TalkingBoxing News
Braithwaite-Jones Moves into Showtime Co-Feature
WED August 17 - A World Boxing Council and an International Boxing Federation
cruiserweight elimination bout between former World Boxing Council
cruiserweight champion Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite and Guillermo “El
Filino” Jones has been tapped as the co-featured main event on the
Sept. 3
Don King Productions-promoted and SHOWTIME-televised card at Gund Arena
after the originally scheduled showdown between World Boxing
Organization
junior middleweight champion Daniel “El Pillin” Santos and former WBA
welterweight champion Jose Antonio Rivera was scrapped after Rivera
suffered
a training injury late last week.
The shared main event that will lead the domestic SHOWTIME telecast 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) remains Owen “What the Heck” Beck facing Sergei “White Wolf” Liakhovich, a bout with world title implications.
Rivera saw noted Boston physician Dr. Bill Morgan recently regarding a chronic condition in his left elbow. (Morgan had been the Boston Red Sox team physician until this year and is best remembered for successfully treating Curt Schilling’s ankle problems during last year’s Playoffs and World Series. He has also previously performed successful surgeries on Rivera including to his thumb and wrist.)
Rivera sparred on Thursday in Windsor, Conn., and blocked many punches with his arms. He awoke on Friday morning to find his condition had deteriorated to the point where he could not extend his left arm. After consulting with Rivera by phone, Morgan recommended elbow surgery.
Braithwaite (21-1, 15 KOs), from Brooklyn, N.Y., by way of Guyana, had been invincible in all of his contests prior to his last bout. He won the vacant WBC cruiserweight title by defeating Vicenzo Cantatore in Italy in 2002 and easily defended his title three times before entering a world title unification match against Jean-Marc Mormeck in Worcester, Mass., on April 2.
Braithwaite put his WBC crown and undefeated record on the line against the WBA champion Mormeck, the first and only man to enter the ring looking bigger and stronger than the strapping Braithwaite. The two pounded it out for 12 rounds, but it was Mormeck who walked off with the unanimous decision and titles.
Braithwaite has chosen a difficult opponent to get back on the winning track in the slick veteran Jones, (32-3-2, 25 KOs), from Colon, Panama. Jones last opponent was former International Boxing Federation cruiserweight champion Kelvin “Koncrete” Davis, who had just been stripped for inexplicably refusing to fight his mandatory challenger, O’Neill “Give ‘em Hell” Bell.
Jones disposed of Davis in impressive fashion with a shocking series of combinations in the fourth round that prompted referee John O’Brien to step in and halt the action.
Two of the best heavyweight contenders in the world, both of whom have suffered only one loss, are ranked in the world top 10, and are knocking on the door of their first world title shot will meet for the USNBC heavyweight championship.
Beck (24-1, 18 KOs), originally from Jamaica now living in Nashville, Tenn., was undefeated with 24 wins, but untested against proven competition, before stepping into the ring against the more seasoned Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett in St. Louis on Feb. 5 in an elimination bout with a world title shot going to the winner.
Barrett scored a second-round flash knockdown, but Beck regained his composure and rocked Barrett in the middle rounds, coming very close at one point to a knock down. Beck’s performance was strong enough to be ahead on one of the judges’ scorecards before succumbing to Barrett by technical knockout in round nine.
Liakhovich (22-1, 14 KOs), a Belarussian now living in Scottsdale, Ariz., defeated then-undefeated champion Friday “The 13th” Ahunanya to take his North American Boxing Association heavyweight championship in 2001.
In his next appearance, the young Russian suffered his lone loss to the always dangerous spoiler Maurice “Mo Betta” Harris in 2002.
Liakhovich hasn’t lost since, racking up six wins in three years. In his last showing on Dec. 3 in Atlantic City, N.J., he came in as a slight underdog against rising prospect Dominick Guinn, but he sent a strong message to the heavyweight division by giving a dominating performance that led to victory by way of unanimous decision.
Tickets priced at $100, $50 and $25 areon sale now at the Gund Arena ticket office (where there is no service fee), all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone in Cleveland at (216) 241-2121 and in Akron at (330) 945-9400. For more information, log on to www.GundArena.com or call the Gund Arena event information line at (216) 420-2200.
A typically stacked Don King Productions undercard will lead with the return of former IBF bantamweight champion “Cincinnati Kid” Tim Austin (25-1-1, 22 KOs) and Cleveland’s own heavyweight Ray “The Rainman” Austin (22-3-3, 15 KOs), who is coming off an impressive performance at Madison Square Garden against Larry “The Legend” Donald that resulted in a hard-fought draw on April 30. Opponents for these fighters will be announced soon.
Santos (29-2-1, 20 KOs), from Puerto Rico, came to prominence in 1999 when he avenged a controversial decision against Ahmed Kotiev by knocking out the Russian to take his WBO welterweight title. He successfully defended the title twice before moving up to 154 pounds where he won the vacant WBO junior middleweight crown by defeating noted Mexican Luis “Yory Boy” Campas in 2002.
He has successfully defended his junior middleweight crown four times. In his last appearance, he won a technical decision over the highly touted Antonio Margarito (now the reigning WBO welterweight champion). The Mexican suffered a nasty gash over his right eye after an accidental clash of heads in round six, and the referee stopped the fight and went to the scorecards in round nine with Santos winning a split decision.
Rivera (37-4-1, 24 KOs), an American of Puerto Rican descent from Worcester, Mass., won the vacant WBA welterweight title by defeating Michel Trabant in Germany in 2003. Rivera had then planned to face Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga at Madison Square Garden on April 17, 2004, but the Nicaraguan wildman was unable to make the 147-pound limit. In his last fight, Rivera drew a tough foe in Louis Collazo, who stepped in to fight the champion on just three weeks’ notice in Rivera’s hometown of Worcester on April 2. In a close, action-packed contest, Rivera lost a narrow split decision. Rather than continue to fight at 147 pounds, Rivera feels he will be stronger at 154 pounds.
Witter Becomes Top-Rated
WED August 17 - Bradford’s Junior Witter moved a step closer to an authentic world title challenge last week when the WBC installed him as the number one contender to their current champion and pound for pound king ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather. The decision to elevate the British, Commonwealth and European title-holder follows the exclusion of Gianluca Branco – who is set to face WBO king Miguel Cotto - from the governing body’s latest light welterweight rankings.
“This is obviously great news for Junior, “ said his promoter Mick Hennessy. “It is indicative of the progress he has made since he began working with us.” Hennessy added: “Our priority now is to get him installed as the WBC mandatory challenger as soon as is possible. Given past events with Branco, I strongly believe Junior deserves this position..
“He has earned the right to face Mayweather, a marquee champion.
“A Mayweather-Witter showdown would be a great fight for the 140lbs division.
“Junior would be a completely different proposition to Mayweather’s last victim Arturo Gatti.
“Junior wouldn’t be a stationary target; he’s got fantastic movement and punches harder than Gatti.”
Witter may get the chance to prove that with a direct comparison. Rumours are circulating that Mayweather may vacate his title and move out of the division to face either Winky Wright or Zab Judah.
If that comes to pass the WBC would have to match their top two ranked light welterweight contenders – Witter and Gatti.
“Gatti’s a proven warrior but I’m convinced that Junior would bring way too much to the table for him,” added Hennessy.
“This would be another fight well worthy of a world title that would generate significant interest on both sides of the pond.
Witter is also highly regarded by the other recognised governing bodies. Having recently consolidated his position as an elite fighter he now also finds himself WBA #3, IBF#3 and WBO #3.
His time is drawing near.
“I’m ready to make the move from a highly ranked contender to a highly regarded champion,” said Witter.
“I’m a premier player and I want to prove it right now. I don’t want to sit in the comfort zone and take easy touches. I want to prove I am the best by beating the best.”
Santos Disappointed, Beck Expects Fireworks
WED August 17 - One of the most talented 154-pounders in the world, Daniel Santos (29-2-1, 20 KOs) is scheduled to defend his WBO junior middleweight title in the 12-round main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). In a must-win fight for a pair of once-beaten heavyweights who aspire to box for a world title, Owen Beck (24-1, 18 KOs) will meet Sergei Liakhovich (22-1, 14 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature. The doubleheader, promoted by Don King Productions, will take place at Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
Question: What is your reaction to the fact that Rivera cannot fight?
Santos: It is a shame because I have been training for three months for this kind of fight. He was a strong fighter and right-handed. So now we have to change the way that we are going to fight. We have a short time to study the guy we are going to fight. I have been training almost four months, and either way I feel in great shape. It is just a matter of who they are going to put in to fight on Sept. 3.
Question: Who would you like to fight if you had a choice?
Santos: Winky Wright does not have an opponent (so I would fight him). I have been the champion for five years, and I know it would be a good show. Because we are good fighters and good
hitters.
Question: Do you feel like you are underrated and maybe are not getting the kind of respect that a fighter of your caliber deserves?
Santos: I know that I am underrated because I have had bad luck in my career. I have been fighting once in a year, two times in a year. And it is bad for my career because people have to know what kind of fighters they have to watch. And I know that when I get my chance, I will do my best to make the kind of fights that people like.
Question: With no opponent, what changes have you made in your training strategy in the gym?
Santos: The routine in the gym has not changed yet. I will keep doing what I am doing until I know the new opponent. Once we know the opponent, I will make some changes because that is the most important part of the fight. The kind of sparring partners you have have to be almost the same style as who you are going to fight.
Question: Recently Kofi Jantuah was calling you out; would he be someone you would be willing to take on right now, or would you prefer a little more training to avenge your only legitimate loss?
Santos: Personally, it would be a good thing because I would like revenge. But from the business side, it would not make sense so I would not have anything to do with him.
Question: Is there any type of opponent that you would not want to fight within two weeks?
Santos: The one that I have in my mind is Winky Wright because that is the guy that is hot now. I do not know if that will
happen because I do not know if they want to pay for the fight, but that is who I want.
Question: What was your initial reaction when you heard that Rivera could not fight?
Santos: I hope he recovers soon. And wishing him good luck and keeping it real.
Question: There's also another 154-pound champion, Alejandro "Terra" Garcia. If the opportunity does not present itself for you to fight Winky Wright, since Don King has the four champions, would this be a good opponent for you?
Santos: Since Don has the four champions, this would be a wonderful thing, not only for me but for the division. I would like to see happen in my division what Don was able to do in the middleweight division. This would be attractive, not only to me, but to the fight fans.
Question: Owen, do you have an opening comment?
Beck: First of all I want to thank God for this opportunity. I want to thank SHOWTIME for the things they have been doing. I am anxious and just cannot wait for it to happen. Most definitely. It is wonderful in Cleveland. The weather is great.
Question: You have a new trainer, Willy Rush. Tell us a little bit about how that is going.
Beck: Willy Rush is just a blessing, just to have another Christian in the corner. Willy is truly a man of God. We already have one victory. Oliver McCall went out there and did what he had to do. And now it is Owen Beck's turn. And everybody from this camp will have to go back out there and keep the spirit going.
Question: Sergei, you are coming off a win over Dominick Guinn, who was very highly regarded. Are you looking forward to fighting Beck?
Liakhovich: I am getting ready, going through the pain and the hard work that it takes to get ready for a fight like that. I am very excited and thank everybody involved. I want to tell Beck and everyone that I have already, in my mind, seen how this fight is going to go, and basically I will capitalize on all of the mistakes that Beck made in the past. I am excited about this particular fight because Beck is the guy that is going to make me shine.
Question: Owen, are you scared?
Beck: Of what? The only person I am scared of is God Himself.
Question: Owen, how hard was it for you to deal with your first loss and what have you learned from that fight? Do you feel like you are better for it? How did you deal with it and how do you feel now, several months after?
Beck: I guarantee you, there are going to be fireworks up in the Gund Arena. And everybody up here in the camp, they see what is going on right now and they know. I just know when I get in the fight, it is just going to be fireworks because I am correcting all my mistakes.
Question: Sergei, do you feel you are underrated in the heavyweight ranks?
Liakhovich: My only chance to show myself was against Dominick Guinn. And I proved to everybody what I'm capable of.
That was no fluke. It is just a matter of time and the people will know who Sergei Liakhovich is.
Question: Sergei, who have you been sparring with?
Liakhovich: Who cares? I mean, I spar with a bunch of guys. It is not really going to come down to the sparring partners. It is just a matter of going through the process.
Question: You were Monte Barrett's last opponent. Did you watch his fight with Hasim Rahman?
Beck: Yes I did.
Question: What did you think of Monte's performance against Rahman?
Beck: It is going to be a total difference because when I fight, I bring the pain. I bring the best out in people. I want to see what you have. So I really believe that they did what they had to do, but it was nothing like Owen Beck versus Monte.
Question: Sergei, why do you think this is going to be such an easy fight?
Liakhovich: Who told you it was an easy fight?
Question: Well, you are pretty confident.
Liakhovich: Yes, I am pretty confident, but I never said it was an easy fight.
Question: OK, do you think this is going to be an easy fight?
Liakhovich: No. I know he is a tough guy, but I am not Monte Barrett and I am not the guy who he fought before. I am a totally different guy. I am a totally different boxer.
Question: Do you think you are going to be too much for him?
Liakhovich: Definitely.
Question: Why do you think Owen is tailor-made for you?
Liakhovich: I love fighters that come forward and want to hit me and want to brawl with me. I love that kind of stuff.
Question: And you see that Owen will do that with you?
Liakhovich: Well, maybe now he has different plans.
Beck: I bring the pain, baby, I bring the pain.
Question: But your hope is that he will stand right in front of you like he has done with other opponents and duke it out in the ring?
Liakhovich: I don't know if he will change his style, but he has a very beautiful chin. Bring it on. Bring your chin out there and I will hit it.
Beck: I'm bringing the pain, baby. Do not worry.
Question: What has been the biggest difference in this training camp compared to the one for the Barrett fight. Especially with Aaron Snow no longer in your corner?
Beck: It is totally different. I am more mentally prepared for this. Willy Rush is a veteran trainer. He believes in my style and he believes in what we are doing and are bringing a lot of things to the table that never came out before.
Question: Did you picture that you would be fighting someone like Sergei, coming off the tough loss to Monte?
Beck: No.
Question: Are you happy for this opportunity, Owen?
Beck: I am always happy for the opportunity. It is just a blessing to me daily to see who makes it on the list.
Question: Owen, is there pressure on you? Do you look at this like you have to win this fight?
Beck: Oh, no. There is more pressure on him.
Question: Why do you say that?
Beck: Because I am just bringing it to him. I am bringing the pain.
Question: So, do you think you are going to knock him out?
Beck: When you step in the ring with me, you had better be mentally and physically prepared. I do not believe in just going to the scorecards. I believe in knocking them out to win the fight.
Question: Sergei, being that Owen was impressive in his lone defeat against Monte Barrett, do you think a win over him would finally put you on the map?
Liakhovich: Not really. I am just looking at this fight as being a tune up for me. But I definitely hope to go on to bigger and better places.
Question: Do you have any closing comments? Anything you would like to say?
Liakhovich: It is all good with me. I will see you Sept. 3. Tune in and watch.
Question: Owen, how do you feel when Sergei says to you this is just a tune up fight for him? How do you respond to that?
Beck: Good luck. Nice try. Try it again somewhere else. I am a born champion. I was born to do this. I made one mistake, and trust me, I never make mistakes twice. All I have to say is just come out and do what you have to do. Make a fool out of me. Make me feel like I do not deserve to be in here. If you can do it. I do not see anybody who can.
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