ANDREI ARLOVSKI, ANTONIO “BIG FOOT” SILVA, ROGER GRACIE & KEVIN RANDLEMAN STRIKEFORCE Media Conference Call Highlights
Posted on | April 29, 2010 | No Comments
Four of the principal fighters competing in the 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) participated in a national conference call on Thursday.
Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (15-7) will face off with 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 Brett Rogers. A former UFC heavyweight champion, Arlovski had won five in a row in the UFC before suffering back-to-back losses to Fedor Emelianenko and Rogers.
Unbeaten Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sensation Roger Gracie (2-0) submitted all eight of his opponents en route to winning the coveted ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship in 2005. The second degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt’s submission skills have proven their worth in MMA competition as the 6-foot-4 heavyweight has won his two professional fights via submission.
Gracie’s opponent Kevin Randleman (17-14) captured back-to-back NCAA Division I national wrestling titles in 1992 and 1993 while attending Ohio State University. His stellar collegiate career gained him entry into the school’s Hall Of Fame in 2004. Randleman has been a force in MMA for years, winning the UFC title in 1999 and competing in Japan’s PRIDE Fighting Championships.
In the main event, STRIKEFORCE World Heavyweight Champion Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem (32-11) will put his title on the line against heavy-handed knockout artist Brett “The Grim” Rogers (10-1).
ANDREI ARLOVSKI
“This fight is very important for me. It’s been about nine months since my last fight so I just can’t wait to fight again.
“After I lost to Brett Rogers (June, 2009) I had meetings with all my trainers and they gave me a lot of ultimatums and said that I had to do it their way or that I would have to start to look for new trainers. When I fought Rogers I didn’t stick to my game plan and I didn’t take him seriously. So after that loss I just kept training and training and in November of 2009 I met with Greg Jackson and started training with him. I came back and trained in Chicago and then started working with Bob Cook and the guys at AKA Academy and then went back to Chicago. So I’ve had a lot of experience with different trainers. Everything happens for a reason and I’m more disciplined now. I’m definitely going to stick to my game plan. No more putting my hands down like I did against Rogers. I just can’t lose again. It’s very dramatic for me to lose fights and I want to climb back into the top. It’s going to be a very tough and important fight for me.
“(Silva) is very dangerous on the ground. That’s why I have spent a lot of time here in Chicago with some big heavy guys training a lot on the ground. He’s an all-around fighter. His striking is good. He’s good on the ground. He has long arms. He’s really dangerous. I have to be really prepared for this fight.”
Who would you like to fight next?
“Before I fought Rogers my mind was on (Fedor) Emelianenko. Now, it’s one step at a time. After May 15 then we can talk. Of course, it’s up to Strikeforce. So now I just focus on May 15 against Big Foot. He’s tough and he’s dangerous.
“Now that I’m in Chicago all my good friends are here and like brothers to me and they support me all the time and they try to keep me in a right way. Before I was in a relationship and all the time I worried about where my girlfriend was going to sit or how was she going to fly to the place where I am. Now I have a great girlfriend who supports me and she never asks me, ‘Oh, can I go?’ She lets me focus on my MMA career. Now, it’s just train hard, sleep and eat. I’m just focused on my MMA career and climbing back to the top.
“I still train with Freddie Roach. My boxing debut was going to be June 27 but then I fought Rogers and he knocked me out so it didn’t happen.
“I need to stick to my game plan and be more disciplined. I’m not talking about discipline like with my private life or outside the gym. I have to be more disciplined during my workouts and during my fights.”
ANTONIO SILVA
“I would like to thank everyone for this opportunity. You can expect a knock out or a submission from me on May 15.
“(My last fight) was a big lesson for me (a loss to Werdum on the Fedor-Rogers undercard). I had the opportunity but I could not do it. I fractured my hand and I’m not going to let something like this happen again.
“Because of my former suspension it had been awhile since I fought in the states and I wanted to put on a show. When I got Werdum in trouble instead of going down with him and keeping with ground and pound when he tried to grab my leg I stepped back and let him get back up. I broke my hand at the beginning of the second round after a left hook and it was really bothering me and I wasn’t the same after that. But that’s all in the past now.
“I’ve been concentrating on improving my strikes. I have a feeling this fight will not go to the end.”
How will you handle Arlovski’s speed?
“I train with guys like Jorge Santiago who are lighter and fast so I am very comfortable with his speed. I’m hoping that the fight stays standing up.
“I’ve been improving my hand speed a lot. This is a heavyweight fight and everyone has heavy hands. If Arlovski blinks he’ll get knocked out. If it goes to the ground, however, I am a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and I’m very comfortable there so I think I’m very comfortable anywhere the fight goes.”
ROGER GRACIE
Why did you come back to MMA after so long away?
“I never planned to be away for so long from MMA. I was trying to come back twice before but I injured myself. I think we are going to do two or three fights a year.
“I’ve been training about eight weeks already. I never stop training but as my fight gets closer it intensifies. I’ve been training MMA for about four weeks now.
“This fight can go any direction so I have to be ready for anything. I think I’ve trained enough.
“I believe I can train for both (Jiu-Jitsu and MMA). Of course May 15 is my main focus now but three weeks later I will fight in the Jiu-Jitsu worlds. Before I used to fight in Jiu-Jitsu four or five times a year and I think now I’m down to about two so I can concentrate more on my MMA fights. I feel like I can do both.”
Is there pressure on you because of your famous last name?
“I’ve been hearing that question since I was 10 years old. Of course there’s a lot of weight behind that name and there have been many great fighters for many years. But instead of giving me pressure I think it really pushes me forward and I always feel I have to train harder and I have to do better than everyone else because I have that name. I’m 28 years old now and I have learned to use that pressure and to push forward. You start gaining extra strength from it.
KEVIN RANDLEMAN
“Without the Gracie name we wouldn’t be where we are today in the world of MMA so my thanks to the Gracie clan. I’m under no false impression that I’m going to beat Roger Gracie at his game. I’m just going to try my best to use my game and try to do my best to not let him put me on my back.
“I’ve been working with world-champion boxers for the past year. There were many things I couldn’t do before because of injuries. Both of my shoulders have been re-done over the last four years. Now that I’ve fixed them my boxing is good. My wrestling will always be good. Fighting a guy like Roger Gracie … I’ve watched his Jiu-Jitsu and he is phenomenal. A guy like Roger Gracie, it’s just going to be a battle. It’s going to be just like a chess match. Roger Gracie has what he’s very good at and I have what I’m very good at and it actually intersects each another. I’ve been working my hands and my stand up and my muay thai to try and keep myself off of the ground and keep myself in good position.
“I’ve cleaned up not only my act but my game. I’ve added a lot to the arsenal. I train every aspect of the game. I’m ready to fight Roger Gracie. He is and always will be a factor in the MMA world. His family has history and he’s an athlete. A very good athlete and there’s no doubt in my mind his standup is going to be good and his Jiu-Jitsu will be phenomenal.
“There’s absolutely nothing I take for granted. I don’t take my health for granted and I am not taking him lightly. I know that he can rip an arm off from anywhere in the ring. Cardio is the one thing that I’ve worked on the most so that I can just stay ahead of the pace.
“I’m never going to be on the level of a Roger Gracie as far as Jiu-Jitsu goes because his name speaks for itself. This is like a new beginning for me. Before I had a lot of people around me that were very negative and didn’t want to work as hard as I like to work. But being in Vegas and training at the Tap Out facility and working with Randy Coture and Extreme Coture I’m very well prepared. I don’t plan on putting myself in the position where Roger Gracie will be on me. I plan on keeping the fight on the feet. My plan is to stay away from his web.”
“Scott Coker has done one heckuva job of keeping his company pure. He has stuck to his guns and has not let anyone influence him into changing. He’s done his thing the whole time. He lets the fighters go in there and fight. He’s got a lot of 205-pound fighters in there. I think Roger Gracie can be a champion. I know I can be a champion. I don’t believe this is a conservative card. I believe this is phenomenal card because everyone has got a lot of talent. With the progression of our sport, everyone is getting better. And if you’re not practicing every aspect of the game, it’s going to show when the cage closes.”
SCOTT COKER, Strikeforce CEO
“We felt like St. Louis was a market we really wanted to come back to. The fan base was very receptive and the media was receptive and it was such a good experience for us. When a date opened up at the arena we grabbed it and we’re happy to be back.”
How important is it for Strikeforce to have a name like Gracie fighting?
“You know I’ll tell you we’ve been offered many fighters with the last name Gracie. I don’t think we actually pulled the trigger on any of them. The Gracie name has built the sport in the past but there’s a lot of new stars today. It’s a legendary name and like Roger said there’s going to be some pressure that goes with that. As far as a marketing standpoint, is it a gimmick? Absolutely not. We feel this guy can do what he says he can do and if he can then we’ll work him up the ranks. I’m sure Kevin Randleman feels differently about it but that’s the beauty of this sport that on May 15 we’ll be able to shake it all out.
“When you look at this fight card I think it’s stacked from top to bottom. We’re anxious to see Alistair’s comeback and how Brett is going to do. If you look at this card from top to bottom I believe we’re going to have some amazing fights and that’s our commitment to the sport. Without the support of Ken Hershman and the guys over at SHOWTIME, we wouldn’t be able to throw the fight cards as deep as we do. I say to all the media, after the fight on May 15 then you can judge the event, but I wouldn’t have a pre-conditioned idea of what that will be.”
Tags: Andre Arlovski > Antonio Silva > Brett Rogers > Fedor Emelianenko > Kevin Randleman > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Roger Gracie > Scott Coker > Strikeforce
Mayweather vs. Mosley Undercard Press Conference Quotes
Posted on | April 29, 2010 | 1 Comment
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez
“I’m happy to be here and eager to get in the ring. I have a lot of respect for my opponent, but like everything, I come to win. I will prove to the world who is the better man.
“I am very motivated to give the American fans a glimpse of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
“This fight is very important to me. It is under a great main event in Mayweather-Mosley and in the world capital of boxing, Las Vegas. With all due respect to Mayweather and Mosley, I think I’m going to steal the show.
“I’m preparing for a very special fight. I’ve worked very hard for this fight. I am prepared both mentally and physically for a win.
“I have a big responsibility to both the fans in Mexico and the fans here in the United States to prove to them that I am a true fighter.”
Jose Miguel Cotto
“I trained very hard for this fight and I gave this camp my all. I am ready to have a great victory over ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
“I just want to say that I’m not fighting at my weight, I’m fighting at his weight. I hope he comes in the same condition as me. I can’t wait for Saturday night to have a big win.
“I’m being looked over for this fight. I plan on surprising a lot of people and I’m looking forward to having a title shot after this fight.
“My brother told me to do my thing as I know to do it best. He gives me confidence. I look forward to having a big win for my family and for Puerto Rico.”
Daniel Ponce de Leon
“Thank you all for being here. I’m in great shape. I’ve worked hard. I want to thank my new trainer, he’s got me in great shape and I’m ready to fight.”
Cornelius Lock
“It’s going to be a great match. I have a lot of respect for Ponce De Leon. I know its going to be a great match.”
Hector Saldivia
“It is really a pleasure to be here. I want to deliver a great fight on Saturday. I want to thank all of you and say ‘God Bless.'”
Said Ouali
“I’m ready for this big fight. I’m going to do my best.”
Jesse Vargas
“I want to thank everyone for coming out. I’m in the best shape I’ve been. I have a great opponent so I’m sure we’re going to give the public a great fight.”
Dion Savage
“I am Dion ‘X’ aka. Savage. I come to fight. Me and my trainer are ready; we worked hard. I come to win, we ain’t going home no losers. We come to destroy.”
Luis Ramos
“I just want to say thank you to Golden Boy. Thank you to my manager, to Richard Schaefer and to Robert Diaz for putting this together.
“It’s going to be a show.”
Allen Litzau
“Just like you saw my brother on the Hopkins-Jones undercard take on Rocky Jaurez, you’ll see me on Saturday night take on a great opponent in Luis Ramos.
“We have to give respect to the troops over seas and to all of those who serve and protect this country. I have the American flag tattooed on my left arm ’cause I love America.
“Me and my brother have hearts of gold, hearts of warriors.
“Saturday you’re going to see a great fight. No respect to Sugar Shane Mosley and Floyd Money Mayweather but this is going to be a fight. I’ve looked up to Mosley and Mayweather all my life and I want to be able to fill their shoes one day.”
Richard Schaefer, CEO Golden Boy Promotions
“I have to say Mayweather Promotions has picked up some great young fighters who have been featured on various cable networks. I would like to congratulate them on their success.
“I want to let you know that the Vargas-Morua and Perez-Leon fights will be available for free before the pay-per-view fights. They will surely be great fights.
“The Argentineans are coming. In the last six months or so we’ve seen a lot of these Argentineans come up and make names for themselves. We’ve had Marcos Maidana, who reminds me of a young Manny Pacquiao. We’ve had Sergio Martinez who upset Kelly Pavlik. We also have Lucas Matthysse. The Argentineans are coming. We also have Hector Saldivia who is a young up and comer.”
On Saul “Canelo” Alvarez:
“Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Remember that name. He’s the next face of boxing. His fights get the same ratings as the Mexican national soccer team.
“Look at him. They call him the Mexican James Dean. This is going to be the next great superstar in Mexico. It’s a pleasure to have him fight on Saturday.
“We know Jose Miguel Cotto is a great fighter. That’s why we chose him for Saul Alvarez. We know Jose Miguel didn’t come here to pick up a pay check.
“I want to personally assure you that one thing we do very well at Golden Boy Promotions is take care of fighters. I will make sure we take great care of Canelo.
“The deal that Canelo and I have is that in our next press conference, I will speak in Spanish and he will speak in English.
“He is the only fighter that regularly fights on Televisa. Thank you Televisa for being behind Canelo Alvarez.”
Leonard Ellerbe, CEO Mayweather Promotions
“We have a tremendous undercard. It will compliment what will be a great main event Saturday night. I know the fighters are coming prepared and coming to fight.”
On Jesse Vargas:
“He is a young hot prospect. Everyone will be hearing about this man.”
On Said Ouali:
“I’ve known this guy for along time. He came in as a sparring partner for Floyd [Mayweather]. After one session, Floyd told me, ‘We need to sign him right away.’ We signed him the very next day. He’s a very talented guy.”
Eddy Reynoso, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s Trainer
“To make it to the big leagues you have to fight tough opponents. I know this is a tough fight, but we’re not worried. The only thing Jose Miguel has is his last name and that’s because of his brother. We’re going to make sure that he goes back to helping in his brother’s corner.”
Joe Santiago, Jose Miguel Cotto’s Trainer
“Jose Miguel Cotto came here not to be a stepping stone for no one. He came here to fight a good fight and get a victory. Jose Miguel Cotto is here to prove that he is one of the best fighters in boxing and that he belongs in the big leagues of boxing.
“With all respect to Golden Boy, they should better choose opponents for Saul Alvarez who is supposed to be the next generation of boxing.. We’re here to have a great fight and get a great victory.”
Roger Mayweather, Jesse Vargas’ Trainer
“I know you got a real one. If you didn’t know, you now know. This guy [Jesse Vargas] is an elite fighter. He’s young, he’s talented. We’ll keep him busy and hopefully he’ll make a name for himself.”
Tags: Boxing > Cornelius Lock > Daniel Ponce De Leon > Dion Savage > Eddy Reynoso > Floyd Mayweather Jr. > Golden Boy Promotions > Hector Savdivia > Jesse Vargas > Joe Santiago > Jose Miguel Cotto > Leonard Ellerbe > Luis Ramos > Richard Schaefer > Roger Mayweather > Said Ouali > Saul Alvarez > Shane Mosley
MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS’ RISING STAR JESSE VARGAS TO FIGHT ARTURO MORUA IN EIGHT ROUND, NON-TELEVISED JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT BOUT ON MAYWEATHER VS. MOSLEY UNDERCARD
Posted on | April 29, 2010 | No Comments
Las Vegas (April 29)…Just shy of his twenty-first birthday, Mayweather Promotions rising star, Jesse Vargas (9-0, 4 KO’s) prepares to defend his undefeated record in a showdown with Arturo Morua (25-13-1, 14 KO’s) in a non-televised undercard bout on the highly anticipated Mayweather vs. Mosley: Who R U Picking? mega-fight night on Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
With an impressive amateur career including an appearance in the 2007 National Golden Gloves Tournament and a spot on the 2008 Mexican Olympic Team, Vargas is a fighter to keep an eye on. Relatively new to the boxing scene, the junior welterweight is quickly making a name for himself as he stands undefeated with nine wins, four of which were by knockout.
Boxing since the age of eight, the 20-year-old is eager to once again shine in his hometown of Las Vegas. “It’s such an honor to be on the same card as Floyd Mayweather who’s support and advice has already helped me a lot,” said Vargas. “The opportunity to fight alongside so many talented fighters is a dream come true and once my fight is over I am going to sit down and watch the rest of them myself.”
Vargas, who is trained by Roger Mayweather out of the Mayweather Boxing Gym, has been working as hard as his boss, six-time world champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather, to make sure he comes out victorious. Keeping a careful eye on the young fighter’s development is Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe.
“Jesse is an exceptionally talented young fighter and has a very bright future in front of him,” said Ellerbe. “We’re happy to have him on the fight card. Mayweather Promotions continues to recruit and attract the best up and coming talent in the sport and I am sure that we will continue to see great fights from him too.”
Vargas made his professional debut on September 5, 2008 with a 59 second knockout of Joel Gonzalez. Another eight wins under his belt and Jesse Vargas is well prepared for his chance to show the world yet again how great of a fighter he truly is.
Vargas will take on Morua prior to the HBO-Pay-Per-View® live telecast in a unique boxing showcase aired live by several satellite and cable providers including DirecTV, Dish Network, inDEMAND and TVN. The free undercard preview will also feature an exciting eight round showdown between Eloy Perez (16-0-2, 4 KO’s) and Gilberto Leon (23-7-2, 7 KO’s). The special one and a half-hour show will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT.
The HBO-Pay-Per-View live telecast will begin at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT with the Mayweather vs Mosley main event and a number of undercard bouts that include Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (31-0-1, 23 KO’s) vs. Juan Miguel Cotto (31-1-1, 23 KO’s) in a 10-round welterweight bout, Daniel Ponce De Leon (38-2, 32 KO’s) against Cornelius Lock (19-4-1, 13 KO’s) in a 10-round featherweight contest and Hector Saldivia vs. Said Ouali (26-3, 18 KO’s) in a 10-round welterweight fight.
Tags: Arturo Mora > Boxing > Golden Boy Promotions > Jesse Vargas > Las Vegas > Mayweather > Mosley
“GOD OF MARTIAL ARTS” FACT SHEET
Posted on | April 29, 2010 | No Comments
MAIN EVENT
SUPER HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5 – PPV
TIM “The Maine-iac” SYLVIA MARIUSZ “Dominator” PUDZIANOWSKI
Former 2-Time UFC Heavyweight Champion 5-Time World’s Strongest Man
Miletich Fighting Systems KSW Team
Ellsworth, Maine Biala Rawska, Poland
25-6-0, 17 (T)KO, 2 Submissions 1-0-0, 1 Submission
CO-MAIN EVENT
HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5 – PPV
MU BAE “The Heavy Tank of Busan” CHOI TRAVIS “Diesel” WIUFF
Team Tackle Elite Performance
Seoul, South Korea Rochester, Minnesota
9-4-0, 3 (T)KOs, 4 Submissions 59-14-0, 16 (T)Kos, 22 Submissions
MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5 – PPV
TRAVIS “The Serial Killer” LUTTER RAFAEL “Sapo” NATAL
Lion’s Den Dallas Gracie Fusion
Dallas, Texas New York, New York by way of Brazil
10-5-0, 1 (T)KO, 7 Submissions 11-2-0, 2 (T)KOs, 7 Submissions
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5 – PPV
YVES “The Texas Gunslinger” EDWARDS MIKE CAMPBELL
American Top Team Team Sityodteng
Woodlands, Texas by way of the Bahamas Boston, Massachusetts
37-15-1, 15 (T)KOs, 15 Submissions 7-2-0, 4 (T)Kos, 2 Submissions
130-POUND CATCHWEIGHT – FEMALES3 X 5 – PPV
TARA LaROSA ROXY MODAFFERI
Philadelphia Fight Factory New England Submission Academy
Woodstown, New Jersey Boston, Massachusetts by way of Japan
18-1-0, 3 (T)KOs, 10 Submissions 13-4-0, 1 (T)KO, 4 Submissions
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5 – PPV
CHANG SEOB LEE LUKASZ “Juras” JURKOWSKI
CMA Korea KSW Team
Seoul, South Korea Warsaw, Poland
2-4-0, 2 (T)KOs 5-6-0, 2 (T)KOs
WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
RALPH JOHNSON FORREST “The Meat Clever” PETZ
MMA Training Center Strong Style Fight Team
Worcester, Massachusetts Cleveland, Ohio
4-0-0, 4 (T)Kos 23-7-0, 8 (T)KOs, 4 Submissions
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
MATT LEE BRETT OTERI
Team Elite Team Aggression
Clinton, Massachusetts Bridgewater, Massachusetts
11-8-1, 4 (T)KOs, 1 Submission 5-0-0, 1 (T)KO, 4 Submissions
MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
FRED “French Foot Fighter” BELLETON ANTHONY “The Recipe” LAPSLEY
South Shore Sportfighting Wolfpack
Stoughton, Massachusetts Fort Wayne, Indiana
6-2-0, 4 (T)KOs, 1 Submission 14-5-0, 2 (T)KOs, 10 Submissions
HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
PAUL BARRY STIPE MIOCIC
South Shore Sportfighting Strong Style Fight Team
Rockland, Massachusetts Willowick, Ohio
2-0-0, 2 (T)KOs 1-0-0, 1 (T)KO
SUPER HEAVYWEIGHTS — EXHIBITION
ERIC “Butterbean” ESCH LYNDON “LB” BYERS
“King of the 4-Rounders” WAAF Sports DJ, Former Boston Bruins
Jasper, Alabama Worcester, Massachusetts
95-18-5, 65 KOs, All-Fighting Countless NHL Fights
(All fights and fighters subject to change)
WHAT: “God of Martial Arts” PPV professional MMA show
WHEN: Friday, May 21, 2010
WHERE: DCU Center, Worcester, Massachusetts
PROMOTER: Moosin USA
PAY-PER-VIEW INFORMATION: Distributed by Integrated Sports Media at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in North America on cable and satellite Pay-Per-View via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN and DISH Network in the United States, as well as Viewer’s Choice, Bell TV and Shaw PPV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95 (also available in HD).
PPV ANNOUNCERS: Bas Rutten and Jeff Gorman
TICKETS: $35.75, $55.75, $75.75, $150.75 and $250.75, are on sale at the DCU Center Box Office (50 Foster St., Worcester, MA), all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com or by calling 1.800.745.3000.
INFORMATION: www.moosinusa.com or www.dcucenter.com
DOORS OPEN: 7:30 PM/ET; FIRST FIGHT: 8:00 PM/ET; FIRST PPV FIGHT: 9:00 PM/ET (6 PM/PT)
Tags: Anthony Lapsley > Boston Bruins > Brett Oteri > Butterbean > Chang Seob Lee > Eric Esch > Forrest Petz > Fred Belleton > Lukasz Jurkowski > Lyndon Byers > Maine > Mariusz Pudzianowski > Massachusetts > Matt Lee > Mike Campbell > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Mu Bae Choi > Paul Barry > Poland > Rafael Natal > Ralph Johnson > Roxy Modafferi > Stipe Miocic > Tara LaRosa > Tim Sylvia > Travis Lutter > Travis Wiuff > WAAF > Worcester > Yves Edwards
MOSLEY VS. MAYWEATHER FATHER AND SON ANALYSIS
Posted on | April 29, 2010 | No Comments
(by Darren & Patrick McElligott)
[mpinpage]
Saturday, May 1: Las Vegas – Shane Mosley vs Floyd Mayweather, Jr.; 12 rounds. (HBO PPV)
On paper, the Mosley vs Mayweather bout is about as even as any truly significant “Super Fight” since Tommy Hearns and Ray Leonard met for the first time. Both men have outstanding records, including numerous wins over fighters who have held titles in various divisions, and both have been the real champion of several weight classes during their careers. What separates these two from any of the current fighters in their class today – with the obvious exception of Manny Pacquiao – is that they are not just “great” champions, but belong to that elite club of “All-Time Great Champions.”
Any match-up between Mosley, Mayweather, or Pacquiao creates excitement not only in the boxing community, but among all sports fans. And while the failure of Pac Man and Floyd caused serious disappointment, Saturday’s bout will not only heal those wounds, but will create a huge demand for a bout between the winner and Pacquiao. These will be the bouts that define this era in boxing history.
Mosley, soon to be 39, is an inch taller, and has a two-inch reach advantage over his 33 year old foe. Since turning pro in 1993, Shane has won 46 of 51 fights, including 39 KO victories (75%). Floyd made his pro debut in 1996, and has a perfect 40-0 record, with 25 KO victories (62.5%). Between the two, they have defeated most of the top fighters of their generation. On Saturday, they each will be going into the ring against the most talented and dangerous opponent either has faced.
A great case can be made for each of these champions winning the fight. Shane Mosley possesses speed of both hands and feet. He attacks and retreats at angles, and thus is rarely standing in front of his opponent long enough to allow his foe to get set. Mosley mixes his punches up extraordinarily well, in almost every sense: from light flurries to heavy combinations; going body-to-head or head-to-body with accuracy and ease; and with the sense of timing and space – or “ring generalship” – that separates the all-time great boxers from the rest.
Floyd Mayweather has an uncanny combination of physical gifts and ring intelligence, which allows him to “hit and not get hit” in the Willie Pep/ Sweet Pea Whitaker tradition. In the Marquez bout, he showcased his jab, a weapon he knew he would need in his next bout (be it with Pacquiao or Mosley). He uses the ring very well, by either circling around to create opportunities, or by using the ropes as a spider uses its web. Floyd is, by definition, a counter-puncher. But, like all great counter-punchers, he is adept at using feints to his advantage: when the opponent reacts, Floyd can “counter” before his target throws a punch. The result is that his opponent becomes hesitant to engage, as Oscar de la Hoya found out when he stopped using his jab after five rounds against Floyd.
Shane has an advantage in punching power. However, neither man has scored devastating, early knockouts in recent years. Thus, in this fight, “power” will probably translate into accumulated punches. And that favors body-punching in this contest of skills. Shane’s ability in this area is well known; Floyd, however, is a far better body-puncher than most people realize. Watch his fight films: he can lift his right hand from under his opponents’ ribs inside, and he can hook his left around the opponent’s right elbow. And, on HBO’s 24/7, one sees Floyd practicing that very left hook to the liver while hitting the heavy bag.
Both men have trainers/ corners that work for them. In a general sense, Mosley has the superior trainer. While Shane’s range of sparring partners is limited, a 38 year old’s approach in training is going to be different than a younger man’s. The Mayweather camp appears hectic, if not frenzied, on 24/7; however, what appears on television is not always what is really taking place. What is most important is that both men will be at their peak when they enter the ring, and both have talented, capable handlers in their corners between rounds.
Mosley has five loses, and Mayweather none. The concept that “styles make fights” is important here. Vernon Forrest beat Shane in the amateurs and twice in the pros. He did so not only by using his advantage in size, but by counter-punching effectively. More, he hurt Shane with body punches. Winky Wright beat Mosley twice; certainly, Wright entered the ring a much heavier man (despite “weigh-ins” a day before), but also used counter-punching to frustrate Shane. Also, Cotto was able to outbox Shane in several rounds of their bout, by way of counter-punching.
Thus, in a fight that is too close to call on paper, it may well come down to those qualities known as the intangibles inside of that ring on Saturday night, to decide the
outcome. The choices for referee and judges can, of course, be a factor. Let’s hope that they are not. Rather, may the best man win.
Floyd Mayweather, like Muhammad Ali, has proven that he can capitalize on getting inside his opponent’s head. The little scene inside the ring after Marquez was actually scripted (watch the rerun on HBO, and note the comment about Floyd winking at Shane before the fight). The promotional meetings are also largely theater. What is much more important is the media coverage from each camp. Both camps – and both fighters – are reading the press reports, and definitely tuning in for 24/7. Thus, when Floyd spouts off about Shane’s nose and hair, and comments on his lack of jab and tendency to close his eyes when he punches, he knows Shane is listening.
Mosley isn’t going to change his nose or hair for this fight. Those are Ali-style insults: they are in poor taste, and they tend to sting for just that reason. However, he might, on some level, attempt to change in terms of his jab, or keeping his eyes open. Hopefully, he will not, for while these are both negatives, it isn’t possible to change them at this late date.
More important will be if Shane, like so many opponents Floyd has faced, becomes entirely focused on attempting to knock that supremely confident grin off Mayweather’s face in the ring. When we think of Ali in the second phase of his career, the only two fighters to did not allow him to get into their heads – Joe Frazier and Ken Norton – were the only two to beat him. That was not a coincidence.
The fight on Saturday is not only important in the context of the current boxing scene – especially in terms of who Pacquiao should (and perhaps will) fight next – but also in the top level of boxing’s history. Enjoy this fight, and may the best man win
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Tags: 12 rounds > All > analysis > bouts > Boxing > boxing community > champion > Champions > dangerous opponent > DEMAND > elite club > exception > father and son > fight > Floyd Mayweather > Floyd Mayweather Jr. > foe > generalship > GENERATION > hands and feet > HBO PPV > intelligence > jab > Man > Manny Pacquiao > Mayweather > mcelligott > Mosley > nbsp > PAC > Pac Man > POWER > pro debut > punches > Ray Leonard > retreats > ring > Shane Mosley > sports fans > time > timing > Tommy Hearns > welterweight > winner > YEAR
CORBETT: I’M NOT SCARED OF PRIZEFIGHTER FAVOURITE HIDE
Posted on | April 29, 2010 | No Comments
DARREN CORBETT insists he is not scared of Prizefighter favourite Herbie Hide and is ready to claim the £32,000 winner’s prize.
The pair are both among eight men in Barry Hearn’s latest one-night tournament – Cruiserweights II – which takes place at the York Hall in London’s East End on Friday.
However, Corbett’s hopes were nearly derailed as he originally weighed in one and a half pounds over the 14st 6lb limit before an impromptu gym session saw him make the weight at the second attempt.
Hide, a former WBO heavyweight champion, is clear betting favourite to win but could face ex-Commonwealth champion Corbett in an explosive semi-final.
“Everyone is running scared of Herbie Hide but I don’t care, I would fight him in the first round,” said Belfast-based Corbett, who has won 28 of 34 contests.
“Winning Prizefighter will get me a few quid and a shot at Rob Norton, the British and Commonwealth champion.
“I’ve already beaten him once so why not again?”
Corbett hopes to win the money for his family, especially as his fifth child, daughter Kealeigh, was born two weeks ago.
Corbett is the only man of the eight to have competed in the first Prizefighter Cruiserweights tournament last year, although a freak injury harmed his chances.
“For the second fight, the semi-final, I lost against Ovill McKenzie but I slipped getting in to the ring and I was bleeding from the shin down. I lost total concentration because of that and I lost the fight.
“I’ve never been overweight in a weigh-in before and it’s a hassle but wasn’t a worry.
“I’m so determined of winning this. I’m fighting for the pride and love of my baby. I will fight every single drop of blood I have and I will fight to the last breath.”
The first quarter-final sees Mark Krence, a two-time contender for the British heavyweight title, fight Dewsbury’s Zahid Kahut, a qualified solicitor.
Jon-Lewis Dickinson, the only undefeated man in the eight, fights Londoner Leon Williams before Corbett gets in the ring with Doncaster’s John Anthony.
Hide is in action in the fourth fight against 23-year-old Wayne Brooks, who, at 50/1, is the biggest outsider to win the competition in Prizefighter history.
Prizefighter Cruiserweights II
Odds
8/11 – Herbie Hide
5/1 – Mark Krence
11/2 – Jon-Lewis Dickinson
8/1 – Darren Corbett
9/1 – Leon Williams
22/1 – John Anthony
25/1 – Zahid Kahut
50/1 – Wayne Brooks
Draw and weights
Quarter-final 1
Mark Krence (Chesterfield) 14st 5lbs v Zahid Kahut (Dewsbury) 14st 3lbs
Quarter-final 2
Jon-Lewis Dickinson (Durham) 14st 4lbs 12oz v Leon Williams (Streatham, London) 13st 11lb 8oz
Quarter-final 3
John Anthony (Doncaster) 14st 4lbs 11oz v Darren Corbett (Belfast) 14st 6lbs
Quarter-final 4
Herbie Hide (Norwich) 14st 4lb 8oz v Wayne Brooks (Cardiff) 14st 3lb 3oz
BROOKS: BEATING HERBIE HIDE WILL BE A MASSIVE SCALP FOR ME
Posted on | April 29, 2010 | No Comments
WELSHMAN Wayne Brooks is confident he can stun the boxing world and defeat former WBO heavyweight champion Herbie Hide on Friday.
The pair are two of the eight contenders in Barry Hearn’s latest one-night Prizefighter tournament – Cruiserweights II – at the York Hall in London’s East End.
Hide, 38, has won 48 of 52 professional contests and is close to a shot at the WBC world title, while Brooks is a 23-year-old prospect who has only had five professional wins.
But they have been paired together in the quarter-final of Prizefighter Cruiserweights II and Brooks is eyeing up an upset.
“Beating Herbie Hide will be a massive scalp for me and I’m looking forward to fighting him,” said Cardiff-based Brooks.
“It’s a privilege to be in Prizefighter but what a scalp it will be to beat the big names. It’s all about what happens on the night.
“Herbie Hide, Darren Corbett and Mark Krence have got a lot of experience and I take my hat off to them but they are all beatable.
“People will definitely under-estimate me but that will be the biggest mistake they make.
“I want to reach high levels in my career and this will boost my career. I’ve got nothing to lose and hopefully I can go out there and do what I’m best at and win.
“I’m in it to win it. I’m young, fit, keen and hungry and I’m not here to lose – I fancy my chances.”
Brooks has suffered two defeats from his nine fights, although in one of them he was beating Shon Davies before being stopped by a bad cut.
His other loss saw him knocked down in the third in an incredible scrap with Nick Bellew that won undercard fight of the year in 2007.
However, Brooks, who is also an expert in taekwondo, believes his glittering amateur career will help him defeat Hide.
“I won two Welsh amateur titles, won the four-nations and boxed in the Europeans so I had a really good amateur career,” added Brooks, who hopes to be the second Welshman to win a Prizefighter event after Gavin Rees triumphed at light-welterweights in December.
“Most of my amateur fights were stoppages and I struggled to get fights as I was stopping so many people and everyone was scared to fight me.
“That experience will help me a lot and I’m used to tournaments, which will help me win Prizefighter.
“Some great boxers have come from Wales so hopefully I can follow in Gavin Rees’s footsteps and do the Welsh crowd proud by winning Prizefighter.”
The draw for the quarter-finals is Mark Krence v Zahid Kahut, Leon Williams v Jon-Lewis Dickinson, John Anthony v Darren Corbett and Wayne Brooks v Herbie Hide.
Tickets cost £35 and £60 and are available from 01277 359900. The show will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports 2 from 9pm on Friday.
Tags: Barry Hearn > cruiserweights > Herbie Hide > Prizefighter > Wayne Brooks > Welshman
MAYWEATHER VS. MOSLEY FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Posted on | April 28, 2010 | No Comments
FLOYD “MONEY” MAYWEATHER
“It’s been a tremendous camp. Roger [Mayweather] has done a tremendous job getting me ready for a fight of this magnitude. I know what it takes, hard work and dedication, prayers and belief in a good team.
“I believe in loyalty. I am loyal to my team. I have been with the same team from beginning to the end.
“Be smart, be sharp and fight hard. May the best man win. I am pretty sure that Shane feels deep in his heart and deep in his soul he is going to win.
“It doesn’t stop May 1. Mayweather Promtions is the past, present, future of sports and entertainment, period.
“HBO, we will be family forever.
“If you put in the hard work, you get great results. Once I get in the ring, I get great results.
“I just happen to be an athlete that’s God gifted. There are some athletes that are just different, like Kobe, Lebron, Kevin Garnett and then there are athletes who are just talented.
“I’m pretty sure Shane is in good shape. I don’t think he is in better shape than me.
“Whatever weight class I’m at is the hot weight class.
“What’s so crazy is that when I started fighting at welterweight, I made the world pay attention to the small man.
“I brought USADA in to keep the sport on an even playing field. Everyone knows this is done for the betterment of the sport.
“After I get blood taken, I’ll go in and box 12 or 13 rounds, no problem whatsoever.
“My trainers have been with me for 40 fights. I didn’t wait for the biggest fight of my career to get a new trainer.
“I’m the biggest thing, because numbers don’t lie. The proof is in the pudding, I take less punishment, I land the highest percentage and I work the hardest.
“As far as drawing power and superstardom, me and Shane are not on the same level.
“My father taught me my defense and no one can break through it. I just know if a punch is coming, I can feel it. And I know what my opponent’s going to do.”
SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY
“I have to thank God for this match up. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a big fight like this.
“I’m excited. I’m happy. We have three more days.
“Like Roger [Mayweather] said, we can have dinner afterwards. We can have a big party. There’s no love lost.
“None of you guys would be here if it weren’t for two great fighters getting it on.
“I have to thank my father for giving me life, for bringing me to the gym when I was such a young guy and staying with me through the hard times. He had to go to work, my mom had to go to work. I am very thankful to be in this position and have a great fight.
“I hope Mayweather is ready for this. This will be one of the great fights of this decade or maybe even history. It’s going to be a great fight.
“I’m very thankful to be in this position and have this opportunity. I’ve put everything I have into this fight. It’s going to be one, if not the biggest fight of the decade, even of all history.
“This has been a great camp. We’ve had a brotherhood.
“I don’t think his comments have any bearing on me. I’m a competitor so I want to go out there and do what I do.
“I’m gonna win this fight by being Shane Mosley.
“Oscar was successful with the jab. His arms are almost as long as mine. So I think the jab will be important.
“The plan is to be Sugar Shane Mosley. To be the best in the ring.
“I think there’s a resurgence in boxing. We’re putting boxing back on the map.
“You can expect a lot of speed and a lot of aggression.
“The key is going to be speed and power. I’m in the best shape of my life and I’m not worried about ring rust.
“I always predict a knock out. We are going to make a magnificent fight.
“Margarito threw one thousand punches in his fight before me. People said I was too old to keep up with him.
“I think when you’re going through stuff in your life, there are a lot of reasons you bring people into your camp and they start to change things.
“I’m in a better place now. I’ve wanted a big fight for a long time.
“There are different ways to break through his defense. In this equation, I have the long arms and the speed too.
“This is a great fight. When we fight again, that would also be great. I have an obligation to Mayweather for fighting me. He chose to fight me first.
“I am happy we have three more days to figure out who is the best.”
RICHARD SCHAEFER, CEO Golden Boy Promotions
“Here we go again, another mega-fight. This has been a great promotion. It is by far the most heavily promoted fight we have had thus far. The fans are going to be the beneficiary of this. We know Mosley will be prepared as Floyd will be prepared and we are expecting a great fight
“It is really a pleasure to be back here at the MGM Grand. It feels like the home away from home. There are iconic venues, Dayton for racing, Yankees stadium for baseball and for boxing, it happens right here at this property the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It is the iconic venue for our sport which is boxing.
“The world is talking. The world is asking ‘Who R U Picking?’ I have never seen the kind of activation that we have seen in the last couple of weeks.”
“I just got and update this morning. We have almost 100 million online impressions, activations on entertainment platforms, urban sites it really is an unprecedented kind of response
“There have been 750,000 votes online. It is shaping up to be as we expected a dead even race. A dead even fight. Fifty-one to 49 percent
“It really is the dead even fight that we anticipated. That is what these two great athletes are all about fight after fight, fighting the best and that is what you can see this coming weekend.
“We are already at an eight-figure gate. It is great to have these two athletes here again. It is a thrill for us all and we appreciate you both.
“We have already sold almost 3,000 closed circuit seats and it shows the interest in this fight.
“About six, seven, eight months ago I told you, before the Mayweather-Marquez fight that we would break records. I said we would do 1 million buys and you all laughed at me, but we broke 1 million.
“I say that we’re going to break records. Not to only break three million homes, my goal is to break four million homes. When you have corporate America behind you, when you have HBO 24/7, it is possible.
“The man who’s put boxing back onto the map, Floyd, thank you for all of your hard work and dedication.”
LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO Mayweather Promotions
“Mayweather, Mayweather, Mayweather. Anytime you mention that word in boxing, you are speaking of nothing but the best.
“Here we go again. Another mega-fight. This has truly been a great promotion. It’s been by far one of the best promotions we’ve had by far.
“We know that Floyd is going to be prepared as we expect Shane to be prepared. It’s going to be a great fight.
“We have every anticipation, that with all the hard work each fighter has put into this fight. None of this would be possible without the man who demands the best from all of us.”
ROGER MAYWEATHER, Mayweather’s Trainer
“You asked how boxing goes. It goes on in the gym or outside of the gym. We are here for one of the biggest events in the history of boxing. We have two great athletes my nephew and Shane Mosley. I’ve known him a long time and obviously I have known my nephew since he was born.
“If it wasn’t a great fight, all of these people wouldn’t be here eating for free. This is going to be one of the biggest events in the history of boxing. When it is all said and done, the better man is going to win.
“(To Floyd) I think like your daddy thinks. You’re the greatest thing in life.
“(To Mosley) I am not your enemy. I am your friend. It’s all good man.
“(To the Mosleys) When it’s all done, you can invite me over to dinner.”
FLOYD MAYWEATHER SR., Floyd’s Father
“My son is going to show up and give a good fight.
“Guess what, he’s here now. (To Shane) You are in trouble. You’re scared now, as I’m talking to you. You’re scared because I’m the one who brought him into this world.
“Come May the first, Shane is going to get a chance to see everything he wants to see, but them hands.
“I see a real good fight come Saturday. My son is definitely prepared. He is one hundred percent ready. I know he’s smarter, he’s slicker, he’s better. He doesn’t have any weaknesses.”
NAAZIM RICHARDSON, Shane Mosley’s trainer
“This is going to be an outstanding performance. As I have said before, you have good fighters, you have champions, you have elite fighters and you have guys that are special. In this fight you have a rare occasion where you see two special guys going against each other.
“I said before, when the cameras come on I would never turn into a buffoon.
“I would rather see my fighter behave like Shane Mosley than to see him fight like some of the fighters out there. I would rather see him have that conduct and that character. We represent more than just ourselves.”
HASSAN ABDUL RAHIM, Mosley Camp Coordinator
“Like my best friend Shane Mosley, I am not one to run my mouth.
“The MGM stands for ‘Mosley’s Greatest Moments.’ We are going to make that point again this weekend. It is going to be a good one. It is going to be a good one for the fans.”
# # #
Mayweather vs. Mosley: Who R U Picking? is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T, DeWALT Tools and StubHub. The 12-round welterweight battle is set for Saturday, May 1 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Tickets, priced at $1,250, $1,000, $600, $300 and $150 not including applicable service charges, are on sale now and limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Seven of the MGM MIRAGE properties will host closed circuit viewing of Mayweather vs. Mosley. Tickets for the closed circuit telecasts at all venues are priced at $50, not including applicable service charges and handling fees are on sale now. All seats will be general admission and will be available at each individual property’s box office outlets and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, or visit www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to 20 per person.
The finale of HBO®’s all-access reality series “24/7 Mayweather/Mosley” debuts Friday, Apr. 30 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. Episodes one thru three are available on HBO ON DEMAND®. All four episodes will air consecutively on Saturday, May 1 at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT on the main service.
The Mayweather vs. Mosley pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Mayweather vs. Mosley fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
Tags: Boxing > Floyd Mayweather Jr. > Mayweather > Mosley > Shane Mosley > welterweight
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