TalkingBoxing News
Final Quotes from Tszyu, Hatton
THU June 2 -
In a match-up that has the makings of a classic, IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Kostya Tszyu (31-1, 25 KOs, 1 ND) will defend against enormously popular, undefeated hometown favorite Ricky Hatton (38-0, 28 KOs) in the most hostile of environments - the challenger's backyard before 18,000 fans at MEN Arena in Manchester, England -- on Saturday, June 4, on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
The highly anticipated event, yet another SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Fight of the Year candidate, begins LIVE at 2 a.m. in England.
KOSTYA TSZYU: “I have had a very good training camp and I am here to show all my skills. Ricky is a great challenger. I have seen him fight. This is about respect, boxer to boxer.
“Fighting Ricky in his hometown does not matter at all to me because inside the ring, nobody else can help him. I am here for business. Ricky has seen me. He knows what I am capable of, but I have a few secrets you will see at the fight. When I go into the ring, I cannot see what is going on around me. I am in a tunnel, focused.
“Does it concern me that I have boxed only three rounds in the past two and a half years? Ask Sharmba Mitchell. I am fresh. I have been in the gym. When you live a healthy life, do not drink or smoke, it does not matter if you are 35 or 25. Someone told me that the 25-year-old Tszyu would beat the 35-year-old. No way. I would kill the 25-year-old Tszyu. I am such a better boxer now.”
RICKY HATTON
“This is a great opportunity for me. I have never been this nervous before a fight, but I have never felt this confident either. I have prepared for this fight just as I prepared for the previous 38.
“Tszyu is known for his right hand and good body punches. I have watched a lot of film on him. In fact, I have probably seen more film on him than anyone. So I know what to expect.
“I have a lot more in my game than I have shown so far.
“In my fights, I have always been the favorite, so this is a different pressure. But everyone knows why I am here. I belong.
“This is the biggest fight of my life. Have you ever seen a better (junior) welterweight than Tszyu, and perhaps (Julio Cesar) Chavez? Tszyu is a fighter of such a great caliber. If anyone can handle the atmosphere it is him. He beat Chavez even with all those screaming Mexicans.’’
Photo: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME
WBC Strips Castillejo; Two-Thirds of Board Agree
THU June 2 - "The World Boxing Council has decided to withdraw recognition of super welterweight world champion Francisco Javier Castillejo with more than two-thirds of the votes of the Board of Governors. Castillejo did not comply with his obligation to fight mandatory challenger Ricardo Mayorga and signed a contract to fight another boxer, violating the WBC commitment that he, as champion, had to comply with," president Jose Sulaiman stated in a recent release.
“The WBC, according to its Rules and Regulations, will order the two highest available contenders to fight for the vacant championship, a matter that will be discussed within the next few days.
“The WBC is confirming the celebration of its Second World Boxing Medical Congress that will take place in Acapulco, Mexico, from April 19 to 23, 2006.
“Boxing doctors from 58 countries have already made their attendance official, and about 30 top specialist physicians from the United States, as well as some other countries of the world, have already been scheduled to lecture on the most important medical topics for boxing, taking the most advanced features and medical processes of today for this great safety medical congress to be sponsored by the WBC. “The First WBC World Boxing Medical Congress was held in Aruba in May of 1997, and ring doctors from 83 countries attended. Many said it was the best they had ever seen in sports. The level of lecturing for 2006 is being considered to be at least as excellent as it was in 1997.”
Harrison-Brodie Weigh-In
THU June 2 - WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison (left) and challenger Michael Brodie square off after Thursday's weigh-in in Manchester, England.
Both boxers tipped the scales at the division-limit 126 pounds. Harrison defends his title against Brodie in Friday's main event on "ShoBox: The New Generation" on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
In the co-feature, WBO No. 1 contender Michael Jennings (146 1/2 pounds) faces Gavin Down (147 pounds) in a 10-round welterweight bout. Photo: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME
The "ShoBox" doubleheader is the first of back-to-back SHOWTIME telecasts from Manchester. On Saturday, Kostya Tszyu defends his IBF junior welterweight crown against Ricky Hatton on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). The eagerly awaited Tszyu-Hatton scheduled 12-round bout begins at 2 a.m. in England.
Golota Lands in Chicago, August 13th, Valuev his Opponent?
THU June 2 - Chicago lands heavyweight Andrew Golota for a second time as the former title challenger will appear on a summer time under-card at the United Center. Fight fans will watch Golota play the role of revitalizing his career against a potential giant on August 13th.
"I'm not going to give up on Golota, and I hope the Polish people don't," promoter Don King told Michael Hirsley of the Chicago Tribune.
Golota, 38-6-1, is coming off a 53-second knockout loss to WBO champion Lamon Brewster, but his promoter isn't giving up hope as King believes Golota can redeem himself and end his career on a high note. King would like to match Golota with 7-foot, WBA #1 ranked contender Nicolay Valuev for a potential title shot in the WBA. Losing via a first round knockout wasn't the ending King wanted for his heavyweight.
After the Brewster fight Golota said, "I prepared for this fight since the beginning of the year and I cannot believe it is so quickly over.” Golota will get another chance, but this could be the final one.
The August 13th main-event will pit former champion Hasim Rahman fighting top contender Monte Barrett for the 'interim' WBC heavyweight title and undisputed welterweight king Zab Judah will also make an appearance on the card against a 'TBA'.
Lacy Commander-in-Chief of 168!
THU June 2 - Undefeated IBF super middleweight champion JEFF “Left Hook” LACY, from St. Petersburg, FL, the first member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team to win a world title, is coming home.
Lacy will make his professional home debut in a mandatory title defense against former WBC super middleweight champion ROBIN REID, from Runcorn, England, the IBF’s top-rated contender. This will be Reid’s first fight on U.S. soil.. Promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, in association with One Punch Productions, Lacy-Reid will take place Saturday, August 6, at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL. Showtime will televise it live beginning at 9 P.M. EDT / 9 P.M. PDT (Delayed on the West Coast.)
“England lost to the United States in 1776 and in the rematch of 1812, there is no way, as Commander-in-Chief of the super middleweight division, I’m letting England win the 2005 war on the Tampa/St. Pete shore,” declared Lacy.
Lacy, 19-0 (15 KOs), captured the vacant IBF super middleweight title, October 2, 2004, knocking out No. 1 contender and two-time world title challenger Syd Vanderpool. Vanderpool, 35-3, who went the distance against world middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, had more than twice as many professional fights than Lacy. Yet it was Lacy who showed the poise and maturity of a veteran as he methodically broke down Vanderpool, ending his three-year, seven-bout winning streak – five by knockout.
This was the first time Vanderpool had ever been knocked out in his professional career. Since becoming the first member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team to win a world title, he has also become one of the busiest world champions too, successfully defending his title in December and March against Omar Sheika and Rubin Williams, respectively. This will be his fourth world title fight in less than 12 months.
Reid, 38-4-1 (27 KOs), captured the WBC super middleweight title in 1996, knocking out defending champion Vincenzo Nardiello in the seventh round. He successfully defended the title three times during his one-year reign before losing it to Thulane Malinga via a 12-round decision.
Reid has won 12 of his last 13 bouts, including the IBO super middleweight title last June, via a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Brian Magee. Magee, who had held the title since 2001, was sent to the canvas four times en route to a unanimous decision loss to Reid.
“I am thrilled to have this fight,” said Reid. “This is a landmark event in my professional career – to finally make my U.S. debut. This is what every fighter dreams of, fighting for a world title on the sport’s biggest stage. Let Tampa and St. Petersburg know that the British are coming - coming to take back the crown.”
Tickets: Tickets for this event go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. at the McDONALD’S BOX OFFICE at the St. Pete Times Forum and all Ticketmaster outlets. To order tickets by phone, call Ticketmaster at 813.287.8844 or 727.898.2100. For more information please call 813.301.2500 or visit www.stpetetimesforum.com.
Tickets are priced at $500.00, $300.00, $250.00, $125.00, $100,00, $50.00 and $35.00. Prices do not include service charges or facility fees. VIP Packages are available by calling 800.255.5070. For dinner reservations at Medallions Restaurant on the night of the event please call 813.301.6926. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit MacDill Air Force Base charities.
NBA Star Announces Pro Debut
THU June 2 - Fourteen year NBA veteran Kendall Gill will announce his intentions to make his professional boxing debut this summer during a press conference and workout this Friday morning at 11AM at JABB Boxing Gym located at 410 N. Oakley, near the intersection of Grand and Western on Chicago's near northwest side.
Prior to speaking to the press and answering questions, the Chicago native and University of Illinois grad will show off his solid boxing skills by shadowboxing, working the mitts and hitting the speedbag.
Gill has been training at JABB for the last 18 months and says he is in the best shape of his life. "I'm taking this very seriously just like the professional approach I brought to my career in the NBA."
Said Dominic Pesoli, owner of JABB Boxing Gym, "He's been very serious about this. He wants to make his pro debut this summer and the press conference and workout is a great way to show off his skills."
Releford, Miranda Return June 16th
THU June 2 - Gaining supporters with each successive outing, Heavyweight ‘Comeback Kid’ Kendrick Releford has stunned boxing observers with his resurgence over the last year; unbeaten Colombian Middleweight Edison Miranda could be dubbed ‘The Knockout Kid’ for his tendency to end fights before the judges’ scorecards are read.
On Thursday, June 16, at the Seminole Coconut Creek Casino in Coconut Creek, Florida, Warriors Boxing Promotions Inc’s latest phenoms will thrill boxing fans once again as they highlight the undercard of the 12 round IBF Lightweight Elimination Bout between Ricky Quiles and Javier Jauregui.
This exciting night of World-Class boxing is presented by Warriors Boxing Promotions, Inc. in association with The Seminole Coconut Creek Casino and Golden Boy Promotions. Doors open at 6:30pm and the first bell rings at 7:30pm.
In the featured undercard bout on June 16, streaking Heavyweight contender Kendrick Releford of Fort Worth, Texas, will battle Akron, Ohio’s David Polk (9-4) in a ten round matchup. Releford (13-4-1, 5 KOs) has been a late bloomer in the sport, rebounding from an 8-3-1 early pro record to win his last five bouts, including victories over Elieser Castillo, Ron Guerrero, and Ramon Garbey. The 23 year-old Texan currently holds the WBO Latino and IBF United States Atlantic Coast Regional Championship Titles. He is on the fast track to the top ten within the coming year.
Also on tap at the Seminole Coconut Creek Casino is an intriguing 12 round Middleweight Championship bout between rising star Edison Miranda (22-0, 21 KOs) and fellow prospect Jose Varela (17-1, 13 KOs). Barranquilla, Colombia’s Miranda is coming off his US debut on May 20, where he won an impressive decision over rugged Sam Reese in a ten round battle. Blessed with concussive power and a pleasing style, boxing insiders believe the 24-year-old is destined for great things in the Middleweight division. But he will have to get past Chinandega’s Varela first; no easy task since the former Nicaraguan Champion has no shortage of dynamite in his gloves and is fresh off back-to-back fourth round knockout wins in his native country.
Rounding out the card on June 16 will be Ethiopian knockout artist Sammy Retta (17-2, 16 KOs), who faces hard-hitting Fort Wayne, Indiana native Corey Bodd (7-6, 7 KOs) in a Light Heavyweight bout scheduled for six rounds; and sensational Junior Middleweight prospect Ed Paredes will open the show by putting his 3-0 (2 KOs) record on the line in a four round special attraction against an opponent to be announced shortly. In Paredes’ last bout, on May 20, he made his national television debut on ESPN2 by stopping Jean Michel in two rounds.
For tickets to “Thunder Storm at the Creek”, priced at $100, $50 and $30, please call 954.977.6700, 1.866.2CASINO or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
For more information on Warrior’s Boxing, please visit our website at www.warriorsboxing.com
