By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sports Writer
Floyd Mayweather’s return to boxing is back on, although the new date won’t make things any easier for him against hard-hitting Juan Manuel Marquez.
The former pound-for-pound king, who was slated to fight Marquez next month at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, issued a statement Friday that said he’s been cleared by doctors following a rib injury and the fight will go off Sept. 19— the weekend after Mexican Independence Day.
“I am relieved to be cleared to fight,” Mayweather said. “Trust me, September 19 is a great weekend for boxing, and all of my fans—of which there are many Mexicans too—can certainly hold on to their hats and sombreros when I get back in to the ring.”
Mayweather, who is coming out of a brief retirement, damaged cartilage in his ribs during training two weeks ago. He was committed to rescheduling the fight, even though more lucrative opponents like Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao became available.
Ticket sales reportedly had been slow for the pay-per-view event, but they should get a significant boost because of the new date. Mexican Independence Day is Sept. 16, and the bout will follow that Saturday—a weekend that had long belonged to Oscar De La Hoya.
The “Golden Boy,” whose promotional company handles Marquez, retired earlier this year.
“This particular fight did extremely well on ticket sales. Several price categories sold out,” Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told The Associated Press. “When the fight was announced to be postponed, we were over $5.6 million in ticket sales and it was shaping up to be one of the largest non-heavyweight fights in the history of Las Vegas, not involving Oscar.
“We were ahead of what Pacquiao and (Ricky) Hatton did with the same amount of time to promote.”
Schaefer, who was busy with this weekend’s 140-pound title fight between Victor Ortiz and Marcos Maidana, said he was initially concerned Mayweather might be out longer.
“We were hoping it would be OK to be medically cleared for September, because it’s the biggest day every year for pay-per-view in the United States,” Schaefer said. “Almost like the Super Bowl weekend—you just knew that in September there’s a big fight.”
Mayweather, the former five-division champ, hasn’t fought since knocking out Hatton in December 2007, when he was still reveling in his breakthrough victory over De La Hoya. His unexpected retirement last year came in a statement issued by his publicist, just as he was gaining mainstream attention with appearances on “Dancing with the Stars” and at WrestleMania.
His aura seemed to have dimmed over the past year, though, and there have been reports that Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) has been having financial hardships. On top of that, Pacquiao has risen to become boxing’s best all-around fighter and most compelling attraction.
That alone may have been enough to lure “Money” Mayweather back into the ring.
His handlers began fielding offers for fights several months ago—few believed that Mayweather would stay retired—and he eventually settled on Marquez, who’s ranked highly on most pound-for-pound lists but is a relative unknown among mainstream sports fans.
Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs), who has fought to a draw and close split-decision loss against Pacquiao, is coming off riveting knockouts of Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz, which earned him the vacant WBO lightweight title in February.
He’ll be moving up to fight Mayweather at a catch weight of 143 pounds, eight more than Marquez has ever fought and the lightest Mayweather has been since 2005.
“I am happy that Mayweather has been cleared to fight and we can get down to business,” Marquez said. “This weekend is not just an important weekend for boxing, but even more so for all of the Mexican and Mexican-American people I will be fighting for.
“(They) will have a great reason to celebrate my win over Mayweather, which will be for all of the people and for the entire country of Mexico that night.”
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Holyfield’s real deal: Home back on auction block
By PAUL NEWBERRY, AP Sports Writer
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP)—Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is facing foreclosure again on his sprawling estate in suburban Atlanta.
But Holyfield told The Associated Press on Thursday that a settlement would be reached before the 54,000-square-foot home was auctioned.
“It will be worked out,” boxing’s first four-time heavyweight champion said when reached on his cell phone. He declined further comment.
A year after the 235-acre estate was first put on the auction block, a legal notice placed last week in the Fayette Daily News said Holyfield was back in default on his $10 million loan. An auction was scheduled for July 7 on the courthouse steps.
The home—located south of Atlanta on Evander Holyfield Highway—has 109 rooms, including 17 bathrooms, three kitchens and a bowling alley.
Holyfield faced foreclosure on the home in June 2008, but a financial settlement was reached with Washington Mutual Bank before a scheduled auction.
This time, he also faces foreclosure on a second Fayette County property, having defaulted on a $216,000 loan to Commonwealth United Mortgage Company.
Holyfield has earned more than $200 million in the ring—including a reported $34 million for his second bout with Mike Tyson in 1997, the infamous “Bite Fight” that ended with Tyson being disqualified for gnawing off a chunk of Holyfield’s ear.
But the 46-year-old Holyfield hasn’t had a huge payday in more than five years and has run into serious financial problems, facing lawsuits over missed child support payments (he reportedly has 11 children) and claims that he failed to repay a more than half-million-dollar loan that went for landscaping his home.
He last fought in December, receiving a reported $600,000 for his challenge against WBA champion Nikolai Valuev in Switzerland. Holyfield lost a disputed majority decision to the 7-foot Russian, missing a chance to become the oldest heavyweight champion.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP)—Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is facing foreclosure again on his sprawling estate in suburban Atlanta.
But Holyfield told The Associated Press on Thursday that a settlement would be reached before the 54,000-square-foot home was auctioned.
“It will be worked out,” boxing’s first four-time heavyweight champion said when reached on his cell phone. He declined further comment.
A year after the 235-acre estate was first put on the auction block, a legal notice placed last week in the Fayette Daily News said Holyfield was back in default on his $10 million loan. An auction was scheduled for July 7 on the courthouse steps.
The home—located south of Atlanta on Evander Holyfield Highway—has 109 rooms, including 17 bathrooms, three kitchens and a bowling alley.
Holyfield faced foreclosure on the home in June 2008, but a financial settlement was reached with Washington Mutual Bank before a scheduled auction.
This time, he also faces foreclosure on a second Fayette County property, having defaulted on a $216,000 loan to Commonwealth United Mortgage Company.
Holyfield has earned more than $200 million in the ring—including a reported $34 million for his second bout with Mike Tyson in 1997, the infamous “Bite Fight” that ended with Tyson being disqualified for gnawing off a chunk of Holyfield’s ear.
But the 46-year-old Holyfield hasn’t had a huge payday in more than five years and has run into serious financial problems, facing lawsuits over missed child support payments (he reportedly has 11 children) and claims that he failed to repay a more than half-million-dollar loan that went for landscaping his home.
He last fought in December, receiving a reported $600,000 for his challenge against WBA champion Nikolai Valuev in Switzerland. Holyfield lost a disputed majority decision to the 7-foot Russian, missing a chance to become the oldest heavyweight champion.
Former IBF champion Spadafora wins on TKO
PITTSBURGH (AP)—Paul Spadafora, a former IBF lightweight champion fighting for the first time in 14 months, knocked out Ivan Bustos on Wednesday night.
Bustos’ corner threw in the towel 2 minutes, 26 seconds into the sixth round of the scheduled eight-round welterweight fight.
Spadafora, who hadn’t fought in his Pittsburgh hometown since 2004 because of legal problems, improved his career record to 42-0-1.
The bout was the 33-year-old Spadafora’s first with Hall of Fame boxer Pernell Whitaker as his trainer.
Bustos, a counterpuncher from Argentina who had trouble landing blows against Spadafora, is 25-13-3.
Bustos’ corner threw in the towel 2 minutes, 26 seconds into the sixth round of the scheduled eight-round welterweight fight.
Spadafora, who hadn’t fought in his Pittsburgh hometown since 2004 because of legal problems, improved his career record to 42-0-1.
The bout was the 33-year-old Spadafora’s first with Hall of Fame boxer Pernell Whitaker as his trainer.
Bustos, a counterpuncher from Argentina who had trouble landing blows against Spadafora, is 25-13-3.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
RUMBLE AT THE HILTON RYE TOWN
On July 16th Star Boxing's former light heavyweight title challenger, David Telesco (29-6-1, 24KO) will once again step inside the squared circle under the Star Boxing banner, when he takes on New Jersey's own William Gil in an eight round light heavyweight affair.
Telesco v. Gil will be the main event bout of the evening. The card is being held at the beautiful Hilton Rye Town hotel, located in the New York City suburb of Rye, NY, and is ten minutes east of White Plains, NY in Westchester County. Situated on 45 beautifully landscaped acres of lush woodlands, the Hilton Rye Town hotel is Westchester County, New York's premier hotel, combining the relaxed setting of a resort with the flexibility of a full-service business hotel.
For the fan favorite Telesco, who lives in nearby Portchester, NY, it will be somewhat of a homecoming, as it will be the first time Telesco has fought in the Westchester County area since 2001. Telesco, who has been in- active since 2005, is excited to be returning to the ring especially in front of his hometown fans.
"David's had some great moments in his boxing career. He has always been a dangerous puncher and was a top light heavyweight some years ago," stated Joe DeGuardia CEO of Star Boxing. "David has been itching for a comeback and has always wanted to be back in front of his fans, so the Hilton Rye Town makes perfect sense. The Hilton Rye Town is a beautiful hotel where fans can experience a great night of Boxing in the Ballroom. We are looking to put some of the top prospects in the New York City area, as well as some of our top prospects on the Star Boxing roster on the card. We expect a great night of fights come July 16th."
The official undercard will be announced shortly. Tickets can be purchased through the Star Boxing office by calling (718) 823-2000 or by visiting the Star Boxing website (http://www.starboxing.com/) Tickets are priced at Gold Ringside - $100, Silver Ringside - $60 and reserved seating for $40. The Hilton Rye Town hotel is located at 699 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, New York, 10573.
Telesco v. Gil will be the main event bout of the evening. The card is being held at the beautiful Hilton Rye Town hotel, located in the New York City suburb of Rye, NY, and is ten minutes east of White Plains, NY in Westchester County. Situated on 45 beautifully landscaped acres of lush woodlands, the Hilton Rye Town hotel is Westchester County, New York's premier hotel, combining the relaxed setting of a resort with the flexibility of a full-service business hotel.For the fan favorite Telesco, who lives in nearby Portchester, NY, it will be somewhat of a homecoming, as it will be the first time Telesco has fought in the Westchester County area since 2001. Telesco, who has been in- active since 2005, is excited to be returning to the ring especially in front of his hometown fans.
"David's had some great moments in his boxing career. He has always been a dangerous puncher and was a top light heavyweight some years ago," stated Joe DeGuardia CEO of Star Boxing. "David has been itching for a comeback and has always wanted to be back in front of his fans, so the Hilton Rye Town makes perfect sense. The Hilton Rye Town is a beautiful hotel where fans can experience a great night of Boxing in the Ballroom. We are looking to put some of the top prospects in the New York City area, as well as some of our top prospects on the Star Boxing roster on the card. We expect a great night of fights come July 16th."
The official undercard will be announced shortly. Tickets can be purchased through the Star Boxing office by calling (718) 823-2000 or by visiting the Star Boxing website (http://www.starboxing.com/) Tickets are priced at Gold Ringside - $100, Silver Ringside - $60 and reserved seating for $40. The Hilton Rye Town hotel is located at 699 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, New York, 10573.
Lopez headlining Top Rank card on Boardwalk
By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP)—Juan Manuel Lopez watched countryman Miguel Cotto fill Madison Square Garden on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day parade and marveled at how thousands of people gravitated toward the welterweight champion.
The young super bantamweight champ imagines himself in the same role one day.
“I know I’m getting to the level I can headline,” said Lopez, who will defend his title against little-known Olivier Lontchi on Saturday night in Atlantic City. “But I do look forward to a year, two years down the line, being the headline on that night.
“That’s the dream. That’s every Puerto Rican’s dream.”
Lopez won his title on the boardwalk last year by knocking out Daniel Ponce De Leon in the first round, ending his three-year title reign.
He’s been busy ever since.
The hard-hitting Lopez (25-0, 23 KOs) has already defended his title three times, all by knockout, and aced arguably the most difficult test of his burgeoning career in April, when he dismantled Gerry Penalosa on the way to a 10th-round stoppage. It was the 13th straight fight Lopez has ended early.
“At 122 (pounds),” promoter Bob Arum said, “he’s beginning to run out of opponents.”
That’s why Arum intends to build a worthy challenger over course of the next 18 months, or at the very least a worthwhile test. Few believe that Lontchi (18-0-2, 8 KOs) stands much of a chance, so Arum has already requested the theater at Madison Square Garden for Sept. 26, when he hopes Lopez and exciting Cuban knockout artist Yuriorkis Gamboa will be on the same card in separate fights.
Then, down the road, the two would ultimately face each other.
“They don’t know who Gamboa is and they don’t know who this kid is, but that’s my job in the next year, to make that a must-see fight they put on pay-per-view,” Arum said. “I don’t know if I can do it, but that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
Arum knows better than anyone that things can change quickly in boxing.
Just look at how the card Saturday night came together.
It was originally headlined by middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik defending against Sergio Mora, but that fight was scrapped months ago. A bout involving Paul Malignaggi and unbeaten Mike Alvarado was scratched when Alvarado was hurt sparring, and a bantamweight title bout between Fernando Montiel and Eric Morel was postponed when Montiel hurt his hand.
Top Rank wound up turning the event into one of its “Latin Fury” cards, which are designed to showcase some of its top fighters from Mexico and Puerto Rico.
The co-main event is a super flyweight fight between Jorge Arce (51-5-1, 39 KOs), who was convincingly stopped by Vic Darchinyan in a February title fight, against Filipino challenger Fernando Lumacad (19-1-2, 7 KOs).
“I will fight again for the title,” said Arce, who once held an interim super flyweight title. “Maybe next year, I will fight (Darchinyan) again.”
Also on the card, Vanes Martirosyan (24-0, 15 KOs) takes on Andrey Tsurkan (26-4, 17 KOs) in a junior middleweight fight, and Yuri Foreman (27-0, 8 KOs) takes on Cornelius Bundrage (29-4, 17 KOs) in an IBF junior middleweight eliminator.
Foreman may be the most unique story on the card, in that while he’s training to be a world champion he’s also training to be a rabbi. The 28-year-old Belarussian is about 18 months from earning a degree in rabbinical studies.
“Foreman is a real great story, and it will capture everyone’s imagination,” Arum said. “If you tell the story and people are following the story, then people will look for the plus side of what he’s doing in the ring, the skilled boxer he is.
“He can’t punch hard,” Arum added. “But he tells me, ‘I don’t punch hard, I don’t hurt anybody, because it’d be wrong for a rabbi to do that.”
NEW YORK (AP)—Juan Manuel Lopez watched countryman Miguel Cotto fill Madison Square Garden on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day parade and marveled at how thousands of people gravitated toward the welterweight champion.
The young super bantamweight champ imagines himself in the same role one day.
“I know I’m getting to the level I can headline,” said Lopez, who will defend his title against little-known Olivier Lontchi on Saturday night in Atlantic City. “But I do look forward to a year, two years down the line, being the headline on that night.
“That’s the dream. That’s every Puerto Rican’s dream.”
Lopez won his title on the boardwalk last year by knocking out Daniel Ponce De Leon in the first round, ending his three-year title reign.
He’s been busy ever since.
The hard-hitting Lopez (25-0, 23 KOs) has already defended his title three times, all by knockout, and aced arguably the most difficult test of his burgeoning career in April, when he dismantled Gerry Penalosa on the way to a 10th-round stoppage. It was the 13th straight fight Lopez has ended early.
“At 122 (pounds),” promoter Bob Arum said, “he’s beginning to run out of opponents.”
That’s why Arum intends to build a worthy challenger over course of the next 18 months, or at the very least a worthwhile test. Few believe that Lontchi (18-0-2, 8 KOs) stands much of a chance, so Arum has already requested the theater at Madison Square Garden for Sept. 26, when he hopes Lopez and exciting Cuban knockout artist Yuriorkis Gamboa will be on the same card in separate fights.
Then, down the road, the two would ultimately face each other.
“They don’t know who Gamboa is and they don’t know who this kid is, but that’s my job in the next year, to make that a must-see fight they put on pay-per-view,” Arum said. “I don’t know if I can do it, but that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
Arum knows better than anyone that things can change quickly in boxing.
Just look at how the card Saturday night came together.
It was originally headlined by middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik defending against Sergio Mora, but that fight was scrapped months ago. A bout involving Paul Malignaggi and unbeaten Mike Alvarado was scratched when Alvarado was hurt sparring, and a bantamweight title bout between Fernando Montiel and Eric Morel was postponed when Montiel hurt his hand.
Top Rank wound up turning the event into one of its “Latin Fury” cards, which are designed to showcase some of its top fighters from Mexico and Puerto Rico.
The co-main event is a super flyweight fight between Jorge Arce (51-5-1, 39 KOs), who was convincingly stopped by Vic Darchinyan in a February title fight, against Filipino challenger Fernando Lumacad (19-1-2, 7 KOs).
“I will fight again for the title,” said Arce, who once held an interim super flyweight title. “Maybe next year, I will fight (Darchinyan) again.”
Also on the card, Vanes Martirosyan (24-0, 15 KOs) takes on Andrey Tsurkan (26-4, 17 KOs) in a junior middleweight fight, and Yuri Foreman (27-0, 8 KOs) takes on Cornelius Bundrage (29-4, 17 KOs) in an IBF junior middleweight eliminator.
Foreman may be the most unique story on the card, in that while he’s training to be a world champion he’s also training to be a rabbi. The 28-year-old Belarussian is about 18 months from earning a degree in rabbinical studies.
“Foreman is a real great story, and it will capture everyone’s imagination,” Arum said. “If you tell the story and people are following the story, then people will look for the plus side of what he’s doing in the ring, the skilled boxer he is.
“He can’t punch hard,” Arum added. “But he tells me, ‘I don’t punch hard, I don’t hurt anybody, because it’d be wrong for a rabbi to do that.”
NEW OPPONENT FOR FRES OQUENDO IN CHICAGO, WEDNESDAY PUBLIC PRESS CONFERENCE AT 7PM
CHICAGO, IL (June 23, 2009) Two time heavyweight world title challenger Fres Oquendo of Chicago, will now face New Jersey native Mark Brown for the WBC Latino Heavyweight Title this Friday night, June 26th, in the ten round main event at the seven bout “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3” at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion, it was announced today by Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions.
Said Pesoli, “There was an issue with his original opponent, Gonzalo Omar Basile getting into the United States from Argentina . Brown is a very tough, heavy handed, heavyweight from New Jersey . He’s won eight in a row and had three knockouts in 2008. He’s coming to fight and I know Fres wants to put on a great performance for the fans so it should be a very good battle.”
Advance tickets for “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3”, starting at $31, can be purchased through the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800 and through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or http://www.ticketmaster.com/. Tickets will also be available at the door starting at 7pm on the night of the event.
A public press conference for “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3” will be held at the UIC Pavilion on Wednesday night, June 24th at 7pm. The open to the public weigh-in will be held on Thursday night at 7pm at the Union Park Lounge, 228 S. Racine Ave. in Chicago, just three blocks north of the UIC Pavilion. Fans are encouraged to join their favorite fighters at both events.
Recently signed to Simmons Entertainment Marketing LLC, headed by NBA Star Bobby Simmons, Oquendo is looking towards another run at a world championship bout in the near future. The bout against Brown, for the WBC Latino Heavyweight Title, is Oquendo’s first hometown bout in nine years.
Oquendo, 29-5-0 (18KO’s) is coming off a highly controversial split decision loss to former world champion James Toney on December 13th. The bout, broadcast from Cabazon, California on VERSUS, was thought to be amongst the worst decisions of 2008.
Brown, 15-1-0 (7KO’s) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Willie Perryman on April 24th. Prior to that bout, Brown knocked out previously unbeaten Tony Grano on September 27th in Bridgeport , CT for the WBF All-Americas Heavyweight Title.
Co-headlining “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3” is an outstanding eight round junior welterweight showdown between undefeated Chicago fan favorite, Ivan Popoca, 10-0-1 (7KO’s) and Tulare, California’s Hector Alatorre, 15-7-0 (5KO’s)
An additional eight round bout at “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3” is a super middleweight title fight between Chicago’s Andrzej “THE POLISH PRINCE” Fonfara, 12-2-0 (3KO’s) and Rockford, Illinois’ Skyler Thompson, 11-3-0 (9KO’s) for the WBF All-Americas Super Middleweight Title.
In a special feature attraction, Chicago fan favorite Rita “LA GUERA” Figueroa, 10-0-1 (3KO’s) and Lynnwood , Washington native Tammie “THE TASMANIAN DEVIL” Johnson, 3-2-2, will square off once again in an eight round rematch of their draw on March 27th at the inaugural “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT”.
The undercard features three Chicago natives; featherweight Juan Bailon, 4-1-0 (1KO) taking on Denver, Colorado’s Tommy Atencio, 3-1-0 (2KO’s) in a six round bout.
Ryan Smedick, 2-0-1 (1KO) will face Gabriel Morris, 1-1-1 of Toledo, Ohio and Chicago’s Achour Esho, 2-0-0 91KO) will face Maryland’s Dontre King, 1-4-1, both welterweight bouts scheduled for four rounds.
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine , just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com
8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia, opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.
For more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit http://www.8countproductions.com/ and http://www.jabbboxing.com/
Said Pesoli, “There was an issue with his original opponent, Gonzalo Omar Basile getting into the United States from Argentina . Brown is a very tough, heavy handed, heavyweight from New Jersey . He’s won eight in a row and had three knockouts in 2008. He’s coming to fight and I know Fres wants to put on a great performance for the fans so it should be a very good battle.”
Advance tickets for “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3”, starting at $31, can be purchased through the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800 and through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or http://www.ticketmaster.com/. Tickets will also be available at the door starting at 7pm on the night of the event.A public press conference for “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3” will be held at the UIC Pavilion on Wednesday night, June 24th at 7pm. The open to the public weigh-in will be held on Thursday night at 7pm at the Union Park Lounge, 228 S. Racine Ave. in Chicago, just three blocks north of the UIC Pavilion. Fans are encouraged to join their favorite fighters at both events.
Recently signed to Simmons Entertainment Marketing LLC, headed by NBA Star Bobby Simmons, Oquendo is looking towards another run at a world championship bout in the near future. The bout against Brown, for the WBC Latino Heavyweight Title, is Oquendo’s first hometown bout in nine years.
Oquendo, 29-5-0 (18KO’s) is coming off a highly controversial split decision loss to former world champion James Toney on December 13th. The bout, broadcast from Cabazon, California on VERSUS, was thought to be amongst the worst decisions of 2008.
Brown, 15-1-0 (7KO’s) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Willie Perryman on April 24th. Prior to that bout, Brown knocked out previously unbeaten Tony Grano on September 27th in Bridgeport , CT for the WBF All-Americas Heavyweight Title.
Co-headlining “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3” is an outstanding eight round junior welterweight showdown between undefeated Chicago fan favorite, Ivan Popoca, 10-0-1 (7KO’s) and Tulare, California’s Hector Alatorre, 15-7-0 (5KO’s)
An additional eight round bout at “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3” is a super middleweight title fight between Chicago’s Andrzej “THE POLISH PRINCE” Fonfara, 12-2-0 (3KO’s) and Rockford, Illinois’ Skyler Thompson, 11-3-0 (9KO’s) for the WBF All-Americas Super Middleweight Title.
In a special feature attraction, Chicago fan favorite Rita “LA GUERA” Figueroa, 10-0-1 (3KO’s) and Lynnwood , Washington native Tammie “THE TASMANIAN DEVIL” Johnson, 3-2-2, will square off once again in an eight round rematch of their draw on March 27th at the inaugural “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT”.
The undercard features three Chicago natives; featherweight Juan Bailon, 4-1-0 (1KO) taking on Denver, Colorado’s Tommy Atencio, 3-1-0 (2KO’s) in a six round bout.
Ryan Smedick, 2-0-1 (1KO) will face Gabriel Morris, 1-1-1 of Toledo, Ohio and Chicago’s Achour Esho, 2-0-0 91KO) will face Maryland’s Dontre King, 1-4-1, both welterweight bouts scheduled for four rounds.
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine , just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com
8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia, opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.
For more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit http://www.8countproductions.com/ and http://www.jabbboxing.com/
Chris John falls ill, fight with Juarez scrapped
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Featherweight champion Chris John’s rematch with Rocky Juarez has been canceled after John fell ill during training.
John (42-0-2, 22 KOs), an Indonesian fighter who beat Juan Manuel Marquez three years ago, was due to fight Juarez at Staples Center on Saturday night as the co-main event with Victor Ortiz’s bout against Marcos Maidana.
Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, said John collapsed during a sparring session Saturday. John’s handlers believe the fighter has a blood illness, Schaefer said.
John, who has been training in Los Angeles, was hoping to fight in this country for just the second time in his career. John and Juarez fought to a draw Feb. 28 in Houston.
John (42-0-2, 22 KOs), an Indonesian fighter who beat Juan Manuel Marquez three years ago, was due to fight Juarez at Staples Center on Saturday night as the co-main event with Victor Ortiz’s bout against Marcos Maidana.
Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, said John collapsed during a sparring session Saturday. John’s handlers believe the fighter has a blood illness, Schaefer said.
John, who has been training in Los Angeles, was hoping to fight in this country for just the second time in his career. John and Juarez fought to a draw Feb. 28 in Houston.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Fields stops Firtha in sixth round
EDMONTON (AP)—Tye Fields knocked out Nicolai Firtha early in the sixth round of their heavyweight fight Saturday night at the River Cree Resort and Casino.
Fields, a 6-foot-8, 264-pound southpaw, ended it with a straight left to the head that put Firtha on his back with 43 seconds gone in the round.
Fields (42-2, 38 KOs) was coming off a loss to Monte Barrett, but was by far the stronger of the two. He dominated from the start and dropped Firtha with a left late in the fifth round.
Fields won the first five rounds on all three judges’ scorecards.
The 6-foot-5 Firtha of Akron, Ohio, dropped to 16-6-1.
Fields, a 6-foot-8, 264-pound southpaw, ended it with a straight left to the head that put Firtha on his back with 43 seconds gone in the round.
Fields (42-2, 38 KOs) was coming off a loss to Monte Barrett, but was by far the stronger of the two. He dominated from the start and dropped Firtha with a left late in the fifth round.
Fields won the first five rounds on all three judges’ scorecards.
The 6-foot-5 Firtha of Akron, Ohio, dropped to 16-6-1.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Klitschko beats Chagaev in front of 61,000
By PATRICK McGROARTY, Associated Press Writer
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP)—Wladimir Klitschko again proved his dominance of the heavyweight division, stopping Ruslan Chagaev in a hastily put together title fight Saturday night before 61,000 fans at a German soccer stadium.
The IBF and WBO champion added the Ring Magazine belt to his haul, knocking Chagaev down in the second round and opening a cut over the Uzbekistan-born fighter’s left eye in the eighth.
Referee Eddie Cotton stopped the fight before the 10th round.
“You can’t underestimate Chagaev,” said Klitschko, who stands with his brother Vitali as clearly the best in the division. “He did everything today, but I was better.”
Chagaev, who is the WBA’s “champion in recess,” raised a deep bruise under Klitschko’s right eye, but was done in by the Ukrainian’s height advantage and superior power. With his strong left jab and hard straight rights, Klitschko (53-3, 47 KOs) bloodied Chagaev and never appeared in danger.
The sellout crowd was the biggest boxing audience in Germany since Max Schmeling knocked out Adolf Heuser in front of 70,000 people in Stuttgart in 1939.
“Throughout the fight, I searched for the keys to unlock a win, but I just couldn’t find them,” said Chagaev, whose win over Carl Davis Drummond in February was stopped by a similar cut above his left eye.
The matchup at the Schalke soccer club’s Veltins Arena was originally billed as a showdown between Klitschko and former cruiserweight champ David Haye, and the two had gone on a worldwide press tour in which the outspoken Haye flaunted T-shirts showing him standing in the ring with the decapitated heads of the Klitschko brothers.
But the British fighter, whose only victory since moving to heavyweight was a knockout of Monte Barrett in November, pulled out earlier this month citing a back injury. He asked to reschedule the fight for July, but Klitschko wanted to keep the date and sellout crowd.
He found a replacement in Chagaev (25-1-1), who was supposed to fight Nikolai Valuev for the WBA title last month in Helsinki. That bout was called off after the weigh-in when doctors found Hepatitis-B antigens in Chagaev’s blood.
Because the rules are different in Germany, Chagaev managed to pass a medical exam and was allowed to fight Klitschko, even though several organizations protested, including the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians.
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP)—Wladimir Klitschko again proved his dominance of the heavyweight division, stopping Ruslan Chagaev in a hastily put together title fight Saturday night before 61,000 fans at a German soccer stadium.
The IBF and WBO champion added the Ring Magazine belt to his haul, knocking Chagaev down in the second round and opening a cut over the Uzbekistan-born fighter’s left eye in the eighth.Referee Eddie Cotton stopped the fight before the 10th round.
“You can’t underestimate Chagaev,” said Klitschko, who stands with his brother Vitali as clearly the best in the division. “He did everything today, but I was better.”
Chagaev, who is the WBA’s “champion in recess,” raised a deep bruise under Klitschko’s right eye, but was done in by the Ukrainian’s height advantage and superior power. With his strong left jab and hard straight rights, Klitschko (53-3, 47 KOs) bloodied Chagaev and never appeared in danger.
The sellout crowd was the biggest boxing audience in Germany since Max Schmeling knocked out Adolf Heuser in front of 70,000 people in Stuttgart in 1939.
“Throughout the fight, I searched for the keys to unlock a win, but I just couldn’t find them,” said Chagaev, whose win over Carl Davis Drummond in February was stopped by a similar cut above his left eye.
The matchup at the Schalke soccer club’s Veltins Arena was originally billed as a showdown between Klitschko and former cruiserweight champ David Haye, and the two had gone on a worldwide press tour in which the outspoken Haye flaunted T-shirts showing him standing in the ring with the decapitated heads of the Klitschko brothers.
But the British fighter, whose only victory since moving to heavyweight was a knockout of Monte Barrett in November, pulled out earlier this month citing a back injury. He asked to reschedule the fight for July, but Klitschko wanted to keep the date and sellout crowd.He found a replacement in Chagaev (25-1-1), who was supposed to fight Nikolai Valuev for the WBA title last month in Helsinki. That bout was called off after the weigh-in when doctors found Hepatitis-B antigens in Chagaev’s blood.
Because the rules are different in Germany, Chagaev managed to pass a medical exam and was allowed to fight Klitschko, even though several organizations protested, including the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians.
ANDRADE SPECTACULAR ONCE AGAIN
Boxing's hottest young star, 2007 amateur world champion, and 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade improved his record to a perfect 5-0, 4KO with an impressive four round decision win over Tony Hirsch (8-2-1, 4KO) on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights". It was Andrade's third showing on FNF this year, and just as in the previous two he looked spectacular.
DEMETRIUS ANDRADE
The 21-year-old Providence, RI native Andrade, who is co-promoted by Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Banner Promotions, used his speed and height advantage to out work and out box Hirsch.
Hirsch was game but was simply not on the same level of the highly touted Andrade.
Look for Andrade to be back in action very soon.
Photo by Star Boxing photographer Mart Rosengarten.
Pascal claims light heavyweight belt
MONTREAL (AP)—Jean Pascal won a unanimous decision over Adrian Diaconu on Friday night, claiming the WBC light heavyweight title before 13,659 fans at the Bell Centre who seemed split in their support of the two Montreal fighters.
Diaconu (26-1), who was knocked down in the fifth, lost in his first title defense, while Pascal won in his first fight since moving up to the light heavyweight.
Judge Maximo de Luca scored it 115-112, while John Keane had it 116-112 and Jack Woodburn had it 116-111.
Their contrasting styles were evident from the outset, as Diaconu came straight ahead looking for a brawl while the quicker, taller Pascal stayed on the outside.
The crowd roared during a thrilling fifth, when Pascal knocked Diaconu down with a left and, after he got up, tried to finish him with a flurry of blows. The Romanian-born Diaconu managed to withstand the attack and ended the round with a flurry of his own.In the 11thk, Diaconu landed a right to the jaw and the two fighters went toe-to-toe while fans in the arena came to their feet. The 12th featured another long exchange, but the swollen and bloody Diaconu couldn’t put Pascal down.
Diaconu won the interim WBC title in April 2008, when he beat Chris Henry in Bucharest, and was given the full title when champion Chad Dawson gave it up in order to fight Antonio Tarver for the IBF belt.
Two scheduled defenses against Silvio Blanco of Italy were canceled, so Diaconu’s only bout in the past 14 months was an eight-round decision in a tune-up against David Whittom.
Pascal was in his second title fight in just over six months, having lost a bid for the WBC super-middleweight belt to Carl Froch on Dec. 6 in England.
It was the first time rival promoters InterBox, which handles Diaconu, and Groupe Yvon Michel, which has Pascal, had their fighters face each other in the ring.
Klitschko to fight at 60,000-seat sellout venue
By PATRICK McGROARTY, Associated Press Writer
BERLIN (AP)—When Wladimir Klitschko steps into the ring against Ruslan Chagaev, it will be in front of the largest boxing audience in Germany since Max Schmeling fought in the 1930s.
Action inside the ropes Saturday at Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, however, might not live up to the hype.
Klitschko, the IBF and WBO heavyweight champion, was supposed to be fighting David Haye to settle a running verbal feud. But Haye bowed out earlier this month, saying he had injured his back.
Haye asked to reschedule the fight in July, but Klitschko wanted to keep the date and the 60,000-seat sellout—the biggest boxing crowd in Germany since Schmeling fought Adolf Heuser in front of 70,000 people in Stuttgart on June 2, 1939.
“It’s a chance that’s coming around for the first time in my entire sporting career,” the 33-year-old Ukrainian said. “I’m incredibly excited about the 60,000 fans.”
Chagaev weighed in Friday at 225 pounds, and Klitschko weighed in at 240 pounds.
The 30-year-old Chagaev was named the WBA’s “champion in recess” in 2008 after withdrawing from two fights against Nikolai Valuev. After a third bout between the two scheduled for last month in Helsinki was canceled due to Hepatitis-B antigens being found in Chagaev’s blood, the WBA announced Valuev as the rightful champion and put Chagaev’s honorary title “under review.”
As of Friday, the WBA had not clarified whether Klitschko (52-3) will fight for a piece of that title on top of defending his belts.
Michael Ehnert, the medical doctor for Universum, which is promoting Saturday’s fight, said Chagaev is fit to fight in Germany.
“Since getting Hepatitis B many years ago, Ruslan is simply a carrier of Hepatitis-B antigens. This has not led to an infection,” Ehnert said.
Klitschko has said he has been immunized against Hepatitis B and is not worried about the fight.
In February, Chagaev (25-0 with one draw) won a technical decision over Carl Davis Drumond in Rostock, Germany. It was the Uzbekistan-born boxer’s first fight in more than a year.
BERLIN (AP)—When Wladimir Klitschko steps into the ring against Ruslan Chagaev, it will be in front of the largest boxing audience in Germany since Max Schmeling fought in the 1930s.
Action inside the ropes Saturday at Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, however, might not live up to the hype.Klitschko, the IBF and WBO heavyweight champion, was supposed to be fighting David Haye to settle a running verbal feud. But Haye bowed out earlier this month, saying he had injured his back.
Haye asked to reschedule the fight in July, but Klitschko wanted to keep the date and the 60,000-seat sellout—the biggest boxing crowd in Germany since Schmeling fought Adolf Heuser in front of 70,000 people in Stuttgart on June 2, 1939.
“It’s a chance that’s coming around for the first time in my entire sporting career,” the 33-year-old Ukrainian said. “I’m incredibly excited about the 60,000 fans.”
Chagaev weighed in Friday at 225 pounds, and Klitschko weighed in at 240 pounds.
The 30-year-old Chagaev was named the WBA’s “champion in recess” in 2008 after withdrawing from two fights against Nikolai Valuev. After a third bout between the two scheduled for last month in Helsinki was canceled due to Hepatitis-B antigens being found in Chagaev’s blood, the WBA announced Valuev as the rightful champion and put Chagaev’s honorary title “under review.”
As of Friday, the WBA had not clarified whether Klitschko (52-3) will fight for a piece of that title on top of defending his belts.
Michael Ehnert, the medical doctor for Universum, which is promoting Saturday’s fight, said Chagaev is fit to fight in Germany.
“Since getting Hepatitis B many years ago, Ruslan is simply a carrier of Hepatitis-B antigens. This has not led to an infection,” Ehnert said.
Klitschko has said he has been immunized against Hepatitis B and is not worried about the fight.
In February, Chagaev (25-0 with one draw) won a technical decision over Carl Davis Drumond in Rostock, Germany. It was the Uzbekistan-born boxer’s first fight in more than a year.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Mayweather injured rib cartilage, can’t train
By OSKAR GARCIA, Associated Press Writer
LAS VEGAS (AP)—Floyd Mayweather Jr. has damaged cartilage in his ribs and will stop training for his comeback fight until a doctor says he can resume.
Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Golden Boy Promotions, told The Associated Press on Monday that Mayweather has been in tremendous pain since suffering the injury during training on Thursday.
“He tried to work through it. He really did not want to postpone the fight, but it came to the point where he could barely sit,” Schaefer said. “He could not train, he could not move and there was really not much of a choice.”
Mayweather(39-0, 25 KOs) was scheduled to fight Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) on July 18 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Schaefer said both fighters have committed to rescheduling and a September date has been mentioned. But promoters and the fighters won’t agree to a date without the OK of doctors.
Mayweather’s ribs are not broken, and the former five-division champ plans to see a doctor this week, Schaefer said. He said he did not know exactly how Mayweather damaged his cartilage.
“Right now he cannot go and train, he cannot work out, he cannot run, he cannot hit the heavy bag and the speed bags and jump ropes and all these kinds of things,” Schaefer said. “He definitely will need some additional training but again, Floyd is such an amazing athlete— and really on top of his game— that I think it will be relatively easy for him to get right back into it.”
Cartilage connects the ribs to the sternum, and can tear away after direct blows to the chest, other trauma or particularly violent coughs and sneezes.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo injured his rib cartilage during the team’s season ending game at Philadelphia last year, a disastrous 44-6 loss in which Romo fumbled, was sacked and benched. Coach Wade Phillips said a flare-up of the pain caused Romo to collapse in the shower afterward.
Mayweather and Marquez were scheduled to fight at a catch-weight of about 143 pounds, eight more than Marquez has ever fought and the lightest weight for Mayweather since 2005.
Mayweather hasn’t boxed since knocking out Ricky Hatton in December 2007. He was slated to fight a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya but instead abruptly retired last June, while still considered the sport’s pound-for-pound king.
Now, many believe Manny Pacquiao holds that title after he beat De La Hoya and Hatton in fewer rounds than Mayweather.
It’s possible that Mayweather and Pacquiao will eventually meet in the ring if Mayweather beats Marquez first.
But promoter Bob Arum also wants to set up a Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight in November, the earliest Cotto can get back into the ring after the welterweight’s win over Joshua Clottey on Saturday.
Cotto won by decision but left Madison Square Garden in New York with a big gash over his left eye that required six stitches.
Associated Press writer Adam Goldman contributed to this report from New York.
LAS VEGAS (AP)—Floyd Mayweather Jr. has damaged cartilage in his ribs and will stop training for his comeback fight until a doctor says he can resume.
Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Golden Boy Promotions, told The Associated Press on Monday that Mayweather has been in tremendous pain since suffering the injury during training on Thursday.
“He tried to work through it. He really did not want to postpone the fight, but it came to the point where he could barely sit,” Schaefer said. “He could not train, he could not move and there was really not much of a choice.”
Mayweather(39-0, 25 KOs) was scheduled to fight Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) on July 18 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Schaefer said both fighters have committed to rescheduling and a September date has been mentioned. But promoters and the fighters won’t agree to a date without the OK of doctors.
Mayweather’s ribs are not broken, and the former five-division champ plans to see a doctor this week, Schaefer said. He said he did not know exactly how Mayweather damaged his cartilage.
“Right now he cannot go and train, he cannot work out, he cannot run, he cannot hit the heavy bag and the speed bags and jump ropes and all these kinds of things,” Schaefer said. “He definitely will need some additional training but again, Floyd is such an amazing athlete— and really on top of his game— that I think it will be relatively easy for him to get right back into it.”
Cartilage connects the ribs to the sternum, and can tear away after direct blows to the chest, other trauma or particularly violent coughs and sneezes.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo injured his rib cartilage during the team’s season ending game at Philadelphia last year, a disastrous 44-6 loss in which Romo fumbled, was sacked and benched. Coach Wade Phillips said a flare-up of the pain caused Romo to collapse in the shower afterward.
Mayweather and Marquez were scheduled to fight at a catch-weight of about 143 pounds, eight more than Marquez has ever fought and the lightest weight for Mayweather since 2005.
Mayweather hasn’t boxed since knocking out Ricky Hatton in December 2007. He was slated to fight a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya but instead abruptly retired last June, while still considered the sport’s pound-for-pound king.
Now, many believe Manny Pacquiao holds that title after he beat De La Hoya and Hatton in fewer rounds than Mayweather.
It’s possible that Mayweather and Pacquiao will eventually meet in the ring if Mayweather beats Marquez first.
But promoter Bob Arum also wants to set up a Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight in November, the earliest Cotto can get back into the ring after the welterweight’s win over Joshua Clottey on Saturday.
Cotto won by decision but left Madison Square Garden in New York with a big gash over his left eye that required six stitches.
Associated Press writer Adam Goldman contributed to this report from New York.
Khan’s fight against Kotelnik postponed
LONDON (AP)—Amir Khan’s first world title fight was postponed Monday after defending champion Andreas Kotelnik developed a tooth infection.
The WBA light-welterweight bout had been lined up by promoter Frank Warren for June 27 at the O2 Arena in London. The fight will now take place at the Manchester Evening News Arena on July 18.
“I’m delighted that my world title fight against Kotelnik is still on and when July 18 comes, I will never be more ready for him, although the postponement of the fight is a pain,” Khan said in a statement released by Warren.
“In boxing, these things happen, so I have to be professional and stay focused. However, when I’m the victor and I am finally crowned world champion, it will make up for it.”
The 22-year-old Khan is moving up a level to fight the Germany-based Kotelnik, having beaten Marco Antonio Barrera in a lightweight bout in Manchester in March.
The WBA light-welterweight bout had been lined up by promoter Frank Warren for June 27 at the O2 Arena in London. The fight will now take place at the Manchester Evening News Arena on July 18.
“I’m delighted that my world title fight against Kotelnik is still on and when July 18 comes, I will never be more ready for him, although the postponement of the fight is a pain,” Khan said in a statement released by Warren.
“In boxing, these things happen, so I have to be professional and stay focused. However, when I’m the victor and I am finally crowned world champion, it will make up for it.”
The 22-year-old Khan is moving up a level to fight the Germany-based Kotelnik, having beaten Marco Antonio Barrera in a lightweight bout in Manchester in March.
Lennox Lewis inducted into boxing hall of fame
By WILLIAM KATES, Associated Press Writer
CANASTOTA, N.Y. (AP)—In a sport many view for its violence, Lennox Lewis said Sunday he wanted to be remembered for making it a “sweet science, a magical dance” as he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
“Our sport is usually looked at as a brutal, savage sport,” Lennox told hundreds of fight fans gathered for the hall’s 20th annual induction ceremony.
“I see it as a sweet science, a magical dance. For me, I just wanted to live up to that, and keep the dignity and the humanistic aspect and the positiveness of it … so that people will remember that’s what I did for boxing,” Lewis said.
A towering presence at 6 feet 5, 250 pounds, Lewis displayed a nimbleness never before seen in a fighter his size. The 43-year-old Lewis retired in 2003 with a record of 41-2-1, including 32 KOs, and entered the hall in his first year of eligibility.
Also among the 14 inductees Sunday were American bantamweight champion Orlando Canizales and South African junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell.
Posthumous honorees included middleweight champion William “Gorilla” Jones, welterweight champion “Mysterious” Billy Smith and middleweight champion Billy Soose in the Old-Timer Category. Nineteenth-century American heavyweight champion Tom Hyer was recognized in the Pioneer Category.
Lewis lived in England until age 12 when his family moved to Canada. He began fighting as an amateur at age 15.
Lewis said it was because of his mother that he became interested in boxing. She would host fight parties when he was growing up.
“I didn’t really understand them at first. People would come over the house for the big fight. She would be really excited about it. I remember sitting in front of the television watching all the great fights,” Lewis said.
In 1988, Lewis won an Olympic gold medal, defeating American Riddick Bowe in the finals.
He turned pro in 1989. After winning the European, British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, Lewis won the vacant World Boxing Council title in 1992, stopping Donovan “Razor” Ruddock with a second-round TKO.
He reclaimed the crown in 1997 from Oliver McCall, avenging an earlier title loss. In 2001, Lewis seized the WBC crown for the third time by knocking out Hasim Rahman in the fourth round, avenging his only other professional loss and joining Rocky Marciano and Gene Tunney as the only heavyweights to retire with no unavenged defeats.
Two of Lewis’ most memorable bouts were with Evander Holyfield. The pair fought to a controversial draw in March 1999 in what was then the highest-grossing fight at Madison Square Garden. Lewis took an unanimous decision over Holyfield eight months later to win the WBA/IBF belts and unify the heavyweight championship.
“One wouldn’t think a 14-year-old boy who did shadow boxing in front of the mirror imitating the Muhammad Ali shuffle would actually be on this stage. I am really humble … this is a great honor,” said Lewis, who in retirement has appeared in movies, participated in the World Series of Poker and finished fourth in the first season of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice and served as a commentator for HBO’s Boxing After Dark telecasts.
Canizales, 43, retired in 1999 with a record of 50-5-1 with 37 knockouts. He was moved to tears as he accepted his enshrinement with his parents, both in their 70s, watching from the crowd.
“Boxing has taught me a lot in life—that dedication, discipline and determination will pay off in the long run and not to be easily swayed by obstacles and bumps in the road,” Canizales said.
Canizales, of Laredo, Texas, dominated the bantamweight division for six years, successfully defending the IBF championship a division-record 16 times after first winning the crown in 1988.
Mitchell was the first South African boxer to be enshrined in Canastota.
He won the WBA junior lightweight title in September 1986 with a 10th-round TKO of Alfredo Layne and defended his crown 12 consecutive times before he was stripped of it in 1991. He won the IBF championship later in 1991 with a 12-round win over Tony “The Tiger” Lopez.
Mitchell finished his career 45-1-3 with 21 KOs.
Mitchell told the audience his biggest disappointment was that he was never able to defend his title in his homeland because of the international sanctions against South Africa over its apartheid policies at the time.
“It doesn’t matter what the title is, or who you beat. It’s not until you get this recognition from your peers that you know you have made it in boxing,” Mitchell said.
Also inducted Sunday as non-participants were manager Billy Gibson, publicist/matchmaker Bob Goodman, New Jersey boxing commissioner Abe Greene and Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda. Journalists Paul Gallico and Hugh McIlvanney and broadcaster Larry Merchant were enshrined as observers.
“Our sport is usually looked at as a brutal, savage sport,” Lennox told hundreds of fight fans gathered for the hall’s 20th annual induction ceremony.
“I see it as a sweet science, a magical dance. For me, I just wanted to live up to that, and keep the dignity and the humanistic aspect and the positiveness of it … so that people will remember that’s what I did for boxing,” Lewis said.A towering presence at 6 feet 5, 250 pounds, Lewis displayed a nimbleness never before seen in a fighter his size. The 43-year-old Lewis retired in 2003 with a record of 41-2-1, including 32 KOs, and entered the hall in his first year of eligibility.
Also among the 14 inductees Sunday were American bantamweight champion Orlando Canizales and South African junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell.
Posthumous honorees included middleweight champion William “Gorilla” Jones, welterweight champion “Mysterious” Billy Smith and middleweight champion Billy Soose in the Old-Timer Category. Nineteenth-century American heavyweight champion Tom Hyer was recognized in the Pioneer Category.Lewis lived in England until age 12 when his family moved to Canada. He began fighting as an amateur at age 15.
Lewis said it was because of his mother that he became interested in boxing. She would host fight parties when he was growing up.
“I didn’t really understand them at first. People would come over the house for the big fight. She would be really excited about it. I remember sitting in front of the television watching all the great fights,” Lewis said.
In 1988, Lewis won an Olympic gold medal, defeating American Riddick Bowe in the finals.
He turned pro in 1989. After winning the European, British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, Lewis won the vacant World Boxing Council title in 1992, stopping Donovan “Razor” Ruddock with a second-round TKO.
He reclaimed the crown in 1997 from Oliver McCall, avenging an earlier title loss. In 2001, Lewis seized the WBC crown for the third time by knocking out Hasim Rahman in the fourth round, avenging his only other professional loss and joining Rocky Marciano and Gene Tunney as the only heavyweights to retire with no unavenged defeats.
Two of Lewis’ most memorable bouts were with Evander Holyfield. The pair fought to a controversial draw in March 1999 in what was then the highest-grossing fight at Madison Square Garden. Lewis took an unanimous decision over Holyfield eight months later to win the WBA/IBF belts and unify the heavyweight championship.
“One wouldn’t think a 14-year-old boy who did shadow boxing in front of the mirror imitating the Muhammad Ali shuffle would actually be on this stage. I am really humble … this is a great honor,” said Lewis, who in retirement has appeared in movies, participated in the World Series of Poker and finished fourth in the first season of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice and served as a commentator for HBO’s Boxing After Dark telecasts.
Canizales, 43, retired in 1999 with a record of 50-5-1 with 37 knockouts. He was moved to tears as he accepted his enshrinement with his parents, both in their 70s, watching from the crowd.
“Boxing has taught me a lot in life—that dedication, discipline and determination will pay off in the long run and not to be easily swayed by obstacles and bumps in the road,” Canizales said.
Canizales, of Laredo, Texas, dominated the bantamweight division for six years, successfully defending the IBF championship a division-record 16 times after first winning the crown in 1988.
Mitchell was the first South African boxer to be enshrined in Canastota.
He won the WBA junior lightweight title in September 1986 with a 10th-round TKO of Alfredo Layne and defended his crown 12 consecutive times before he was stripped of it in 1991. He won the IBF championship later in 1991 with a 12-round win over Tony “The Tiger” Lopez.
Mitchell finished his career 45-1-3 with 21 KOs.
Mitchell told the audience his biggest disappointment was that he was never able to defend his title in his homeland because of the international sanctions against South Africa over its apartheid policies at the time.
“It doesn’t matter what the title is, or who you beat. It’s not until you get this recognition from your peers that you know you have made it in boxing,” Mitchell said.
Also inducted Sunday as non-participants were manager Billy Gibson, publicist/matchmaker Bob Goodman, New Jersey boxing commissioner Abe Greene and Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda. Journalists Paul Gallico and Hugh McIlvanney and broadcaster Larry Merchant were enshrined as observers.
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