HEADLINES -- March 28-31, 2003

March 31, 2003
MONDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
* Los Angeles Times: New platform seeks Monday Night landing
* Steve Kim: Taylor made for Little Rock
* Sean Stowell: The little-known trilogy of two little men
* Robert Cassidy: DiBella brings fights to Monday nights
* More info on Monday Night Fights from DiBella Entertainment
* The official Jermain Taylor website

TONIGHT'S ODDS
Little Rock, Arkansas

ROSENDO ALVAREZ vs. BEIBIS MENDOZA
WBA jr. Flyweight title

JERMAIN TAYLOR vs. MARCOS PRIMERA
Middleweights

ANGEL MANFREDY vs. MOISES PEDROZA
Lightweights

DEREK BRYANT vs. ERICK KIRKLAND
Heavyweights

* AP: Draw puts former heavyweight champ back on track
* Baltimore Sun: A pleased Rahman jabs at detractors
* NY Daily News: Hopkins mismatch latest fiasco for boxing rankings
* NY Post: Fight game takes it on the chin again
* Phil Sheridan: Philadelphia boxing takes a sucker punch
* Atlantic City Press: Hopkins keeps rolling, but lacks quality foes
* Washington Post: After main events, Jadah and Corley battle outside ring
* George Kimball: NBC eyes hit shows - jumps back into ring with 3-fight series
* John Whisler: Vargas sizing up San Antonio sites for bout
* Pedro Fernandez: Mesi and Holden ink pact
* AAP: Tszyu in trouble with WBC bid
* Paul Upham: Tszyu may give up belts, but isn't retiring
* USA Today: Tua, Rahman battle to 12-round draw
* USA Today: Hopkins extends title defense record to 16
* Max Boxing: Rahman feels like winner after disputed draw
* Scoop: Ringside at the Hopkins fight
* Eastside Boxing: Middleweight mediocrity's main event
* SecondsOut: Two #1's fall, but the Rock stays up
* Eastside Boxing: Tua-Rahman - aftermath
* Scott Shaffer: Rahman-Tua - who really won?
* Anthony Evans: The word on Rock vs. Tua
* George Elsasser reviews the whole card
* Paul Upham reviews the IBF's March ratings
* Reno Gazette-Journal: Lane receiving oxygen therapy
* San Antonio Express-News: Martinez repeats as national champ
* Clev. Plain-Dealer: McPherson wins USA title
* London Daily Telegraph: Harrison eyes title
* Clive Bernath: Audley marches on
* The Independent (UK): Victorious Harrison starts to win over critics
* Glasgow Daily Herald: Balkan bookie bashing gives no clue to Audley class
* London Daily Telegraph: Hatton blocks the way
* UK: Warren backs guns amnesty
* UK: Culshaw keeps hold of title
* SecondsOut: Francis retires after one-arm show
* Eastside Boxing: Espinosa wants title fight in Manila
* Kenya: C'Wealth champ Muya ranked by WBC




March 30, 2003
* NY Times: For Tua and Rahman, fight settles nothing
* AP: Rahman, Tua fight to draw
* Doug Fischer: Rahman wins moral victory, Hopkins hammers Hakkar
* Washington Post: Rahman and Tua draw; Vinson earns decision win
* Press Release: With full results of the Philadelphia show
* Scott Shaffer interviews Lou DiBella about his "Monday Night Fights"
* AP: Michalczewski stops Harmon in ninth round
* Boxing Central: Ten out of ten for Harrison
* The Independent (UK): Harrison sails on but the best is yet to come
* AP: WBC says Lewis must fight Klitschko
* Scott Shaffer: Klitschko, Lewis, Tyson update
* David Williams: Mid-South's boxing future dims a little
* AP: Ali, daughter co-writing memoir
* AP: Moorer wins decision over Tisdale
* Elisa Harrison: Reid, Cauthen retain NABF titles
* Elisa Harrison: Bolanos wins but Santos impresses
* Savannah Morning News: Hallback continues winning ways
* AP: Mesi, Raheem, Harding win bouts
* Max Boxing: James Gogue - Amateur scouting report
* The Independent (UK): Hatton - "Protect us from ourselves"
* Sunday Herald (UK): Beating Phillips could be Hatton's passport to the American dream
* Sunday Herald (UK): Next up for Scott Harrison
* Steve Bunce: Tapia - a life less ordinary
* UK: Francis fails to turn back clock
* Paul Upham: Hamdan vs. Clenshaw III is a classic
* Paul Upham on the Australian Hall of Fame induction dinner
* Sunday Times (South Africa): South Africa boxing seeking a better image - again
* India: Akhil in flyweight final




March 29, 2003


TONIGHT'S ODDS

BERNARD HOPKINS vs. MORRADE HAKKAR
World middleweight title

DAVID TUA vs. HASIM RAHMAN
IBF heavyweight elimination

The Charles Jay Line
(For entertainment purposes only)

3/29, Phila., World 160-lb. title
BERNARD HOPKINS -2800, MORRADE HAKKAR +2200
Over 6.5 rds. -110, Under 6.5 rds. -110
Will not go the distance -500, Will go the distance +400
Hopkins by KO or DQ -450, Hopkins not by KO or DQ +350

3/29, Phila., Heavyweights
DAVID TUA -350, HASIM RAHMAN +250
Tua by KO or DQ -280, Tua not by KO or DQ +240

3/29, Coconut Creek, FL, Heavyweights
MICHAEL MOORER 50/1 over OTIS TISDALE
Over 2.5 rds. -110, under 2.5 rds. -110
Moorer not by 1st-round KO or DQ -180, Moorer by 1st-round KO or DQ +140


* Washington Post: Ornery Hopkins loves to pick a fight
* NY Post: Tua, Rahman put their fight lives on line
* AP: Stakes high in Tua-Rahman rematch
* Atlantic City Press: Rahman, Tua fighting in muddled division
* Baltimore Sun: Rahman is bigger; better is question
* Sean Stowell: Tua-Rahman - different directions, same goal
* Ron Pilott: Tua's trainer fires off e-mail barrage
* Pedro Fernandez: Saturday ring notes
* Press Release: Tua ready to kick off Rahman's retirement party
* Bernard Fernandez: As usual, Hopkins managing all by himself
* Ron Borges: Hakkar has it coming
* Phil. Inquirer: Hopkins' run of ring success can't take the fight out of him
* Phil. Inquirer: Fight a reminder of proud boxing past
* Newsday: DiBella brings fights to Monday nights
* NY Daily News: Tyson could get N.Y. OK to fight
* Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Artist puts touch on the spirit of boxing
* Gregory Leon: Joe Dwyer story - Part II
* AP: Moorer on comeback trail
* Santos Perez: Moorer hopes to get back on heavyweight map
* Ft. Laud. Sun-Sentinel: Moorer returns to ring with a purpose
* David Mayo: Mayweather ready to restructure his boxing team again
* Boxing Talk: Amy Hayes - First lady of boxing
* David Payne: Calzaghe is not a Freeman
* Savannah Morning News: Hallback moves up in weight to fight former champion
* Wooster Daily Record (Ohio): Boxing will return to Canton
* SF Chronicle: First-round KO for Espinosa
* AP: Peterson beats three-time champ Allen at amateur tourney
* Paula Parrish: War in Iraq may keep Olympic dreams on hold
* Harrisburg Patriot-News: Boxing ring only thing on Manigault's mind
* The Scotsman: Audley fights to stay in spotlight
* The Mirror (UK): Harrison to prove he's real deal or old hat
* London Daily Telegraph: Harrison aims for perfect 10
* Max Boxing: Suico vs. Indon tonight
* Gambia: IBAA rejects boxing congress



PRESS RELEASE

DBE SUPPORTS THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE US ARMED FORCES

"MONDAY NIGHT FIGHTS" TO BE AIRED ON ARMED FORCES RADIO AND TV
100 TICKETS TO BE GIVEN AWAY TO LOCAL MILITARY


NEW YORK, March 28 - With the men and women of the United States Armed Forces at war in the Middle East, DiBella Entertainment hopes to provide some much needed entertainment to these American heroes by making the inaugural broadcast of "Monday Night Fights" available by tape delay over Armed Forces Radio and Television. In addition, DBE will be giving away 100 tickets to Little Rock Air Force Base to salute their heroic efforts.

"These are stressful times for everyone, but especially for the men and women of our military," said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. "If we can help in a small way by providing some entertainment to the troops, then I'm happy to do it."

To kick off "Monday Night Fights", SMSgt. Sadie Knight of the United States Air Force will perform the National Anthem for the crowd at the Statehouse Convention Center, as well as for a worldwide television audience. Unfortunately, Nelson Vasquez, scheduled to be a judge for the WBA junior flyweight title fight between Rosendo Alvarez and Beibis Mendoza, will be unable to attend "Monday Night Fights" due to his duties as a reservist.

"Monday Night Fights" premieres live from the the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Monday, March 31, and will be distributed by the leader in television boxing, HBOPPV. The Pay-Per-View broadcast begins at 8pm ET / 5pm PT and has a suggested retail price of $24.95.

Tickets for "Monday Night Fights", priced at $180 (VIP Ringside, limited number available), $110 (Ringside), $80 (Floor), and $45 (General Admission), are available at Celebrity Attractions, all Ticketmaster outlets ( 501-975-7575), or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. A limited number of $25 General Admission seats have also been added.


BOUT SHEET

MIDDLEWEIGHTS - 10 ROUNDS
Jermain Taylor - 14-0 (10 KO’s) vs. Marcos Primera - 14-3-1 (9 KO’s)

WBA JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP - 12 ROUNDS
Rosendo Alvarez - 31-2-1 (21 KO’s) vs. Beibis Mendoza - 29-1 (24 KO’s)

LIGHTWEIGHTS - 10 ROUNDS
Angel Manfredy - 40-6-1 (29 KO’s) vs. Moises Pedroza - 24-4-1 (21 KO’s)

HEAVYWEIGHTS - 10 ROUNDS
Derek Bryant - 16-0 (14 KO’s) vs. Eric “Stone Kold” Kirkland - 14-1 (10 KO’s)

HEAVYWEIGHTS - 8 ROUNDS (NON TELEVISED)
Terry Smith - 15-0 (11 KO’s) vs. Lorenzo Boyd - 27-54-1 (16 KO’s)

CALL YOUR LOCAL CABLE OR SATELITE PROVIDER FOR MORE DETAILS


For more information on Everlast, visit www.everlast.com



For more information on DiBella Entertainment, please visit our website at www.dbe1.com


CONTACTS:

Norman D. Horton
NDH Consultants
323.418.0850 Off.
E-mail: greendora@aol.com


John Cirillo
Cirillo World Inc.
212.972.5337 Off.
212.972.5267 Fax.
E-mail: johnnycigarpr@aol.com



THE WBO - THEY'RE HURT

Official statement

For Immediate Release March 28, 2003

San Juan, Puerto Rico – Surprised by attorney Judd Burstein’s scandalous personal attacks on March 26, 2003, the World Boxing Organization instructed WBO counsel Andrew Horn to study the situation and take appropriate legal action, WBO representatives informed today.

“We were amazed by the insulting and demeaning remarks made by Mr. Burstein on behalf of Champion Corrie Sanders, but we have been contacted by Sander’s promoter, Golden Gloves Ltd’s Rodney Berman, and he has informed us that Attorney Burstein was not authorized to make these rude remarks”, WBO President Francisco Valcárcel commented from Hamburg, Germany, where he was attending WBO-related activities.

A letter from Rodney Berman, promoter for WBO Heavyweight Champion Corrie Sanders, stated that “on behalf of Golden Gloves, Corrie Sanders and his manager, Vernon Smith, [I] tender my most sincere apologies and distance ourselves from the personal contents of that [Judd Burstein’s] letter.” The letter, dated March 27, 2003 also declared that Mr. Burstein “had no authority to address you in the personal manner in which he has.”

WBO legal representatives are addressing the situation and will take appropriate legal action against Mr. Burstein for his slanderous and libelous statements. Promoters Don King and Peter Kohl, also subject of Burstein’s tirade, are also pondering legal action.






March 28, 2003
* Baltimore Sun: Memory of Tua's late punch stings Rahman
* Washington Post: Rahman looks for redemption
* NY Daily News: Rahman seeking "justice" with Tua
* USA Today: Rahman's career faces turning point Saturday vs. Tua
* Las Vegas Sun: Tua has win, title shot in his plans
* NZPA: Tua not willing to stick chin out
* Max Boxing: Hopkins - creating and overcoming adversity
* Bernard Fernandez: Hopkins helps bring big-time boxing back to Philadelphia
* Dean Juipe: Hopkins still looking for the "big" fight
* Press Release: Vinson, Yuri Foreman to see action on Rahman-Tua undercard
* AP: French boxer expects harsh reception
* Dallas Morning News: Promoter takes shot at Monday Night Fights
* AP: Mesi, Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing settle lawsuit
* Pedro Fernandez: Time to dump Scott Pope folks!
* NY Post: Mike Tyson in Kimmel's corner
* Anthony Evans: WBO heavyweight title row rumbles on
* Chicago Tribune: Riddick Bowe comeback may be risky
* Abq. Tribune: Refreshed Romero says he's not done
* Ft. Laud. Sun-Sentinel: Briggs wins on first-round KO
* Naples Daily News: Barr to appear at TECO Arena May 2
* Big Bear Grizzly (Cal.): A look at Arturo Gatti
* Press Release: Bojado to battle undefeated prospect May 10
* LVRJ: Lightweight taking his time for title
* AP: Allen moves into finals of U.S. Ch'ships
* Rocky Mountain News: Boxers train and worry
* UK: Audley expects tough bout
* SecondsOut: Draskovic ready for Audley
* The Independent (UK): Harrison's ring education to end with Wembley test
* The Guardian (UK): Harrison must stand up and stop the "Fraudley" sideswipe
* The Mirror (UK): Beeb still fork out on Audley
* Clive Bernath: Francis not finished yet
* Eastside Boxing: Pacquaio eyes Austin
* New Zealand Herald: To the loser, all is spoiled
* Paul Upham: Shannan Taylor - "Back in black"
* Australia: Pelizeri's after a world title
* Ghana: Accra to host boxing eliminations
* India: Ali Qamar enters quarters



PRESS RELEASE

RUBBER MATCH BETWEEN ALVAREZ AND MENDOZA
TO HEADLINE "MONDAY NIGHT FIGHTS"

WBA JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT TITLE BOUT REPLACES MONTIEL - JOHNSON ON MARCH 31


NEW YORK, March 24 - Due to a hand injury, WBO junior bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel has been forced to withdraw from his March 31 title bout with Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson. Not to be discouraged, DiBella Entertainment has replaced this contest with another title fight, the rubber match between WBA light flyweight champion Rosendo Alvarez (31-2-1, 21 KOs) and challenger Beibis Mendoza (29-1, 24 KOs).

In their first meeting on August 12, 2000, Mendoza, from Rio Cedro, Colombia, won the vacant WBA crown in the seventh round when Alvarez was disqualified for a series of low blows. In the rematch, on March 3, 2001, Alvarez, a native of Managua, Nicaragua, turned the tables on Mendoza via a hard fought split decision.

"Monday Night Fights" premieres live from the the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Monday, March 31, and will be distributed by the leader in television boxing, HBOPPV. The Pay-Per-View broadcast begins at 8pm ET / 5pm PT and has a suggested retail price of $24.95.

Tickets for "Monday Night Fights", priced at $180 (VIP Ringside, limited number available), $110 (Ringside), $80 (Floor), and $45 (General Admission), are available at Celebrity Attractions, all Ticketmaster outlets ( 501-975-7575), or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. A limited number of $25 General Admission seats have also been added.

Copyright 2002 Total Action Inc.