TalkingBoxing News
Campbell Defends Unified Title on HBO
WED January 28 - Unified lightweight world champion Nate “Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KOs) gave a stern warning to International Boxing Federation No. 1-Ranked lightweight mandatory challenger Ali “Rush Hour” Funeka (30-1, 25 KOs) at a Don King-hosted press conference at BankAtlantic Center today promoting their Valentine’s Day meeting in South Florida.
“I’m a New Age guy that likes to be on the Internet,” Campbell began. “Then I went on the Web and read what Ali Funeka said he’s going to do to me on Valentine’s Day. He said he sees nothing special in me. He said he knows me like the back of his hand. That’s rhetoric but he’s going to pay for it. I’m going to beat him like he tried to steal something from me.”
Campbell said there was no previous ill will between him and his South African opponent.
“This was a basic training camp for me until I heard his mouth. Now it’s personal. He’s got to pay the retail American price for his words, not the South African price. I’m going to hit this 6-foot-1-inch Funeka everywhere it’s legal and maybe where it ain’t if the referee turns his back. If he truly wants to win, he better be ready to fight, kill or die.”
Campbell’s comments caught the attention of the assembled media and his promoter, Don King.
“He’s not fooling around,” King said of Campbell’s comments. “Don’t forget what this man did to Juan Diaz, and he did that partly on my behalf. I hope Funeka knows what he’s getting into.”
King announced tickets to the fight, priced at $200, $75, $40 and $25 (with all seats buy one, get one free excepting a limited number of golden circle seats) will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000, by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or at the BankAtlantic Center box office.
Dubbed “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” by King, the card will also feature colorful former three-time world champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga (28-7-1, 22 KOs) tangling with undefeated Alfredo “Perro” Angulo (14-0, 11 KOs) to determine the WBC’s No. 1 ranking and mandatory challenger at the 154-pound limit as well as another important match at 154 pounds with interim WBC super welterweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (44-1-1, 24 KOs) taking on former IBF welterweight champion Kermit “The Killer” Cintron (30-2, 27 KOs).
A full undercard, with opponents to be announced soon, will showcase heavyweights Ray “The Rainman” Austin (26-4, 17 KOs) and Bermane “B-Ware” Stiverne (16-1, 16 KOs); undefeated cruiserweight Francisco “The Wizard” Palacios (16-0, 9 KOs); welterweight Ivan Kirpa (22-1, 14 KOs); lightweights Anges Adjaho (23-1, 14 KOs) and Angelo “The Cobra” Santana (4-0, 3 KOs); junior lightweight John “Action” Jackson (13-1, 13 KOs); undefeated light heavyweight Anthony Dirrell (14-0, 12 KOs); and featherweight Gary Russell (1-0, 1 KO).
The event is promoted by Don King Productions. Campbell vs. Funeka is presented in association with One Punch Productions. Mayorga vs. Angulo is a co-promotion with Gary Shaw Productions. Campbell vs. Funeka, Mayorga vs. Angulo and Martinez vs. Cintron will also be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Ward Showcased on ShoBox
WED January 28 - On Friday, February 6, Goossen Tutor Promotions will kick off its 2009 Tachi Palace pro boxing series with a nationally televised show featuring undefeated Andre “SOG” Ward the Oakland, California native whose gold medal victory in the 2004 Olympics in Athens is the last since David Reid in the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Ward will be defending his NABO Super Middleweight, along with the NABF Super Middleweight Championship against Henry “Sugar Poo” Buchanan at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. The Live “ShoBox: The New Generation” coverage on Showtime will begin at 11 pm ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
The scheduled 12-rounder for Ward (17-0, 12 KOs), co-promoted by Antonio Leonard Promotions, will mark the third appearance for him in a main event on Showtime’s “ShoBox” series. Ward’s first two appearances emanated from the picturesque Caribbean. In November 2007, Ward traveled to the Island of St. Lucia, where he stopped then-undefeated prospect Roger Cantwell in the fifth round. Then, last June he made the trek to Grand Cayman and TKO’d former Dominican Olympian Jerson Ravelo in the eighth round to capture his NABO championship.
In his most recent outing last month, Ward registered his seventh consecutive knockout by blasting out former Mexican champion Esteban Camou in three rounds in Cabazon, California, cementing his world ranking by all four major boxing organizations.
“I’m looking forward to keeping my title at Tachi Palace and on Showtime, the 24-year old Ward said. “I have enjoyed many successes at Tachi with three wins and, of course, I won my first pro title on a ShoBox telecast.
“Each bout has its own unique significance and everything I’ve been working towards is at stake in every fight. Henry Buchanan is the next fighter looking to stop my destiny. That’s my main motivation. He has a great record and I am undefeated. This is the kind of fight the super middleweight division needs to see who is the top dog at 168 pounds.”
In 30-year old Capitol Heights, Maryland resident Henry Buchanan (17-1, 12 KOs), Ward will face off against a hard-hitting knockout artist who, with the exception of his one loss to current undefeated and world-rated contender Jean Paul Mendy, has an identical pro record. Perhaps Buchanan’s biggest claim to fame to date is that he is the nephew of San Diego Chargers Pro-Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman. He hopes to eclipse that by handing Ward his first loss as a pro and claiming his title in the process.
“I know I am viewed as the underdog in this fight,” Buchanan, coming in off a knockout win over Brian Norman last June, observed. “But who’d have thought the Arizona Cardinals would make it to the Super Bowl? Our records are almost identical and we have the same number of knockout wins. This fight is more of an even match in my eyes and I feel my power will in the end be too much for Ward.”
Goossen Tutor’s latest addition to its impressive stable of championship-caliber boxers, John Molina, Jr., (14-0, 10 KOs), will make his debut both under the banner – as well as his first appearance on “ShoBox” -- in a scheduled eight-round jr. lightweight contest.
The signing of the 26-year old pride of Covina, California, who is coming off an impressive fifth-round stoppage of veteran Fernando Lizarraga, was announced during Goossen Tutor’s final show of 2008 at Cabazon last month. Known as “John John,” Molina has already established himself as a fan favorite for the all-out offensive action and excitement he brings into each bout.
Another California-based favorite and Goossen Tutor fighter, Wasco’s Manny “El Toro” Quezada (25-4, 15 KOs), will be on the card defending his WBC CABOFE heavyweight title in a scheduled 10-rounder against Eric Boose (14-3-1, 8 KO). No stranger by any means to the Tachi property, Quezada will be making his 14th appearance as a pro there. In his last bout in November 2008, Quesada won a unanimous decision against the once beaten Teke Oruh in Ontario, California.
“2009 promises to be a big year for our boxers, our sport, our fans and for Goossen Tutor Promotions,” president Dan Goossen forecasted. “What better way for us and our partner, Antonio Leonard Promotions, to see an American Olympic hero in Andre Ward taking the next step toward a world title and headlining a “ShoBox” telecast from one of our favorite venues: the Tachi Palace in Lemoore, CA.
“In addition, when the fans and viewers on Showtime see ‘John John’ (Molina) in action, they’ll be watching the next exciting jr. lightweight in our sport. He is pure power and entertainment with tremendous star potential.”
Tickets are priced at: $30, $40, $50, $60 and $400 and can be purchased at the box office of by visiting www.tickets.com. Doors are scheduled to open at 4:30pm. The first bout will begin at 5:00pm (PT) and the televised bouts will begin at 8:00pm (PT).
Interview with Yusaf Mack's Trainer, John Tandy
WED January 28, ADRIAN LANE - Having moved over to the U.S. in January of 2007, British boxing trainer John Tandy spent a year in New York City, but recently relocated out to the high altitude camp in Lake Arrowhead, California. We managed to catch up with him recently to see how things are going with one of his fighters, Yusaf Mack, and the preparations for this big fight with Chris Henry, February 6th on ESPN2.
Adrian Lane: Hey John how’s it going, are you enjoying your move over to California, what sort of facility do you have over there?
John Tandy: Things are good thanks, it was a bit quiet over Christmas but things are picking up, I have a great facility here a nice size gym, onsite accommodation, some fantastic runs and all at a price that we believe is very competitive. We are also in a great location, the altitude is exactly a mile high, hence the name of the training camp which is the optimum level to get the best out of high altitude training, we are also geographically in a great place, it is only an hour and a half’s drive down to LA, it is about 3 hours drive to Vegas and we have the advantages that Big Bear doesn’t have in regard we very rarely get snowed in and the weather is not as harsh. It is my plan to really put Lake Arrowhead on the map in regards to boxing and feel once we get things moving up here it will be people’s first choice of high altitude training camp.
Adrian Lane: What is going on there at the moment?
John Tandy: I currently have light heavyweight NABA champion Yusaf Mack in camp getting ready for his fight with Chris Henry, which is a huge fight for him, the winner is likely to go on to get a world title shot and the loser will be left to rebuild a career in tatters. Yusaf is working really hard and is very focused on getting to the peak physical condition, there have been a ton of excuses regarding making weight and his preparations not being right in the past but since he has been with me he is eating, and training right and is in tremendous condition. He is bigger and stronger than he has ever been, and I personally think he is about to create a big upset as from what I have read and heard Henry is the hot favourite to win the fight.
Adrian Lane: Yes I have heard the same, that Henry will be too big and too strong, why do you think it will be different?
John Tandy: I am keeping my cards close to my chest in regards to how we are going to win, so all I can say really is watch out on ESPN2 on the 6th February and he will show you all.
Adrian Lane: So who else are you having up there?
John Tandy: We are in current talks with a number of high profile boxers including Steve Cunningham who has shown interest in coming up here for his next camp, others include Jaidon Codrington, Gareth Hogg, Robert Lloyd Taylor, Chris Smith and a number of others, I think once they experience it up here it and pass the word on we will be overloaded with guys.
Adrian Lane: What has happened over the last 12 months for John Tandy?
John Tandy: Well I have had a number of ups and downs to be honest, Yusaf has won all of his three fights and picked up the NABA title which is great, but we have a had a few disappointments as well. Braimah Kamoko who was the WBC #6 at light Heavyweight came over to work with me from Ghana when I was in New York, he had been out of the ring for almost a year and was in dreadful condition, weighing over 204lbs and very down regarding not fighting.
We had a solid 12 weeks together and we really worked very hard we got his weight down and worked on a number of weaknesses he had in his technique, he was looking really good and was incredibly strong but unfortunately he failed a medical in New York because of an eye operation he had previously had and he was unable to fight, he was very distressed and was forced to go back to Ghana. I also had Ashley Theophane in camp and he was looking very sharp, and was probably one of the most dedicated trainers I have worked with, but after a clash of personalities with manager Rory Donadio he reluctantly left camp and went on his own route which was a shame. Now I have got another new start over here in Lake Arrowhead and I am hoping for a big year in 2009.
Adrian Lane: What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses as a trainer?
John Tandy: Ha ha, good question. I guess I like to think I am pretty strong in most areas, I always make sure my guys are in the best shape they possibly can be, I am very conscious on tactics and have a number of fight plans going into a fight to best take advantage of the opponents weaknesses. I also do consultancy work in which I build fight plans for other fighters; I have a number of high profile fighters that use this service. My weaknesses are that I hate wrapping hands, and I always try to find the best in people even if I know deep down they may not be able to get to where they need to be I will use up a lot of my time trying to help them anyway.
Adrian Lane: Wrapping hands that seems a bit of a bizarre pet hate for a trainer?
John Tandy: Ha ha, yeah I know, I was superstitious of it, the first two guys I wrapped for were both stopped on cuts, silly I know but it was just one of those things, but the third guy won and things just went on from that and if there was someone else there to wrap I would always let them do it.
Adrian Lane: Can you go a bit deeper into what you mean by helping people that will not make it?
John Tandy: Well I am obviously not going to name names but there has been a few guys that I knew deep down although they wanted to really get to the top in boxing that they just didn’t have the ability, but I spent a lot of time helping them and then finally after giving them my all I had to sit down with a few and tell them some home truths which never goes down well, I would never put anyone into a fight that was not ready to be there.
Adrian Lane: How would you best describe yourself as a trainer?
John Tandy: Well I would say I am pretty tough on my guys but it is always in their best interests, I have really crossed swords with a number of fighters in the early days but they usually come round when they see the improvements.
Yusaf and I used to have an argument on a daily basis but after a few weeks we really clicked and he could see that all the hard work was paying off. I like to increase the strengths of a fighter and also work on the weaknesses, I try to have a different approach to every guy I train depending on their needs, and style. I am not usually into ripping a guys style apart unless it really doesn’t work, there are so many different types of fighters, from slick speedy guys to tough come forward fighters. Some trainers put there one style onto fighters and it just doesn’t work, if you have a tough European style fighter to try and change them into a slick fighter that drops their hands and counter punches would be suicide for them. I like to work with what I have and make it better and add more dimensions into their styles.
I like to discuss tactics and share views with my fighters, we watch the tape together and both make are points and discuss them, I am also pretty open to the fighters in regard to if I am doing something that they think doesn’t work I will sit down and explain to them why I am doing it and why I think it is the way forward, then listen to them and see why they disagree and we generally come to an agreement. At the end of the day is someone is unhappy and doesn’t understand why they are doing something you will not get the best from them.
Adrian Lane: Going back to Yusaf Mack, what can you tell us in regard to a general day in camp?
John Tandy: To be honest this is tough for me to answer as pretty much every day is different, I like to keep my guys on their toes so they can always look forward to something , we generally do 5 runs a week, mixing them up from long runs to shorter faster runs to mixed sprints. In the gym we do plenty of pad work and cardio, strength building, speed and technical work, then try and mix up the sparring as much as possible as well rather than have the same sparring partners that they get used to. He eats well and takes his vitamins and we keep a close eye on his weight and make sure there are no shocks late on. Also plenty of rest is important to allow your body to recover from the punishing workouts. When you are out in camp away from you family you only have the fight to focus on and there are few distractions.
Adrian Lane: How do you think he has changed over the last year you guys have been together?
John Tandy: For me Yusaf is a different person now to the one I met in January 07, he was a little bit spoiled and used to getting his own way, from what I have been told his former trainers told him he was naturally talented and that would get him through fights, I was the first one that actually sat him down and said, no you might be good but unless you are prepared to dedicate yourself, make sacrifices and train your ass off you ain’t going nowhere.
As I said earlier, he wasn’t overly eager to do that straight away but after he started to see the results it all changed. Now he is very focused and very hard working, he has matured an amazing amount, and also been through a number of personal tragedies such as the death of his father which seems to have only made him more determined and focused on making it all the way. It is funny as I read the forums occasionally and they have him as a real underdog for the fight with Henry, but I would imagine if I only had the Berrio and Andrade fights to go on, I would think he would lose as well.
As I have said he is not that guy anymore he has no problem making weight anymore as he is on a strict diet while in camp and we monitor his weight carefully. We have built a great base and we have managed to build on it for all the time we spent together barring for the recent Pittman fight as he was riddled with injuries during that camp. Now he is ready to show the world what he is really made of, watch out for the new Yusaf Mack dominating the light heavyweight division.
Adrian Lane: Thanks for your time John.
John Tandy: No problem mate anytime.
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