TalkingBoxing News
Quartey Returns vs. Phillips on HBO
THU May 12 - Being reported by ESPN.com and Dan Rafeal, comebacking, former WBC welterweight champion Ike Quartey, 35-2-1, will challenge former WBO and IBF junior middleweight champ Verno Phillips, 38-9-1, June 18th.
Quartey is making his second fight in a year since a five-year layoff. Phillips is coming off a decision loss to IBF champion Kassim Ouma in October of 2004.
The televised middleweight bout will be aired on HBO before the main-event re-match between Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver, for the light-heavyweight championship. [The Complete Informative Article by Dan Rafeal]
Vasquez Defends IBF, May 31st
THU May 12 - Sycuan Ringside Promotions in association with the Ho-Chunk Nation, Northeast Promotions and One In A Million bring World championship boxing Tuesday, May 31st, to the Ho-Chunk Southland Sports and Expo Center in Lynwood, Ill.
The main-event will feature West Covina, California native and current IBF jr. featherweight world champ Israel Vasquez, 37-3, taking on Austin, Texas' Armando Guerrero, 20-3-6.
In the semi-main event, super-featherweight contender and WBA #14th ranked Daniel Seda, 20-1-1, taking on Aldo Valtierra, 21-7, in a 10-rounder.
Undercard action pits One in a Million stars Shay Mobley, 9-4-1 versus an opponent to be determined in a six-round middleweight bout, Jermain White, 7-0, versus Carlos Molina, 6-1. Also, Guy Solis, 11-3-1, will also take on an opponent to be determined in a four-round light heavyweight fight. Tickets are $25 - $100 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 708-418-5900, calling One in a Million Boxing at 866-438-7372 or at all Ticketmaster outlets at 312-559-1212.
Judah Ready to Go!
THU May 12 - Undisputed world welterweight champion Zab “Super” Judah will meet
his International Boxing Federation mandatory challenger Cosme “Chino”
Rivera in a world championship co-feature as part of the Felix “Tito”
Trinidad vs. Winky Wright card Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
and on
HBO Pay-Per-View.
Judah made the most of his rematch with then-undisputed world welterweight champion Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks in St. Louis on Feb. 5 before 22,370 fans, scoring a ninth-round technical knockout that made him the undisputed 147-pound king.
“I have heard Rivera has been talking big,” Judah said. “I have respect for any man that steps into the ring but talk isn’t what gets the job done in boxing. I feel this is my time, Judah time.”
Judah (33-2-1 NC, 24 KOs), from Brooklyn, N.Y., has lightening-quick hands, power and a flashy style that has brought him to the forefront of the sport at age 27.
Rivera is the No. 1-ranked contender having won the position by knocking out Hercules Kyvelos in the fourth round of an IBF elimination bout in Las Vegas on Sept. 4, 2004.
“All of those boxing insiders who think this is going to be a one-sided
fight haven’t followed my career,” Rivera said. “I can’t wait. Judah
is
wearing my belts.
“He’s never fought anybody with my heart and determination. I’m a Mexican and we’re all about heart. Nobody’s ever knocked me down. I’ve been waiting my whole career for this opportunity. I’m going to bring the fight to him.”
Rivera (28-7-2, 20 KOs), from Mexico now fighting out of Los Angeles, is a lanky, hard puncher. At age 28, Rivera has not lost a fight since 2001—his last four wins all came by knockout—and he now enters his first world title match.
The physically gifted Judah showed maturity when he admitted after he defeated Spinks that he had not always shown the type of dedication necessary to reach his full potential until now.
“I have not worked as long and as hard as I have to let this slip away from me now,” Judah said. “Rivera better be ready to back up his talk or he’s going to be in trouble because I’m ready to go.”
Promoter Don King loves to stage big events, and he is delighted to add one of the biggest attractions in boxing to this card.
“I’m very excited to see Zab back in action,” King said. “I am very proud of Zab and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet. I believe his finest hours in the ring are ahead of him.”
Judah vs. Rivera will be included as part of the HBO Pay-Per-View telecast according to HBO Senior Vice President of Sports Operations & Pay Per View Mark Taffet.
“Trinidad vs. Wright was already one of the biggest and most compelling events of the year,” Taffet said. “Now, with the addition of undisputed welterweight champ Zab Judah, pay-per-view boxing fans are in for a super night.”
Tickets priced at $1000, $750, $400, and $250 are on sale now and are available at any MGM Grand box office outlet. Tickets also are sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (Tower Records/WOW!, Smith's Food and Drug Centers, Robinsons-May stores and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
The event is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with MGM Grand and Gary Shaw Productions and will be produced and distributed domestically by HBO Pay-Per-View, available to more than 50 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will be broadcast internationally and on closed circuit by KingVision.
For room packages and availability and event ticket information about the MGM Grand, call (800) 929-1111 or (702) 891-7777 or log onto the World Wide Web at www.mgmgrand.com.
ESPN Classic Televise Golden Gloves Live
THU May 12 - The premier amateur fighters in America will hit the television airwaves prime-time in innovative two-day sports programming when ESPN Classic televises the Golden Gloves National Semi Finals and Finals live on Friday, May 20, and Saturday, May 21, from 8:OO PM to 12 midnight from the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, it was announced today by Golden Gloves of America president Steven Abel.
It will be the first time that ESPN Classic televises a live sports program in prime time, which will be produced by Golden Gloves of America in association with ESPN Classic, All Mobile Video and TVS Sports.
Semi final bouts in all 11 weight classes will air on May 20, and the each of the 11 championship matches will be televised on May 21, with the stellar veteran boxing broadcast team of blow-by-blow man Barry Tompkins and expert analyst Al Bernstein providing the commentary on both nights.
Golden Gloves originated in Chicago in 1923. The first National Tournament of Champions took place in 1927 matching New York and Chicago. Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions is deemed one of the greatest American championship traditions in all of sports. Golden Gloves of American is a 501-c3 organization consisting of 30 regional f chapters dedicated to inner-city youth outreach and upholding the greatest ideals of amateur sports-boxing. Golden Gloves of America is a qualifying tournament program to the Olympic Team Trials - 2007 winners automatically qualify for 2008.
Ellis Returns on Saturday
THU May 12 - Kenny Ellis (33-6-2, 22kos) will return to the ring for the first time in ten months this Saturday night at the Emerald Queen Casino’s Battle at the Boat boxing series. First fight is scheduled for 7:30 PM. Ellis will face Aaron Norwood (22-5-2, 10kos) in a super middleweight fight. Ellis is coming off a disappointing loss to Troy Rowland that was broadcast on ESPN2 last June.
“Kenny’s very ready for this fight” said promoter Brian Halquist. “It will be one fight at 168 pounds and then back to 160 after that. We are already looking for our next fight for Kenny”.
The card features Roger Cantrell who just finished 5th in the USA Boxing Nationals last month and signed with Brian Halquist Productions last month. “Roger is an exciting fighter and people are abuzz about his pro-debut” Halquist said.
Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations and the Emerald Queen Casino. Tickets are priced at $75, $40 and $20.
Please visit our website at www.halquistproductions.com for updates, boxing news and more!
One in a Million Stars Featured
THU May 12 - Merrillville Hooters restaurant will host the top fighters in the Midwest's fastest growing sport as One In A Million INC., the Midwest's top pro boxing team, holds a press conference for "Friday Night Fights,"¯ its next action packed card.
"Friday Night Fights"¯ takes place May 20, 2005, at 8:00 PM at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville, IN. The press conference will be held Tuesday, May 10 at 7:00 Pm at the Merrillville restaurant.
Hooters and pro boxing are a natural team, said Octavius James, CEO of One In A Million INC.
"Hooters is known for its great sports theme and its beauties,"¯ James said. 'One In A Million' is known for our great shows and our exciting fighters, so it's a great match." Chicago's Ali Supreme will headline the card, just months after winning the NABF Cruiserweight Title. Hammond Lightweight Johnny Novak, who holds belts from the IN.B.A. and the Indiana State Boxing Association, will defend his titles in the co-main event.
"Other fighters in "Friday Night Fights"¯ include Demotte's Middleweight Jimmy "The Fighting School Teacher"¯ Holmes and Chicago Undefeated Middleweight sensation Michael "The Midnight Stalker" Walker.
Another crowd favorite Ruben "The Modern Day Warrior"¯ Galvan and Mexico City's own Lightweight Jaime Alvarado will round out the card.
For more information on "Friday Night Fights", the May 10 press conference or Tickets, call 866-438-7372, Star Plaza 219-769-6600 or Any Ticket Master location 312-559-1212.
Visit us at: www.oneinamillionboxing.com
