboy

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