KJ NOONS, SARAH KAUFMAN, JOSH THOMSON OPEN MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES

Posted on | October 7, 2010 | 1 Comment

Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010,
Crowne Plaza, San Jose, California

“DIAZ VS. NOONS II” – This Saturday at HP Pavilion
Live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT

SAN JOSE (Oct. 6, 2010) – Three of the top fighters who will appear on this Saturday’s mega-fight card at HP Pavilion live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) – KJ Noons, STRIKEFORCE Women’s Welterweight Champion Sarah Kaufman and former STRIKEFORCE lightweight titleholder Josh Thomson – participated Wednesday in an Open Media Workout at Crowne Plaza.

Noons (9-1) will challenge STRIKEFORCE Welterweight World Champion Nick Diaz (22-7, 1 NC) in the main event. Noons, of San Diego, Calif., has won his last six fights, including a thrilling slugfest against Diaz that ended when a cageside physician halted the proceedings due to excessive cuts around Diaz’ eyes. Diaz, of Stockton, Calif., has not lost a fight since he faced Noons, losing via disputed first-round TKO on Nov. 7, 2007. He has won seven in a row.

In the co-feature, the unbeaten Kaufman (12-0), of British Columbia, Canada, will make the second defense of her 135-pound title against No. 1 contender and Dutch superstar Marloes Coenen (17-4).

Thomson (17-3), of San Jose, will meet Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante (15-3-1) of Brazil in a battle of world-ranked lightweights. The winner between Thomson and Cavalcante could be next up to challenge STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez.

In the opening bout of the telecast, Tyron Woodley (8-0), of St. Louis, Mo., faces Andre Galvao (5-1) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in a welterweight weight.

Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com, at the HP Pavilion ticket office, or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Doors will open at 4 p.m. PT. The first live, non-televised fight is at 4:30 p.m.

What they had to say Wednesday:

KJ NOONS
“I’m closing in on my fourth fight this year, I’m on a good winning streak and I feel great. I’ve trained very hard and am looking forward to Saturday. This has been the best camp I’ve had. It’s been a hard camp, but a fun one. I’ve put in a lot of work and I am super confident. I’m ready for a fight.

“For sure, Diaz is going to try and take me down. He’s going to do what he does best.

“The difference between fighting at 170 pounds and 155 is that I don’t have to break off a part of a leg to make the weight.

SARAH KAUFMAN
“All fights are important, but this is the one that will give me the most exposure and I am definitely very excited about Saturday.

“I expect a tough fight. Marloes is extremely experienced and I expect her to come out bombing. If she takes it to the ground, I expect her to go for the submission.’’

JOSH THOMSON
“I expect another tough fight. We have totally contrasting styles. It’s all going to come down to who enters the ring with the best strategy and to who implements their plan the best.

“I feel good and I’m as ready as can be. Get past this one and, deep down, I hope to fight (STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Champion) Gilbert (Melendez). But it depends on STRIKEFORCE and other things, likes injuries. Plus, Gilbert might have a commitment to fight next in Japan.

“But I definitely want to fight again soon — in December, January or February.’’

MCBRIDE: I HAVE THE HUNGER FOR PRIZEFIGHTER WIN

Posted on | October 7, 2010 | No Comments

The man who ended Mike Tyson’s career says he’s not finished yet
Kevin McBride says there is plenty of life left in his career – starting with victory in the Prizefighter Heavyweights IV at York Hall on Saturday October 9.

The Irishman, who lives in Boston in the United States, made his comeback against Zack Page in New York in July, fighting for the first time since October 2007. The 37 year-old lost the fight to Page by unanimous decision but said he believes he still has what it takes to win the sold out show live on Sky Sports.

“I lost on my comeback but I’ve still got the desire and hunger to achieve something big in boxing – they said the curtains would come down after the last fight (against Andrew Golota in 2007) but I still have that dream I had as a kid to be the first Irish-born Heavyweight Champion of the World and winning Prizefighter would be a great stepping stone to that goal,” said the Clones Colossus.

It’s the 14th edition of the Prizefighter tournament – the fourth time for the Heavyweights – with eight fighters gunning for the £32,000 winner’s cheque in a knockout format over three rounds, with four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a final in a breathless night of action. The event has both launched careers and resurrected them, with the most famous example of the latter being Audley Harrison who won the last Heavyweights night in October 2009 and used that as a springboard to land a World title fight with David Haye in November.

“Boxing is a beautiful sport because one punch can change anyone’s chapter and I’ve got three punches in me that can change my life at York Hall,” said McBride.

McBride’s greatest claim to fame in the sport is his victory over Mike Tyson in Washington DC in June 2005. The Irishman was a massive underdog in the fight but Tyson quit before the seventh round, and it proved to be the last time Iron Mike would fight competitively.

“When I fought Tyson I was probably the biggest underdog of the decade but it just showed that if you work hard enough, stick to your plans and believe in yourself anything can happen,” said McBride. “It was great to meet the man and on the night I also met Muhammad Ali, since I was nine I had always wanted to meet him and he was there because his daughter was fighting. I said to him ‘this is the greatest night of my life in boxing, after beating a legend I’m meeting another one,’ and he said to me, ‘I’m the greatest, you’re the latest’ which was just brilliant.

“Everybody said to me that I only beat Tyson because he was at the end, but every man in the ring with two hands is dangerous – and that’s the same in Prizefighter, as it’s so explosive and all eight fighters will believe they can win it. I know I can win it that’s for sure – I may have lost a few fights but the desire is there and these fights could be over with one big punch, and I have The Equaliser in my armoury.”

PRIZEFIGHTER HEAVYWEIGHTS IV DRAW

Matt Skelton v Ali Adams

Kevin McBride v Franklin Egobi

Michael Sprott v Danny Hughes

Declan Timlin v Shane McPhilbin

PRIZEFIGHTER HEAVYWEIGHTS IV IS A SELL OUT

Posted on | October 6, 2010 | No Comments

All tickets for boxing’s hottest property sold – No Guts, No Glory on Sky Sports tonight

Prizefighter Heavyweights IV at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Saturday October 9 is a complete sell out.
All tickets for the 14th edition of Barry Hearn’s eight-man, one night tournaments have now been snapped up and there will be no tickets on the door for the show.

Fans that have missed out can catch all the action live on Sky Sports from 8pm and should stay tuned to the Prizefighter website as promoters Matchroom Sport will be announcing the next event soon.

Tonight on Sky Sports 2 from 9.30pm is Prizefighter – No Guts, No Glory – a countdown of the top ten moments from the first two series of Prizefighter, the perfect way to whet your appetite for what promises to be another breathless night of action from York Hall.

Former European, Commonwealth, British and English champion Matt Skelton opens the action against Londoner Ali Adams. The victor in that fight faces the winner of the second bout of the night between Kevin McBride, the Irishman who was the last fighter to beat Mike Tyson and Franklin Egobi, the Tooting fighter.

The third quarter-final pits Michael Sprott against Danny Hughes for the right to face either unbeaten Irishman Declan Timlin or Shane McPhilbin, the 24 year-old Nottingham boxer fighting for the fourth time in his career.

ANTONIO TARVER & NAGY AGUILERA; Media Conference Call Highlights

Posted on | October 6, 2010 | No Comments

Participants: Former undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion Antonio Tarver
Heavyweight Nagy Aguilera

Former undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion Antonio Tarver and heavyweight Nagy Aguilera participated in a national media conference call to discuss their upcoming heavyweight bout on Friday, Oct. 15, at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla., on ShoBox: The New Generation, live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Tarver, a former undisputed light heavyweight champion and the first man to knock out future Hall of Famer Roy Jones, Jr., will be fighting for the first time as a heavyweight after a hugely successful campaign at 175 pounds. Tarver, of Tampa, Fla., took more than a year off from fighting after his last bout in 2009 and has been serving as an expert commentator for SHOWTIME.

Aguilera, of Newburgh, N.Y. by way of Dominican Republic, boasts an impressive opponent list throughout his three years as a professional. The 24-year-old holds a career-best first round knockout over former WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev in 2009 and has fought against other veteran heavyweights like Samuel Peter and Maurice Harris.

Highlights of what they said Tuesday:

Opening Comments

Aguilera: “This is a very big opportunity for me with Antonio moving up to heavyweight. I’m just very excited about this fight. I’m younger and quicker. I know he has the experience and he is a world champion but I’m younger and I’m hungrier. My job is not to retire guys, but just beat them.”

Nagy Aguilera Questions & Answers

Do you expect to knock Tarver out?

Aguilera: “My expectation is to win by a unanimous decision. That’s what I always train for. But I have good power in both hands so if the knockout comes early or later, it doesn’t matter. It will come. It’s possible the win will come by knockout.”

How do you think you will utilize your size advantage in this fight?

Aguilera: “I have to use it to my advantage because he has the experience. I have to attack him and be first always and try and win the round.”

What have you learned from some of your bigger fights?

Aguilera: “I’ve learned a lot. It’s a lesson for me because I’m a young guy. I’m 24 now, and when I fought Oleg (Maskaev) I was 23. I learned a lot because in boxing you have to do everything right. You have to train, you have to eat right. Sometimes I’m kind of lazy and I do what I want to do. But for this fight my trainer is pushing me and I want to be 100 percent ready.

“I expect (Tarver) to come forward. If the fight is different I just have to make an adjustment and just fight how the fight is going to be.

“I’ve been sparring with lefties and it’s going very well. Everything we are practicing is coming out really well.”

How is important are the first two rounds?

Aguilera: “The first two rounds are where he’s going to prove what he has to prove. After the fight gets going we’ll see what happens.

“This is a big opportunity for me. I’m excited and happy to be fighting him.

“You can never underestimate your opponent. He’s got the experience. He’s the older guy and he knows what he’s doing. I don’t take anything away from him.”

What advice do you give him moving up to heavyweight?

Aguilera: “Well, be prepared for a lot of power. It’s not the same as in light heavyweight.

“Everyday I wake up with the dream to knock out Antonio Tarver. He’s a very good fighter and that would be the best thing in my whole career. I’m confident and I’m ready and I hope he is too.”

Antonio Tarver Questions & Answers

Why the heavyweight division and why now?

Tarver: “I just think that everything happens in time. I just feel like I have so much to offer to the game of boxing and, in hindsight, I may have taken this jump a little earlier. But my time is now. I look at the heavyweight division and there really isn’t a recognizable American that we can truly look at and say, ‘That’s our guy.’ The Europeans have taken over the divisions since Lennox Lewis. He’s European but at least he had a face that we could recognize and say, ‘That’s the heavyweight champion of the world.’ I just think it’s a major, monumental challenge for me. That’s what I’ve always gotten up for, those major challenges. This is just another goal I’ve set for myself.

“I think that God has preserved me for a great, great purpose. And when I look at the things that I’m still able to do in the ring at 41 years old, it has to be a miracle. On Oct. 15 we’re going to see that I’m far from done. I’m far from shot and that age is nothing but a number. You can’t handicap a fight because of a guy’s age because that heart is inside of that guy. And that’s what it’s all about. I’ve been to the mountaintop but who’s to say I can’t get there again and climb all the way to the top of the heavyweight mountain. This is big and this is what I get up for. These next two years will be a crowning moment in my career; to show the people that I can reinvent myself once again and be heavyweight champion once again.”

Why not move up to cruiserweight?

Tarver: “I wanted one fight at cruiserweight. Everyone knows it was Danny Green. But that guy has a yellow streak down his back. He’s a farce and he’s living off a victory over Roy Jones Jr. You can see in his last two fights he wanted nothing to do with anyone with a remote pulse or any type of life in him. So he’s continued to fight corpses so I just let him do what he does. I just want him to recant the statement that I ducked him at any point or any time in his career. I’ve never ducked anyone who it didn’t make sense to fight at that time. He was begging me to fight but it just didn’t make sense and I had bigger fish to fry. When the time was right he did everything in his power to avoid me and show the world that he wanted nothing to do with me. I wanted to go down to Australia, beat his butt, come back with the cruiserweight world title and then move on to heavyweight, but I didn’t get that chance. Why take the step up to cruiserweight when I can fight the big boys right now? I walk around at 225. I’ve always been a big light heavyweight and people don’t understand what it’s been like to have to make weight and be in shape at light heavyweight.

“I’m here to prove on Oct. 15 that the fire never left. I’m still the same fighter, a better fighter today than I ever was. I feel good because I don’t have the stress of losing 30 pounds on me. I don’t have to worry about that now. I’m eating good. I’m taking my supplements. I’m drinking a lot of water. There’s fluid in my muscles and on my brain. I’m healthy right now. I was afraid to put the muscle on because the muscle would weigh more and I wouldn’t be able to make the weight. I wasn’t able to do everything I had to do because I would outgrow the light heavyweight division.”

What about your opponent?

Tarver: “Nagy Aguilera is a young and talented fighter who has beaten world champions but when you look at my experience, I’m sure he’s never faced a fighter with my experience, with my talent, with my skill level and with my ability. And I don’t think the Klitschkos have. Boxing IQ and sense and just knowing what I have to do, how to avoid punches and counter-punches – that’s what I bring to the table. And if I can put a dent in these big boys I’m telling you, you’re talking to the next heavyweight champion.

“My punching power is going to be deceptive because they’re not going to expect it. It’s going to be the punch they don’t see with speed that’s going to get them out of there. I can crack, man. Anyone who has ever taken one of my punches knows that I can hit it and it’s natural power. It’ll be surprising to them and deceptive power.”

Do you think people are excited about your move to heavyweight?

Tarver: “Well, they either think I’m crazy or they think I’m brilliant. They’re excited because there’s not a marquee name that is carrying the torch for the Americans. There’s not a real threat. I just need about two or three fights to show I’m a real threat. You just look at the name – if it’s Tarver-Klitschko or Tarver-Haye, that’s a big name, that’s big business. That’s what we want to bring to the boxing game before I retire. That’s big business and it’s what people want to see. They want to see me get knocked out for destroying a fighter in Roy Jones Jr. There are a lot of fans out there still bitter about that, because Roy Jones was so beloved by so many. They just never saw it coming and his career has never been the same since. There are a lot of people that want to see me get knocked out. So they’re going to be tuning in to see that. To see me get outclassed or beaten to a pulp; they’ve never seen that. And at heavyweight there’s a chance I can get clipped and they can finally laugh at me for doing in a fighter like Roy Jones. People either love you or they hate you but they still want to watch you. That’s why it’s so exciting, because there are so many unknowns. Can I do it? How’s it going to go down? And who will I be fighting?

“No one can fault me for dreaming big. You know, I’ve always dreamed big and I’m going to continue to dream big because what’s the use in living if you can’t live with a purpose. And right now my purpose is to become heavyweight champion of the world.”

Has not having to lose weight affected your conditioning at all?

Tarver: “I’m not having a problem keeping the weight on. I’m running for conditioning only. I’m running comfortably three miles a day. I’m not having to run, four, five miles. I mean, that’s so brutal on your body. I’m well rested. I feel real good. I’m eating baked potatoes and sweet potatoes. I’m having bread. Real good complex carbs. I’m on my supplements, I’ve got my protein working and I’m rested. That’s the key. I’m not killing myself. I can fight harder and I can fight longer. I breezed through eight rounds today. I’m drinking as much water as I possibly can; not worried about putting on a couple extra pounds. And I’m flushing it. That’s what you’re going to see on Oct. 15. I’m not killing myself to lose those 30 pounds.

“I’m not a plodding heavyweight. I’m a dazzling heavyweight. I’ve got moves, speed and quickness. These big guys think they can just come in here and whop me down, they got another thing coming. They’re going to have to find me first. I’m going to be all over them. From every side, every angle. In and out; from the left side and the right. I’m unloading my bag of tricks. I’m 217 right now and I’ll probably come in at 217 and that’s beautiful. I’m not going to be a slow 230 pound fighter. I’m not going to do it. We’re going to match hearts against hearts and will against will and when it comes to the skill they can’t compete so that’s where we’re going to live. That’s where the chips are going to fall. If they don’t knock me out I don’t see them winning.”

What makes you think you can beat the Klitschkos?

Tarver: “I don’t know. I just have it. I have something that I just can’t describe. When I sit back and have goals for myself they come true. I don’t know why, it just does. I was an amateur when I told guys I could beat Roy Jones. I don’t know why, but I just knew it years before it happened. I prophesied it. I just had this vision. I see myself knocking out one of these giants. Now I just have to have the world see it. That’s my dream and that’s my goal and I’m sticking to it until someone beats me.”

What will it be like to be fighting on SHOWTIME, the same network you work for?

Tarver: “That’s going to be crazy, man. It’s going to give them the opportunity to see me work. I’m sure Steve (Farhood) has seen a lot of my fights but to be so close now and being a colleague of theirs, that’s going to be unique. I’m looking forward now to the fighter meetings more than anything, with the producers Richard (Gaughan) and Gordon (Hall). I don’t really know how that’s going to work (laughing). But I think they’ll be real with me. They won’t pull any punches. There are some questions that they have to ask and I have to answer them. When it’s all said and done it will be business as usual. We’re going to take care of business as usual. I’m just glad that ShoBox still believes in Magic and that they’re bringing this fight live to the people on SHOWITME. And if you don’t have SHOWTIME run out and get it because it’s the only way you’re going to see it unless you’re in Miami, Oklahoma, at the Buffalo Run Casino.”

“RUTHLESS’’ ROBBIE LAWLER RETURNS TO CAGE AT SCOTTRADE CENTER IN ST. LOUIS TO MEET MATT “THE LAW’’ LINDLAND SATURDAY, DEC. 4, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

Posted on | October 6, 2010 | No Comments

Dan Henderson To Battle “Babalu” Sobral in Main Event, Paul “Semtex” Daley To Face Scott “Hands Of Steel’’ Smith, Herschel Walker To Make Second MMA Start

NEW YORK (Oct. 5, 2010) – Two fighters seeking a return to top-contender status in the deep STRIKEFORCE middleweight division will clash when “Ruthless “Robbie” Lawler (17-6, 1 NC) faces 2000 Olympic Games silver medalist Matt “The Law” Lindland (22-7) in a 185-pound match Saturday, Dec. 4, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Mixed martial arts superstar Dan Henderson will take on former STRIKEFORCE world champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral at light heavyweight (205 pounds) in the main event. In a battle of explosive hard-hitters, Paul “Semtex’’ Daley (25-9-2) of Nottingham, England, meets power puncher Scott “Hands Of Steel’ Smith (17-7, 1 NC) of Elk Grove, Calif., in a featured welterweight (170 pounds) clash.

In other bouts, football legend and unbeaten MMA fighter, the remarkable Herschel Walker (1-0), will be opposed by an opponent to be determined in a televised heavyweight bout and popular St. Louis native, welterweight Jesse Finney, will take on a foe to be announced in the top non-televised undercard scrap.

Southpaw Lawler, who hails from the St. Louis area, in nearby Granite City, Ill., is returning to middleweight after losing a close decision to Sobral in a catch weight fight at 195 pounds in his last start on June 16 in Los Angeles. The defeat, by the scores of 29-28 three times, was only the second in ninet outings for Lawler since September 2006.
The athletic, well-conditioned 5-foot-11, 28-year-old Lawler is known for his aggressiveness. The former two-time world champion’s 14 of 17 victories have come via knockout or TKO, including a dramatic, come-from-behind 3:33, first-round KO over highly regarded Melvin Manhoef on Jan. 30, 2010.
But Lawler may have outsmarted himself against Babalu by feigning an injury in a ploy to get the Brazilian to exchange. The strategy backfired. It may not have cost him the decision, but Lawler conceded afterward that he “could have done much more.”
Lindland is coming off an impressive third-round TKO (punches) over Kevin Casey in the headlining bout of a STRIKEFORCE Challengers event last May 21, in Portland, Ore. An All-American wrestler at the University of Nebraska and the 1993 NCAA Big Eight conference champion, Lindland captured the silver medal in Greco Roman wrestling for the United States.

During a stellar 13-year career, Lindland has fought and defeated the best. He has been in with the famed Fedor Emelianenko, and has triumphed over a number of all-time greats, among them former UFC champions Pat Miletich and Carlos Newton.

Tickets for the event are on sale at Scottrade Center, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone (800) 745-3000.

Doors at Scottrade Center will open for the event at 6 p.m. CT. The first preliminary bout will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the first SHOWTIME televised main card fight will begin at 9 p.m.

NC State’s NCAA Champ Darrion Caldwell Ready for Mat Action, Talks to TDR TV

Posted on | October 6, 2010 | No Comments

BY BRUCE WINKWORTH

RALEIGH, N.C. —

The exact date of the telephone call slips Carter Jordan’s memory. But everything else about the conversation is burned into the Wolfpack head wrestling coach’s memory.
“I remember it was Labor Day Weekend,” Jordan says. “I remember that much. I can tell you what time of day it was. I can tell you where I was, where I was standing, what the temperature was that day, the color shorts I had on.”

The date wasn’t important, of course. What mattered was “The Call,” the one bearing the news that Darrion Caldwell — Jordan’s team captain, three-time ACC champion, two-time All-American and defending national champion at 149 pounds — had badly injured his shoulder in a rollerblading accident that would need surgery to repair a torn labrum. Months of exhaustive physical rehabilitation would keep Caldwell out of action for the entire 2009-10 season.

Coaches tend to remember things like that, in this case for very good reason. Caldwell, the Wolfpack’s first national champion in 16 years, was coming off one of the greatest seasons in the program’s history, a 38-1 campaign in which he pinned 17 opponents, went 10-1 against ranked opponents, 7-0 against opponents ranked in the national top 10, and won 29 matches in a row at one point. His only loss the entire year was an injury default, the result of back spasms. After winning his national quarterfinal, semifinal and championship matches by nine, 11 and five points, respectively, all against opponents ranked in the top 10, he was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the NCAA Championships.

Following the season, Caldwell earned a spot on the U.S. World National team with a third-place finish in the 66 kg/145.5 pound weight class at the U.S. World Team Trials, wrestling almost entirely against opponents much older and more seasoned. He later competed with the U.S. World Team at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark.

At that point, the sky was the limit for Darrion Caldwell. The good news for Jordan and the Wolfpack is that there is no reason to believe the sky is any lower for Caldwell now than it was last September. NC State’s sports medicine staff expects Caldwell to be cleared medically to resume wrestling workouts soon in preparation for the 2010-11 season.

“The worst part is over with,” Caldwell says. “It put a damper on my year last year, but I’m just ready now to come back and get the team stronger and get the team to where we need to be. I wasn’t satisfied with the way things went [with the team] last season. It’s going to be a completely different season this year.”

What happened with the Wolfpack after Caldwell’s injury was not fun for anyone involved, espcially Caldwell. The team captain, he had invested blood, sweat and tears into the 2009-10 team, organizing offseason runs and workouts. Every bit as much a teammate as he is a champion, Caldwell’s aspirations for 2009-10 were as much about the team as they were about himself and repeating as All-American and national champion.

Instead, the Wolfpack fielded a young and inexperienced lineup, without its national champion belwether, then went through a rash of growing pains and injuries. The team finished 8-12 in dual matches. Just one NC State wrestler, sophomore 149-pounder Bobby Ward, qualified for the NCAA Championships, and that was as an at-large entrant.

“The way we trained last season, it was great, but the intensity level needs to go up,” Caldwell says. “Wins and losses say a lot. Working hard in the room gets you so far, but there comes a time when you need to step up and win. We didn’t have that last year. It was frustrating.”

The most frustrating part for Caldwell was knowing there was virtually nothing he could do about it. Once his season derailed, his ability to make a positive impact was derailed with it.

“We tried to involve him as a coach, but it was hard for him,” Jordan says. “Anyone who’s ever gone through an injury, I don’t care what your standing on the team is, even if you’re the returning national champion and the team captain, it’s just very difficult because you feel so helpless. He did a terrific job of trying to energize the team, especially through such a difficult season. We had one injury after another. I had to lean on him sometimes. It was good to feel his energy, and we can’t wait to have him back in the lineup.”

Jordan knows exactly what he’s getting when Caldwell returns to the lineup. With a full season remaining in his career, Caldwell ranks third school history in career victories with a 94-12 record, third in winning percentage at .887, and third in career pins with 50. He is 29 wins and 15 pins shy of setting new school records in those categories, numbers easily within his reach since he’s averaged 33 wins and 20 pins in his last two seasons of competition.

Not only does Caldwell win, he beats the best. He has a career record of 20-7 against ranked opponents, including an 18-5 mark with against top-10 opponents. He also scores extra points for his team. Of his 94 career victories, 70 have been by fall, technical fall or major decision. That means he has scored an average of 4.88 team points for every bout he has won, compared to three points to a regular victory by decision.

“In dual meets, he’s almost always worth extra points,” Jordan says. “If we need a pin, he can get us a pin. So in dual meets, he makes you incredibly competitive. In tournaments, depending on the size of the tournament, he’s going to pile up points as he advances. In the national tournament, he’s going to get you in the top 25 just by getting to the semifinals with the extra bonus points that he scores.”

Off the mat, Caldwell has, over the course of his career at NC State, evolved into a strong team leader. He brings a presence to the practice room and has the utmost respect of his teammates. He’s not afraid to call out a teammate when the situation calls for it, but his preferred style of leadership is by example. And he sets a strong example. When younger wrestlers see how hard Caldwell works and how thoroughly he prepares, they can’t help but follow his lead.

“When you have guys willing to push each other, it makes everyone better,” Caldwell says. “We really didn’t have those kinds of leaders in the room last year. We had verbal leaders, but we didn’t have guys who led by example. You need guys to give that extra effort, to come to practice early and stay late. I feel that by being back in the room this year, I’ll do the extra things that rub off on the next guy.”

Another positive impact Caldwell has on his teammates comes about by beating them up. That’s right. Caldwell has to wrestle someone in practice every day, so middleweights from Darrius Little at 133 to Quinton Godley at 174 and everyone in between has the unenviable task of taking on The Champ in practice. Real matches have to be easy after that.

“Darrion’s gotten to the point now that he can work out with just about anybody in the room,” Jordan says. “When you take that talent and the work ethic he has to go along with it, you can’t say enough about what it’s like to watch him compete up close, the effect it has on the entire team.”

The upcoming season will be Caldwell’s final college season, and while he has a very bright future in international amateur wrestling, including possible Olympic appearances, in his future, his final legacy at NC State is yet to written.

Caldwell is not that far away from being the greatest wrestler ever in a program with a rich and storied history. NC State has had three wrestlers who were three-time All-Americans — Tab Thacker (1982-83-84), Sylvester Terkay (1991-92-93), and Chris Kwortnik (1991-92-93). Caldwell could become the fourth.

NC State has had just three wrestlers win four individual Atlantic Coast Conference championships — Joe Lidowski, Terkay and Thacker. Again, Caldwell could become the fourth.

Only one NC State wrestler — Terkay — ever won 100 matches in a career. Caldwell needs just six more to reach 100, and 28 more to catch Terkay’s 122.

NC State has had just five national champions — Matt Reiss (1980), Thacker (1984), Scott Turner (1988), Terkay (1993), and Caldwell. None repeated. It’s asking a lot, but Caldwell could become the first.

So even if Caldwell’s NC State career ended today, he’d go down as one of the four or five greatest wrestlers in school history. But his career isn’t over, and he intends to go out on top. His goals for the upcoming season are high, both for himself and for his team.

“I’m looking for a perfect season,” Caldwell says. “When I say perfect, I mean no injuries, being ready for every match. Every dual meet I go into, if I take care of things individually, I believe that things will fall into place for the team.

“That’s what the sport of wrestling is. It’s about not giving up that extra point in your match for the team. If you’re winning and have a chance for a major decision, do what you have to do to get those extra points. If you’re going to lose, lose a decision and not a major. I came in here my freshman year and we got an ACC title. I really think this team here is special and we can do it this year, and I can go out with a bang my senior season.”

TDR This wk- Jack Childs, Kevin Dresser, Keck, Zupancic, Burnett, Hartupee

Posted on | October 6, 2010 | No Comments

Hello again Wrestling Fans. We return to the Brute Adidas studios for this weeks show brought to you by Kemin Agrifoods.

Join Scott Casber, Geoff Murtha (Simpson) and Ryan Freeman (Ok State) and Randy Crimmins.
Geoff Murtha joins us courtesy of Mass Mutual Financial Services, Ryan Freeman courtesy of ATT.

Our Guests Include: (All times Central)

9:01 Jack Childs- Drexel Head Coach, Special announcement

9:20 Kevin Dresser- Head Coach Virginia Tech

9:40 Brian Keck- USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals

10:01 Josh Zupancic- Asst. Coach Cleveland State Vikings

10:20 Bruce Burnett- Head Coach US Naval Academy

10:40 John Hartupee- Head Coach Norwich

10:50 Maureen Roshar- Wildrose Resort and Casino

Wrestling fans- Episode 78 of TDR TV wrestling news is now on. Check your TV Guide for listings.

How to watch and listen-

TDR and TDR TV. It’s appointment Radio and TV! 4.5 MILLION HOMES AND GROWING!

TDR on Radio: LIVE Saturday at 9:00 AM CST on 1460 KXNO in Iowa.
Saturday nights at 7:00 PM Eastern on Supertalk 1570 in Michigan,

TDR TV: Mediacom Cable Ch. 22. IA, MO, AK, NE, MN, IL Tues. 5 PM, Sat. 10 AM

Time Warner Cable NY Ch. 813 (Check Local Listings)

Comcast Cable Tennessee Ch. 96 Fridays 5 PM

CATV- CCN, Pennsylvania Ch. 8 Fridays 5 PM

Western Reserve Ohio Cable Ch. 9 Fridays at 5:30 (Premiers October 15th)

Call your local cable operator and ask them to carry TDR TV

TDR on Internet: You can join us 9 to 11 AM Saturday mornings at Takedownradio.com

TDR TV On Internet: 31 various web sites now carry your favorite wrestling news show

Thanks to our affiliates, our media partners and friends at Livesportsvideo.com.
Thanks for watching and listening!

Volatile, Erick Ochieng-Curtis Valentine, Rematch Set For October 16th

Posted on | October 6, 2010 | No Comments

Promoter Frank Maloney obviously wants Guy Fawkes Night to come early this year. There couldn’t be any other explanation for him lighting the blue touch paper by announcing that an early rematch between the sensational Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng and the big hitting Curtis Valentine will take place on his October 16th ‘True British Fighters’ title double header event at The Troxy, London E1.

At their last meeting, at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham back in May, Ochieng and Valentine, both unbeaten at the time, put on a highly explosive display where neither gave, or expected, any quarter for four hard fought rounds after which the super slick Ochieng was deservedly declared the victor by a 39-37 point margin.

The bout, billed as “The Battle Of The The Undefeated”, broke the normal protocol, where highly talented young fighters are heavily protected by their promoters and management, learning their trade against journeymen and other less talented fighters before facing someone of equal stature.

Back in May both were willing to risk losing their precious hard earned ‘0’ record, this time it will be even more personal and it seems reasonable to assume that the heavy hitting Valentine will be looking to avenge the previous loss to Ochieng with a stoppage finish. ‘The Eagle’ on the other hand will be aiming at retaining his unblemished record with exceptional boxing skills whilst utilising his arsenal of punches to maximum effect.

Following yet another exhilarating sparring session with the British Light Middleweight Champion Sam Webb, at the Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, ‘The Eagle’ said, “Yeah, it’s Curtis Valentine again and obviously this time I’m gonna take him back to school.

Looking back at my fight when I fought him I have way improved. I’m a totally different fighter from the last fight I had with him. It’s gonna be a win, win situation for me.

I’m gonna be smart, out box him and swoop in for the big finish. I don’t see it ever going the full six rounds. I’m gonna out box him for a few rounds and then gonna stop him. It’s not going six rounds.”

Ochieng’s manager/coach Brian Lawrence, who had just sat smiling whilst ‘The Eagle’ spoke added, “We really couldn’t get another opponent for Erick. A lot of people turned him down after his last performance (Stoppage victory over Alex Spitko and clear Fight of the Night at the Goodwin Promotions ‘It’s Personal’ event).

So we got Mr Valentine again and he’ll deal with him the same way. I think Erick has come on a lot since their last fight and I can only see another victory for the Eagle.”

The unmissable rematch between Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng and Curtis Valentine will be on the under card of the Frank Maloney promoted ‘True British Fighters’ double title show headlined by Sam Webb’s defense of his British Light Middleweight title against Martin Concepcion.

Co-feature on the October 16th at The Troxy, Commercial Road, London E1, show is Jamie Arthur and Kris Matthew Hughes who will be battling for the vacant Commonwealth Super Bantamweight title.

The loaded undercard features, in addition to Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng versus Curtis Valentine, a heavyweight triple bill starring David Price, Tom Dallas and Larry Olubamiwo plus Joe Hughes, Shane Enright, Lewis Pettitt, Ashley Sexton and Martin Welsh all against yet to be named opponents. The ‘True British Fighters’ card also features a Middleweight clash between Tony Hill and Kevin Concepcion.

Tickets for ‘True British Fighters’ at The Troxy, 490 Commercial Road, Limehouse, London E1 on Saturday 16th October 2010 are priced £35 (Unreserved) or £85 (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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