VOELKER GETS HIS REVENGE AGAINST BOWLING, JOHNSON, EVANGELISTA, BUDD, DEVINE ALSO TRIUMPH; CATCH REPLAY TUESDAY ON SHO 2 AT 10 P.M.

Posted on | October 23, 2010 | 1 Comment

Friday, Oct. 22, Live on SHOWTIME® From Save Mart Center, Fresno, Calif.

FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2010) – On an exhilarating evening that featured action fights highlighted by crowd-pleasing victories by Fresno fan favorites Lavar Johnson and Billy Evangelista, Bobby Voelker (23-8), of Kansas City, Mo., evened the score with previously undefeated Roger Bowling (8-1) of Cincinnati with a second-round TKO (punches) in the main event Friday on STRIKEFORCE Challengers live on SHOWTIME® from the Save Mart Center.

In other results on the televised portion of an event presented by STRIKEFORCE and Rockstar Energy Drink: Johnson (15-3), of Fresno, scored an explosive 2:17, first-round knockout over Virgil Zwicker (9-2), of Temecula, Calif., in a heavyweight scrap; the comebacking Evangelista (11-0, 1 NC), of Fresno, won the fight of the night with a thrilling, crowd-pleasing, hard-fought three-round unanimous decision over Waachiim Spirit Wolf (8-7-1), of San Diego, Calif., in a catch weight bout at 165 pounds; Julia “The Jewel” Budd (1-0), of Sechelt, British Columbia, made an instant impression at 145 pounds, impressively winning her pro debut with a second-round TKO (punches) over previously unbeaten Shana Olsen (4-1), of Burnsville, Minn., and John Devine (5-2), of San Francisco, submitted (rear-naked choke) Brandon Cash (5-3), of Fresno, at 3:20 of the first round in a heavyweight match.

Voelker lost a technical decision to Bowling five months ago on STRIKEFORCE Challengers when an exciting encounter ended prematurely due to an accidental poke in the eye in the third round. Friday, however, the 6-foot, 31-year-old Voelker shook off a fast start from the aggressive-minded Bowling to triumph decisively in perhaps a career-best performance. It was Voelker’s ninth victory in 12 starts.

“I really trained hard and I really wanted to win this fight,’’ said Voelker after the match was stopped at 3:58 of the round. “I felt like I had something to prove. If they want a third fight, I’m for it, or I will just move on. I’m just very happy that all the hard work I put in morning, noon and night paid off like it did.’’

Johnson was fighting for the second time since he was gunned down while attending a family barbeque during the July 4 holiday in 2009. The 6-foot-2, 33-year-old survived three gunshot wounds sustained during the walk-by shooting that led to the death of a cousin. A father of two young boys, Johnson spent 30 days in a hospital, fighting for his life, and several more months rehabilitating.

Friday, the hard-hitting Johnson, who has never been victorious via decision, looked as good as new as he earned his seventh consecutive knockout victory.

“This was just the kind of fight I wanted,’’ said Johnson after dropping the game Zwicker with a four-punch salvo that prompted the referee to step in and halt matters at 2:17. “I give Zwicker a lot of credit. He came to fight like I knew he would. But I wanted to make a statement. There are a lot of big-name heavyweights in STRIKEFORCE and I feel it’s time I get my shot at one of them.

“I love fighting in Fresno. It is my home and the fans here are loud and totally into it. They are great.’’

Evangelista, making his first start since Nov. 6, 2009, won an absolute slugfest by the scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28. The extremely popular local fighter is a natural 155-pounder and Friday’s fight was at a catch weight of 165. The naturally bigger and stronger Spirit Wolf, who fights at welterweight (170), used his size and strength to his advantage throughout and some thought the scoring could have been closer.

“I love fighting in front of the hometown fans in Fresno,’’ the 5-foot-8, 29-year-old Evangelista said, “but this was a very hard fight. I wanted to make it into more of a stand-up fight but this guy was tough and game as they come.’’

Spirit Wolf, who took down Evangelista no less than three times, felt he deserved much better.

“I come to fight and that’s what I did tonight,’’ he said. “It is bad enough I thought I deserved the decision, but to not get a round on those scorecards is ridiculous. Honestly, I feel I got ripped off.

“But I hope STRIKEFORCE liked what they saw and they give me another chance. I had to drop weight for this, and that wasn’t easy, but I will fight anybody.’’

Despite losing a blow for delivering an illegal elbow late in the first round, Budd dominated the more experienced Olsen.

“I am very happy right now,’’ said the highly regarded Canadian Muay Thai Champion who was the only fighter to defeat Gina Carano in Muay Thai. “I wanted to keep it standing more, but Shana was tough.’’

Although it would be unrealistic, after just one fight, for her to even entertain thoughts of facing STRIKEFORCE World Champion Cris Cyborg, the No. 1 female fighter in the world, Budd’s performance against Olsen clearly showed that she deserves to be mentioned at or near the top of a short list of possible challengers at 145 pounds.

“It’s up to my coaches,’’ said Budd, who graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor’s degree in human kinetics. “But I’d be game for it.’’

The victory by Devine came in his first start since losing to Daniel Cormier last March 26 on STRIKEFORCE Challengers.

“This is obviously a big win,’’ said Devine after dealing Cash his third consecutive defeat. “I knew he was heavy-handed but I did what I had to do. I am fortunate and appreciative for everyone involved in making this fight happen.’’

Friday’s action-packed event will re-air as follows:

DAY CHANNEL
Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 10 p.m. ET/PT SHO2

The telecast also will be available On Demand beginning this Monday, Oct. 25.

Mauro Ranallo called the action on SHOWTIME with MMA legend Pat Miletich and The Fight Professor, Stephen Quadros, serving as expert analysts.

In Friday’s non-televised professional result: David “Tarzan’’ Douglas (5-2) of Antioch, Calif., rallied impressively to register a second-round TKO (punches) over previously undefeated Dominic Clark (4-1) of Fresno.

UPCOMING STRIKEFORCE EVENTS ON SHOWTIME: STRIKEFORCE Challengers will be in Jackson, Miss., on Friday, Nov. 19 (11 p.m. ET/PT). In the main event, lightweight star and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro (20-4) will take on streaking Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox (9-3) of Cincinnati at the Jackson Convention Complex.

MMA legend Dan Henderson will face former STRIKEFORCE World Champion “Babalu” Sobral when STRIKEFORCE returns to St. Louis on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Scottrade Center (10 p.m. ET/PT). In featured bouts, Paul “Semtex’’ Daley (25-9-2) of Nottingham, England, meets Scott “Hands Of Steel’ Smith (17-7, 1 NC) of Elk Grove, Calif., in a welterweight match, “Ruthless “Robbie” Lawler (17-6, 1 NC) of Elk Grove, Ill., takes on 2000 Olympic Games silver medalist Matt Lindland (22-7) of Oregon City, Ore., in a middleweight scrap, top contender and former EliteXC champion Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva (14-2), of Coconut Creek, Fla., by way of Brazil, throws down with the older brother of STRIKEFORCE World Heavyweight Champion, Alistair Overeem, Valentijn “The Python’’ Overeem (28-23), of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, football legend and unbeaten MMA fighter Herschel Walker (1-0) will meet an opponent to be announced and St. Louis native Jesse Finney will face a foe to be determined.

For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive video, photos and news links on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and STRIKEFORCE mixed martial arts telecasts, along with access to the SHOWTIME Sports Facebook® and Twitter® pages, please go to http://Sports.Sho.com.

Dechaves gains revenge against Felix in rematch

Posted on | October 22, 2010 | No Comments

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (Oct. 22, 2010) – On a night of rear naked chokes, Joe Dechaves (4-3-0) gained revenge against Luis “Rockstar” Felix, winning a three-round split decision in Friday night’s main event in the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

In their first fight, Felix (5-6-0) won by a first-round technical decision, setting up a potential third fight. Dechaves won this evening on the judges’ scorecards by scores of 30-27, 29-28, 27-30.

In the co-feature, lightweight Lionel Young (4-4-0) locked in a rear naked choke, forcing Andrew Caron (5-3-0) to tap-out in the first round.

Bantamweight Blair Tugman (5-3-0) needed only 46 seconds to make Todd Sweeney tap-out by way of a rear naked choke.

In a battle of unbeaten light heavyweights, Mike Mucitelli (5-0-0) kept his perfect record intact by defeating Steve Skrzat (4-1-0), when the commission doctor halted the action after one round due to a deep cut under Skrzat’s left eye.

Middleweight Jeff “Scary Nickname” Nader (4-2-0) unloaded a barrage of unanswered strikes on Dustin Baker to earn a first-round victory by technical knockout.

Welterweight Jimmy Davidson won his pro debut, forcing Mark Skelcher to tap-out via a rear naked choke at 1:47 of the opening round.

Full Results for “Cage of Horrors”
Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut
Promoter: Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.

Professionals

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Mike Mucitelli (5-0-0), Watertown, NY WTKO1 (5:00 – Doctor stoppage) Steve Skrzat (4-1-0), Uxbridge, MA

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Jeff Nader (4-2-0), Plymouth, MA WTKO1 ( 2:46 – Strikes) Dustin Baker (1-1-0), Watertown, NY

WELTERWEIGHTS
Jimmy Davidson (1-0-0), Sandwich, MA WSUB1 (1:47 – Rear Naked Choke) Mark Skelcher (0-2-0), Oakdale, CT

LIGHTWEIGHTS
Joe Dechaves (4-3-0), Boston, MA WDEC3 (30-27, 29-28, 27-30) Luis Felix (5-6-0), Cranston, RI

Lionel Young (4-4-0), Brockton, MA WSUB1 (3:37 – Rear Naked Choke) Andrew Caron (5-3-0), New London, CT

BANTAMWEIGHTS
Blair Tugman (5-3-0), North Haven, CT WSUB1 (0:46 – Rear Naked Choke) Todd Sweeney (1-3-0), Southbridge, MA
Amateurs

SUPER HEAVYWEIGHTS
Dex Rhodes (1-0-0), Norwalk, CT WSUB1 (1:30 – Rear Naked Choke Matt McFarland (0-1-0), Midcoast, ME

160-POUNDS CATCHWEIGHT
Matt Petrides (1-0-0), Norwalk, CT WSUB1 (1:03 – Rear Naked Choke) Mike O’Connell (1-1-0), Weymouth, MA

FEATHERWEIGHTS
Dinis Paiva (3-1-0), E. Providence, RI WDEC (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) John Naples (3-4-0), New London, CT

Fighter of the Night: Jeff Nader
Fight of the Night: Luis Felix-Joe Dechaves
KO of the Night: Jeff Nader
Submission of the Night: Lionel Young

ATLANTIC CITY’S BIGGEST FIGHT WEEKEND OF 2010 KICKS OFF WITH SPARTAN FIGHT PROMOTIONS: BATTLE II ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19TH AT HARRAH’S RESORT AND CASINO

Posted on | October 22, 2010 | No Comments

Farah Ennis to take on Victor Lares for NABF Super Middleweight title; Chazz Witherspoon in an explosive Heavyweight co-feature

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY (OCTOBER 22, 2010)—On Friday night November 19th, Spartan Fight Promotions presents a night of championship boxing that is dubbed BATTLE II that will take place from the Harrah’s Resort and Casino in Atlantic City.

In the main event, undefeated Super Middleweight, Farah “The Quiet Storm” Ennis will look to capture his first title as he will take on rugged Victor Lares for the NABF Super Middleweight title that will be scheduled for twelve rounds.

In the co-feature, top American Heavyweight, Chazz “The Gentleman” Witherspoon will take on Mike Sheppard in a fight scheduled for eight rounds.

Ennis has a record of 16-0 with ten knockouts and is coming off a third round stoppage over Reggie Pena on August 28th in Atlantic City as part of SPARTAN FIGHT PROMOTIONS: BATTLE I and is quickly becoming a force in the loaded Super Middleweight division.

He has been one of the most active fighters around as this will be his sixth fight in 2010 and he has stepped the competition with each bout. His previous five bouts have produced knockout victories for Ennis.

The twenty-seven year old has a very diverse style as he has won fights by displaying his terrific boxing ability while in other bouts he has shown awesome knockout power like the aforementioned bouts.

In those bouts, Ennis has stopped Emanuel Gonzalez (9-6) in three rounds, Frankie Santos (17-8-4) in two rounds, Steve Walker (24-24) in one round and Ennis stopped grizzled veteran Demetrius Davis (20-23-5) in three rounds on July 30th in Philadelphia.

The twenty-seven year old Ennis turned pro in February of 2006 by scoring a second round stoppage over Sylvester Golding in Philadelphia.

This will be the first title opportunity for Ennis.

Lares of Corpus Christi, Texas has an impressive mark of 15-4 with four knockouts and is former two time Texas State champion.

Lares went 8-1 in his first nine bouts before winning the Texas state Middleweight championship with a seventh round stoppage over Eddie O’Neal on November 18th, 2004.

After going 2-1 in his next three fights, Lares won the Texas State Super Middleweight championship with an eight round unanimous decision over Fernando Vela on August 10, 2007.

Lares will be looking to redeem himself after faling short in his two biggest fights to date as he lost a close unanimous decision to David Medina (17-2) on April 5, 2008 and Lares was stopped in two rounds two to future world title challenger Daniel Jacobs (12-0) on December 6, 2008 as part of the mega Oscar De La Hoya – Manny Pacquiao undercard in Las Vegas.

In Lares last bout, he scored a second round stoppage over Julio Perez on May 15, 2010 in Kingsville, Texas.

Witherpsoon has a record of 27-2 with nineteen knockouts and is regarded as one of the top American Heavyweights.

Witherspoon, twenty-eight years old of Philadelphia, PA, won his first twenty-three bouts with fifteen knockouts as he defeated the likes of Michael Alexander (11-0); Talmadge Giffis (24-6-3); Jonathan Haggler (18-1); which set up a big showdown with fellow undefeated and rising star Chris Arreola (23-0)

On June 21, 2008 Arreola scored a third round disqualification win in a fight that Witherspoon boxed well but decided “To bring out the Philly in him” and slug with the heavy handed Arreola.

Witherspoon went on to win three consecutive starts which included an eighth round stoppage over Adam “Swamp Donkey” Richards (21-1) on the undercard of the Jermain Taylor – Jeff Lacy battle in Memphis, Tennessee.

In his last bout, Witherspoon took out perennial contender Livin Castillo (16-8) in seven rounds as part of SPARTAN FIGHT PROMOTIONS: BATTLE I on August 28th at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.

Witherspoon is a graduate of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and has a degree in Pharmaceutical Sales and he is very involved in the community as he is a mentor in many youth groups in the tri-state area

Sheppard of Palestine, West Virginia has a record of 15-11-1 with eight knockouts.

He has shared the ring with contenders Clifford Etienne and Joey Abell.

Sheppard won the West Virginia Heavyweight title with a ten round unanimous decision over Clarence Moore on November 21st, 2008.

Sheppard will be looking to break a two fight losing streak as those two fights where contested for titles.

On March 19th, Sheppard dropped a ten round unanimous decision to Chauncey Welliver for the WBC Continental Americas title.

In his last bout, Sheppard lost a debatable majority decision to Nicolai Firtha on August 20th in a bout for the NABA USA title.

Some of the best prospects in the region will be featured on the undercard such as undefeated Light Heavyweight Lavarn “Baby Bowe” Harvell

Harvell of Atlantic City has a record of 6-0 with two knockouts and will see action in a scheduled six round bout.

Joel De La Paz of Atlantic City will risk his undefeated mark which reads 5-0 with four stoppages will take part in a Super Middleweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

The son of the former Heavyweight champion of the world, Isiah Seldon (2-0, 1 KO) will be fight a middleweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

Undefeated Jr. Middleweight Ismael Garcia (1-0) will fight an scheduled four round bout.

Joey Tiberi (1-0, 1 KO) will fight a four round Super Featherweight bout.

Rounding out the card will be undefeated Heavyweight William Miranda (1-0) of Allentown, PA in a four round bout.

Harvell, De La Paz, Seldon, Garcia, Tiberi and Miarnda’s opponent will be names shortly.

Tickets for this great evening of boxing are priced at $125; $90; $60; $40 and be purchased through Ticketmaster (1 800 736 1420); The Harrahs Box Office or GNP Fitness (609 348 4999)

UNBEATEN SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMP GARY SYKES COMPLETES PRIZEFIGHTER LINE-UP

Posted on | October 22, 2010 | No Comments

“I’ll prove I’m the best in Britain on November 20,” says Yorkshireman
Unbeaten British Super-Featherweight champion Gary Sykes is the eighth and final fighter signed up for the first Prizefighter Super-Featherweight tournament on November 20 at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

Sykes completes what organisers Matchroom Sport have called “the strongest line-up in Prizefighter history”, joining The Mongolian Warrior Choi Tseveenpurev, Coronation Street actor and former England Commonwealth Games captain Steve Bell and 24 year-old European Lightweight title challenger Gary Buckland. Prizefighter Lightweights semi-finalist Gary McArthur, British and European challenger Scott Lawton and former British and WBU title holder Derry Matthews line up in front of the Sky Sports cameras too, as does Kevin O’Hara, who will be seeking revenge over Sykes after losing to the Dewsbury fighter in his first title defence in May.

The 26 year-old title holder will enter the 15th edition of Barry Hearn’s eight-man, one night tournaments as the favourite but he insists he can handle the pressure of his British title and 16 fight unbeaten record, and that the strong line up will spur him on to claim the title.

“I want to fight the best to prove that I am the best,” said Sykes. “The Prizefighter format is a brilliant night with a big financial reward and as the best fighter in Britain I am confident I can enter this and walk away with the trophy, and I will prove it on November 20.

“There’s two targets on my back – my belt and my unbeaten record, but I’ve defended it already so there isn’t really a lot to risk, and I’m not thinking about losing, I’m thinking about showing that I’m the number one Super Featherweight in Britain.”

Sykes had a formidable amateur record before turning professional in 2006, winning several ABA titles and maintaining a 32-fight winning streak but rather than reaching back into the past to call upon that experience in Prizefighter, he insists that his professional style will be too much for the other fighters to handle on the night.

“I throw plenty of punches – against Anthony Crolla we both threw over 1000 punches over ten rounds – so I still fight at a phenomenal pace with a high punch output so the three-threes format is perfect for me.”
Such is Sykes’ focus on protecting his unbeaten record and pocketing the £32,000 winner’s cheque that his trainer and manager Chris Aston joked that he “hasn’t asked me who else is fighting!”

“He knows there are good names and the addition of Choi is exciting – I know he wants to fight him,” said Aston. “We were the first people to work with Choi when he arrived in the country and he’s a very dangerous fighter. Gary’s beaten O’Hara and faced Bell in the amateurs so it’s a tough line-up but that’s what Gary needs and wants. He’s got mandatory defences and this is a great test for him as there’s no weak link in the line-up.”

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport’s managing director, is delighted with the eight fighters on the bill and is expecting another great night of action in east London.

“This is quite simply a stunning line up and the most competitive we have ever seen in Prizefighter,” said Hearn. “It’s going to be an electric night and the winner will catapult himself right in line for a major title shot.”

Tickets for Prizefighter Super Featherweights are available now at £35 (unreserved), £60 (ringside) and £100 (VIP) – call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.

FIGHTERS MAKE WEIGHT; FINAL THOUGHTS & QUOTES

Posted on | October 21, 2010 | No Comments

Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010,
Radisson, Fresno, California

STRIKEFORCE Challengers Tomorrow/Friday, Oct. 22,
At Save Mart Center in Fresno,
Live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT

FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 21, 2010) – All the fighters who will compete on an excellent STRIKEFORCE Challengers event presented by Rockstar Energy Drink at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., tomorrow/Friday, Oct. 22, at Save Mart Center live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) made weight Thursday at Radisson hotel.

In the main event, welterweight Relentless” Roger Bowling (8-0) of Cincinnati will put his unbeaten record on the line one more time against “Vicious” Bobby Voelker (22-8) of Kansas City, Mo., in a rematch of an exciting fight last May 21 that ended prematurely due to an accidental poke in the eye.

Other televised fights on SHOWTIME: Lavar “Big” Johnson (14-3), Fresno, Calif., vs. Virgil “RezDog” Zwicker (9-1), Temecula, Calif., heavyweights; Billy Evangelista (10-0, 1 NC), Fresno, vs. Waachiim “Native Warrior’’ Spirit Wolf (8-6-1), San Diego, Calif., at 165 pounds; Shana “Rock Solid’’ Olsen (4-0), Burnsville, Minn., vs. Julia “The Jewel” Budd (pro debut), Sechelt, British Columbia, middleweights (145 pounds); and Brandon Cash (5-2), Fresno, vs. John Devine (5-2), San Francisco, heavyweights.

Tickets for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event are on sale at the Save Mart Center box office, select Save Mart Supermarkets, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and STRIKEFORCE’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).

Doors will open at 4:45 p.m. PT. The first preliminary bout will begin at 5:30 p.m. The first televised match starts at 8 p.m. PT.

What the fighters said Thursday:

ROGER BOWLING
“Just like the last time, this is going to be a war from start to finish against a great opponent. I’ve trained really well and I’m very confident.

“I don’t want to leave any doubt this time around.’’

BOBBY VOELKER
“I feel great and am very hungry and very emotional for this fight and want it really badly. I’ve been pumped since the rematch was made.

“I’ve been working on a lot of new things and making changes so I can improve. Roger is a tough guy, for sure. I’m used to being the bully, but I got blitzed a little the first time.

“No matter how this fight starts out, I plan on hitting him in the face.’’

LAVAR JOHNSON
“My weight’s back up, my timing and balance are better and overall I just feel great.

“I’m looking forward to putting everything behind me so I can concentrate on fighting and knocking guys out. I don’t want to just be known as the guy who got shot.

“This guy’s strength is standing so I hope it plays out that way. No one wants to watch a couple of big dudes rolling around the cage.

“I am definitely not looking past Zwicker, who’s aggressive and probably a little faster than me. But I know a good win could put me in line to fight some of STRIKEFORCE’s top heavyweights, which is definitely what I want to do. There are a few good fights out there for me.’’

VIRGIL ZWICKER
“I am totally focused and feel 100 percent ready, both physically and mentally. This is a tremendous chance for me to show what I can do, maybe the best I’ve had, and that’s why I’ve worked so hard.

“I’m confident I can cease the opportunity on Friday.’’

BILLY EVANGELISTA
“I’m injury free, feel great and looking for a good fight Friday and then, ultimately, to a return to 155 pounds. I’m in good condition but after not fighting for 11 months fighting at around 165 made sense.

“There are plenty of top fighters at 155 in STRIKEFORCE and I’m willing to fight any of them. I definitely plan on fighting more often and going after the big guys at 155.’’

WAACHIM SPIRIT WOLF
“I actually had a full camp for this so I’m excited and anxious and ready to go. This will be a fantastic fight. To fight an undefeated fighter on SHOWTIME is a tremendous opportunity and what it’s all about.

“I’ve already fought three guys that were unbeaten going in against me and I am 3-0.

“This is actually a homecoming for me because I was born in Fresno and lived here until I was about two-years-old.’’

SHANA OLSEN
“I’ve trained hard and my goal is to win. I don’t put pressure on myself to win impressively. I am fighting a Muay Thai champion who defeated Gina Carano, so my work is cut out for me.

“But this is a sport and a time and place in my life where I belong. I have a strong desire to make it to the top, and right now I am in the process of working my way up.’’

JULIA BUDD
“I am fighting someone who’s strong and knows what she’s doing, but I’m also strong, fit and ready to go.

“I take it one fight at a time and I work to be the best so I can fight the best, but there is no doubt I am stepping up for this one and will be the underdog.

“I love MMA, putting in the work, the lifestyle and the challenge.’’

BRANDON CASH
“Every fight is a must-win and this is the most motivated I’ve ever been for a fight. My weight is good, my mind is good and I am raring to go.

“I’m coming to fight. That doesn’t mean I won’t be patient, but the plan is I just want to knock him out.’’

JOHN DEVINE
“He’s a good striker who comes out fast, but I am a better wrestler than him. This is such a great opportunity for me and I really want to thank STRIKEFORCE. I’m confident I’ll finish him.’’

FIGHTS AVAILABLE FOR PPV ON GOFIGHTLIVE.TV THIS WEEKEND

Posted on | October 21, 2010 | No Comments

CLICK ON THE POSTERS BELOW TO FIND OUT MORE OR TO ORDER THE STREAMS FOR THE FIGHTS BELOW

ALLAN GREEN & GLEN JOHNSON, PROMOTER LOU DIBELLA SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS

Posted on | October 21, 2010 | No Comments

Hard-hitting, world-ranked Allan Green and veteran contender and former world champ Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson participated in a national media conference call to discuss their must-win Super Six World Boxing Classic bout on Saturday, Nov. 6, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas. Green and Johnson were also joined on the call by promoter Lou DiBella.

The winner of the 12-rounder between Green (29-2, 20 KOs), of Tulsa, Okla., and the Jamaican-born Johnson (50-14-2, 34 KOs), of Miami, Fla., will earn a spot in the tournament Semifnals.

A veteran contender and former light heavyweight world champion, Johnson is a replacement for the injured Mikkel Kessler.

Green, who was outclassed in his Group Stage 2 bout against Andre Ward, can overcome his uninspired performance that he blamed on over-training with a win over Johnson in Group Stage 3. Green, who replaced the injured Jermain Taylor, was already in intense training camp for Kessler and was not deterred by the change in opponent. No matter the opposition, Green needs to win in Group Stage 3 to advance.

Johnson, who has appeared in seven world title fights and has defeated some of the best prizefighters of this era, including boxing legends Roy Jones, Jr., and Antonio Tarver, now has an opportunity to reestablish himself as one of the world’s elite prizefighters.

In the second half of the excellent Nov. 6 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader, undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion Juan Manuel “JuanMa” Lopez (29-0, 26 KOs) of Puerto Rico will defend his title against two-division world champion Rafael Marquez (39-5, 35 KOs) of Mexico City.

What the fighters and DiBella had to say on Thursday:

DIBELLA: “Unfortunately, we’ve faced a lot of challenges in this tournament, but I want to commend SHOWTIME for sticking with it and finishing out this tournament. I think it’s necessary. I think the format proved itself to work by virtue of how often the favorite has changed, by how many times guys who have lost matches and went on to win the next. You just can’t anticipate injuries and the kind of things that happen in our sport. But I’m very happy that Ken (Hershman) elected to continue with the tournament. It’s presented a tremendous opportunity to Allan and Glen Johnson because this fight takes on enormous significance with the winner having the opportunity to get into the Semifinals.

“Allan is one of the best 168-pounders in the world, but he’s coming off one of the poorest performances he’s had in a while and he has a lot to prove in this fight. He’s gone back to the drawing board, he’s made changes in his corner, and I know he’s more committed than ever.”

GREEN: “I’m just looking forward to Nov. 6. I’m just glad to get back in the ring. I really don’t have to prove anything to myself. I just have to prove myself to the fans.”

JOHNSON: “I’m extremely excited about the opportunity. I thank SHOWTIME for making me a part of this prestigious event. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

Glen, how do you expect dropping down to 168 to affect you and what was your reaction to being offered to join the tournament?
JOHNSON: “My first reaction was ‘Wow, what a great opportunity.’ This is, I think, the best tournament in boxing. When the possibility to be a part of it came up I was extremely excited. I immediately started doing what I need to do to get down to the weight. I haven’t done 168 pounds in like 10 years, so I just have to commit myself and go to work. This is what I do. This is my job, this is how I get paid. This is how I eat. That’s how I look at it. I just went about my business to take care of my job.”

Allan, how disappointed were you in the loss to Andre Ward?
GREEN: “It was very disappointing. I had to make a lot of changes, but going into the fight, I knew I was ill-prepared. I knew things weren’t going to be right. I’m just eager to get back in the ring and I just had to make some changes. I had to go back to my roots and do everything right the way I used to. Now I feel great and I’m looking forward to Nov. 6.”

How are you going to deal with Glen Johnson’s activity level?
GREEN: “I know Glen very well; Glen’s a friend of mine. He’s one of the first top guys I actually sparred with coming up. He’s not an easy guy to fight by any means. He’s not an easy fight for anybody. But I have my own game plan and I’m not going to reveal that.”

Glen, what did you gain from Green’s performance against Andre Ward?
JOHNSON: “I watched that fight once and that was right when it happened. As Allan just alluded to, Allan and I are friends. I’ve known him for a long time and I know that was not the Allan Green that I know. I’ve sparred with him many, many times. He’s helped me get ready for my fights and I’ve helped him get ready for his fights. I know that wasn’t the Allan Green that I know. I didn’t take much away from that. I didn’t give it that much thought. I thought, maybe he had some problem or something. I didn’t watch it another time – it was painful for me to watch it the first time. I knew something was wrong so I didn’t look at it again.”

Glen, how have you managed to maintain such a high level of performance?
JOHNSON: “I don’t know. I’ve been asked that question a lot. I don’t know if it’s the fact that I don’t smoke and I don’t abuse my body. Maybe it’s because I don’t take drugs or drink. Maybe it’s because I train all the time and try to get better. Maybe it’s a combination of all of those things. All I am is thankful and grateful that it happens to me and for me.”

Allan, do you feel extra pressure to perform well in this fight after the performance to Andre Ward?
GREEN: “I knew going into that fight that I was ill-prepared. I knew that I was a little heavy going into to camp and I knew that I was going to have trouble getting the weight off. I knew it wasn’t going right. I don’t like to put pressure on myself. My job is to go out there and perform. I’m not putting any extra pressure on myself to perform great or anything. I’m just going to go do my job and that’s it.”

Would you agree that it appears that both times you stepped up to a high level of opponent that you didn’t perform well?
GREEN: “Of course I can understand that. It only makes sense. I had my big opportunity and my performance was subpar, so I can completely understand that.”

Glen, can you be specific on when you guys sparred?
JOHNSON: “I know that Allan and I sparred when I was getting ready for Roy Jones, but we sparred a number of times after that. I’ve gone into his camp and helped him out when he was getting ready for other fights as well.”

GREEN: “Yeah, he helped me get ready for the (Edison) Miranda fight and I helped him get ready for the Roy Jones fight.”

Is there anything that you guys take from the sparring sessions?
GREEN: “I’m an honest man. I learned a lot from Glen. A lot of days he gave me the business, a lot of days he just put it on me. I’m not ashamed to say that I learned a lot. That helped me get a lot better. I had my times, too, but for the most part he got the better of me. It was a good experience for me getting ready for the fight.”

Allan, how is your weight now and what are some changes you’ve made after your last fight?
GREEN: “After the Ward fight got postponed because of knee injury I kind of fell into a funk and got real depressed and started eating a lot and not really training. I just started blowing up because I didn’t think that fight would happen. So I had to play catch up when I came into camp. I think I ended up having to lose 28 pounds in three weeks. I don’t know how I did it. But this time, I stuck to my diet – I’m a vegetarian – I stuck to my diet, ate the right things. This time when I wake up in the morning I weigh around 176 pounds.”

Glen, how do you continue to perform at this level and not get disappointed with some questionable decision losses?
JOHNSON: “Well, I just don’t want to quit on myself. Everybody else is quitting on you, the last thing you want to do is quit on yourself. I always look at it that way: Every time I step in the ring and every time I’m training for a fight I always go at it 100 percent knowing that this could be my last chance, my last opportunity. I’m not one of those big market guys that will always get a chance and always get an opportunity, so I always give it 100 percent every time I step in there. That’s just the way I go about it. I just have to keep my spirit up because nobody else is going to do it for me. That’s the way I look at it and that’s the reason I perform the way I do.”

Allan, do you see any type of scenario where Glen’s weight loss will be negative?
GREEN: It’s a possibility, but I’ve seen Glen work – he’s a hard worker. He’s not a very big light heavyweight anyway. As far as it affecting his performance, I can’t say that. I really don’t know.”

Glen, you fought Bernard Hopkins 13 years ago. If I told you 13 years ago that you’d both still be active, what would you have said at the time?
JOHNSON: “I’d still be laughing just like I’m doing right now. Life is funny, man. You never say never. I remember when I first got introduced to boxing and George Foreman was the old guy in boxing. I was like ‘Man, when is this guy going to stop before he gets hurt?’ You know what, he did it and he did it well and he earned a lot of money. He had the last laugh at the end of the day. I really didn’t think that I would last this long in boxing. When I first started boxing all I wanted to make was $10,000 so I could make a down payment on a house. Once I got my first compliment I was hooked. I just kept trying harder to get another compliment and it turned into this career. I’m just thankful.

“I’m the most excited guy right now to be a part of the most prestigious tournament in boxing. I was happy when I heard Allan was a part of it. The fact that things happened the way things happened and now I’m a part of it, I’m happy for me. I’m just going out there and doing what I have to do to move on.”

Allan, what would be your ideal scenario for this fight?
GREEN: “Just to win. Just to win and moving on in the tournament and getting my revenge against Andre Ward and winning the tournament. Just to win. Just an impressive win.”

Lou, do you think there is a future for this tournament style?
DIBELLA: “I hope so. I think that there will always be challenges in the sport to a tournament because anything that takes any length of time presents difficulties. You have your legitimate difficulties with injuries but you also have your political difficulties. This tends to be a sport of immediate gratification. People don’t tend to look down the line; they look at the immediate payday. The tournament concept is a difficult undertaking. But if we’re not creative in boxing and we don’t take chances, we’re going to head even more into the shitter than we already are. I really, really honestly do believe that we have to take these types of chances; we have to go for this type of innovation.

“I applaud Ken Hershman for this concept and I think it is proving itself to work. It started out and you had Kessler as the favorite, then Abraham became the favorite and now Ward is the favorite. It kept changing. Had everyone stayed in I think obviously a lot of people would be happier. But I think still you have excitement on the horizon. You’re going to have two terrific fights coming up and I expect that the Semis will also be real good fights. I’m glad that they stuck with it. Look, anything that takes a long time in boxing is hard to do. We’ve got to be innovative. We’ve got to take chances even if those chances create challenges and difficulties.”

CLOSING COMMENTS:
GREEN: “I’m just happy to be back in the ring. I have a lot of respect for Glen Johnson; he’s a great guy, great fight, great friend. I’m just looking to get in there, come out with a victory and move forward.”

JOHNSON: “I’m ready. Weight is not an issue, we took care of that. I’m looking forward to going in the ring and giving the fans a good show. Somebody mentioned what would be a perfect scenario? I would say that Allan and I both get in the tournament – that would be my answer to that question. I love Allan Green, no doubt. It’s just a circumstance where we have to face each other in this tournament, but may the best man win. Do what you got to do and I will as well.”

“Who’s The Man II” Postponed Until December 11!

Posted on | October 21, 2010 | No Comments

For Immediate Release

Baltimore, MD (October 21, 2010) – Due to unforeseen circumstances, the boxing card scheduled for this Saturday at the Pikesville Armory has been postponed until December 11.

All ticket holders will have access to the same seat for the Saturday, December 11 show.

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