ROBERT “THE GHOST” GUERRERO SEEKS YOUR SUPPORT TO HELP FIND A CURE FOR LEUKEMIA
Posted on | May 6, 2010 | 1 Comment
PHOTO CREDIT: T.J. Hogan – Hoganphotos
Picture at left of “Boy of the Year” Aidan Bowen cancer survivor, and “The Ghost”
It’s with honor and excitement that I’m emailing to you today. As you may or may not know, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero has been nominated as a Man & Woman of the Year candidate with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Guerrero is part of a team of 12 Silicon Valley men and women who have joined efforts to work tirelessly to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the their mission to find a cure for leukemia.
It’s an honor to be a part of this team, but an even larger honor to be able to work for the patients, survivors and their families – especially two of our own local heroes, our Boy & Girl of the Year, Aidan Bowen and Emily Pepper. Please take a minute to read their stories: http://www.mwoy.org/sj/localchapter/boy_girl
I hope you will strongly consider supporting our team’s efforts to reach $300,000 by making a tax-deductible contribution to support researchers who are working to find cures for these cancers. With your generous support, LLS can continue funding critical research in the fight against blood cancers as well as provide outstanding patient services. Your donation will make a difference!
Please visit Robert’s fundraising page to learn more about this campaign, and consider making a contribution: http://svmb.manwoman.llsevent.org/pledge/index.cfm?mid=ROBERT. Checks may also be mailed directly to LLS at 675 N. First Street, Suite 1100, San Jose, CA 95112. Please be sure to put Robert Guerrero’s name in the memo line! Your tax deductible donation is well appreciated.
Check out Robert showing Aidan some boxing technics on YouTube.com.
“The Flash” Is Back – Alexander Calls Out Former Champ Barratt
Posted on | May 6, 2010 | No Comments
On April 24th, at the Steve Goodwin promoted ‘Night Of The Rising Stars’ event in London’s York Hall, a not so much a new star but definitely a resurgent star, Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander, grabbed the headlines with his stunning performance which saw him destroy Luton’s Michael Devine. Devine – touted as the next Ricky Hatton because of his exciting style and awesome knockout ratio both as an amateur and a pro – was sent crashing to the canvas no less than four times in just three rounds, before the referee decided enough was enough and stopped the fight.
This week the Hackney born 34 year old returned to training at the Ultrachem TKO Gym in Canning Town, East London, under the watchful eyes of his coach Barry Smith, whom, along with world class trainer Jimmy Tibbs, he is quick to credit for making this magnificent win possible.
Following the typically grueling session the always effervescent Alexander spoke of the fight and the changes that his new coach had bought to his game, “I watched a video of the fight the other day for the first time. It was good, the fight went according to plan, as in him coming out fast and throwing punches and me countering him catching him with the right hand. Anything I’m going to hit him with I knew I had to hurt him because he comes in throwing lots of punches. I knew I had to hurt him to get respect.
Barry has changed a lot of my boxing now, you know, my technique. He gave me so much more to my training. He’s added to what I already have, you know strength and added more power. He’s made me tougher he’s added so much to the arsenal I already had. You know, he’s added new combinations, he’s made me more ferocious. Which I need to be.
He’s bought out the killer in me, I’m far more ferocious. I’m also now a better boxer. I was a good boxer before but he’s bought it all together. I’m not just a boxer-puncher now. He’s added things and made me a overall better fighter.”
Barry Smith, who had been sitting close to his charge throughout, chipped in. “It was a good win. He done everything right, he done everything perfect. He listened to what he was told, not just in the gym but also in the fight.
He listened to Jimmy Tibbs in his corner and did everything he was told. He was nice and relaxed. He went out there and done a number on the boy.
He made it look easy, mind you we worked on that though. We worked on the outside and when he (Devine) dropped his hand when he comes in wild Mark just countered him. He listened and he done it. I couldn’t’ have asked more from him. It’s the best I have ever seen him.
Mark wants it. It’s terrific to work with Mark because he wants it, and he listens. I’ve been there and done it. I’ve worked with the best trainers in the world and I’ve learnt. It’s good to be able to put it all into practice with a fighter that wants to learn like Mark does.”
Following some witty banter between gym owner, world class trainer Johnny Eames, Alexander and Smith; ‘The Flash’ said “It also helps being at such a great gym. Here at Ultrachem TKO there are top coaches like Johnny (Eames), Jimmy (Tibbs), Del (Derek Grainger) and Brian (Lawrence) who all take the time to watch you when you spar and give advice.
Talking about sparring look around there is always top sparring going on, I mean I never have to worry about getting quality sparring. Those guys have great fighters like Kevin (Mitchell), Ian (Napa), Marshy (Matthew Marsh). I could mention more but there are so many great fighters here.”
Alexander changed tack and said “I want to fight a good name next, I want someone that’s been there and already won a title.” and then stated that he has set his sights on former English Champion Ryan Barratt as his next opponent before going on to say. “I’ve watched Ryan Barratt for a few years now, he’s a former English Champion. That’s just the kind of scalp I want now. I want to start getting at the names in the division.
I know it won’t be easy as he’s tall, awkward southpaw. I’ve thought long and hard, the times right and I know I can beat him.
Me and Barry watching some video of him, and Barry watched his last fight. We’re sure we know how to beat him. There is a few things, style wise, I would need to change as he’s a southpaw. Yeah, and I’ll be a lot more meaner and more aggressive, but you know if it has to be done it has to be done. I want to really impress, I want to be noticed so I get to fight more names and start climbing the ranks again.”
At this point Smith shrugged and with a resigned look added, “I don’t like southpaws, I don’t like my fighters fighting southpaws but I think Mark can dismantle Ryan.
Mark takes a round or two to warm up. I know he didn’t show that the other night but he does. I think after two rounds Mark will take Ryan apart.
He wants to fight Ryan Barratt and I’m happy with that. We’re gonna started working on getting Mark stronger, I know he’s strong but he can be stronger. When I first got Mark he wasn’t that strong and he wasn’t a very hard puncher believe it or not. But now he’s hitting hard, he’s getting stronger so there’s more room there for the boy to improve more.
Great fighters can adapt, good fighters can’t. Mark can adapt. He’s shown that. He used to fight on the back foot and we had him fighting on the front foot. He looked good, he looked like he had done that his whole career. People suss you out when you don’t adapt. They sussed out Tyson in the end because he couldn’t adapt. Mark’ll adapt again to take on Ryan Barratt and he’ll take it.”
To which ‘The Flash’ responded “You bet I will”
Alexander is due to have discussions with Ryan Barratt’s promoter Steve Goodwin early next week. Top of the agenda is the possible clash with Ryan Barratt on Goodwin’s June 19th show at the York Hall in Bethnal Green.
If the deal can be done this will be one of the must see fights of 2010, so watch this space for more on Alexander vs Barratt very, very soon.
Tags: Barry Smith > Boxing > Jimmy Tibbs > London > Mark Alexander > Michael Devine > Rising Stars > Ryan Barratt > Steve Goodwin > York Hall
Unbeaten Zsolt Bedak fighting outside of Europe for first time in WBO title fight vs. Vazquez
Posted on | May 5, 2010 | No Comments
“Undefeated Champions” PPV May 29 in Puerto Rico
HOBOKEN, N.J. (May 5, 2010) – Hungarian-born and Germany based Zsolt “Mr. Lefthook” Bedak, the WBO No. 1 contender, fights outside of Europe for the first time in his pro career May 29 against WBO Junior Featherweight Champion Wilfredo “WV2” Vazquez, Jr., headlining the “Undefeated Champions” pay per view event, airing live in the United States from Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
“Undefeated Champions,” presented by PR Best Boxing in association with All Star Boxing, features three world title bouts. It is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, and DISH Network, for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.
Boricua star Vazquez (18-0-1, 15 KOs), the son of a former world champion (Wilfredo Vazquez), makes his first title defense against unbeaten challenger Bedak (14-0-1, 12 KOs), who doesn’t believe fighting for the first time outside of Europe will be a problem for him.
“This will indeed be my first pro fight outside of Europe and, sure, this is a new situation for me,” Bedak explained. “However, I am not really concerned about this. Also, the champ is in a special situation because it can be even harder to fight in one’s hometown as fans, friends, family, sponsors, etc. can put quite some pressure on a boxer defending his title and not wanting to disappoint them.”
Bedak, 26, captured the WBO European and WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight titles last year. “This will, of course, be my most important fight and it’s an honor for me to be shown in television in the U.S.,” Zsolt added. “I expect a fair and open fight. I am prepared to go 12 rounds – I always do — and would not be surprised if the fight goes the full distance.
“I rely on a good combination of technique and power, as well as quick moves and jabs. Vazquez is a complete and very skilled fighter, offensively. I’ve fought four Latin fighters, so I have some experience with that style.”
WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez (22-0-1, 14 KOs) makes the second defense of his title in the 12-round co-feature against WBO No. 10 rated Gonzalo “El Destructor” Mungia (17-6-3, 13 KOs) Martinez, rated No. 3 by The Ring, takes on the reigning WBO Latino super featherweight title-holder, Nicaraguan challenger Mungia.
The third world title fight on this explosive, highly-entertaining card matches females Hanna Gabriel (9-0-1, 5 KOs) and Gardy Pena (9-1-2, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBO super welterweight crown in a 10-round bout. Fighting on the undercard are the Arroyo twins, bantamweight McJoe (1-0, 1 KO) and McWilliams (1-0, 1 KO), the former Puerto Rican Olympians. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Integrated Sports Media: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Erik Morales, Ricky Hatton, Cristian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr. and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports Media distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA, as well as World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.
Undefeated Stars Danny Garcia, Karl Dargan and Mike Dargan Are Ready To Impress Hometown Fans On Friday Night
Posted on | May 5, 2010 | No Comments
LOS ANGELES/PHILADELPHIA, May 4 – ‘The City of Brotherly Love’s’ finest will be back home and ready to fight on Friday, May 7 when Danny Garcia and the Dargan brothers – Karl and Mike – step through the ropes at The Arena (formerly The New Alhambra) in Philadelphia in featured bouts on the next edition of TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate”.
In the 10 round main event, welterweight Danny “Swift” Garcia looks to keep his unbeaten record intact when he takes on veteran Christopher “Kid Kayo” Fernandez. The co-featured bout of the evening will see lightweight Karl “Dynamite” Dargan in a six round bout against Miami’s Jorge Ruiz, and in a junior middleweight battle scheduled for four rounds, Mike “Sharp” Dargan battles Jason Montgomery.
Garcia vs. Fernandez is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Joe Hand Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at 7:00pm, the first bell rings at 7:30pm and the TeleFutura broadcast begins at 11:30pm ET/PT.
Tickets, priced at $100, $65, and $45, are on sale now at The Arena Box Office and by calling 215-364-9000.
Perhaps the top junior welterweight prospect in the game today, 22-year-old Danny Garcia (16-0, 10 KO’s) has passed all his tests since turning professional in 2007. He has gone 6-0 in since the beginning of 2009 with big wins over Pavel Miranda, Enrique Colin and Ashley Theopane. Now, he returns home on May 7 to dazzle his Philly fans once again.
Salt Lake City’s Christopher Fernandez (18-9-1, 10 KO’s) has been the measuring stick to determine which of today’s top young fighters can graduate to the next level. Having already faced world champions Devon Alexander and Paulie Malignaggi, the 34-year-old “Kid Kayo” is looking for a win on May 7 and to show the world that Danny Garcia is not ready for prime time.
Seen by many boxing insiders as a future world champion, Karl Dargan (7-0, 3 KO’s) is back in Philadelphia to show his hometown fans what he picked up while training in the camp of a current Welterweight World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley. One of the nation’s top amateurs for years, Dargan is staying busy and ready to make his move on the best at 135 pounds in 2010. In the opposite corner on Friday will be Miami veteran Jorge Ruiz (7-11-1).
Back in action after a nearly five year layoff, 27-year-old Mike Dargan (1-1) is also returning from an intense training camps with future Hall of Famers, Bernard Hopkins and Mosley. Dargan has a renewed determination to make it to the top, and the junior middleweight standout is sure to be trouble for Hayward, California’s unbeaten Jason Montgomery (1-0).
In off-TV action, Philadelphia will also be well represented by middleweight Latif Mundy (8-2, 3 KO’s) and debuting 154-pounder Julian Williams, who will take on Trenton, NJ’s Joshua Onyango (15-18-1, 9 KO’s) and Brockton, MA’s Antonio Fernandez (0-4) respectively.
A cruiserweight four round bout will see unbeaten Reading, Pennsylvania prospect Julio Matthews (9-0, 5 KO’s) putting his perfect record on the line against an opponent to be named.
Two light heavyweight bouts are on tap, with unbeaten Utica, NY native Andy Mejias (5-0, 1 KO) taking on Dover, Delaware’s Todd Eriksson (1-3-1, 1 KO), and Morristown, New Jersey’s Andre Espeut facing Philly battler Charles Hayward (2-2, 1 KO). Both fights are scheduled for four rounds.
Opening the show will be a four round junior lightweight fight between New Jersey’s own Jose Ortiz (3-2, 1 KO) and Jason Sosa (2-0, 1 KO).
For more information, please visit www.univision.net, www.goldenboypromotions.com, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.
Tags: Christopher Fernandez > Danny Garcia > Jorge Ruiz > junior middleweight > Karl Dargan > Los Angeles > PA > Philadelphia > Telefutura
Boxing legend McCullough to be in next Prizefighter event
Posted on | May 5, 2010 | No Comments
Undefeated Prospect Michael Angelo Perez to throw out First Pitch at Newark Bears Game!
Newark, NJ (May 5, 2010) – Unbeaten lightweight prospect Michael Angelo “The Artist” Perez of Newark, NJ will throw out the ceremonial first pitch this Friday before the Newark Bears battle the York Revolution at 7:05 PM. Perez, 7-0-1 NC (3 KO’s), is making his National TV debut just one week later on Telefutura when he takes on unbeaten Francisco Reyes at the Paradise Theater in Bronx, NY. The 2008 National Golden Gloves champion finished his amateur career with a stellar 112-10 record and meets Reyes over six rounds. Tickets to Perez’ fight can be ordered by calling 718-823-2000.
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP ALISTAIR OVEREEM, KNOCKOUT ARTIST BRETT ROGERS & STRIKEFORCE CEO SCOTT COKER CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS
Posted on | May 4, 2010 | No Comments
STRIKEFORCE World Heavyweight Champ Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem and heavyweight powerhouse Brett “The Grim” Rogers will collide at the upcoming STRIKEFORCE St. Louis: Heavy Artillery event at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo. on Saturday, May 15 LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
The May 15 event will be the start of a slew of heavyweight showdowns in the next month and a half that will feature some of the best and most accomplished MMA heavyweights in the world.
Just 42 days later on Saturday, June 26, the world’s No. 1 heavyweight and pound-for-pound Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter, Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko (31-1), will make his eagerly awaited return to the cage to face two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion and top-ranked star Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum (13-4) in a STRIKEFORCE and M-1 GLOBAL co-promoted event at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
In addition, on May 15 former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (15-7) will face off with former world champ Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (13-2) in a featured heavyweight bout. The 31-year-old Arlovski’s start will be his first since an upset defeat to Rogers last June at Scottrade Center.
Overeem (32-11) will defend his heavyweight title against the brutally hard-hitting Rogers. Since being crowned the first heavyweight champion in STRIKEFORCE history, Overeem of The Netherlands, has been demolishing foes overseas, finishing six of seven opponents inside of one round. The 6-foot-5 inch, 260-pound fighter will face an equally imposing opponent in the 6-foot-5, 265 pounds Rogers.
Rogers (10-1), who has finished all 10 of his victories via knockout, will fight for the first time since he suffered the only loss of his professional career against the No. 1 heavyweight in the world – Fedor Emelianenko – on Nov. 7, 2009 on CBS. In the past year, Rogers has catapulted into the heavyweight ranks, scoring an upset victory over Arlovski via brutal 22 second KO.
Tickets are on sale for STRIKEFORCE St. Louis: Heavy Artillery at the Scottrade Center ticket office, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and STRIKEFORCE’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).
What the participants had to say on Tuesday’s call:
ALISTAIR OVEREEM: “I’m happy to be fighting in the states again. As Scott said, it’s been too long. I injured my hand, but right now I’m really fit and ready to get it on.”
BRETT ROGERS: “It’s a great thing to be back in the mix and put on a great show and show people what I’m capable of doing. Like Scott said, I’ve been kind of gunning for this fight for the last year or so. I’m hungry for it. I’m ready.”
Alistair, what do you know about Brett?
OVEREEM: “He’s a big guy, strong guy. He performed really well against Fedor. He gave him, I would say, the fight of his life. I’m really prepared for anything that he’ll throw at me. It’s going to be a really good fight, a really good matchup. People are going to want to see this battle.”
Alistair, if you win, what’s in it for you?
OVEREEM: “I’ve been challenging Fedor for some time now; I’ve been trying to fight him on numerous occasions. Brett Rogers has been trying to fight me for one year. I’m willing to fight anybody.”
ROGERS: “It has to be a win-win situation for me because Alistair has kind of been out of the mix in America for a long time. I’m not just speaking for myself, but I’m speaking for all the other heavyweights out there gunning for this dude. Plus, my last fight against Fedor I felt it should have went a certain direction, but it just so happened that I didn’t get lucky that night. I know for a fact that if I have a second shot at him it definitely will be a lot different. I’m not looking past Alistair, but I feel it’s going to be a tougher second fight. I want that rematch with Fedor and it’s definitely going to look a lot better when I get in there and snatch this title and get this second shot.”
Alistair, can you talk about your dedication to defending this title?
OVEREEM: “Well, like I said, I’m looking forward to defending my title. I think if it was up to me it would have happened last year. But, I had my hand injury which took a lot of time to recover. You’ll see me May 15 and maybe one or two more times this year.”
Does Brett Rogers deserve a shot at the title?
OVEREEM: “You know, I’ll fight anyone they put in front of me. I think Brett did one hell of a fight with Fedor. Fedor doesn’t want to fight me, that’s very simple. Also, I need to defend my title. People are starting to talk about it, so the fight is for the title.
“I know Fedor is like me, he doesn’t care who he fights. It’s the management. But, it takes two to tango.”
Brett, what are your thoughts on getting the title shot?
ROGERS: “I just feel that the time is now. I’ve been very dedicated to this sport. Alistair has been kind of doing his thing while people in the West have been trying to move forward. I feel like he has been kind of slowing me down with the things that I’ve been trying to do. I definitely feel like I deserve this title when it comes down to it. It just kind of makes sense. I just want to get out there and prove it to the world that I’m getting that title. It is what it is. I don’t care what anybody else says.”
Alistair, is the U.S. you’re priority for this year?
OVEREEM: “The United States is my priority.”
How long have you been looking to fight Fedor?
OVEREEM: “I think about a year and a half now. I’ve been challenging him in interviews and after fights. As far as obstacles, his management had been putting it off. It takes two to tango. We’re just going to have to wait and see.
“This fight with Brett coming up is going to be very interesting. I think the people are going to love to watch it.”
Alistair, how do you want to approach Brett Rogers?
OVEREEM: “I never talk about strategy before a fight. Afterward, I’ll be happy to discuss any details.”
Brett, do you want to comment on your strengths?
ROGERS: “You know what? I kind of want to fall back on questions like that, too. I don’t want to really talk about strategy. I’m coming out there to win it. I’m a fighter just like everybody else.”
Do you think fighting in a cage is an advantage for you?
ROGERS: “I would say so because I know he’s real comfortable fighting in a ring, but we’ll see how it plays when he comes back to the cage.”
Brett, what mistakes do you think you made against Fedor?
ROGERS: “I’m probably going to keep those to myself, but I definitely learned a lot of things that are going to help me win in the future, a lot of small things.”
Where do you guys see this going? Do you see it hitting the ground?
ROGERS: “I’m down for whatever. Whatever happens, happens. He’s the champ so he’s obviously supposed to come over here and put a working on me, right? I’m definitely just going to go with the flow and capitalize on whatever. That’s how I see it?”
Brett, they say a fighter learns more from a loss than a win. Do you see that as the case? How did that being your first loss affect you?
ROGERS: “It affected me deeply. I have lots of love for the sport. I love what I’m doing, so it kind of affects you a little bit. I was on a winning streak and I was kind of just hoping to blow through and get the title without a loss. But, you learn a lot more with a loss than a win. Anybody can tell you that. We’ll see how it goes on May 15. We’ll calm down the mistakes.”
Alistair, do any of the doubters make you lose focus?
OVEREEM: “I’m pretty good at blocking things out. There’s been a lot criticism, but there’s also been a lot of complements and positive reactions because I was competing in the K-1, which is sort of a different sport. I was competing very well, I got first place, so I also got positive reactions.”
Do you want to make a statement in this fight and shut people up?
OVEREEM: “No, I don’t. People are free to think whatever they want, people are free to say whatever they want. It’s my job. I’m getting paid for it. They’re not my boss, so I don’t care what they say or think. They’re entitled to their own opinions or thoughts.”
Brett, can you talk about your most recent training? I know you left Minnesota for California.
ROGERS: “It’s just a change of pace. This is an important fight, it’s a title fight. Five, five-minute rounds can take a toll on you so it was important for me to step up my conditioning. I went out to the West to the Body Shop. I needed the conditioning and also the techniques that I’d like to show. Right now, I’m in Vegas at the Randy Couture gym. I’m kind of all over the place trying to pick and choose the best of the best and try to figure out a new strategy.
“From here on out I’m just going to stand on condition, condition, condition. People just expect us to be powerful because we’re big, so I’m going to try to change the script on that so that we can kind of move around like the light heavyweights do.”
Alistair, where are you training?
OVEREEM: “In my own gym.”
Does travelling to the U.S. hurt your training?
OVEREEM: “No, it doesn’t. But that’s why I stay in Holland until the last moment possible. I don’t like to train here and arrive three weeks before the fight. Because then you’re messing up the schedule. I train the best at home. There’s no stress.”
Brett, how has your life changed since you last fought in St. Louis?
ROGERS: “Since I last fought in St. Louis, man, it’s changed a lot. I’m definitely getting a lot of credit, a lot of good compliments as far as how my career is going from everybody, people in the MMA world and people in the working world. I get both parties. I feel good, it gives me more confidence. It helps me just always go out there and bring the best of the best.”
Brett, there’s a lot of big talent at heavyweight. What have you done to prepare for Alistair?
ROGERS: “What have I done? I’ve stepped up the game. Every fight I always step up the game, somehow, someway. I don’t like every fight to look the same; you know what I’m saying? Some guys have 20-30 fights and you can go back and see pretty much the same thing. I’m kind of changing up the strategy a little bit. I’m going to go out there and give the world what they want to see.”
Alistair, what are you going to do differently than Andrei Arlovski did against Fedor?
OVEREEM: “Well, I don’t talk about strategy before the fight, so you’re just going to have to wait and see what will happen. I can tell you it’s always a surprise with me. I’ve been training for a long time now, 15 years, and I know a lot of different techniques. Let’s just say I have some interesting techniques planned for this fight, but you’re going to have to wait and see when I come out of the box.”
Brett, you got some criticism when you were announced as the challenger. Do you see that as motivation?
ROGERS: “It’s definitely motivation, man. I’m the type that everything positive or negative is going to make me that much stronger. This is the type of fight that I have wanted for a long time. It’s not something that I’ve taken it very lightly. People are just holding the Fedor loss against me. People think I don’t deserve it, so I’m feeling a lot of pressure to do anything to prove it.
“Alistair is a big dude and he’s very confident. I like fighting people like that. He reminds me a lot of Arlovski.
“I feel no pressure whatsoever. I’m getting tired of getting harassed in the gym. I’m just ready to get it on.”
Brett, what is the biggest benefit that you’ve received from moving away from Minnesota?
ROGERS: “I love my training in Minnesota, but I feel that I’m back. I’m out of town, new personalities, new bodies, they don’t know about me and I don’t know about them. When it comes down to it, I don’t care what happens. The pressure needs to be constant; I’ve got constant big bodies and less pressure. There’s more support and less distractions. Out here, all I have to think about is doing three things: wake up, work out and whoop ass.”
Alistair, it’s been over two years since you’ve fought for STRIKEFORCE. Do you think you’re fights in Japan have prepared you for Brett Rogers?
OVEREEM: “We’re going to find that out on May 15.”
Alistair, why do you think Fedor’s management doesn’t want you to face him?
OVEREEM: “I don’t know. I think they want to keep Fedor’s status as undefeated. They see me as a threat to that.”
Tags: Alistair Overeem > Brett Rogers > Scott Coker > Strikeforce
Caldwell vs. Metcalf is the Main Event for Beat the Streets Gala on USS Intreprid in New York City, May 13
Posted on | May 4, 2010 | No Comments
A rematch of top rivals Darrion Caldwell and Brent Metcalf is the Main Event of a seven-match card of wrestling bouts which will be showcased during the 2010 Beat the Streets Gala on Thursday, May 13.
The event will be held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier which is docked on the west side of Manhattan in New York City. It is part of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. It is being billed as the Battle on the Intrepid, in recognition of “wrestlers in the nation’s service.” The competition is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Each year, the Beat the Streets Gala is held to celebrate wrestling and raise funds for Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc., the successful program which has provided wrestling opportunities for thousands of middle school and high school students in New York City.
Caldwell and Metcalf are among the top hopefuls for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team in men’s freestyle wrestling at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Both are pursuing their Olympic dreams, and have continued a rivalry which began during their college careers.
Caldwell is a student at North Carolina State University, where he will be a senior next season. He was an NCAA champion in 2009, and was named Outstanding Wrestler. He was also fifth at the 2008 NCAA Championships. Caldwell missed the 2010 college season due to a shoulder surgery, and he will return next year for his final college season.
Metcalf recently completed his college career at the Univ. of Iowa, where he was a two-time NCAA champion (2008, 2010) and a 2009 NCAA runner-up. Metcalf started his career at Virginia Tech and lost one year of eligibility when he transferred to Iowa. He completed his college career with a 108-3 record, and was the 2008 Dan Hodge Trophy winner as the nation’s best college wrestler.
Caldwell and Metcalf met each other three times in college:
* The first meeting was on November 24, 2007 at the St. Edward Duals in Lakewood, Ohio, where Caldwell pinned Metcalf in 1:40
* The second meeting was on November 24, 2008 at the NWCA All-Star Classic in Columbus, Ohio, where Metcalf scored a 19-3 technical fall over Caldwell in 6:20. Bouts in the NWCA All-Star Classic do not appear in official NCAA statistics.
* Their third meeting was on March 21, 2009 in the finals of the NCAA Div. I Championships in St. Louis, Mo., where Caldwell defeated Metcalf, 11-6.
Caldwell has a strong local angle, as he grew up in nearby Rahway, N.J., where he won three state high school titles. Metcalf is originally from Davison, Mich., where he was a four-time state champion and six-time Junior Nationals champion.
Caldwell competes for the Sunkist Kids, while Metcalf is a member of the New York Athletic Club. In freestyle, Caldwell was third in the 2009 World Team Trials. Metcalf was a 2009 U.S. Open runner-up, and a member of the 2006 U.S. Junior World Team.
The bout card of the Beat the Streets Gala will include matches in all three Olympic styles (men’s freestyle, Greco-Roman, women’s freestyle), featuring top Olympic hopefuls from across the nation. In addition, there will be one match featuring New York City Middle School wrestlers and one match featuring New York City High School wrestlers.
There are two other men’s freestyle matches on the card.
Competing at 74 kg/163 lbs. will be 2008 Olympian Ben Askren (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) who will face Moza Fay (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC). Askren was a two-time NCAA champion and four-time finalist for the Univ. of Missouri. He was a 2008 U.S. Open champion. Fay, a two-time All-American for Northern Iowa, recently placed fourth at the 2010 U.S. Open.
2009 World silver medalist Jake Herbert (Evanston, Ill./New York AC) will be featured in a bout at 84 kg/185 lbs., where he will face David Bertolino (Colorado Springs, Colo./Club). Herbert was a two-time NCAA champion for Northwestern (2007, 2009), and has won the U.S. Open in freestyle the last two years. Bertolino starred at Iowa State while in college, and recently placed third at the 2010 U.S. Open.
The Greco-Roman bout will feature 2008 Olympian Spenser Mango (St. Louis, Mo./New York AC) who will battle talented young Ellis Coleman (Oak Park, Ill./New York AC). Mango is currently competing at 55 kg/121 lbs., while Coleman wrestles normally at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Mango was also a member of the 2009 U.S. World Team, and has won U.S. Open titles in 2008 and 2010. Coleman most recently placed fourth at the 2010 U.S. Open. Mango attends Northern Michigan Univ. where he is a member of the U.S. Olympic Education program.
The women’s bout will feature 2007 U.S. World Team member Leigh Jaynes (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), who will battle two-time U.S. Open champion Kelsey Campbell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 59 kg/130 lbs. Jaynes was a U.S. Open champion in 2007, while Campbell has won the U.S. Open the last two years. Jaynes competed at Missouri Valley College, and has a local connection as she attended Rancocas Valley High School in New Jersey. Campbell wrestled for Arizona State Univ.
The High School match will be a rematch between sophomore Jorge Jiminez of Herbert Lehman High School in the Bronx and senior Andrew Murano of Xavier High School in Manhattan. Jiminez is a two-time PSAL champion. Murano was a runner-up in the Catholic State Championships. Murano won the Dave Ironman Invitational with a win over Jiminez. In the Mayor’s Cup, Jiminez came back and beat Murano in the finals.
The Middle School match will feature City Champion Will Wilson of the Lions Wrestling Club on Staten Island against three-time City Champion Shateek Palmer of Roosevelt Island Middle School in Manhattan.
Registration for the Beat the Streets Gala will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Battle on the Intrepid from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Cocktails will be served from 7:30 p.m., followed by the dinner and awards presentation starting at 8:15 p.m. All participants will disembark from the U.S.S. Intrepid at 11:00 p.m.
There will be a live musical performance by The Lost Trailers at the function.
The minimum donation to support Beat the Streets and reserve admission to the Gala is $150. There are a many number of other levels of contributions available to those who wish to join the excitement and support this worthy cause.
For further information about the event, please visit the website at www.beat-the-streets.org or you may contact Brian Giffin via email at BGiffin@beat-the-streets.org or via phone at 212-777-5702.
Media seeking to cover the event should contact Gary Abbott of USA Wrestling at 719-659-9637 or via email at gabbott@usawrestling.org
BEAT THE STREETS GALA
Wrestlers in the Nation’s Service
Battle on the Intrepid
On the U.S.S. Intrepid in New York, N.Y., May 13
MAIN EVENT – Men’s freestyle – Darrion Caldwell vs. Brent Metcalf
UNDERCARD
Middle School – Shateek Palmer vs. Will Wilson
High School – Andrew Murano vs. Jorge Jimenez
Women’s freestyle – Leigh Jaynes vs. Kelsey Campbell
Greco-Roman – Spenser Mango vs. Ellis Coleman
Men’s freestyle – Ben Askren vs. Moza Fay
Men’s freestyle – Jake Herbert vs. David Bertolino
Tags: Brent Metcalf > Darrion Caldwell > New York City > USS Intrepid > wrestling
FEDOR RETURNS JUNE 26 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®; World’s No. 1 Fighter To Face Fabricio Werdum At HP Pavilion
Posted on | May 4, 2010 | No Comments
In San Jose, Calif., On Saturday, June 26
SAN JOSE, Calif. (May 4, 2010) – After months of anticipation, the world’s No. 1 heavyweight and pound-for-pound Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter, Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko (31-1), will make his eagerly awaited return to the cage to face two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion and top-ranked superstar Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum (13-4) in a STRIKEFORCE and M-1 GLOBAL co-promoted event at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, June 26, live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
The Fedor-Werdum match will headline an event which will feature up to five televised fights on SHOWTIME and several non-televised undercard bouts that will be announced in the coming weeks.
A special pre-sale ticket purchase opportunity for the event will take place for “STRIKEFORCE Insider” e-newsletter subscribers (http://strikeforce.com/insider.html) from 10 a.m. PT Monday, May 10, until 10 p.m. PT on Thursday, May 13. Insiders will receive an e-newsletter with the pre-sale code.
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. PT on Friday, May 14, at the HP Pavilion box office, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) as well as www.strikeforce.com. For more information, please also visit www.M-1GLOBAL.com.
For M-1 GLOBAL’s Fedor, it is a means of gaining revenge three and a half years after the 32-year-old Werdum defeated Fedor’s brother Aleksander Emelianenko, via submission (arm triangle choke) in the first round (3:24) of a bout in Rotterdam, Holland, on Nov. 12, 2006.
The M-1 GLOBAL superstar is simply referred to as “Fedor” by millions of fans around the world. He stands at 6-foot, 235-pounds and hails from Stary Oskol, Russia. He has become the most dominant MMA fighter of all-time since he began his professional career 10 years ago.
Fedor is one of the founders of M-1 GLOBAL and has competed for the organization since its inception more than two years ago. The 33-year-old has faced and defeated nearly every other rival superstar and champion of this era, including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, Andrei Arlovski and Mark “The Hammer” Coleman.
A master of the Russian military combat system, Sambo, Fedor made his live, primetime network television (CBS) debut in his last start on Nov. 7, 2009, when he faced unbeaten rising star Brett “The Grim” Rogers in a STRIKEFORCE and M-1 Global co-promoted event. After a difficult first round in which he sustained a cut and began bleeding profusely, the Russian suddenly turned the tide in the second round, sending Rogers to the canvas with a right hand and finishing him with a series of punches.
While the fight world still regards him as undefeated, Fedor actually has one official loss on his record, the result of a doctor stoppage due to a cut he sustained seconds into a matchup with Japan’s Tsuyoshi Kosaka on Dec. 22, 2000. Fedor avenged the TKO loss with his own first round TKO of Kosaka at a PRIDE Fighting Championships event in Japan on April 3, 2005.
Since joining the ranks of STRIKEFORCE, the 6-foot-4, 240 pound Werdum, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and member of Brazil’s vaunted Chute Boxe fight squad, has notched a pair of impressive victories, the first of which came on Aug. 15, 2009 when he quickly submitted Mike “Mak” Kyle with a guillotine choke in the first round (1:24) at HP Pavilion. The following Nov. 7, Werdum battled his way to a close unanimous decision victory over Antonio “Big Foot” Silva in a live CBS primetime televised matchup.
During an eight-year tenure in MMA, Werdum has conquered a number of other superstars, including reigning STRIKEFORCE World Heavyweight Champion, Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem; and UFC stars Gabriel Gonzaga and Brandon “The Truth” Vera.
Tags: California > Fabricio Werdum > Fedor Emelianenko > M-1 Global > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > San Jose > SHOWTIME > Strikeforce
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