TalkingBoxing News
Atlas Foundation Assisting Families
TUE November 22 - Just 48 hours after the Dr. Theodore Atlas Dinner raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the less fortunate, big hearted Teddy Atlas was at it again.
The boxing trainer and ESPN2 Friday Night Fights commentator was up early Saturday morning at PS 35 in Staten Island, getting ready to make Thanksgiving a happy time for those in need. Accompanied by his aides de camp Joe Fama and Kathy Zito, Teddy was helping to distribute 400 turkeys with all the trimmings to less fortunate families from Staten Island to Asbury Park, from shelters throughout the area.
He called John Cirillo to share the good news, and couldn't hide the pure joy of giving back. "We have yams, cans of corn, gravy, juice, coffee, rolls, potatoes," enthused Atlas as he walked down the long line of products.
"And of course, 400 turkeys. There are vans and the streets are closed. The products are lined up 70 feet long and seven feet high. We are making a difference!"
The world could use more people like Teddy Atlas.
Laugh Factory Serving Comedy, Turkey; Volunteers Needed
TUE November 22 - The World Famous Laugh Factory in Times Square, which recently hosted Ike Quartey and Lou DiBella at a boxing press conference, will give the less fortunate a reason to smile on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, when it hosts several Thanksgiving dinners for struggling or lonely comics, actors, entertainers, and anyone in the New York community alone on the holiday. Turkey and all the trimmings, along with healthy portions of comedy will be offered during several seatings beginning at 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
New York's Laugh Factory follows the same giving path as its sister comedy club, the original Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, which has opened its doors to the less fortunate on Thanksgiving Day for 27 straight years. Last year, over 3,000 people were served at the two Laugh Factory locations east and west.
Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada explains: "Many aspiring comedians, actors, writers, directors come to New York with high ambitions but low funds. Many have no family here, and are not able to travel home. So by opening our doors during the holiday for food and friendship, we create a great feeling of family and warmth for the entertainment community and our less fortunate citizens."
Because of limited seating, it is suggested that interested parties call 212-586-7829, ext. 1, or visit www.laughfactory.com. New York's Laugh Factory is located on Eight Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets in Times Square.
Individuals who would like to volunteer should contact the Laugh Factory at 212-586-7829, ext. 305 or ext. 1.
Salita, Santana Featured Dec. 15th
TUE November 22 - DiBella Entertainment's New York stalwarts will cap off the year in the season's finale of Broadway Boxing Presented by Turning Stone Resort & Casino when they hit the ring on "Season's Beatings" Thursday night, December 15, at the Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center.
The announcement was made today by promoter Lou DiBella at Prime Grill restaurant in Manhattan. Unbeaten Dmitriy "Star of David" Salita will headline the card. The Brooklyn hero Salita (23-0, 14 KO's) will be looking to extend his professional unbeaten streak to 24 straight wins in the main event. The New York Golden Gloves champion has rattled off 23 consecutive wins in the pro ranks, including five in a row here in the Big Apple. In his latest score on August 25, Salita captured the NABA light welterweight championship by downing Shawn Gallegos with a ninth round TKO.
Spanish Harlem standout Edgar "El Chamaco" Santana (15-2, 10 KO's), and his sizzling style will be showcased in the co-feature. The Puerto Rican standout fighting out of New York City has relished the home cooking, reeling off six straight on DiBella Entertainment's popular Broadway Boxing series to extend his unbeaten streak to 10 in a row. The Latin star has improved with every outing, and the locals have taken a strong liking to his hard work in the ring.
The knockout artistry of Brownsville's Curtis "Showtime" Stevens will also be among the holiday gifts for fight fans. Staten Island featherweight Gary Stark, Jr. will also be in action.
Tickets are priced at $150, $100, $80, $60 and $40, and are available by calling DiBella Entertainment at 212-947-2577. Broadway Boxing Presented by Turning Stone Resort and Casino will air on a later date on MSG Network in New York, Fox Sports Net New England, Comcast Sportsnet Chicago and HDNET.
Along with Turning Stone Resort and Casino, the site and title sponsor, Broadway Boxing is also sponsored by HBO Sports, Locatestock.com and Gallagher's Steak House, as well as Prime Grill for the season-ending card.
Lacy, Calzaghe Set; Biggest since Jones-Toney in 93'
TUE November 22, IAN AXON - frankwarren.tv - Joe Calzaghe and Jeff Lacy came face to face today at a press conference in London and promised one of the great fights when they meet at the MEN Arena on March 4.
The biggest super-middleweight title fight since James Toney fought Roy Jones Junior, it has all the makings of a classic.
For British fans it will also conjure memories of the early 1990s when ITV screened a series of compelling contests featuring the likes of Steve Collins, Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn
The WBO and IBF super-middleweight titles will be on the line, but more importantly the winner will be able to claim bragging rights over the 168-pound division.
The show will be a 20,000 sell out and broadcast live on ITV in the UK while American TV Network Showtime are using the fight to celebrate their 20th anniversary in boxing.
Lacy and Calzaghe were due to meet on November 5 in London, but the WBO champion fractured his hand against Evans Ashira and was ruled out.
He is now over the injury, and all set to face IBF king Lacy in four months time in a career defining fight that he has long demanded but often seemed unlikely to get.
"This is a massive fight," said Calzaghe. "I want to be at my very best on the night.
"My hand is fine. Obviously these things happen in boxing, but come March 4 there won't be a problem."
Lacy had initially refused to face Calzaghe after he pulled out of their November 5 showdown, but he soon realised that he needed the Welshman more than any other fighter.
And despite an initial reluctance to travel to the UK, show promoter Frank Warren was able to place an offer on the table that proved too enticing.
"My goal is to unify the super-middleweight division," said Lacy.
"If I can't unify because I can't leave the USA I don't consider myself a true champion. I have a lot of respect for Joe Calzaghe, but I have to come over and win this world title."
With both fighters relying on their fists to do the talking, it was down to their promoters to really let fly with the hyerpbole, although the fight virtually promotes itself.
"Joe Calzaghe is one of the biggest punchers in the world, one of the best movers, got one of the best brains, has got a great chin...I really fancy him to win," said Warren
"I have tremendous faith in his ability. But it's going to be a huge fight, a sensational fight."
Dressed in a tracksuit Shaw cut quite a contrast to the Saville Row besuited Warren, but was equally adamant about the quality of the fight.
"This is the single biggest fight in the super-middleweight division since James Toney fought Roy Jones Junior," said Shaw.
"It will breathe life back into the division. Fans are going to see one of the great fights, may be the single greatest fight in the history of the super-middleweight division.
"The fans will be able to see the fury that Jeff Lacy releases. When he does his ring walk your heart will be pounding.
"The story in this fight is Jeff Lacy coming across to the UK, not only to defend his title but to bring home another belt as well. The only 'O' Joe Calzaghe is going to have when we leave here is the one in his first name."
"This is a massive fight, this is a career defining fight. I want to be at my very best on the night." Joe Calzaghe looks ahead to March 4.
"My hand is fine. Obviously these things happen in boxing, but come March 4 it will be fine." Calzaghe dismisses worries over the hand he broke against Evans Ashira.
"This is a huge fight between me and Joe Calzaghe and a fight that a lot of boxing fans are going to enjoy and get their money's worth out of." Jeff Lacy says he too can't wait.
"I'm convinced I'm going to win. This is the icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned. It's an even bigger fight now after what Jeff did to Scott Pemberton." Calzaghe says he is supremely confident.
"Frank Warren owns the biggest cage in the world and it is called the UK and he doesn't let his fighters of it. If I can't get the fighters to come to the USA we come to the fighters. The story in this fight is Jeff Lacy coming across to the UK, not only to defend his title but to bring home another belt as well. The only 'O' Joe Calzaghe is going to have when we leave here is the one in his first name." Gary Shaw explains why he decided to bring Lacy to the UK.
"This is the single biggest fight in the super-middleweight division since James Toney fought Roy Jones Junior. It will breathe life back into the division." Shaw on the fight.
"Although he likes bling bling and cars, it is not about the money. If all that had been on the table was $10, if that was all we could find, Jeff Lacy would have been in the ring." Shaw says Lacy doesn't care about the money.
"Fans are going to see one of the great fights, may be the single greatest fight in the history of the super-middleweight division. The fans will be able to see the fury that Jeff Lacy releases. When he does his ring walk your heart will be pounding." Shaw cranks up the hyperbole.
"I couldn't get on with my first wife, she couldn't get along with her second husband. I'm getting along with my second wife much better. I don't know what it means." Shaw dismisses suggestions that because Calzaghe KO'd Omar Sheika and Lacy only won on points, the Welshman must logically win.
"When was the last time you had two fighters in the right who were 60-0 with 48 KOs its a huge per cent age? It makes it an exciting fight." Shaw, again.
"My goal is to unify the super-middleweight division. If I can't unify because I can't leave the USA I don't consider myself a true champion. I have a lot of respect for Joe Calzaghe, but I have to come over and win this world title." Jeff Lacy on his ultimate plans
"Inside the ring I don't think there has ever been a fighter I can remember since the early Mike Tyson that comes in and throws punches with the fury that Jeff Lacy comes into the ring with. He doesn't ask if someone is a southpaw or whatever, all he says his give me the date and the time I have to be in the locker room." Shaw bigs up Lacy. Again.
"I truly believe that if Joe had been around at the time when Steve Collins, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank had then he would have been last man standing. He did fight Eubank, right at the end of his career, and he said it was the hardest he had ever been hit." Warren puts Calzaghe's career into historical context.
"Joe Calzaghe is one of the biggest punchers in the world, one of the best movers, got one of the best brains, has got a great chin...of course I'm backing him to win. I really fancy Calzaghe and I have tremendous faith in his ability. But It's going to be a huge fight, a sensational fight." Warren backs his man.
"I would say this is one of the top three fights I have promoted. Obviously Benn-McLellan, for good reasons and bad reasons, is up there. Hatton's fight with Kostya Tsyzu and Bruno-McCall were also big, but this is in the top three. You have got two guys here who are both at the top of their game, and that's what makes it exciting." Frank Warren puts Calzaghe-Lacy up there with the best.
"I love being the underdog. I love how the crowd changes at the end of the fight. I think there is more pressure on Joe because he is fighting in his home town." Jeff Lacy on coming to England.
"When he beats Joe Calzaghe, at the end of 2006 he will be the biggest fighter in this weight division or any other division, in this country or the USA or anywhere in the world." The sky is the limit, says Shaw.
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