Are Strikeforce’s Days Numbered?

Posted on | September 21, 2011 | No Comments

By: Rich Bergeron

Already three popular ex-Strikeforce vets are now on the UFC roster: Dan Henderson, Alistair Overeem, and Nick Diaz. Strikeforce used to be the company UFC castoffs went to when they were released or when they reached the end of their contracts. Since the UFC’s Parent Company Zuffa, LLC acquired Strikeforce, MMA fans and industry experts seem to be salivating over the prospect of an outright merger. Meanwhile, Zuffa brass tries to keep up appearances as far as their initial promises to operate their new league with a “business as usual” approach.

Exactly when all the smoke will clear is unknown at this point. The main issue is contracts, and not just those between the fighters and the league. More significant to the big picture of a potential merging of these two commonly-owned entities are the contracts tying Showtime to Strikeforce. Since the exact details of the actual sale of Strikeforce aren’t a matter of public record, it’s hard to analyze what might happen when the clock runs out on those Showtime contracts. Does the UFC have a right under the sale agreement to use the expiration of the deal as an excuse to merge Strikeforce with the UFC? Something tells me the fine print would require negotiating a new television deal if conditions aren’t ripe to return to the bargaining table with Showtime. Both sides of the equation obviously learned something from the fall of PRIDE. Scott Coker doesn’t still have a job with Strikeforce because the UFC brass likes him so much. It’s much more likely that whole “business as usual” arrangement is a matter of the legalese written into the sale agreement to prevent Strikeforce going the way of PRIDE and getting dismantled overnight.

Under these conditions, Zuffa’s principals obviously decided to just get creative in trying to gain complete control of both leagues. If they can’t legally shut the whole operation down and fold it in to the UFC, they can bleed it dry and pick off the best fighters one at a time. This could eventually lead to a situation in which Strikeforce simply becomes a liability as a stand alone corporation. Strikeforce still does a few things differently than the typical Zuffa business model allows for. This includes allowing company fighters to participate in other leagues and fighting disciplines. If contracts weren’t in the way, that policy would also be terminated.

Patterns speak volumes when it comes to the majority owners of the UFC and their record of doing business. The Fertitta Brothers (Lorenzo and Frank III) took a business built from the ground up by Frank Fertitta, Jr. and sunk it into debt to the tune of $6 billion. On the other side of a short but contentious bankruptcy and reorganization of the company, Station Casinos is only around $2 billion in debt now. The Fertittas own just 45 percent of the business at this point, giving away the remaining portions of the bankruptcy’s proceeds to their most leveraged creditors. Thanks to good lawyers and a stockpile of a few hundred million, the brothers were able to wheel and deal their way into retaining a controlling interest of all but one of their casino complex properties.

As if escaping the bankruptcy with such a sweet deal wasn’t enough for these silver spoon brothers, the casino chain is now responsible for pressuring gaming regulators in Las Vegas to change the rules in order to oust a minor competitor called “Dotty’s.” The dispute is now spilling into the courtroom as the taverns affected are up in arms and unable to spend the millions of dollars required to change their business model to conform to the retroactive policy revamping. The same group that barred their father from being in charge of the casino chain due to his questionable past now seems to be eating out of the sons’ hands. It is the mark of the kind of juice these two brothers have attained since they became the face of their father’s company and built the UFC into a billion dollar empire.

Station Casinos now appears to be on the mend, and there’s only one way that business seems to clash with their operation of Zuffa. The interference orchestrated by a spurned culinary union connects the dots between the attitude of the casino chain and that of Zuffa when it comes to unionizing employees. In addition to grassroots efforts involving union marches, public displays of civil disobedience, and pamphlet distribution, the union’s brass seems to be intent on disrupting the progress of the UFC’s parent company. Between lobbying New York legislators to refuse to regulate MMA in the state and setting up a Web-site proclaiming the UFC as “Unfit for Children” the union’s aggressive stand against the MMA industry’s top dog seems like it is always escalating. Media outlets, including this boxing site, are beginning to question the motives of the union and whether members really appreciate how their dues are being spent on this campaign.  The union makes some solid points in their arguments and in a public letter to the Federal Trade Commission, which is in the process of investigating Zuffa for anti-trust issues.

The only problem with the approach of this anti-Zuffa campaign is that it appears hollow and malicious in some respects. It is obviously being spearheaded by forces that are biased against the Fertitta Brothers and their way of doing business. Their fight is a labor dispute, and it has everything to do with casinos and nothing to do with mixed martial arts. That reality shines through in much of the material put out by officials at the union offices. Their missives are rife with insufficient and insignificant research and a lack of understanding of the real and concrete issues that make Zuffa’s business model corrupt and overbearing.  Those issues include the company’s handling of Strikeforce, which they are holding in a submission choke just waiting to be tightened and locked into place.

The truth is the culinary union’s best bet would be to get behind a fighter’s union and sink some real teeth into their attacks. The combat sports industry across the board involves far too many seedy promoters in different circuits and disciplines who take advantage of the typical fighter because there are no fighters’ unions. A culinary union trying to be a fighter’s union comes across as pretentious and disjointed. At least with their Casino issues they took their claims to court and filed an official dispute with the National Labor Relations Board. Station Casinos didn’t even bother to mount any defense to the claims of abuse. As far as Zuffa goes, though, the union has no proverbial dog in the fight. Without getting behind an actual process to inspire fixing the problems that plague the Zuffa business model–problems that make the whole sport of MMA look bad–the culinary union’s efforts fall flat.

The Fertittas were also involved in bankrupting one of the UFC’s most longstanding and loyal sponsors: Xyience. It’s a long story that’s still unfolding in court, but in a perfect world it would not be the civil bankruptcy matter that it is. Instead, the perpetrators of the loan to own scheme that resulted in Fertitta Enterprises acquiring Xyience through surreptitious and deceptive measures should be held criminally liable for their actions. For a crash course lesson in what actually motivated the Fertittas to prop up Xyience and then steal it from hundreds of legitimate shareholders, CLICK HERE. It all goes back to the purchase of PRIDE and hundreds of millions in cash tied to a senior-secured credit facility that allowed Dana White and both Fertitta brothers to pocket huge dividends. Their loan of around $15 million that facilitated the Fertitta Enterprises takeover of Xyience went almost exclusively to Zuffa-owned businesses instead of going toward the purchase of product to keep the business above water.

Since the takeover the Fertittas have used Xyience as a tool to enhance the UFC. Back in the early days of my investigation into the shady activity behind the company’s UFC partnership, a source told me, “Xyience isn’t a sponsor of the UFC, the UFC is a sponsor of Xyience.” Essentially, the partnership with Zuffa put Xyience on the map in the first place, and the two companies came to be co-dependent on each other in many respects. Xyience is still in a position where it would be very tough to operate without the Zuffa connection. Even though it’s a clear conflict of interest for the Fertittas to own a sponsor of another company they own the majority of, they manage to keep flying under the radar with their activities. The mainstream media seems to have no clue or desire to dig in to the background of Xyience when it comes to issues which should shine a spotlight on the unusual developments created by the two companies being so intimately connected. A case in point example is the Dan Hardy debacle in which the Xyience-sponsored fighter still didn’t get released from the UFC despite losing his 4th fight in a row. His face being on hundreds of thousands of cans of fruit punch Xenergy (Xyience’s energy drink) didn’t raise a single eyebrow in the MMA media as to explaining why Hardy would be retained by the UFC despite such a piss poor performance as a fighter.

Zuffa’s privacy with their financial details allows for the company’s principals to pocket more of the profits without making any major waves with their most valuable employees: the fighters. Though Dana White can comfortably shell out $25,000 per hand on poker games, you won’t hear about any of the UFC’s top-tier fighters making as much in a year as “The Baldfather” oficially takes home for his mouthpiece duties. You won’t see Cain Velasquez or Junior Dos Santos burning $100 bills like Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has been known to do to prove he’s got an astronomically high net worth.

If you’re waiting for the fighters themselves to speak up about mistreatment, don’t hold your breath. Even with the imminent doom awaiting Strikeforce whenever it becomes unsustainable to keep it going under the “business as usual” mantra, there is no movement afoot to protest company policy. Fighters seem to know that showing their discontent never leads to securing a solid future with the top dog of MMA leagues. Fortune does not favor the brave under the Zuffa umbrella. A fighter who sticks his neck out is more likely to get his head cut off than have his gripes addressed sufficiently.

Two of the three fighters who left Strikeforce for greener UFC pastures (Overeem and Diaz) only spoke ill of Zuffa’s tactics after their tenure with Strikeforce officially ended. Overeem complained about being threatened while Diaz lamented about his lackluster paychecks. Both fighters used their own threats to take up boxing for leverage to get a favorable UFC deal done. Diaz even came close to signing for a boxing match with Jeff Lacy before the UFC came knocking with a chance (which he later squandered) for him to tangle with Georges St. Pierre. Dana White saw a window to kill two birds with one stone. On one hand he prevented boxing from stealing all the buzz MMA benefited from in recent years thanks to the label of “the fastest growing sport in the world.” On the other hand he paved the way for Strikeforce fighters he’d like to see in the UFC to make the official transition there.

It’s impossible to keep every fighter in check, though. Every now and then someone speaks out about something they don’t like, and their complaints make headlines. Strikeforce’s latest card and the lack of a media presence there inspired one man (“King” Mo Lawal) to speak out and tell it like it is:

“I (had) thought Strikeforce was a cancer patient,” he told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “Man, it’s a damn AIDS patient instead – with Dr. Jack Kevorkian in the background ready to pull the plug.” 

Don’t expect Lawal to get a shot at fighting in the UFC. His 8-1 record against top talent could make him quite a contender in the octagon, but after his recent tirade he’ll be lucky if Strikeforce retains him once his current contract expires. Zuffa President Dana White might pretend now that he doesn’t even know who “King” Mo is, but when it comes time to sign a new deal his memory will be sharp. The war of words between White and Lawal was at least able to accomplish an outright admission from White that he could care less about Strikeforce and how successful they are:

“We have all kinds of stuff going and I didn’t need this in my life. It is what it is and I never had a thought in my mind of [expletive] with Strikeforce. But I promote the UFC 24/7.”

 

If and when Strikeforce ceases operation and becomes another Zuffa casualty, guys like Mo Lawal won’t be invited to the after party. Being a UFC-branded fighter means falling in line with the popular opinion spouted by company brass. Even big names like B.J. Penn can’t even get away with complaining about PR people putting words in his mouth. One Strikeforce fighter who never wanted any part of the UFC before the buyout participated in a Fight News Unlimited interview back in February. Off camera he told me he’d like to stay in Strikeforce and avoid going into the UFC because “they like to keep you under their thumb.” Whether it’s forcing fighters to sign over their lifetime likeness rights for a UFC video game or throwing great fighters out while keeping lousy ones, Zuffa’s known for ruling with an iron fist.

Without being able to look over all the legal agreements signed to secure the Strikeforce buyout it’s tough to predict the exact “drop dead date” for the league to close up shop. Still, it seems highly unlikely that the company will survive 2012 once the Showtime contracts dry up and the best fighters wanted by the UFC see their agreements run their course. Whether it’s because they fear riling up the folks at the FTC or because of constraints attached to the sale agreement, the business as usual charade must continue. The show will go on until there’s no other solution for Strikeforce other than shuttering the operation and gutting it  to benefit the UFC.  The flow of fighters moving between organizations will be a one-way street, and Strikeforce probably isn’t going to get any new additions any time soon. If they do shore up their ranks it might indicate there’s still hope, which they want to eliminate. Nobody is better at pretending to want to enhance companies they acquire only to turn around and destroy them than the crew running Zuffa.

So, yes, Strikeforce’s days are most certainly numbered. Unfortunately nobody but those in the inner circle of both companies actually knows how many days Strikeforce will actually remain viable. When it comes to closure, Zuffa likes to keep their options open and their final decisions close to the vest. The company’s collapse won’t become public knowledge until the powers that be want it to. When that moment finally comes, it won’t be this site that publishes the announcement. That job will likely be left to the same guy who broke the buyout news: PR Hero Ariel Helwani.

The influx of new talent coming out of the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter and the signing of a new UFC network deal with FOX both help make Strikeforce expendable. Chances are White and the rest of Zuffa’s principals will let Scott Coker think all is well and leave him to run Strikeforce into the ground. “Business as usual” will work as long as it needs to, and Coker will captain the ship until he has to go down with it.

WEIGHTS FROM MANCHESTER, NH

Posted on | September 20, 2011 | No Comments

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:

10 Rounds –Light Middleweights

Demetrius Andrade (14-0, 9 KOs), Providence, RI 156.2 LBS.

Sail Duran (38-18-2, 31 KOs), Cuidad Juarez, Chichuahua, Mexico 157.0 LBS.

 

6 Rounds –Middleweights

Jose Medina (14-9-1, 6 KOs), Tilton, NH 161.6 LBS.

Anibel Acevedo (13-7-1, 11 KOs), San Juan Puerto Rico 162.6 LBS.

 

6 Rounds –Light Welterweights

Danny O’Connor (14-1, 3 KOs), Framingham, MA 144.8 LBS.

Jamal Del Cid (7-5, 3 KOs), Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico 145.4 LBS.

 

4 Rounds – Featherweights

Dan Powers (3-0, 2 KOs), Claremont, NH 120.8 LBS.

Luis Rosario (4-15, 2 KOs), Springfield, MA 129.6 LBS.

 

4 Rounds –Welterweights

Chris Gilbert (1-0, 1 KO), Windsor, VT 151.2 LBS.

Noel Garcia (2-11-1, 1KO), Springfield, MA 147.4 LBS.

 

WHAT: “Fight To Educate” professional boxing show

 

WHEN: Wednesday, September 21, 2011

 

WHERE: Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH

 

TICKETS: $50.00 and $25.00 (general admission) and available to purchase by going online at www.ticketmaster.com, calling Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000, or at the Verizon Wireless Arena Box Office or any Ticketmaster location.

 

Table tickets for a night of professional boxing and Black Tie dinner, as well as an auction and meet-and-greet with special boxing legends such as former world heavyweight title challenger “Gentleman” Gerry Cooney, as well as world champions and three of New England’s all-time greatest boxers – Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Paz,“Irish” Micky Ward and John “The Quietman” Ruiz – are available by calling Stephen Singer at 603.669.4100.

 

INFORMATION: Dinner starts at 5:30 PM/ET, doors open at 7:30 PM/ET, first bout at 8:00 PM/ET.

 

Proceeds from the 10^th annual Fight To Educatewill benefit SEE Science Center (www.see-sciencecenter.org), The Bobby Stephens Fund for Education (www.stepheneducationfund.com), and St. Joseph Community Services/Meals on Wheels (www.mealsonwheelsnh.org).

UFC/Strikeforce Newsletter (9-20-11)

Posted on | September 20, 2011 | No Comments

 

Velasquez Returns To Defend The Heavyweight Belt Against Dos Santos In Anaheim The UFC makes its debut on FOX on Saturday, November 12, with a battle for the heavyweight title between champion Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos! Live at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA – UFC Fight Club presale starts Wednesday at 10am PT, join today for first access to tickets! Countdown to UFC 135 Premieres Tonight Jon Jones and Rampage Jackson prepare for their light heavyweight title clash in Denver – premieres tonight at 11pm on SPIKE (Premieres Wednesday at 8pm on Rogers Sportsnet in Canada) Ultimate Matt Hughes In Stores Today New DVD features the best of the Hall of Famer, including his Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a collectible booklet, all-new interviews and more! See him take on Josh Koscheck in Denver at UFC 135 this Saturday night! Denver Fans – Meet Michael Bisping At The Octagon Nation Tour This Thursday The truck stops at the Sports Authority in Bowles Crossing – 8055 West Bowles Ave. Ste. 4, Littleton, CO 80123 – from 3:30-7:30pm this Thursday. Meet TUF14 coach Michael Bisping from 5-7pm

TICKETS ON SALE THIS WEEK UFC on FOX – Velasquez vs Dos Santos Saturday, November 12 Honda Center – Anaheim, CA UFC Fight Club Presale Starts Wednesday, September 21 – 10am PT Join today for first access to tickets! UFC Newsletter Presale Starts Thursday, September 22 – 10am PT Presale Password: FOX Purchase Public On-Sale Starts Friday, September 23 – 10am PT Purchase

STRIKEFORCE Challengers on Showtime – Fri. September 23 – Las Vegas, NV UFC 135 Jones vs Rampage on Pay-Per-View – Sat. September 24 – Denver, CO

Boxing Links (9-20-11)

Posted on | September 20, 2011 | No Comments

Larry Merchant on Mayweather flap ESPN LOS ANGELES — HBO boxing announcer Larry Merchant said Monday that Floyd Mayweather’s victory over Victor Ortiz on Saturday in Las Vegas was the result of a “legal sucker-punch.” Merchant, a guest on the Mason & Ireland Show on 710 ESPN Radio in Los … See all stories on this topic »

Pakistan boxing squad to leave for Azerbaijan on Thursday Associated Press of Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Sep 20 (APP): A six-member Pakistan boxing squad will depart from Karachi Airport for Baku, Azerbaijan late Thursday night to participate in World Boxing Championship penciled in there for September 25 to October 8. …              See all stories on this topic »

Boxing Hall of Famer Benton dies at 78 | Philadelphia Daily News | 2011-09-20 Philadelphia Daily News BY BERNARD FERNANDEZ BY BERNARD FERNANDEZ AP IF THERE IS A single moment that defined George Benton’s genius as a boxing trainer, it came in the third round of Evander Holyfield’s Oct. 25, 1990, heavyweight championship bout with undisputed titlist … See all stories on this topic »

Professional heavyweight boxer Robert Helenius excited about his latest ranking Helsingin Sanomat Finland’s Robert Helenius continues his steady climb towards the top of the professional boxing ranking lists. On the WBO sanctioning organisation’s ranking list, updated over the weekend, the Finn is now seen as the current heavyweight World Champion … See all stories on this topic »

When Boxing Writers Talk: David P. Greisman And Tim Starks On Larry Merchant … The Queensberry Rules What I’m wondering about is the reaction of the regular boxing fan to this fight’s ending. We hardcore followers can blame Victor Ortiz, blame he deserves. However, how many casual fight fans turned off their televisions happy? They’ll blame Mayweather … See all stories on this topic »

Emanuel Steward: “I would absolutely think that Antonio Tarver would do better … EastsideBoxing.com by Geoffrey Ciani (Exclusive Interview by Jenna J & Geoffrey Ciani) – Last week’s 142nd edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio (brought to you by CWH Promotions) featured an exclusive interview with Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward, who shared his … See all stories on this topic »                                                                                        EastsideBoxing.com

Olusegun v Chebah on ShoBox, winner mandatory for … WBN – World Boxing News World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 1-ranked super lightweight contender Olusegun Ajose will face No. 6-ranked Ali Chebah in a WBC super lightweight eliminator on Friday, Sept. 30, in the main event on ShoBox: The New Generation LIVE on SHOWTIME ® at 11 pm … See all stories on this topic »                                                                                                       WBN – World Boxing News

USVI boxers dominate Atlanta tournament Virgin Islands Daily News By AARON GRAY (Daily News Staff) When Clayton Laurent and the rest of the US Virgin Islands boxing contingent walked into Forest Fleming Arena just outside of Atlanta on Friday, they heard a few rumblings from the other boxers. … See all stories on this topic » Virgin Islands Daily News

Will Saul “Canelo” Alvarez become the greatest Mexican fighter ever? Examiner.com Alvarez (38-0-1, 28 KOs), who started boxing professionally at the ludicrous age of 15, dominated Gomez (23-5-2) from the outset and ultimately finished the overmatched challenger with several big punches followed by a brutal uppercut. … See all stories on this topic »

Not even Mayweather can rattle Merchant FOXSports.com The void he couldn’t fill resulted not only in the popularization of mixed martial arts, but in the permanent disfigurement of boxing itself. Stardom is no longer based on the fighter’s heroic narrative arc, but on his media savvy. … See all stories on this topic » FOXSports.com

 

Blogs

Floyd Mayweather Jr Gives Boxing an Opening to Capitalize on His … By Scott Christ Love him or hate him, boxing is bigger and brighter with Floyd Mayweather Jr in the picture. Bad Left Hook has more. Bad Left Hook

Multi-boxing with Pwnboxer | Spugnort’s World By Spugnort I’ve added some information about the Pwnboxer multi-boxing application under the reviews section. Multi-boxing allows a single keyboard and mouse to control multiple characters running inside multiple copies of a game such as World of … Spugnort’s World

BMX Videos – Andrew Ahumada VS Matt Whatt Boxing Match – Ride … By Fat Tony Matt Whatt is two for two in these backyard boxing matches, so let’s see what happens when he goes toe to toe with Andrew “Mini” Ahumada on the flat b. Ride BMX» | Transworld BMX

 

Web

Boxing devolves with Mayweather family fight on HBO’s “24/7” – Los … The rude and crude world of professional boxing reached a new low recently. Or was it a new high? It is boxing. Nothing quite defines it. Certainly not good taste. articles.latimes.com/…/la-sp-dwyre-mayweather-ortiz-2011091…

Floyd Mayweather Jr. – Welterweight With Heavyweight Financial … This makes Mayweather, regarded as one of the best boxers in history, … Mayweather, 34, said this after a workout this week at the family boxing gym here. … www.nytimes.com/…/floyd-mayweather-jr-welterweight-with-…

 

Video

Boxing – Floyd Mayweather vs Victor Ortiz Post Fight 14 min My god, we have some shiz to discuss people!!! youtube.com

Boxout Boxing Class – Saturday 1 min Authentic Fitness Boxing– classes are 60% women youtube.com

joe-rolfe-bermondsey-boxing.wmv 8 min 1920s and 1930s Bermondsey boxers Joe Rolfe and Tom Daly reminisce about pre-war boxing. View an article on Joe Rolfe … youtube.com

Academy of Combat: Sam Moore, Thai Boxing … 4 min www.academyofcombat.co.nz Sam Moore from the Academy of Combat in a Thai boxing match from 2004 that took place in … youtube.com

David ROCK Nelson spars with Golden Gloves boxer … 4 min David ROCK Nelson boxing practice, spars with Golden Gloves boxer David Deleon & pro JOLTIN’ Jeff Lanas in 1987. David … youtube.com

COMING UP – THE SEASON PREMIERE OF 48 HOURS MYSTERY: “ARTURO GATTI’S LAST FIGHT”

Posted on | September 20, 2011 | No Comments

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 (10:00 P.M., ET/PT)

 

 

CLICK HERE FOR A PREVIEW OF THE NEW SEASON

 

WHAT:                       The 48 HOURS MYSTERY season premiere brings you an investigation into the mysterious death of world championship boxer Arturo Gatti.

 

WHO:                         Correspondent Erin Moriarty reports on Gatti, the ultimate blood and guts warrior, who won three world titles, including welterweight champion. A multi-millionaire known for his legendary trilogy of fights with Mickey Ward, Gatti’s professional fights were nothing compared to the shadows he faced outside the ring. Two years after retiring, did Gatti kill himself or was it murder?

 

WHEN:                       Saturday, September 24 (10:00 P.M. ET/PT)

 

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH:                

Exclusive television interviews with:

                  – The woman at the center of the drama: Gatti’s widow, Amanda, in her first television interview.

 

– Gatti’s brother, Joe, who speaks for the first time on-camera about the demons his brother faced. He shares his own theory about how Arturo died, a serious departure from what the rest of the Gatti family is convinced happened that night.

– Mickey Ward, whose life story became an award-winning movie, “The Fighter,” tells us his friend would never have taken his own life.

– Mario Costa, a friend who knew Gatti since he was 17 years old, and provides insight into the truth of the champion’s emotional state.

OLUSEGUN AJOSE & ALI CHEBAH MAKE U.S. DEBUTS IN WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT ELIMINATOR ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION

Posted on | September 20, 2011 | No Comments

 

Unbeaten Colombian Prospect Darley Perez Battles Oscar Meza

In Co-Feature Live at 11 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 30, on SHOWTIME^®

 

NEW YORK (Sept. 20, 2011) – World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 1-ranked super lightweight contender Olusegun Ajose will face No. 6-ranked Ali Chebah in a WBC super lightweight eliminator on Friday, Sept. 30, in the main event on ShoBox: The New Generation LIVE on SHOWTIME^® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

 

The 12-round bout, which will be the United States debut for each fighter, will determine the No. 1 mandatory contender for the WBC 140-pound title currently held by Erik Morales.

 

The 12^th-ranked lightweight in the World Boxing Organization (WBO), Colombia’s exciting, hard-hitting Darley Perez (22-0, 17 KOs) will make his ShoBox debut against Oscar Meza (22-4, 18 KOs), of Mexico, in a 10-round lightweight co-feature.

 

The event, the second of five ShoBox telecasts in eight weeks and first of two within a one-week span, is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions in association with DiBella Entertainment.

 

Ajose (29-0, 14 KOs), of Nigeria, has fought his last 16 bouts in England, where the 5-foot-9, 31-year-old southpaw lived until recently relocating to New York City.  His most impressive win was an eighth-round knockout over former contender Colin Lynes on April 3, 2010, which he followed up with a six-round decision over Arek Malek last Feb. 12 in his lone outing this year.

 

“This fight has been a stumbling block for me for about two years,” said Ajose, who is making just his third start since June 2009.  “I was the No. 1 contender for so long but was bypassed many times.  People heard I am a good boxer but they don’t know how good I am and this is my chance to show them what I’ve got.”

 

Looking to make a name for himself in the U.S, Ajose believes ShoBox is the perfect vehicle to make a statement.

 

“There is the saying, ‘If you are more than people think you are, then the next step is to prove it,’” he said. “That is exactly what I will do – prove to the American fight fans that I am better than good.

 

“Watch me and don’t blink.”

 

Chebah (33-1, 26 KOs), of France, will be making his 2011 debut. He’s riding an eight-fight win streak since his only loss on Sept. 27, 2009 against Reyes Sanchez in Mexico City.  His most notable victories are a third-round knockout over Pipino Cuevas Jr. in 2008, a second-round knockout over Joel Juarez in 2009 and a fifth-round knockout over previously undefeated Fidel Monterrosa Munoz, also in 2009.

 

While he owns a better than 75 percent knockout ratio, the 5-foot-9, 25-year-old Chebah will be facing his toughest opponent to date in Ajose, a slick and speedy boxer with a world title shot on his mind.

 

“I fought a southpaw once, but I have an awkward style and I will adapt to anyone in front of me,” Chebah said.  “I don’t care about southpaw, orthodox, pressure, defensive, mobile, anything.

 

“My style is pressure, pressure, pressure. You are going to see a Frenchman with Mexican style, slick and mentally tough.

 

Chebah won both his fights in 2010 by third-round TKO, the last coming over Laszlo Komjathi on Sept. 23 in Algeria.

 

In the co-featured bout, the 27-year-old Perez turned pro in February 2009 and fought 12 times that year. He is coming off two consecutive knockouts in June and July, but has mostly faced limited opposition since making his U.S. debut in December 2010 – a fourth-round knockout over Ramesis Gil in Kissimmee, Fla.  He owns a victory over former WBO Latino lightweight champion and contender Jose Reyes on April 29, 2011.

 

Perez has watched patiently as his gym mate and fellow Colombian Yonnhy Perez, who is also trained by Danny Zamora in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., developed as a fighter on ShoBox and moved on to capture a world title.

 

“This is a great opportunity for Darley to be on ShoBox,” Zamora said.  “He knows that that’s how Yonnhy started, on ShoBox, and from there to SHOWTIME, and he became a world champion.”

 

Perez, who registered a first-round knockout over Baudel Cardenas in his most recent fight last July 22 in Ontario, Calif., will face perhaps the toughest test of his career against Meza, a battle-tested veteran.

 

Meza fought current World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Brandon Rios in 2009, losing via fifth-round TKO.  Meza has won three consecutive fights since his last loss in June of 2010 against highly regarded Mercito Gesta.  In his most recent outing, Meza scored a third-round TKO over Kelly Wright last June 11 in Chandler, Ariz.

 

“I feel that my preparation for this fight is the best I’ve had in the last three or four years,” Meza said.  “I’m going to be well-prepared, and I’m going to give everything I’ve got on the day of the fight.

 

“This is a big fight for me and I need to take advantage of the opportunity.”

 

Curt Menefee will call the action alongside ringside analyst Steve Farhood and boxing expert Antonio Tarver.  The executive producer is Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http:// sho.com/sports.

Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez Suffers Injury, Bellator 54 Championship Fight Delayed

Posted on | September 20, 2011 | No Comments

 CHICAGO, Ill. (September 20, 2011) — Bellator Fighting Championships announced today that reigning Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez has suffered an injury that will force the title holder off of the October 15^th card at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. The Philadelphia fighter was scheduled to square off against Season 4 Lightweight Tournament winner Michael Chandler in a Bellator Lightweight title fight. The fight has yet to be rescheduled, but the possibility remains for a title fight later this season.

“Eddie suffered an injury that will keep him out of our October 15^th show at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. “Eddie Alvarez has a huge heart and if there was any way for him to fight on the 15^th, I know he would.  Ed’s in spectacular condition, so both of us are hopeful that this fight can potentially still occur later this fall.”

The night will feature the semifinals of Bellator’s middleweight tournament, as well as Bellator Bantamweight Champion Zack Makovsky in a non-title super fight against former UFC veteran Ryan Roberts. Tickets for the October 15^th show can be purchased on Ticketmaster.comand Bellator.com. The show will begin at 7 p.m. ET and can be seen on Spike.com. The televised portion of the event will air at 9 p.m. ET on MTV2 and in commercial-free HD on EPIX.

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bellator

Wrestling Links (9-20-11)

Posted on | September 20, 2011 | No Comments

Democrats blast McMahon’s Senate bid in Connecticut USA Today (blog) By Catalina Camia, USA TODAY Democrats are blasting Republican Linda McMahon as the former wrestling CEO launches her second bid today for the US Senate. McMahon, formerly head of World Wrestling Entertainment, is running in Connecticut for the Senate … See all stories on this topic »

Wrestling with Rosenberg : Shawn Michaels Part. 3 YouTube HBK and I discuss careful workers, big men, Ric Flair, and much more. See all stories on this topic »

Impact Wrestling a mess Examiner.com There seems to be a state of turmoil right now in the Impact Wrestling world from the recent troubles of Matt hardy to the continuing troubles of Matt Hardy to injuries to Ric Flair (ruptured bursa sac) during his match with Sting to comments made by … See all stories on this topic »

‘Half Pint Brawlers’ Hulk Hogan is Ripping Us Off TMZ.com Hulk’s new show, “Micro Championship Wrestling,” is straight up stealing. “Half Pint Brawlers” on Spike TV followed a group of midget wrestlers trying to create a specialty brand … which is exactly what Hulk is doing on TruTV. … See all stories on this topic »                                                                                                      TMZ.com

Pulse Wrestling’s LIVE WWE Monday Night Raw Report 09.19.11 Inside Pulse by Johnny Rosado – September 19, 2011 | Email the author Welcome to the Inside Pulse Wrestling Raw Report. I am your host Johnny Rosado. I’ll be here with an update every commercial break. Make sure to keep it here for the latest on all your Raw News. … See all stories on this topic »                                                                                                   Inside Pulse

Matt Hardy Video: Watch Desperate Wrestler’s Last-Ditch Effort To Save Career Bleacher Report Matt Hardy has been the butt of so many jokes over the last month, but it’s finally time for the troubled wrestler to seek the help he so desperately needs. After multiple DWI arrests and accusations of prescription drug abuse, the former WWE star has … See all stories on this topic »

Burroughs wins U.S.’ first medal at wrestling worlds SI.com ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) — American wrestler Jordan Burroughs won his first world championship title on Sunday, defeating Sedagh Saaeed Goudarzi of Iran 3-2, 4-1 in the 74-kilogram freestyle category. The NCAA champion from Nebraska had three takedowns … See all stories on this topic »

Possible opponents for John Cena and The Rock at WWE Survivor Series Examiner.com When November rolls around, New Orleans wrestling fans will be able to order Survivor Series on In Demand Cox Cable channel 501. For e-mail updates whenever a new article is posted, please subscribe at the top of the page and follow me on Twitter: … See all stories on this topic »

Ex-pro wrestler works as Tybee animal control officer Atlanta Journal Constitution By Fran Jeffries Former professional wrestler Jerry Oates, who once battled a bear in the ring, rounds up lost pets on Tybee Island as its animal control officer. Tybee Island Police spokeswoman Marella Eaton said Oates is a good fit for the job. … See all stories on this topic »

 

Blogs

Monkey vs Puppy Wrestling (Video) By Dave A monkey wrestling playing with a puppy at an animal sanctuary in Ecuador. Daily Picks and Flicks

Anatomy of a Wrestling Hold: Somersaulting Aerial Finishers | GUY … By David Oliver David takes a look at a wrestling move he was ready to dismiss, until he found out it may have killed two wrestlers. … Guy takes a look at these wrestling holds, how they work and how they developed… into things kids shouldn’t try at home. … GUY.com

County Youth Wrestling Opens for Registration By MSC Community Sports STAMFORD, Conn. — Registration for the Stamford Junior Wrestling Club, which is beginning its 21st year, is under way. The club is open to beginners thr … The Daily Darien | Recently Published

Cynical-C | Monkey Wrestling a Dog By Chris Monkey Wrestling a Dog. Sep 20, ’11 9:59 AM. Author Chris Categories Uncategorized. ‹Previous Post So Who Has the @Qwikster Twitter Account? Comments. One Comment so far. Leave a comment below. Carolyn ,. September 20, 2011 at … Cynical-C

 

Video

Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on … 51 sec Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV 9/8c – Sting, Hulk Hogan, World Champ Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy and more as … youtube.com

Wrestling with Rosenberg : Shawn Michaels Part 2 11 min Shawn talks about wrestling etiquette, Dynamite Kid, and more…. youtube.com

Pendleton Round-Up 2011 | Steer Wrestling Finals 3 min www.eastoregonian.com Steer Wrestling Finals from the Pendleton Round-Up Winner: JD Hays Time: 7.9 youtube.com

Wrestling Roundtable BLOG #10 : ROH Death Before … 32 min Midge, Jay, Will & Will attended Ring Of Honor’s latest iPPV in New York City and got a lot more coverage than they bargained … youtube.com

Joe Gagne’s Funtime Pro Wrestling Arcade #12: WWF … 8 min The Funtime Pro Wrestling Arcade is back with a vengeance! It took us twelve episodes, but we’ve finally gotten to easily the most … youtube.com

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