Former Heavyweight Champ Pinklon Thomas Fights for Project P.I.N.K.!

The once heavyweight champion Pinklon Thomas who challenged and defeated “Terrible” Tim Witherspoon for the WBC heavyweight title is now challenging himself to help keep kids out of trouble.

Currently based out of Orlando, Florida, Thomas has a non-profit called P.I.N.K. (503-C1 tax status) organization that stands for “Pride In Neighborhood Kids”.

Thomas knows what it’s like to be in trouble. Growing up in Pontiac, Michigan, where at 15 he was as big if not bigger than the gang he traveled with. Street fights were not uncommon. Eventually he would be introduced to the boxing game. With only three amateurs fights fighting out of the state of Washington Thomas turned professional at twenty in August of 1978 winning a six round decision over Portland’s Ken Arlt, 7-1, in Seattle, Washington. MORE

The Square Ring Aug. 30,  2010

"TERRIBLE" TIM WITHERSPOON:
Why I liked Him...

In my opinion one of the most under rated heavyweights over the last twenty years has been "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon. He was a two time world champion and a solid contender for close to two decades. This man DESERVES some recognition.

Tim, a native of the great fight city of Philadelphia turned pro in 1979. He won his first fifteen fights beating the likes of Marvin Stinson, Alonzo Ratliff and Renaldo Snipes. This led to a 1983 title shot against the respected Larry Holmes. Larry walked away with a highly controversial decision win. Despite the loss the "Terrible" one had arrived.

Tim rebounded outscoring Jumbo Cummings and blasting out James "Quick" Tillis in one for the NABF title. In 1984 Witherspoon was matched with the talented Greg Page for the vacant WBC title. On this night Tim would outscore Page to win his first title. In his first defense Tim was out jabbed and out boxed by the speedy Pinklon Thomas. "Pinky" put on a class performance that night. MORE

WBC Superwelterweight world title Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito

The World Boxing Council received a request from Top Rank Inc. to approve the bout between Manny Pacquiao and Mexican fighter, Antonio Margarito, for the WBC Superwelterweight world title, to be held at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium this coming November 13^th.

The voting in favor of the fight was unanimous by the Board of Governors, as it is considered to be one of the great bouts that can be held in these times between two great fighters.

The title was vacated when former world champion, Sergio Martinez, decided to do so, after winning the WBC Middleweight world title when he defeated Kelly Pavlik last April 17^th.

This bout will take place exactly one week after the 48^th WBC Annual World Convention to be held in Cancun is closed.

WBC Begins Pension Program

Holding the microphone and standing up, just two months after having undergone a complicated surgery in his left knee, World Boxing Council President, Jose Sulaiman, addressed the small crowd that looked at him with affection, in the following way:

Today, a historic page in national and world sport will be written, due to the fact that never before in the more than 300 years of current boxing had there been an institution or person who even thought about offering retired boxers who are in their senior years and are going through hard times, the opportunity of a good life.

Great Jose Becerra retired over 50 years ago; the most recent was Victor Rabanales, 15 years ago. MORE

STREET-CERTIFIED
CAGE-TESTED
RING-READY

 Kimbo Slice Inks Boxing Deal
with Gary Shaw 

By Michael Woods, special to ESPNNewYork.com

Kimbo Slice, the viral video backyard-fighting sensation turned mixed martial artist, is gearing up for a foray into the sweet science.

Slice, whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, told ESPNNewYork.com that he's eager to see how he fares in the boxing world, after spending almost three years in MMA.

"I feel like a baby all over again," said the 36-year-old Florida resident. "I'm thinking about this at night. I'm gonna be a problem in the heavyweight division. I'm going to be coming in with a bad demeanor. I want to see what it's like to break some ribs, break a jaw with one punch." MORE

Undefeated former amateur world champion Erislandy Lara (13-0, 8 KOs) destroyed “Slik” Willie Lee (17-7, 11 KOs) in just 108 seconds on Wednesday night in a junior middleweight bout at the Monroe Civic Center in Monroe, Louisiana. IBF #11 rated Lara dropped Lee about a minute into round one and the bout was waved off by referee Laurence Cole during Lara’s brutal follow-up barrage.

In a clash of unbeaten light heavyweights, former Cuban Olympian Yordanis Despaigne (7-0, 4 KOs) scored a 10-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Frank Paines (11-1, 9 KOs). Despaigne dropped Paines with a left hook in round two and other than a cut over his right eye in round five caused by an accidental headbutt, he had no problems. Scores were 100-89, 96-93, 99-90. MORE

THE SQUARE RING Aug. 15, 2010

As a reader correctly pointed out this space completely ignored the recent Juan Manual Marquez-Juan Diaz fight. Why? It was on PPV, so only a select few had the chance to view it. TSR and Jeeves were not part of that few. End of story. TSR is a big fan of Marquez and would love to see him against Pacquiao for the third time. Not going to happen. Instead Pacquiao will fight Margarito, oh he of the loaded fists. Pacquiao will meet Margarito because both are promoted by Top Rank and Bob Arum. Arum collects on both ends. Marquez is promoted by Oscar De La Hoya who you will never find sharing a tall cool one with Mr. Arum unless that “tall cool one” is a passing greeting. End of story… almost

Billy Major has been involved in almost every aspect of boxing for a zillion years. He will supply the last words, yeah right, on Margarito. “They should have banned Antonio for life. There's no way you don't know what is on your hands, he couldn't break an egg now so that’s why they were doing it. He almost destroyed Cotto and who know who else is permanently damaged from him? Look what they did to Resto. Margarito did just as bad. It’s the intent." MORE

Daren Libonati Resigns From Thomas & Mack Center To Begin New Career with Justice Entertainment Group

Las Vegas, NV - After ten years of being the executive director of the Thomas & Mack Center, Sam Boyd Stadium and Cox Pavilion, Daren Libonati has signed a contract to become the president and Chief Operating Officer of Justice Entertainment Group (JEG). Libonati will be joining long time entertainment veteran Susan Joseph, Chairmen of JEG.

“I’m so excited at the opportunities that exist throughout the world as it relates to entertainment and business,” said Libonati. “I have had so many wonderful mentors within the entertainment and live event industry over the past 25 years. I'm looking forward to sharing some of my ideas, and wrapping my arms around a handful of clients, who represent some of the unique sporting and entertainment companies today." MORE

The Mysterious Case of
Undefeated Terry Marsh!

Being on the other side of “the Pond” I have had some favorite UK fighters like Alan Minter, Dave Charnley and Howard Winstone.  I even had my picture taken with John Conteh when he was in Atlantic City!  The one boxer I have spent the last year trying to find out is whatever happened to the unbeaten IBF light welterweight champion Terry “Fighting Fireman” Marsh?   I discovered he wrote a book called “Unbeaten”.

Marsh retired at the age of twenty-nine in December of 1987 after compiling a 26-0-1 record with ten knockouts.  The former British and European champion only had one IBF title defense.  Only twice, in France and Monaco did he leave the UK to fight elsewhere.  As an amateur he was the 1978 ABA lightweight champion and 1980 and 1981 ABA welterweight champion.  In 1981 he also was the Multi-Nations Gold Medalists in Manila.

In over 200 fights between amateur and professional Marsh claims to have never scored a clean knockout.  Sporting a frail look his opponents thought they would roll over him.  He became a lot smarter and elusive and couldn’t be knocked over.  The closest he claims to have scored a knockout surprisingly was in his championship win with American Joe Manley. MORE

Spivey and Britt Headline Boxing/MMA
War at the Shore in Virginia Beach
 
Former Champion "Dangerous" Dorin Spivey Returns to
Reclaim His NABA Belt!
 
The Ultimate Fighter 8 and Strikeforce MMA Sensation Antwain Britt Makes Professional Boxing Debut!
 
Five MMA Bouts and Five Boxing Bouts in One Night!

World Boxing Council News
From WBC President José Sulaimán:

The WBC expresses its deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Jay Larkin, who sadly passed away.

Jay Larkin led the great series of boxing on the Showtime network with historic events that will be remembered by boxing fans around the world forever.

The WBC joins the boxing community in sending the Larkin family our deepest condolences.

Lara: Fight Me or Get out of My Division!

Undefeated former amateur world champion Erislandy Lara (12-0, 7 KOs) has made the most of the opportunity since escaping his homeland of Cuba.

Regarded as one of, if not the, cream of the Cuban crop of new professional fighters, southpaw Lara has torn through his first 12 opponents impressively. But, when you have over 300 amateur fights, many against top-notch international competition, becoming a solid professional is not as lengthy a process.

27-year-old Lara was considered a favorite to medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but attempted to defect from the Cuban amateur boxing team in July 2007, during the Pan-American games. However, before he could escape, he was arrested and returned to Cuba. Lara then successfully escaped Cuba via speedboat shortly after.

Fast, precise, always on balance, junior middleweight Lara so far seems destined for big things in boxing’s paid ranks. But ahead lays an ever-increasing level of competition in one of the sports most talented divisions.

Lara will face Gulfport, Mississippi’s “Slik” Willie Lee (17-6, 11 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight main event on the Wednesday, August 18 edition of ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights, live from the Monroe Civic Center in Monroe, Louisiana. MORE

Teleconference Alert
 
ERISLANDY LARA, YORDANIS DESPAIGNE, WILLIE LEE, FRANK PAINES,
LUIS DECUBAS JR, KERRY DAIGLE &
CITY OF MONROE MAYOR JAMES MAYO
 
"BATTLE ON THE BAYOU"
MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL
 
Friday, August 13, at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT

<<READ MORE>>

Who was the Best Philly Middleweight?

Four historians from the Philly area voted on the best Philly middleweight of all time. J Russell Peltz, Hall of Fame promoter, Chuck Hasson, John DiSanto and Ken Hissner. Only Peltz did not put his top ten in order.

There has always been something about Philly fighters that stand out.  They could normally box with the best of them and if they had to they could brawl with the best of them.  I guess that is why when the four of us put down whom we thought was the best from watching Philly fights back as far as our memory allows there was one from South Philly that became a champion during a time when boxing was still boxing.

The person I am writing about fought who was voted the second best middleweight in Philly history.  Yes, in those days they fought each other for “territorial and bragging rights” which sometimes meant more than winning a world title!  After the top pick lost to the number two guy in 1962 he came back in 1963 and beat the best fighter pound for pound that ever lived, named “Sugar” Ray Robinson? MORE

Freddie Roach Endorses
Lopez - Marquez for September 18!

 “It’s a No-Brainer; Watch

Juanma Lopez Fight Rafael Marquez.”

In an election year endorsements count and one of boxing’s most-respected voices, four-time Boxing Writers Association of America "Trainer of the Year" World-Famous Freddie Roach, spoke up on which fight he’ll be watching on Saturday, September 18 – the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title rumble between two-division world champions Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez and Rafael Marquez.   The Lopez vs. Marquez world title tilt will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. MORE

Prevost Adapts and Overcomes

“I’m a boxer. I like to move and use my jab, but I’m not one-dimensional. If I have to, I will scrap it out.” Blake Prevost

Boxing didn’t start out so well for light heavyweight contender Blake “Candyman” Prevost – but he’s a Marine. He overcame. He adapted.

“I started boxing at eight years old when I was 60 pounds,” he explains. “The first week my grandfather and grandmother came to watch me train and they cried when they left!”

But Prevost (14-1-1, 5 KOs) is always faithful to his determination to succeed. “I kept it up and three years later I had a national title. I had over 200 amateur fights and won an Under-19 National title. I was State Golden Gloves Champ like 10 times.”

It was that determination that also helped him become one of the best fighters the United States Marine Corps has ever produced. “I spent my first year in the infantry in California. Then I made the boxing team and became a three-time All Marine Champion.” Prevost had already won the All Marine Super Middleweight Championship twice when his ability to prevail was once again put to the test. “I won the 165-lb title twice, but couldn’t make the weight anymore. We already had a 178-lb champ, so I went up to 201 lbs and won the All Marine Heavyweight Championship.” MORE

The Fight Of A Lifetime

By Robert Morales

Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero has been boxing a long time, and has taken his share of hits.

But none hurt more than the one he took last August when he found out his wife, Casey, had a relapse of leukemia after having been declared in remission in January 2009

"It's just like getting your head knocked off, knowing what you have already been through with her and seeing what she had been through," said Guerrero, who Saturday will fight Joel Casamayor on the undercard of the Juan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz lightweight title fight at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (on HBO pay-per-view). "It's like, `Here we go again.'

"You can only go through so many treatments when your body stops taking the chemotherapy. Chemo only works so long. As you relapse, the sickness gets immune to it and it keeps coming back."

Continue Reading...

ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" Results
Consensus: Rodriguez Robbed!

Earlier tonight, Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Warriors Boxing presented an action-packed seven bout card before a jam packed house at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK. The show, broadcast live on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" was headlined by IBF #3 rated welterweight contender, Delvin Rodriguez taking on England's Ashley Theophane, in a ten round welterweight contest.

Both fighters came out and immediately began firing shots, setting the pace right from the get go. The taller Rodriguez was the more accurate of the two, with Theophane looking to land looping shots over Rodriguez's stiff jab.

Each round saw good two-way action from both fighters, but as the fight progressed, Rodriguez continuously scored the more telling shots, mixing in some vicious body shots behind his lethal straight right hand. MORE

The Square Ring: July 30, 2010

Jeeves ventured up to Lake Tahoe calling at the Lakeside Inn and Casino to take in the Celebrity Golf. While there he asked Oscar “when will Mayweather jr. sign for a November date with Manny Pacquiao.” Oscar showed his usual class so ignored Jeeves. It was rumored that Oscar was heard to say “It’s almost a done deal.” Both Oscar and TSR were wrong. For now Pacquiao-Mayweather jr. is still one of those things on the wish list of boxing and sport fans everywhere. Why ?

The unusually magnanimous Bob Arum of Top Rank has said that there could be many reasons for Floyd not to put is John Hancock on the dotted line. One of those reasons is not any drug testing policy. That has been put to rest as Pacquiao has agreed, we’re told, to random testing. Arum suggests that Mayweather jr. after his big payday for his fight against Mosley , reportedly 40 million, doesn’t need another fight in 2010. Then there is the case of trainer Roger Mayweather who has a court date coming up in October. If convicted a scholarship at a state institution not of his choosing might be in the offing. MORE

Why Are Heavyweights Fighting Past 40? 

Archie “Old Mongoose” Moore the former world light heavyweight champion fought for the heavyweight title against Rocky Marciano at 38 and Floyd Patterson at 39.  He was 45 when he fought Muhammad Ali and the next fight was his last one at 46.  Next up was “Big” George Foreman winning the WBA and IBF titles at 45.  His final fight was a controversial loss to Shannon Briggs at age 48.

Foreman’s accomplishment seemed to keep other heavyweights around longer.  With no weight to make and heavyweights relying more on power than speed it has kept too many around too long.  Today the first to come to mind is Evander Holyfield at 47 and still talking about fighting for a title.

Former four weight champ James “Lights Out” Toney is 41 and fought last year but is talking about going MMA.  Former WBC champ Oliver McCall is 45 and just fought in June of this year.  Former WBC champ Oleg Maskaev was 41 and fought in December.  Frans Botha is 41 having lost in April.  Former NABF champ DaVarryl Williamson is 41 and fought in October and is scheduled to fight in August. MORE

The Standing Eight Count- Ringside at Pechanga for Solo Boxeo

A sold out crowd of 2475 jammed the beautiful Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California for a good night of boxing action. This Golden Boy/Ringside Ticket promoted show was originally going to be a Sergio Mora headlined card. When it was announced that Mora secured a fight with “Sugar” Shane Mosley for the Staples Center in September, in came a middleweight bout with Craig McEwan taking on tough ring worm Danny Perez of Carlsbad, Ca. as the new main event.

“Scottish” Craig McEwan hails from Scotland, and is trained by Freddie Roach and fights out of the Wildcard gym in Hollywood, CA. Coming into this bout, McEwan sported an undefeated 18-0 record, but never had he been in with such a seasoned veteran like Perez. Danny Perez is a 14 year vet of the sweet science and has been in the ring with some of the best, including two fights with Antonio “Plasterito” Margarito. MORE

Lafayette Boxers Win Big in Nevada!

National Junior Golden Gloves Championships

Jessie "The Giant Killer" Fletcher and Sam "Sambeau" Williford won the 2010 National Junior Golden Gloves Championships, this week in Mesquite, Nevada.

Jessie won in the 80 lb., nine- and ten-year-old weight and age group. Sam won in the 119 lb., eleven and twelve year-old weight age group.

Over 330 athletes from all over the United States competed in this prestigious boxing tournament.

Guerrero's Biggest Win Came
Outside the Ring

Heavyweights Are Set To Go...No Bull!

We know we’ve already had some heavyweight false alarms twice in 2010  when the Battle In The Ballroom announced some great heavyweight matchups but they did not take place... but for the Thursday August 5 show, bout contracts have been signed and travel arrangements have been made, so we’ll have two quality heavyweight bouts on a solid seven, yes, seven-bout card!!

The seven bout card will feature three six round bouts, with undefeated Joe “The Future” Hanks 13-0 (9 KO) headlining the show after battling health issues the past two shows, and Hanks will finally face Louisiana Slugger Johnnie White. White brings a strong 22-2 record with 18 knockouts and has been eagerly anticipating this fight since the June 24 cancellation.

The other heavyweight bout sees the Ballroom return of 5-0 Scott “The One” Alexander facing 3-2 Charles Tucker who has recorded all three of his wins by knockout. 

Fans attending the August 5 Battle In The Ballroom will be treated to six pro boxing bouts and one pro MMA bout, a full night of fight excitement inside the Brawlroom.

The view the Fight Card and for tickets priced at $32 & $40. 

www.battleintheballroom.com

 Jean Pascal vs. Chad Dawson
Saturday August 14 at the Bell Centre in Montreal

Live on HBO World Championship Boxing

Montreal (July 16 2010) – With exactly one month remaining until two of the top fighters in the world enter the ring at the Bell Centre in Montreal, current WBC Light Heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (25-1-0, 16 KOs) and undefeated American Pound for Pound superstar and two-time world champion “Bad” Chad Dawson (29-0-0, 17 KOs) hit the scales for their mandatory 30-day pre-fight weigh in. The limit mandated by the WBC 30 days before a Light Heavyweight championship is 192.5 lbs.

The 12-round Pascal vs. Dawson WBC light heavyweight championship fight will be televised live, from the Bell Centre in Montréal, on HBO World Championship Boxing, Saturday, August 14, beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT. MORE

Boxing back in Houston

www.fightnews.com

Former heavyweight contender turned promoter Lou Savarese has been making worlds collide in Houston bringing the traditionally blue-collar sport of boxing to the posh and lavish confines of the Houston Club in Downtown Houston. The latest card on July 22, the fourth pro boxing show at the swanky venue, will feature a cast of local fighters including junior welterweight Tiffany Junot (8-2-1, 5 KOs), heavyweight Steve Collins (22-1, 15 KOs), heavyweight Skip Scott (7-1, 4 KOs), cruiserweight Willie Edwards (8-1, 2 KOs), junior welterweight Ivan Otero (1-0, 1 KO) and super middleweight Vashon Living (1-1, 1 KO). Ernie Shavers, one of the hardest punching heavyweights in the history of the sport, is scheduled to make a guest appearance.

Menard vs. Cannon UBO All American Title Fight Press Conference Notes

”This will probably be the best fight in the past 5-10 years within the state of Louisiana. We are looking forward to a war!”
 
So said promoter Chad Broussard after announcing Missouri State Champion Robbie Cannon as the opponent for Mason Menard (11-1, 9 KOs) in the UBO All-America Lightweight title fight at the Civic Center in Rayne on July 31.
 
Cannon, a six-time Golden Gloves amateur champion with more than 150 bouts in the unpaid ranks, turned professional in 2005 and has since compiled a 12-5-1 record with six victories inside the distance. Every one of his losses were against very strong opposition (with a combined record of 69-6-1), and at only 24 years of age he is still full of ambition and confidence, despite going into Menard-territory: “I am excited about the opportunity to fight for the UBO All-America title. I am training very hard and will be coming to win. It is going to be a good fight”, stated Cannon, who is trained and managed by Joe Pounds and fights out of the Twin City Athletic Club in hometown Festus. MORE

Houston Fury Getting Closer!

Savarese Promotions is pleased to announce our next event at the Houston Club, “Houston Fury” on July 22, 2010.

Coming back to the ring, our main event will feature Steve "Freight Train" Collins. Who last Houston Club outing had a terrific victory against the resilient Roderick Willis. The bigger, stronger Willis refused to go down quietly, Collins who is known for being a hard hitter, also showed that he can have the patience and the endurance to go the distance and get a hard fought victory.     

As a co-main event back by popular demand we will once again be featuring Tiffany Junot. Who put on a great fight at our last Houston Club event showing the superior talent, athleticism and determination that has made her into the Texas State female light welterweight champion! –And continues to propel her as one of female boxing’s rising stars. MORE

Poland’s Adam “Baby- Face” Kownacki Returns to Prudential Center 

Polish boxing fans have come to anticipate thrilling action from one of their Polish compatriots whenever they come to Prudential Center in Newark NJ. Expect the red and white Polish banners to fly and cheering to be exuberant as the tradition continues on July 16th. Adam Kownacki, fresh off of a 4^th round KO of Yohan Banks, is scheduled to face 230-lb Damon Clement of Ohio.

Fighting on the undercard of the Zab Judah vs. Jose Armando Santa Cruz fight, Kownacki will have a perfect opportunity to display his talents to the boxing world. In strict preparation for his upcoming bout, Kownacki has worked exclusively with his long time trainer Leon Taylor and the Global Boxing team to prepare him for his July 16 standoff. If things go according to preparation, this should be another victory for the young Kownacki as he continues his quest to become world heavyweight champion. MORE

"Hatton’s World Title Dream
Will Be Shattered" 

Ukrainian star Yuri Nuzhnenko has promised to shatter Matthew Hatton’s world title hopes. Magic Matthew (39-4-2) will be on a brink of achieving his boxing ambition if he successfully defends his European welterweight title against his mandatory contender at Bolton Arena on Friday July 16.

Nuzhnenko is a former interim WBA title holder. He suffered his only defeat in 32 bouts in a showdown with current WBA champion Vyacheslav Senchenko – the man Hatton is targeting. Nuzhnenko, 34, won his interim WBA belt on the road, outpointing Frederic Close and has also won bouts away from home in Australia, Poland and Russia. MORE

Boxncar Promotions to Announce Star-Studded Boxing Show in Rayne, Lousiana – “The Heat is On!”

A press conference to formally announce the “The Heat is On” fight card will take place on Thursday, July 8 at Zea’s restaurant on Doucet Road in Lafayette, louisiana.

Local boxer “Rock Hard Mighty” Mason Menard (11-1) will make his long anticipated hometown Americas title fight debut, in a scheduled 10-round lightweight title fight against Robbie Cannon (12-5) from Festus, Missouri.

Cannon is a young fighter that has fought for two championships, coming up short both times. His first title fight was against the world-ranked Rafael Valenzuela in a WBO NABO Featherweight title fight. His second title fight was for the WBF All Americas Welterweight Championship, losing a close decision to Brandon Baue (11-3) in st. Louis. MORE

The Square Ring July 3 2010

As mentioned probably to the point of “ad nausea” to most this is a column for and by boxing fans. Boxing fans care about the sport and just as passionately about the boxers. Boxing is suppose to be a contest between two individuals with the referee in attendance to see that rules are enforced and the safety of boxers protected. While the name of this person is being withheld he is well known in boxing circles. The last column which highlighted referee Arthur Merchant jr. prompted the following response.

“The fighter that died was Beethavean Scottland and Mercante Jr. despite everybody asking for the fight to be stopped, let it continue and George Jones kept beating Scottland who died the next day. Mercante Jr. was also merciless in the way he handled the beating that Pernell Whitaker put on Diobelys Hurtado. I got to know Diobelys and he barely remembered anything about the beating, he was out on his feet. Yet Mercante Jr. let the beating continue while Hurtado was entangled in the ropes and one Whitaker left after another landed on a helpless opponent. There were other fights where Mercante Jr. refused to step in and help a defenseless and beaten fighter, Donovan "Razor" Ruddock vs. Michael Dokes. MORE

Harry Jeffra, Kostya Tszyu,
and A Hall of a Question  

On June 13, 2010, the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) inducted one of its most intriguing classes in recent years.  It was a year where many who had lingered on the ballot for years, strong in merit but sometimes overshadowed by the fog of time, could cross their fingers.  Two of the three chosen in the modern category were on this scribe’s short list for preferred induction.  Those two, Lloyd Marshall and Jung Koo Chang, received long overdue accolades; 70s action hero Danny Lopez got a fitting thank you for all the memorable leather he exchanged.

2011 is expected to be different, a year when crossed fingers need not bother.  For some, it’s already a foregone conclusion.  Barring any last minute comebacks, Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, and Kostya Tszyu are all likely to garner induction in their first year of eligibility.

The first two are no brainers.  Tyson was the biggest fistic star of his time and, in the second half of the 1980s, the best Heavyweight in the world.  Chavez is the arguably the greatest Mexican fighter of all-time and can make a similar argument at Jr. Welterweight.  There may be some who make arguments about Tyson’s out of the ring issues precluding his induction, but those arguments will almost certainly be overruled.

That leaves Tszyu. MORE

"Bad" Bennie Briscoe

There are certain boxers from my past that in retrospect would be champions today. One such boxer was tough enough to be nicknamed "Bad". He was Bennie Briscoe from Philadelphia and brother you better bet he was just that, "Bad". He was probably the most feared middleweight of his era and it was a tough time just be a middleweight in Philly. If you were bad there, you were bad everywhere.

Briscoe turned pro in 1962 and would win his first fifteen contests. Among his victims were Charley Scott and Percy Manning. In a return with Manning in 1965, Bennie would suffer his first setback. That year he would also lose to Tito Marshall and Stanley " Kitten " Hayward. In 1966, Bennie would halt the highly respected George Benton. MORE

Where in the World is Santa Cruz?

Zab ‘Super” Judah can always be counted on to let you know what’s on his mind. In various interviews during training camp for his July 16 fight against Jose Armando Santa Cruz, Zab, 38-6, 26 KO’s, has been outspoken, at times poetic, and always larger than life. On the other hand Santa Cruz has kept a low profile.

According to Santa Cruz’s manager, Rudy Hernandez, this has been intentional. “This training camp has been different for Jose. He is older now; he understands that this fight is very important to his career. It’s not all fun and games anymore. He realizes that he only has so many years left to fight and he doesn’t want to retire and wish he had done more.” He explained, “There is clearly more motivation. He’s bolder when boxing. Where he used to throw 3 punches, now he is throwing 5 or 6, and they are hard punches." MORE

Houston Fury Coming in July!

Savarese Promotions is pleased to announce our next event at “The Houston Club”, “Houston Fury” on July 22, 2010

Coming back to the ring, our main event will feature Steve “Freight Train” Collins. Who last Houston Club outing had a terrific victory against the resilient Roderick Willis. The bigger, stronger Willis refused to go down quietly, Collins who is known for being a hard hitter, also showed that he can have the patience and the endurance to go the distance and get a hard fought victory. As a co-main event back by popular demand we will once again be featuring Tiffany Junot. Who put on a great fight at our last Houston Club event showing the superior talent, athleticism and determination that has made her into the Texas State female light welterweight champion! –And continues to propel her as one of female boxing’s rising stars. MORE

Gilroy's Robert Guerrero will fight
Joel Casamayor

By Mark Emmons ~ San Jose Mercury News

Gilroy's Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero is heading back into the ring to fight veteran Joel Casamayor on July 31 in Las Vegas. The junior-welterweight fight is part of the undercard for the long-awaited rematch between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz.

Guerrero (26-1-1, 18 knockouts) has returned to boxing full time now that the health of his wife, Casey, has improved since she underwent a successful bone-marrow transplant this year to treat cancer. A victory over Casamayor would put Guerrero, 27, on track for his fourth world championship.

"If he can pass this test with flying colors, we're going to have another real player at 140 pounds," promoter Oscar De La Hoya said of Guerrero.

The Square Ring June 20, 2010

by Howie Reed

Boxing has been a vast wasteland ever since the “footie” started in South Africa. With sport fans in most countries glued to the TV for three matches a day it is understandable that boxing would take a nap. Jeeves, that evil English devil, has forced the Lord of the Manor to watch endless games of no scoring, great acting many times deserving of Oscar’s while being bombarded with the sound of 10 million bee’s emulating from the stupid plastic trumpets. MORE

Ward Shuts Out Green

Andre Ward Clinches Spot in Super Six World Boxing Classic
Semi-Finals with Unanimous Decision Over Allan Green in his
First WBA Title Defense 

OAKLAND (June 19, 2010) – Andre Ward retained his World Boxing Association (WBA) 168-pound championship and undefeated record by way of unanimous decision over Allan Green in his second straight commanding performance in the Super Six World Boxing Classic.

In front of his hometown crowd of 8,797 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Ward (22-0, 13 KOs) secured a place in the Super Six semi-finals by dominating a visibly weak Green (29-2, 20 KOs), of Tulsa, Oklahoma, throughout the entire twelve round bout. All three judges scored the fight 120 to 108.

Known for his speed and fast hands, Ward continued to flesh out his repertoire of sweet science strengths by fighting inside and smothering Green against the ropes for most of the night. MORE

Youngstown Great Lenny
"Boom Boom" Mancini

Although he will be best remembered as the father of Ray Mancini, Lenny was a pretty darn good fighter in his own right.

Lenny was born in Youngstown, Ohio on July 12, 1919. The city of Youngstown and the surrounding areas produced such outstanding fistic talent in the 1940's with the likes of Tony Janiro, Tommy Bell and Sonny Horne. Lenny was among the talented Y'town exports.

Standing at 5' 2", Lenny who turned pro in the late 30's slugged his way to a world ranking during the glorious 40's. He was an extremely popular attraction in New York as he climbed the ratings ladder. In December of 1939 he lost an eight rounder to tough Johnny Rinaldi. MORE

Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero

Enters Final Week of Fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma "Man of the Year" Campaign to Help Cure Cancer. Please click here to make your donation! "To all my family, friends and fans, this is the final week of the "Man of the Year" fundraising campaign. All money raised goes to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to help find a cure for Leukemia. I'm about $1,000 away from reaching my goal. All donations are well appreciated. I want to thank everyone for all their support. God Bless." Robert Guerrero

Who Holds the Highest Knockout %?

I remember three boxers who fought so many stiffs but had a high knockout percentage.  One fought for the light heavyweight title, another fought Muhammad Ali and the last fought Ray Mercer. They all had a 98% knockout percentage. Before I get to them I searched for boxers who were either world champions or contenders. I came up with a total of 15 names with a knockout percentage ranging from 89% to 100%.

The obvious knockout king was Venezuela’s Edwin Valero 27-0, with 27 knockouts, who won the WBA Super featherweight and the WBC Lightweight titles. Since he was killed in April of this year there may never be anyone topping that record. The other with a 100% was heavyweight   Mac Foster, 30-6, with 30 knockouts. He lost a 15 round decision to Muhammad Ali in a non-title bout. MORE

Frazier - Quarry 1: 
41 Years Since This Heavyweight Classic

June 23, 1969 at New York's Madison Square Garden, Joe Frazier met the popular Irish fighter, Jerry Quarry, for the New York State recognized heavyweight title. Back in the day, the New York State Boxing Commission wielded quite a bit of power. Commissioner Edwin Dooley wasted little time stripping Muhammad Ali of his heavyweight title when Ali refused induction into the Armed Forces. The World Boxing Association did the same and they set up a tournament to determine a new champion. Eight top contenders were selected, with unbeaten Joe Frazier being one of them. Frazier's management declined the invitation, however. The eventual winner of the tourney was Jimmy Ellis, who defeated Jerry Quarry in the finals. MORE

History of Boxing’s Olympic
Gold Medal Winners!

Even though the USA has not had a gold medal winner in boxing since 2004 it still has 48 gold medals to their nearest rival Cuba who have 32 in gold medals.  Russia and Great Britain have 14 each while South Africa has 12 to round out the top five medal winners.

The Cuban’s have equaled the US in the heavyweight division with seven gold medals. Teofilo Stevenson was a three time Gold medal winner starting in 1972 defeating the USA’s Duane Bobick whom he had lost to in the 1971 Pan American Games. Stevenson was offered a match with Muhammad Ali when “the greatest” held the world title. Ali, then Cassius Clay was a Gold medal winner some 50 years ago at the Rome Games in the light heavyweight division. It seems he lost in the Olympic trials to Marine Percy Price in the heavyweight division and was allowed to compete at the lower weight. The same thing happened to Eddie Crook that year as he was defeated by Wilbur “Skeeter” McClure in the 156 division and moved up to 165. Both Crook and McClure joined Clay/Ali in winning Gold medals in 1960 for team USA. MORE

The Square Ring June 5, 2010

There are times when it’s positive to explain the oblivious. The Square Ring is produced by boxing fans for boxing fans. It’s wasn’t born to regurgitate the pap that’s found in the work of most boxing journalist and all promoters. TSR doesn’t give a “whit”, no ‘whit” is a word, what other boxing writers, commissions, sanctioning organizations or venue’s think of the product. That statement of purpose or “porpoises”, as pronounced in a speech to the U.S, Congress by Mexico’s President Senior Calderon when he said “I know the porpoise of the second amendment”, is the foundation of TSR. Like 99.9% of boxing fans, television has become the TSR venue. MORE

Cunningham  Claims IBF Crown via Controversial Thumb

Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham is once again the IBF Cruiserweight Champion of the World, having regained the coveted title, at the Jahnsportforum, Neubrandenburg in Germany in Germany tonight, after the ringside doctor deeming Troy Ross unfit to continue before the start of the fifth round.

From the first bell Cunningham tried to keep the shorter Ross at bay. Ross, a seriously tough southpaw, seemed willing to take a few punches in order to get in closer to let off some wicked bombs.

Rounds two and three produced more of the same, although Ross was getting a little more success. The problem for Ross though was that his getting in more also meant he was taking more shots, causing noticeable swelling. MORE

Fletcher wins TITLE Tournament
"Giant Killer" scores TKO in second round

Ten year old, Jessie "The Giant Killer" Fletcher, a rising fifth grader at S.J. Montgomery Elementary School took the 80 lb., 10-11 age group In Memphis, Tennessee tonight in the TITLE National Boxing Tournament. Jessie forced the referee to halt the bout in round two, after pinning his opponent, Eugene Collins of Memphis, on the ropes and landing a flurry of unanswered punches, which had Collins wobbly. 

Fletcher of the Ragin' Cajun Boxing Club added the TITLE championship belt to his collection. Since having his first amateur bout in January of 2009, Jessie has won the 2009 Governors Games championship, the Louisiana/Mississippi Silver Gloves championship, the Louisiana State Golden Gloves and the USA Wrestling Louisiana championship in his age and weight group. Jessie also placed third at the USA Wrestling National championships in Cedar Falls, Iowa earlier this year. MORE

Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero Documentary

From the first time he put on a pair of boxing gloves at age 9, Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero always dreamed of becoming a world champion. 

Guerrero fulfilled that dream (and more) by becoming a three-time world champion in two weight divisions, but the road to the top wasn't so smooth.  Contract disputes, fighting opponents who tested positive for steroids and traveling overseas to do battle with champions in their own country were some of the difficult challenges Guerrero had to endure. Yet these obstacles were nothing compared to his wife's ongoing fight with cancer.  In November of 2007, Guerrero's world was shattered when he got news that his wife Casey was diagnosed with Leukemia. MORE

Philly’s Mike “MJ” Jones –
A Roll of the Dice?

Philadelphia’s best kept secret, unbeaten welterweight Mike “MJ” Jones may finally get the needed exposure he has been asking for on July 9th at Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  Rumors are ShoBox may air this event.  Peltz Boxing will promote the show but since Antwone Smith, 18-1-1 (10), of Miami, promoted by DiBella Entertainment is on the card it looks like Lou DiBella could be the force to bring in Showtime. He also promotes WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto and the IBF’s #2 welterweight and former WBO light welter champion Randall Bailey.

Peltz has made it clear he will not share the promotional rights to Jones with anyone. Through Bob Arum’s Top Rank he was able to get Jones on an untelevised bout on an HBO card in his last fight. I have taken some heat for calling Peltz “the best club promoter in the country”.  The days when he had Jeff Chandler, Tyrone Everett, Marvin Johnson, Matthew Saad Muhammad, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Mike Rossman and Prince Charles Williams are long gone for Peltz Boxing. MORE

Over 30,000 tickets Sold for Boxing Event at Yankee Stadium

Gleason's Gym still has the best available tickets for the Yuri Foreman - Miguel Cotto World Championship fight. The better tickets are going fast. The demand is so great that Top Rank authorized an additional 10,000 seats for sale. Also on the card from Gleason's Gym are: James Moore, and Christian Martinez. Do not delay. Call the gym at 718 797 2872 or use this email address to reserve your seats. The bout will take place at Yankee Stadium on Saturday evening June 5, 2010. Our special commemorative Yankee tickets for this event are:

Section A4 -A5B- A5C - A5 - A6 -A7B and A7C
Rows 04-10 **Few left and Rows 11-16
Section 110 and 111
Section 314
Section 407A

Adamek - Grant Fight Confirmed for August 21st at Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

Tomasz Adamek, the IBF International Heavyweight and NABO Heavyweight Champion, returns to Newark’s Prudential Center on Saturday, August 21st when he takes on Michael Grant as part of the acclaimed “Brick City Boxing Series.”  Both titles are on the line. A native of Gilowice, Poland, now fighting out of Jersey City, Adamek has drawn record crowds to Newark’s world class venue during the past year and a half.  He returns in August following a successful trip to Ontario, California, where he outclassed highly rated Chris Arreola in front of Arreola’s hometown fans.

Standing a full 6’7” with a wingspan of 86”, Grant (46-3, 34 KO's) is, by far, the biggest opponent Adamek (41-1, 27 KO’s) has ever faced as he continues his quest to add the World Heavyweight Championship to his World Light Heavyweight and World Cruiserweight titles.   A former IBC/NABF champ, Grant has been on an 8 bout winning streak since 2003 when he was bested by then undefeated Dominick Guinn. In his last bout on May 7th, Grant scored a first round TKO against Kevin Burnett. MORE

Kezar Pavilion to Host Pro Boxing Show "Civil War"

The Best from the Bay Area and LA
Compete in Hard Hitting Action

Professional boxing returns to the city of San Francisco when Hard Knox Promotions and Mo'Betta Entertainment bring you "Civil War", where boxers from the Bay Area challenge fighters from Southern California.  The battle will take place at the historical Kezar Pavilion on June 12, 2010.

Headlining the eight round main event will be San Francisco's undefeated welterweight sensation, Karim "Hard Hitta" Mayfield (12-0-1, 7 KO's) as he clashes with Sergio De La Torre from Escondido, CA. 

Mayfield, a three-time San Francisco Golden Gloves champion, is excited to be fighting in his hometown as he stated, "This is a dream come true for me to be fighting in San Francisco where I grew up.  The City is known for having great fans.  This will be the first professional boxing show at Kezar in a long time so I'm looking forward to putting on a great show for everone in attendence." MORE

Allan Green confident as he sets his sights on Andre Ward for his upcoming title bout Saturday, June 19, live on Showtime® 10:00pm ET/PT Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA

When Allan Green (29-1, 20 KOs),  faces Andre Ward (20-0, 13 KOs) on Saturday, June 19th for the World Boxing Association (WBA) title during Group Stage 2 of the Super Six World Boxing Classic on SHOWTIME® he certainly won't lack in confidence. Green, 30, from Tulsa, Okla., has won six consecutive fights thanks to power in both fists, and says he wants to send a message to everyone in the tournament, starting with Ward.

"I respect Andre as a fighter," Green said. "He's very clever with good boxing skills and I've complimented his victory over Mikkel Kessler, but it's not in his DNA to go deep in the waters and do battle like a real warrior. I've studied Andre's fights long before I knew I was going to fight him in the tournament because he's in my weight division. If you really watch his fights, he never goes blow-to-blow with another fighter. He will fight for 15-20 seconds with the jab, then he will grab, hold and push away. That's the way he fights, and you can forget about him trying to do any inside fighting. He has a weak chin; I know it, he knows it, and everybody else knows it." MORE

Klitschko/Sosnowski Pre-Fight Press

Vitali Klitschko (41-2, 37 KOs), of Kiev (Ukraine) and Hamburg (Germany), participated yesterday in a media work out in his training camp in Austria. He discussed his upcoming WBC heavyweight title defense against former European Champion Albert Sosnowski (45-2-1, 27 KOs), of Warsaw (Poland) and Brentwood (UK). The eagerly anticipated heavyweight championship will take place on Saturday, May 29, at VELTINS-Arena Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Tickets, starting at € 20, can be purchased online at www.eventim.de or by phone +49-1805-57 00 70.

The fight presented by K2 Promotions and Klitschko Management Group, is being distributed in North America by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN and DISH Network in the United States, as well as Bell TV, Shaw PPV and Viewer’s Choice in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. MORE

Zab ‘Super” Judah to be co-promoted by Main Events and Super Judah Promotions

Main Events and Super Judah promotions are pleased to announce they have entered into an agreement to co-promote Brooklyn's electrifying, Zab "Super" Judah.

Judah (38-6, 26 KOs), the former undisputed welterweight champion, former IBF and WBO junior welterweight champion will return to the ring in mid-July, when he makes his first ever appearance at Newark's Prudential Center.

The 32 year old Judah began boxing at the age of six and compiled an amateur record of 110–5. Zab was a two-time US national champion and three-time NY Golden Gloves champion. In his last professional bout on November 6, 2009 Zab scored a second round TKO over Ubaldo Hernandez. MORE

Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston Launches Friday Night Fight Club for Women

Professional female boxer Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston, the protégé of legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World Smokin Joe Frazier, announced today the addition of FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHT CLUB, a full on boxing training class for Women, which will be held at the Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London, each Friday evening at 6 pm, to her already successful series of  ‘Golden Girl’ Women’s Boxing Fitness classes.

Marston, who is part of Cruiserweight King Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham’s Philadelphia, based professional boxing team, originally created the ‘Golden Girl’ series of Women’s Boxing Fitness Classes in ‘09 at a gym in South London where she was training at the time. The concept of the classes came about following her return to London, after two years training in America, as she had noticed that the only type of Boxing fitness programmes being offered to women in London were of the aerobic ‘Boxercise’ type. MORE

Punchin at the Paradise Results

Tonight at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx, Golden Boy Promotions and Star Boxing presented action packed six bout card, featuring some of the hottest prospects in boxing. The card, which was the tenth installment of the popular "Punchin at the Paradise" fight series, was headlined by highly regarded lightweight prospect, Adrien "The Problem" Broner taking on Rafael Lora.

BRONER VS. LORA

Broner wasted no time in showing why he is one of the hottest up and coming prospects in all of boxing, as he began firing crisp combinations at Lora. Broner showed he has good power in both hands as he scored with vicious shots throughout the first round. Just as the first round was coming to a close, Broner landed a beautiful right, left combination that sent Lora down hard. The bell sounded to end the round but Lora rose on very shaky legs. The referee took a hard look at Lora, but it was obvious he was in no condition to continue and waved the contest off. It was a very impressive showing for Broner, who improved his stellar record to 15-0, 12KO's. With the loss Lora dropped to 11-3, 5KO's. MORE

Gary Hinton, IBF 140-lb Champ Inducted into Pennsylvania Hall of Fame

By Ken Hissner

West Philadelphia’s Gary Hinton came up through the ranks in the amateurs during the 1976-77 years when there was an abundance of good boxers. On May 16^th this former IBF light welterweight champion will be inducted into the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame.

Hinton fought for the Executioners Gym at 60^th and Vine under head trainer Tucchi Gordon. Hinton turned professional in January of 1978 for promoter J. Russell Peltz. He won three of his first four fights over Billy Jones in finally stopping him in their last fight. That fight was held at the Spectrum in South Philly after earning his way there with three wins at the now legendary Blue Horizon. MORE