HEADLINES - November 1-3, 2002

November 3, 2002
NOT SO HARD FOR BARRERA
* AP: Barrera overwhelms Tapia
* Kevin Iole: Barrera jabs way to one-sided decision
* NY Daily News: For Barrera, decision is a no-brainer
* Doug Fischer: Barrera beats Tapia, but not his spirit
* Rotce Feour: Tapia pays for moving up
* SecondsOut: Barrera too big, too
* Boxing Talk: Barrera decisions Tapia in shootout
* Boxing Chronicle: Barrera makes Tapia look ordinary
* AP: Lawsuit provides glimpse of King's finances
* AP: Williams wins easy decision
* Boxing Talk: Williams grinds out decision over Millett
* Sacramento Bee: Big question looming for Jorrin after defeat
* The Oklahoman: Big fights coming to Bricktown
* Lowell Sun: Fight will be the easy part for Ward
* Tim Smith: Vargas won't fight steroid rap
* George Kimball: Eight heavies set to tough it out
* David Isaacson: Kushner gambles on heavyweight winner-take-all idea
* San Antonio Express-News: Show set for Sunset Station called off
* John Whisler: Hats off to Johnson on decision to retire
* South Bend Tribune: The champ is here! The champ is here!
* Grand Rapids Press: Ali's daughter stays in family business
* Dan Cook: Pinky gave boxing fans their money's worth
* Cin. Enquirer: "Sugar" saved best for late rounds
* Rockford Register Star: Good News Boxing decked by hard times
* Topeka Cap-Journal: Local boxer was ranked nationally
* Steve Bunce: Harrison stays at home but WBO chief remains convinced
* The Guardian (UK): Number up for Naz
* UK: No contest for McCullough
* Anthony Evans: McCullough walks through Emereev
* UK: Warren targets double world title
* UK: Easy win for Sinclair
* UK: Town and boxing rival honor bantamweight battler
* The Mirror (UK): Matchstick Man tribute is a lesson in forgiveness
* Evening Star (UK): U.S. mission for Starie
* Jack Magowan: Armour was a hard act to follow
* Glasgow Sunday Mail: Bigots force Asian boxers out of ring
* South Africa: SA's boxing stronghold loses its grip
* Sydney Morning Herald: Mundine takes on the world
* Eastside Boxing: Mundine stops Thornberry on electric night
* Paul Upham: Classy Mundine stops Thornberry
* Brisbane Courier-Mail: The Man is now the real deal
* Sydney Morning Herald: Cometh the hour, cometh the Man
* Fox Australia: King has Man at his mercy
* Australia: Thornberry - Mundine can win a world title
* Australia: Revealing the Tszyu insight
* France: Veteran Djelti retains EBU title
* Sunday Times (South Africa): Sorry end to boxer's brave bid for fame
* South Africa: BSA takes control of tourneys
* Japan: Brainy boxer bashes his way through bout
* India: Merikom wins gold at world women's boxing



November 2, 2002
* AP: Barrera and Tapia are champs, but no belts at stake
* Abq. Tribune: Tapia eager to pull an upset
* LVRJ: "Old Man" Tapia eager for 'fight of his life'
* Michael Katz: Tapia survives la vida loca
* Royce Feour: Tapia is scrappy, but Barrera will win
* Abq. Tribune: Tapia fights odds in bout with Barrera
* LVRJ: Barrera - back in top form
* NY Daily News: Barrera, Tapia punch non-title tickets
* Phil Przybylo: No doubt - Ricardo Williams ahead of the game
* Las Vegas Sun: Olympian Williams steps up
* Cincy Post: Pressure no stranger to Williams
* AP: Larios shocks Jorrin with first-round KO
* Sacramento Bee: Jorrin falls hard, fast
* Eastside Boxing: One punch ends Jorrin's reign
* Patrick Kehoe: Lou DiBella talks about boxing reform
* SecondsOut: Mitchell vs. Phillips - at the 140-pound crossroads
* Paul Upham: Shaw wants IBF sanction for Mitchell-Phillips
* Jay Heater: Fighters are standing in line for shot to dethrone Tszyu
* Max Boxing: Oscar wants to hear it from the horse's mouth
* David Avila: I dream of Kostya
* Press Release: Marines present first Ted Williams award to Micky Ward
* LVRJ: Bazan earns easy win on Orleans card
* Atlantic City Press: A.C. top host unique fight tournament
* NY Post: Spoon heads heavy tourney
* Boxing Talk interviews Raul Marquez
* Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Flores' fashion a hit for Ayala
* Steve Kim: Augie Sanchez and the right to fight
* Chicago Tribune: Best vs. best? Not in boxing
* Eddie Goldman: Boxers Organizing Committee to head to South Africa
* Staten Island Advance: Red tape not in Teddy's bag
* San Antonio Express-News: Johnson laying down his gloves
* Galveston County Daily News: Cora to spar with Holyfield
* Las Vegas Sun: Panel pushes events tax
* Reno Gazette-Journal: Panelists split on proposed new tax
* WBO names Klitschko boxer of the year
* Desert Sun (Cal.): Quinones puts it on the line
* Corpus Christi Caller-Times: Guerrero held to technical draw
* Kankakee Daily Journal: Experience as boxer may serve Jim Ryan well
* LVRJ: UNLV boxers on card at Palms
* Pasadena Citizen (Tex.): Non-profit boxing gym aims to help kids in and out of ring
* Belfast Telegraph: Sinclair faces test of his nerve
* Belfast Telegraph: Knights ready to rock Sinclair
* The Scotsman: Barrera still sets world standard in Harrison division
* The Independent (UK): McCullough's recovery trail leads back to Belfast
* Ireland: Pocket Rocket to explode into action for hometown fight
* SecondsOut: Pintor's tribute to brave Owen
* Calgary Sun: Mother of three packs a wallop
* London Free Press (Ont.): Boxing gold medalist throws some bouquets
* Paul Upham: Mundine, Thornberry throw verbals at weigh-in
* The Australian: Vocal Mundine has a thorn in his side
* Sydney Morning Herald: Mundine says Ricky's got no trance
* Australia: Thornberry's plan is to shut The Mouth
* Sydney Morning Herald: Family values inspiring Thornberry
* Brisbane Courier-Mail: Pugilists talk the talk
* Australia: Parker takes center stage on Mundine undercard
* South Africa: Fana to defend his "B" grade belt
* Dean Potgieter: Rothmann dishonored in world title win
* New Zealand Herald: Ageless Sullivan still dreams of title shot
* New Zealand Herald: Battle to save image
* Uganda: King's Cup tourney on
* Gambia: President of amateur boxing assn. dismissed



November 1, 2002
* AP: Chavez angry at King over money from 1998 fight
* LVRJ: Boxers still at height of powers
* USA Today: Tapia eschews belt for best fight
* Las Vegas Sun: Respect among two warriors
* Arizona Republic: Belts not end-all for Tapia, Barrera
* El Paso Times: Tapia in for the beating of his life
* Robert Morales: No trash-talking for Tapia
* SecondsOut: McCullough likes Barrera in six
* Boxing Talk: An inside look at Barrera-Tapia
* Aaron King: Tapia is no long shot
* Dan Rafael: Undefeated Williams eager to return to ring
* Dean Juipe: Olympian Williams steps up
* Steve Kim: The "Tramp" hits the crossroads
* AFP: Unbeaten champ Jorrin wants to erase doubts in title defense
* Eastside Boxing: Time for Tua-Rahman II is here
* SecondsOut: The Buzz - Spinks Jinx 2002
* Rusty Rubin: In Rusty's corner
* Naples Daily News: Barr making appeal for WBO title shot
* Boxing Talk interviews Murad Muhammad
* Jack Welsh: Jones vows to be on time for Ruiz
* Mark Staniforth: Buster Douglas aims for movie stardom
* Dr. Margaret Goodman: What the fighter is trying to tell you - one ring doctor's opinion
* Press Release: Bats autographed by Ward, Gatti to be auctioned to benefit Gerald McClellan
* Press Release: Conference call transcript - Mitchell, Phillips, Thompson, Lacy
* Thomas Gerbasi: Gary Shaw's new beginning in the same ol' biz
* Boxing Talk: Shields - Klitschkos are the best
* Impact Wrestling.com: Lewis-Lesnar match could happen in Fall 2003
* David Avila: Mongoose meets Black Panther
* Corpus Christi Caller-Times: Baldwin climbs back into ring on Budweiser card
* Eastside Boxing: Tribute to Jerry Quarry planned
* Detroit Free Press: Fordson senior Ali debuts at Palace
* Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Former boxer teaches kids discipline
* Valley News Dispatch (Pa.): Boxer gets probation for threats in Sharpsburg
* Arkansas: Former amateur star into state sports Hall of Fame
* Bluefield Daily Telegraph (WV): Easley ready for this year's Rough 'n Rowdy
* BBC Online: Calzaghe and the British block
* Audio: Calzaghe discusses his future plans
* The Mirror (UK): Joe's title toon
* Jack Pickering: Tyneside switches on the Christmas fights
* UK: Home crowd excites McCullough
* Sporting Life: Magee off McCullough card
* Belfast Telegraph: Magee lands Euro shot at Ukral
* Anthony Evans: Williams unafraid of Sam and Germany
* UK: I want belts for keeps, says Sinclair
* UK: Naz backs Audley
* Sporting Life: Benefit night for Wright
* Belfast Telegraph: Towman's future is very bright
* SecondsOut: Eastman-Woods nominated for European title
* SecondsOut: Aurino and Bagci matched for Euro title
* Australia: Thornberry can't wait
* Sydney Morning Herald: The Man shows compassion
* Paul Upham: Mundine wants WBA title, then Ottke rematch
* Daily Dispatch (South Africa): Fights postponed
* SecondsOut: Rybacki shows his real power
* SecondsOut: German heavy titles up for grabs
* Times of Zambia: BBC defers Bwantu, Phiri fight
* Zambia: Kamanga Hires Kasempa for Title Fight
* New Zealand: Boxer remains in coma
* UK: Six of the best for Onger boxers across the area
* Bangkok Post: Boxing will not be dropped
* India: Woman boxer wins final bout



PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
FOUR-TIME WORLD CHAMPION MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA,
FIVE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION JOHNNY TAPIA
FROM MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS,
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2002

Four-time world champion Marco Antonio Barrera (55-3, 39 KOs) and five-time
world champion Johnny Tapia (52-2-2, 28 KOs) will collide in  "La Batalla De
Los Guerreros" ("The Battle Of The Warriors") on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino - The City of Entertainment, in Las Vegas. Tickets
for the event, promoted by Forum Boxing, Inc., in association with the MGM
Grand, are on sale at the Grand Garden Arena box office, and priced at $325,
$225, $125, $75 and $50, not including service charges. Tickets, which also
will be sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations, are limited to eight
per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster
(702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or
www.ticketmaster.com.
.
MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA

"The MGM Grand is like a second home to me.  I would like to thank Johnny
Tapia for giving me this opportunity.  I am in the best shape of my life.  I
trained for three weeks in Mexico City, and the last five weeks in Big Bear. 
This is going to be a great fight, and I hope the fans enjoy it. 

"I have a lot of respect for Tapia.  He is a great champion.  We have known
each other for a long time.  After the fight, we will continue to be friends,
and I will take him to dinner."

"I am not as good physically as I was when I was younger, but I feel that I
am smarter.  As always, I am going to wear the name "Tapia" on the back of my
trunks.  That is my mother's maiden name."

"I do not know if we (he and Tapia) are related, unless my grandfather went
down to Albuquerque for a vacation some winter (joking)."

JOHNNY TAPIA

"I am ready for this fight.  I have a lot of respect for Barrera.  He has a
beautiful family, and is a beautiful person inside and out.  I just ask that
you pray for us, and that no one gets hurt." 

"Barrera is well-known to keep a good game plan.  I am good at sticking to my
game plan too.  I will have to be smart.  He is very strong, and deserves to
be where he is.  I am strong too.  He is the best, and I want to fight the
best. I may be 35, but I am a young 35."

"(Jokingly) Barrera is my brother from a different mother.  He is a good
person and a humble guy.  Boxing is about being humble, not talking trash. 
He is just a good person.  This is what the public needs.  I am going to take
it to another level."

(On the odds being heavily in Barrera's favor):  "I wish the odds were 99 to
1.  I am ready to do whatever it takes.  I am not here to talk about myself.  
When it is all said and done, I am going to shock the world."

(On not fighting for a world title against Barrera):  "I am making more money
without the titles than I did when I had them."

(On when he is going to retire):  "I will fight until I get a good ass
kicking."

 
Contact:    Dan Clavadetscher/John Beyrooty, Brener Zwikel, 818-344-6195,
x106/109





REAL FIGHTS!
FEATURING PAUL SPADAFORA vs DENNIS HOLBAEK
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2002
The Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort - Chester, WV
9:00 P.M. ET/6:00 P.M. PT
LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW!

LAMAR MURPHY LOOKING TO MAKE
VICTORIANO SOSA UPSET VICTIM NO. 3


MIAMI, FL (October 29, 2002) - Two-time world title challenger LAMAR MURPHY, a TV staple and fan favorite, has jumped at the chance to replace the injured Angel Manfredy as the opponent for Dominican National lightweight champion and IBF No. 5-rated contender Victoriano Sosa. Manfredy, the IBF's No. 4-rated contender had been scheduled to fight Sosa in a 12-round IBF-sanctioned lightweight title elimination bout on REAL FIGHTS! the November 9 pay-per-view extravaganza at the beautiful Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort in Che! ster, WV. REAL FIGHTS! features Paul Spadafora vs. Dennis Holbaek in an IBF-IBC lightweight title unification bout; former world champion Raul Balbi vs. Antonio Ramirez, in a 10-round lightweight bout; and undefeated 2000 U.S. Olympian Jermain Taylor vs. Johnny Rivera, in a 10-round middleweight fight.

Murphy, 27-6 (19 KOs), from Miami, FL, is known as much for his upset victories as he is for his upsetting losses. In 2000, he capped a five-but winning streak by winning a barnburner decision over former world title challenger Daniel Alicea, 24-2-1. This year, upset victim No. 2 was highly-rated contender, Dario Esalas, 26-1. Murphy schooled his highly-touted opponent before knocking him out in the eighth round, July 27, on Showtime's "ShoBox." He may be most famous for what many boxing writers call "one of the worst decisions in recent history" when he lost a majority decision to WBC lightweight champion Miguel Angel Gonzalez in 1995.

"You work hard in the gym in hopes that an opportunity like this comes around," said Murphy. "Manfrey's loss will be Sosa's loss too. I am ready to tear Sosa apart. Hopefully the IBF will give me Sosa's spot in the title elimination bout against Manfredy after I win. I owe him a little payback too."

Murphy and Manfredy tangled last year. Murphy, who fought one handed because of a hand injury, lost a close decision.

Promoted by Michael Acri Boxing Promotions, in association with DiBella Entertainment, the PPV telecast will begin at 9 P.M. EST /6 P.M. PST. It will be distributed by iN DEMAND with a suggested retail price of $24.95. Call your local cable/satellite provider for details.


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Fred Sternburg (Media) 303/740-7746
Tamara Pettit (Mountaineer Race Track) 800/804-0468
David Itskowitch (DBE) 212/332-6950
Michael Acri (MABP) 814/455-8309






REAL FIGHTS!
FEATURING PAUL SPADAFORA vs DENNIS HOLBAEK
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2002
The Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort - Chester, WV
9:00 P.M. ET/6:00 P.M. PT
LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW!


DENNIS HOLBAEK
ROCKY VI - DANISH STYLE!

PHILADELPHIA, PA (October 28, 2002) - When IBC lightweight champion DENNIS "THE MENACE" HOLBAEK is introduced before he rumbles with "The Pittsburgh Kid," IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora, on REAL FIGHTS!, the pay-per-view extravaganza, Saturday, November 9, do not be surprised to hear "from Kolding, Denmark, by way of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania…"

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania???? Holbaek has NEVER even fought in the U.S.!!!

"I love Philadelphia," said Holbaek. "I knew what an important decision it was to pick the right city to train in for this world title fight, not to mention my debut in the United States. Spadafora is expecting to fight a European-style boxer, but I have become a 'Philly fighter' and I love it! Training at Shuler's gym with guys like Tim Witherspoon and Terrence Cauthen has been incredible. I wanted to immerse myself in the Philly atmosphere. It is the best decision I have ever made. Philadelphia has it all over Pittsburgh."

Just how Philly is Holbaek?

"I love this city," continued the Holbaek. "I have watched the 'Rocky' films over and over. I ran up those same museum steps he ran. I ran the same route he ran in the first movie. The Eagles are my team. Donovan McNabb is such an exciting player. The Eagles are much more fun to watch than the Steelers. If I could, I would vote for Ed Rendell over Mike Fisher!"

Rendell the Mayor of Philadelphia is the Democratic candidate running for Governor against Republican Mike Fisher, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's Attorney General.

Holbaek, 43-1 (22 KOs), whose amateur career included four national titles and two Scandinavian championships, turned professional in 1994 and won his first 34 bouts, which included the IBC jr. lightweight and lightweight titles, and the European jr. lightweight title. That streak included a 12-round decision over former world champion Tom "Boom Boom" Johnson. Holbaek avenged his only loss and regained his Eurpoean by defeating Boris Sinitsin. In his last fight, he recaptured the IBC lightweight title, winning a 12-round decision over John Bailey. Contractual problems with his former promoter, Bettina and Mogens Palle, have kept him out of the ring since his last fight, February 9, 2001, but not out of the gym.

"Fights kept mysteriously falling through, so I was always in the gym training in case a last-minute fight was presented to me. It never happened. But now I have the biggest fight of my life to look forward to and I cannot wait. I plan to carry both the Danish and Philadelphia flags into the ring. My passport may say I am a Dane, but inside my chest beats the heart of a 'Philly Fighter.'"

The Spadafora - Holbaek IBF-IBC lightweight title unification bout headlines REAL FIGHTS!, the pay-per-view extravaganza, Saturday, November 9, at the beautiful Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort, in Chester, WV. REAL FIGHTS! will also feature former world champion Raul Balbi vs. Antonio Ramirez, in a 10-round lightweight bout; undefeated 2000 U.S. Olympian Jermain Taylor vs. Johnny Rivera, in a 10-round middleweight fight; and Dominican lightweight champion Victoriano Sosa, the IBF's No. 5-rated lightweight contender, in a 10-round fight against an opponent to be named.

Promoted by Michael Acri Boxing Promotions, in association with DiBella Entertainment, the PPV telecast will begin at 9 P.M. EST / 6 P.M. PST. It will be distributed by iN DEMAND with a suggested retail price of $24.95. Call your local cable/satellite provider for details.


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Tom Moran (Holbaek Interviews) 215/752-3559
Fred Sternburg (Media) 303/740-7746
Tamara Pettit (Mountaineer Race Track) 800/804-0468
David Itskowitch (DBE) 212/332-6950
Michael Acri (Spadafora Interviews) 814/455-8309






Copyright 2002 Total Action Inc.