HEADLINES
-- April 1-3, 2003
April 3, 2003
* Press Release: ESPN on board with IBU, will
televise title bouts
* Doug Fischer: Hit Man takes
aim at Cool Vince, then America
* Sporting Life: Hatton
hoping to turn on the style
* London Daily Telegraph: Hatton
must face a top-class opponent
* Press Release: Transcript of
conference call with Ricky Hatton
* Max Kellerman: Rahman
has legit beef, yet again
* Pedro Fernandez: On the road to
Little Rock
* Press Release: Hagler to
return to Canastota for Hall of Fame weekend
* Boxing Talk: Cotto - too much hype
or not enough?
* Rusty Rubin: Let's
blame the referees
* Topeka Cap-Journal: Munoz
eager to end ring layoff
* Alabama: House
committee passes bill for boxing commission
* Boxing Central: WBO
demands apology
* Las Vegas Sun: UNLV
hosts card pros can't match
* Desert Dispatch (Cal.): Fighting
Falcon soaring high
* Glasgow Herald: Unsung hero Buckley
happy to take life on the chin
* BBC Online: BBC and Warren
clinch radio deal
* Sporting Life: No
illuminating career ahead for Blackpool "Tower"
* Daily Dispatch (South Africa): Expect explosive bouts
* Press Release: D.M. says he
wants only dangerous foes
* Ghana: Odametey
fights for WBF title
* Zimbabwe: Arifonso
ready to make comeback
PRESS RELEASE
Talk about Hawaiian Punch!
OLYMPIAN BRIAN VILORIA IN MAIN EVENT OF "ALL HAWAIIAN" FIGHT CARD AT SHERATON
WAIKIKI BALLROOM ON APRIL 15 PRESENTED BY DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT AND TOM MOFFATT
PRODUCTIONS
New York, April 1-Talk about Hawaiian Punch! DiBella Entertainment and Tom
Moffatt Productions have amazingly put together a seven-bout card on which
every fight has a native of the Hawaiian Islands participating, including the
main event featuring undefeated Olympian Brian Viloria (11-0, 6 KOs) vs.
Valentin Leon (14-5, 6 KOs) on April 15 at the Sheraton Waikiki Ballroom, it
was announced today by DBE president Lou DiBella and Moffatt Productions
president Tom Moffatt.
Viloria, who hails from Waipahu, looks to extend his unblemished record
against Mexico's Leon in a 10 round flyweight bout. Much has happened to
Viloria since his last appearance in his home state of Hawaii. After
stopping Sandro Oviedo in a single round on May 17, 2002, "Hawaiian Punch"
has not only run off four consecutive victories, but has gained two titles
(the WBC Youth and NABF flyweight titles), going from prospect to contender
in the 112-pound division. He is currently ranked fifth by the WBC and sixth
by the WBO.
"I'm happy to be able to fight in Hawaii again," said Viloria, a member of
the 2000 US Olympic team. "I've been working very hard in the gym, and I'm
looking forward to showing the Hawaiian people how I've improved since the
last time they saw me."
The other bouts on the "all Hawaii," card, including three fights pitting
Hawaii vs. Hawaii, is as follows:
Welterweight Eric Alexander (18-7, 13 KOs, Kalihi) taking on Calvin Odom
(11-4, 8 KOs, Los Angeles in a 6-rounder.
Heavyweight Tali Kulihaapai (8-3, 7 KOs, Honolulu) battles John Clark (4-2, 4
KOs, Los Angeles) in another 6-round contest.
Another Heavyweight battle pits Sitafine Talosaga (3-0, Honolulu) against
David Bihana (2-2, Waimanalo) in a four-round affair.
Super lightweight Jerry Saribay (3-3, 2 KOs, Kalihi) takes on John Lopez
(6-6, 3 KOs, Hilo) in a six-rounder.
Lightweight Jay Saribay (Kalihi) will see action against Travis Tandel
(Kaimuki) in a four-round battle, with both fighters making their
professional debuts. And heavyweight Rodney Joseph (Waianae) goes up against
Mark Mariko (Kalihi) in another four-rounder, with each fighter making their
pro bows.
Tickets for the exciting night of boxing, priced at $75 (Ringside), $50
(Reserved), and $25 (General Admission), are available at all Ticketmaster
locations by calling 877-750-4400 or by logging on at www.ticketmaster.com.
Tickets are also available at Blaisdell Box Office and selected Foodland and
Sack-n-Save stores.
Press Release
BERNARD HOPKINS, DON KING, CHRIS BYRD, FIGHTING MITCHELL
TWINS, MIGUEL CALLIST, AND YURI FOREMAN ON "KNOCKOUT RADIO" ON MAXBOXING.COM
by Eddie Goldman
You may have seen last Saturday's broadcast of the fight card headlined by Bernard
Hopkins's 16th defense of his middleweight title against Morrade Hakkar, and the IBF
heavyweight eliminator between Hasim Rahman and David Tua, which was officially ruled a
draw. Hakkar's running and the controversial draw made the outcome of both televised bouts
unsatisfying to most observers.
But there was far more going on that night in the Spectrum in Philadelphia. This week we
take you behind-the-scenes to speak with several fighters on what was an entertaining
undercard. We also have extensive interviews from the postfight press conference.
This week on "Knockout Radio," exclusively on Maxboxing.com
(http://maxboxing.com), host Eddie Goldman speaks with undisputed and always-outspoken
world middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins. Many have raised questions as to why he was
matched up with such an inept opponent as Hakkar, and Hopkins gives his take on this and
other issues, including how he sees the media.
We also speak with Don King, who as usual was blunt about his views on the Rahman-Tua draw
verdict. We also got the views of IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd, the man no one
seems to want to fight.
We open the show with interviews with four of the undercard fighters whose bouts were not
televised on HBO in the U.S. We spoke with both of the Fighting Mitchell Twins, Aaron
"Homicide" Mitchell and Eric "Machine Gun" Mitchell, who each had TKO
victories in their middleweight fights. We got a chance to speak with lightweight
contender Miguel Callist of Panama, who had a second-round TKO in his bout. And we spoke
with junior middleweight Yuri Foreman, who scored a first-round TKO to win his fight.
Make sure to look for the video coverage of the postfight press conference with Hasim
Rahman, David Tua, Bernard Hopkins, Don King, Chris Byrd, and more, also coming to
MaxBoxing.com this week.
"Knockout Radio" is pre-recorded, and hosted by myself, Eddie Goldman.
"Knockout Radio" is a Larry Merchant-free zone.
Comments or questions? E-mail the show at: knockoutradio@yahoo.com. Join in the discussion
about boxing's hottest issues!
You can always find "Knockout Radio" on Maxboxing.com by looking at the
right-hand column and going to the INTERACTIVE section. "Knockout Radio" can be
heard exclusively on the members-only section of Maxboxing.com. This section is a
subscription service, meaning that your subscriptions can keep the content there
commercial-free. RealPlayer is required.
April 2, 2003
* LVRJ: Rematch
between DLH and Mosley finally set
* Tim Dahlberg: Lewis
and Tyson likely to fight on same June 21 card but not against each other
* NY Daily News: Tyson and
Lewis may share a card in Buffalo
* David Payne: Lewis
and Tyson to fight on June 21
* Thomas Hauser: Three smart for
their own good
* Thomas Hauser: Some
thoughts on boxing
* Max Boxing: Forrest
likely to get July 12 rematch; Spinks looks to fight in St. Louis
* SD Union-Trib: Junior
featherweight bout to be held at Sports Arena
* Bernard Fernandez: HBO rehashes
Taylor-Chavez bout
* David Avila: Toney wants
Jirov, then Byrd
* SecondsOut: The Buzz -
Wild at welterweight
* Michael Katz: A
final hymn to the ghouls
* Gregory Leon: Robert Allen plans
to make a statement
* AP: Tonya Harding to
fight in Iowa in May
* Press Release: Kingfish fight card set
for April 21
* Ron Widelec: Ranking
reforms - give it up!
* Gary Post-Trib: Manfredy
shakes off rust for TKO
* Las Vegas Sun: After
two third places, Nixon hungry for title
* AP: Toughman
shows go on while insurance debate continues
* Sporting Life: Phillips
no pushover, insists Hatton
* Real Boxing.com reports that Phillips can't get
passport, may be out
* SecondsOut: One-armed
Francis may continue
* UK: Busy
year ahead for Culshaw
* Boxing Central: Former
Bugner victim next for Williams
* Boxing Central: Big
Bob in biggest battle
* Clive Bernath: Buckley
approaches history-making 200-fight mark
* Paul Upham: Briggs fired
up by Castro comments
* David Payne: Taylor
handed suspended ban
* Illawarra Mercury (Au.): Blaster
shapes up for rematch
* Gulf News: Russian
boxer eyes Dubai bout
* Boxing Central: Tipster
joins Boxing Central
* South Africa: Mpush's
joy will be short-lived, says Thobela
April 1, 2003
* Dr. Margaret Goodman: Boxing, head injury, and
psychiatry - it "ain't" all in your head
* Paul Upham: WBC, WBA, IBF,
WBO to merge
* AP: Alvarez
retains title in rubber match with Mendoza
* Max Boxing: Taylor opens
"Monday Night Fights" with big win
* New Zealand Herald: Tua
- Result will make me a better fighter
* Peter Jessup: King's
grin lights up a result that has Tua in his sights
* Boxing Talk: Rahman - "I won
seven rounds"
* David Payne: Joppy
accepts Calzaghe test
* Anthony Evans: Porras next
for Calzaghe?
* South Africa: Corrie
fought for peanuts
* Boston Globe: Hagler
lets HBO get inside during series
* SecondsOut: WBO are
kidding themselves
* NY Times: Jabbing
and feinting through the grand life of Muhammad Ali
* Press Release: Tua signs
exclusive pact with Kushner
* PhillyBurbs.com: Hopkins
has place among the best
* Thomas Gerbasi: Streamlined
McCline seeks return to the "big-time"
* San Antonio Express-News: Leija
will be back with DLH as promoter
* Eastside Boxing: Boxing's
Green Mile
* LV Sun: Former
referee Lane recovering slowly
* Press Release: D.M.
scored KO with fever, broken thumb
* Max Boxing: Boxing from
an odd angle
* The Desert Sun (Cal.): Ruiz out to avenge
split decision loss
* Boxing Talk: Ricky Hatton
steps up - Part Two
* SecondsOut: Williams will
defend against Mirovic
* Belfast Telegraph: O'Hara can be king
of the ring
* Liverpool Echo (UK): Culshaw
aims high
* Australia: Warning
issued for Taylor
* South Africa: Makambi
confirmed as SA champion
* Daily Nation (Kenya): Uganda
captures two gold medals
Press Release
WORLD CHAMPIONS ROUND OUT PPV TELECAST ON BARRERA-KELLEY
UNDERCARD
DERRICK "SMOKE" GAINER DEFENDS HIS WBA FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AND
WBO BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION CRUZ CARBAJAL FIGHTS IN A 10-ROUNDER
ON SATURDAY, APRIL 12
Las Vegas, NV (March 31, 2003) - The Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Kevin
Kelley card is less than two weeks away and the undercard is heating up.
With two great fighters headlining the card, you can only bet the undercard
is just as exciting. In a WBA featherweight championship bout scheduled for
12 rounds, Derrick "Smoke" Gainer puts his title on the line against Oscar
Leon and WBO bantamweight champion Cruz Carbajal battles Steve Dotse in a
ten-round bout.
"This is one of our best and most competitive undercards," conveyed
Forum Boxing President, John Jackson. "If you want to talk about added
value for boxing and sports fans, I don't think you'll get it anywhere else,
but at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 12th."
. "This is an exciting undercard that's geared towards fans in major areas
all throughout the country," said Mark Taffet, HBO Senior Vice President of
Sports Operations and Pay-Per-View. "Barrera covers the west, Kelley covers
the east and Gainer carries the southeast market. With the addition of this
competitive undercard I think fans will get tremendous value as well as a
great main event."
Gainer (38-5, 24 KOs) from Pensacola, FL has only one loss in his last
twenty-three fights dating back to 1996. Since then he has won the WBC
Continental Americas featherweight title and the NABU, USBA and NABA super
featherweight championships before finally achieving world champion status
on September 9, 2000 when he won the WBA featherweight title.
Leon (23-2, 16 KOs), a strong southpaw from Cartagena, Columbia, is
the current IBA (International Boxing Association) featherweight title
holder. His dream has always been to be a world champion and sees this
fight against Gainer as the perfect opportunity. "This is what I've dreamed
of all my life," says Leon. "I know Gainer has speed, but so do I. I
know
that he's the world champion, but that's only temporary. Nothing will stop
me from winning the title."
Coming off of four consecutive victories, Leon's strategy in training camp
is simple, come home with the victory. "Training camp is going excellent,"
said manager, Rafael Rezollo. "Oscar is in the best shape of his career.
We have a physical trainer, two technical trainers and a psychologist
working with him. This fight is important to our team. We believe it will
open the doors for Oscar."
"Gainer is a great fighter," continued Rezollo. "He has good
skills, but Oscar is younger, stronger and faster. He's really hungry for
this championship. We believe we will get a six round knockout."
The sound of knockout didn't rest well with Gainer who is training
in Pensicola, Florida. "I want to know if Oscar's camp is asleep," said
Gainer. "They must be dreaming they knocked me out in the sixth round.
It's okay to dream, but somebody better wake them up so we can have the real
fight."
"One day I dreamed I hit the lotto, but I woke up and got a reality
check," expressed Gainer. "That's exactly what's waiting for Oscar.
What
makes him think I'm not still hungry? He struggled with Daniel Seda and
Seda stopped him. I'm one of the best and on April 12th he'll have to wake
up and live with that."
Gainer is looking for his fight against Leon to better position him
in the featherweight division.
"There are several good featherweights out there for me," said Gainer.
"I
intend to look good and put myself in a position to fight some big fights."
WBO Bantamweight champion, Cruz Carbajal (22-11-1 8 KO's) will take
on Steve Dotse (22-5-2 16 KO's). Though Carbajal's bantamweight title is not
on the line, Dotse coming off of four straight wins is still looking forward
to the opportunity to showcase his talents in the ring.
"Though this is not a title fight I know Cruz Carbajal is a world champion,"
conveyed Dotse. "His style is tailor made for me. I plan to be aggressive
and look good against him. This fight is a great opportunity. It's a dream
come true for me to fight on HBO Pay-Per-View on the same card with such a
great fighter as Marco Antonio Barrera."
Dotse who is from Accra, Ghana previously fought for the IBF Bantamweight
title in June 2001, but was stopped in the 6th round by Tim Austin. He
recently won a 10 rounder in late October 2002 against Julio Oyuela.
Carbajal, who is from Veracruz, Mexico won the WBO Bantamweight
title in March of 2002 with a TKO in the 9th round over Mauricio Martinez.
He's had one successful title defense against Danny Romero in September 2002
winning with a 4th round TKO.
Carbajal manager, Ricardo Maldonado feels that this will be a
competitive match up. "Dotse is a good fighter," said Maldonado.
"He
fought for the title before. I think he will have a problem with Cruz, but
I believe without a doubt both fighters will show up to fight. This will be
a good fight. Both fighters are strong and want the victory."
Of course the main event is the star attraction and this week in
Detroit we caught legendary trainer and boxing historian Bill Miller in the
gym and he had this to say about the upcoming Barrera vs. Kelley fight.
"I've been in boxing over 50 years and have trained many champions,"
conveyed Miller. "Boxing is not a perfect Science so there is always the
potential for an upset, especially when you talk about great fighters. That
is what makes boxing a great thing. A good fighter doesn't spend time
training, because he's looking for an easy fight. He should know that
anytime he enters the ring he must skillfully defend himself."
"When I look at the Barrera / Kelley match up I believe it is going to be a
competitive fight," explained Miller. "Kelley definitely has something to
prove and he's motivated to do that. He's been champion before and knows
what that takes. Barrera is currently the best featherweight in the world.
You're crazy not to be prepared for that. If Kelley wins against Barrera,
you're talking about one of the biggest upsets in boxing. Now, do you want
to be the guy that didn't see it?"
The BARRERA vs. KELLEY pay-per-view telecast on April 12th is being
produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to over
48 million pay-per-view homes. The BARRERA vs. KELLEY pay-per-view telecast
begins at 9pm ET/6 pm PT. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event
programming to the pay-per-view industry.
Tickets are on sale at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office.
Tickets are priced at $250, $150, $100, $75 and $50. To charge by phone
with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also
are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com <http://www.mgmgrand.com> or
www.ticketmaster.com <http://www.ticketmaster.com>.
CONTACTS:
Diana Sherer Forum Boxing, Inc
702-871-9804
Patrick Byrne HBO Pay-Per-View
212-512-1361
Ed Keenan Media Works Communications
609-927-6564
Scott Ghertner MGM MIRAGE
702-891-7272
Copyright 2003 Total Action Inc.
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