BRUCE “THE ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESS” SELDON LOOKS TO ROLL INTO CHICAGO AND DERAIL FRES OQUENDO ON JULY 24TH
Posted on | July 15, 2009 | No Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (July 14, 2009)—Former WBA Heavyweight champion of the world, Bruce Seldon looks to make it three in a row as he battles former two-time world championship challenger Fres Oquendo on July 24th at The UIC Pavilion in Chicago in a fight that will be contested for the interim NABA Heavyweight championship.
The heavy handed Seldon, 42, of Atlantic City, New Jersey brings in a record of 40-7 with thirty-six knockouts which includes a recent run of 5-1 with all five wins coming inside the distance. Seldon’s last 17 victories have all come via stoppage and 26 of Seldon’s last 27 victims have not made it to the final bell.
“This is a very important bout for me. I want to thank Fres for taking the fight. In the past year I have signed to face Devin Vargas, Lamon Brewster and Brian Minto, they all agreed to fight me, and then they either pulled out of the agreement or there were other circumstances that led to those bouts being postponed”, said Seldon.
“A win here puts me right in the thick of the WBA Rankings and anyone who has seen my recent fights knows that I can still punch with anyone in the division. I always come in great shape and expect to win. Fres is a true professional and he has fought at the highest level before so we both know how crucial a win here is.”
“After my win over Gabe Brown on May 15th I was back in the gym that Monday. I am ready for this fight and plan on winning and getting back into the elite of the Heavyweight division.”
Oquendo of Chicago has a record 30-5 with nineteen knockouts will be getting into the ring just four weeks after taking out Mark Brown in three rounds in the same UIC Pavilion ring.
The Oquendo/Seldon scheduled ten round bout for the NABA Heavyweight Title headlines “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 4”, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productiions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.
Advance tickets for “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 4”, starting at $31, can be purchased through the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800 and through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com.
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine , just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com
Pacquiao & Mayweather lead active fighters in The World’s Greatest Ever Boxers Promotion
Posted on | July 15, 2009 | No Comments
“The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” 3-day boxing spectacular Oct. 2-4 at the Paris Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS (July 15, 2009) –The two greatest pound-for-pound boxers today, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., lead a group of six active champions in “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxers” (TWGEB) promotion.
On-line voting at www.GreatestEver.com allows boxing fans from around the world to select the greatest boxer in each of the original eight weight classes, highlighted by the all-time pound-for-pound “Greatest Ever.”
Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), riding a 10-fight win streak against a contemporary “Who’s Who” list of world-class boxers, is 3-0 versus other TWGEB nominees, Marco Antonio Barrera (twice) and Oscar de la Hoya. A candidate in TWGEB featherweight division, “Pac Man” has held world titles in five different weight classes, defeating other world champions such as Ricky Hatton, David Diaz, Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales (twice).
Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) joins Rocky Marciano, Ricardo Lopez, and Joe Calzaghe as the only unbeaten TWGEB nominees. “Pretty Boy” Floyd, or “Money” Mayweather, retired after stopping Hatton in December of 2007, but he’s returning September 19 to fight Marquez. Mayweather, a lightweight TWGEB candidate, has captured six world titles in five different weight classes.
The four other active fighters who are TWGEB nominees are middleweight Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KOs), featherweight Marcos Antonio “Baby Faced Assassin” Barrera (65-7, 43 KOs), bantamweight Hosumi Hasegawa (26-2, 10 KOs) and flyweight Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan (32-2-1, 26 KOs).
Hopkins, arguably the No. 3 rated pound-for-pound fighter today, hasn’t been active since, at the tender age of 44, shocking previously unbeaten Kelly Pavlik last October. Barrera hasn’t fought since losing to Amir Khan this past March by a bloody fifth-round technical decision. Hasegawa makes his ninth WBA bantamweight title defense tonight (July 14) against Nestor Roche in Japan, while Darchinyan moved-up in weight to bantamweight and lost last Saturday night to IBF title-holder Koseph Agbeko by 12-round decision.
The eight categories represent the eight original weight-class divisions: Strawweights are included in the Flyweight category; Super Middleweight in the Light Heavyweight division. Many fighters fought and won titles at a number of different weights. As far as possible they have been nominated in the division that they made their biggest impact. Fighters have not been nominated on the basis of whether they would beat another fighter in that division, though this is, of course, a consideration. More importantly is their overall record, who they fought at the time, as well as the impact they made on the boxing world, and indeed the world around them. All nominees are listed in the voting section at www.GreatestEver.com.
GREATEST EVER WEEKEND OF EVENTS
Boxing fans attending the festivities will be able to celebrate, up close and personal, the achievements of the World’s Greater Ever Boxers. A three-day boxing spectacular is planned October 2-4 at the Paris Las Vegas, commencing that Friday with an official welcome reception and official weigh in for the following evening’s professional boxing show, presented by Sterling Promotions, and featuring Team USA versus Team Europe, capped by an exclusive after party. The event culminates Sunday with The Greater Ever black-tie awards dinner, featuring some of the greatest boxers ever, as well as world-class entertainment, and then an exclusive after party.
The Retired Boxers Foundation (RBF) is the official charity for The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer. RBF assists retired professional boxers in the transition from their days in the ring to dignified retirement, helping those suffering from alcohol and substance abuse problems, homelessness and effects of pugilistic dementia.
Four ticket packages are on sale for the Oct. 2-4 weekend’s events through agents at the following numbers: North America – The Sports Alliance (914.941.3366) Smart Ticket Solutions (847.917.8497); United Kingdom and Europe – Rock Solid Events (UK: 0845 0945 606, Outside UK: +44 845 0945 606); Australasia – Events Worldwide Travel Group (Australia: 1300 788 666, Outside Australia: +61 3 5989 7666).
The event-only packages are as follows (all prices USD): Super VIP ($2,500), Platinum ($1,900), VIP ($1,400) and Gold ($1,115). The Super VIP, Platinum and VIP packages have a number or premiums in addition to those detailed in the Gold (welcome function, weigh-in, Greatest Ever poker tournament, exclusive Paris Las Vegas gaming area, exclusive memorabilia, movie screenings, access to Greatest Ever dedicated gaming areas and VIP bar, media and legends signings, general seating for the fights and at the awards dinner). Regional agents can provide additional premiums for individual packages.
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Tags: Amir Khan > Bernard Hopkins > Boxing > David Diaz > Erik Morales > Floyd Mayweather > Greatest Ever > Hosumi Hasegawa > Joe Calzaghe > Juan Manuel Marquez > Kelly Pavlik > Las Vegas > Manny Pacquiao > Marco Antonio Barrera > Oscar De La Hoya > Paris > pound for pound > Ricardo Lopez > Ricky Hatton > Rocky Marciano > The World's Greatest > Vic Darchinyan
FAREWELL TO BOXING’S BLOOD & GUTS WARRIOR: REST IN PEACE ARTURO GATTI 1972-2009
Posted on | July 14, 2009 | 3 Comments
By: Tony Penecale
Exactly two years ago today, July 14, 2007, Arturo Gatti stepped into the boxing ring for the last time, trying to catch lightning in a bottle one more time. After seven brutally one-sided rounds against the younger and bigger Alfonso Gomez, Gatti knew that it was time to call it a career. As he stood in the locker room and addressed his fans, you could see tears welling up in his swollen eyes as he was comforted by his then-girlfriend Amanda Rodriguez, who less than two years later is the prime suspect in his murder.
After losing the Gomez bout, his third stoppage defeat out of his final four bouts, there was a legitimate concern for Gatti’s health had he continued his boxing career. New Jersey’s Boxing Commissioner, Larry Hazzard Jr. echoed those sentiments and stated he would be hard-pressed to allow Gatti to resume his career under his jurisdiction.
In hindsight, it may have been safer for Gatti inside the ring. His love for the fast life, partying, and exotic women proved to be more dangerous than Floyd Mayweather, Micky Ward, and Oscar De la Hoya combined. Reports are surfacing regarding the rocky relationship between Gatti and Rodriguez as the details of his final hours are being investigated:
It is often a hard pill to swallow when you realize that your heroes are in reality mortal men and prone to the same pratfalls that plague us all. To see Gatti in the ring, even when he was on the losing end, it was easy to believe that he really was superhuman. In the end, Arturo Gatti was indeed human, and now he is gone at only 37 years of age.
On July 14, 2007, I was returning home from a local Italian Festival, just in time to see Gatti’s final bout. After his loss, listening to the poignant tributes by the members of the HBO broadcast team, including Jim Lampley and teary-eyed Max Kellerman and Larry Merchant, I felt the need to pay my own tribute. The final product was an article which highlighted Gatti’s career, the ups, the downs, and my personal favorite memories. It was a way to say Good Bye but at the same time, wish Gatti well in his much-deserved retirement, and thank him for the many wonderful memories he gave me and millions of fans around the world.
I was on my way to the same local Italian Festival this Saturday when I received a text message alerting me to Gatti’s death in Brazil. An internet check confirmed the tragic news and, as the news spread, it was met with a mixture of stunned disbelief and sadness.
That night we raised a toast to our fallen hero as the reality of Gatti’s untimely death finally started to sink in. I remarked that I should write a tribute article when it was suggested that I resurrect the article first penned after Gatti’s retirement. It was the Ultimate Tribute to the Ultimate Blood and Guts Warrior.
I dove into my archives and proudly present this. My biggest regret is that Arturo Gatti never got to read it. He meant a lot to me as a boxer and as a fan. He meant a lot to his legions of fans all over the world. We will fondly remember him for his heart, never-say-die attitude, and the many thrills he provided us. Arturo Gatti may be gone but he certainly will not be forgotten.
Rest in Peace Arturo! Thank you for the great memories! We will certainly miss you!
Arturo Gatti 1972-2009!
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES “THUNDER”
Tribute to Arturo Gatti – Boxing’s Blood & Guts Warrior
By Tony Penecale
Originally Posted August 2007
The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City is now quiet. Where once the thunderous chants of “GATTI… GATTI… GATTI” shook the arena, as sellout crowd after sellout crowd cheered on hometown hero Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, all that is left now is silence… and memories.
There is an old saying that “All good things must come to an end”. Last month that adage proved true as the career of Arturo Gatti, boxing’s equivalent to a roller coaster, came to an end in his own backyard of Atlantic City. Now that it is over, it is fitting to give tribute to Gatti, whose career provided a number of thrills over an excitement and drama-filled 16 years.
Known for his determination and resiliency, Gatti carved a niche for himself coming back in situations that seemed to be impossible, whether it was in a fight that he was hurt or losing badly, or after a loss that would seemingly derail his career. Friend and former opponent Mickey Ward once likened Gatti to horror movie villain Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th series, saying that no matter what happened to him, he would always keep coming back. It is ironic that the night that Gatti ran out of sequels happened to fall on Saturday the 14th.
As we say good bye to a favorite, it is easy to see why the fans felt such a connection to Gatti. While he was not as talented or dominant as pound-for-pound greats such as Roy Jones Jr. or Floyd Mayweather Jr., Gatti was a blue-collar fighter that despite his vulnerabilities, would always give maximum effort, whether win or lose. It would be easy to envision Gatti pictured in a black-and-white broadcast, with Howard Cosell or Don Dunphy, calling the bout. He was definitely a throw-back fighter from another era.
It seemed that Gatti was on borrowed time for nearly a decade now. After three straight defeats in 1998, it looked like Gatti was on the downswing. But he rebounded with four straight wins, including a knockout of former titlist Joey Gamache and a blood-soaked decision over fringe contender Joe Hutchinson. This opened the door for a bout with superstar Oscar De la Hoya, which saw Gatti fight hard but succumb to the superior size and power of “The Golden Boy”.
While the loss to De la Hoya surely seemed to be the end of the road, it was a rejuvenated and reinvented Gatti that returned 10 months later, working under the tutelage of Buddy McGirt. After an impressive win over former titlist Terron Millet, a bout with popular New England slugger Micky Ward was signed. Often bouts look good on paper, and this one certainly did, but what happened in the ring certainly exceeded expectations, and their subsequent rematches, with Gatti winning the final two bouts in the series, forever linked them together in one of boxing greatest trilogies. The second bout also marked the start of his run as the main attraction at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, where he would compete nine straight times, including eight sellouts.
Gatti parlayed his wins over Ward into another title run when he defeated Gianluca Branco for the WBC junior welterweight title, registering two defenses. From there it was on to a lucrative Pay-Per-View showdown with the vastly talented Floyd Mayweather. While most boxing scribes predicted a dominant Mayweather victory, there were a few the figured Gatti would give him hell as long as it lasted. That prevailing hope once again brought the Gatti faithful to Atlantic City. However in the end, it was Mayweather’s supreme talent and speed that rendered the bout a mismatch before McGirt pulled the plug in the corner after six one-sided rounds.
While the drubbing by Mayweather certainly seemed like the end for the popular Atlantic-City icon, Gatti was able to resurrect one more time. Six months after the defeat, Gatti, moving up to welterweight, returned to a sold out Boardwalk Hall to take on Thomas Damgaard, who was sporting a perfect 38-0 (28) coming into the bout.
If every great warrior has one great war left in him, this was Gatti’s. Damgaard never knew what hit him. Gatti boxed well from the outside and slugged toe-to-toe when he needed to. Damgaard’s face would show the effects of the battle after each round, before he was finally rescued by the referee in the 11th round, as a final Gatti right hand had him staggering around the ring.
In hindsight, this would have been the perfect night for Gatti to walk away, victorious in front of his loyal following. But with a title shot looming with the solid-but-unspectacular Carlos Baldomir on the horizon, Gatti would glove up again and challenge for the Argentine fighter’s title. Gatti couldn’t cope with the physically stronger Baldomir, who was making his first defense, and was gradually worn down over the course of the bout, before finally succumbing in the 9th round.
One year later, on July 14, 2007, Gatti looked to reinvent himself one more time, this time against a former star of the “The Contender” reality show, Alfonso Gomez. While Gomez was seen as a light-punching opponent with average speed, he had competed against natural middleweights on the show, including a victory over highly-regarded Peter Manfredo Jr.
It was evident from the early going that the Gatti that inhabited the ring was not the same Gatti that wowed opponents and fans throughout his career. Gomez landed every punch in his arsenal from the start. And when Gatti would fire his punches, Gomez had no problem in landing counters, primarily landing repeated right hands over Gatti’s jab. In the past, Gatti would march through the punches and bloodshed to unleash his attack. On this night, he was unable to march through and unable to unleash a sustained attack. All that remained from Gatti’s prime was his heart.
Sensing it would be the last time they would chant his name, the crowd ramped up the “GATTI” chants in hopes of one more miracle. That miracle was dashed in the 7th round. With Gomez winning the first six rounds, he looked to close the show in the 7th, landing a volley of punches against a weakening Gatti, who trained in vain to fire back. A brutal right hand sent Gatti slumping to the canvas, his upper lip ripped open, where referee Randy Neuman started the count. Before he could complete it, New Jersey Commissioner Larry Hazzard Jr. immediately entered the ring and halted the contest. In the end, Gatti went out on his shield, in the way that many warriors before him had.
After the bout, longtime HBO color commentator, Larry Merchant, broadcasting from Los Angeles, gave tribute to Gatti, speaking like he was delivering a eulogy. Delivering a classic comment, he spoke on how Gatti’s hourglass had run out and as a collector of artwork and glass, he would have loved to have “Gatti’s hourglass” in his collection.
Back in Atlantic City, HBO analyst Max Kellerman was in the dressing room to interview Gatti who was still leaking blood through the bandages on his cut lip. While the dressing room was a somber place, with several, including Kellerman holding back tears, it was a smiling Gatti who thanked his fans for their support over the years and announced his retirement, citing an inability to make 140 lbs anymore and his ineffectiveness at 147 lbs. Realizing it was time to call it a career, Gatti said “Hasta la Vista, Baby”, before giving a final thumbs up and then hugging his team, including Micky Ward, who served as his trainer for the bout. Paraphrasing the popular quote, Gatti fought his career so that when he finally said Goodbye, he was the one smiling while everybody else was crying.
As I watched Merchant’s tribute, followed by Gatti’s interview, I felt it appropriate to put my own tribute together, including some of my favorite memories. Being a Gatti fan was like being in a cult. When he fought, the world stopped. And you felt like you were in there with him, enjoying the highs and suffering through the lows. And now that he is retired, Boardwalk Hall is silent. There will be other fighters and big fights there, and hopefully there will be a new star soon to capture the fan’s imagination, but there is only one Gatti and the atmosphere he provided in Atlantic City and on HBO will be sorely missed.
Personal Memories:
“Thunderstruck” Artruro Gatti vs Joe Lofantant(5-15-92) – It was the 2nd preliminary bout on my first live PPV card (and the first card I attended since I slept through a title fight when I was five). The catchy ACDC classic “Thunderstruck” blared over the loud speakers as a skinny, bushy-haired 20-year-old Italian kid, with a 5-0 (5) record, made his entrance. I remember my dad smirking at me as I sang along with the classic tune and saying “I guess you’ll be rooting for this kid!” And I was. Gatti certainly did not disappoint, attacking Joe Lafontant from the opening bell and punishing him over six rounds, winning a unanimous decision in the process. I became a fan that night!
“BAD” Arturo Gatti vs Wilson Rodriguez (3-23-96) – I was lucky enough to be one of the few in my dorm to have HBO access, and I had just gotten back from boxing an amateur tournament to tune in to the Boxing After Dark telecast of Gatti’s first defense of the IBF super featherweight title he had won from Tracy Harris Patterson three months earlier. Fringe contender Wilson Rodriguez was not expected to pose much of a threat but apparently he did not read the script. Rodriguez attacked Gatti early and had him bloody and swollen by the time the 1st stanza had completed. The assault continued with Gatti going down in the 3rd and his face looking like Rodriguez was assaulting him with a bat instead of his fists. When things seemed bleakest, Gatti started to uncork a vicious body attack, slowly sapping the strength from a fading Rodriguez. And when it seemed like the cuts and swollen eyes were going to force the doctor to intervene, Gatti saved his title, destroying Rodriguez with a highlight reel left hook. With the cheering in High Hall Room 112, it felt like we were there at Madison Square Garden watching it live.
“Homecoming Brawl” Arturo Gatti vs Gabriel Ruelas (10-4-97) – It was Homecoming at my college and I knew I would be enjoying the festivities. Long before the days of TIVO and DVR, I was able to set my VCR on timer so I wouldn’t miss Gatti’s defense against a resurgent Gabriel Ruelas. So, at 2:00 am, I put the tape in and a roommate and I sat together and watched the 1997 Fight of the Year. Gatti was in control early before Ruelas badly staggered him in the 4th round and continuing the assault in the 5th. From there, it was time for another miracle as Gatti launched a right hand that broke several ribs and took the air from Ruelas, opening him up for a massive left hook that ended the bout.
“Dueling Parties Declined” Arturo Gatti vs Micky Ward (5-18-02) – On this beautiful May evening, I had been invited to two college graduation parties, one for a cousin, and one for a former roommate. Also on this night was a bout that I had been salivating over ever since I saw it signed, Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward. Graduation parties come all of the time but Gatti-Ward only comes once (or three times… but I didn’t know that) so I declined both parties, using “the other party” excuse. I did make a guest appearance at my cousin’s party, staying about an hour, and racing home at 100 mph just in time to catch the HBO broadcast. It was well worth it. Some fights you watch in a recliner, some fights you watch on the edge of your seat. This fight I watched on my feet. It was that amazing. Even though Gatti was on the losing end of a close decision, the spectacular action was a definite highlight. I felt bad about skipping the parties but I know that I made the right decision.
“A Friendly Wager on the Rubber Match” Arturo Gatti vs Micky Ward III (6-7-03) – When they announced the rubber match between Gatti and Ward to be in Atlantic City, I knew that I had to be there. The day tickets went on sale, I scoped up four of them and went to the show with my dad, my neighbor, and his brother-in-law. I also made a side wager with a friend of Irish descent at a local fitness center. If the Italian (Gatti) won, he would wear a red, white, and green hat all night. If the Irish fighter (Ward) won, I would work out all night in a Leprechaun hat. I’ll never forget the feeling in the seats that night. There was a buzz immediately following the main undercard bout. That buzz intensified when Ward made his way to the ring. And when Gatti appeared the buzz became pure electricity. The bout had a series of momentum shifts with Gatti boxing well early before breaking his hand and absorbing a pasting from Ward. Just when Gatti was reclaiming control, a Ward right put him on the canvas. But in true Jason Voorhees form, Gatti was up immediately and ready for more, outboxing and outslugging Ward over the final four rounds to win the decision and cap off their amazing trilogy. It was such a great fight, that upon leaving I was exhausted and covered in sweat myself! And my friend did hold up to his end of the bet, wearing the Italian colors all night.
“A Friend’s First Fight” Arturo Gatti vs Carlos Baldomir (7-22-06) – This fight certainly does not stand out for the result but for the opportunity to take a life-long friend to his first boxing match. I had been friends with Mike for over 20 years and he was always a quiet and generally reserved guy. He had always been a Gatti fan and had never attended a live fight, so I got him a ticket to attend this bout with a fight fan’s group, including my dad, my neighbor, and another friend (and former opponent) from my amateur days. All during the bout, it was Mike’s chants that were the loudest. As Gatti was falling behind, it was Mike that kept chanting and yelling encouragement. After the bout was finally stopped in the 9th round, we were all understandably dejected, but Mike, while disappointed, was still exhilarated. He had seen one of his favorite fighters engage in a slugfest live. He later confided in me that it was an awesome experience and he was hoarse for days. Even though our hero had lost, I am glad that my friend took a great memory from it.
Tags: Alfonso Gomez > Arturo Gatti > Atlantic City > Boxing > Brazil > Buddy McGirt > Floyd Mayweather > foul play > Jim Lampley > Larry Merchant > light welterweight > Max Kellerman > Micky Ward > murder > New Jersey > Oscar De La Hoya > Tony Penecale > welterweight
GINA CARANO & CRIS CYBORG: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS
Posted on | July 14, 2009 | No Comments
Tuesday, July 14, Madison Square Garden, New York City
PHOTO GALLERY:
Photos: Esther Lin/Strikeforce
01 — Gina Carano (left) and Cris Cyborg pose along side the Strikeforce Female 145-pound Championship belt they will be fighting for in the main event of a world title quadruple-header on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., live on SHOWTIME (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
02 — Carano reacts while answering a question at Tuesday’s press conference at Madison Square Garden.
03 — Cyborg was also in excellent spirits during the well-attended press conference.
04 — Carano (left), Strikeforce Founder and CEO, Scott Coker (holding the belt), and Cyborg pose after the presser.
05 — Cyborg (right) delivers a kick to her husband and Chute Box teammate, Evangelista Cyborg, during an open workout following the press conference outside MSG at 33rd St.and 8th Ave.
06 — Carano (right) got in her kicks during the free public workout.
07 — The room was jam-packed for the Carano-Cyborg press conference.
NEW YORK (July 14, 2009) — Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg, who will headline a STRIKEFORCE world championship quadruple-header on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., live on SHOWTIME, participated in a press conference, fan meet and greet session and open workout Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
On Aug. 15, the wildly popular and unbeaten Carano (7-0) and her No. 1 rival, Brazilian powerhouse Cyborg (7-1), will make history in the most anticipated fight in the history of women’s mixed martial arts (MMA) and the first women’s fight to headline a major fight card also featuring men.
At stake in the eagerly awaited showdown will be the newly created STRIKEFORCE Women’s 145-Pound World Title.
The STRIKEFORCE: “Carano vs. Cyborg” mega-event, which will air live on SHOWTIME (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, tape delayed on the west coast), will feature three additional world championship bouts.
Joe “Diesel” Riggs (30-10) and Nick Diaz (20-7) will revisit their bitter rivalry that began three years ago in the UFC when they face off in the first welterweight (170 pounds) STRIKEFORCE championship fight in history.
World Heavyweight Champion Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem (29-11) will put his coveted title on the line and, at the same time, attempt to avenge a previous defeat when he squares off with old nemesis and two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum (11-4-1).
World Lightweight (155 pounds) Champion Josh “The Punk” Thomson (16-2) will defend his STRIKEFORCE crown against Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (15-2), the man whom Thomson dethroned by way of unanimous decision at HP Pavilion on June 27, 2008.
Tickets for STRIKEFORCE: “Carano vs. Cyborg,” priced from $30, are available at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070), Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and at www.Strikeforce.com.
HP Pavilion doors will open Aug. 15 at 5 p.m. PT. The first preliminary bout will begin at 5:30 p.m.
After co-promoting two events on SHOWTIME in 2007 and 2008, STRIKEFORCE in March ‘09 signed a multi-year agreement to stage MMA events on the premium cable television network.
What the fighters said Tuesday:
GINO CARANO
“I am not into public speaking, but I am so humbled and blessed by this unbelievable turnout of media and fans. It feels so great the support that you have given Cyborg and I. (But) It is not just us. There are four title fights on this great card.
“I have the ultimate, utmost respect for Cyborg. This is the toughest fight of my life.
“I want to thank the media and the fans for keeping it (MMA) alive. It has given me a career. I have a passion for my job and I hope we reach other people to get the sport even stronger.
“Cyborg is very strong. That is why I have reached out to Randy Couture to support me. He has been a mentor to me. I need somebody like him to get me mentally and physically ready for the biggest fight of my career. He is a great backboard for me.
“Randy is training me to get ready for the toughest fight of my career. He is my head trainer and he will be in my corner.
“I have to thank all my trainers. All of Las Vegas has come to my support. This has been an amazing journey. I am blessed and humbled at the same time. I want to thank STRIKEFORCE and SHOWTIME. It takes a lot of (guts) to put this on.’’
CRIS CYBORG
“Like Gina, I am not into public speaking. I prefer to fight. I want to thank the media, STRIKEFORCE, SHOWTIME and my fans. This is a great opportunity and this will be a very good fight for the fans and media.
“I almost forgot to thank my husband and my trainers in Huntington Beach (Calif.) for supporting me.
(The ultimate winner) “I think the one who makes the fewer mistakes will win this fight. I am expecting a war. I have been training a lot since my last fight. I am ready and very excited.’’
Tags: August 15 > Cris Cyborg > Gina Carano > SHOWTIME > Strikeforce
ASC signs hot prospect Calvin Kattar for 9/11 MMA show
Posted on | July 14, 2009 | No Comments
Lamotte-Gordon headline July 31 debut show at Icenter in Salem, New Hampshire
SALEM, New Hampshire (July 14, 2009) – Fledging mixed-martial-arts promotional company, American Steel Cagefighting’s (ASC), has signed one of the top MMA prospects on the East Coast, lightweight sensation Calvin Kattar, to fight on ASC’s September 11th show at the Icenter in Salem, New Hampshire.
The 21-year-old Kattar (6-1), from Methuen (MA), will attend ASC inaugural pro show, headlined by Manchester welterweight Nate “The Future” Lamotte against Doug “Flash” Gordon, July 31 at the Icenter.
“I’m looking forward to putting on a great show 9/11,” Katar said. “(ASC co-promoter) Sal (LoNano) is a veteran and I know that show is special to him and a lot of other people. So far, everything has been great with ASC. I’m going to see all the action live on July 31. I know everyone has big expectations. They (ASC) have the right idea; Sal came over from boxing, (matchmaker) Gary Marino knows MMA, and (co-promoter) Dave (Garofalo) is a very successful businessman. I’m excited about fighting on the 9/11 show. We’ll see how it goes and take it from there as far as other fights. They’re all good guys and I’m excited to be part of it. I can honestly tell you that they have already taken better care of me than other promoters who’ve put on shows around here.”
Kattar, who now lives in Andover, was a wrestling star at Methuen High. He took a break from college after one semester and realized he missed the competition he had from wrestling. After watching his sister’s friend, Dave George, in an MMA fight, Calvin immediately decided that he wanted to be an MMA fighter and did so. Now based out of Premier Martial Arts in Derry (NH), Kattar made his pro MMA debut after only six months of training, and now the sky appears to be the limit for this popular fighter.
Despite his strong wrestling background, Calvin would prefer to stay on his feet and strike. “I remember feeling after a loss in high school that, if I could have punched my opponent in the face,” Kattar explained, “I would have won. This sport allows me to do that. I prefer to fight on my feet, but I’ve gone to the ground twice, and won by both times by submission.”
Kattar is a natural athlete who has the potential to become an MMA version of boxer “Irish” Micky Ward, who LoNano successfully managed for several years, especially in his Merrimack Valley home base. “I really think we might have a new Micky Ward here,” LoNano remarked. “I see a lot of Micky – his heart, dedication to training and determination – in Calvin. He is the top fighter, MMA or boxing, in the Merrimack Valley area, arguably the best MMA prospect in New England, possibly on the entire East Coast. He can really put on a show. Having him in the main event on our Sept. 11th show is huge for our new company. ASC will show him how we treat fighters and we hope that after his Sept. 11 fight, he’ll sign with us for a series of fights. Calvin Kattar has the whole package to go to the top of the MMA world.”
“Gary Marino is our matchmaker,” Garofalo noted. “It’s his job to scout and recruit talent in New England. He and Sal getting Calvin to sign with us was a grand slam. We’re all very excited about him headlining our September 11th show. I’ve been an MMA fan since UFC1 and I believe Calvin’s going to be a star.”
IFL veteran Lamotte (10-4-0) headlines the July 31st 10-fight card versus Gordon (9-7-0). The co-main event pits unbeaten New York lightweight Pat Audinwood (7-0-0) versus former Cage Fury Fighting champion, “Mr. Big” Al Buck (6-7-0).
UFC pioneer Patrick Smith (16-13-0) makes his New England debut against a fellow UFC veteran, super heavyweight Kevin “The Shamnan” Jordan (11-8-0), in the Super Fight.
Also scheduled to throw-down on the exciting ASC card is middleweight Lamont “The Philly Bad Ass” Lister (6-7-0) vs. Randy “The Savage” Rowe (2-6-0), Worcester featherweight Evan Parker (1-0-0) vs. TBA, lightweight Damien “The Omen” Trites (2-3-0) vs. Joe “The Boneyard Pitbull” Dechaves (3-1-0); lightweight Brian Danner (1-1-0) vs. Chris Foster (3-0-0), welterweight Carlos Nieves (3-6-0) vs. Ryan “The Lion” Schieding (3-1-0); Boston welterweight Nick Drummond (2-0-0) vs. Manchester’s pro debuting Adam “Lone Wolf” McQuaid and Al Germain Sterling faces Ibrahiem Tody, of Allston (MA), in a 145-pound amateur match.
All fights are scheduled for three, three-minute rounds; fighters and fights are subject to change. Tickets, priced at $50.00, $75.00, and $100.00, are available to purchase at Stateline Ticket Agency in Salem (NH) and all Two Guys Smoke Shop stores in Salem, Nashua and Seabrook (NH), as well as by calling toll free 888.224.4272 or going on line to www.AmericanSteelCagefighting.com.
Doors open at 6 PM, first fight at 8 PM. Go to www.AmericanSteelCagefighting.com for additional information.
American Steel Cage Fighting
ASC is co-owned by David Garofalo and Sal LoNano. Garofalo is the proprietor of Two Guys Smoke Shop, in Salem (NH), one of the world’s highest volume independently owned cigar retailer. LoNano, who managed professional boxers “Irish” Micky Ward and former world light welterweight champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi, owns S & L Boxing, which has promoted numerous nationally televised pro boxing shows. Gary Marino is the ASC matchmaker.
-ASC-
Tags: Aaron McKenna > Al Buck > Al Germain Sterling > Albert Reccio > American Steel Cagefighting > ASC > Bobby Stephen > Boston > Cage Fury > Carlos Nieves > Damian Trites > Dave Garofalo > Doug Gordon > ESPN > Evan Parker > Gary Marino > Icenter > Joe DeChaves > John Clark > Kevin Jordan > Lance Everson > Manchester > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Nashua > Nate Lamotte > New Hampshire > NH > Pat Audinwood > Patrick Smith > Ryan Schieding > Sal LoNano > Salem > Stateline Ticket Agency > Super Fight > The Boneyard > Two Guys Smoke Shop > U.S. Navy > Woody Weatherby > Worcester
CARINA “LA REINA” MORENO REPORT
Posted on | July 14, 2009 | No Comments
MARENO GIVES INSPIRATIONAL SPEECH TO LATE GRADUATING STUDENTS IN HER COMMUNITY OF WATSONVILLE CALIFORNIA
Four-time world champion, Carina “La Reina” Moreno (21-1, 6 KO’s), was asked to give a commencement speech to the late 2009 graduates of Aptos, Watsonville and Pajaro Valley High Schools. The ceremony took place at the Mello Center in Watsonville California, where Moreno gave an inspiring speech, congratulating all the students on their accomplishment, struggle and dedication to get their diploma. Students were encouraged to continue the quest for a better education.
“I feel its important that all students to get their diploma and go to college, said Carina. “To build a brighter future for tomorrow, we need to keep the next generation of students in school. It makes me feel good that I was able to give some inspiration to the students that were present. I’m hoping they will continue to better their education.”
MORENO BLOWS THE WHISTLE AT THE START OF THE ROLLER DERBY MATCH BETWEEN THE SANTA CRUZ DERBY GIRLS VS THE BAKERSFIELD REVOLUTION
Carina was the honorary guest asked to blow the whistle at the start of the game between the Santa Cruz Derby Girls versus the Derby Revolution of Bakersfield. She is pictured with announcer Timothy Jordan and Lex Van Den Berghe of “Survivor” along with Steve Wozniak of “Apple” fame. Moreno took pictures with both teams after the match and was asked to try out with the Derby Girls on July 19. Carina feels that she can be a jammer for the Derby Girls with her speed and agility.
“This was a fun event,” said Moreno. “There was a lot of action and the girls are really athletic. I’m looking forward to my invitation to try out for the team.”
Tags: Boxing > Carina Moreno > female boxing > women's boxing
Chambers back on rise after big ring victory
Posted on | July 14, 2009 | 1 Comment
By: Don Steinberg
For The Inquirer
What a difference a gigantic victory can make. Eddie Chambers, the 27-year-old Philadelphia heavyweight contender, talks these days with a new swagger, like a fighter with a bright eye on the future instead of regrets about one bad night last year.
On July 4, in Hamburg, Germany, Chambers established himself as one of the world’s elite heavyweight boxers. He dominated Alexander Dimitrenko, a previously undefeated, 6-foot-7, 254-pound Ukrainian. The win earned Chambers (35-1) a shot at Wladimir Klitschko, the world heavyweight champion, and conceivably a multimillion-dollar payday. That may happen in early 2010.
Against Dimitrenko, Chambers showed superior skills from Round 1 and never let up. He battered Dimitrenko with stiff jabs, hard rights, and fast combinations, blasting the big man with body shots that had him cringing. In Round 10, he decked Dimitrenko with a left hook to the jaw that sent his mouthpiece flying.
“I was jabbing my way in,” the normally humble Chambers said, uncharacteristically brash in describing his victory. “I went to the teeth of the alligator, but I had knives on me, and I was stabbing him in his mouth while I was going inside. Then I got to his heart and dug it out.”
If Chambers is gloating, it’s understandable. His only previous trip to Germany didn’t go as well. In January 2008, he went to Berlin with a similar docket. A win over undefeated Russian Alexander Povetkin would have put Chambers in line for a shot at Klitschko.
Chambers was cruising to victory in the first half of the fight, then inexplicably fizzled and allowed Povetkin to surge back and win. Chambers thinks his head failed more than his body; nervous tension and the magnitude of the moment, in his first time traveling overseas, overwhelmed him.
“I got a little weak in there – mentally weak. And I gave that fight away,” he said.
It was just one loss, but overnight Chambers went from contender to question mark. The Povetkin fight had been on HBO. His next three weren’t televised.
“That one fight turned me from a good six figures [his purse for the Povetkin fight] back to four almost,” he said. “I mean, I lost one fight – and I was winning the fight until I blew it. One fight can do that?”
“After a loss like that, you have a choice: Stay there or you move forward,” said Rob Murray Sr., Chambers’ manager. After the loss, Murray stepped in to become trainer as well. Chambers had been trained for years by his father, Eddie Chambers Sr., who put his son in the ring as a teenager to build his confidence in a tough section of Pittsburgh where Eddie Jr. was harassed by bullies. Murray – who had grown up in Philadelphia gyms, learning from legendary trainers like Yank Durham, and had worked the corner of Bernard Hopkins – became a close family friend. He brought Chambers to Philadelphia and oversaw his growth, including 17 fights at the Blue Horizon from 2002 to 2006.
Under Murray’s training, Chambers won three low-profile fights in 2008, then in March beat former champion Samuel Peter to earn a ticket back to Germany – a second chance. Murray took Chambers to train in the Poconos. They worked on technique, analyzed films of greats like Joe Louis beating bigger opponents. They brought in a conditioning coach and put Chambers on a diet, honing him from a flabby 223 pounds to a muscular 208.
“If you’d have cut my head off, you wouldn’t even have recognized who it was,” Chambers said.
His head changed, too.
“We got away from the negative energy,” Chambers said.
In Hamburg, at the hotel before this month’s fight, Rob Murray Jr., who does promotions for Team Chambers, showed the heavyweight a passage in an old book, The Greatest Salesman in the World, by Og Mandino. It was about taking advantage of what’s in front of you.
“It just made me just relax,” Chambers said. “I knew I was in shape. I just had to go out and perform, not worry about failure. Act now.”
He did.
On Friday, the elder Murray hosted a celebratory cookout for Chambers. They had a cake made that said “Team Chambers Independence Day.”
“Hey, champ!” someone yelled when Chambers arrived. Champ? Not yet.
Klitschko is bigger (6-6) and more experienced (50-3, 47 knockouts) than Chambers. But in 2006, the 6-1 Chambers sparred with Klitschko and was able to muscle him around. Who knows what’s possible?
“The change in Eddie mentally and physically was apparent,” Dan Goossen, Chambers’ promoter, said after the fight. He called the win over Dimitrenko a “performance we believed he always had in him.”
Now, Goossen said, “I don’t care who the champion is, how big they are. Eddie Chambers showed that he can be a giant-killer.”
Tags: Alexander Dimitrenko > Alexander Povetkin > Boxing > Eddie Chambers > heavyweight > July 4
Mayweather Vs. Marquez “Numero Uno” Conference Call Audio
Posted on | July 14, 2009 | 1 Comment
Floyd Mayweather, Richard Schaeffer, and Leonard Ellerbe all chat in the first hour with reporters eager for all kinds of answers about what Floyd is thinking and doing leading up to the Marquez fight in September.
The second portion features Juan Manuel Marquez and Oscar De La Hoya with their commentary on all the pre-fight hype and what to expect out of Juan on September 19th.
Some great insight here on Floyd’s “freak accident” injury he would not fully explain. Also interesting is all the mending fences he’s accomplished with his father. Also, neither fighter seems to want to specify whether the fight is at 143 pounds or 147.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE FULL RECORDING
Tags: Boxing > comeback > Floyd Mayweather > Golden Boy Promotions > Jr. > Juan Manuel Marquez > Oscar De La Hoya
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