RODRIGUEZ TAKES TOUGH ASSIGNMENT SATURDAY IN MEXICO

Posted on | September 11, 2009 | No Comments

Veteran Robert Davis Promises to Provide El Pasoan With Stiff Competition

El Paso heavyweight contender David “Nino” Rodriguez takes another step toward the heavyweight title Saturday when he takes on veteran

Robert Davis at Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

Rodriguez, 31-0 with 29 knockouts – 24 knockouts coming in the first round – will face an experienced ring veteran. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Davis, of Akron, Ohio, is 32-10 with 20 knockouts himself. He brings experience to the table against the 6-4, 250-pound Rodriguez.

The pair of exciting heavyweights will fight on the undercard of the main event featuring former world champion Cristian Mijares and Nehomar Cermeno.

“I’ve had a great training camp, and I’m ready to fight,” Rodriguez said. “Davis is a tough fighter and it will take a smart fight plan to overcome his experience. But I’m ready to take the next step.”

Rodriguez is one of the most exciting young heavyweights in boxing today. With power in both fists and hand speed that belies his considerable size, Rodriguez is ready to make a move in a wide-open heavyweight division.

BOXING’S BIG FIGHT HISTORY STEEPED IN MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY TRADITION

Posted on | September 11, 2009 | No Comments

Mexico’s #1 Fighter Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez to Follow in the Footsteps of Mexican Warriors In and Out of the Ring

Mexico City, Mexico (September 11) – On September 16, 1810 Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a well-respected Mexican priest, rang a bell at his small church calling Mexican fighters to arms. This began the Independence War against Spain; thereafter marking September 16 as El Grito de Independencia (Mexican Independence Day). This year, on September 19, three days after Mexicans around the world celebrate Mexican Independence Day, a bell will ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to start a 12-round battle between six-time world champion in five weight divisions Floyd “Money” Mayweather and five-time world champion in three weight divisions Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez. The bout will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9 p.m./6 p.m. PT.

For years, Mexican fighters have battled in the ring on Mexican Independence Day weekend, following in the two-century old footsteps of their ancestors. This year is no exception. Marquez, the number one Mexican fighter in the world and number two pound-for-pound, finds great motivation and pride in representing his country in the most important fight of his career on a day entrenched in Mexican and boxing tradition.

“It is an honor to fight on Mexican Independence Day weekend,” said Marquez. “To be given the chance to fight on this important day in the history of my country for the third time in my career, is something I do not take lightly. I understand the magnitude of this fight, but I don’t feel pressure; I feel motivation. On September 19, I’m going to be one hundred percent focused and make my country proud.”

Almost exactly a year ago, Marquez further cemented his already hallowed place among great Mexican fighters when he became the first man to knock out Joel Casamayor, earning Marquez his fifth world title.

“I have trained many great Mexican fighters,” said Marquez’ trainer Nacho Beristain. “There is something about fighting on Mexican Independence Day that drives him to reach higher and try harder. The fact that Juan Manuel is fighting the biggest fight of his career on Mexican Independence Day is something that is a truly an advantage because it gives him the extra push to succeed. I know he will be ready and will be victorious on September 19.”

Beristain knows a thing or two about training Mexican fighters, having a roster of current and former Mexican greats that includes Rafael Marquez (Juan Manuel’s brother), Daniel Zaragoza, Humberto Gonzalez and Ricardo Lopez. He also trains Vicente Escobedo, who will fight Michael Katsidis on the Mayweather vs. Marquez televised undercard.

Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar de la Hoya spent many of his 45 professional bouts fighting on Mexican Independence Day. Now as a promoter, he is looking to Marquez to carry on the tradition he once upheld.

“Mexican Independence Day weekend is rich in boxing history,” said De La Hoya. “It is a date that I fought on many times in my career, and I am thrilled to pass the torch to Juan Manuel and see him carry it to victory and continue this great tradition.”

“Mayweather is in for one tough fight on September 19,” De La Hoya continued. “Marquez will have the whole country of Mexico behind him and that is a lot of pressure on Mayweather.”

When the bell rings on September 19, Juan Manuel Marquez will carry the hopes of his fellow countrymen into combat as he seeks Mexican Independence Day glory against Floyd Mayweather just as his forefathers did almost two hundred years ago.

MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY FIGHT APPENDIX

Other Mexican fighters who have fought during Independence Day weekend are some of the most respected champions in the sport’s modern era. They include Julio Cesar Chavez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, all three of whom won world titles and established themselves as pound-for-pound greats.

Chavez, a Mexican legend and perhaps the most important figure in Mexican boxing history, fought professionally from 1980-2005. In 1984, Chavez won his first world championship on Mexican Independence Day weekend, stopping fellow countryman Mario Martinez. That began a tradition in Chavez’ career that peaked in the early 90’s when he fought on Independence Day for five consecutive years against the likes of such fighters as Pernell Whitaker and Meldrick Taylor.

“I feel proud to have been part of fights that gave fans such great memories while celebrating Mexico’s Independence, such as my fight against Meldrick Taylor,” said Chavez. “That night, I was filled with great pride knowing that all of my people were watching and that the fight was taking place as part of the celebration of Mexican Independence Day.”

Barrera, who is one of Mexico’s most popular fighters, is best known for his legendary trilogy against Morales and his tremendous victory over then-undefeated and heavily favored Prince Naseem Hamed in 2001. Barrera fought on Independence Day weekend three times against Robbie Peden, Ricardo Rocky Juarez and Jesse Magana.

“It was an honor for me to fight on this weekend because I knew that all Mexican fans were watching very closely,” Mexico City’s Barrera said. “It has always been an important date that belongs to the most important Mexican fighters.”

Morales is also one of the most important fighters in the history of Mexican boxing. With his unique style and brilliant performances, he was able to both win the love of Mexican fans and maintain the respect of his adversaries. Morales had one fight on Independence Day Weekend, a thrilling fourth-round TKO of Junior Jones that took place in a bull ring in Morales’ hometown of Tijuana.

“Even though I only fought once on this weekend, I always knew that it would be a fight that would be remembered because it took place on such an important date,” Morales said. “It remains a strong connection between the sport and Mexican history. There will always a hard-fought battle that fans won’t forget when a Mexican fights during the celebration of Mexican Independence.”

Gabriel Ruelas, a native of Yerbabuena, Jalisco, Mexico, was another important Mexican World Champion who fought on Independence Day Weekend.

“It was an honor for me to fight during the celebration of Mexico’s Independence and I will always remember it as an important moment in my career during which I hope I was a worthy representative of Mexican boxing,” Ruelas said.

Erubey Carmona, a native of Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico, is credited with starting the tradition of Mexican fighters representing their country on this weekend. His epic battle against Mando Ramos took place during the celebration in 1972.

“For me it was very special and so important to fight on September 15 in 1972,” Carmona said. “I remember shouting for joy after I beat Ramos and captured a world title in front of all the Mexicans fans in the Los Angeles Coliseum. That win wasn’t just for me; it was for Mexico as well.”

# # #

Mayweather vs. Marquez: “Number One/Numero Uno,” is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Boxing Promotions and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T, Quaker State, Dewalt Tools, Affliction Clothing and Southwest Airlines. The explosive evening of boxing will take place Saturday, Sept. 19 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev.

Tickets priced at $1,000, $750, $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. Tickets previously purchased for the July 18 date will be honored.

The Mayweather vs. Marquez pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, 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. Marquez fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

HBO’s® fast-moving reality series “Mayweather/Marquez 24/7” returns with an all new episode on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 10:00 pm ET/PT. The four-episode series chronicles the preparations and back stories of both fighters as they train for their September 19 pay-per-view showdown. Episodes one and two are available on HBO ON DEMAND®.

MAYWEATHER VS. MARQUEZ FIGHT ANALYSIS CONFERENCE CALL WITH OSCAR DE LA HOYA AND FLOYD MAYWEATHER SR.

Posted on | September 11, 2009 | No Comments

September 10, 2009

Richard Schaefer: We have a tremendous showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Juan Manuel Marquez, a little more than a week to go. The fight is at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It will be shown on HBO Pay-Per-View, as we all know. Today’s call is very special because I know while Oscar was down in Mexico, he was giving me a report on how he felt Marquez’s training was going. We, of course, have also seen that on 24/7 where we witnessed some rather unusual training techniques, which reminds me of those secret potions. And then of course I was in Las Vegas where I saw Mayweather. He is as always in great shape. He is very committed to the sport and there is one man who has been around Mayweather from the entire camp and during the off times. That is none other than Leonard Ellerbe, his friend, advisor, and CEO of Mayweather Promotions. I’d like to turn it over to Leonard now who will be introducing Floyd and Oscar.

Leonard Ellerbe: We’re truly excited, we’re about one week away. Camp has been tremendous. Floyd is ready to go. We’ve had great work during the camp. And it’s truly going to be a great fight for the fans next Saturday. The Mayweathers have the biggest name in the sport; it rings everywhere. Obviously, there is one person who put that name on the map. He is one of the most sought after trainers in the game today, a truly, truly great teacher in my eyes and a great student of the game. All the great skills that you’ve seen from his son, whether it be the skill level, his ability to think, the work ethic or his great boxing ability, it all came from one person. It is with great pleasure that I introduce, none other than that man himself, Floyd Mayweather Senior, aka Big Floyd.

Floyd Mayweather Sr: This is Floyd Mayweather Sr, the world’s greatest, the one that’s truly second to none. And like I said before, come next Saturday, you better be ready. That’s all I got to say.

Richard Schaefer: Well one man who has beaten Marquez, has seen his preparation, and who knows a great deal about the sport of boxing, is the ten time world champion in six different weight classes and president of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya.

Oscar De La Hoya: I just have this feeling that Marquez is going to pull this one off. I went down to Mexico and saw him train with my own eyes. I saw how much he bulked up; I saw how much strength he has gained. I saw how seriously he’s taking this fight, and I’m convinced he will win this fight. He’s looking sharp, he’s looking fast, he’s looking strong. Floyd Mayweather is the best fighter on the planet, and Juan knows that. He knows he’s up for a big challenge, but he’s ready and he knows that he has to put his life on the line and he’s willing to do that. So it’s going to be one tremendous fighter against another tremendous fighter. And so I think – I just have this feeling after watching Marquez, he’s going to pull it off.

Q: Hey guys, this question is for Oscar. I’m glad to hear your voice, it sounds like Shaq didn’t hurt you too bad. I understand what you’re saying about Marquez, I’m sure he’s in the shape of his life as they always are. But you know, easier said than done, fighting somebody like Floyd Mayweather. You fought him, you know how difficult it is. How is Marquez – you say your convinced he’s going to do it, but how? How is he going to catch up to him? That’s the main question, you weren’t able to do it, so how will Marquez do it?

Oscar De La Hoya: When you said how difficult it was for me, I mean that’s exactly my point. It wasn’t difficult. The first half of the fight wasn’t difficult, but I’m the one that stopped fighting. I’m the one that didn’t keep using that jab. I’m the one whose screws were coming loose on my shoulders and my back and I was falling apart. I mean yes, Floyd Mayweather is an excellent boxer and he’s the best fighter on the planet, no doubt about it. But Marquez, I mean styles make fights and I’m sure Marquez is – has- dissected Mayweather’s style and it’s not going to be an easy task but I’m just giving you my personal opinion that I have a feeling, being in there with Floyd and watching Marquez train, I just have this feeling he’s going to win.

Q: Well one other question here Oscar, what – how difficult is it to come back from a layoff like Floyd has had? It might refresh him but yet, you know you’re going to be rusty. What is the main trouble he’s going to run into with the lay off that long?

Oscar De La Hoya: Well it depends on how active you’ve stayed if you’ve been away doing nothing, than you’re going to be rusty. But if you’ve been in the gym doing something, than you’re going to maybe have trouble adjusting at first, or maybe you’ll need a few rounds to adjust. But you know being the professional that Mayweather Junior is, I’m sure it’s going to be no problem for him to adjust. But, at the same time, you know that Marquez is coming at you right from the get go, right from the start – I just feel that Mayweather’s going to have to be playing catch up in the fight.

Floyd Mayweather Sr: Little Floyd, his timing is on. Not only is his timing on, I’m back now and he’s not only with his timing, he’s got his jab working now which is something he hasn’t been working with before. Now he has his jab working over time. So I’m pretty sure that Marquez is going to get more than he’s looking for. Marquez is going to come in there to put up a good fight, a great fight, but if Marquez can get past the jab, which is going to be hard to do, if he can get past that, then he can make the fight hard or he can make the fight easy. Little Floyd’s the one that’s jabbing.

Q: Hi, Oscar, you alluded to when you fought Floyd about how you did well early in the fight and then you kind of fell apart. Can you speak to the idea that Floyd’s incredibly fast, yet there are plenty of examples in boxing history where guys who are much faster were neutralized simply by a jab. Do you think Marquez can do that?

Oscar De La Hoya: Yes. Obviously when I fought Floyd my jab was the key. You know I have a great jab and when I used it, I was unstoppable. That was my key to victory.

When I stopped using it that’s when Floyd was able to win the fight.

Marquez has an excellent jab. Marquez is going to use the triple, the quadruple jabs. This is the fight of his life. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and he knows it. And he has to go extra times to win this fight. He’s a smart counter puncher; he’s a smart fighter, and it’s a matter of throwing those jabs and feigning those jabs, and not only throwing the jab but putting three, four, five punches right behind that jab. That’s going to be the key.

Q: Yes, and when you took a lay off, you had a long lay off before you fought Vargas, I think it was almost two years, and you came back and put on a pretty good performance, and you knocked him out in the tenth or eleventh round. Do you see a parallel with that, perhaps if you’re still in your physical prime than maybe the lay off doesn’t mean as much as opposed to being an older guy?

Oscar De La Hoya: Well yes, if you’re staying active, like I said, and doing something in between fights then these lay offs really doesn’t go against you.

I have to say that Floyd has an excellent work ethic and he knows how to train. He knows how to stay active, he knows how to take care of his body.

Q: Oscar obviously you set your own – made your own history in this game. Where do you think Floyd Mayweather should lie among the great fighters of the past 35-40 years? If you want, to go back to Roberto Duran, when he was a great lightweight forward, because I hate to talk about the guys I never saw fight, so let’s just say going back to the 70’s with the Durans, the Leonards, the Hearns and guys like that. Where do you think Floyd should be placed?

Oscar De La Hoya: Let me put it this way, the only way Floyd is going to be talked about among the best, he has to keep fighting the best, and he has to knock out some of the best, starting with Juan Manuel Marquez. He has to make a statement. He has to do something that no one has ever done, ever in Marquez’s career, and that’s knock him out. The you can say, “Oh boy, here we go. We’re watching a great fighter in the making and there’s no doubt about it.” But he has to knock out Marquez. He has to make a statement because Marquez fought Pacquiao twice and Marquez, in my mind, beat him. But Pacquiao couldn’t knock him out. If Mayweather can make that statement knock out Marquez and go after him, that’s – you know, “Hello world, here I am. I’m the greatest!”

Q. Big Floyd, what do you think about what Oscar just said, and where would place your son among the greats?

Floyd Mayweather Sr: Well I would have to disagree with Oscar. I think Little Floyd can go in there and give Marquez a good whooping, I mean a real good whooping. I think it has nothing to do with the legacy because if it had something to do with legacy, a lot of guys wouldn’t get in the record book. So I think it ain’t so much that Little Floyd needs to come out and do a good job and make a statement and let the people know that he’s here and he has to be dealt with. I don’t think he has to knock him out. I think what you’re saying about how Little Floyd got to make a statement, whether Little Floyd knocks him out or not, that would be a statement. If Little Floyd beat him, I mean unmercifully, that would be a statement. A statement is a statement.

Q: There’s been, conflicting stories about the sparring session that Little Floyd had with Lamont Peterson. Were you at that sparring session and if so can you talk about what happened?

Floyd Mayweather Sr: Yes, Peterson, he worked good with him. But the whole thing is Peterson is useful, but Little Floyd got the best of it. Little Floyd is hitting with the big shot stuff and he buckled a few times, but Peterson, he’s not a bad fighter at all. And he fought hard, he did what he can do, and that’s that. But I can’t take nothing away from Peterson, he’s a good fighter.

Q: Leonard, I spent some time talking to Floyd about his image and how he just seems to have such a negative image in the media and among some sports fans as being someone who is not as dedicated to his craft as other boxers. Or as someone who’s all flash and no substance, and who seems to generate a lot of negative publicity. In your mind why is that? What can he do to change his image?

Leonard Ellerbe: Obviously, that’s been a challenge within the media. There’s certain members of the media who have said a lot of negative things about him in the past, but Floyd’s goal is just to continue to go out there and do the things that he does best, and that’s be the best fighter in the world, continue to be a family man, to be the best role model he can for his kids, and to continue to give back to his community like he’s been doing. And those are just the positive things that he’s focused on. All the negative criticism out there, that hasn’t been a focus at all because people – they talked badly about Jesus Christ. So when you’re on top, those are the kind of things that happen, that people talk about you, they want to see you fail. And like I said, all we are about is just trying to be positive and do the right things.

Q: This question is for Floyd Senior, we’ve talked several times about training your son and training other fighters. Do you think that having this family unity back is going to help your son in the ring? He’s going to have you in his corner, he’s going to have his uncle in his corner, it seems like a lot of the distraction from the past is gone. How much will the family unity help this?

Floyd Mayweather Sr: Family unity is – anytime any family gets together it’s going to be stronger. So I think that’s a positive.

Q: Floyd, why do you think your son is such a magnet for negative publicity?

Floyd Mayweather Sr: Well you know these days, you ain’t got to do much to make the public mad at you, you ain’t got to do much. Little Floyd, he’s flamboyant in his own way, that’s his life, that’s the way he choose to do it. My son’s flamboyant in his own way, he likes to drive his Mercedes and Maybachs and Ferraris; that’s the kind of stuff he likes to do. That’s my son, that’s the way he is, and a lot of people don’t like it. I mean that’s one of the things right there, understand that people don’t like it. I mean that’s just the way the world is, that’s the way America is. You can’t change the whole world. People have their own opinion. But understand people are going to people – people are going to be who they are. You’ve got people that are going to be bad, people who are going to be good and people who are going to be all right, you know?

Q: I talked to Floyd recently about his status as pound for pound best, and how he doesn’t believe that he’s getting credit. He believes that when he fights somebody it’s not a big deal, but when somebody else fights him it is a big deal, and the person he was speaking of, specifically was Pacquiao. And I couldn’t ask for two better people to address this than Floyd Senior and Oscar. Floyd Senior, you were in the corner both times that he fought Oscar and he also fought Hatton. He believes that he beat the better Oscar, he also believes he beat the better Hatton. Can you address those two issues?

Floyd Mayweather Sr: My son fought ’em both and beat them both before Pacquiao had the chance. I’m going to say that Pacquiao, he probably did beat the best Hatton. I’m just saying Hatton – he’s a good fighter, he’s a good fighter but he was limited. And when Pacquiao fought Oscar…Oscar – I truly believe that you know as a fighter I don’t want to need to tell Oscar and I’m working with my son right now so I don’t want to even answer that question. I think Oscar worked a great fight and I think my son was also very good.

Q: Okay Oscar, same question, Floyd believes that when he fought you were at a more comfortable weight. You were at 154 pounds, you were fresher.He also believes that you were more drained physically against Pacquiao and also a little bit exposed. Can you address the two Oscars that fought those two different fighters and is he right or wrong?

Oscar De La Hoya: Well yes, just to set the record straight, when I fought Floyd I was in my weight class. I felt strong. Obviously that fight was a good fight for me, I’m fighting the best pound for pound fighter in the world in Floyd. And I was doing great, I was in the fight. Obviously because of physical pains and aches here and there, I couldn’t do what I wanted to do. But I was still in the fight and when I faced Pacquiao I lost the fight before I got into the ring. I made the mistake of coming in below the weight limit. I made 141 pounds a month before the fight which was a huge mistake on my part. There’s nobody to blame. But even when I fought Floyd, we did 2.4 million homes. When I fought Pacquiao we did 1.2 million homes, so it’s a whole different ball game with Floyd. When Floyd’s involved in a fight, you’re going to get a big event and this is what you have now, a mega world event. And then, you have Floyd along with the best fighter in Mexico, when you have all the Mexican fans supporting their hero, just the way they did with Chavez back in the 80s, you’re going to get a tremendous fight, a tremendous event.

Q: Does Floyd have a legitimate argument in that he feels that he should have retired when he did retire as the pound for pound best? Or does Pacquiao, because he beat you and Hatton in more convincing fashion, have an argument?

Oscar De La Hoya: Well Floyd Junior does have an argument saying that he hung up the gloves because he felt that he had accomplished everything he wanted to accomplish.

He felt that he left the sport as the best and now he wants to come back and fight again and still, nobody’s beaten him, he’s still undefeated. He’s still Floyd Mayweather Junior. It’s just like reading a book and you’re on the tenth chapter, and you close the book to take a nap. Then you open it once again when you wake up. And you start where you left off. It’s a continuation here and I think, come September 19, you’re going to see the best Floyd and you’re going to see the best Marquez.

Floyd Mayweather Sr: Yes I believe Little Floyd is the pound for pound best. To date, somebody like Manuel Pacquiao and them kind of guys, I definitely think Little Floyd is the pound for pound best right now, even with the two year layoff, I still think that it’s a good call. I think Little Floyd took his little layoff, I think the guy has a better chance. To me Pacquiao is – I wouldn’t call Pacquiao a good fighter at all. I wouldn’t, I mean that’s my opinion because I see too many things he does, speed means nothing if you don’t know where to put speed. If you don’t know exactly where to put the punches, they don’t mean anything. So you know he’s got speed, he’s fast, but he’s got no skills with it, so it don’t mean nothing. He’s not an Oscar De La Hoya; he’s not a Floyd Mayweather or any fighter like that.

Q: Richard, about this fight going to be shown in the theaters, how would we go about finding out in which theaters the fight is playing?

Richard Schaefer: The information is available if you look on NCM Fathom. They have a list online which lists the movie theaters that are participating in this, for the first time in over 20 years, movie distribution.

Q: For the fight will they be using Grant or Reyes gloves, and does it even matter?

Oscar De La Hoya: Well I know Marquez would prefer Reyes. As far as I know, both fighters will be using Reyes gloves.

Leonard Ellerbe: Correction on that Oscar, Floyd will be wearing Grant, but it will come down to who the best fighter is on particular night. Both fighters will be in great shape and the gloves won’t make a difference.

END

Mayweather vs. Marquez: “Number One/Numero Uno,” is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Boxing Promotions and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T, Quaker State, Dewalt Tools, Affliction Clothing and Southwest Airlines. The explosive evening of boxing will take place Saturday, Sept. 19 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev.

Tickets priced at $1,000, $750, $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. Tickets previously purchased for the July 18 date will be honored.

The Mayweather vs. Marquez pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, 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. Marquez fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

HBO’s® fast-moving reality series “Mayweather/Marquez 24/7” returns with an all new episode on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 10:00 pm ET/PT. The four-episode series chronicles the preparations and back stories of both fighters as they train for their September 19 pay-per-view showdown. Episodes one and two are available on HBO ON DEMAND®.

TYSON PERFORMS DRAW FOR PRIZEFIGHTER HEAVYWEIGHTS III

Posted on | September 11, 2009 | No Comments

BOXING LEGEND IRON MIKE EXCITED ABOUT EVENT ON OCTOBER 2

THE draw for Prizefighter Heavyweights III has been made – by boxing legend Mike Tyson.

Iron Mike conducted the draw at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas earlier today, alongside Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn.

“I’m looking forward to it and this is going to be very exciting – I hope I get to watch it,” said Tyson, the former undisputed Heavyweight World Champion.

“The Prizefighter is an exciting format and British fight fans are in for a big treat on October 2nd”

The first fight was drawn as Scott Gammer v Coleman Barrett with the second quarter-final being Danny Williams versus Carl Baker, who steps into the competition at short notice after Michael Holden was refused permission to fight by the British Boxing Board of Control.

That leaves the potential of a Gammer v Williams semi-final, in what would be a rematch after the pair met in March 2007 which Williams won to claim the British title – a belt he still holds today.

Each fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and the third quarter-final sees two fighters who have a great deal to prove meet each other.

Former Olympic Games gold medalist Audley Harrison, who still believes he can become a World Champion, meets Scott Belshaw, a fighter looking to get his career back on track after a shock defeat against Tyson Fury in May.

Ex British and Commonwealth Champion Michael Sprott is scheduled to be in the fourth quarter-final where he would meet undefeated Danny Hughes.

If Harrison and Sprott both win that would give Harrison a chance for revenge in the semi-final after suffering a crushing third round defeat against Sprott in February 2007.

A number of potential finals could see Williams and Harrison meet for the third time or Williams and Sprott fight for the fourth occasion.

Prizefighter Heavyweights III had originally been scheduled to take place at the York Hall in Bethnal Green but a huge demand for tickets saw it relocated to the ExCel, where it is expected to be a 5,000 sell-out on Friday, October 2.

The all-in-one-night event features eight heavyweights including current British Champion Danny Williams, former Olympic Games gold medalist Audley Harrison and two former British Champions, all vying for the £32,000 top prize.

Dancing group Nemisis, who reached the 2008 final of popular ITV programme Britain’s Got Talent, will be performing as part of the pre-show fun in what will be a thrilling night’s entertainment in and out of the ring.

Tickets cost £40 and £80 and are available from See Tickets on 0871 220 0260, www.seetickets.com or from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.

The full list of competitors is Carl Baker (Sheffield), Coleman Barrett (Galway, Ireland), Scott Belshaw (Lisburn, Northern Ireland), Scott Gammer (Pembroke Dock, Wales), Audley Harrison (London / California), Danny Hughes (Sunderland), Michael Sprott (Reading) and Danny Williams (Brixton).

PartyCasino.com Prizefighter Heavyweights III draw.

Quarter-finals: QF 1. Scott Gammer v Coleman Barrett, QF 2. Danny Williams v Carl Baker, QF 3. Audley Harrison v Scott Belshaw, QF 4. Michael Sprott v Danny Hughes.

Semi-finals: SF1: Gammer or Barrett v Williams or Baker, SF 2: Harrison or Belshaw v Sprott or Danny Hughes

BAKER STEPS IN AT SHORT-NOTICE

CARL Baker has been handed a Prizefighter opportunity after the British Boxing Board of Control refused permission for Michael Holden to fight.

Holden, 41, had made an unconvincing return to the ring last Friday after six years out of the ring when he was floored against Czech fighter Tomas Mrazek.

Despite grabbing a draw from the four-round contest, the board did not sanction Holden being in Prizefighter Heavyweights III.

It means Sheffield-based 27-year-old Baker, who is known as The Fridge and is a former British Masters Champion, comes into the Prizefighter competition on October 2.

THE EIGHT PRIZEFIGHTER CONTENDERS
Name: Danny Williams
Age: 36
Home town: Brixton, London
Professional record: W41 (31 by KO), L7, D0, No Contest 1. Total 49 fights
Achievement: Current British Champion, fought for WBC title, defeated Mike Tyson

Name: Michael Sprott
Age: 34
Home town: Reading
Professional record: W31 (16 by KO), L14, D0. Total 45 fights
Achievement: Former British Champion

Name: Audley Harrison
Age: 37
Home town: London / Las Vegas
Professional record: W23 (17 by KO), L4, D0. Total 27 fights
Achievement: Olympic Games gold medalist

Name: Scott Gammer
Age: 32
Home town: Pembroke, Wales
Professional record: 18 (9 by KO), L4, D1. Total 23 fights
Achievement: Former British Champion

Name: Scott Belshaw
Age: 24
Home town: Lisburn, Northern Ireland
Professional record: W10 (7 by KO), L2, D0. Total 12 fights
Achievement: Former Irish Amateur Champion

Name: Coleman Barrett
Age: 26
Home town: Galway, Ireland
Professional record: W8 (2 by KO), L0, D0. Total: 8 fights
Achievement: Undefeated

Name: Danny Hughes
Age: 23
Home town: Sunderland
Professional record: W6 (1 by KO), L0, D1. Total 7 fights
Achievement: Undefeated

Name: Carl Baker
Age: 27
Home town: Sheffield
Professional record: W8 (6 by KO), L3, D0. Total 11 fights.
Achievement: Former British Masters Champion

NOTES ABOUT PRIZEFIGHTER

– Eight competitors in the same weight fight in four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and the final with all the action happening in one exciting night of boxing.

– Each contest lasts a maximum of three rounds with standard boxing rules applied.

– If there has not been a knockout or stoppage then the winner will be decided by three scoring judges at ringside.

– The winner of Prizefighter – Heavyweights III will receive £32,000, the runner-up gets £16,000, losing semi-finalists receive £8,000 and beaten quarter-finalists collect £4,000. The total prize fund is £80,000 – £11,000 more than for previous Prizefighter tournaments.

– A draw will be held before the event to find out which boxers will fight each other in the four quarter-finals.

– This will be the eighth Prizefighter competition. The first – Heavyweights I – was held in April 2008. The others staged were Heavyweights II (September), Welterweights (October), Middleweights (November), Light-heavyweights (February), Lightweights (March) and Cruiserweights (May)

The event website is www.theprizefighterseries.com

Boxing Art Show: Artists Wanted; Amateur Boxing on September 19

Posted on | September 11, 2009 | No Comments

The 13th DUMBO Art Under The Bridge Festival sponsored by The DUMBO Arts Center will be held September 25 through 27, 2009.

Over 150,000 visitors will come to DUMBO for this festival.

You can be part of it or you can just come and enjoy it.

Gleason’s Gym will close for workouts on Saturday and Sunday and will open as an Art Gallery.

For the past two years we had over 35 artists show their creations. All Medium of Art is welcome. We have had painters, photographers, sculptors, illustrators, authors, furniture makers and vocalists. The only requirement is that the art has something to do with boxing.

Gleason’s Gym will pay all fees associated with the show and you keep 100% of what you sell.

Gleason’s next sanctioned amateur boxing club show will be September 19, 2009.

The show is open to all registered amateurs including junior, senior and master boxers.

If you wish to compete on this pre-matched show, please call Angela Querol at (718) 797 2872.

The show will start one hour earlier than normal do to the Mayweather vs Marquez fight on pay per view later that evening. The weigh in will begin at 4:00PM and the first bout will begin at 6:00PM.

The ticket price is $20 per person. All gym members and registered amateurs with their books in hand pay $15 per person.

“UNDEFEATED CHAMPIONS” PPV WEIGHTS, BOUT & FACT SHEETS

Posted on | September 11, 2009 | No Comments

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Coliseum of Puerto Rico, San Juan

WBO & “THE RING” LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIPS

MAIN EVENT – 12 ROUNDS

IVAN “ Iron Boy” CALDERON RODEL “Kid Rapido” MAYOL

WBO & The Ring Champion WBO # 1 Contender, The Ring # 9

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

32-0-1 (6 KOs) 25-3-1 (19 KOs)

WBO SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

CO-FEATURE – 12 ROUNDS

ROMAN “Rocky” MARTINEZ VICENTE MARTIN “El Mono” RODRIGUEZ

WBO Super Featherweight Champion/The Ring #4 WBO #9

Vega Baja, Puerto Rico La Salada, Buenos Aires, Argentina

22-0-1 (13 KOs) 25-2-1 (13 KOs)

10 ROUNDS – SUPER FLYWEIGHTS

JUAN “Panterita” MERCEDES JESUS “Changa” MARTINEZ

IBF #14, WBO #15 Dangerous Veteran

La Romana, Dominican Republic Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico

23-2 (16 KOs) 18-6 (11 KOs)

6 ROUNDS – CRUISERWEIGHTS

CARLOS NEGRON LARRY CARTER

2008 Puerto Rican Olympian Upset Minded

San Juan, Puerto Rico Detroit, MI

3-0 (3 KOs) 3-4-1 (3 KOs)

(ALL FIGHTS & FIGHTERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

WHEN: Saturday, September 12, 2009 – 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT

WHERE: San Juan, Puerto Rico

PROMOTER: PR Best Boxing

PAY-PER-VIEW INFORMATION: Integrated Sports is distributing “Undefeated Champions” in the United States live at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand and DirecTV for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. The PPV will be available outside of the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines via www.gofightlive.tv. Go there for additional information about its availability.

PAY-PER-VIEW ANNOUNCERS: English – World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Col. Bob Sheridan (blow-by-blow) and former NFL player and veteran boxing announcer Benny Ricardo (color analyst); Spanish – Rafael Bracero and Elliott Castro.

INFORMATION: www.integratedsportsnet.com

Integrated Sports: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events is Integrated Sports. Among the many events brought to North American viewers by Integrated Sports include World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton, Christian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Nicolai Valuev, Amir Kahn, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports has distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Team of Argentina, and World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.

Oliver captures New England & EBA Junior Featherweight Titles

Posted on | September 10, 2009 | No Comments

PLYMOUTH, Mass. (September 11, 2009) – “Machine Gun” Mike Oliver won a hard-fought decision to capture the vacant New England and Eastern Boxing Association junior featherweight titles tonight on the “A Night To Remember” pro boxing cared, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., at historic Plymouth Memorial Hall.

Oliver (22-2, 7 KOs) and Gonzalez (9-9, 3 KOs) had previously fought twice with Mike stopping Castulo in the ninth round of their 2006 fight and this past June, in Boston, their fight was halted in the second round and ruled a no contest when Castulo suffered a cut over his eye from an unintentional head-butt.

The third fight between these New England arch-rivals — Oliver, the former IBO world champion fighting out of Hartford (CT), and former Guatemalan amateur standout Gonzalez (9-8, 3 KOs), who lives and trains in Lynn (MA) — could easily have been fought in a phone booth. Both fighters consistently exchanged inside in a give-and-take bout from the start to finish with neither seriously hurt at any point.

In the sixth round referee Ed Claudia deducted a point from each fighter for holding. Oliver then picked up the pace and was more of the aggressor down the stretch, breaking down Castulo with body punches to earn a unanimous decision, along with the N.E. and EBA belts, by scores of 77-73, 77-73 and 77-74.

Popular lightweight Ryan Kielczewski (5-0, 2 KOs), fighting out Quincy (MA), put on a boxing clinic en route to an impressive third round stoppage of Norman Allen (0-4) in the third round. A left hook to the head, followed by a left hook to the body ended the fight in dramatic fashion.

Powerful body shot shots from Cape Cod heavyweight Jesse Barboza (2-0, 2 KOs) hurt Lewis Cotuna (0-2), who went down from a punishing left hook and got up only to be drilled by a vicious left hook early in the second round that ended the fight.

Marshfield welterweight Arturo Lopes’ (1-0, 1 KO) pro debut was a success as he used a powerful body attack to destroy 23-fight Chris “The Killer” Cook via a third-round TKO victory.

Stoughton super middleweight Mical Weisberg (3-0, 2 KOs) kept his unbeaten record intact, stopping Frankie Reed in the third round. Lynn bantamweight Isander “Peachy” Beauchamp (6-0-1, 2 KOs) won a 4-round decision against tough Elton “The Real Coolie Bully” Dharry (2-5-1) in an action-packed bout

Harwich light heavyweight Paul Gonsalves (2-0, 2 KO) knocked out Robert Graves in the first round, while Lawrence heavyweight Alexis Santos (2-0, 2 KOs) floored Dino Weingarten (2-5, 0 KOs) three times for a win by first-round technical knockout.

“A Night To Remember was the third in a 4-fight arrangement, “The Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor Fight Series,” scheduled in 2009 at Plymouth Memorial Hall and promoted by CES.

Full results below:

RESULTS FROM PLYMOUTH

Plymouth, Massachusetts

September 11, 2009 – “A Night To Remember”

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Jesse Barboza (2-0, 2 KOs), Barnstable, MA WTKO2 (0:52) Lewis Cotuna (0-2), Hickory, NC

Alexis Santos (2-0, 2 KOs WTKO1 (1:19) Dino Weingarten (2-5, 0 KOs), Memphis, TN

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Paul Gonsalves (2-0, 2 KOs), Harwich, MA WKO1 (1:39) Robert Graves (0-2), Eden, NC

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Mical Weisberg (3-0, 2 KOs), Stoughton, MA WTKO3 (1:41) Frankie Reed (0-3), Willston, SC

WELTERWEIGHTS

Arturo Lopes (1-0, 1 KO), Marshfield, MA WTKO3 (2:45) Chris Cook (3-18-2, 1 KO), York, SC

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Ryan Kielczeweski (5-0, 2 KOs), Quincy, MA WTK3 (1:39) Norman Allen (0-4-1), Toledo, OH

JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHTS

Mike Oliver (22-2, 7 KOs), Hartford, CT WDEC8 (77-74, 77-73, 77-73) Castulo Gonzalez (9-9, 3 KOs), Lynn, MA

(Oliver wins vacant New England and Easter Boxing Association Titles)

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Isander Beauchamp (6-0-1, 2 KOs), Lynn, MA WDEC4 40-36, (39-37, 39-37) Elton Dharry (2-5-1, 0 KOs), Brooklyn, NY

Promoter: Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc.

Matchmakers: Ted Panagiotis & Rich Cappiello

WEIGHTS FROM PLYMOUTH, QUOTES & FACT SHEET

Posted on | September 10, 2009 | No Comments

WEIGHTS FROM PLYMOUTH

MAIN EVENT – New England & EBAY Junior Featherweight Championships (8)

Mike “Machine” Oliver (21-2, 7 KOs), Hartford, Ct. 120 lbs.

Castulo Gonzalez (9-8, 3 KOs), Lynn, MA 121 lbs.

Super Middleweights (4)

Mical Weisberg (2-0, 1 KO), Stoughton, MA 164 lbs.

Frankie Reed (0-2), Williston, SC 162 lbs.

Bantamweights (4)

Isander “Peachy” Beauchamp (5-0-1, 2 KOs), Lynn, MA 116.6 LBS.

Elton Dharry (2-4-1, 0 KOs), Brooklyn, NY 116.8 LBS.

Light Heavyweights (4)

Paul Gonsalves (1-0, 1 KO), Harwich, MA 175 LBS.

Robert Graves (0-1), Eden, NC 171 LBS.

Heavyweights (4)

Jesse Barboza (1-0, 1 KO), Barnstable, MA 231 LBS.

Lewis Cotuna (0-1), Hickory, NC 238 LBS.

Cruiserweights (4)

Alexis Santos (1-0, 1 KO), Lawrence, MA 209 LBS.

Dino Weingarten (2-4, 0 KOs), Memphis, TN 257 lbs.

Welterweights (4)

Arturo Lopes (Pro Debut), Marshfield, MA 141 LBS.

Chris “The Killer” Cook (3-17-2, 1 KO), York, SC 150 LBS.

Lightweights (4)

Ryan Kielczewski (4-1, 1 KO), Quincy, MA 131.8 LBS.

Norman Allen (0-3-1), Toledo, OH 134 LBS.

PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Mike Oliver: “Castulo and have fought before. I’m looking for a good fight. I’m bringing my ‘A’ game. I hope for the best for both of us.”

Arturo Lopes: “I’m excited about making my pro debut tomorrow night. My grandfather (the late Emanuel Lopes, Sr.) will be watching from above and I’ve dedicated my fight to him.”

Chris Cook: “I’ve been in this game a good five years now. I’m proud to be fighting here. We’re stepping up to the plate. It takes a lot of heart to be a fighter. I’m looking forward to fighting tomorrow night.”

Jesse Barboza: “I fought here last show and it was great. I’m going for the bonus. I don’t have much to say. The best heavyweight in the world (Jason Estrada) helped me with sparring.”

Lewis Cotuna: “I’m from Hickory, North Carolina and I’m here to show you what we got. Fans work hard for their money and I’m going to do the best I can for them.”

“A NIGHT TO REMEMBER” FACT SHEET

Name: “A Night To Remember” Pro Boxing Card

Date: Friday night, September 11, 2009

Venue: Memorial Hall, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Promoter: Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.

Matchmaker: Ted Panagiotis

Tickets: $35.00 (Bronze), $45.00 (Silver) and $55.00 (Gold). VIP tables of eight are also available. To purchase call CES (401.724.2253/2254) or go online at www.cesboxing.com.

Information: Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) for more information. Doors open at 6:15 PM/ET, first bout at 7:15 PM/ET

-CES-

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