TICKETS ON SALE TODAY!
CHICAGO (November 11, 2009 ) – After controversy, heated conversations and negotiations were settled, former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz and former Junior Welterweight World Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi met face-to-face yesterday to announce the December 12 rematch of their exciting August 22 bout. Diaz and Malignaggi will square off on neutral ground at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois in a12 round junior welterweight bout that will be televised live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark.
Tickets for the highly anticipated rematch go on sale TODAY, November 11 at 10 am CT. They are reasonably priced at $251, $156, $86, $51 and $31 and are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-312-226-5800, toll free at 1-800-745-3000 and at the UIC Pavilion Box Office (open Thursday and Friday from 9 am - 4 pm CT).
JUAN DIAZ, Former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion
“I’m very excited to be here in Chicago…all the people here treat me like I’m a real Chicago resident. I decided I liked it so much, I may adopt it as my second hometown.” (Diaz then held up a Chicago Bears jersey.)
“I’m not going to dwell on the past. The past is the past. This time around, it’s a different city and a new and different game plan.”
“To be honest, fighting Paulie after coming off fighting Future Hall of Famer Juan Manuel Marquez, I was not taking Paulie seriously and thought it was just another fight.”
“This time, it’s personal, and on December 12, the whole world will feel my anger.”
PAULIE MALIGNAGGI, Former Junior Welterweight World Champion
“I’m excited to be in Chicago, this city has produced great boxers and great boxing fans.”
“I’m really happy I got the rematch…I made enough of a stink after the first fight to help get me the rematch.”
“The reason this fight is so great is the boxing styles. Juan is a pressure fighter and I’m a defensive boxer, so it makes for a great show where you sit back and wait to see who can execute their game plan better.”
“We are going to clear everything up on December 12.”
DAVID ITSKOWITCH, COO of Golden Boy Promotions
“The fight in August was hotly contested and some times called controversial.”
“Now, you have one guy trying to right a perceived wrong and one guy trying to put an exclamation point on something he already knows.”
“When you have a fight like that, it brings the best out in both fighters.”
LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment
“With an Italian-American and a Mexican-American fighting on the card, you have a recipe for a great night of boxing in Chicago.”
“I know after the first fight I said some things to Juan that were inappropriate because he is a good guy, but I wanted to do everything in my power to get my guy the rematch.”
“Whatever you think about the first fight, it is clear it was a competitive fight and we know it’s going to be again.”
WILLIE SAVANNAH, Manager of Juan Diaz
“Juan and Paulie put on the fight of their lives in August and you can expect the same in December.”
“Juan is in tremendous condition and he honestly looks the best that he ever has.”
DOMINIC PESOLI, President of 8 Count Productions
“Chicago is a great boxing market and we are excited to have a big HBO card like this here for all the great boxing fans.”
“The prices are very reasonable, so you won’t want to miss out on this fight.
RON PUCCILLO, Director of Athletics of the Illinois State Athletic Commission
“We are so proud to have both of these guys fighting in our town.”
“It’s going to be a great night and everyone knows that boxing is much better live in person, and this is a fight you will not want to miss.”
# # #
“By Popular Demand”: Diaz vs. Malignaggi II features former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz taking on former Junior Welterweight World Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi in a 12 round junior welterweight rematch of their exciting August 22, 2009 bout. The co-main event will feature a junior welterweight showdown between top contender “Vicious” Victor Ortiz and former world title challenger Antonio Diaz. The evening of boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment in association with 8 Count Productions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. The bouts will air live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:15 pm ET/PT (9:15 pm CT).
A full undercard will be announced shortly. For more information regarding ”By Popular Demand”: Diaz vs. Malignaggi II, please visit http://www.goldenboypromotions.com/, http://www.dbe1.com/ or http://www.8countproductions.com/.
TICKETS ON SALE TODAY!
CHICAGO (November 11, 2009 ) – After controversy, heated conversations and negotiations were settled, former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz and former Junior Welterweight World Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi met face-to-face yesterday to announce the December 12 rematch of their exciting August 22 bout. Diaz and Malignaggi will square off on neutral ground at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois in a12 round junior welterweight bout that will be televised live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark.
Tickets for the highly anticipated rematch go on sale TODAY, November 11 at 10 am CT. They are reasonably priced at $251, $156, $86, $51 and $31 and are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-312-226-5800, toll free at 1-800-745-3000 and at the UIC Pavilion Box Office (open Thursday and Friday from 9 am - 4 pm CT).
JUAN DIAZ, Former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion
“I’m very excited to be here in Chicago…all the people here treat me like I’m a real Chicago resident. I decided I liked it so much, I may adopt it as my second hometown.” (Diaz then held up a Chicago Bears jersey.)
“I’m not going to dwell on the past. The past is the past. This time around, it’s a different city and a new and different game plan.”
“To be honest, fighting Paulie after coming off fighting Future Hall of Famer Juan Manuel Marquez, I was not taking Paulie seriously and thought it was just another fight.”
“This time, it’s personal, and on December 12, the whole world will feel my anger.”
PAULIE MALIGNAGGI, Former Junior Welterweight World Champion
“I’m excited to be in Chicago, this city has produced great boxers and great boxing fans.”
“I’m really happy I got the rematch…I made enough of a stink after the first fight to help get me the rematch.”
“The reason this fight is so great is the boxing styles. Juan is a pressure fighter and I’m a defensive boxer, so it makes for a great show where you sit back and wait to see who can execute their game plan better.”
“We are going to clear everything up on December 12.”
DAVID ITSKOWITCH, COO of Golden Boy Promotions
“The fight in August was hotly contested and some times called controversial.”
“Now, you have one guy trying to right a perceived wrong and one guy trying to put an exclamation point on something he already knows.”
“When you have a fight like that, it brings the best out in both fighters.”
LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment
“With an Italian-American and a Mexican-American fighting on the card, you have a recipe for a great night of boxing in Chicago.”
“I know after the first fight I said some things to Juan that were inappropriate because he is a good guy, but I wanted to do everything in my power to get my guy the rematch.”
“Whatever you think about the first fight, it is clear it was a competitive fight and we know it’s going to be again.”
WILLIE SAVANNAH, Manager of Juan Diaz
“Juan and Paulie put on the fight of their lives in August and you can expect the same in December.”
“Juan is in tremendous condition and he honestly looks the best that he ever has.”
DOMINIC PESOLI, President of 8 Count Productions
“Chicago is a great boxing market and we are excited to have a big HBO card like this here for all the great boxing fans.”
“The prices are very reasonable, so you won’t want to miss out on this fight.
RON PUCCILLO, Director of Athletics of the Illinois State Athletic Commission
“We are so proud to have both of these guys fighting in our town.”
“It’s going to be a great night and everyone knows that boxing is much better live in person, and this is a fight you will not want to miss.”
# # #
“By Popular Demand”: Diaz vs. Malignaggi II features former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz taking on former Junior Welterweight World Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi in a 12 round junior welterweight rematch of their exciting August 22, 2009 bout. The co-main event will feature a junior welterweight showdown between top contender “Vicious” Victor Ortiz and former world title challenger Antonio Diaz. The evening of boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment in association with 8 Count Productions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. The bouts will air live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:15 pm ET/PT (9:15 pm CT).
A full undercard will be announced shortly. For more information regarding ”By Popular Demand”: Diaz vs. Malignaggi II, please visit http://www.goldenboypromotions.com/, http://www.dbe1.com/ or http://www.8countproductions.com/.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Capsules of Boxing Hall of Fame inductees
CANASTOTA, New York (AP)—A look at the 13 people to be inducted on June 13 into the International Boxing Hall of Fame:
JUNG-KOO CHANG—Known as the “Korean Hawk” for his relentless fighting style, Chang was born Feb. 4, 1963, in Pusan, South Korea, and turned professional in November 1980 at age 17. He won his first 18 bouts before losing a split decision in 1982 to Hilario Zapata for the WBC flyweight title, then knocked him out in the third round of a rematch six months later. Chang made 15 successful title defenses.
DANNY LOPEZ—Lopez was a hard-hitting featherweight who earned a reputation as one of the most crowd-pleasing fighters of all time. Born July 6, 1952, in Fort Duchesne, Utah, Lopez compiled a 40-7 amateur record. He turned pro in 1971 and posted 23 straight wins before losing in a ninth-round knockout to Bobby Chacon in 1974. Lopez rebounded with wins over Chucho Castillo, Ruben Olivares, Sean O’Grady and Art Hafey before beating Davey Kotey in 1976 in a 15-round decision for the WBC featherweight championship in Kotey’s homeland of Ghana. A string of eight successful title defenses followed before Salvador Sanchez knocked him out twice in 1980, ending his career.
LLOYD MARSHALL—Born June 4, 1914, in Georgia and raised in Cleveland. He won Golden Gloves titles in 1934-35, relocated to the West Coast and turned pro in 1937. In one of his finest bouts, he scored eight knockdowns en route to an eighth-round knockout over Ezzard Charles. Marshall had an impressive string of victories in 1944, defeating Nate Bolden, Jake LaMotta, Holman Williams and Joey Maxim. Died Aug. 11, 1997 in Sacramento.
YOUNG CORBETT II—Born William H. Rothwell on Oct. 4, 1880, in Denver and turned pro in 1896. A win over George Dixon set up a world featherweight title bid against Terry McGovern on Nov. 28, 1901. Corbett, who was known for frustrating opponents with insults, entered McGovern’s dressing room to intimidate the champion. The ploy infuriated McGovern and the two went toe to toe. After two vicious rounds, Corbett scored a knockout and also stopped McGovern in a rematch. They met a third time in 1906 and the fight ended in a no-decision. Corbett died April 10, 1927 in Denver.
ROCKY KANSAS—Born Rocco Tozzo on April 21, 1895, in Buffalo, New York, a former newsboy, he turned professional with a new name in 1911 when the ring announcer mistakenly introduced him as Rocky Kansas. Known as “Little Hercules,” the 5-foot-2 (1.57-meter) Kansas was a powerful brawler. One of the top lightweights of his era, Kansas made his 160th bout memorable, defeating Buffalo’s Jimmy Goodrich for the title in their hometown in 1925. Kansas died in 1954.
BILLY MISKE—Born William Arthur Miske on April 12, 1894, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Nicknamed the “St. Paul Thunderbolt,” Miske began boxing as a middleweight in 1913. Competing in the “no-decision” era, he fought Hall of Famers Harry Greb, Tommy Gibbons, Jack Dillon, Battling Levinsky and Kid Norfolk. In 1918, Miske was diagnosed with a kidney ailment known as Bright’s Disease but kept it a secret, even to his family. He fought the only title bout of his career in 1920 and was stopped in three rounds by Jack Dempsey. Despite his poor health, Miske persuaded his manager to secure one last bout so he could provide a final Christmas to his family. He knocked out Bill Brennan on Nov. 7, 1923, and died at age 29 on Jan. 1, 1924.
PADDINGTON TOM JONES—Born in Paddington, London, in 1766, Jones began his career in 1786 and became the first welterweight champion (140 pounds, 63.5 kilograms at that time). Although a welterweight, Jones routinely fought bigger men. In 1799, he lost in 33 minutes to 185-pound (84-kilogram) heavyweight champion Jem Belcher. He died in 1833 at age 67.
SHELLY FINKEL—Born June 27, 1944, in New York City, Finkel was a rock and roll manager before branching out into boxing. He began promoting amateur bouts in 1978 and formed a partnership with Hall of Famer Lou Duva. Among the boxers in his corner were Olympic medalists Pernell Whitaker, Evander Holyfield, Meldrick Taylor, Michael Moorer, Vinny Paz, Mike Tyson and current heavyweight champions Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. In 1990 and 1993 Finkel was voted the Al Buck Award as manager of the year.
LARRY HAZZARD—Born Dec. 7, 1944, in Newark, New Jersey, the former three-time U.S. Golden Gloves champion began refereeing amateur bouts in 1967 and professional bouts in 1978. He went on to referee more than 40 world title fights. In 1985, he was appointed commissioner of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, served until 2007, and was a fervent advocate for boxer safety and health.
WILFRIED SAUERLAND—Born Feb. 29, 1940 in Wuppertal, Germany, he developed a passion for boxing after his father took him to a bout. He promoted his first show in 1978, staged his first promotion in Germany in 1980, and presided over a boxing boom in Germany during the 1990s. Sauerland Event produces 12 boxing shows per year and has a long-term agreement with German TV giant ARD.
BRUCE TRAMPLER—Born Aug. 11, 1949, in Maplewood, New Jersey, Trampler boxed as an amateur and worked as a trainer, promoter, ring announcer, publicist and matchmaker. Beginning in 1971, he spent 15 months in Miami under the guidance of trainer Angelo Dundee and his brother Chris, a promoter. Trampler was later mentored by matchmaker Teddy Brenner, who hired him as an assistant at Madison Square Garden in 1977. Trampler left MSG two years later and joined Bob Arum’s Top Rank in 1981. He was instrumental in the comeback of heavyweight champion George Foreman.
HOWARD COSELL—Born Howard William Cohen on March 25, 1918, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was admitted to the New York State bar in 1941, and after leaving the U.S. Army in 1946 opened a Manhattan law office. In 1953, Cosell began hosting a Saturday radio show on ABC and by 1956 abandoned his law practice. A member of ABC’s Olympic coverage in the 1960s, Cosell was one of the first sports broadcasters to call Cassius Clay by his new name, Muhammad Ali, and was a staunch supporter of Ali when the future heavyweight champ refused to be inducted into the Army during the Vietnam War. Cosell also covered Floyd Patterson, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard and the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. He called his last fight in 1982, a 15-round victory by Larry Holmes over Tex Cobb and retired a decade later. Cosell died in 1995 at age 77.
ED SCHUYLER JR.—Born March 14, 1935, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania., Schuyler began working for The Associated Press in June 1960 and covered his first boxing match—Rubin Carter vs. Farid Salim—in September 1963. From 1970 until his retirement in 2002, he was AP’s national boxing writer. “Fast Eddie” covered some of boxing’s historic battles, including all three Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier fights, Ali vs. George Foreman in Zaire, and a series of bouts featuring Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns in the 1980s. Schuyler, who staffed boxing at the Olympic Games from 1976-2000, covered fights in 18 countries and Puerto Rico. In 1979, he was awarded the Nat Fleischer Award for Excellence in Boxing Journalism by the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Source: International Boxing Hall of Fame
JUNG-KOO CHANG—Known as the “Korean Hawk” for his relentless fighting style, Chang was born Feb. 4, 1963, in Pusan, South Korea, and turned professional in November 1980 at age 17. He won his first 18 bouts before losing a split decision in 1982 to Hilario Zapata for the WBC flyweight title, then knocked him out in the third round of a rematch six months later. Chang made 15 successful title defenses.
DANNY LOPEZ—Lopez was a hard-hitting featherweight who earned a reputation as one of the most crowd-pleasing fighters of all time. Born July 6, 1952, in Fort Duchesne, Utah, Lopez compiled a 40-7 amateur record. He turned pro in 1971 and posted 23 straight wins before losing in a ninth-round knockout to Bobby Chacon in 1974. Lopez rebounded with wins over Chucho Castillo, Ruben Olivares, Sean O’Grady and Art Hafey before beating Davey Kotey in 1976 in a 15-round decision for the WBC featherweight championship in Kotey’s homeland of Ghana. A string of eight successful title defenses followed before Salvador Sanchez knocked him out twice in 1980, ending his career.
LLOYD MARSHALL—Born June 4, 1914, in Georgia and raised in Cleveland. He won Golden Gloves titles in 1934-35, relocated to the West Coast and turned pro in 1937. In one of his finest bouts, he scored eight knockdowns en route to an eighth-round knockout over Ezzard Charles. Marshall had an impressive string of victories in 1944, defeating Nate Bolden, Jake LaMotta, Holman Williams and Joey Maxim. Died Aug. 11, 1997 in Sacramento.
YOUNG CORBETT II—Born William H. Rothwell on Oct. 4, 1880, in Denver and turned pro in 1896. A win over George Dixon set up a world featherweight title bid against Terry McGovern on Nov. 28, 1901. Corbett, who was known for frustrating opponents with insults, entered McGovern’s dressing room to intimidate the champion. The ploy infuriated McGovern and the two went toe to toe. After two vicious rounds, Corbett scored a knockout and also stopped McGovern in a rematch. They met a third time in 1906 and the fight ended in a no-decision. Corbett died April 10, 1927 in Denver.
ROCKY KANSAS—Born Rocco Tozzo on April 21, 1895, in Buffalo, New York, a former newsboy, he turned professional with a new name in 1911 when the ring announcer mistakenly introduced him as Rocky Kansas. Known as “Little Hercules,” the 5-foot-2 (1.57-meter) Kansas was a powerful brawler. One of the top lightweights of his era, Kansas made his 160th bout memorable, defeating Buffalo’s Jimmy Goodrich for the title in their hometown in 1925. Kansas died in 1954.
BILLY MISKE—Born William Arthur Miske on April 12, 1894, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Nicknamed the “St. Paul Thunderbolt,” Miske began boxing as a middleweight in 1913. Competing in the “no-decision” era, he fought Hall of Famers Harry Greb, Tommy Gibbons, Jack Dillon, Battling Levinsky and Kid Norfolk. In 1918, Miske was diagnosed with a kidney ailment known as Bright’s Disease but kept it a secret, even to his family. He fought the only title bout of his career in 1920 and was stopped in three rounds by Jack Dempsey. Despite his poor health, Miske persuaded his manager to secure one last bout so he could provide a final Christmas to his family. He knocked out Bill Brennan on Nov. 7, 1923, and died at age 29 on Jan. 1, 1924.
PADDINGTON TOM JONES—Born in Paddington, London, in 1766, Jones began his career in 1786 and became the first welterweight champion (140 pounds, 63.5 kilograms at that time). Although a welterweight, Jones routinely fought bigger men. In 1799, he lost in 33 minutes to 185-pound (84-kilogram) heavyweight champion Jem Belcher. He died in 1833 at age 67.
SHELLY FINKEL—Born June 27, 1944, in New York City, Finkel was a rock and roll manager before branching out into boxing. He began promoting amateur bouts in 1978 and formed a partnership with Hall of Famer Lou Duva. Among the boxers in his corner were Olympic medalists Pernell Whitaker, Evander Holyfield, Meldrick Taylor, Michael Moorer, Vinny Paz, Mike Tyson and current heavyweight champions Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. In 1990 and 1993 Finkel was voted the Al Buck Award as manager of the year.
LARRY HAZZARD—Born Dec. 7, 1944, in Newark, New Jersey, the former three-time U.S. Golden Gloves champion began refereeing amateur bouts in 1967 and professional bouts in 1978. He went on to referee more than 40 world title fights. In 1985, he was appointed commissioner of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, served until 2007, and was a fervent advocate for boxer safety and health.
WILFRIED SAUERLAND—Born Feb. 29, 1940 in Wuppertal, Germany, he developed a passion for boxing after his father took him to a bout. He promoted his first show in 1978, staged his first promotion in Germany in 1980, and presided over a boxing boom in Germany during the 1990s. Sauerland Event produces 12 boxing shows per year and has a long-term agreement with German TV giant ARD.
BRUCE TRAMPLER—Born Aug. 11, 1949, in Maplewood, New Jersey, Trampler boxed as an amateur and worked as a trainer, promoter, ring announcer, publicist and matchmaker. Beginning in 1971, he spent 15 months in Miami under the guidance of trainer Angelo Dundee and his brother Chris, a promoter. Trampler was later mentored by matchmaker Teddy Brenner, who hired him as an assistant at Madison Square Garden in 1977. Trampler left MSG two years later and joined Bob Arum’s Top Rank in 1981. He was instrumental in the comeback of heavyweight champion George Foreman.
HOWARD COSELL—Born Howard William Cohen on March 25, 1918, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was admitted to the New York State bar in 1941, and after leaving the U.S. Army in 1946 opened a Manhattan law office. In 1953, Cosell began hosting a Saturday radio show on ABC and by 1956 abandoned his law practice. A member of ABC’s Olympic coverage in the 1960s, Cosell was one of the first sports broadcasters to call Cassius Clay by his new name, Muhammad Ali, and was a staunch supporter of Ali when the future heavyweight champ refused to be inducted into the Army during the Vietnam War. Cosell also covered Floyd Patterson, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard and the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. He called his last fight in 1982, a 15-round victory by Larry Holmes over Tex Cobb and retired a decade later. Cosell died in 1995 at age 77.
ED SCHUYLER JR.—Born March 14, 1935, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania., Schuyler began working for The Associated Press in June 1960 and covered his first boxing match—Rubin Carter vs. Farid Salim—in September 1963. From 1970 until his retirement in 2002, he was AP’s national boxing writer. “Fast Eddie” covered some of boxing’s historic battles, including all three Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier fights, Ali vs. George Foreman in Zaire, and a series of bouts featuring Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns in the 1980s. Schuyler, who staffed boxing at the Olympic Games from 1976-2000, covered fights in 18 countries and Puerto Rico. In 1979, he was awarded the Nat Fleischer Award for Excellence in Boxing Journalism by the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Source: International Boxing Hall of Fame
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