“Mr. Wonderful” Hits the Big Time, Signs Multi-Fight Contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC)
Posted on | December 17, 2009 | No Comments
State College, PA – December 17, 2009 – LionHeart Management and Zinkin Entertainment are proud to announce that MMA Fighter Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis has signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC. The date of his first fight in the UFC is not set, but is expected to be sometime in the near future. Phil Davis, a former 4X Division I NCAA All American and 2008 NCAA Champion for Penn State is currently 4-0 as a professional fighter at light heavyweight and has been training full time since March 2008. He currently splits training time between the Alliance Training Center in San Diego and with the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, CA and will compete at light heavyweight for the UFC.
“I am extremely excited and happy to have this opportunity. When I went to Penn State to wrestle in college my entire focus was to be the best wrestler in the country and to be an NCAA Champion. After college, when I decided to start training MMA, it was to become the best fighter in the world. Fighting for the UFC will enable me to do accomplish that goal. Training and fighting is my life now and I take this very seriously. Losing a wrestling match is one thing, but losing in life is not an option. Since my freshman year in High School I have been dreaming of fighting for the UFC and for this to become a reality is awesome. The UFC is the best fighting organization in the world and where I will achieve my goal of becoming a World Champion. But being a part of the UFC will also enable me to accomplish another goal that I set for myself when I entered the world of professional fighting, and that was to be able to financially give back to inner city kids of Harrisburg, PA where I grew up. I thank Dana White, Joe Silva and the UFC for giving me this opportunity.”- Phil Davis
“We are very pleased to have Phil competing for the UFC. For the last 22 months, he has worked very hard and dedicated his life to fighting and is now a very well rounded MMA fighter. We feel that at this point in Phil’s career he now has a very dangerous stand up game to go along with his world class wrestling skills that will help him make a serious run at the UFC light heavyweight title. Phil also brings a very captivating and colorful personality that UFC fans will enjoy. “Mr. Wonderful” is the complete package and we are confident that Phil will become an important asset to the UFC and has the potential to be the next big superstar in the world of MMA.”- Chad Dubin, LionHeart Management
Tags: American Kickboxing Academy > California > Light heavyweight > Lionheart Management > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > NCAA Champion > PA > Penn State > Phil Davis > San Diego > San Jose > State College > UFC
Tua off Feb. 6 card in Atlantic City
Posted on | December 17, 2009 | No Comments
NEW YORK (Dec. 16, 2009) – Promoter Cedric Kushner, president of Gotham Boxing, Inc., announced today with deep regret that WBO #3 rated heavyweight contender David Tua had advised him that, due to family matters, he had to withdraw from his proposed February 6th fight in Atlantic City.
“I was really looking forward to coming to America after the holidays but, due to this significant family matter,” Tua explained, “I simply have to remain in New Zealand and continue my preparation for my March 27th event here.”
Tua (50-3-1, 43 KOs) has defeated four world champions – Michael Moorer, Hasim Rahman, John Ruiz and Oleg Maskaev — during his illustrious and often entertaining 17-year pro career.
“I really feel sorry for Dave,” Kushner said. “I know how much he was looking forward to the first defense of his WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental titles, but Dave has always considered his family above and beyond everything else.”
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Tags: Boxing > Cedric Kushner > David Tua > Gotham Boxing > New York > New Zealand
Gary Hyde wins judgment to manage 2-time Olympic champion Guillermo Rigondeaux
Posted on | December 17, 2009 | No Comments
MIAMI (Dec. 16, 2009) – Irish boxing manager Gary Hyde yesterday won a legal judgment in Miami to manage 2-time Olympic champion Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Rigondeaux (3-0, 3 KOs), fighting as a bantamweight, now lives in Los Angeles after defecting from Cuba, where he was a 7-time national champion. The 28-year-old southpaw also won multiple World Championships titles, as well as a gold medal at the 2003 Pan-Am Games, during his incredible 243-4 amateur career. “Rigo” is scheduled to fight tonight (Wed., Dec. 16) in New York City.
“I hope this judgment will deter anybody from contemplating interference with any of my fighters,” Hyde said en route from Ireland to New York City. “When I signed Rigondeaux in 2007, my plan was to bring him to Ireland for a couple of fights and then take ‘Rigo’ and heavyweight sensation Mike Perez to the United States. This plan was hindered by ‘Rigo’s’ failed attempt to defect from the Cuban National Team in Rio De Janeiro in August, 2007. I kept close contact with him when he was sent back to Cuba. After he was banned from boxing on the Cuban National Team, preventing him from winning his third gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, I became increasingly worried that my marketing plan and golden opportunity to manage the greatest amateur boxer of all-time was in jeopardy. I never gave up hope, however, and continued to support ‘Rigo’ and his family as we plotted together his escape from Cuba.
“When the plan was put together for ‘Rigo’ to leave Cuba, he boarded a speed boat bound (Feb., 2009) for Cancun (Mexico), but instead of joining me there, he went to Miami and was pounced on by others. According to ‘Rigo,’ he told those who contacted him that he had signed a contract with me. I was successfully managing three Cuban stars at that stage. When I heard about ‘Rigo’s’ change of heart and decision to go to Miami, I immediately contacted leading Miami-based lawyer William J. Brown. We then sought an injunction preventing ‘Rigo’ from fighting for any other manager.”
Atty. Brown was supported by Atty. Pat English, arguably the foremost lawyer in boxing, as well as boxing expert Tom Moran. Former circuit court judge Michael Chavies ruled yesterday that Hyde’s international management contract should be recognized by the Miami State Courts:
Arbitrator’s Conclusion
1. The permanent injunction shall be granted;
2. Guillermo Rigondeaux Ortiz shall be prohibited from engaging in any boxing match under the management of any person or entity other than Gary Hyde until March 19, 2012.
3. Rigondeaux, however, is free to terminate or breach the Hyde Agreement and then submit himself to liability for damages, as there can be no specific performance ordered for a contract for personal services.
4. If Rigondeaux continues to participate in the boxing industry, he will only be able to work under the management of Gary Hyde, pursuant to his management agreement. If he chooses to not work for Hyde, he will be unable to work for another person or entity, as irreparable harm, no adequate remedy at law, and a clear legal right to the relief requested has been demonstrated.
Hyde also manages three other Cuban boxers who defected and are now fighting as professionals out of Ireland – heavyweight Mike “The Rebel” Perez (8-0, 6 KOs), winner of the World Junior Championships; bantamweight Alexei “The Hurricane” Acosta (9-0, 9 KOs) and super middleweight Luis “El Leon” Garcia (5-0, 4 KOs), both World Junior Championships champion in 2006 – as well as Irish brothers, super middleweights JJ “Slick” (2-0, 2 KOs) and Paddy McDonagh (2-0).
“I whole heartedly put my fighters first and foremost in every decision developing them into the best fighters they can possibly be,” an ecstatic Hyde remarked. “I’m driven by success and internationally recognized as being the manager of the hottest young stable of fighters on the planet. Any managers thinking about stealing my fighters should find their own talent and stay away from mine at all costs.
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GLEASON’S GYM: AMATEUR BOXING THIS WEEKEND
Posted on | December 17, 2009 | 1 Comment
December 19, 2009. This Saturday show is part of our Monthly Boxing Series. The club show will include JO, Novice, Senior and Master bouts.
Amatuer Boxing At Gleason’s Gym
Greetings!
December 19, 2009. This Saturday show is part of our Monthly Boxing Series. The club show will include JO, Novice, Senior and Master bouts.
The weigh in will begin at 5:00PM and the first bout will begin at 7:00PM.
All our bouts are pre-matched. They are sanctioned by USABoxingMetro. All boxers must have their boxing book with them in order to participate.
If you wish to participate, please call or email Angela Querol, New York number one matchmaker. The telephone number is: (718) 797-2872 and the email address is: gleasons75@aol.com .
The ticket price is $20 per person. All gym members and registered amateurs with their books in hand pay $15 per person.
Blankets for Love
JACQUELINE ROWE & ASSOCIATES, INC. & FACE MY ABUSE… IN ASSOCIATION WITH GLEASON’S GYM, WINK ECO BEAUTY BAR, LUCILLE ROBERTS GYM, &THE DENIM LOUNGE.
PRESENTS OUR FIRST ANNUAL BLANKET DRIVE “BLANKETS FOR LOVE 2009”
As you know, “NOVEMBER” is giving thanks month. Giving back is always a great way to say we care. There will be many abused and homeless people in the cold this year without a blanket to keep them warm. Please help us to “MAKE A DIFFERENCE” by donating a “BLANKET FOR LOVE”…….
Our “BLANKETS FOR LOVE” drive STARTS NOV 21, 2009 UNTIL DEC 2O, 2009.
DROP OFF YOUR “BLANKETS FOR LOVE ” AT GLEASON’S GYM 77 Front Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201 when you attend the amateur boxing show.
If you know of any families or friends that may have any extra new or used BLANKETS, please call Jacqueline Rowe & Associates Inc. 718.940.1529
Thank you for your time. JACQUELINE,
Founder of “Blankets for love”
SIX QUESTIONS WITH UNDEFEATED “KING MO” LAWAL, WHO WILL OPPOSE “IRON” MIKE WHITEHEAD IN LIVE, SHOWTIME® TELEVISED STRIKEFORCE: EVOLUTION MATCHUP
Posted on | December 17, 2009 | No Comments
Tickets For STRIKEFORCE: Evolution On Sale NOW!
SAN JOSE, Calif., (Dec. 16, 2009) — Undefeated “King Mo” Lawal will make his STRIKEFORCE debut and only his second mixed martial arts MMA appearance in the United States when he meets two-time NAIA wrestling All-American “Iron” Mike Whitehead in one of five televised fights on SHOWTIME® on Saturday, Dec. 19, from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Lawal, a former three-time U.S. Senior National wrestling champion and former NCAA National collegiate wrestling champion (Central Oklahoma), recently signed a multi-fight agreement with STRIKEFORCE. He has been training in Southern California with fellow STRIKEFORCE competitors Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Benji Radach, and Fabricio Werdum, among others.
In his last fight, King Mo dusted aside MMA legend Mark Kerr in 25 seconds on Aug. 28. The charismatic, outspoken 28-year-old Lawal, whose public feud with Quinton “Rampage’’ Jackson has been well-documented, is currently living in Temecula, Calif., by way of Mufiesboro, Tenn.
He recently answered Six Questions posed to him regarding his upcoming matchup.
QUESTION: What do you think about your Dec. 19 opponent Mike Whitehead?
KING MO: “I think Mike Whitehead is a good fighter. I’m not going to change anything or do anything differently. I just have to fight smart. We were both college wrestlers and have similar backgrounds. It should be a great fight.”
QUESTION: You’re training with some incredible fighters in Orange County. How has that helped you and have they given you any advice?
KING MO: “It’s been great. You got guys like Dan Cormier, Benji Radach and “Mayhem” Miller. There’s just a lot of guys and a lot of them have experience fighting for STRIKEFORCE. I haven’t really asked for advice because everyone is different. I’ve fought in a lot of big venues myself and under a lot of stressful situations and a lot of places that were just overwhelming. I’ve wrestled in Iran and in Russia and fought in Budapest. I’ve seen it all as far as people rooting against me. So I think I have a lot to teach those guys, as well.”
QUESTION: “What about fighting in Tokyo. Did you enjoy that experience?
KING MO: “I loved fighting over there. The food, the people, and just experiencing a different culture. But I’m happy to be back and fighting in the States. This will be my second fight here (he knocked out Mark Kerr in Kansas City in August).”
QUESTION: You have expressed interest in fighting heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. Do you think you’ll get a shot at him?
KING MO: “Well, we both have fights on the horizon that we have to take care of first. He’ll have his hands full against guys like Fabricio (Werdum) and (Alistair) Overeem. I know I have to keep winning and so does he. He’s not fighting very often so I don’t know. It’s up to STRIKEFORCE at this point.”
QUESTION: What are you like outside the cage when you’re not fighting?
KING MO: “I’m pretty boring. I don’t anything too exciting. I like to just chill and listen to music. I actually like to watch boxing on TV.”
QUESTION: Who are some of your favorite fighters?
KING MO: “I like Paul Williams, (Floyd) Mayweather, and (Manny) Pacquiao. I like to watch old tapes of (Muhammad) Ali, (Larry) Holmes. I like (Kelly) Pavlik and the Klitschko brothers. I like them all. And the SHOWTIME tournament with the Super Six has been great. I watched the (Andre) Ward-(Mikkel) Kessler fight. Like I said, I like it all.”
Tickets for Dec. 19, priced from $30, are on sale at the HP Pavilion ticket office as well as at all Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and STRIKEFORCE’S official website (www.strikeforce.com).
In the main event, undefeated former STRIKEFORCE World Middleweight (185 pounds) Champion Cung Le (6-0) will square off with hard-hitting Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith (17-6). STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Champion Josh “The Punk” Thomson (16-2) will battle Interim Lightweight Champion Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (16-2) in a long-awaited rematch to determine the undisputed king of STRIKEFORCE’s 155 pound division. Former United States Olympic wrestling silver medalist Matt “The Law” Lindland (21-6) will face off with submission expert “Jacare” Souza (10-2).
Doors at HP Pavilion will open at 5 p.m. PT for the STRIKEFORCE: “Evolution” event presented by Rockstar Energy Drink and the first preliminary bout will begin at 6:00 PM, PT.
The live SHOWTIME telecast will begin at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Tags: Beverly Hills > Brazil > California > Cung Le > Gilbert Melendez > HP Pavilion > Jake Shields > Japan > Jongsanan Fairtex > Josh Thomson > King Mo Lawal > Matt Lindland > Mitsuhiro > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Muay Thai > Muhammed Lawal > Playboy Mansion > Robbie Lawler > Rodrigo Damm > Ronaldo Souza > Saitama > San Jose > Scott Smith > Strikeforce
Espino Touches Down In Youngstown!
Posted on | December 17, 2009 | No Comments
Youngstown, Ohio ~ December 16, 2009
It is fight week and since arriving on Monday evening, middleweight contender Miguel Espino and his team have enjoyed their time and experience in Youngstown, Ohio, ecstatic at the opportunity of a life-time. Espino is living a life-long dream and now understands what it is like to be fighting for the middleweight championship of the world. Most fighters that fight for their first world title are overwhelmed by the fame that comes with it, however, Espino is different and stays humble.
While preparing himself mentally with trainer John Bray for the fight of his life, Espino is taking this experience all in stride and thinking about what could become of his career, if he is to defeat Pavlik and become the new WBC/WBO world middleweight champion. He knows that he is the underdog and is content with that label until fight night.
Miguel had a great training camp at Fortune’s Gym in Hollywood, California and hopes to perfect his game plan when he challenges Pavlik this Saturday. When speaking to trainer John Bray about the fight plan, Bray indicated that, “I expect Miguel to just back Kelly up once the bell rings. Pavlik doesn’t respond to pressure well and we’re just looking to get him on the ropes and go at him. Once that bell rings, Miguel will have that Aztec Warrior mentality and be ready for war.”
As Espino is getting acclimated to the cold winters of the east, his body is responding well. Espino had a good public workout yesterday for the media and will attend a final press conference today at the Beeghly Center with Pavlik. After the public workout yesterday, Espino was appreciative of the support he has received from Latinos in the Youngstown area. Calls have flooded his trainer and publicist from Youngstown fans wondering how they could support Miguel in any way.
While speaking at the initial press conference leading up to the fight, Espino noted that, “I know there will not be many Mexicans rooting for me and much of Pavlik’s fans will be (Beeghly Center) there”; however, that is far from the truth as many Mexicans from Youngstown have expressed much support for Miguel and want him to beat Pavlik.
When Miguel was asked about the support he’s received from the Youngstown area Miguel stated, “Man, I didn’t even think that there would be Latinos or Mexicans for that matter out here rooting for me. It is very humbling and I’m appreciative of the fact that they’re rooting for me to beat the hometown fighter. I’m going to do the best I can come fight night and hope to share that night with my new fans in Youngstown and my fans back home in Cali.”
Espino is truly appreciative of the support he has continued to receive and looks to give his fans a great night of boxing as he expects to conquer the Youngstown fighter and take back those titles to the West Coast.
This exciting world middleweight title bout is brought to you by Top Rank Promotions and tickets are still for available for the bout. Prices for the tickets are $250, $150, $100, $50 and can be purchased at the Beeghly Center box office or online at www.tickets.com.
The bout will also be part of a live Pay-Per-View doubleheader with Humberto Soto battling Jesus Chavez in Toluca, Mexico. Contact your local cable or satellite provider to order.
For additional information access www.toprank.com.
$1,000 REWARD FOR HOT AMATEUR BOXING STARS READY FOR PRO RANKS
Posted on | December 15, 2009 | No Comments
Let’s Rumble Enterprise’s $1,000 Reward
“Let us manage your career”
Let’s Rumble Enterprise’s is a company dedicated to finding and signing the best amateur boxers in the country. We’re committed to our fighters; their success is our success no one wins if you lose.
Coaches if you’re training a fighter and he or she is ready to go pro send us a video tape of your prospect to the Downtown Boxing Gym: 4760 Saint Aubin Detroit MI 48207 Email boxersswag@yahoo.com. A $1,000 award to anyone who brings us a prospect that we sign to a contract, PLEASE NO BUMS!
Contact Manager: Ed Forton 248-414-7338
Talent Scout: Coach Khali 313-334-9600
Cool Combat Sports Links: Mixed Martial Arts, Wrestling, Boxing (12-15-09)
Posted on | December 15, 2009 | No Comments
CFX to hold final MMA show of the year in Mansfield
Former UFC Champ Rich Franklin Appears at a Regional MMA Event
Coolio Mixed Martial Art match cancelled due to yawning indifference of an apathetic universe
Sports Trainer Juan Carlos “JC” Santana On Combat Training and MMA
MMA Lessons: Ed Ratcliff on the Spinning Hook Kick
Neo-Nazis in mixed martial arts?
U.S. Grappling Team wins women’s team title at Grappling Worlds (fight video and results)
Toronto Mixed Martial Arts Clothing Company Sponsors Female Mma Fighter Liz Posener
UFC Going Head-To-Head With WWE’s WrestleMania 26
First family of Ohio wrestling
WWE Raw Reax #2: “Why were ECW wrestlers helping kick Chris Jericho off Raw?”
TNA News: Hulk Hogan says he’s not joining TNA to wrestle…or is he?
Bob Justice’s determination resulted in 1968 NCAA wrestling title at CU
Wausau elementary school students participate in wrestling clubs
Peabody High wrestling gets green light for varsity team
Wrestling: Section 1 Dual-Meet Tournament concludes Tuesday at John Jay
Former wrestling coach accused of molestation pleads not guilty
DID YOU KNOW – WWE Facts & Info For December 15, 2009
LVC WRESTLING: A change of attitude sparks change at Nazareth
The Klitschkos Will Soon Monopolize Boxing’s Heavyweight Division
Miguel Espino is one boxer a mother could love
Showboating Malignaggi decisions Diaz in rematch
Boxing Official Announcement for Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mawyeather Jr. Update
Boxing Roundtable: What does DiBella’s recusal mean for Taylor?
Atlantic City boxing has become a mere jab compared to the punch of the 1980s
Boxing News Timothy Bradley retains WBO title over Peterson Boxing Odds
Movers and shakers in Atlantic City boxing
Anatomy of a disaster: Coolio debut canceled
Former boxer turns to training, in Marion
Boxing’s Three Amigos: Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera & Juan Manuel Marquez
Wladimir Klitschko set to defend against Chambers on March 20!
Tags: Boxing > combat sports > IBF > links > Mixed Martial Arts > news > reports > stories > TNA > UFC > updates > WBA > WBC > wrestling > WWE
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