Matthew Marsh: Notes From Training Camp
Posted on | June 30, 2010 | 1 Comment
Former British Super Bantamweight champion Matthew Marsh, who is to fight Kris Hughes for the vacant Commonwealth (British Empire) belt at the Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear on Friday 23rd July, has decided to stay in London for his pre-fight training camp.
With just over three weeks to go until the big fight, Marsh has been making the short trip from his home in West Ham to the Ultrachem TKO gym in Canning Town to be put through his paces by co-trainers, Johnny Eames and Derek Grainger.
Marsh, who normally would go to the TKO training camp in Tenerife, explained the reason he decided to stay in the UK, “We talked about it but decided to stay here as we were already sort of in camp. We were originally training for a non-title fight at the end of June. It was going so well we decided to stick at it here for the fight with Kris Hughes.
We already had regularly sparring set up with Ian (former European Bantamweight Champion Ian ‘Dappa’ Napa), Dean (Dean Byrne), George (George Jupp) and Ian Bailey and it’s been really good. We’ve added a couple of southpaws now as Kris Hughes is a southpaw. So you can see I’m getting lots of good sparring in.
Training’s going really, really well. I feel ready now, you know. I just want to get in there.”
Marsh’s manager and co-trainer Johnny Eames then gave his views on how the official first week in camp has been going, “Matthew’s touched on the reason we didn’t go away to camp. We originally trained for a six round fight at the end of June. When this got changed to a title fight on the 23rd July we were already sort of three quarters into our training. All’s going well, he’s weight’s fine. Sparring’s been going great. Obviously now we have a different opponent and stance we have employed two really, really good southpaws to help us out with it.
Our sports scientist and conditioner have now come into play. It’s all on target. While we prefer going away, this one there really is no need, everything we need to do can be done here. Matthew’s coming into the gym twice a day, doing his boxing training at one time and his conditioning at another. Everything’s the same as if we were abroad at training camp.
He’s on target and hopefully he’ll beat Kris Hughes on the night.”
Matthew Marsh versus Kris Hughes for the vacant Commonwealth title is at the Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear on Friday 23rd July 2010, Supporting headline fight Marsh vs Hughes at the Frank Maloney promoted event will be the British Bantamweight Title bout between Stuey Hall and Martin Power.
Also on the Sky Sports televised show will be Nigel Wright versus Dean Harrison for the English Light Welterweight title and Tony Jeffries versus International Masters Light Heavyweight champion Michael Banbula in a non-championship bout. Other support bouts to be announced.
Tickets for the event are available from www.frankmaloney.com
www.ultrachemtkogym.co.uk
DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley Replaces Tim Coleman on July 10 Card
Posted on | June 30, 2010 | No Comments
Former World Champion to Fight Damian Fuller in Co-Main Event at Patriot Center after Coleman Suffers Laceration in Training
FAIRFAX, VA (June 28, 2010) – Former world champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley of Washington, D.C. (36-13-1, 21 KOs) will fight Detroit southpaw Damian Fuller (30-7-1, 14 KOs) in the July 10th co-main event at the Patriot Center, replacing Baltimore’s Tim “The Pitbull” Coleman (17-1-1, 4 KOs) who suffered a laceration on his head during training last Thursday that forced him out of the fight.
The last-minute replacement worked out well for Corley who was lined up to face undefeated Dominican Francisco Contreras on July 2. However, that bout recently fell out providing him the opportunity to fight for the second time at the Patriot Center. Corley and Fuller were originally scheduled to fight as the co-main event on the September 26, 2009 Patriot Center card, but Fuller suffered an injury forcing him to withdraw. Corley went on to record an eight-round decision over Harrison Cuello.
A Northeast D.C. native and former World Boxing Organization (WBO) light welterweight champion, Corley remains a strong force in the light welterweight division with an impressive resume that includes battles against Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Miguel Cotto, Zab Judah, Junior Witter, Randal Bailey and Devon Alexandria. In his last fight, he lost to top prospect Freddy Hernandez last February.
The “No Excuses” card features nine action-packed fight headlined by popular junior middleweight contender, Jimmy Lange (31-4-2, 22 KOs) of Great Falls, VA taking on Jimmy LeBlanc (12-16-4, 4 KOs) of Weymouth, MA in the 10-round Main Event. The undercard of the Ice Promotions event (www.jimmylangeboxing.com) presented by Valcourt Building Services (www.valcourt.net) will showcase some of the region’s top fighters:
6 Rounds – Middleweight
Tony “Mo Better” Jeter (9-2, 8 KOs) of Columbia, MD vs. Lawrence Jones (3-2-1, 1 KO) of Reston, VA
6 Rounds – Middleweight
Jonathan Reid (34-12, 19 KOs) of Nashville, TN vs. Larry Brothers (7-33-3, 5 KOs) of Washington, DC
6 Rounds – Welterweight
Juan “The Savior” Rodriguez (4-0, 4 KOs) of Haymarket, VA vs. Dontre King (2-7-1, 1 KOs) of Cambridge, MD)
6 Rounds – Featherweight
“The Bolivian Queen” Jennifer Salinas (11-1, 4 KOs) of Manassas, VA vs. Nathalie Forget (2-1) of Montreal, Canada
4 Rounds – Middleweight
Zain “The Tiger” Shah (2-0, 2 KOs) of Chantilly, VA vs. Washington, DC’s Antonio Walls (2-3, 1 KO)
4 Rounds – Middleweight
Brandon Quarles (pro debut) of Alexandria, VA vs. Vince “The Beast” Batteast (1-2-1) of Annapolis, MD
4 Rounds – Welterweight
Todd “White Lightning” Wilson (7-0, 1 KO) of Falls Church, VA vs. Calvin Faggins (3-4-1, 1 KO) of Marshall, VA
Bouts are subject to change.
Doors open at 6:30 pm with the first fight set for 7:30 pm. Tickets cost $35, $50, $75, $125, $200, $300 and $500 (plus applicable service charge) and can be purchased through Ticketmaster by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com, calling phone charge at 703-573-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT or 410-547-SEAT or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including the Patriot Center box office (703-993-3000).
Information:
Event – www.jimmylangeboxing.com
Facebook – No Excuses – Jimmy Lange Boxing http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125468057475711
Twitter – Follow Jimmy Lange at twitter.com/boxerjimmylange
Tags: Boxing > Damian Fuller > Demarcus Corley > Fiarfax > Tim Coleman > VA > Virginia
Former WBU Champ Graham Earl Laces Up Boots For Charity Football Tournament.
Posted on | June 30, 2010 | No Comments
Former WBU Lightweight World Champion Graham ‘The Duke’ Earl is the latest boxing superstar to sign up for the Celebrity Football Tournament, in aid of the Indee Rose Trust, at the Brockwell Stadium in Canvey Island on Sunday 25th July 2010.
Earl, who in October ‘06 beat Angel Hugo Ramirez in a thrilling contest to lift the coveted world lightweight crown, now trains and manages boxers in Luton, as well as promoting boxing events, said, “The Indee Rose Trust is a very worthy cause and I support them whole heartedly.
After England’s disappointing exit from the World Cup, on Sunday, this tournament will give football fans something to look forward to.
I’m really looking forward to playing in the tournament, they’ll be some serious rivalries revisited. But more importantly it’ll be great fun and much needed funds raised for a genuinely good cause. I can’t wait.”
Earl will be joining the many, luminaries from the world of boxing, that have already committed to play in the tournament, such as WBA Heavyweight World Champion DAVID ‘HAYEMAKER’ HAYE, former undisputed Light Welterweight King RICKY HATTON, WBU Lightweight World Champion WILLIE LIMOND, European Champion DARREN BARKER, British & Commonwealth Super Featherweight Champ KEVIN MITCHELL, British Super Middleweight Champion PAUL SMITH and Commonwealth Champions RICKY BURNS & TONY BELLEW, Olympic Gold Medallist JAMES DEGALE, World Amateur Champion FRANKIE GAVIN and Olympian BILLY JOE SAUNDERS.
It’s not just boxers that have come forward to support the event, which is organised by Ultrachem TKO Gym’s Johnny Eames and Derek Grainger, and the Indee Rose Trust.
From the world of television and film, actors GERALD KERNS & CIAREN GRIFFITHS, both of whom are currently starring in the hit TV series SHAMELESS, former English Super Featherweight Challenger and CORONATION STREET star STEPHEN BELL, who will be guesting on the National Journalists team, and MARK WINGETT, who played Jim Carver in the ITV series THE BILL, who will be playing for the ULTRACHEM TKO GYM team.
Rock superstars IRON MAIDEN, who are favourites to win having former MILLWALL, WEST HAM UNITED , TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS, MANCHESTER UNITED & ENGLAND star TEDDY SHERRINGHAM as their striker, will be representing the music biz along with RAZORLIGHT frontman JOHNNY BORRELL, who will be guesting on the ULTRACHEM TKO GYM team.
The Ultrachem TKO Gym Boxers & Celebrity Football Tournament, in aid of The Indee Rose Trust will be at the Brockwell Stadium, Canvey Island on Sunday 25th July 2010.
Tickets are priced:
Adults: £10.00
Children: £5.00
and are available from The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA – Tel: 0207 474 3199
or buy on-line at www.tickets.justlisten2this.com
www.ultrachemtkogym.co.uk
BRAZIL’S FABRICIO WERDUM SHOCKS MMA WORLD BY SUBMITTING FEDOR EMELIANENKO IN ONE MINUTE TO CAP A SPECTACULAR NIGHT OF EXCITING FIGHTS
Posted on | June 30, 2010 | No Comments
CRIS CYBORG RETAINS STRIKEFORCE FEMALE TITLE, CUNG LE EXACTS REVENGE AGAINST SCOTT SMITH, JOSH THOMSON OUTLASTS PAT HEALY
BEFORE 12,649 FANS AT HP PAVILION ON SHOWTIME®
SAN JOSE, Calif. (June 27, 2010) – On a historic night of Mixed Martial arts presented by STRIKEFORCE and M-1 GLOBAL and televised on SHOWTIME®, two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum (14-4) registered the most spectacular upset in MMA history with a 1:09, first-round submission (triangle choke) over the world’s No. 1 heavyweight and pound-for-pound fighter, Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko (31-2) before 12,649 Saturday at HP Pavilion.
Fedor, a six-footer, had Werdum in trouble in the opening moments after dropping him with a right uppercut that was followed with several more punches. But from his back, Werdum, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and member of Brazil’s vaunted Chute Boxe fight squad, got Fedor into a combination triangle- and arm-choke. Within seconds, the fight was over. The famed Fedor had tapped out. See the action for yourself:
“I am so very, very happy,’’ the six-foot-four Werdum said. “He is such a strong man. He is a great fighter. I would be glad to fight him again.’’
It was the first “legitimate’’ defeat in Fedor’s legendary career. His other loss, while official, came as a result of a disputed doctor stoppage due to a cut he sustained seconds into a matchup with Japan’s Tsuyoshi Kosaka on Dec. 22, 2000.
“One that doesn’t fall doesn’t stand up. I was concentrating on the strikes and made a mistake,’’ Fedor said. “I will have to go back and analyze what happened.’’
Saturday marked the first time in MMA history, the No. 1 male and female fighters in the world fought in the same cage on the same night.
While Fedor failed in a stunning shocker, the top women’s fighter, Cris Cyborg (10-1) of Curitibia, Brazil, was her usual brutal self as she retained the STRIKEFORCE Women’s World Middleweight (145 pounds) title with a dominant second-round (2:27) knockout (strikes) over game, determined challenger, Jan Finney (8-8) of Springfield, Ohio, in one of the featured fights on SHOWTIME.
In other televised fights, former STRIKEFORCE middleweight champion and hometown favorite, southpaw Cung Le (17-3) of San Jose, convincingly stopped Scott “Hands Of Steel’’ Smith (18-7) of Elk Grove, Calif., at 1:46 in the second round; and popular, local fan favorite and former STRIKEFORCE world lightweight belt-holder Josh “The Punk’’ Thomson (17-3), of San Jose, turned back a determined bid of Pat “Bam Bam’’ Healy (23-16) of Portland, Ore., to score a hard-fought, third-round submission. A tight, even fight ended via rear-naked choke at 4:27.
In an emotional moment midway through the telecast, MMA pioneer and San Jose’s original favorite MMA son, Frank “The Legend’’ Shamrock, made one last walk down the ramp, in a suit, no less, and into the cage where he formally announced his retirement.
As the respectful fans stood and listened in appreciation, Shamrock, who is an expert analyst for SHOWTIME MMA telecasts, took the microphone, surrounded by family, promoters and executives, and said: “I’m 37. My time has come. Tonight, I announce my retirement. Tonight, I enter the cage for the last time as a fighter. I want to thank the people, my friend and an honest promoter, Scott Coker, for always keeping his word. In 2006, I threw one punch and STRIKEFORCE was born. Again, I want to thank all the people, the HP Pavilion and my family who put up with my craziness that was MMA. You, the fans were there when I won, and when I lost, and it was an honor for me to bleed and to break bones and entertain you.’’
Shamrock then slowly bowed to each side of the cage, precipitating one final roar of cheers from those in attendance.
By defeating Fedor, Werdum’s record now against the Emelianenko’s is 2-0. On Nov. 26, 2006, Werdum submitted Fedor’s brother, Aleksander, via arm triangle choke at 3:24 in the first round in Rotterdam, Holland.
Werdum may also have earned an immediate shot at STRIKEFORCE heavyweight world champion, Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem, whom he’s already defeated once. “I am ready to fight anybody,’’ Werdum said.
Cyborg, who had a meaningless point deducted for hitting behind the head in the opening round, praised Finney, who went down several times, but felt the fight could have been halted earlier.
“I was really surprised the fight wasn’t stopped in the first round,’’ said Cyborg after her 10th consecutive victory. “I know she was trying hard, but I could tell I was hurting her, especially when she was down and covering up like she was. But it is my job to keep fighting until the fight is over.’’
Cyborg was crowned the first STRIKEFORCE women’s champion in history on Aug. 15, 2009, after she stopped Gina Carano in the first round at HP Pavilion.
Finney fought as hard as anyone could expect and, true to her word, kept firing back.
“I think this, being a world title fight, could have gone on a little longer,’’ she said. “If I was really hurt, I would have tapped.’’
Southpaw Le, who had dominated Smith before getting stopped last Dec. 19, left little to doubt this time around. A spinning leg kick to the body dropped Smith and after a succession of punches, the referee stepped in. Afterward, an ecstatic Le back-flipped out.
“I want to thank Scott Coker and SHOWTIME. I know what happened last time and was determined not to have it happen again. I knew I was in shape. I was pushed really hard during training. I was totally focused. I didn’t eat pizza. I didn’t eat chocolate for six or seven weeks.
“If Scott Coker wants a rubber match, that would be fine with me. Last time was Scott (Smith’s) night. This was my night. I am the one standing.’’
Saturday’s amazing event will be available On Demand beginning on Tuesday, June 29.
Versatile play-by-play broadcast veteran Gus Johnson called the action on SHOWTIME with MMA expert Mauro Ranallo and Shamrock serving as expert analysts.
Saturday’s non-televised results: Bret Bergmark won a unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-26) over Vagner Rocha; Chris Cope (TKO 2, strikes, 4:32) over Ron Keslar, Yancey Medeiros, (KO 2, punches, 1:19) over Gareth Joseph and Bobby Stack won a split decision (29-28 twice and 27-30) over Derrick Burnsed.
MMA/SHOWTIME Schedule: On July 23 at Everett, Wash., undefeated heavyweight Shane Del Rosario (9-0) will face fellow heavy hitter Lolohea Mahe (4-1-1) in the main event on STRIKEFORCE Challengers (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). In the co-feature, unbeaten STRIKEFORCE Women’s World Welterweight (135 pounds) Champion and former ballet dancer Sarah Kaufman (11-0) will put her perfect record and crown on the line against international star Roxanne Modafferi (15-5). In other featured action, Abongo Humphrey (7-1) will take on Mike “Mak” Kyle (16-7-1) at light heavyweight (205 pounds).
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.
Tags: Alistair Overeem > Cris Cyborg > Cung Le > Fabricio Werdum > Fedor Emelianenko > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Scott Coker > Scott Smith > Strikeforce
Boxing Hall of Fame 2010: “Irish” Micky Ward’s Appearance Brightens a Rainy Day
Posted on | June 30, 2010 | No Comments
Ward with Darrell Boyd
By: Patrick McElligott
One of the most popular fighters of this era was in town for the Boxing Hall of Fame’s induction weekend in Canastota this year – “Irish” Micky Ward. Before he turned professional in 1985, Ward had earned the respect of boxing fans in the northeast by winning three New England Golden Gloves titles; after gaining national attention early in his career, for his explosive left hook to the body, Micky won The Ring’s 2001 “Fight of the Year” match against tough Emanuel (Burton) Augustus; and between May, 2002 and June, 2003, Micky Ward and Arturo Gatti engaged in one of sport’s greatest trilogies.
“I want to give all I can, and inspire people,” Ward recently responded to a reporter’s question about his current life. And “give” he does. The Team Micky Ward Charities in his hometown of Lowell, MA, has raised and invested over a quarter-of-a-million dollars in projects to help “at risk” youth, and Ward teams up with the Salvation Army to assist the most needy families in his part of the state.
When it comes to inspiring people, I was treated to a wonderful example after the June 12 charity 5K Race in downtown Canastota. A young amateur fighter named Derrell Boyd approached Micky at the finish line. Although everyone in the race – as well as all the spectators – were drenched from one of upstate New York’s powerful thunderstorms, Ward
took a lot of time to discuss Boyd’s questions.
Now, amateur boxing fans from the Hudson River/Albany area know Derrell Boyd: he has won over twenty matches, and picked up a Golden Gloves title along the way. This young man has
the potential to compete at that next level. But, admittedly, he told Micky that in his first match at that higher level, he had experienced some nervousness in the days before his fight. In the way that only someone who has had that same experience, but who has overcome it and continued to move up to even higher levels, Micky gave Derrell some solid advice. (I will not repeat it here, in case Boyd’s future opponents are reading this!)
As an old Irish-American boxing buff, I enjoyed talking in the driving rain with the man who is the subject of “Irish Thunder: The Hard Life and Times of Micky Ward.” (Bob Halloran; Lyons Press; 2008). Every member of the boxing community owes it to themselves to own a copy of that book, which was issued again this year in paperback. At a time when numerous boxing books are being published, this is second-to-none.
Ward has also been involved in the production of the biopic “The Fighter,” based upon “Irish Thunder,” which is scheduled to be released in November. Directed by David Russell, it features Mark Wahlberg as Micky, and Christian Bale as his brother, Dickie Eklund. Ward has been meeting the press with his friend Rich Farrell, also from Lowell, who is an adjunct professor of English at UMass Lowell, to promote the film.
Buy the book. Watch the movie when it is released. You will definitely enjoy them both. They are the story of Micky Ward, the former WBU Intercontinental Welterweight and
Welterweight Champion, who ranks among the most exciting and most respected boxers of any era.
Chloe, Darcy, and Victoria McElligott with Micky after the 5K race
Tags: Boxing > Boxing Hall of Fame > charity > Micky Ward > PATRICK MCELLIGOTT
THE DECLINE OF SMALL BOXING GYMS
Posted on | June 26, 2010 | 2 Comments
By: Patrick McElligott
On Saturday, June 12, Vito Antuofermo gave one of the best speeches in the Canastota Boxing Hall of Fame’s history. The former Middleweight Champion turned actor has a great love for the sport of boxing, which is apparent not only in the amount of time he spends interacting with fans during the induction weekend, but also in the way the boxing community responds: Vito definitely had the largest crowd that day, listening to his presentation, and then asking the Champ numerous questions.
The most important topic that Vito discussed was the decline in the number and quality of small boxing gyms. From a man who regularly fought at Madison Square Garden, and who battled Marvin Hagler on HBO, his focus on the role that small boxing gyms and fight clubs has played in boxing is significant, indeed. Anyone who may have been unaware of this before hearing Vito speak certainly understood that after he finished.
There are, in large cities across the country, both older boxing gyms, and newer facilities, which frequently blend boxing and MMA training. The well-established older
gyms include those which are open to everyone, including youngsters interested in starting the amateur ranks; while others are more restricted, due to the facilities’ size and elite fighters. However, a young person in an urban center is generally able to access a boxing gym.
In smaller and economically depressed cities, there are fewer options. And in rural areas, there are too often no gyms at all for young men looking to participate in the Great
Sport. And the sport suffers as a result of this. There may be no better example of this than upstate, central New York State.
Boxing historian Mark Allen Baker’s newest book, “Title Town USA: Boxing in Upstate New York” (History Press; 2010) is an excellent study in how the gyms in the “upstate”
attracted the tough and talented youth from region to the Great Sport. Baker has provided a valuable history of how this, in turn, lead to the best of these fighters to reach the top rankings, and – in some cases – to win world’s titles. As a result, many boxing greats ended up fighting in classic matches in Upstate New York.
Not everyone, however, is going to be a Carmen Basilio, a Bushy Graham, or a Lou Ambers. Baker also includes information on many of the less successful fighters from different eras. These are fighters like Bucky Lawless, who fought thirteen different men who won world’s titles. Without the efforts of people such as Baker, Lawless’s contribution to boxing could easily be forgotten.
In fact, as Baker notes, the records of old-time fighters like Bucky are frequently incomplete, for a variety of reasons. These include fighters participating on cards, often
referred to as “smokers,” in which the results were not always kept track of. The reasons for this are many: there was a time when the sport was illegal in New York; a time when, barring a knockout, fights were decided by “newspaper decisions”; and some fighters were able to recall victories more easily than defeats.
I’ve noted in previous articles that fighters like Lawless, as well as Bushy Graham and Carmen Basilio, fought in the small town of Sherburne, NY. These cards included numerous other fighters from the upstate region, including Binghamton, Syracuse, Utica, and Buffalo. (I’m presently the boxing cards held in Sherburne and Norwich, which are five miles apart. This requires going beyond the internet and nearby Hall of Fame, and digging into records in local historical societies, etc. I have located a few old “fight posters,” advertising fights that have long since been forgotten.)
From the top professionals to the local favorites, these fighters are rooted in the amateur boxing that was once the most popular sport in Upstate New York. In the 1800s, when the canals and railroads brought large immigrant populations to this region, boxing could be found in every hamlet, town and city.
At the turn of the century, boxing and baseball were central parts of community life. Within decades, amateur boxing became one of the most popular activities in these parts. Some amateurs were able to compete at the national level. Many more went on to the professional ranks. Again, very few would make it to the level of a Billy Backus, but they were the young men who trained with and competed against the best, helping them to become the top in their class. More than that, the “local talent” helped to fill out the cards that did include the cream of the upstate crop. Their fights helped fill the seats and sell the newspapers to fight fans.
As late as the 1970s, there were numerous boxing gyms in the towns and cities in this region. But in the 1980s and ’90s, they became an endangered species. There were, of
course, a number of reasons that combined to damage local amateur boxing: shady promoters and outrageous decisions, while always part of the sport, took a parasitic role; the economy caused some municipal gyms to close, though a poor economy typically increases the number of kids interested in making a buck by boxing; the international rules for scoring amateur fights encouraged light-tapping, rather than real boxing; and sports like football and basketball attracted potential heavyweights away from the sport.
Not long ago, some people predicted that MMA would destroy the remaining interest in boxing. This obviously didn’t happen. Fights such as Mayweather vs de la Hoya will always draw wide attention, and make huge amounts of money. Also, if anything, MMA has helped to spark a much-needed interest in amateur boxing in the upstate regions.
Recently, a half-dozen local teens asked me to help teach them to box. One of them had been going to the Carmen Basilio Boxing Club in Windsor, NY. This club was founded by Bob Neil, a good friend of Carmen Basilio and Billy Backus. My son Daren and I have been going there for a couple of months now. I have started training some amateurs, ages 12 to 25, as well as a local professional who has been taken advantage of by some promoters.
We are looking for a closer location, to open a branch of the club closer to some of the youngsters unable to travel the 40 miles to Windsor as often as necessary to prepare for
competition. I’m finding it’s hard to get an adequate spot. Right now, we are using a garage and a barn. Now, if that ain’t “old school,” nothing is! Darren suggested that
we take another page from that “old school book,” and see if any of the local churches would allow us to use space in their basement. That’s this weekend’s focus.
Darren and I will be following this article up, with a report on the Carmen Basilio Boxing Club, and some of the volunteers there training youngsters, and some of the fighters.
Tags: Boxing > middleweight > PATRICK MCELLIGOTT > Vito Antuofermo
Freddy Roach Likes What He Sees Out of Ana Julaton
Posted on | June 26, 2010 | No Comments
Dynamic Duo Prepare for Rumble at Rama XII Bout With Villalobos
TORONTO, ON – (Saturday, June 26, 2010) World-renowned trainer, and future Hall-of-Famer, Freddy Roach recently shared his thoughts on his protégé, Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton (6-2-1, 1 KO), as they prepare for Rumble at Rama XII on June 30th, and a showdown with Maria Elena Villalobos (6-3, 3 KO’s) for the vacant WBO Super Bantamweight world title.
To see the fightfan.com interview with Roach, click on the link below.
In the main event at Rumble at Rama XII, Neven “No Surrender” Pajkic (12-0, 5 KO’s) puts his Canadian Heavyweight title up for grabs against the man he dethroned this past March, “The Steel Pole” Greg Kielsa (11-1, 5 KO’s), in perhaps the most eagerly anticipated rematch in Canadian Heavyweight history.
Both fights will be televised live from coast-to-coast in Canada by TSN, in HD, at 9:00 PM Eastern.
ABOUT: Orion Sports Management is an Ontario based promotional company known for staging first class boxing events. Run by former Canadian Airline executive Allan Tremblay, Orion is the force behind Ontario ’s biggest match ups, from their launch event at The Air Canada Centre (“The Night Of The Hurricane”) to a series of televised events in the Niagara region featuring “Baby Joe” Mesi, Razor Ruddock, Egerton Marcus, Chad Brisson, and Steve Molitor.
Tags: Air Canada > Allan Tremblay > Ana Julaton > Boxing > female boxing > Freddie Roach > Orion Sports Management > women's boxing
Paul David gunning for revenge in Prizefighter
Posted on | June 26, 2010 | No Comments
Sheffield-based Northants fighter aiming to reverse Salam result
Paul David got the draw he wanted for Prizefighter Super Middleweights on June 30 at York Hall, Bethnal Green live on Sky Sports, taking on Tony Salam and earning the chance to avenge a defeat inflicted over three years ago.
The Sheffield-based Northampton fighter took on Salam in January 2007 in Essex in just his second professional fight and lost to the Stoke Newington southpaw on points. The pair will lock horns in the latest of Barry Hearn’s eight-man, one night tournaments and David’s trainer Dominic Ingle says his charge is delighted with the chance to gain revenge en route to claiming the £32,000 winner’s cheque.
“It was a close fight (against Salam) and to be honest Paul could’ve won it, he just got caught well with one that won Tony the fight but other than that I thought Paul was on top of him, so he’s relishing the return match,” said Ingle.
David and Salam tangle in the fourth quarter-final of the night and would face the winner of the third bout of the evening between unbeaten Welshman Jeff Evans and Sheffield’s Peter Fedorenko, who David has recently sparred with.
“I think who wins that fight gets a place in the final,” said Ingle. “It’s a good first fight for Paul because he’ll be fresh and he’s confident that he can beat tony. He’s sparred well, he’s in great shape and he wants revenge over Tony so he’s totally focused.
“Fedorenko is a tough guy although he hasn’t been very active recently of course, while you can’t say much about Evans’ record as he’s only fought three times but the Welsh lads are tough fighters and anyone who is trained by Gary Lockett is going to be good and tough even when they are raw. Either guy would be a hard fight for Peter but I think his experience would get him past whoever he faces.”
The opening fight of the evening pits 19 year-old Patrick Mendy against Dudley’s Sam Horton, the 24 year-old who recently fought James DeGale at Upton Park. Horton’s trainer Errol Johnson believes his fighter has a great draw, facing the winner of the second quarter-final between Daniel Cadman and Eddie McIntosh.
“I think he’s got the best half of the draw if he can get past Mendy of course,” said Johnson. He is obviously a very tough kid, but if Sam can stick to his boxing over the three rounds he’s got a great chance of getting through to the final.”
“He’s so relaxed about Prizefighter that I thought he was nearly asleep the other day in the gym to be honest!” said Johnson. “He doesn’t look at all worried or phased at all and he’s training very well.”
While the eight contenders and two reserve fighters are totally focused on a potentially life-changing night of boxing at York Hall on Wednesday, both trainers admitted they will be putting down the pads at 3pm on Sunday to watch England take on Germany in the World Cup.
“He can watch the game as long as he doesn’t do anything silly,” Johnson said of big Birmingham City fan Horton.
“Paul doesn’t doesn’t drink anyway so he can watch the England game, no problem,” said Ingle. “Nothing will get in his way before Prizefighter, he loves boxing, he’s sparred all over the world against the likes of Silvio Branco and Robert Stieglitz – these are great fighters who have fought for world titles. Salam hasn’t been the same fighter since he got knocked out by Courtney Fry and his last two opponents have been a bit of a soft touch, so he’s up against it fighting Paul as he wants revenge and he wants the £32,000 for winning Prizefighter.”
THE DRAW
Quarter-final one – Patrick Mendy v Sam Horton
Quarter-final two – Daniel Cadman v Eddie McIntosh
Quarter-final three – Jeff Evans v Peter Fedorenko
Quarter-final four – Tony Salam v Paul David
Tickets for Prizefighter Super Middleweights are available now at £35 (unreserved), £60 (ringside) and £100 (VIP) – call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.
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