TalkingBoxing News
Zab to Floyd: ‘Why Not Me at 147?’
THU August 18 - Undisputed world welterweight champion Zab “Super” Judah extended his congratulations to “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather Jr. after he destroyed Arturo “Thunder” Gatti on June 25 to become a three-division world
champion. Judah also serviced notice on Mayweather that if he wanted
to
attempt to become a four-division champion, Judah and his titles are
waiting
for him at 147 pounds.
Judah’s disposition towards the undefeated Mayweather (34-0, 23 KOs) has changed after “Pretty Boy” has spent what Judah feels is an inordinate amount of time and effort focusing on attempting to move up two weight divisions to 154 pounds to face Winky Wright. Those protracted negotiations fell apart on Tuesday.
“I don’t understand why Floyd spent all this time trying to make a fight with Winky,” Judah said. “I am the undisputed welterweight world champion—just seven pounds heavier than Floyd—and he wants to move to 154 and face a man with no titles? I don’t get it.”
Judah (34-2, 25 KOs) added: “Floyd says he’s never ducked anyone and never will. If he will not fight me, he’s going to have some explaining to do. Fighters know things that other people don’t. By looking over me, he’s telling me he fears me.”
Judah had a final message for Mayweather: “It’s not me. Sign the contract tomorrow Floyd and it’s on. I’m going to make you pay for avoiding me.”
Judah’s promoter, Don King, believes Mayweather’s advisors have been misguided to focus on the Wright match, and the time has come for the Judah vs. Mayweather fight to be made.
“This is a super-fight waiting to happen,” King said. “Zab is the undisputed welterweight champion, and the only fighter near Floyd’s weight with the combination of speed and power to present a clear and present danger to his undefeated record.”
“I believe ‘Lonesome’ Bob Arum has given him bad advice. He’s a three-division champion and should prove himself at welterweight before thinking about super welterweight. All this talk about Winky does make one wonder if Floyd sees something in Zab that he doesn’t want to face in the ring.”
WBO Champ Santos, Kaddour Hold Workout
THU August 18 - WBO Jr. Middleweight champion Daniel "El Pillin" Santos and Ahmed "Baby Face" Kaddour of The Contender will hold an open work out this coming Saturday at the Punch Fitness Boxing Gym in Deerfield, Florida.
World Boxing Organization Jr. Middleweight champion Daniel "El Pillin" Santos and Jr. Middleweight prospect and former contestant of the reality TV show The Contender Ahmed "Baby Face" Kaddour will be holding an open workout at noon this coming Saturday from the Punch Fitness Boxing Gym in Deerfield, Florida.
Also in attendance will be cruiserweight Francisco "The Wizard" Palacios (6-0) and Jr. middleweight Felix "Poderoso" Zepeda (2-0). Both fighters are scheduled to see action on the 27th of August at the Palm Beach Convention Center, in a card to be promoted by Jeff Gibson's ELITE PROMOTIONS.
All fighters will be signing autographs and taking pictures after the workout, and will be available to the press for interviews. Punch Fitness is located on the SW Corner of Hillsboro and Powerline, in the Deerfield Mall in between Office Max and the Movie Theater. The street address is:
4020 West Hillsboro Blvd
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
954.428.8990
Duddy Headlines in Boston
THU August 18 - Unbeaten Irish middleweight sensation John Duddy (11-0, 10 KOs) will headline "Mayhem in Mansfield," September 17 at the Dana Barros Sports Complex in Mansfield, Massachusetts.
"Mayhem in Mansfield" is promoted by New England Ringside Promotions in association with Irish Ropes and Cedric Kushner Productions.
Duddy, 26, is a native of County Derry in Northern Ireland, now fighting out of Queens (NY). He is coming off of a scintillating eighth-round knockout of veteran Patrick Coleman (29-11) last month on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.
"It's long overdue," Duddy said about fighting in the Boston area. "I'm really excited about fighting there. Boston has a large Irish contingent. I'm looking forward to having a lot of fans there and, hopefully, leaving with a lot more than I have right now. I'm going to put on a show so they know who I am. They're going to see an all out explosion in the ring."
Duddy will be in the eight-round main event against and opponent yet to be determined.
"We're excited to have one of the top prospects in boxing headlining our show," New England Ringside Promotions president Rick Brutti added. "John Duddy is a star in the making and fans around here have been waiting a long time to watch him fight live. Dana Barros, the former NBA star, owns a beautiful facility that's within a 30-minute drive of Boston, Providence and Worcester. It seems natural to have a former Boston Celtics player hosting a fight featuring John Duddy and James Moore."
Moore (1-0, 1 KO), a Bronze Medal winner at the 2001 World Amateur Championships, is scheduled to fight in his first six-round match. The 27-year-old junior middleweight is from County Wicklow, Ireland. He now lives around the corner from Duddy in Queens.
Former Massachusetts super middleweight champion Derrick "Double Impact" Whitley (22-23-3, 11 KOs) is matched against light heavyweight Dhafir "No Fear" Smith (13-9-2, 3 KOs) of Pennsylvania in the eight-round co-feature.
In scheduled four-round matches, Worcester welterweight Luis Villamontes, fighting out of Brockton, faces David Lee Marquez, of Colorado Springs, in pro debuts for both fighters; three-time New York City Golden Gloves champion Jorge Teron (5-0, 4 KOs) is also on the card. Other undercard bouts will soon be announced. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets are priced at $100.00 (VIP/ringside), $55.00 (reserved), and $35.00 general admission. Tickets may be ordered by going to www.ticketweb.com and will be on sale at the doors the night of the show. Doors open at 6 p.m., first bout at 7:30 p.m.
New England Ringside Promotions is a division of New England Ringside whose boxing interests also include a monthly magazine, six weekly radio shows, and popular web site (www.newenglandringside.com). For more information about New England Ringside Promotions, New England Ringside or advertising/sponsorship inquires visit its web site or call 781.932.1190.
Chavez Joins Golden Boy, Added to Sept. PPV
THU August 18 - Golden Boy Promotions announces the addition of an IBF lightweight title bout between champion Levander Johnson and Jesus “The Matador” Chavez. This fight has been added to the already-explosive card with WBC junior lightweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera fighting in a unification bout against IBF champion Robbie Peden, and former three division champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley in action in a welterweight bout against Jose Luis Cruz. The Sept. 17 Parade of Champions fight card takes place at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View.
“To be able to put on a show with just one world champion is always special,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya. “But to gather five current or former champions on one card will be a night to remember for fight fans, and it’s a great way to help celebrate the Mexican Independence Day weekend.”
Levander Johnson (34-4-2, 26 KOs), a veteran of more than 16 years in the fight game, became one of the ‘feel good’ stories of the sport in June when he achieved his dream of becoming a world champion by stopping Stefano Zoff in Italy. A true student of the game with the heart of a lion, Johnson has inspired many with his perseverance and dedication and he plans on keeping a firm grip on his title.
“Levander Johnson is a true professional and a working man’s champion,” said Johnson’s promoter Lou DiBella. “His fight with Chavez is a battle of true warriors. On Sept. 17, Levander will retain his title and move forward towards a mega-fight.”
In addition to this fight announcement, Golden Boy Promotions is pleased to announce Chavez has been signed to a promotional contract. “Jesus Chavez is in a rare position in boxing because he’s a fighter’s fighter and a fan’s fighter,” said De La Hoya. “To have a true warrior like Jesus fighting under the Golden Boy Promotions banner is an honor for us and it goes without saying that whenever he steps into the ring, there are going to be fireworks. We’re also looking forward to seeing Jesus bring another world title belt to our team Sept. 17.”
Known for his determination and the two-fisted attacks that have made him a fan favorite over his 11-year career, Chavez (41-3, 28 KOs) comes to fight every time he steps into the ring. A former WBC champion at 130 pounds, the Mexico native (who now makes his home in Texas) may best be remembered for the 2004 war with Erik Morales that saw Chavez battle the future hall of famer with basically one arm and leg due to severe shoulder and knee injuries suffered during the fight. In May 2005, Chavez showed no ill effects from the Morales bout as he won an epic decision over Carlos Hernandez in a bout that will make many “Fight of the Year” lists.
Tickets for Parade of Champions, priced at $50, $75, $150, $250 and $350, are now on sale and can be purchased through any MGM Grand box office outlet or by visiting www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
The Parade of Champions pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT on Sept. 17, has a suggested retail price of $44.95 and will be distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View. It will be available to more than 50 million pay-per-view homes. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For more event information log onto www.HBOPPV.com.
For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com.
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