HEADLINES - July 24-25, 2002


July 25, 2002
TODAY'S THEME: R-E-S-P-E-C-T
* LVRJ: WBA champion Ruiz still fighting for respect
* Steve Kim: I tell ya, I tell ya, no respect
* George Kimball: Ruiz must fight for respect too
* BBC Online: Ruiz seeking respect
* Boston Globe: Fighting chance without the fight
* CP: Johnson vows to defeat Ruiz
* Las Vegas Sun: Undefeated Johnson gets right to the point
* Anthony Evans: Dark rumblings from the Quiet Man
* Steve Kim: Cokes is it
* Mike Nosky: Hopkins jumping ship, targets Calzaghe
* Anthony Evans: Calzaghe still looking for opponent
* UK: Calzaghe hunts new rival
* Tony Kelshaw: Warren working on Calzaghe foe
* Carlos Arias: Lewis challengers are still lining up
* The Oregonian: Champion Jones might fight in Portland
* Virginian-Pilot: Promoters aim high in boxing arena
* Steubenville Herald-Star: Mountaineer hosts fights today, Friday
* Dean Juipe: Ayala-Morales nearly firm
* Doug Fischer: Austin-Vargas - It's now or never
* Ken Jones: One moment of weakness dogs Duran's awesome reputation
* Armando Garcia: Evaluating the referee - Part 2
* Houston Chronicle: Foreman seeking dismissal of case
* The Morning Call (Pa.): Boxing should take care of its boxers
* AP: Sharpton sues HBO, alleging defamation
* Mike Nosky: Letterlough back August 16
* UK: Brodie vs. Hamed close
* Press Release: Duva's generation next stepping up
* Kenny Bayless: Refereeing amateur vs. professional fights
* Thomas Gerbasi: Muriqi's Superman in New Rochelle
* Doug Fischer: Mitchell hopes to return to the KO (and hopefully TV)
* UK: Watson gets testimonial check
* Paul Upham: Mundine receives $500,000 offer to fight Green
* SecondsOut: Lorona stops Baclayo
* The Star (Malaysia): Malaysian boxers complain about staying in tiny rooms
* New Zealand Herald: NZ's top medal prospects at Commonwealth Games
* Kenya: Police team out to extend lead in league


Press Release

“CHALLENGE TO GLORY: PERCEPTION/REALITY”
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TRIPLEHEADER:
JOHN RUIZ VS. KIRK JOHNSON,
TIM AUSTIN VS. ADAN VARGAS
BYRON MITCHELL VS. JULIO CESAR GREEN

FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2002


John “The Quietman” Ruiz will defend his WBA heavyweight title against No. 1 Kirk “Bubba” Johnson in the main event on “Challenge to Glory: Perception/Reality,” a world championship tripleheader at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev., on Saturday, July 27. In the other world title fights on the card, IBF Bantamweight Champion Tim “The Cincinnati Kid” Austin will make his ninth defense when he faces IBF No. 5 contender Adan Vargas and WBA Super Middleweight Champion Byron Mitchell will risk his crown for a second time when he faces former 160-pound world champion Julio Cesar Green. HBO BOXING AFTER DARK will televise Ruiz-Johnson and Austin-Vargas beginning at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Don King Productions Inc., in association with Duva Boxing LLC and Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, will promote the event. Tickets, priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $75 and $35, are on sale at the Mandalay Bay Box Office or at any TicketMaster location.


JOHN RUIZ

“This fight is really important to me. There are two people I care about, and those are my kids, John and Jocelyn. I am not going to let some guy take what I have. This is going to be a war from the first round on. I hope you (Kirk Johnson) are ready, because I am coming.”


KIRK JOHNSON

“I have come here to accomplish my goal. Twenty years ago, I had a dream to become the heavyweight champion of the world. This is going to be a great night for me and for boxing. You are going to see a wonderful thing Saturday night.”


NORMAN STONE

“Kirk Johnson would not pass the EKG. He is not undefeated. Teddy Atlas beat him. I hope you have been listening, Lou (Duva). I do not understand how this could be a war. Canada has never been in a war. You could be a champion in anything. I was the best drinker in the world. Ruiz was only the second guy to knock down Holyfield. It is about time Ruiz gets his credit. Lawyers are like doctors. They make money off of other people’s misfortune. (To Kirk Johnson), come in shape and have no excuses. He (Ruiz) will knock out Johnson by the eighth round.”

“I heard Johnson’s people have already talked to HBO about a fight after this. Now, all of a sudden, HBO wants to talk to the winner of this fight. HBO sucks. Larry Merchant sucks. Jim Lampley sucks. He does not know anything about boxing.”

“They (HBO) said Evander Holyfield was finished when Ruiz fought him. Then, after Holyfield kicked the [expletive withheld] out of (Hasim) Rahman, suddenly, Holyfield was resurrected.”


DINO DUVA

(In response to Stone’s prediction of a Ruiz knockout): “The other day it (prediction) was the fourth round. Today, it is the eighth round. Saturday, it will be the other way around.”


TIM AUSTIN

“It has been five years since I became champion. I refuse to lose inside of the ring. I have worked very hard and sacrificed my life to become a world champion. I have been training for nine months for this fight. I am going to put on the performance of my life. I am ready for all obstacles. I refuse to lose.”


LOU DUVA (Johnson’s associate trainer)

“I see a great fight on Saturday. Both fighters (Ruiz and Johnson) have great corners and know what they want. Outside of Marilyn Monroe, he (Johnson) has the best legs in boxing. This really should be for the world sainthood championship. These are such good guys. Come Saturday night, there is going to be a new WBA heavyweight champion.”


CURTIS COKES (Johnson’s lead trainer)

“Johnny (Ruiz) is a nice fellow. He has something we want. We are coming to take it (WBA heavyweight title), and we are going to take it.”


ADAN VARGAS

“You are going to see a great fight on Saturday night. Tim Austin has been talking about fighting other champions, but first he has to beat me. I have a big surprise for him on Saturday night. Everyone better be alert and watch me become world champion.”



July 24, 2002
JOHNSON FAVORED IN TITLE CHALLENGE
* Dan Rafael: Ruiz relishes underdog role
* Patrick Kehoe: Is Kirk Johnson destiny's child?
* Halifax Herald: Cokes solidly in Johnson's corner
* Ron Borges: Ruiz fight will be big gamble in Vegas
* Phila. Daily News: Sometimes a step back can be a step forward
* Eastside Boxing: John Ruiz & Kirk Johnson - Battle for respect
* Stephen Bjork: John Ruiz - Time to make some noise
* AP: Jirov sues ex-manager, says he was not paid for last bout
* Arizona Republic: Jirov sues, says he wasn't paid for February bout
* Jason Probst: What do Forrest and Mosley do now?
* Jack Welsh: Forrest still has Mosley's number, but no third fight
* Bryan Smith: Viper bites a sugar cookie
* AJC: Forrest may have to move up in weight
* Tampa Tribune: Tarver-Jones fight in Tampa?
* Tim Smith: For Lacy, lawsuit is his main event
* Baton Rouge Advocate: Etienne fit and ready for Botha
* Tim Graham: Majority rules as Thompson bows to Davis
* AP: Davis wins majority decision over Thompson, Muriqi knocks out Ahmad
* NY Times: Suburban mall adds new game to lineup
* Grand Rapids Press: Rowland entering hometown bout on four-fight win streak
* Australia: Mundine offered half a million to fight Green
* Paul Upham: Kelly-Briggs set for September 18
* Ron Widelec: Not so light at light heavyweight
* Dan Cook: A tip for De la Hoya - leave a tip next time
* Hampton Roads Daily Press: Lack of attention bothers ex-heavyweight champion
* AP: Sharpton drug tape to air on HBO
* Norm Frauenheim: Best pound-for-pound? No one
* Cin. Enquirer: Pete Rose headed to boxing hall
* Sporting Life: Warren working on Calzaghe foe
* Toronto Sun: Fate offers lawyer chance to box again
* Sacramento Bee: New dream team? Chargin to promote with De la Hoya
* South Africa: Bungu-Ledwaba showdown at Carnival City
* Press Release: Taylor will face Ali on August 17
* Rick Bell: Dale Brown gears up for fight of his life
* Press Release: Hungarian TV station signs Kotai to exclusive contract
* Houston Chronicle: Big man Tate says he's not through
* Tim Graham: Why doesn't Thompson get star treatment?
* Manchester Evening News: Pinder packs plenty of punch
* Scotland: Legend tipping Kev to be good as gold
* The Scotsman: McNeil can emerge from blue corner
* Sydney Morning Herald: Revealed - delicate side of Demolition Dave
* Belfast Telegraph: McClure lives his dream
* Nassau Guardian: Rayshell Minus loses debut
* Bangkok Post: Athletes, officials setting gold-medal pace in squabbling
* The Indian Express: Same old story - red tape keeps boxer out in Manchester cold
* AcademicPress.com: Watching fights makes fish more feisty


PRESS RELEASE
CHALLENGE TO GLORY: PERCEPTION/REALITY
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TRIPLEHEADER

JOHN RUIZ VS. KIRK JOHNSON

TUESDAY WORKOUT QUOTES
JOHN RUIZ


“I have been training for three months and I normally train two months for a fight. We went to Puerto Rico for the first month and trained at the Olympic Center. It was really exciting and they treated us great. It just got too hot there and we moved to the Poconos.

“I’m excited for him (Felix Trinidad). I’m glad he made up his mind. In his mind, he made the right decision. He was in this position because he made a ton of money. I don’t want to hang around for 10 years. If I was in his position, I would do the same thing and enjoy my family and life.

“We have a lot in common (comparison to Marciano). I let my heart do the fighting. I work hard and train hard and I am ready to go 12 rounds.

“I hate to give up on anything. The positive side of me came out after the Tua fight. That was the changing point in my career. I became a more focused fighter.

(Lewis fight?) “He has always proven he is a great fighter. I would love to get a fight with him after this fight. I am not planning to stick around and fight another five to 10 years.

“I don’t know much about him (Johnson). I just focus on myself. I watched one round of tape and that was enough for me. I don’t look at tapes. A guy may have a good performance in one fight and look bad the next. I don’t rely on tapes. I let Stoney (Norman Stone, manager) and Gabe (Gabriel Mari, trainer) watch the tapes.
“They told me to watch for Johnson’s overhand rights and to keep my hands up…work on my jab and throw my right hands.

(Lack of Recognition as champion) “I’m still there, but I’m just stuck in the background. They are talking Lewis and Kirk Johnson, but after I win this one, they may put someone else out there. The Lewis camp told us they wouldn’t fight us. It wouldn’t be a pretty fight because I move around a lot. No one looks good against me.”


KIRK JOHNSON

“I am ready. I feel really light and I am moving around great, just like Ray Leonard. I found out I could move in my seventh fight as an amateur against Dale Brown. He kept coming at me. I didn’t know I could move like that. People were telling me after the fight it reminded them of Ali and Leonard.

“I’ve really studied those guys (Ali and Leonard). I’ve watched a lot of tapes. I can’t copy Mike Tyson. I can look up to him, but I couldn’t do that style.

“I’ve really learned sportsmanship after fighting Brown. He had 100 fights and this was just my seventh fight. I thought I won the fight. We were all in the cafeteria together and Brown came by me and tapped me on the shoulder and said it was okay champ. Keep working hard and we’ll see you next year. It didn’t require bad blood.

“I’m no nicer than anyone else, but great sportsmanship gets the job done. Tyson called Holyfield his bitch…but they still got to fight. Bowe said he was going to knock Holyfield out in the 7th round and Holyfield won.

“I used to watch Al Capone and gangster movies and the guy that sat back and listened was the guy who eventually would kill someone.

“I am unaffected by being the favorite in the fight. I am surprised.

“Ruiz is really underrated. Everyone goes by his fights with Holyfield and they didn’t look pretty. You have to do what we have to do. If Ruiz was fighting Holyfield for a fourth time, he would have an advantage, but he is fighting Kirk Johnson now.

“We’ve been waiting for our opportunity. We were going to fight Shannon Briggs and we felt that we would be hot after that fight. It didn’t happen. Then we thought we were going to get the Lewis-Grant winner and then we would be hot. It didn’t happen. I just wanted to show the world what I can do.

“I’ve been waiting for this fight. We were going to fight three or four times. We were training and Ruiz got a broken nose after four months and it was postponed. Then they set a date and the date changed. I got with Dino Duva and he really got the ball rolling and it made things get done faster. I’m ready to go.

“It is difficult not to think of Lennox Lewis. Look, I laid down in the arena to stretch and there is a banner of Lennox Lewis looking down on me. That fight comes up all the time, so it is tough to put it out of your mind. But I know that I have to beat Ruiz to get the belt and Lewis will be next. I know I am fighting for the world championship. They told me when I beat Oleg Maskaev, I would get Lewis, but that didn’t happen.

“I just turned 30. Larry Holmes didn’t win his title till he was 29 and he kept it for seven years. I hope to do the same and then retire. I don’t like fighting, but after I get into a fight, I can’t wait to fight again. I just don’t like the word fighting, I like boxing. I can fight, but I like the word boxing better. Sometimes you fight and sometimes you box.”

_______________________

PRESS RELEASE

ROBERT ALLEN READY FOR LAUNCHING OF "THE MISSILE"
THURSDAY, JULY 25 ON ESPN 2

TITLE ELIMINATION FIGHT A CLASH OF STYLES


LOS ANGELES (July 23, 2002) - Former IBF world middleweight champion Robert "Armed and Dangerous" Allen is 5-foot-9 and a southpaw. Tito "The Missile" Mendoza is 6-foot-3 and right-handed.

If styles make fights, this one could be a war.

Allen (32-4-0, 24 KOs), the former Marine, hopes to earn another title shot Thursday, July 25, when he faces Mendoza (27-3-0, 20 KOs) at the Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester, West Virginia in a 12 round title-elimination bout to be televised live on ESPN2 at 8PM ET / 5PM PT.

The winner of the fight becomes the No. 1 IBF contender and the mandatory challenger to champion Bernard Hopkins.

Allen, who won the IBF title in September 1998 with a first-round knockout of Abdullah Ramadan, lost the championship to Hopkins five months later when he was stopped in the seventh round. It was the second time he had faced Hopkins. In their first meeting in August 1998, the fight was ruled a no-contest when Hopkins claimed he was injured after accidentally falling out of the ring. At the time of the injury to Hopkins, Allen seemed to be having the better of the exchanges during the bout.

"I'd love to fight Hopkins again,'' said Allen, who is from the New Orleans area.

"Everything I do is towards that end. That's why this fight (with Mendoza) is do or die for me.'' He doesn't expect any surprises from Mendoza. "He's a basic, stand-up fighter,'' Allen said. "He'll throw the jab and be looking to land that right hand.''

Now fighting for Goossen Tutor Promotions, Allen (ranked fifth by the IBF) defended his NABF/USBA titles with a 12-round decision over Dwain Williams his last time out. Promoter Dan Goossen, who was Hopkins' promoter when Hopkins fought Allen the first time said "a victory for Allen against Tito means only one thing to me, the continuation of the first Allen-Hopkins bout where I thought Allen was on his way to stopping Hopkins."

"(Robert) has a job to do,'' said Allen's advisor, Harry Barnett. "He really wants this fight because he wants Hopkins again. He feels he was beating him good in their first fight before Hopkins fell out of the ring and the fight was stopped.''

For additional information:

Norman D. Horton
NDH Consultants
323-418-0850
greendora@aol.com

Craig Goossen
Goossen Tutor Promotions, LLC
818-817-8001
818-817-8005 fax
craig@goossentutor.com


__________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION
PRESENTS
LIGHTWEIGHT AND SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT ATTRACTIONS

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1996 Colombian Olympian Dairo Esalas
vs.
Two-time World Title Challenger Lamar Murphy


Super Middleweight Contender John McKinney
vs.
Super Middleweight Contender Yusaf Mack
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, July 27, 2002, At 5 PM ET/PT

From Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi


NEW YORK, NY (July 19, 2002) – SHOWTIME returns to Mississippi when once-beaten 1996 Colombian Olympian Dairo Esalas takes on two-time world title challenger Lamar Murphy in a 10-round lightweight bout on “ShoBox: The New Generation,” Saturday, July 27, at 5 p.m. ET/PT. In the eight-round co-feature, super middleweight contender John McKinney will make his “ShoBox” debut when he battles fellow unbeaten Yusaf Mack. Main Events will promote both bouts from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss. The “ShoBox” telecast represents the 22nd in a series on SHOWTIME.

Esalas (26-1, 22 KOs), of San Onofre, Colombia, has stopped 17 opponents within the first three rounds since turning pro at age 20 in September 1994. After knocking out 19 of his initial 21 opponents in his native Colombia, Esalas ventured to the United States in 2000 and registered decision victories over Alejandro Jimenez (May 5 in Commerce, Calif.) and Luis Lizarraga (July 29 in Lake Tahoe, Nev.). Since suffering his lone defeat at the hands of Julio Diaz on Aug. 7, 2001, in Vevay, Ind., Esalas has won three consecutive contests by knockout. In his last bout, the 28-year-old scored a first-round KO over Eduardo Molina in Arginal, Colombia.

Murphy (26-6, 18 KOs), of Miami, Fla., made his professional debut at age 18 with a second- round knockout over Dion Steward in Homestead, Fla. After running his record to 18-0, Murphy got his first world title shot on Aug. 19, 1995, and dropped a 12-round decision to World Boxing Council (WBC) Lightweight Champion Miguel Angel Gonzalez. In his next contest on April 20, 1996, Murphy attempted to capture the WBC crown for a second time, but dropped his second consecutive 12-round defeat. Murphy, who possesses devastating power in either hand, has recorded 11 first-round knockouts during his 12-year career.

McKinney (8-0, 5 KOs), of Spring Lake, N.C., opened his professional career by knocking out five out of his first six opponents, including a first-round TKO in his debut over Alberto Orrellys on Aug. 21, 1998. The North Carolina native has displayed early-round power in his brief career by dispatching of three opponents in the opening stanza. In his last contest on April 27, 2002, McKinney earned his second consecutive six-round decision by defeating Ayodeji Fadeyi in Las Vegas.

Mack (5-0-1, 4 KOs), of Philadelphia, Pa., began his professional career at age 20 by facing Willie Lee on Nov. 17, 2000. Fighting in Biloxi, Miss., Mack came out like a truck and landed several hard shots until the referee finally stopped matters midway through the second round. Although his career spans only five fights, Mack has proven himself to be a versatile fighter. With two first-round KOs, a sixth-round TKO and a six- round decision, Mack can end a fight quickly or go the distance. In his most recent contest, Mack ran over Morgan Wilson and forced referee Ron Aurit to end matters at 1:45 of the first round.


“ShoBox: The New Generation” features up-and-coming prospects determined to make a mark and eventually fight for a chance at a world title. The best of the new generation of hungry, young boxers will have an opportunity to showcase their talent and heart as they battle each other in competitive fights in front of a national television audience. “ShoBox: The New Generation” is pure, basic boxing, reminiscent of the golden days of the sport.


SHOWTIME televises “ShoBox: The New Generation” at 5 p.m. ET/PT on Saturdays approximately every other week. The telecast will repeat the next day, Sunday, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and the following Saturday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME TOO.

Nick Charles will call the action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producers of the telecast are Jay Larkin and Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing and Chuck McKean directing.

CONTACTS: Marina Capurro/Ivy Moon, Showtime, (212) 708-1638/7319

Dan Clavadetscher/Marc Feuerstein, Brener Zwikel, (818) 344-6195, x106/108

Donald Tremblay, Main Events, (201) 635-3300







Copyright 2002 Total Action Inc.