Earthquake in Haiti Shakes Up the Boxing World
WBC welterweight titlist Andre “The Beast” Berto canceled his January 30 title defense versus WBA welterweight champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley because of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12. (A second earthquake hit Haiti eight days later.)
Berto said, “I lost several family members to the earthquake and after two days without word, was relieved to learn that my sister, Naomi, and her daughter, Jessica, survived, but were left homeless. I have seen the pain in my parents’ eyes as they attempt to understand what has happened to our homeland and recognize a place they once called home.
“As a result of this disaster, I am mentally and physically exhausted and therefore I have no choice but to withdraw from my bout.”
The American Red Cross and many other organizations are taking donations for a Haiti relief fund. Pictured here is Shauna Sand-Lamas, the former Playboy Playmate and star of Vivid's "Shauna Sand Exposed" DVD, with Rick’s Girl Kristen. Rick’s Cabaret held an event to raise money for the cause. Kristen will be the Round Card Beauty in our Feb/March issue.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with Andre Berto and the people of Haiti.Knockout Entrepreneur
Knockout Entrepreneur is a new book by George Foremen with Ken Abraham which offers great business advice from a boxer’s prospective. The world of business can be somewhat like a boxing match or battle and George Foreman -- like a modern-day Sun Tsu -- stands gloved and poised in the ring.
“Listen to your corner” Foreman emphasizes. “Always have at least three key people in your corner.”
Three main players should be: your trainer to guide your strategic steps: (“Slow down, pace yourself.”) Your technician who knows the opposition (“Keep your hands up. You’re leaving yourself open”) and…the patch-up guy, to help you with your wounds. And you will have wounds.
The only way to avoid the pain? “Quit.” Foreman is not a quitter.
“Find a need and fill it.” This I found most inspirational. Filling a need is a key ingredient to success as Foreman relays, in an enthusiastic, seasoned voice. Look to fill a need and live a life by serving. There lies success.
George bluntly states “If there is no demand for the product, plan, or service you are providing, then you must either create the demand or…find a new career.”
I’m frankly disappointed in myself having thought this was just another cheesy biography by some boxer peddling a book to make money. I’m also surprised I liked the book as much as a did. In an almost "Father Knows Best" quality, Foreman gives sound business advice to the reader and his motivational skills are impressive.
Yes, true, he often mentions the success of his lean and mean grilling machine, like one mentions the success of their child’s piano recital. He is obviously very proud of it. But, he is also a humble man of faith as well - thanking God for all his achievements -- not attributing them to himself.
I’m personally a bit more motivated and off to lend this book to my sister-in-law who runs her own small business. Then I’ll sit down and have a nice toasty sandwich off my Foreman grill. What can I say?
…power of suggestion.
Mary C. M. Phillips is a writer for the "Caffeine Epiphanies Blog"
Babes in Toyland
Tis’ the season for giving. The holiday season is upon us and the U.S. Marines’ “Toys for Tots” drive is in full swing. The girls at Rick’s Cabaret got in the festive spirit and put together a toy collection for underprivileged children. The club received hundreds of toys for the Marines program, many donated by Boxing Digest.
The mission of the Marines’ “Toys for Tots” program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and give those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.
The goal of the program is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters.
Many of the Rick’s volunteers are girls you’ve seen in the Round Card Girl section of Boxing Digest. Rick’s girl Sandy helped put the fundraiser together. She said, “It’s worth all the extra work to make the kids happy.” For more information, or if you’d like to donate a toy, check out: toysfortots.org
Round Card Girl is the New "Miss Howard TV"
Alex, an entertainer at Tootsie's Miami is the new "Miss Howard TV" for January 2010. We met her when she came up to NYC to be interviewed on the Howard Stern Sirius/XM Radio Show, and took her to Rick's Cabaret in midtown Manhattan (a sister club of Tootsie's) for an exclusive photo shoot.
Alex was born in Pennsylvania and resides now in sunny Miami. Alex is a big boxing and MMA fan. She thinks Floyd Mayweather "still rules" and that Brock Lesnar is "unbeatable." Alex doubles as a round card girl in Miami and may soon appear in the pages of Boxing Digest.
Annual RING 8 Holiday Party
The Ring 8 sect of the Veteran Boxers Association will host its annual holiday party on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010 at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach, NY, from 12:30-5:30 PM. Among other luminaries, guests that will be in attendance include Ray Mancini, Larry Holmes, Gerry Cooney, Leon Spinks, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, Tommy Gallagher and Burt Young.
This year’s honorees are Mark Breland, Pete Brodsky, Tony Di Pippo, Bill Gallo, Bob Goodman, Vinny Maddalone, Dr. Michael Schwartz and Dr. Jerry Lynn.
Tickets cost $125. For additional information, call 631-948-6028.Chavez Opens Restaurant
In November, boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. opened a boxing-themed restaurant and entertainment center in Mesa, AZ, called Julio Cesar Chavez Campeones. The restaurant, which serves Mexican food, also features a sports bar, arcade, and a WBC Legends of Boxing museum. In addition, the property also includes the Bud Light Doce Events center, capable of hosting concerts, boxing matches and other events. Chavez’ agent, Brian Weymouth, is a co-owner and investor in the restaurant, as is Dan Wergin and Brian Day O’Connor.
Chavez retired from the ring in 2005, after a 25-year professional career, acquiring a record of 107-6-2 (86) and six titles in three weight classes from 130lbs.-140lbs.
Firepower - Cotto vs Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto arrived at New York’s Yankee Stadium, or as it was referred to, “The House that [Derek] Jeter Built,” to not only celebrate the inaugural season, but to announce their fistic showdown taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The welterweight showdown scheduled to take place on Nov. 14, 2009, will be fought at a contractual weight of a 145 pounds.
Pacquiao, considered the pound-for-pound best, and Cotto, the welterweight champion, both donned Yankee jerseys as they took the field in the newly structured $1.5 billion dollar landmark. Yankee Stadium was the first stop in a five-city press tour that will have expanded from east to west, while also making stops at the Giants’ At&T Park as well as the home of the San Diego Padres.
Just merely hours removed from Derek Jeter tying Lou Gehrig as the Yankees’ all-time hits leader, Cotto and Pacquiao promised to demonstrate a little heavy artillery as well as a lot of “Fire Power,” as the two pugilists look to add to their already cemented Hall of Fame careers.
Cotto, of Caguas, Puerto Rico, will be defending his WBO crown, while the Filipino icon Pacquiao looks to protect his status as boxing’s king. With Floyd Mayweather making his long awaited return to the squared circle against Juan Manuel Marquez, common sense would tell you that the winners of the two bouts will more than likely meet one another in the near future.
Pacquiao, 49-3-2 (37), the winner of 10 straight fights, and 2008’s “Fighter of the Year” has climbed up four weight classes, and most recently dismantled Ricky Hatton via a devastating second-round knockout in May. Cotto, 34-1 (27), took a split decision in a rough and tough, seesaw battle with Joshua Clottey, of Ghana, in June.
“He’s strong and he can punch, but he’s not that fast,” Pacquiao, 30, said of his opponent. “The size isn’t that big of a difference. He’s a little bit bigger than me. But size doesn’t matter. We just need to see who is the best in the ring. Cotto is tough mentally, but not more than me.”
With Mayweather back, the ultimate pairing would be Mayweather-Pacquiao, but that can only happen if they win their respective fights. Cotto hopes to spoil that mega fight.
“Beating Pacquiao would be another step in my career, probably the biggest,” Cotto, 28, said. “I’m going to train the hardest I’ve ever trained for Manny.”
“Remember, I am not Ricky Hatton or Oscar De La Hoya, I am Miguel Cotto.”
The Yankees are eager to bring revenue-generating events besides baseball to the stadium. Already, there are several college football games that are scheduled over the next few years, including Notre Dame vs. Army in November 2010.
Could it be true? Mayweather-Pacquiao or Mayweather-Cotto at Yankee Stadium? Only time will tell, however, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Top Rank President Bob Arum promoted the last boxing event at the old stadium in 1976, Muhammad Ali vs. Ken Norton III. Arum happens to promote both Pacquiao and Cotto.
In an interesting turn of events, trainer Freddie Roach and his charge Pacquiao will hold training camp in the Philippines instead of the usual Wild Card Boxing Gym in Los Angeles, California. According to Roach there were issues pertaining to money as well as Pacquiao’s traveling visa.
“If it were up to me, I would have preferred to have trained in L.A.,” said Pacquiao. But as the cliché goes, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”The Boxing Art of Gabe Perillo
Although the late world-renowned artist Gabe Perillo passed away in 2002, his legacy has endured through his litany of artworks and compositions. Not only was this former Naval Officer and World War II veteran a painter and sketch artist, Perillo also followed his Italian roots and sang as an opera tenor.
But it was through his connection in the sports world that garnered Perillo the most acclaim. His artwork covers almost the whole spectrum of sports, including baseball, hockey, basketball, football, and horse racing, but above all, Perillo loved painting boxers and their fights. He first fell in love with the sport while attending the coronation of Rocky Marciano against Jersey Joe Walcott in 1952. Perillo has mentioned that his two favorite boxing works are his paintings of this fight and the “Thrilla in Manilla,” the rubber match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975.
It is Perillo’s devotion to the sweet science that Boxing Digest is celebrating with a limited edition 60-page book of Gabe’s paintings and drawings. This volume focuses strictly on the heavyweight division, spanning from Jack Johnson to Lennox Lewis, and will be printed soon.
A limited number of 1000 copies will be signed by Gabe’s son, Golden Glove champion Gabe Perillo Jr. at a price of $100.
To pre-order, please call (888) 840-8801; or click on this link to print out the mail-in order form.Vernon Forrest Gunned Down
Former boxing champ Vernon Forrest was shot to death in an attempted carjacking in Atlanta on Saturday, July 25. Forrest was at a gas station putting air in the tires of his Jaguar when a red Monte Carlo pulled up and two men tried to steal his car.
Forrest’s manager, Charles Watson said, “Vernon had his wallet out and one guy snatched his wallet and started running, Vernon pursued after him. The guy turned the corner and Vernon didn't see him. He turned around to go back to the car. That's when he started firing."
Watson said that Forrest's 11-year-old godson was with him but had gone into the convenience store and did not witness the shooting.
Forrest’s trainer Buddy McGirt said, "I just feel so bad, he has a son you know. Someone is going to be raised without a father because somebody wanted to rob someone."
McGirt planned to start training with Forrest on Aug. 1 for his next fight.
It seems as if a nightmare Forrest had came true. Forrest posted a particularly eerie dream he had on his Twitter page a week ago.
“Man I had a nightmare last night. I dreamt I came home and found four guys were breaking into my house. I pull my heater and it was empty, they chased me and were about to shoot me then I woke up. The first thing I did was get my heater and made sure it was loaded. That dream will not come true.”
Forrest was 38 and lived in Atlanta, GA. Best known for his two victories over “Sugar” Shane Mosley in 2002, he had a record of 41-3-0-1NC (29), was a 1992 US Olympian, won two belts at welterweight and was a two-time 154lb. champion.
Outside the ring, Forrest was also known for his work with Destiny's Child, a group home that provides help for mentally challenged adults. Forrest had often talked about how the struggles of people he helped support provided him with inspiration when he fought.
It’s a rough time for boxing as Alexis Arguello, Arturo Gatti and Vernon Forrest have all had their lives cut short within the month of July.
Arturo Gatti Found Dead In Brazil
It has been confirmed that boxing’s ultimate blood-and-guts warrior Arturo “Thunder” Gatti was found dead in a rented apartment in Brazil, where he’d been vacationing with his wife, Amanda Rodrigues, and their one-year-old son. It was reported the two were having marital problems and hoped to reconcile on a second honeymoon of sorts, while on a month-long visit to Rodrigues’ native country. Friends of the couple testified to media that the pair was known to argue often.
The couple arrived on Friday, July 10, and while at a bar that very night, Gatti and his wife engaged in a heated argument that turned physical, according Rodrigues’ testimony, when Gatti punched her then threw her to the floor. Witnesses said the two were still fighting when they returned to their apartment in the early morning hours of Saturday. Later that day, Gatti was found dead and it was speculated he could have died eight to 10 hours before his body was discovered.
Police investigating the scene found blood on a purse believed to be the murder weapon, with Gatti, 37, thought to have been strangled to death. Rodrigues, 23, remains the only suspect and is now in police custody, as authorities claimed her story had many holes.
Gatti retired in 2007 after a 17-year career that included many “fight of the year”-type battles, against the likes of Wilson Rodriguez, Gabriel Ruelas, Ivan Robinson, and three wars against Micky Ward, considered among the greatest trilogies of the last 20 years. After a humbling defeat at the hands of Alfonso Gomez, Gatti’s career ended with a record of 40-9 (31).
Boxing Digest sends our prayers and deepest sympathies to the family and friends of boxing’s beloved warrior.C.T.B.S. 2 Strikes for Charity
If you’ve seen the "Wolverine Origins" movie, you may remember Hugh Jackman putting on boxing gloves and getting into the ring. He must have enjoyed that scene as he returned to a boxing ring in NY to be a celebrity judge in a charity event. Two-time title challenger Michael Olajide Jr. and Aerospace co-owner Leila Fazel hosted the second annual C.T.B.S. (Cut The BullShit) event together to raise money to benefit the East Harlem school at Exodus House. Q-Tip and Tracee Ellis Ross joined Jackman as the celebrity judges. Sandra Olajide performed a few of her songs to kick off the event and remained to sign copies of her new CD Yndico Is. The main competion featured boxers vieing against each other in focus mitt drills. Leila "Flashdance" Fazel won the focus mitt advanced division, Keric "‘The Impaler" Kenny won the focus mitt novice division,"‘Great" Scott Myers won the Aerojump Competition. Everyone had a good time and helped a good cause. Click here to see some photos of of the event.
Busy Month for Becky
Becky, Boxing Digest’s March round card girl, has been quite busy since her apperance in the pages of BD. You may have seen her outside the boxing ring in the PETA Rick’s girl ad “I’d rather go topless than wear fur,” in the March 29, 2009, New York Post—a story that features Randi Newton, a girl who lost her job on Wall Street and now makes more money as a massage girl at Rick’s Cabaret in NY. Becky also appears in the June issue of Penthouse magazine’s cover story about Howard Stern’s Strip Beer Pong. She was also picked to be Miss Howard TV for the month of May. We don't know where you'll see her next but remember you saw her first in the pages of Boxing Digest.
Can "Dr. Steelhammer" Nail "The Hayemaker"?
When it was finally announced that #1-rated, Ukrainian-born IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko would defend his status and titles against former unified cruiserweight champ David Haye, of England, it was hard to believe. Was the fight really on this time, or not? After months of on/off contractual haggling that resonated “crying wolf” to a “T,” negotiations were successful, with both fighters agreeing to meet on June 20 at Veltins Arena in Germany.
At first it appeared that Haye, 22-1 (21), wasn’t taken seriously when he originally accosted Klitschko in June 2008, and that Wladimir would oblige mandatory defenses this summer. It seemed like common sense, with anticipation brewing, to let the fight build up gradually and have David test himself against a top-10 fighter or two. But Haye’s antagonism of Wladimir had only just begun. Click here to see a video of the NY press conference.
“He’s a disgrace to boxing!” howled Haye into German TV cameras after witnessing Wlad’s ponderous 7th-round stoppage over the shell of Hasim Rahman. “I would have knocked that Rahman out in two rounds,” quipped Haye. “I’m coming after both Klitschkos.”
For more, pick up the July issue of Boxing Digest.
Eli Manning Goes Long for St. Vincent's Hospital
Eli Manning and his wife Abby announced the creation of the Eli and Abby Manning Birthing Center at St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan.
Over the next 18 months, St. Vincent’s will begin to redesign its current delivery unit to create a state-of-the-art birthing center. The renovation will provide a more comfortable environment for patients, their families and their newborns. Mary Joan Marron, Chief of Neonatology, said, “We are thrilled to get this Giant helping hand from the Mannings”
“We are extremely honored to be working with New York Giants’ star quarterback, Eli Manning, and his wife Abby to launch this exciting, state-of-the-art birthing center that will be an excellent resource for the community,” said Henry Amoroso, President and CEO of Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Center. “St. Vincent’s has a long history of highly skilled and expert obstetricians and nurses, and the new Eli and Abby Manning Birthing Center will ensure that mothers and families have the most comfortable environment possible.”
“Over the last three years, Abby and I have visited St. Vincent’s hospital numerous times, and have always been impressed with the compassion and expertise that the doctors and nurses show their patients,” stated Eli Manning, New York Giants’ Quarterback. “The new Eli and Abby Manning Birthing Center will provide a comfortable state-of-the-art environment as St. Vincent’s welcomes New York’s smallest Giants fans into the world. We are also very excited to be involved in the upcoming Baby Ball that will raise funds for the Birthing Center.” Boxing Digest hopes to have an exclusive interview with Eli in an upcoming issue.
EA Sports Fight Night Round 4
Predicts Hatton-Pacquiao Winner
The eagerly anticipated Fight Night Round 4, the latest entry in the boxing series from Electronic Arts Inc., created a simulation predicting the Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao winner when the two swap leather on May 2 in Las Vegas. Click here to see the video and find out who wins.
An EA press release explained how the simulation works: “The simulation was conducted using Fight Night Round 4’s all-new AI (Artificial Intelligence) system. Dubbed R.E.A.L (Record, Evaluate, Adapt, Learn) AI by the development team, the system re-creates each fighter’s ring strategies in the game based on their real life counterparts. Built with adaptive logic, the system triggers fighters to change their tactics based on their success, or failure, throughout the course of a bout.
According to the simulation, an aggressive attempt by Hatton to limit Pacquiao’s movement early on was unsuccessful. Pacquiao’s used his speed and control of the ring to take advantage of Hatton’s aggression, picking his punches and keeping out of range. The tide turned in Hatton’s favor in Round 4 when he found some success trapping Pacquiao in the corner. With little room to work with, Pacquiao was forced to trade blows on Hatton’s terms. This relentless exchange proved to be too much for Pacquiao who went down to a powerful left hook at the end of Round 6. The later rounds saw the revival of the quick moving Pacquiao, who outpaced and out boxed Hatton yet again. Lightning fast left jabs wreaked havoc on Hatton through Rounds 7, 8 and 9 before a commanding right hand brought him to the mat in Round 10. Badly hurt and looking sluggish, Hatton was unable to beat the count after falling to another deadly right hook from Pacquiao in Round 11.”
For more information, log onto http://fightnight.easports.comPacquiao Throws First Pitch
In anticipation of his May 2 super-fight against England’s Ricky Hatton, Filipino Manny Pacquiao threw out the ceremonial first pitch at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, as the home team took on the San Diego Padres. A crowd of 39, 314 packed the stadium on Filipino Heritage Night, with a limited number of Pacquiao bobblehead dolls given to a few lucky fans. SF Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum, who is half-Filipino, served as the southpaw boxer’s catcher. Shortstop Edgar Renteria’s fourth inning grand slam led the Giants to win the game with a final score of 8-3.
Talking to Jorge “The Truth” Teron
Unbeaten until his last fight, a tough 10-round majority decision loss to Mexico’s Aldo Valtierra, lightweight Jorge Teron, 22-1-1 (15), had run off a string of impressive victories over mostly journeymen who taught the young prospect what to do against a array of styles. He was very prepared to go to the top and still is. What went wrong? He didn’t do what he had planned to do. In short he did not stick to the game plan.
“We’ve been working very hard on sticking to the game plan, and executing the game plan during the fight,” he said. “If I box the way I’m supposed to box I don’t think there are too many people out there who can compete with me.”
Instead of keeping his shorter foe at the end of his jab, he gave up his height and traded punches. “I got over it,” said Teron. “There were a lot of things that I did wrong that night.” Regardless, he thought he managed to edge his opponent out.
“I thought the big eighth round that I had would swing it my way,” he claimed. “It was a real close fight.”
Jorge doesn’t blame the loss on his general style or on any inherent flaws in his skills. Making changes in how he fights is not called for here. Teron and his team do not feel that he will be badly affected by the setback.
“That’s something that my promoter has spoken to me about,” he said. “One or two more fights and I should get a shot at one of the champions.”
If ever there was a trainer more fit to work with a particular type of fighter, Mark Breland is it. Both Breland and Teron are tall and thin and have similar styles, so Mark understands very well what strengths and weaknesses Jorge needs to work on. “If anybody would know how to train a tall, skinny fighter it would be Mark Breland,” said Teron, who works with Breland out of Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, NY. They have been a team for Teron’s last 14 fights.
“I started with Mark in 2006 just after I hurt my hand in one of my fights in Boston,” he recalled. “Not that my trainer before Mark did anything wrong; stylistically he wasn’t a good fit for me. Hector Rocha did a great job; I was 10-0 (8) at the time.”
Under the very accomplished Rocha, Teron found himself doing more trading than he felt was needed. He won his fights, but he believed that he should be using his boxing skills more.
“The fights were really a lot tougher than they should have been,” added Teron. “And that was because of the way I was fighting.”
He is ably managed by Steve Heid. “Steve’s been my manager since right out of the amateurs,” said Teron. “I’ve known him since I was 17 years old.”
He believes that Heid has done well in bringing him along, as well as his promotional team of Mike Borao and Scott Hirsch. “I think I have a pretty good team behind me,” said Teron.
Having little or no trouble making weight as a lightweight, Teron does not have thoughts of moving up to 140lbs. or welterweight.
“I’m still making weight in the lightweight division, still making 135-pound limit with relative ease so I don’t think my move up will be anytime soon,” said the well spoken 23-year-old New York City-born Puerto Rican, who weighs 146 pounds between fights.
Teron is also a boxing fan, knowledgeable about boxing history as well as the sport today. Rating the fighters of the past in his own division, Teron said, “The best lightweight, although our styles are very different, is Roberto Duran. He was just unbeatable at lightweight.”
“It has to be Ray Robinson,” he said, contemplating who was the best fighter pound-for-pound. “He was a pioneer. I think a lot of the ways fighters fight now is because of what he could do. His left hand, he was the first to hold his left hand down. After that others started to use an educated left hand. After Robinson, I think Muhammad Ali and Ray Leonard were the best.”
Boxing is all around Jorge’s personal life too. His dad boxed as an amateur in Puerto Rico, and even his girlfriend, Jessica Delgato, is a big boxing fan with her dad being a Golden Gloves coach.
The lightweight division is currently very exciting with recent big fights involving Michael Katsidis, Edwin Valero, as well as Amir Khan.
“I think highly of those fighters,” said Teron. “The lightweight division is the hottest in boxing along with the welterweights. Katsidis is a real good pressure fighter, but he’s someone I would look forward to fighting in the near future. Amir Khan, I believe, is moving up 140 pounds to fight Kotelnik but his win against Barrera was a real good win for him. I don’t think Barrera has too much left at this point in his career. Juan Manuel Marquez is an awesome fighter. He’s pound-for-pound one of the best in boxing. Not only am I looking forward to one day fighting him, I am also a fan of his.”
Teron was impressed with Edwin Valero. “He’s wild, he comes out of left field; 25 fights with 25 knockouts. I’d like to mix it up with him one day.”
The lightweight division is well-rounded today with well-schooled youngsters and seasoned veterans such as Marquez, Joel Casamayor and Joan Guzman, plus up-and-coming fighters like Anthony Peterson, Khan, and Teron.
There is certainly a place for Teron in this enormously talented group fighters who are attracting the eyes of fans and experts alike, and that’s “The Truth.”Andre Berto and Juan Urango
Meet at Yankee Stadium
A day before the home season opener, DiBella Entertainment and Seminole Warriors hosted a press conference at NY Steakhouse inside the new Yankee Stadium to promote the Andre Berto-Juan Urango title fight to be held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL, on May 30, televised by HBO. Click here for more photos.
Berto, 24-0 (19), will be making the third defense of the WBC welterweight belt he won in June of last year. “May 30th is going to be a big night, my first fight in my home state,” said Berto, who lives in Winterhaven, FL. “Urango is strong but he is a straight forward fighter. I’m definitely focused. It’s going to be an exciting night.”
Southpaw Urango, 21-1-1 (16), who won the vacant IBF 140lb. belt in January, will be fighting as a welterweight for the first time. “I’ve been fighting for many years,” said Urango, who turned pro in 2002, “but now I have a new team and moving up to 147 is a great opportunity for me.”
Urango’s team consists of new trainer Evangelista Cotto, who will be working with the Colombian, also living in Florida, for the fourth time when he climbs into the ring against Berto. “Urango’s going to be raised to the highest level when he faces a fighter like Berto. Juan has all the skills and intelligence to win this fight,” said Cotto.
Co-headlining the “Boxing After Dark” doubleheader will be junior middleweight prospect Alfredo Angulo, 15-0 (12), taking on Kermit Cintron, 30-2-1 (27), who recently moved up to the 154lb. class in his last fight, earning a draw against Sergio Martinez. Angulo, who stopped Cosme Rivera in five this February, hasn’t had to go the distance since his fourth fight in 2006.
American heavyweight hopeful Tor Hamer, 5-0 (4), NABF/NABA light heavyweight belt holder Yusaf Mack, 27-2-2 (16), and a Seminole Warriors’ promoted heavyweight Magomed Abdusalamov, now 4-0 (4), will all appear on the non-televised undercard.CSI Offers Special Deal
For a limited time, CSI Sports is offering a special deal, valid through May 31, 2009, on its “USA Tuesday Night Fights Knockouts: Series II” Collector’s Edition DVD set. Mention Boxing Digest and you get $20 off the original price.
The series comes packed with 12 DVDs featuring explosive knockouts and rare fights that originally appeared on the USA Tuesday Night Fights program that aired from 1981-1998. In addition to George Foreman’s comeback, revisit the early careers of Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr., Arturo Gatti, Fernando Vargas, Riddick Bowe, Marco Antonio Barrera, and many more.
To help analyze the fights, each DVD includes special segments: “KO Time,” “Feature Fighters,” “In Case You Missed It,” and “Who Won This One.”
KO Time: This segment is dedicated to the most exciting moment in boxing – the KNOCKOUT. We cut right to the action. It’s over before they knew what hit ‘em.
Feature Fighters: This part gives you everything: an in depth look at the superstar fighters featured in each episode. You get some highlights of their past fights, interviews, trash talking, behind the scenes footage, highlights of the best action in the fight, and of course...the KNOCKOUT!
In Case You Missed It: This segment contains the most amazing, memorable, wild, out of control moments you may have missed, or just must see again.
Who Won This One: Try to guess who will win the fight at the end of the show! Throughout the show we will provide you with the knockout percentage, fighter’s records and other statistics and maybe even some footage of their past fights to help you guess – Who Won This One!
The series also boasts to include the best looking round card girls in the world!
Call (877) 345-3837 to order. Visit www.csisports.tv for more information.
Ring Rhyme & Reason
Roy Deserves Credit
Clearly, Roy Jones Jr. has passed the twilight of his career as having been a great champion in four divisions. His style and ring generalship was somewhat unorthodox, but he displayed awesome skill and effectiveness. Having read a piece by Tim Smith of the New York Daily News regarding Jones’ “marriage” of promoting MMA and boxing on the same card, this endeavor might turn out to be one of the toughest “fights” of his career. Being strictly a “boxing person,” I had penned a few articles, one titled, “Please Don’t Call It Boxing!” regarding my distaste for MMA, Ultimate Fighting and any other name which would try to take away the real sport of boxing as most people in the game know it. Smith pointed out that much of the fighting and groping is done on the canvas. But MMA is picking up a lot of steam and is making a lot of money for the promotional outlets backing the sport. To paraphrase Mike Smith, I tend to agree that perhaps Square Ring Promotions needs a larger inventory, thus the “wedding” of boxing and MMA begins. I agreed with Jones’ statement that there is more skill required in boxing, although it’s a paradox to what he seems to be pursuing.
Personally, I am fond of Roy and appreciated his coming to Westchester Community College, which is a member of the National Collegiate Boxing Association, where he generously gave his time in helping me finish an outstanding instructional video that is used as a teaching tool for my college credit course. The iconoclastic Muhammad Ali, Willie Pep and Rocky Marciano are also part of the instructional tape.
Transfusion Needed
The heavyweight division once commanded the most focus and hype and was almost always the highest paying weight class, but now it has the lowest expectations. The division is now really anemic with a conglomeration of pseudo-titled champions. Five years ago, Lennox Lewis was the best of the group of the big guys, but right now all things considered we have to tout Wladimir Klitschko as the most formidable of today’s heavyweights. Klitschko is always in good condition, possesses a pretty good jab but still lacks the color and the fire of past heavyweight contenders. Heavyweight contenders used to be discussed as the highlights of the ring game. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be anybody on the horizon who can infuse any excitement in the heavyweight division right now.
A Success Story
The AAIB (American Association for the Improvement of Boxing) must offer plaudits to Joe Calzaghe who recently announced his retirement from the ring. He retired as the United Kingdom’s only undefeated champion after an 18-year career. I am sure he will be able to parlay his ring fame into a great career in some other field in his native Wales. He’s a handsome, unmarked young man who seems to have the whole world in his hands. Good Luck, Joe.
Is it Make-believe?
The AAIB has never believed that Floyd Mayweather was serious about retiring. There are two many steaks on his boxing plate. The winner of the Hatton-Pacquiao duel could produce a formidable opponent for Mayweather. We believe Floyd would be the winner of that one.
Easy to Digest
The AAIB would like to commend Boxing Digest and writer George Kimball for the article he did in the April ’09 issue on our wonderful friend Jose Torres who was a real credit to boxing in and out of the ring.
Who Did He Fight?
I have always been apprehensive of certain boxers with undefeated records. We quickly check the caliber and records of boxers with an unbeaten record as to who they defeated This accentuates Rocky Marciano’s 49-0, Julio Cesar Chavez winning close to 100 fights, Willie Pep’s 230 professional fights and 65 amateur fights. Boxing Digest ranked Pep number one, the slickest boxer of all time along with several other experts.
Fountain of Youth
The New York Golden Gloves produces many winners who will ultimately go on to replenish the professional boxing ranks. It is always exciting to see the emergence from the amateurs; young boxers who may one day replicate Sugar Ray Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson, Pernell Whittaker, Muhammad Ali, Mark Breland and so many other greats who emerged from the amateur Golden Gloves and the Olympics to become great champions.
On the other hand, it was sad to note that the most recent Olympic Games in Beijing produced only one USA bronze medal winner. The US has always had talent such as the aforementioned athletes. Perhaps, the recession of gold medal victors from America has a great deal to do with the lack of ability and talent of the individuals who are entrusted with the coaching and training of these Olympians.Boxing for Beginners
Golden Gloves Champion and Olympic team member, Billy Finegan has teamed up with fitness seminar teacher Courtney Clark to write Boxing for Beginners. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to learn to box and get in shape. Boxing for Beginners guides readers through boxing fundamentals and mechanics, basic boxing drills, acquiring the necessary equipment and more. Photos and a step-by-step approach make this book easy to understand. Readers will learn to strengthen the mind, sharpen reflexes, form intelligent fight strategies and use the necessary tactics it takes to win the battle. The authors hosted a book signing at Barnes & Noble in New York along with writer Mary Phillips.
Boxing Digest Round Card Girls
appear in PETA ad
PETA has an “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign currently running, with actresses and supermodels posing nude. To help promote and bring exposure to the ads, PETA has teamed up with Rick’s Cabaret and created an "I'd Rather Go Topless Than Wear Fur" ad. The New York club held a reception to launch the new ad campaign with all seven of the models that appear in the ad on hand to pose with the poster. You may recognize some of them, as a few have been the “Boxing Digest Round Card Girl of the Month,” such as Shaleen, Avalon and Saki. Other round card girls that have appeared in Boxing Digest—Jane, Sky, Alondra and Becky—also attended the press conference to support the cause.
“Compassion is a big turn-on, but fur-wearers leave me cold. By showing some of our skin, we hope to save animals’ skins,” said Alicia. The ad was shot by top celebrity photographer Andrea Blanch. It can be seen online, in all Rick’s locations and as a public service ad in many magazines. Look for some of the girls in future Boxing Digest issues as they plan to work a few East Coast fights.
The Bat Boy Helps
Former Golden Gloves competitor and New York Times best selling author Ray Negron has released his second children’s book, The Greatest Story Never Told. Negron’s new book focuses on two chronically ill boys, Skippy and Conner. The boys don’t get along because they see each other as “different.” Ray enters as a New York Yankee's bat boy who takes the pair on a magical journey to meet Babe Ruth. The Bambino then brings them to Ebbets Field to meet Jackie Robinson. The Babe and Jackie share some experiences and the boys learn their lesson and become best friends.
This book is similar to Negron’s first book, The Boy of Steel, about a boy who meets old time baseball Hall of Famers through a magic room in Yankee Stadium.
Negron is currently promoting his book through signings at larger book stores. On Oct. 19, he visited a Barnes & Noble in New York, meeting with young fans. For more information on the books and signings check out www.batboyhelps.com