TalkingBoxing News
Lacy, Reid Discuss IBF Title Fight
WED August 3 - With a world title unification showdown looming against WBO 168-pound titleholder Joe Calzaghe later this year, IBF Super Middleweight Champion Jeff Lacy will first have to defend his crown against former world champion and current IBO super middleweight kingpin, Robin Reid, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). Lacy, who has battled opponents in nine different states, as well as England and Wales, will fight in front of his hometown fans for the first time as a pro. This is Lacy’s 13th appearance on SHOWTIME.
JEFF “LEFT HOOK’’ LACY (19-0, 15 KOs):
“I am very excited about defending my title in my hometown and, for me, this is more than a dream come true because, really, I never believed something like this could happen. I would like to thank my promoter, Gary Shaw, and SHOWTIME for making this fight happen. Time-wise, it is taking forever for Saturday to get here. Two weeks ago, it seemed like a month out. Here we are, a few days away, and it still seems like two weeks away. So, I am ready to fight..
“I consider any opponent a dangerous one so I am not going to underestimate Reid. I do not watch a lot of tapes. That is not my job. But I am very confident that I will win. I expect to go out and do what my trainer and I have worked on for the last two months and put on a spectacular show.
“Reid is a veteran. He did not come all the way from England to lose. He knows the taste of what it is like to be a world champion. He also knows the taste of what it feels like to lose it. I do not want to taste that feeling. I am proud to be IBF champion. I take my job very seriously. I worked hard to win the title; now I am working even harder to keep it. I like the feel of wearing the belt around my waist.’’
ROBIN “THE GRIM REAPER’’ REID (38-4-1, 27 KOs):
“Lacy is a good fighter and a great champion, but he is still rather new to the game and I have a lot of experience in big fights and am a slick mover. Lacy has some weaknesses. I am going to expose them.
“All the pressure is on him. They are already talking about a fight with Joe Calzaghe. Of course, I think that is a mistake to look past me. Lacy is a powerful puncher. I think he is as strong with the right hand as he is with the left. But I am a counter-puncher who does best with guys who come forward
“I am not saying this will be an easy fight because technically it is going to be a hard fight. But I can make it easier by using everything in my arsenal and by doing all the things I know I am capable of doing. I am in fantastic shape. I have some tricks that can create a lot of problems for Lacy.
“I do not think I have to win by knockout just because this is his hometown. I have not got some decisions that should have gone my way in the past when I fought on the road, but I won the WBC title in Italy so I know it can be done. If I do my job the way I am supposed to, I trust the judges will do theirs and score each round as they go.’’
Calzaghe Awaits Lacy - Reid Winner
WED August 3, CURTIS McCORMICK - WBO Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe has a definite interest in this weekend's compelling matchup between IBF titlist Jeff Lacy and his seasoned veteran challenger Robin Reid, as the quick handed southpaw will likely face the winner later this year. The undefeated Welshman, 39-0 (31), is coming off a successful trip to Germany where he dominated the much improved Mario Veit enroute to a sixth round stoppage and has long been looking forward to the opportunity to add another world title belt to his trophy cabinet.
A Calzaghe - Lacy pairing has been talked about for some time now and "The Pride of Wales" is banking on the American slugger prevailing against his old British nemesis Reid. "Lacy probably wants to make a statement by beating Reid more comprehensively than I did," stated the longest current reigning world titlist in boxing today. "Lacy knows that I struggled against Reid, but I broke my hand in that fight and Reid did make things difficult for me. Lacy beating Reid isn't a forgone conclusion as Robin is still a good fighter. I don't believe Reid will win but I'll be shocked if Lacy can stop him. I think Reid will give a decent performance but he's a bit one paced. I think that Lacy will outwork him and I can see him winning the fight."
The Calzaghe - Reid matchup of 1999 was one of the best fights to take place in a British ring that year. It was a very close contest and arguably the toughest of the man from Wales' career to date. Calzaghe views a bout against Lacy to be much more profitable than a rematch with his English archrival.
"Basically, I want to fight Lacy and I'm not excited at the prospect of fighting Reid again," lamented Joe. "Obviously, if he wins he'd have the belt so I'd want to fight him but I don't think I have anything to prove in regards to Reid. He's a bitter man. He fought his best, I fought my worst and he still couldn't beat me but has mouthed off ever since about how he should have won the fight; Get over it.
"I've watched a couple of Lacy's fights and I'm excited because he's a good fighter and this is a challenge I need. Lacy and his handlers probably think that I'm long in the tooth and ready for the taking after watching my performance against Kabary Salem. But believe me, I've still got a lot to give and I showed that by going to Germany and fighting an underrated fighter, Mario Veit. He came in very confident off of a knock out win against Charles Brewer but I'm still at my best and stopped him. I'm looking forward to fighting Lacy, I just hope it can be made."
Calzaghe has been at super middleweight his whole career and has literally had to make the 168lb limit in his last seventeen fights, as they were all WBO title bouts. It's no secret that the thirty three year old has struggled to make weight in the last few years and would like nothing more than to move up to light heavyweight should he take care of the Lacy - Reid winner.
"To be honest, I didn't think much of Antonio Tarver or Glen Johnson when I watched their rematch not too long ago," recalled Calzaghe." Johnson looked like he got old overnight and seemed one paced while Tarver looked gun-shy. He looked to be gun-shy against Johnson and I don't think either of them are great fighters. I'd love to get into the ring with them but obviously as Tarver won that fight, he's the man I'd like to face."
While he's always taken his boxing very seriously, Calzaghe is aware that the clock is ticking and each day brings him one step closer to the end of his career. Simply put, the heavy handed southpaw isn't in any mood to wait around any longer for the career defining fights that he's always wanted. "A frustrating thing was for me was that my fight against Mario Veit wasn't screened in Britain," he said. "It was in Germany on Eurosport but Sky TV didn't screen the fight. I was really disappointed because it was a good performance and obviously after my previous showing against Salem, I wanted to show everybody that I could still fight.
"Now that Frank Warren has pulled off a great television deal, my fights are going to be screened on ITV and I think that will make a difference. I'll be fighting next on September 10th and I can't wait to get back in the ring. I'm 33 years old and I've been a champion a long time, but I'm not long in the tooth. I've still got the hunger and a belief that there's big fights out there for me. I met Jeff Lacy in Manchester two months ago and he's a great guy, I like his confidence but I also feel 100% that I'll knock him out. Out of all the champions, he's the one I want to fight and I think his style is best for me. I think it would it make a great fight. I know that he's going to come in and I know what he has and what he's going to throw. The difference is, he doesn't know what I have, as I can be unpredictable and do different things. I just want to fight the best out there."
www.joecalzaghe.com
Toney Battles Guinn on SHOWTIME
WED August 3 - Lights (Out), camera, action!! Heavyweight superstar James Toney is back and returning to the ring on SHOWTIME.
The charismatic, talented Toney and Dominick “The Southern Disaster” Guinn lock horns in what is sure to be an action-packed main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). Gary Shaw Productions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Don King Productions will co-promote the 12-round International Boxing Association (IBA) heavyweight title bout from a site to be announced.
Toney (68-4-2, 43 KOs), of Grand Rapids, Mich., will be making his first appearance since he fought for the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight crown on April 30, 2005, in New York. Toney easily outpointed defending champion John Ruiz to take the title, but the bout was later ruled a no-decision when Toney tested positive for a banned substance.
“No matter what happens, I know I did not cheat or take any illegal substances,” Toney, whose suspension ended July 30, said. “Keep in mind when the topic of steroids and drugs surface in the sport, James Toney states there is no need and has never been a need for me to indulge at all in any illegal substances to help me beat anybody.”
Toney had a “Lights Out” 12 months in 2003. He was named “Fighter of the Year” for his victories over Vassiliy Jirov and Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield. On April 26, he shocked the boxing world by scoring one knockdown en route to winning an electrifying 12-round decision over the then-undefeated Jirov for the IBF cruiserweight title. Then, the following Oct. 4, he dominated the legendary five-time heavyweight champion Holyfield, knocking him down once en route to a one-sided ninth-round TKO.
“I have always been ready to fight anybody out there, any time, anywhere.” Toney said. “I will knock them all over. My talent speaks for itself.’’
Guinn (25-2-1, 18 KOs), of Hot Springs, Ark., was very highly regarded when he turned pro on June 16, 2000. He had his way at the outset of his career, winning his initial 24 starts. But he has suffered some setbacks in recent bouts, going 1-2-1. Guinn knows that he needs a victory badly to help resurrect his promising career.
“It’s now or never,” Guinn said. “For me, this is like fighting for the undisputed heavyweight world title.’’
“When I beat Toney, I will show people what I am really all about,” Guinn said. “I know I can perform at a higher level. It was almost too easy for me at the beginning. But this is the ultimate challenge and I am ready for it.’’
Guinn began boxing at the age of nine, compiling an amateur record of 290-26. He captured several titles, including the Junior World Championships (1993), the National Golden Gloves (1997 and 1999), the U.S. National Championships (1998) and a bronze medal at the Goodwill Games (1998).
Guinn emerged as a force to be reckoned with on June 7, 2003, when he stopped former title contender Michael Grant in the seventh round. Guinn floored Grant four times before the referee stopped the contest.
On March 27, 2004, Guinn lost his first bout as a pro, suffering a split-decision defeat to the more experienced Monte Barrett in Little Rock, Ark, by the scores of 93-97 twice and 96-94.
Guinn rebounded to register a 23-second, first-round knockout over Phil Jackson in his next start. But Guinn dropped a 10-round decision to Sergei Liakhovich on Dec. 3, 2004, and boxed a 10-round draw with Friday Ahunanya on April 22, 2005.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside with Jim Gray serving as roving reporter. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast will be Jay Larkin, with David Dinkins, Jr. producing and Bob Dunphy directing.
For information on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and “ShoBox: The New Generation” telecasts, including complete fighter bios and records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at
Guzman Meets Jandaeng, Aug. 26th on Sycuan/Ringside Televised Card
WED August 3 - Undefeated and former World Boxing Organization junior featherweight champion Joan Guzman of the Dominican Republic faces the WBO’s No. 1-ranked featherweight, Terdsak Jandaeng of Thailand, on a nationally televised card promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions in association with Northeast Promotions, Zanfer, Goossen Tutor Boxing and Top Rank Aug. 26 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, N.Y.
The 10-round co-main event features unbeaten welterweight Carlos Quintana of Puerto Rico.
The undercard features two women’s bouts: Ann Marie Saccurato of White Plains (9-0-2, 4 KOs) against Belinda Laracuente of Bronx, N.Y./Puerto Rico (21-10-2, 9 KOs) in a six-round super lightweight fight and Maureen Shea of Bronx (Pro Debut), who was the chief sparring partner for Hilary Swank in preparation for her role in the Oscar-winning feature film “Million Dollar Baby.”
Other undercard bouts include Bryant Pappas of Yonkers, N.Y., (2-0, 2 KOs); James “Irish” Moore of Queens, N.Y., (1-0); and Curtis Jones of Brooklyn. N.Y., (1-0-1, 1 KO) in separate four-round middleweight fights; and Cory Jones of Brooklyn (0-0) in a four-round super welterweight bout.
Guzman, who voluntarily relinquished the WBO junior featherweight championship he won during 2002 in order to move up to the 126-pound division, has a record of 23-0 with 17 knockouts.
Jandaeng, the WBO Asia Pacific featherweight champion, has a record of 18-0 with 13 knockouts.
It looms large that the winner between Guzman and Jandaeng may get a title shot at current WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison.
Tickets, priced at $30, $40, $75 and $100, are available at the Westchester County Center box office Monday through Friday 10 a.m. (Eastern) to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets also may be purchased by calling 914-995-4050, 845-454-3388 or 212-307-7171 or through www.ticketmaster.com
The 29-year-old Guzman is a unique combination of power, speed and boxing skill, attributes that will hold him in even better stead as he moves up to the featherweight division, one in which he feels more comfortable.
Guzman decisioned Joe Morales in a super featherweight bout last November in Glendale, Ariz., then struggled to make weight before successfully defending his WBO junior featherweight championship with a 12-round unanimous decision over Fernando Beltran Jr. on a card presented by Sycuan Ringside Promotions April 22 in Hidalgo, Texas.
Jandaeng has been extremely active; he has fought eight times during the past 11 months, including seven WBO Asia Pacific title bouts.
The 28-year-old Quintana, a southpaw, has a record of 20-0 with 16 knockouts.
Opponents for Shea, Pappas, Moore, Jones and Jones will be determined.
The card will be televised by Telefutura.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions of El Cajon, Calif., is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport. Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had three world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts on premium cable networks.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including International Boxing Federation junior featherweight champ Israel Vazquez and former IBF lightweight champion Julio Diaz.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Glenn Quiroga, president; Willie Tucker Sr., senior vice president; Scott Woodworth, vice president of boxing operations; and Michael Marley, vice president of public relations.
McCall Replaces Injured Golota on Aug. 13th
WED August 3 - Former heavyweight world champion and Chicago native Oliver “The Atomic Bull” McCall has agreed to step in to fight Przemyslaw “Chemek” Saleta on Don King’s Global Glory card at the United Center on Aug. 13.
Saleta’s original opponent, Andrew Golota, suffered a training injury,
which
will prevent him from participating in the match.
Golota was sparring at the Windy City Gym on Monday when his opponent hit him with a left hook that caused Golota’s headgear to stretch and tear his right eyelid. He was taken to New Horizon Clinic in Skokie where Dr. Gregory Turowski administered eight stitches inside the eyelid and 10 stitches to the outside of the eyelid to close the cut.
McCall (44-8, 31 KOs) became heavyweight world champion by scoring a second-round technical knockout over then World Boxing Council champion Lennox Lewis in 1994. Always a dangerous puncher, McCall has also scored wins over Larry Holmes, Oleg Maskaev and Henry Akinwande.
On Nov. 13, McCall fought heavyweight contender DaVarryl Williamson at Madison Square Garden in New York. McCall lost a close decision to Williamson, who recently earned the right to be the current mandatory challenger to International Boxing Federation heavyweight champion Chris Byrd.
Saleta, (42-6, 21 KOs) from Warsaw, was the first Polish fighter to turn professional in 1991. He had been a national, European and world kickboxing champion as both an amateur and professional. He met and defeated Vitali Klitschko while a kickboxer.
Saleta lived in Florida and trained under the legendary Angelo Dundee from 1992 to 1996. He became the WBC International cruiserweight champion in 1994 before moving to heavyweight the following year.
His career highlight occurred when he became the first and only Polish fighter to become European champion when he scored a ninth-round technical knockout over then-undefeated Luan Krasniqi in Dortmund, Germany on July 20, 2002. Krasniqi defeated Lance “Mount” Whitaker on May 28 in a World Boxing Organization elimination bout, and will face heavyweight champion “Relentless” Lamon Brewster in Germany on Sept. 28.
Saleta’s movie star looks and endorsement deals have made him a media darling in Poland where he hosts numerous television and radio shows while often gracing the covers of female-appeal magazines.
His first wife was a model, his soon-to-be ex-wife posed for the Polish
edition Playboy, and his current girlfriend, 21-year-old Kasia
Kraszewska,
was the cover girl and Playmate of the Month in the March issue of the
Polish edition of Playboy. She shot a Playmate test in Chicago on July
19
for the U.S. edition of Playboy.
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