WTKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS & MARTIAL MARATHON (4th – 8th November 2009)

Posted on | March 3, 2009 | No Comments

CarraraFiere Complex Sport Hall
Marina di Carrara – ITALY
Marathon of Martial Arts 2009

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Dear Martial Arts and Combat Sport Instructors,

this Organizing Committee would like to give you some specific information about the WTKA World Championships & Martial Arts Marathon specialties and competitions that will be held in Italy (Marina di Carrara – Tuscany) from 4th to 8th November 2009:

1) Karate competitors may compete obviously in all Karate Competitions (Kata – Kumite – Karate Pointe – Karate Self Defence – Kobudo) but also in other specialties of Open All Styles Section. In fact they may compete in Point Fighting (Semi Contact), in Traditional Forms (with or without weapons), in Free Style Forms/Creative Forms, and in Self Defence Traditional and Self defence Scenic etc.

2) Kickboxing competitors may compete obviously in all Kickboxing Competitions (Point Fighting/Semi Contact – Continuous Sparring/Light Contact – Low Kickboxing Light – K1 Light – Thai Light – Full Contact – Low Kick – K1 – Thai Boxe) but also in other specialties of Open All Styles Section. In fact they may compete in Point Karate but dressing Karate – Gi, etc.

3) Taekwondo competitors may compete obviously in all Taekwondo Competitions (Forms – Fighting) but also in other specialties of Open All Styles Section. In fact they may compete in Point Fighting (Semi Contact), in Traditional Forms (with or without weapons), in Free Style Forms/Creative Forms, in Extreme Forms and in Self Defence Traditional, Self Defence Scenic, Breaking etc..

4) Kung Fu competitors may compete obviously in all Kung Fu Competitions (Forms – Fighting – Tai Chi) but also in other specialties of Open All Styles Section. In fact they may compete in Point Fighting (Semi Contact), Total Free Light Combat, in Traditional Forms (with or without weapons), in Free Style Forms/Creative Forms, in Extreme Forms and in Self Defence Traditional, Self defence Scenic in Breaking etc..

5) Open All Styles competitors (coming from any martial Arts Styles: Ju Jitsu, Krav Maga, Aikido, Karate, Taekwondo, Kung Fu, Lao Long Dao, Wing Tsun, Capoeira, Ninjutsu etc.) may compete in All Styles Competitions: Point Fighting (Semi Contact) – Continuous Sparring (Light Contact) – Free Total Light Combat – Traditional Forms – Free Styles Forms – Extreme Forms – Self Defence Traditional – Self Defence Scenic – Self Defence Street – Submission Wrestling – Nippon Kempo – Nunchaku Fighting – Breaking Techniques etc..

In this way all Competitors have the possibility to compete in more than one specialty in different Sections.
And above all Competitors have the opportunity to compete not only with Competitors of their same Sector but also with Competitors of every Martial Arts Styles in the Open All Styles Section competitions.

For the greatest Event in the World!!!

Every National Team, every School, every Association and Club coming from any Federation may attend the Tournament without any restriction.

This Organizing Committee remain at your complete disposal in order to give you all necessary detailed information. So please don’t hesitate to contact us by e-mail or by phone.

Best regards
Cristiano Radicchi
Organizing Committee
Mobile: 0039 339 4117737
Office phone & fax: 0039 0585 861280 – 0039 0585 240851
E-mail: info@wtkainternational.com
E-mail: info@wtkainternational.it
Website: www.wtkainternational.com
Website: www.wtkainternational.it

World Championship Fighting Announces Autograph Session with UFC, WEC and Affliction Fighters

Posted on | March 3, 2009 | No Comments

World Championship Fighting is proud to announce a special autograph signing to ticket holders for the March 14th event. Expected in attendance include UFC Fighters: Marcus “the Irish Hand Grenade” Davis, Jorge ” El Conquistador” Rivera, Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon, Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon, and internet legend Sean “The Gladiator” Gannon. Also on hand will be WEC star and welterweight contender Mike Campbell.The autograph session will begin at 5:00PM and will conclude at 6:30PM, so get your tickets now and be first in line for the autograph session!

** Lineup Subject To Change **
Our list of guests for the autograph session is a who’s who of local talent. Marcus the “Irish Hand Grenade” Davis is a top 10 ranked Welterweight Fighter who starred in season 2 of the reality hit TV series The Ultimate Fighter.

The Lauzon brothers, Joe and Dan, will also be on hand. Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon is a UFC Veteran, fresh off an exciting win against Jeremy Stevens on Feb 3rd.

Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon is the youngest person to ever compete in the UFC at the age of 18. Dan is no stranger to the WCF having won all four of his WCF fights in spectacular fashion and is coming off a win on Affliction.

WCF is proud to have the internet legend Sean “The Gladiator” Gannon on hand for the autograph signing. Sean is the first person to beat Kimbo Slice in a fight and the footage of this fight continues to attract thousands of viewers.

In addition to the autograph session, there is an action packed night of fights including Mike Dolce from the Ultimate Fighter Season 7, John Benoit, Dan Bonnell, Greg Rebello, Scott Rehm and many more!

The World Championship Fighting event takes place live, March 14th at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington Massachusetts. We’ll see you at the fights!

About World Championship Fighting: World Championship Fighting is a Boston based company specializing in live Mixed Martial Arts events. With major media coverage by ESPN, NBCsports.com and HDNet, World Championship Fighting has established itself as the premiere Mixed Martial Arts organization on the East Coast. Founded in June of 2006, World Championship Fighting continues to raise the bar of excellence in live Mixed Martial Arts events.

*Fight card subject to change.*

WHERE: Aleppo Shriners Auditorium, 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington, MA 01887
WHEN:Saturday March 14th, 2009. Doors open at 6:30PM, first fight at 7:30PM.

Ticket Prices: $40, $45, $65, $100, $250

Tickets on Sale Now. CLICK HERE for tickets. Or charge by phone at: 1-800-595-4849 Toll Free.

Hotel Accommodations:
Special Fight Night hotel rates for World Championship Fighting 6 fans at the Holiday Inn Express North Andover. Call the hotel directly at 978-975-4050 and ask for the “WCG friends and family” group rate of $65.

Holiday Inn Express North Andover
224 WINTHROP AVE.
LAWRENCE, MA 01843
Phone: 978-975-4050

To book:
– Call the hotel directly at (978) 975-4050 and ask for the “WCF” group rate.
Holiday Express Inn North Andover is the official hotel of World Championship Fighting 6
Remember to Save The Date :Saturday, March 14th, 2008!

Please forward this message to all of your friends and spread the news!

For additional information, media contacts or sponsorship opportunities contact info@wcfighting.com.

Gleason’s Gym Newsletter

Posted on | March 3, 2009 | No Comments

Free Tutoring and Homework Help

Starting March 3, 2009, Gleason’s Gym along with 826NYC will offer free drop-in homework help at Gleason’s Gym. Tutors will be available and ready to assist with homework, writing assignments, creative writing, and publishing projects. No registration is necessary-students may drop in to receive 10 minutes to 2 full hours of one-on-one homework help. The cost is free. For more information call Gleason’s at (718) 797-2872 or 826NYC at (718) 499-9884.

Golden Gloves Boxing Tuesday Night March 10

Gleason’s Gym, Inc. is sponsoring a Daily News Golden Gloves show on March 10, 2009. The show will feature the 165 lb open and 141 lb novice class boxers. The entrance fee is $25.00. The first bout will start at 7:30PM. The show will be at The Masonic Temple, 317 Clermont Ave., Brooklyn, NY 12205. Transportation: G train to Clinton/Washington Aves. C train to Lafayette Ave.

Tickets on Sale St. Patrick’s Eve March 16

Irish Ropes Presents “Erin Go Brawl II” Irish Professional Boxing. Featuring: Andy Lee, Wayne McCullough, Dean Byrne, Eddie Hyland, Simon O’Donnell, Danny McDermott, Danny O’Conner and Sadam Ali. Prices range from $400 to $50. Cash or credit cards are accepted

Tickets on Sale March 20 Golden Gloves Quarter Finals

The Sportsmen’s Club of Local 3 proudly presents a Quarter Final Golden Gloves show. The event will be at The Electrical Industries Center at 67-35 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, New York. All labor is donated. Ticket price is $30.00. This show is always sold out. Buy your tickets early.

Oriental Sports Medicine Clinic March 21

“Improve your boxing with Oriental Sports Medicine”

This informative 90-minute, hands on workshop will teach you easy to learn Oriental Sports Medicine skills you can use to speed injury recovery, maintain strength & energy, and increase your boxing performance potential. You’ll also be introduced to the powerful healing effects of Acupuncture & taught how to integrate Oriental Sport Medicine techniques into your training regimen. Darryl Aiken-Afam & Grace Rollins of Sencha Wellness Center, Dumbo are your presenters.

Tickets on Sale April 3 Semi-Finals

The Daily News presents the Semi-final bouts on Friday April 3rd. The location is The Aviator Sports Center, Hangar 5, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, New York. The ticket price is $25. Help support amateur boxing and the Golden Gloves. Buy tickets.

Gleason’s Amateur Show May 16

Our next Amateur Boxing Club Show Will be May 16. All bouts are pre-matched by New York’s finest matchmaker, Angela Querol. If you wish to participate call Angela at (718) 797-2872. Masters, Juniors and Seniors are all welcome. The weigh in will start at 5:30 PM and the first bout will be at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for gym members and amateur fighters with passbook in hand.

‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley and Naazim Richardson Help Jamaal ‘Da Truth’ Davis Prepare For 6th March Showdown

Posted on | March 3, 2009 | No Comments

Philadelphia – 3rd March 2009.

Popular Philadelphia Middleweight Jamaal ‘Da Truth’ Davis, better known around the boxing scene as ‘Tyson’, spends his final day at ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley’s Big Bear, California; training camp where he has been preparing for his first fight, at the Legendary Blue Horizon on Friday 6th March
2009, since being signed by promoter Russell Peltz.

‘Tyson’ was signed by Peltz Boxing following his magnificent win, over fellow Philly fighter Chris Hall 3(2KOs)-5-1, at the National Guard Armory, Philadelphia on Saturday 4th October ‘08, and the spontaneous, emotionally charged, thirty minute plus post victory reception he received from the huge crowd, which included many of Philadelphia’s biggest boxing names including Cruiserweight King, Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, NABA Light Heavyweight Champ, Yusaf Mack, Former Jnr. Middleweight World Champions Robert ‘Bam Bam’ Hines and Kassim ‘The Dream’ Ouma, former Heavyweight Champion of the World, ‘Terrible’ Tim Witherspoon and Hall of Famer Jeff Chandler.

Jamaal is being prepared for this fight by his long time trainer Shar’ron Baker and esteemed coach Brother Naazim Richardson as well as sparring with Brother Naazim’s Concrete Jungle Boxing Tribe members, spoke briefly prior to starting his final day at camp. “I’m ready to fight. I couldn’t be better prepared, the facilities and people here are first class. I’ve been to camp before, but that was to help others. It’s awesome to think that Shar’ron, Naz and all these great fighters are taking the time to help me get ready. You know, Naz’s last two fighters were Bernard (Hopkins) and Shane (Mosley), and he’s helping me. Awesome. I’m hundred percent ready for anyone.

I can’t thank Shane, Naazim, Shar’ron, Rock, Dynamite, Khalib and Smash enough. These guys are the best. This place is awesome. I’m so blessed to have them, as well as the support of Rob (Epstein) and Diane (Bennett) of DiamondBoxing, who are sponsoring me and the American Cancer Society again. These are really great people that really believe in me and the campaign. I can’t thank them enough, they gave me a hundred percent and I’m going to give a hundred percent in the fight for them,
Patrilla (his young wife who passed away in December 2007) and the American Cancer Society.”

Jamaal’s ever present coach, Shar’ron Baker added. “Tyson has gotten in alot of good sparring with Rock Allen, Karl ‘Dynamite’ Dargan, Khalib ‘Big Foot’ Whitmore and Carl ‘Smash’ Scarborough. He’s looking fit and ready for any test set before him. Even though we have about a few days to go before we return to Philly’ Tyson is ready to go now!!! We’d like to give a shout out to ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley thanking him for allowing us to use his training facilities and an even bigger shout out to Brother Naazim
Richardson for making it all possible.”

The ever popular Jamaal 8(6KOs)-4, will be entering the ring, when he faces Wilmington, Delaware’s Clarence ‘Sonny Bono’ Taylor 13 (6KOs)-20-3 at the Legendary Blue Horizon in his home town of Philadelphia at the Russell Peltz/Joe Hand promoted March 6th event, wearing the distinctive pink Diamond Boxing/American Cancer Society T-Shirt as he did for his previous fight. All sponsorship monies are to be donated to The American Cancer Society in the name of his young bride, Patrilla, who passed away just one week before Christmas 2007 after battling breast cancer for many years.

Diane Bennett from DiamondBoxing.com said of their support for Jamaal. “Diamond Boxing is once again proud and honored to help Jamaal raise money for The American Cancer Society.

We are so proud of Jamaal who has dedicated his boxing career and more to his beloved wife.

Diamond Boxing ‘Fight For the Cure’ pink t-shirts will be available for sale at the fight, the profits will be donated to the American Cancer Society.”

The 6th March fight is headlined by fellow Philadelphian Mike Jones who defends his NABA welterweight title against Los Angeles, California’s Larry Mosley.

The full undercard includes:

8 Round – Super Bantamweight:

Teon Kennedy, Philadelphia, PA, vs. Andre Wilson, St.Joseph, MO

6 Round – Super Middleweight:

Dennis Hasson, Philadelphia, PA, vs. Garrett Wilson, Philadelphia, PA,

6 Round – Lightweight:

Victor Vasquez, Philadelphia, PA, vs. Rod Salka, Bunola, PA,

6 Round – Middleweight:

Jamaal Davis, Philadelphia, PA, vs. Clarence Taylor, Wilmington, DE,

8 Round – Welterweight:

Kaseem Wilson, Philadelphia, PA, vs. Martinus Clay, Norristown, PA,

4 Round – Junior Middleweight:

Alex Sanchez, Camden, NJ, vs. Tyrone Miles, Camden, NJ,

4 Round – Junior Lightweight:

Derrick Bivins, Philadelphia, PA, vs. Luis Esquilin, Philadelphia, PA,

Date:

Friday, 6th March 2009

Location:

The Legendary Blue Horizon
North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA.

Tickets priced at $60 and $45 are on sale at Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922), Joe Hand Promotions (215-364-9000) or online at www.peltzboxing.com. (Peltz Boxing & Joe Hand Promotions).

“FIGHT 2 THA FINISH” TV ENDORSES JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ AS THE NEW POUND 4 POUND BOXING KING !!

Posted on | March 3, 2009 | No Comments

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (March 2, 2009) – Grind 2 Def Entertainment presents “FIGHT 2 THA FINISH” TV a totally uncensored look into to the world of pro boxing.

Check out this week’s new episode of “Fight 2 Tha Finish” TV for commentary on WBA/WBO/IBO & Ring Magazine lightweight champion of the world Juan Manuel Marquez and his devastating KO victory over former unified lightweight champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz.

Also tune in as “FIGHT 2 THA FINISH” TV becomes the first media outlet to officially endorse Juan Manuel Marquez as the new #1 pound for pound boxer in the world.

To watch “FIGHT 2 THA FINISH” TV click on the link below.

Juan Manuel Marquez New #1 Pound 4 Pound King Commentary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6cFPz5YZKM

Pro boxers or hip-hop artists who are boxing fans & interested in appearing on “FIGHT 2 THA FINISH” TV should contact Macke Roberts by E-mail: grind2def@yahoo.com or Ph# (702) 372-8450

Companies interested in advertising on “FIGHT 2 THA FINISH” TV should contact Macke Roberts by E-mail: grind2def@yahoo.com or Ph# (702) 372-8450

To find out more info about Grind 2 Def Entertainment visit our website at http://www.myspace.com/grind2def

McCullough wants one more title shot before hanging up gloves

Posted on | March 2, 2009 | No Comments

St. Patrick’s Day Eve, Monday Night, Mar. 16, WaMu Theater in MSG

Sean Mannion to be honored for 25th anniversary of world title fight at MSG

NEW YORK (March 2, 2009) – Former WBC bantamweight champion and 1992 Olympic silver medalist, Wayne “Pocket Rocket” McCullough, wants one more world title shot at that’s why he’s fighting St. Patrick’s Day Eve (Monday, March 16) “Erin Go Brawl II” card, presented by Irish Ropes Promotions, at WaMu Theater in the famed Madison Square Garden.

Limerick’s 2004 Irish Olympian Andy Lee (16-1, 13 KOs), 14 years younger than his 38-year-old hero, McCullough, headlines in the 10-round main event against 3-time world title challenger Antwun “Kid Dynamite” Echols (31-9-4, 27 KOs).

McCullough (27-7, 18 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas by way of Belfast, takes on Mexican super bantamweight Alex “El Diablo” Becerra (19-7, 9 KOs), in the 10 round co-feature.

“Andy Lee was the only one on the Ireland’s 2004 Olympic Boxing Team,” McCullough spoke about his warm relationship with Lee. “I’ve always supported him and feel that he’s good for Irish boxing. We’ve kept in touch and we’re behind each other 100-percent. I believe he will be world champion. I’m looking forward to fighting again on the East Coast and in Madison Square Garden. The Irish packed the house when I fought in New York (1993), Boston (1993 & 1997) or Atlantic City (1998). There are Irish on the West Coast but not as many as on the East Coast. If we brought them all back to Ireland the island would sink.

“My goal is to become world champion within two years. It’s all about promoting and I thank Irish Ropes and Cedric Kushner for this opportunity to fight on St. Patrick’s Day Eve in Madison Square Garden. I should be a 3-time world champion because a lot of people thought I won against (Daniel) Zaragoza and the first (Oscar) Larios fight. I’m 38 but I’ve taken good care of my body. I’m an Irish guy who doesn’t drink and I have a gym in my home. I’m like Bernard Hopkins.”

Making his New York City debut in an 8-round bout is unbeaten light welterweight Dean “Irish Lightning” Byrne, who was an Irish National champion when he lived in Crumlin, and he later captured the Australian light welterweight title in his fifth pro fight. Byrne (10-0, 4 KOs), now fights out of Los Angeles, where he’s trained by Freddie Roach and has sparred at the Wild Card Gym with superstars Manny Pacquiao, Amir Kahn, Juan Marquez and even Oscar De La Hoya for a few rounds.

“He’s a tough kid who is a really good fighter but doesn’t know it yet,” Roach spoke about Byrne. “He’s learning to sit-down on his punches and has had two knockouts since he’s been with me. Dean’s learned a lot sparring with Manny, Amir and the others. He’s a lot of fun to watch, very exciting and cleaver for a young man. Early in his career he fought 10 rounds for the Australian title, so he already has that experience. He’s one of my best prospects.”

Scheduled to fight in 6-rounders on “Erin Go Brawl II” are Irish super featherweight champion Eddie “Pride of Tallaght” Hyland (11-1, 3 KOs), of Dublin; Philadelphia by way of Galway middleweight “Slick Fightin’Irish” Simon O’Donnell (8-1, 5 KOs); Limerick light heavyweight Jamie Power (4-0, 2 KOs) against Reggie “Concrete” LaCrete (4-0-2, 3 KOs), from Brooklyn; Jersey City super featherweight Danny “Little Mac” McDermott (7-1-1, 2 KOs).

Also on the card in 4-round matches are Massachusetts light welterweight Danny O’Connor (4-0, 1 KO), 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate; Brooklyn featherweight Sadam Ali (1-0, 1 KO), 2008 U.S. Olympian; former St. Xavier College star football player Tommy Brown, fighting out of Chicago and trained by Kevin Rooney, making his pro debut in the light middleweight division.

County Galway’s Sean Mannion (42-14-1, 14 KOs) will be honored at “Erin Go Brawl II” in honor of the 25th anniversary of his WBA light middleweight title fight at Madison Square Garden against the eventual champion Mike “The Bodysnatcher” McCallum.

Tickets, priced at $50.00, $75.00, $100.00, $150.00, $200.00, and $300.00, are on sale at TicketMaster.com as well as Jack Demsey’s in Manhattan, Hilltop in Elmhurst, and the Heritage in Yonkers.

For more information call Irish Ropes Promotions (212.868.9544) or go on line to www.irishropespromotions.com.

-IRP-

Khan next on Barrera’s hit list

Posted on | March 2, 2009 | No Comments

“Don’t forget what I did to Prince Naseem Hamed”

Mar. 14 PPV show also features Maccarinelli-Afolabi & Cook-Martinez title fights

HOBOKEN, N.J. (March 2, 2009) – The 12-round main event March 14th between 22-year-old lightweight prospect Amir Khan and Hall of Fame bound multiple world champion, “The Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera, shapes up as a potential classic at The M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom. Khan (19-1, 15 KOs), 2004 Olympic silver medallist, defends his WBA International lightweight crown against Barrera (65-6, 43 KOs) in a 12-round bout. Barrera, rated No. 1 by the WBO, has already captured the WBO super bantamweight (three times), WBC and IBO featherweight, WBC and IBF super featherweight titles. The Mexican icon has defeated a Who’s Who of contemporary world champions and/or challengers during his sensational 19-year pro career such as Erik Morales (twice), Paulie Ayala, Prince Naseem Hamed, Kevin Kelly, Johnny Tapia, Robbie Peden, Mzonke Fana, and Rocky Juarez (twice).

“The reason I took this fight is because a win here puts me in line to realize my top remaining goal to become the first Mexican-born fighter to win world championships in four separate weight divisions,” Barrera said. “I’ve been world champion in three weight divisions (122, 126 and 130) and my goal is to win a world championship in the lightweight division. I don’t want to wait. I want to get there as fast as I can. A win over Khan puts me right where I want to be.

“I will beat Khan because I have more experience than him and I’m still a much better fighter than he is. Khan is tall and has a good jab and hand speed. He is a good young fighter but there’s nothing he can do between now and March 14 to surpass my skills and experience. Jose Luis Balbuena and Kennedy McKinney are two fighters I successfully defended my WBO super bantamweight titles that I can compare to Khan. They were both good fighters with good hand speed that I was able to defeat. McKinney won an Olympic gold medal. Don’t forget what I did to Prince Naseem Hamed, too, another highly-touted guy with fast hands.”

Integrated Sports is distributing three 12-round championship bouts featured on the “Khan-Barrera” pay-per-view card, presented by Frank Warren, in North America for live viewing at 4 PM/ET – 1 PM/PT on cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network in the United States, as well as Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. Veteran blow-by-blow announcer Ian Darke and color analyst, former WBC lightweight champion Jim Watt, will be calling the action from ringside for Sky Box Office and Integrated Sports PPV.

In addition to Khan-Barrera, two other fights will be broadcast on PPV: former WBO cruiserweight title-holder Enzo Maccarinelli (29-2, 22 KOs), the No. 1 contender, battles No. 2 rated and NABO champ Ola “Kryptonite” Afolabi (13-1-3, 5 KOs) for the vacant WBO cruiserweight championship; WBO super middleweight champion Nicky “Cookie” Cook (29-1, 16 KOs) defends his title belt against undefeated No. 1 contender Roman “Rocky” Martinez (21-0-1, 12 KOs).

The Ring No. 6 rated Maccarinelli beat Mohamed Azzaoui, Wayne Braithwaite, Bobby Gunn, Marcelo Fabian Dominguez and Mark Hobson (twice) during his WBO title reign (2006-2008). London-born Afolabi, now living in California, captured the NABO crown last April with a 10th round TKO of previously unbeaten Eric Fields.

Former European champion Cook, rated No. 6 by The Ring, won the WBO super featherweight title via a 12-round unanimous decision in his last fight against Alex Arthur (26-1). NABO super featherweight title-holder Martinez, fighting out of his native Puerto Rico, is rankd WBA No. 9 by The Ring.

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 boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton, Christian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Nicolai Valuev 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. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.

-IS-

MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO and RICKY “Hitman” HATTON OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE THEIR MAY 2 SHOWDOWN

Posted on | March 2, 2009 | No Comments

“THE BATTLE OF EAST AND WEST”

WORLD JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR SATURDAY, MAY 2 AT MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS

LIVE ON HBO PAY-PER-VIEW

LAS VEGAS (March 2, 2009) – The anticipation is growing and the stage is now set for two of boxing’s biggest stars, Ring Magazine’s number one ranked pound for pound fighter MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO and IBO and Ring Magazine World Junior Welterweight Champion RICKY “The Hitman” HATTON to meet in “The Battle of East and West,” Saturday, May 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. These two boxing artists, who will rumble for Hatton’s World Junior Welterweight Championships, will have a 20 x 20 foot canvas to paint a black and blue masterpiece that the world is anxiously waiting to see. Pacquiao and Hatton boast a combined record of 93-4-2 (68 KOs), a winning percentage of 94% and a victory by knockout ratio of 73%. The bout will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Pacquiao vs. Hatton “The Battle of East and West,” presented by Rockstar Energy Drink and promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Hatton Promotions is a 12-round bout for Hatton’s IBO and Ring Magazine World Junior Welterweight title. The fight is also sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines. Tickets, priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150, can be purchased through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available online at www.mgmgrand.com.

“When Manny Pacquiao goes into the ring he fights for his country, the Philippines, and millions of Filipinos worldwide,” said Bob Arum, Chairman, Top Rank, Inc. “He is a tremendous athlete and unlike any other champion we have ever promoted. When Manny walks to the ring he carries the weight of his country on his shoulders and he fights with all of his heart, every second of every round.”

“We are very excited that this fight has been made, as it is the fight fans wanted and the one I look forward to seeing myself,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “This fight has all the makings of a “Fight of the Year” candidate and I think Hatton will dethrone Pacquiao and become boxing’s pound-for-pound king.”

“MGM Grand is thrilled to be hosting what we anticipate will be one of the biggest fights of 2009,” said Richard Sturm, president of Sports and Entertainment for MGM MIRAGE. “As we continue our tradition of hosting the top names in sports and entertainment, this spectacular boxing match will not only be a battle between two great champions but will offeran electric and international atmosphere for the fans.”

“Pacquiao-Hatton features two of the sport’s biggest and most exciting stars — the Pacman against the Hitman — in a battle to determine who is The Man,” said Mark Taffet, HBO Senior Vice President of Sports Operations & Pay-Per-View.

Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) secured his claim as the 2008 Fighter of the Year, a year reminiscent of what Hall of Fame fighter Henry Armstrong did in 1937-1938, winning three fights in three different weight divisions, two of which were world titles. Armstrong is the only man to hold three world championships simultaneously, capturing world titles at featherweight, welterweight and lightweight (in that order) during a nine-month span between November 1937 and August 1938. Pacquiao, officially proclaimed a National Treasure by the Philippines, captured the WBC World Super Featherweight title last March by defeating Juan Manuel Marquez and the WBC World Lightweight title in June by knocking out defending champion David Diaz. He completed his personal trifecta by stopping Oscar de la Hoya in a welterweight battle on December 6. Pacquiao’s last two victories were in his debut fight in each weight division with the latter fight being two full divisions above his previous fight. Pacquiao, 30, has won 24 of his last 25 bouts, blitzing through boxing’s best fighters since 2003 including Erik Morales (TKO 10, KO 3,), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Marquez (D 12, W 12,), Diaz (TKO 9) and De La Hoya (KO 8). Pacquiao was previously named the 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine.

“I always like new challenges and this is why I am anxious to fight Ricky Hatton,” said Pacquiao. “My trainer Freddie Roach will put together a new game plan which will be much different than the one we used against Oscar (de la Hoya). Hatton is a very strong puncher so I must deal with that in the ring. I promise I will be completely prepared and will do my best for all of my fans in the Philippines and around the world.”

The storied career of Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs), an international superstar hailing from Manchester, England, began in 1997 and for the last 12 years he has been thrilling fight fans around the world with his aggressive style in the ring and down to earth attitude outside of the ring. Owner of victories over world champions Kostya Tszyu, Vince Phillips, Paulie Malignaggi, Luis Collazo, Jose Luis Castillo, Juan Urango and Carlos Maussa, Hatton is a two division world champion. He fell short of the pound-for-pound best fighter title and world welterweight championships in his 2007 super-fight against Floyd Mayweather. However, the 30-year-old bounced back impressively at his natural weight of 140 pounds last May when he scored a near shutout 12-round unanimous decision over Juan Lazcano. His most recent fight was a scintillating shutout performance against world champion Malignaggi last November, ending with an 11th round TKO for “The Hitman.” Hatton was honored as the 2005 Fighter of the Year by Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America.

“I’m really excited to get back in the ring in Vegas after knocking out Malignaggi in November,” said Hatton. “I am confident that I am the fighter to take down the pound-for-pound champion and I believe I will be victorious on May 2nd.”

The MGM Grand Garden Arena is home to concerts, championship boxing and premier sporting and special events. The Arena offers comfortable seating for as many as 16,800 with excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting and sound. Prominent events to date have included world championship fights between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson as well as Oscar De La Hoya vs. Bernard Hopkins and George Foreman vs. Michael Moorer; and concerts by The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, Gloria Estefan, Janet Jackson, Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Backstreet Boys, ‘N Sync, Sting, Jimmy Buffett and the Barbra Streisand Millennium Concert. The MGM Grand Garden Arena is also home to the annual FOX Billboard Music Awards, the annual Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children Benefit and the Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMA). For room packages and availability at MGM Grand, call (800) 929-1111 or (702) 891-7777 or log onto the World Wide Web at www.mgmgrand.com.

The Pacquiao vs. Hatton 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 is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Hatton fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

Please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.toprank.com or www.rickyhitmanhatton.com for upcoming announcements.

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