LAVAR JOHNSON, LOLOHEA MAHE, ZOILA FRAUSTO, MIESHA TATE & MORE WEIGHTS & QUOTES
Posted on | March 26, 2010 | No Comments
STRIKEFORCE Challengers, Friday, March 26, from Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.; Five-Fight Telecast Live on SHOWTIME® at 11:45 p.m. ET/
FRESNO, CALIF. (Mar. 25, 2010) — The fighters who will compete in the STRIKEFORCE Challengers mixed martial arts (MMA) event on Friday, Mar. 26 airing live on SHOWTIME at 11:45 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) weighed in on Thursday at the World Sports Café in Fresno, Calif.
This evening of fights will be available to a record 54.4 million households as part of the SHOWTIME ALL ACCESS Free Preview Weekend on SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME HD™ and SHOWTIME On Demand. From Thursday, March 25 through Sunday, March 28, viewers across the country have the opportunity to sample the premium network’s award-winning programming via linear service, On Demand and in HD, including two live events from SHOWTIME Sports.
In the main event heavyweight sensation Lavar Johnson (13-3) will square off with undefeated Lolohea Mahe (6-0-1) of Hawaii. Johnson’s effort will mark a miraculous comeback after he was gunned down and nearly killed by Central Valley area gang members on July 4, 2009 while attending a family barbeque near his home in Madera.
Fresno’s Zoila Frausto, an undefeated women’s prospect, will take on another standout fighter in Miesha “Takedown” Tate (8-2) of Olympia, Wash. Frausto, a former soccer player for Fresno City College, has compiled a perfect 5-0 record in professional MMA since her debut on February 13, 2009.
Other featured fights: “Abongo” Humphrey (5-1), Atlanta, Ga., vs. George Bush III (5-1), Columbus, Ohio, at light heavyweight (205 pounds); Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Luke Stewart (6-2), San Francisco, Calif. vs. Andre Galvao (3-1), Brazil, at welterweight (170 pounds); and American Kickboxing Academy bred wrestling stud Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox (8-3), San Jose, Calif., vs. Shamar Bailey (10-1) of Chicago, Ill., at a catch weight of 160 pounds.
Tickets for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event are on sale at the Save Mart Center box office and select Save Mart Supermarkets as well as at all Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and STRIKEFORCE’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).
Save Mart Center doors will open for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event at 6 p.m. PT. The first live, non-televised, preliminary bout will begin at 6:45 p.m. The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 11:45 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
FINAL WEIGHTS:
Lavar “Big” Johnson – 241
Lolohea Mahe – 267
Abongo Humphrey – 203.6
George Bush III – 206
Luke Stewart – 171.2
Andre Galvao – 170.4
Zoila “Warrior Princess” Frausto – 132.4
Miesha “Takedown” Tate – 136
Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox – 160.8
Shamar Bailey – 161
Non-televised fights:
Daniel Cormier – 242
John Devine – 253.2
Paul Ruiz – 134.8
TBA
Trinidad Valdez – 168
Ricky Jackson – 169
Avery Kaleo – 143.2
Chris Buron – 144
QUOTES:
LAVAR JOHNSON
“Training camp was great, it was real good. I’m back 100 percent, nothing has changed.
“I got a lot of people supporting me because I’m fighting at home. I don’t want to let anyone down. This is a huge fight for me.
“I expect us to stand up well. We’re just two big guys swinging for the fences. I’ll be looking for the KO in the first, for sure. I’ll take what he gives me, but I’ll be looking to get in and get out.”
LOLOHEA MAHE:
“It was a very rough camp, but it was good. It was definitely one of the hardest camps I’ve ever had.
“We have been working on our stand up and on a little wrestling. We’re ready for whatever happens in there.
“It was hard getting down from 320 (pounds), but I’ll be good. I’m ready.
“I hope to win, and I hope to fight well. I’m expecting standup, ground game, you name it, I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”
ABONGO HUMPHREY
“Training camp went really well. We’re working really hard on our standups and some new techniques. I’ve been working on a lot of my ground game to make sure I’m more well-rounded.
“I’ve had an 11-month layoff, so I’ve had a lot of time to hone in on my weaknesses. Plus, I’m at a lower weight where I feel more comfortable.
“I think I’ve evolved a little bit more and I’m more relaxed while I’m in the heat of things. I think that has helped me evolve as a fighter.
I know he’s (George Bush III) is a wrestler, so he’ll be good at that. He’s the perfect fight for me to showcase my standup ability. I’m really excited for it.”
GEORGE BUSH III
“I’m happy to be here. I’ve worked my whole career to get to this level. I’m here to see and to prove that this is the level I belong at. My journey is only half complete.
“I’m fighting for my family, especially my aunt Paula. Happy Birthday!”
ZOILA FRAUSTO
“It’s been the best camp I’ve ever had. I couldn’t be happier with it.
“I expect her to stand up for about 30 seconds, but as soon as I hit her she is going to try to take me down. She won’t be able to stand up with me or take my punches.
“It’s always really good to be fighting at home. There will be a lot of supporters, so I can’t wait to get in there and brawl. “
MIESHA TATE:
“I plan on going out there and taking care of business. I’m going to capitalize on any mistake she makes.
“I’d like to end it in TKO, but if the submission is there I’ll take it.
“I’m looking for the quick victory. The fans are going to love this fight. She’s in her hometown, so they’ll all be behind her. I know she’ll bring it and I’m prepared.”
Tags: CA > Fresno > Lavar Johnson > Lolohea Mahe > Miesha Tate > MMA > Strikeforce > Tony Penecale > Zoila Frausto
U.S. seeks to defend Grappling World titles in Krakow, Poland, March 27-28
Posted on | March 25, 2010 | No Comments
The 2009 Grappling World Championships in Florida were just 15 weeks ago, but the world’s best Grapplers are coming together again this weekend for another World Championships.
The 2010 Grappling World Championships will be held in Krakow, Poland, March 27-28, with competition in both No-Gi and Gi Grappling.
The U.S. is the reigning World team champions in No-Gi and Gi Grappling for both men and women, which it won in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in December 2009.
FILA will allow only one athlete per weight class per nation in the 2010 World Championships.
It will be a difficult task for the U.S. to defend its team titles this weekend, mainly due to the short time between World Championships. The 2010 U.S. Grappling World Team consists of athletes who competed in the World meet in Florida, and were able to raise enough money and free up their time to be able to compete.
The U.S. lineup is slightly different than originally announced, due to some injuries and schedule conflicts to athletes. The U.S. delegation will include 13 athletes and two coaches. Nine of the U.S. Grapplers will compete in both the No-Gi and Gi divisions in their weight class.
The U.S. Men’s No-Gi team will feature 2009 Grappling World champions Zachary Makovsky (Philadelphia, Pa./Philadelphia Fight Factory) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Tom LeCuyer (Plano, Ill./Atlas XT/Torres MA) at 70 kg/154 lbs. The team also features 2009 World silver medalists Dennis Prokopos (Milbrae, Calif./10th Planet Jiu Jitsu) at 65 kg/143 lbs. and Mario Rinaldi (Port St. Lucia, Fla./American Top Team) in the Open division.
The U.S. Men’s Gi team is led by 2009 World silver medalist Din Thomas (Coconut Creek, Fla./American Top Team) at 70 kg/154 lbs. Also on the team is 2009 World bronze medalist Brian Mahecha (Coconut Creek, Fla./American Top Team) at 65 kg/143 lbs.
The U.S. No-Gi women’s team will feature 2008 World champion Lisa Ward (Lacey, Wash./Victory Athletics) at 50 kg/110 lbs. and 2009 World champion Jessica Aguilar (Coconut Creek, Fla./American Top Team) at 55 kg/121 lbs. Also competing is 2009 World silver medalist Tara LaRosa (Woodstown, N.J./Philadelphia Fight Factory) at 60 kg/132 lbs.
All three women will also compete in the women’s Gi division. Ward was a 2008 World champion in Gi Grappling, and LaRosa was a 2009 World champion in Gi Grappling in two divisions, adding the gold medal in the Open division to go with her win at 59 kg. Aguilar did not compete in Gi Grappling at the 2009 Worlds in Florida.
Coaching the U.S. delegation will be Sheldon Marr of Aurora, Colo. and Shawn Sheldon of West Palm Beach, Fla., both who were members of the 2009 U.S. Grappling World Team coaching staff.
The U.S. team did not have a pre-competition training camp this year. The athletes and the coaches take great pride in the quality of American Grappling, and seek to bring home a number of medals from Poland this weekend.
2010 U.S. GRAPPLING WORLD TEAM (updated)
No-Gi Men
60 kg/132 lbs. – Zachary Makovsky, Philadelphia, Pa. (Philadelphia Fight Factory)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Dennis Prokopos, Milbrae, Calif. (10th Planet Jiu Jitsu)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Tom LeCuyer, Plano, Ill. (Atlas XT/Torres MA)
75 kg/165 lbs. – Michael Kelly, Hebron, Ill. (Gilbert Grappling)
80 kg/176 lbs. – Scott Garcia, Mesa, Ariz. (American Pankration)
90 kg/198 lbs. – Jeff Funicello, Mesa, Ariz. (American Pankration)
110 kg/242 lbs. – Gabe Barahona, New Orleans, La. (American Top Team)
Open – Mario Rinaldi, Port St. Lucia, Fla. (American Top Team)
Gi Men
60 kg/132 lbs. – Zachary Makovsky, Philadelphia, Pa. (Philadelphia Fight Factory)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Brian Mahecha, Coconut Creek, Fla. (American Top Team)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Din Thomas, Coconut Creek, Fla. (American Top Team)
75 kg/165 lbs. – Michael Kelly, Hebron, Ill. (Gilbert Grappling)
80 kg/176 lbs. – Scott Garcia, Mesa, Ariz. (American Pankration)
90 kg/198 lbs. – Jeff Funicello, Mesa, Ariz. (American Pankration)
110 kg/242 lbs. – Gabe Barahona, New Orleans, La. (American Top Team)
Open – Mario Rinaldi, Port St. Lucia, Fla. (American Top Team)
No-Gi Women
50 kg/110 lbs. – Lisa Ward, Lacey, Wash. (Victory Athletics)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Jessica Aguilar, Coconut Creek, Fla. (American Top Team)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Tara LaRosa, Woodstown, N.J. (Philadelphia Fight Factory)
Gi Women
50 kg/110 lbs. – Lisa Ward, Lacey, Wash. (Victory Athletics)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Jessica Aguilar, Coconut Creek, Fla. (American Top Team)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Tara LaRosa, Woodstown, N.J. (Philadelphia Fight Factory)
Coaches
Sheldon Marr, Aurora, Colo.
Shawn Sheldon, West Palm Beach, Fla.
2010 GRAPPLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE (by weight class)
At Krakow, Poland, March 27-28
Saturday, March 27
No-Gi Men 60 kg, 70 kg, 80 kg, 90kg
No-Gi Women 50 kg, 60kg, 75 kg
Gi Men 65 kg, 75 kg, 110kg, Open
Gi Women 55kg 65 kg, Open
Sunday, March 28
No-Gi Men 65 kg, 75 kg, 110 kg, Open
No-Gi Women 55 kg, 65 kg, Open
Gi Men 60 kg, 70 kg, 80 kg, 90kg
Gi Women 50 kg, 60 kg, 75 kg
HOLYFIELD VS. BOTHA PREVIEW
Posted on | March 25, 2010 | No Comments
BERNARD HOPKINS CAMP NOTES
Posted on | March 25, 2010 | No Comments
Hopkins Ready for Jones as Miami Training Camp Winds Down
After Tuesday’s Open Media Workout
Hopkins At Home In Miami
Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins opted for sunny weather and sandy beaches when deciding where to train for his long-awaited rematch against Roy Jones Jr. which is set to take place Saturday, April 3 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas live on pay-per-view. Hopkins decided the warm weather would make for better training conditions and bring back memories of preparing for past fights as Miami has been home to Team Hopkins for over 10 bouts since 2001.
“I feel at home in Miami and it has been great to be back,” said Hopkins. “Every fight I am motivated by something different. This time around it’s all about healing the 17-year-old wound that has been with me since I lost to Roy in ’93. A win on April 3 will finally close this particular chapter of my career.”
Richardson Training For Two
Team Hopkins is a well oiled machine. His long-standing team members are with him in Miami, including Naazim Richardson, John David Jackson, Sharif Parker, Linwood Wilson and masseuse Tony Kolev. For this camp Richardson found himself in a predicament as he is also trainer for Shane Mosley, who is preparing in Big Bear, Calif. for his welterweight bout May 1 against Floyd Mayweather. Richardson remained in Miami with Hopkins until last weekend when he left to join Mosley in Big Bear before rejoining Hopkins in Las Vegas on Monday of fight week. The esteemed trainer feels comfortable and confident that the veteran Hopkins is ready for the fight.
“Bernard is in the zone,” said Richardson. “This has been a great camp. Bernard has taken care of his body all of these years and it shows. He is preparing for the best Roy Jones Jr. and we know that Jones is preparing for the best Bernard.”
Early to His Own Bed, Ready to Rise Well Rested
With his purchase of a two-bedroom condo on the beach in Miami, Hopkins gets the additional benefits of staying at his home away from home while training. Hopkins’ longtime training axioms of courage, determination and rest (particularly in his own bed) are working well for him. The two-division World Champion goes to bed at 9:00 p.m. and rises early for his long-standing practice of doing roadwork while running on the beach. No longer a fan of pre-dawn runs, where darkness used to be a solitary friend, Hopkins can now be found running on the beach at 7:00 a.m., followed by a couple hours of rest until he heads to the gym for an afternoon of training, sparring three days a week with a group of well accomplished fighters who give him all they can.
“I always make sure I get a lot of rest and wake up every morning with the courage and determination to keep going particularly for this fight which is extremely personal for me,” Hopkins said. “Roy thinks he is going to be able to repeat what he did [in their first fight], but I know this hard work is going to pay off in the ring on April 3.”
# # #
“The Rivals: Hopkins vs. Jones II,” set for Saturday, April 3 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev., is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Square Ring Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T and Southwest Airlines. The event will be broadcast live on pay-per-view beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Tickets priced at $750, $500, $300, $200 and $100 are on sale now at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
The Hopkins vs. Jones II pay-per-view telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and has a suggested retail price of $49.95. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. The main event will begin live immediately following the college basketball semi-finals. For Hopkins vs. Jones II fight week updates, log on to www.goldenboypromotions.com.
A CANDID DANA WHITE IS THE DEBUT GUEST ON HDNET’S NEW ORIGINAL MMA SERIES “FIGHTING WORDS WITH MIKE STRAKA”
Posted on | March 25, 2010 | No Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“There was a time when I thought it was over,” White tells Straka in the program’s debut episode – Friday, March 26 at 8:30 p.m. ET
DALLAS (March 24, 2010) This Friday, March 26, HDNet will debut its latest original series, “Fighting Words with Mike Straka,” and UFC President Dana White is set to be the first guest on the program.
The 30-minute one-on-one weekly interview program will feature revealing conversations with the top stars in mixed martial arts.
“I never thought I was in over my head, but there was a time when I thought it was over,” White tells Straka. “I was already working as hard as somebody could possibly work, and I knew I had to step it up even more.”
The always-controversial White also tells Straka, “I don’t run around threatening to destroy people … as long as you do fair business with me, then I’m the best friend you’ll ever have. But we go the other way, I like to win and I can be your worst enemy.”
In the following weeks, host Mike Straka will present unique insights into the sport’s most interesting personalities including Royce Gracie, King Mo, Gegard Mousasi, Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, Matt Hughes, Frank Shamrock and Bobby Lashley.
Mike Straka was previously the host of “FOX Fight Game” and is a columnist at FIGHT! Magazine. He has covered MMA since UFC 30 in February 2001 and is widely recognized as one of the first mainstream journalists to begin reporting on the sport.
Tags: Dana White > Fighting Words > HDnet > Mike Straka > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA
KZ Event prospects Ahmedov and Hudaynazarov put unbeaten records on line Saturday night in California
Posted on | March 25, 2010 | No Comments
LAS VEGAS (Mar. 25, 2010) – Undefeated Uzbekistan prospects, light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov and welterweight Ravshan Hudaynazarov, will both be in action Saturday night (Mar. 27) on a Don Chargin Productions/Jorge Marron Productions card at the Karma Club in Victorville, California.
Ahmedov (13-0-1, 9 KOs), a four-time Uzbekistan National Amateur Champion, and Hudaynazarov (10-0, 7 KOs), a 2007 World Military Games Gold Medalist, are both promoted by Las Vegas-based KZ Event Productions.
“Gayrat and Ravshan are two promising, young fighters that we’ve brought to the United States to train and fight,” said World Boxing Association Light Heavyweight Champion Beibut Shumenov, who owns and operates KZ Event Productions along with his brother, Chingis. “They need to stay busy in order to improve and we thank our friends — Don and Lorraine Chargin, and Jorge Marron — for giving them this opportunity to fight on their show. We’re honored to be working with class acts like the Chargins and Jorge.”
Ahmedov, who comes from the same city (Andijan) as former WBA Heavyweight Champion Ruslan Chagaev, captured the Uzbekistan National title four times, and he is the reigning WBC Asian Boxing Council and PABA Interim light heavyweight champion. He is coming off of devastating, back-to-back knockout victories via vicious body shots against Harlay Kifiian in Gayrat’s U.S. debut, as well as Douglas Otieno, in the first and second round, respectively.
In the 8-round non-title, main event, Ahmedov takes on 44-fight veteran Demetrius Davis, who holds upset wins against Joseph Kiwanuka and Brian Norman, and fought a draw with Tommy Karpency. The durable Davis has also gone the distance with former world champion Eric Lucas and world title challengers Thomas Tate and Omar Sheika.
Hudaynazarov is dropping down from junior middleweight to the more high-profile, competitive welterweight for the first time in what is his stiffest test to date against Anthony “The Matrix” Mora (15-5, 10 KOs) in a 6-round bout. In his U.S. debut on January 29, Ravshan took-out Shadrack Kiprujo in the third round, the result of a brutal body attack from the opening bell.
Go to www.kzeventproductions for more information about Ahmedov and Hudaynazarov.
KZ Event Productions, Inc.
Based in Las Vegas, KZ Event Productions is owned by the Shumenov brothers, World Boxing Association light heavyweight champion, Beibut, and Chingis. KZ Event Productions is a full service, international boxing promotional company. Go to www.kzeventproductions.com for more information about the company.
Tags: Boxing > CA > California > Gayrat Ahmedov > Las Vegas > Light heavyweight > Ravshan Hudaynazarov > Uzbekistan > Victorville > welterweight
SPROTT: I’LL KO AUDLEY AND DEDICATE BELT TO LATE SISTER
Posted on | March 25, 2010 | No Comments
MICHAEL Sprott has vowed to win the European Heavyweight Championship and dedicate the title to his late sister Ginette.
Sprott, a former British and Commonwealth Champion, fights Audley Harrison for the vacant European belt at London’s Alexandra Palace on April 9.
However, Sprott, 35, has only recently returned to the ring after Ginette Sprott died in September when she was hit by a train.
“I still think she will walk through my door now,” said Sprott.
“It’s been a tough time and it’s something that’s never going to go away. It will always be there.
“I remember getting a phone call on the day and one of my other sisters was crying on the phone.
“Ginette came to a lot of my fights and always supported me.
“She always wanted me to do well and her memory does inspire me so I would definitely dedicate this victory to my sister.
“It will be an emotional night on April 9th but I’m going to be very strong and carry it with me.
“We were already a very close family and we’ve been sticking together.
“Everything that’s happened has made me a stronger person and I’m in my prime and feel strong both physically and mentally.”
Ginette’s death led to Sprott withdrawing from Prizefighter Heavyweights 3 in October, which Harrison won to set up his European title shot.
Harrison, 38, was due to fight ex-title holder Albert Sosnowski but the Pole decided to fight WBC Champion Vitali Klitschko instead.
After winning Prizefighter, Harrison donated the trophy to Sprott’s family and, although grateful for the gesture, Sprott insisted he would take care of business.
“Had I been in Prizefighter then I would’ve won,” said Sprott, who beat Harrison with a third round knockout when the pair fought in February 2007.
“Audley did what he had to do at Prizefighter and won but some of the guys he fought weren’t at my level.
“Donating the trophy to us was very touching and very nice of Audley. I didn’t really expect it and it surprised me but my mind wasn’t on Prizefighter.
“I wasn’t thinking about boxing, I was only thinking about my family – they always come first.
“But hands up to him, it was a nice gesture, he’s a nice guy and I’ve always got on well with him.
“But this is business and you have to put these things to one side when you’re in the ring.
“I’m very confident that what happened last time is going to happen again – only this time I will knock him out quicker.”
Tickets for the show at Alexandra Palace on April 9 cost £30 and £60 and are available from www.seetickets.com or 0871 230 7148.
Burchfield clears the air regarding Cunningham-Godfrey fight
Posted on | March 25, 2010 | No Comments
PROVIDENCE (March 25, 2010) – After reading reports associated with the postponed Steve Cunningham-Matt Godfrey IBF cruiserweight title fight, scheduled for this Friday, Jimmy Burchfield, president of Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), has responded to the situation and misinformation being distributed in the media.
Burchfield is Godfrey’s promoter. The purse bid for Cunningham-Godfrey was won by Don King Productions and originally scheduled for March 19 in Florida and then switched to March 26 in Las Vegas. DKP issued a release March 17 postponing the fight.
“First and foremost, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Matt Godfrey and what he’s done in the sport of boxing both in and outside the ring,” Burchfield said. “He is Captain of Team CES.
“Matt is the kind of fighter boxing needs. Morally and ethically, he’s among the most admirable fighters I’ve ever worked with. I’ve traveled with him as he’s visited sick children in hospitals and spent afternoons at local schools reading to children and setting an example as a positive role model. He comes from one of the toughest neighborhoods in Providence and despite growing up watching some of his best friends end up in jail or murdered, he’s never strayed from the path. He’s always made the right decision. That’s what separates him from other fighters in this business. Corporate America needs fighters to relate to and Matt is one of them.”
“As far as the details of this fight are concerned, I immediately contacted Matt’s manager, Bret Hallenbeck, after Don King postponed the March 26 fight and we called the IBF office together on a conference call to ask what the next step would be,” Burchfield explained. “We were informed by an IBF official that the second-bidder’s check (Main Events) had been returned and that the entire process would have to be repeated. Another purse bid would be held for the fight and the winning bidder would have up to 90 days or sooner to place the fight. When Godfrey’s manager informed Matt of the situation, he immediately broke camp (leaving Connecticut to return home to Rhode Island). Later that day, I received a call from that same IBF official explaining that a mistake had been made. Main Event’s check hadn’t been returned and it was still in the IBF’s office. Main Events would be the promoter. I then received a call from Main Event’s attorney, Pat English, saying there was a chance they could salvage the fight in time for March 26. I called Godfrey’s manager to explain the new developments and he decided that, unless the deal was made 100 percent, he wouldn’t tell Matt anything more. I understood. I had been told it was 95-percent done but, to my disappointment, I wasn’t directly involved in any discussions with ESPN or where the fight was to be held.
“Whether it took several hours or a few days, in Matt’s mind, he was no longer prepared to fight March 26. Our job is to protect our fighter to the fullest and it wouldn’t have been in his best interest to go back to camp when the deal was finalized – after missing that much time – especially when it was so close to the fight date. He was ready to fight Cunningham for the IBF title and but for the DKP’s postponement we would have witnessed a great battle inside the ring on March 26. Unfortunately, because of DKP’s last-minute postponement that battle is now outside the ring.”
The IBF has informed Burchfield that it intends to drop Godfrey from its rating and give the next available contender an opportunity to fight Cunningham for the vacant IBF belt. “Matt has worked hard to get a world title fight and the IBF acknowledged that by rating him No. 3,” Burchfield continued. “If Matt is to lose his dream of fighting for the world title, let him lose it in the ring. We will petition the IBF to reconsider dropping Matt in the rankings, allowing him to fight Cunningham for the title.
“I’m very upset about misinformation that’s been spread around on the Internet. Anyone who has done business with Jimmy Burchfield in the past knows how efficiently and ethically I run my operation. I follow the rules and I’ve specifically followed the rules in this current situation. Furthermore, a legitimate reporter gets both sides of the story and contacts the decision-makers to get the facts straight. Other than Matt, only two people in Godfrey’s camp make decisions and that’s me, his promoter, and his manager, Bret Hallenbeck.
“We were all on a roller coaster ride from the very beginning with repeated delays, lack of communication and misinformation. In a perfect world, Matt would have remained in camp to see how things developed. On the same token, had he been isolated in camp the same way Steve Cunningham was at Big Bear, things would’ve been different. As this event unfolded, however, it was clear that we do not live in a perfect world. With everything else leading up to this point, the second of two postponement announcements – along with the misinformation given by the IBF – was the straw that broke the camel’s back from Matt’s perspective.
“We appreciate the tremendous efforts made by the IBF, ESPN, Main Events, and everyone else involved to try and keep the fight alive. ESPN is one of my favorite networks and has kept boxing alive. We’ve worked together for years, providing them with some of the best, most exciting fights their network has ever broadcasted. Likewise, program director Doug Loughrey worked incredibly hard to keep this fight alive. We also recognize that Steve Cunningham is in this unfortunate position, too, by no fault of his own. Both fighters trained very hard for this fight. This is a fight everyone wants to see. Matt Godfrey is one of the best cruiserweights in the world and will have a fair opportunity to prove that in the ring. We stand by our fighter 100 percent and hope everyone now understands what really happened. I hope this can be resolved. If not, I intend to fight it as hard as I can, even if that means taking it to court.”
-CES-
Tags: Don King > Jimmy Burchfield > Las Vegas > Light heavyweight > Matt Godfrey > Providence > Steve Cunningham
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