TalkingBoxing News
Malignaggi Talking The Talk
MON May 1 -
Outspoken Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (21-0, 5 KOs), preparing for the fight of his life June 10th against World Boxing Organization light welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (26-0, 22 KOs) at Madison Square Garden, refuses to tone down his act despite advice to do so from all corners.
“What I do is talk, it is part of my mental make-up, and it got me this fight,” Malignaggi explained. “This is Paulie Malignaggi at his best. People are going to keep hearing me lash-out at my opponents for the rest of my career. Like me or not, I’m a ticket seller. I’m not going to tone it down just because this is a big fight. Talking gets me psychologically up and ready for the fight, agitates people, breaks down some opponents, and draws interest.
“Cotto better start getting ready for our fight instead of worrying about what I’m saying. I want to let him know what I’m going to do to him. It may be a long, tough fight June 10, but he’s going to catch a beating and I’m going to take his title belt. One Cotto’s (Jose) down, one more Cotto (Miguel) to go. He’s coming to my house. I have a lot of Puerto Rican friends and they’re rooting for me. I’m from New York and I have a good following – Italian, Puerto Rican, Irish, African-American, whatever. What makes this fight so intriguing is the different ethnic groups involved.”
One person who definitely doesn’t want Malignaggi to change is his manager, Sal LoNano. “He’s 21-0 talking, why change now?” LoNano rhetorically asked. “Paulie’s been talking about fighting Cotto since I’ve known him, so I went to New York City to see Lou about making this fight. The thing about Paulie is he’s different than what he appears. Outside of boxing, he’s a real gentleman, respectful and loyal. But in the ring he’s as tough as they come.”
Malignaggi recently completed a four-week strength-and-conditioning program in Massachusetts and returned home to workout at Gleason’s Gym before soon heading out to training camp for four weeks.
“Cotto’s used to his opponent showing him respect,” Malignaggi continued. “I’m not there to be his friend. I’m coming to take his world title and give him a beating. The day after the fight is going to be bittersweet for Puerto Ricans because they’ll be happy at the parade (in New York City), but unhappy because their champion lost his world title to me the night before.
“Everybody knows I can talk the talk and June 10 I’m going to prove to everyone that I can walk the walk. I talk trash, but I can fight, too. What’s Cotto going to do? He can’t box and he’ll try and cut-off the ring. He may even try to hit me low, on the hips to take my legs away, but I’m sure the referee will not let him get away with that. Cotto is a one-dimensional fighter and he can’t change. There won’t be any surprises from ‘The Magic Man.’ Fans know how I fight and the only difference this time is that I’ll be wearing the WBO light welterweight belt afterwards.”
Also on the June 10 card is Malignaggi’s friend and occasional sparring partner, unbeaten middleweight sensation, “Ireland’s John Duddy (16-0, 14 KOs). “I’m glad John Duddy is on my card,” Malignaggi concluded. “He’s an excellent fighter and exciting to watch. I respect him a lot. Someday I know he’s going to be a world champion. His fans will be supporting me June 10 and my fans will be supporting him.”
Navarro on WNF's
MON May 1 - The Bantamweights will take center stage on Wednesday night, May 17th, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT when DiBella Entertainment presents an exciting main event featuring former Olympian Jose Navarro (21-2, 11 KO) squaring off against Phillipino star Vernie Torres (27-6, 15 KO) on ESPN2s Wednesday Night Fights.
Navarro, the 2000 Olympian fighting out of Los Angeles, looks to get back on the winning track after two career losses on foreign turf in Japan. On February 27th, Navarro lost a close decision fight to Masamori Tokuyama for the WBC Super Flyweight Title. On January 3, 2005, Navarro was robbed of the WBC Super Flyweight Title against Katsushige Kawashima. One judge awarded eleven out of twelve rounds for Navarro, while the other two judges had Kawashima winning the fight by one point.
Torres, a Roy Jones, Jr. protégé originally from Davao, The Philippines now fighting out of Los Angeles via Pensacola, Florida, is coming off of two consecutive wins following a set back to former World Title Challenger Angel Priolo. A win over Navarro could bring Torres the world title challenge he has sought for so long.
In the co-feature, one of boxings most exciting fighters and lovable characters, Emanuel Augustus will square off against top notch prospect Adrian Mora (15-0-1, 8 KO) in a ten round junior welterweight contest.
Augustus, fighting out of Brownsville, Texas, will look to continue his streak of memorable ESPN2 fights which includes his legendary war with Micky Ward in July of 2001. Augustus was last seen on ESPN2 on February 10th of this year scoring a TKO victory over the rugged Jaime Rangel.
Thornton, Colorado native Mora has yet to taste defeat during a six-year pro career and looks to add another victory to his resume in front of a national audience. A victory over Augustus will go a long way towards propelling Mora from the status of prospect to contender.
Another DBE Olympian, the undefeated Andre Berto (11-0, 9 KO) who participated in the 2004 Athens Games, will also be on the card fighting in a six round welterweight bout. The Winter Haven, Florida standout is on a big time roll in the pro ranks with 11 victories in a row, including nine scores by way of knockout. Berto a don’t blink or you’ll miss it style has made him a fan favorite and caused the boxing world to take notice of his star potential.
Light heavyweight Anthony Russell (12-1-1, 2 KO) of Brockton, Massachusetts will see action in a six round bout. Two undefeated youngsters from Puerto Rico, junior middleweight Yukeno Andino (4-0, 1 KO) and junior welterweight Hector Sanchez (6-0, 2 KO), both fighting out of San Juan, will put their unbeaten records on the line in a six and a four round bout respectively.
Tickets for the event are priced at $50, $30 and $20, and are available through the Mohegan Sun Box Office, and Ticketmaster. To purchase tickets, log on to ticketmaster.com, call ticketmaster at 860.886.0070 or visit any Ticketmaster outlet.
"The Hammer" Headlines
MON May 1 - Undefeated Kenyan super middleweight prospect Samson “The Hammer” Onyango, 6-0 (4), headlines a six-bout card at the Pal Pal Gymnasium in the Pumwany area of Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday May 6, when he takes on Lucas Omondi over six rounds. The show is promoted by Risum Boxing of Denmark in cooperation with former African heavyweight champion Joseph Akhasamba, will be free for all fans to attend, and is the third instalment of the popular “Pal Pal Punchers” series. First bell is scheduled for 2 PM.
The semi-main event will be an interesting rematch between former (WBF) world title challenger Athanas Nzau and Andrew Samba, who will go at it in a lightweight bout set for eight rounds. Samba scored an upset split decision over Nzau last December, and will be looking to make a repeat, while Nzau is obviously aiming to resurrect his career by getting revenge.
Also on the bill is the return of Intercontinental champion David “Silent Danger” Kiilu, one of the most talented boxers in this country. Kiilu is, however, coming off a devastating loss in England, where the world-class Mongolian Choi Tseveenourev stopped him in the third round. Kiilu will try to rebound against one Ronald Maina at super featherweight.
At cruiserweight, co-promoter Akhasamba takes on the unknown Mohammed Onyango, Joseph Njoka Ngandu squares off with Joseph Odhiambo in a middleweight bout, and John “Totoman” Nguru will fight Caleb Amianda at Welterweight.
Silverhawk Announces New VP
MON May 1 - Silverhawk Boxing officially announced today that it has hired Jeff Grmoja as its Vice President of Boxing Operations.
Grmoja served in the same position the past few years for Guilty Boxing. “I’m extremely elated to be part of Silverhawk Boxing,” Jeff said. “I look forward to the many challenges ahead and I’m grateful for the confidence and opportunity Silverhawk has provided me.”
Silverhawk Boxing president Dennis Rider added, “We’re pleased to have Jeff join our company and we look forward to the energy, enthusiasm and knowledge he bring with him.”
Silverhawk Boxing’s growing stable of fighters, all based in Vero Beach, include two-time world lightweight champion Stevie “Lil’ But Bad” Johnston, No. 5 world rated light heavyweight Prince Badi “The Boxing Prince” Ajamu, former IBF light heavyweight title-holder William Guthrie, NBA World & CABOFE heavyweight champion Sherman “The Caribbean Tank” Williams, middleweight Aaron “”Homicide” Mitchell, junior middleweight Eric “Murder” Mitchell, unbeaten heavyweight prospect Leo “Paco” Nolan, world-class super middleweight Rubin “Hollywood” Williams, and cruiserweight prospect Brandon “The Havoc” Harris.
For more information about Silverhawk Boxing call 702.492.4922 visit its web site at www.silverhawkboxing.com.
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