Breakfast with Fedor

Posted on | November 3, 2011 | No Comments

Fedor vs. Monson Moscow, Russia   Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 Live on Pay Per View — 7:30 AM/ET  4:30 AM/PT Plus Replays

Mixed Martial Arts Links (11-3-11)

Posted on | November 3, 2011 | No Comments

Bellator deal could reshape MMA landscape Yahoo! Eurosport UK US MMA expert Dave Meltzer says that Viacom’s investment in Bellator could have long-term implications for the industry. Television giant Viacom’s recent purchase of a majority interest in the tournament Bellator Fighting Championships shows that for … See all stories on this topic »    Yahoo! Eurosport UK

Munoz, Leben lead UFC’s lone UK foray in 2011 USA Today His last two victories came against highly accomplished judoka Yoshihiro Akiyama and two-time All-American wrestler Aaron Simpson, one of Munoz’s close friends in mixed martial arts. Despite their relationship, Munoz fought Simpson almost a year ago, … See all stories on this topic »    USA Today

MMA Top 10 Welterweights: Nick Diaz Belongs at No. 2 MMAFighting.com 2 fighter in mixed martial arts at 170 pounds. So as we rank the Top 10 welterweights in MMA, GSP stays on top with Diaz on his heels. Find out how we rate the rest of the division below. 1. Georges St. Pierre (1): St. Pierre has really never been … See all stories on this topic »

Rashad Evans: Donald Cerrone’s growth in MMA is ‘ridiculous’ MMAmania.com Donald Cerrone is riding one of the hottest streaks in mixed martial arts (MMA) today, winning four straight in the UFC’s stacked lightweight division. Perhaps even more impressive is that “Cowboy” has done it all in a span of only eight months. … See all stories on this topic »

MMA NEWS: UNIVERSAL REALITY COMBAT CHAMPIONSHIP – URRC 20 PREVIEW, 11/5/11 Sports Chat Place Philippine Based URRC Emerging as a Top Asian MMA Promotion November 2002 saw the debut of a full-fledged mixed martial arts tournament in the Philippines with the Universal Reality Combat Championship opening its doors to 5000 fans. … See all stories on this topic »     Sports Chat Place

Mixed martial arts isn’t just for men WPSD Local 6 From there, her passion spread to mixed martial arts fighting, and trainers Shull and Michael Shucraft were there to push her along. “They kind of treated me like one of the guys, and just threw me in there and didn’t treat me any different because I … See all stories on this topic »

Penn flip-flops on retirement Toronto Sun Following his loss to Nick Diaz at UFC 137, BJ Penn announced he would retire from mixed martial arts. Now, however, talk of his retirements seems to be a bit premature after his Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach, Alana Goes, came out and said Penn would … See all stories on this topic »

MMA NEWS: SUPERIOR CAGE COMBAT- SCC 3 PREVIEW, 11/4/11 Sports Chat Place … bout featuring experienced veteran Alonzo Martinez taking on Brazilian Porifirio Alves, Jr. If the third installment of SCC is anything like the first two, the crowd at the Orleans Arena should be in for a fine night of mixed martial arts action. … See all stories on this topic »    Sports Chat Place

Young Oglala Sioux Boys Already Mixed Martial Arts Champions Indian Country Today Media Network.com The boys are early masters of martial arts who train in MMA, wrestling, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. “We’ve already traveled to many states, places like Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Illinois, and New Jersey, to fight the best kids in the country and … See all stories on this topic » Indian Country Today Media Network.com

UFC’s BJ Penn, Cro Cop And Brandon Vera: Missed Opportunities And Unfulfilled … MMA Nation For fans, mixed martial arts (MMA) is an escape. After another grueling week of under achievement and humiliation in our pathetic little personal and professional lives, we round up our buddies, grab a few six packs and sit our fat selves in our seats … See all stories on this topic » MMA Nation

Abbott Rejects Gunn’s Offer

Posted on | November 3, 2011 | No Comments

In response to a recent challenge by former 7-time cruiserweight champion and current world heavyweight bareknuckle champion Bobby Gunn, Tank Abbott’s agent Timothy Beal declined the fight.

Over the past week Bobby Gunn was quoted as saying he would openly challenge former UFC heavyweight Tank Abbot for the world heavyweight bareknuckle boxing championship, but Tank has been hesitant in responding.

Earlier this evening, Beal called Team Gunn, stating “We will not fight for less than $50,000. Tank Abbot is a legend, and Bobby Gunn isn’t a big enough name for us.”

Team Gunn responded by offering Tank Abbott a generous offer in addition to PPV and ticket royalties. Again, Beal responded Team Abbott won’t accept the fight.

“I think this is a pure indication that Tank Abbot doesn’t want this fight,” said Bobby Gunn. “Years ago he claimed to be one of the best street fighters, and now he has the chance to prove it by fighting for the world bareknuckle title.”

Currently Bobby Gunn and James Quinn are scheduled to fight for the world heavyweight bareknuckle boxing championship in February of 2012. This bout will feature two of the most revered bareknuckle fighters of our time, and will surely pave the road to a long and exciting future for bareknuckle boxing.

“Tank Abbott claims to be the best, and now he has a chance to fight for it,” said Gunn. “If he doesn’t step up, then we know he didn’t want to add another loss to his record.”

“When we conduct business and setup a fight, it is as gentlemen, not as fighters,” said Gunn.  “In response to this, Abbott’s team was anything but gentlemanly; they want to live in the past when Abbott was a somebody.”

“The bottom line is that Tank overprices himself, and he doesn’t want a real fight,” said Gunn.  “The only champion he is nowadays is the champion of eating chili dogs and drinking beers.”

Long-time Chicago Promotional Rivals Join Forces

Posted on | November 3, 2011 | No Comments

The two premier boxing promoters in the Chicagoland area say they are fed up with Illinois commission’s recent spate of rules changes that, they say, make it much more difficult to promote an event in the state.

Bobby Hitz, Founder of Hitz Boxing and Domenic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, say they will meet together with state representatives this week with a list of grievances about the state’s latest round of rule changes.

Already having recently increased their basic fees (some as high as 1000% or more), yesterday (November 1) Rafael Caro II, Public Service Administrator for the Illinois State Athletic Commission notified all licensed promoters of the changes, including the following (paraphrased):

There will be absolutely no deductions done for the Boxers/Contestants at any weigh-in and/or event.

Ringside physicians will not be doing physicals for any contestants… They must get physicals done by a MD or DO only, prior to the weigh-in.

ALL Boxers/Contestants must be licensed prior to the weigh-in.

(Boxers) are to pay all fees by check or money order only whenever they submit their application. Any seconds (cornermen) can get licensed no later than the weigh-in (no one will be allowed to license the day of event).

It is imperative and your sole responsibility to inform all professional boxers/contestants of these new changes. No exceptions will be given.

“Domenic and I have both carved out our niches in this market and I respect him for that. That’s why we’re coming together on this. They’re going to force us both out of business,” said Hitz of the rule changes. “They’ve punishing solid, long-time promoters just to make a point to a few bad apples who don’t do their homework. Anyone whose done club shows knows opponents fall out. They’re not making a fortune. Guys don’t show up. Guys chicken out. Guys show up overweight. To make a show happen, sometimes you have to scramble to find an opponent till the last minute. Ask any promoter, that’s how it’s done. The new rules say you can’t pay for any licenses at the weigh-in, can’t get a physical by the ringside physician, you can only pay by check or money order… that’s totally counterproductive to the sport. It’s going to cripple a lot of shows unnecessarily.”

Pesoli agrees. “I think they’re killing the sport. This makes it harder for the promoters. We need to go to the commission and sit down work out some kind of agreement because the way this is being handled makes it very hard for the promoters and the fighters to put a show together. It’s not like we’re making millions of dollars and they’re making it harder and harder. A permit to do a fight in Chicago went from $50 to $500 recently. How do you justify that kind of increase for a piece of paper? If you have 5-7 fights, it’s $750 and if you have 10 fights, it’s $1000. If this kind of stuff persists, how do we go forward?

Hitz has a show scheduled for November 23 and has been informed he will be expected to adhere to all the new rules for it.

“I’m willing to cancel my show if I have to do this. I’ll end up losing more money if I don’t. We are going to meet with the commission and hopefully we’ll be able to hammer out an amicable solution for all parties. Boxing isn’t like the NBA and NFL where you have millionaires arguing with billionaires. Domenic and I are grassroots guys putting out our money to keep a sport alive that we both love. If this week’s meeting isn’t productive, we’re all going to have to start considering a work stoppage until it becomes a more fair climate to do business in again.”

Boxing Links (11-3-11)

Posted on | November 3, 2011 | No Comments

Performance-Enhancing Drugs: The Conversation Boxing Loves to Avoid Bad Left Hook If America, and the sporting media cared about boxing like they cared about baseball in the 90’s and early 2000’s maybe it would result in a sort of witch hunt that baseball saw. A guy like Andre Berto, who earlier in his career was a little softer and … See all stories on this topic »

Ring great Joe Calzaghe backs Ricky Burns to be double world champ Scottish Daily Record BOXING legend Joe Calzaghe last night tipped Ricky Burns to follow in his footsteps and become a two-weight world champion. If anybody understands what it takes to make it to the top, and stay there, it’s the Welshman who retired with a flawless record … See all stories on this topic »

Bute-Johnson presser fightnews.com The SHOWTIME Championship Boxing event, which will originate from Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City, also features a 12-round junior welterweight bout between rising Canadian 140-pound star Pier-Olivier Côté (17-0, 11 KOs), of Quebec City and Jorge Luis … See all stories on this topic »

Wife of former boxing champion Greg Page found dead Louisville Courier-Journal The wife — and later caretaker — of former heavyweight boxing champion Greg Page was found dead Wednesday night in her South Louisville home. Foul play is not suspected, deputy Jefferson County coroner Gayle Norris said. The cause of death is pending … See all stories on this topic »

Once on the ropes, boxing promoter Damon Feldman keeps jabbing | Philadelphia … Philadelphia Daily News Feldman, 42, is the former local middleweight boxer once known as “The Jewish Bomber.” At age 13, his second-round knockout earned him the Philadelphia Junior Olympic Boxing title and a tout in Sports Illustrated. At 19, he went pro, going 9-0, … See all stories on this topic »

Grand Rapids-raised Peter Quillin knows there’s plenty at stake in boxing … MLive.com For the increasing number of boxing insiders debating Peter Quillin’s career progression, it has taken him that far. The Grand Rapids-raised middleweight has a big weekend ahead. He traveled today to Cancun, Mexico, where on Saturday night he makes his … See all stories on this topic »    MLive.com

Dana White: UFC on FOX 1 inspired by boxing’s once-glorious past MMAjunkie.com by Dann Stupp on Nov 02, 2011 at 7:40 pm ET The UFC’s heavily anticipated and historic network-television debut is reminiscent of the UFC president’s earliest boxingmemories, when major fights were must-see events. “This is a throwback to the old days … See all stories on this topic »    MMAjunkie.com

Boxing Painting by Julie Snyder Hangs in National Art Museum of Sport Exhibit PR Web (press release) Seeking the Target, a boxing painting by fine artist Julie Snyder, was selected by a jury for inclusion in the 2nd Commitment to Excellence in Art and Sport show. The exhibit is hanging at the National Art Museum of Sport, on the campus of Indiana … See all stories on this topic »

Kalispell pro wants to bring boxing back to her hometown KAJ18 Kalispell Montana News KALISPELL- A professional boxer has returned to her hometown and wants to bring boxing back to the Flathead Valley starting with a boxing match next week. KALISPELL- Shelley Burton startedboxing here in the Flathead Valley and quickly made it to the … See all stories on this topic »

Weekend Boxing Preview

Posted on | November 2, 2011 | No Comments

By: Patrick McElligott

Cancun, Mexico (HBO): Alfredo Angulo vs. James Kirkland, 12 rounds, junior middleweights.

At Quebec City, Canada (Showtime): Lucian Bute vs. Glen Johnson, 12 rounds, for Bute’s IBF super middleweight title.
**********   **********

There are two good fights scheduled for Saturday night. Each of the two are interesting in and of themselves, and both will lead to even bigger bouts for the winners. An interesting factor is that one is almost certain to end in an early and devastating knockout, while the other could easily go to the scorecards. Let’s take a look at each fight.

The HBO fight will be explosive. Kirkland’s record is 29-1, with 26 knockout wins. Angulo is 20-1, with 17 knockouts. When guys with 87% and 81% knockout ratios meet, it is unlikely that they will put on a dull fight. In this case, it goes beyond their offensive skills.

Kirkland, 27, stands 5′ 9” tall, and has a 70” reach. The “Mandingo Warrior” hails from Texas. In his early carrer, he demonstated extreme punching power, and mowed through the inferior level of opposition from that region of the country. Besides his exciting style, Kirkland gained the attraction of the boxing community, because of his close relationship to trainer Ann Wolfe.

Wolfe was a top female boxer, who held several titles. She was considered the most powerful puncher among the female ranks. Her stunning one-round knockout of former NCAA star Vonda Ward (which resulted in Ward’s being hospitalized with serious neck injuries) remains the highlight of women’s boxing.

Wolfe’s training methods are a mixture of “old school” and creative intensity. Although they might not translate well on a large scale, she was successful in molding James Kirkland into a destructive force. In March of 2009, he fought talented contender Joel Julio, and stopped him in six rounds. Kirkland appeared to be within a year of challenging for the world’s title, when he was caught with a handgun, and incarcerated.

After about two years, a number of people – including Oscar de la Hoya – went to bat for Kirkland, and secured his release. Kirkland then went to the west coast, to be trained by one of the sport’s legends, Kenny Adams. On March 5, 2011, Kirkland restarted his career, against a relatively weak opponent, who he took out in the first round. Two weeks later, he stopped another victim in the second round. Adams was having him fight frequently, looking to get him to regain his boxing conditioning in the ring.

On April 9, Kirkland was matched in a televised fight against Nobuhiro Ishkida, from Japan. Ishkida, at 6′ tall, had only 9 knockout wins in 30 fights. However, when Kirkland attacked him in the first round, Ishkida connected with a crisp counter-punch, decking Kirkland. When James got up, he continued trying to attack, and was dropped twice more, and lost by TKO.

After this surprising loss, Kirkland returned to Texas to be trained by Wolfe. In June, he won a first-round knockout; and in July, a second-round TKO. For a variety of reasons, Kirkland does better with Ann Wolfe than with Kenny Adams, despite the fact that Adams is among the most respected trainers in the sport. (Note: My cousin’s cousin, who frequently watches televised fights at my house, is friends with Wolfe, and holds her in the highest regards. I am admittedly not familiar with her, other than having seen her KO Ward, and seeing a few news reports on her training methods. My oldest brother and I had the opportunity to know Adams, though casually, years ago, and have great respect for him.)

Alfredo Angulo, 29, stands 5′ 10”, and has a 69” reach. “Perro,” from Mexico, has had more experience against a higher level of competition than has Kirkland. In February of 2008, he was matched with another good prospect, Ricardo Cortes (22-1-1). Angulo flattened Cortes in the first round.

A year later, in a good test, Angulo fought tough veteran Cosme Rivera, and stopped him in five rounds. Three months later, he fought former champion Kermit Cintron. Angulo unwisely opted to enter the ring even though he was sick. Cintron, on the other hand, came in fully prepared; although Kermit has not been consistant in recent years, he is still able to compete at the top level when he is motivated. On this night, he decisioned Alfredo.

Angulo has come back and won five in a row since then. Among those victories are knockouts over Joel Julio and Joachim Akine. However, Angulo had visa problems that resulted in his not being able to fight in the US for an extended period, and he, like Kirkland, had a period of extended inactivity. There are rumors that Angulo also had disagreements with his management that resulted in his not staying busy in the ring.

When “old-timers” talk about the quality of slugfests from the 1930s and ’40s, this is the time of fight they are referencing. Both men have explosive power, and are capable of ending any fight with a single punch. More, both are aggressive fighters, with solid delivery skills. Kirkland has an advantage in hand-speed. They are both exciting, offensive fighters. However, neither Kirkland nor Angulo has above average defensive skills, for the level of competition they are at.

Angula has said that his corner has told him to avoid his opponent’s shots, but that in the heat of combat, he doesn’t notice being hit. Thus far, he has demonstrated the ability to take a solid punch. Kirkland appears to be able to come in under punches, though he has been tagged – and stunned – in at least one earlier bout. In his lone defeat,  he seemed unable to tie-up, or move in any direction except straight forward. The outcome may depend upon who connects first. Angula might be favored in this fight, but not by much.

The Showtime bout is for Bute’s IBF super middleweight title. Although he was born in Romania, Bute now lives in Quebec, and will enjoy a serious “hometown advantage” in the Montreal bout.

Bute, 31, is 5′ 1.5” tall, and has a 72” reach. His record is 29-0, with 24 knockouts. Glen Johnson is 42; he has been fighting professional since 1993. He stands 5′ 11”, and has a 75” reach. His record is 51-15-2; he has 35 knockout victories, against one TKO loss (against Bernard Hopkins in 1997).

Bute came close to defeat in his October, 2008 defense against tough Librado Andrade. Though he had a substantial lead during the first nine rounds, Andrade began landing hard shots in the final few rounds. Towards the final 30 seconds of round 12, Bute was having great difficulty staying on his feet. Andrade decked him with about 12 seconds remaining, and the referee refused to begin the count, claiming Andrade was not fully in the neutral corner. The referee’s actions saved Bute from being counted out.

Since then, Bute has scored six straight knockouts, including in an impressive return bout with Andrade. He also took out Edison Miranda with a body shot, in April of ’09. Most recently, he stopped an overmatched Brian Magee in ten; and kayoed John Paul Mendy in four rounds.

Johnson is known as the “Road Warrior,” because he has traveled the globe to fight anyone and everyone in their hometown. This is, in part, why he has as many decision loses as he does.

In recent years, Johnson has competed in the light heavyweight ranks. He has beaten top fighters, including Montell Griffin and Antonio Tarver. He also knocked out Roy Jones, Jr., in nine rounds. He held the IBF light heavyweight title for a time.

In November of 2011, he dropped down to super middleweight, as a substitute in Showtime’s “Super Six” tournament. He stopped Allan Green in 8 rounds. He then lost to Carl Froch in the semi-finals.

Johnson is certainly near the end of his career. He has lost four of his last eight fights, including two to Chad Dawson. Like many aging boxers, he has difficulty putting two top efforts in a row. However, if he maintains that cycle, he should be up for this bout.

Bute is much faster, both in hands and feet. For much of his career, he outboxed opponents; wore them down; and either finished them late, or was content to win by decision. In recent fights, he still shows the extreme confidence in his skill-level to keep his hands low, inviting shots to counter. But his counter-punches have included extremely impressive body shots. And the result has been devastating knockout victories.

Glen is a pressure fighter. He sets a pace that only the very top boxers can maintain. He has good punching power, although he depends upon wearing an opponent down.

The most likely outcome is Bute by decision. Other than the first Andrade fight, there is no evidence of his tiring in fights. He is always relaxed, and he is currently at the peak of his prime. To win, Glen will have to concentrate on landing a significant number of body shots in the first seven or eight rounds. And not simply landing them from outside: he needs to be close enough that he can use all the strength in his legs, to be lifting those punches up under Bute’s ribs. (It’s mighty hard to defend yourself – much less mount an offense – when you are having the wind knocked out of you!)

Both of these should be very good fights. Enjoy watching them.

Texas has Allen HS, Allen Eagles Have HD Ch Jerry Best, He Talks to Takedown

Posted on | November 2, 2011 | No Comments

OU’s Mark Cody & The Sooners Ready for Opener V. OCU, Talks to Takedown

Posted on | November 2, 2011 | No Comments

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