TICKET ALERT!!!!!!!
DAVID DIAZ VS. JESUS CHAVEZ,
SEPTEMBER 26TH AT CHICAGO’S UIC PAVILION
8 COUNT PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS HISTORICAL CHICAGO MATCHUP

CHICAGO, IL (August 4, 2009) Former WBC lightweight champion David Diaz will face off against two time world champion Jesus Chavez in the ten round main event at “WARRIORS COLLIDE/WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 6” at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion on Saturday, September 26th, it was announced today by Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.

Tickets, priced at $151, $101, $76, $51 and $31, will go on sale Monday, August 10th at 10am through Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.com/), the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5740) and the 8 Count Productions Office (312-226-5800).

Said Pesoli, “We’re thrilled to be present this terrific bout between these two Chicago champions. David is incredibly popular here in Chicago, his win over Morales was fought in front of 10,000 local fight fans.”

“Jesus has fought all over the world but never in Chicago where he was raised. He’s always wanted to come back and fight here and has expressed to me how much this means to him.”

“This event truly encompasses the terrific support the Chicagoland fight fans have shown towards 8 Count Productions for the last twelve years. Diaz vs. Chavez is a throwback to fights in Chicago featuring great local fighters that would pack the Chicago Stadium in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.”

Said the Chicago born and raised Diaz, “This fight means a great deal to me, the opportunity to come home and fight in front of the terrific Chicago fight fans. They’ve always been very supportive of me. Jesus has been a world class fighter for many years and the fans are going to see an outstanding Chicago style fight on September 26th.”

Currently promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, Diaz, 34-2-1 (17KO’s), was undefeated for over three years before facing boxing’s finest, Manny Pacquiao, on June 28th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Although badly cut early in the bout, Diaz fought courageously throughout the fight before being stopped in the ninth round.

Diaz, a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team, won the WBC Interim Lightweight Title with a crushing tenth round stoppage of Jose Armando Santa Cruz on August 12, 2006 in Las Vegas . Shortly afterwards, the current titlist Joel Casamayor refused to face Diaz, resulting in Diaz being named the WBC Lightweight Champion.

The 33 year old Diaz, a graduate of Northwest Side’s Schurz High School, defended his belt against boxing legend Erik Morales on August 4, 2007 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont in front of a huge crowd of Chicagoland fight fans, winning a twelve round unanimous decision.

Prior to facing Pacquiao, Diaz won a ten round non-title decision over Ramon Montano in Las Vegas on March 15, 2008.

Chavez, born in Chihuahua, Mexico, raised in Chicago and currently based in Austin, Texas, brings a record of 44-5-0 (30KO’s) into the battle with Diaz. He first became world champion with a twelve round decision over Sirimongkol Singwancha on August 15, 2003 for the WBC Super Featherweight Title.

He won the IBF Lightweight Title with an eleventh round TKO of Leavander Johnson on September 17, 2005. Johnson passed away shortly after the bout.

Chavez lost the IBF Lightweight Title when his bout against Julio Diaz on February 3, 2007 was stopped due to a leg injury he suffered in the third round.

He returned to action in 2008, beating Daniel Jimenez on April 4th via ten round decision and knocking out Andres Ledesma in the ninth round on September 6th.

Most recently Chavez battled Australian brawler Michael Katsidis over seven rounds before being stopped on April 4, 2009.

The co-main event at “WARRIORS COLLIDE/WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 6” will feature Chicago fan favorites Jose Andres Hernandez and Juan Carlos “EL PEZ” Martinez in a ten round junior lightweight bout.

Hernandez, 22-4-0 (14KO’s), last fought on May 5, 2007, taking on world title contender Rocky Juarez in Las Vegas . Although dropped in round one, Hernandez aggressively battled Juarez throughout the course of the fight, losing a hard fought twelve round decision.

The bout was the co-main event at “A WORLD AWAITS”, the record setting Pay Per View event which was headlined by Oscar De La Hoya taking on Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand.

Prior to his bout against Juarez, Hernandez scored a devastating eighth round stoppage of Jason Litzau on December 16, 2006 in Miami, Florida, a bout broadcast on HBO.

A native of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, now living in Chicago, 16-11-1 (7KO’s), Martinez won the WBF All Americas Title with a ten round unanimous decision over Jaime Sandoval on May 29th at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 2 at the UIC Pavilion. The bout was a rematch of an earlier win over Sandoval two years earlier.

Martinez followed up his title win with a six round bout at Madison Square Garden on June 13th against Rafael Guzman on the undercard of Miguel Cotto/Joshua Clottey Welterweight World Title bout.

Although controlling the action throughout the fight, Martinez lost the six round bout by split decision, an announcement that had the large crowd booing and left most ringside observers shaking their heads.

Also on the undercard at “WARRIORS COLLIDE/WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 6”, Chicago based undefeated junior welterweight prospect Ivan Popoca, 11-0-1 (7KO’s) will face heavy handed Puerto Rican veteran Mike Gonzalez, 10-6-1 (9KO’s).

The all action Popoca, 11-0-1 (7KO’s), took the best win of two and half year career on June 26th, taking an eight round decision over Hector Alatorre at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 4, his ninth win in a row.

A native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, now residing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Gonzalez has fought numerous highly regarded prospects including Jorge Luis Teron, Joel Torres, Edgar Santana and Sharif Bogere.

Also announced for “WARRIORS COLLIDE/WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 6” is newcomer Diamond Baier, 1-0-1, who will appear in a four round junior lightweight bout.

Baier won an exciting four round decision over previously unbeaten Noe Perez on July 24th at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 4.

More information on “WARRIORS COLLIDE/WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 6” will be announced shortly.

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 http://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/

Bradley stops Campbell, keeps 140-pound title

By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP)—Timothy Bradley defended his WBO 140-pound title Saturday night by battering Nate Campbell, whose eye injury forced the fight to be stopped after three rounds.

Bradley (25-0, 12 KOs) rode the energy of his hometown crowd in a dynamic performance, although television replays appeared to show an accidental head-butt opening a cut over Campbell’s left eye early in the third.

Campbell’s eye also was injured in the round, which he barely survived on his feet.

“I was just doing my job,” Bradley said. “(The injury) didn’t matter anyway. He was getting older and older through the fight. I was beating him easily.”

After the bout was stopped, the 37-year-old Campbell (33-6-1) vehemently argued his cut was caused by Bradley’s head, which would have made the bout a no-contest. Referee David Mendoza disagreed and awarded a TKO to Bradley, who made his first defense of the light welterweight belt he claimed from Kendall Holt in April.

“They were both butting each other all night,” Mendoza said. “The last one was a head-butt, but the blood came after the punch, not from the head-butt. That’s what I saw last: The punch, then the blood.”

Campbell had fought just once since his stunning victory over Juan Diaz in Cancun in March 2008 to win three lightweight belts, notably losing one big payday when Joan Guzman couldn’t make weight to face him. He taunted Bradley before the fight, but didn’t appear to have the speed to keep up with Bradley’s busy fists.

Campbell still insisted he should get another shot, which Bradley and promoter Gary Shaw said they wouldn’t mind.

“A cut like this comes from a head-butt,” Campbell said. “That was no punch. The California commission is wrong. This is just wrong. You can see it on television. How can they deem it a TKO? All they have to do is watch and see that it was a head-butt. This is not right.”

Aside from the debatable ending, the evening went almost perfectly for Bradley, who gave up his WBC 140-pound belt so he could take on Campbell. He declined to fight mandatory WBC challenger Devon Alexander, who won that vacant belt by beating Junior Witter earlier at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort.

The casino is just outside of Palm Springs, and Bradley’s home fans turned out in emphatic support of the 25-year-old champion, filling the arena with raucous chants and cheers. Bradley gave an impressive effort, peppering Campbell with dozens of punches while chasing the older challenger around the ring.

The 22-year-old Alexander won his first world title when Witter quit before the ninth round, citing a hand injury. Alexander (19-0, 12 KOs) largely dominated the bout, and wept when he raised the belt.

Alexander beats Witter for WBC 140-pound title

By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP)—Devon Alexander won the WBC 140-pound title Saturday night when Junior Witter quit before the ninth round of their bout for the vacant belt, citing a hand injury.

Alexander, a 22-year-old rising star from St. Louis, remained unbeaten with a fundamentally solid performance against the unorthodox Witter, who didn’t appear to take much serious punishment beyond a cut over his right eye. The English fighter’s corner declined to send him out for the ninth, handing the victory to Alexander (19-0, 12 KOs) at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort, just outside Palm Springs.

After the fight, Witter (37-3) said he couldn’t continue due to extreme pain in his hand, which recently healed from a hairline break.

Alexander wept when he claimed the WBC belt vacated by Timothy Bradley, who elected to fight Nate Campbell for the WBO belt in the main event rather than taking a smaller payday against Alexander, the WBC’s mandated challenger. With training partner and fellow St. Louis native Cory Spinks cheering him from ringside, Alexander largely dominated the fight.

“It’s time to take the belt back to St. Louis,” Alexander said. “Cory taught me a lot to be prepared for this fight. I watched lots of tape. I had a game plan, and I stuck with it.”

Witter’s decision baffled the fans who expected a full fight from the 35-year-old former champion who had lost just once since June 2000. His arms resting on the ropes, Witter shrugged at fans shouting “Witter the quitter!” from the stands.

“I felt the fight was quite even,” Witter said. “I had a hairline fracture to my hand six months ago, and it felt like I re-injured it just like that again in the fourth round. The pain would move from my hand to a jolt in my elbow. I tried to switch it up. If you notice, I’d start with my right and try to finish with my left, but I couldn’t.”

Alexander opened a cut near Witter’s eyebrow in the second round, but the injury slowed the veteran. Alexander staggered Witter into the ropes in the fifth, and remained more aggressive until Witter quit.

RODRIGUEZ-HLATSHWAYOMAKE

WEIGHT FOR

IBF WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Delvin Rodriguez, his opponent Isaac Hlatshwayo and the rest of the participants of the Star Boxing promoted card weighed-in today at the Mohegan Sun. Rodriguez vs. Hlatshwayo is for the vacant IBF Welterweight Championship of the World, and is a much anticipated rematch of their highly entertaining bout that took place back in November of last year which resulted in a draw. The entire card will be broadcast live via Pay-Per-View ($9.95) on GoFightLive.tv Below is the scheduled bout sheet for Saturday night's show with the weights.

Promoter Duva "Shocked" by Team De La Rosa Free Agency Announcement

"Duva Boxing and Cavazos Boxing have an exclusive promotional agreement with James De La Rosa."
Promoter Dino Duva of Duva Boxing says he was "shocked" to read that representatives of his undefeated welterweight prospect, James De La Rosa (19-0, 12 KOs), are proclaiming the young fighter's promotional free agency.

"It is news to me that he's a free agent," revealed Duva. "I read his press release with disbelief. Duva Boxing and Cavazos Boxing have an exclusive promotional agreement with James De La Rosa and I don't understand how they can claim to be a free agent. In fact, it's my understanding that Cavazos Boxing have James scheduled for a fight in Texas in September or October."

Duva contends (and Team De La Rosa admits) he's done a great job promoting the 21-year-old Texan and will be contacting the fighter and his manager directly to get to the bottom of the situation. "We feel we've done a superb job promoting James. We ran into a few roadblocks the last several months due to other people interfering with his career, but we still have a valid and existing contract."

By no means a newcomer to the business of boxing, the seasoned Duva says he's still 100% committed to De La Rosa's career and wishes for a speedy resolution to the unexpected turn of events. "We love James, but it appears he may be getting damaging and confusing advice. I will be talking to him and his manager immediately, to try and get things back on track in an amicable way. I have absolutely no idea what their announcement of free agency is about and I had no advance knowledge that this would be happening. I hope when I speak to them they will agree James is not a free agent because I am ready to promote James all the way to becoming the superstar I believe he has the potential to be.

However, if we are not able to resolve this amicably immediately, and/or there's something underhanded relating to this announcement, and someone has interfered with my contract, I will vigorously defend my position, challenge theirs legally and hold anyone responsible for damages incurred."

Cayo wins decision over Diaz

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (AP)—Victor Cayo remained unbeaten and scored the most impressive victory of his career with an unanimous decision over former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz on Friday night.

Cayo, of the Dominican Republic, frustrated Diaz with fast combinations during the 10-round junior welterweight bout.

Early in the fight, Cayo was intent on scoring from the outside as he landed solid left jabs and left hooks to the head.

Diaz, who held the IBF lightweight crown in 2007, finally cut punching range in the fifth round and was effective with combinations to the body.

But Cayo (23-0) also took Diaz’s best shots from short range and countered with rights to the head.

All three judges scored the bout for Cayo, 97-93, 96-94 and 98-92. There were no knockdowns.

Diaz, of Mexico, is 36-6 and 2-2 since losing his IBF lightweight crown against Juan Diaz in October 2007.

Cayo and Diaz both weighed 139 pounds.

In another fight, 2004 Olympian Luis Franco won his professional debut with a first-round technical knockout over Puerto Rico’s Leroy Padilla.

Franco, who defected from Cuba two months ago, frustrated an outclassed Padilla with solid and quick combinations to the head. Midway through the round, Franco pinned Padilla and connected with a flurry of unanswered combinations to the head.

Referee Frank Santore stopped the super-featherweight bout at 2:14 of the round.

Bradley takes risk for hometown fight vs. Campbell

By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer

Timothy Bradley’s 140-pound WBC title belt will be at stake Saturday night in the high California desert. It just won’t be Bradley who’s fighting for it.

That’s because Bradley made the gutsy decision to give up his title so he could risk his unbeaten record against Nate Campbell, the motormouthed former lightweight champ, instead of defending the belt against Devon Alexander, his WBC-mandated challenger.

Alexander will fight Junior Witter for the WBC belt on the undercard at the Agua Caliente Casino, while Bradley (24-0, 11 KOs) will fight for his WBO belt— and the pride of knowing he took the biggest challenge available. A little extra money from Showtime doesn’t hurt, but Bradley already knows what he wants out of boxing.

“I want to fight the best fighters in the world. That’s it,” said Bradley, who beat Witter in Nottingham, England, last year to claim the belt.

Because Bradley put the sport before its politics, fight fans get the unexpected pleasure of a matchup between two hard-punching champions who otherwise might not have the motivation to meet each other.

“I couldn’t get fights,” said Campbell, who has fought just once since winning three lightweight titles last year with a stunning upset of Juan Diaz. “I had three of the four belts in the world, and I couldn’t get fights. Nobody was going to fight me for the simple reason they couldn’t take the chance.”

In his first fight in his native Palm Springs area, Bradley will risk his WBO belt against Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KOs), who knocked off Diaz in March 2008 in Cancun. Bradley was scheduled to fight Jose Luis Castillo on that same card in a Mexican bull ring, but Castillo couldn’t make weight, so Bradley instead became a surprised spectator.

“I lost money on that fight—five pesos,” said Bradley, who had bet his promoter that Diaz could come back to beat Campbell. “When I saw Nate put those hands on Juan, I was just like, ‘Wow, this dude is unbelievable.”’

Bradley frequently has fought close to home in Ontario, Calif., and he trains for every fight in the high elevations and stifling temperatures of Palm Springs. He’s still reveling in his first chance to headline at home in front of what he expects to be about 300 family members and friends.

“It’s pretty cool,” Bradley said. “I’ll be driving around in my car, walking around at WalMart, and people are coming up to me and saying, ‘Hello, how you doing, champ?’ A lot of people see the billboards, so that’s great.”

While Bradley looks forward to a homecoming, Campbell hopes to get his career rolling again. The 37-year-old power puncher lost out on a big payday last fall when Joan Guzman failed to make weight and refused to fight anyway, scrapping both fighters’ purses.

Campbell then lost his lightweight titles on the scales in February when he couldn’t make weight for a narrow majority decision victory over Ali Funeka. Realizing his 135-pound days were done, Campbell moved up to super lightweight and agreed to fight Bradley, who’s 12 years younger but not much less experienced than Campbell, who didn’t turn pro until shortly before his 28th birthday.

“I’m an angry guy every day,” Campbell said. “When I look back over my career over the last year or so, a lot of guys did me dirty. … I really don’t understand why fans worry about my age. I didn’t start boxing until I was Timmy’s age. I take care of my body. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I’ve always been an athlete, (and) fighters are fighting longer, and fighting better.”

Campbell has been a showman in the weeks leading up to the fight, gleefully taunting Bradley over the phone and at news conferences. He knows he’ll be the underdog in front of a sellout crowd in the desert, but the odds don’t bother him.

“Like Timmy said, he sat ringside (in Cancun) and he bet against me, so he knows I can explode at any moment,” Campbell said. “I’m the danger guy throughout. I can beat you up and get you out at all rounds, any round. I have nothing to prove to anybody in Palm Springs. They all think Timmy is going to win. I just have to go out and do my thing.”

Q AND A WITH STAR BOXING'S
HOT WELTERWEIGHT PROSPECT
RAYMOND "TITO" SERRANO

On August 1st, Star Boxing's welterweight prospect Raymond "Tito" Serrano (9-0, 5KO) will look to stay undefeated when he takes on Jessie Davis (11-13, 8KO) on the undercard of the Delvin Rodriguez vs. Issac Hlatswahyo matchup for the vacant IBF Welterweight Championship of the World. Rodriguez vs. Hlatshwayo will be a rematch of their highly entertaining draw that took place back in November of last year. The Star Boxing promoted card will be held at the beautiful Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, CT.


Serrano recently took time out of his busy training schedule to talk about his career, and his upcoming fight on the 1st.

Q: Raymond how has everything been leading up to this fight?

RS: Everything has been great. I have been in the gym training for the last five months, so I know I am going to be in great shape come fight night. This is going to be my second fight in a row at the Mohegan Sun and I'm really looking forward to putting on another good performance for all those in attendance.

Q: Your last fight was March 6th on ESPN2 "Friday Night Fights". It was your first co- feature fight, and it was also the first time you were on national TV. What did you take away from the fight, and were you happy with your performance?

RS: Yes, I was very happy with my performance. I know that I made a couple mistakes, but I use every fight as a learning experience, so that I don't make those same mistakes in the future.

Q: What mistakes do you think you made?

RS: Well it was my first fight on national TV and I had the guy down in the first and after that I got a little bit over anxious trying to knock him out. After the first though I calmed down and started boxing again and I won the fight easily, so overall I think it was a good performance.


Q: What is your game plan going into this fight?

RS: To be honest, I don't know much about my opponent. I hear he is tough so we will see. I know though that as long as I stick to my game plan, and do the things I have been working on in training that there is no doubt I will come out victorious.

Q: You were one of the lead sparring partners for Manny Pacquiao as he prepared to face Ricky Hatton, what was that like for you?

RS: That was a dream come true for me. To have the opportunity to be in the same ring with the number one pound for pound in the world, well it just doesn't get much better then that. I learned a lot from working with Manny. I couldn't have asked for a better experience, especially at such an early stage in my career. I believe that I am going back out to prepare him for his fight with Cotto and I am really looking forward to it.


Q: You are still very young, just 20-years-old. What kind of timeline do you have for yourself in your career?

RS: Well I think Joe (Serrano's promoter is Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing) has moved me along well. Like you said I am still young, but I am also very hungry. I want to continue to stay busy and continue to keep moving up the ranks in the welterweight division. I feel that in another two years I will be ready to take on any of the big names in the division, and hopefully get the opportunity to fight for a world championship.

Q: When did you start working with trainer Danny Davis?

RS: I started working with Danny after my second fight as pro.

Q: What has Danny changed, or improved on in your game?

RS: Danny has improved a lot of things in my game. He has a lot of experience working with world class fighters, so when he tells me things, I listen to them. He has made me a much better fighter.

One of my favorite things about working with Danny is the work we do on the pads. I believe his pad work is second to none. It has really improved the combinations I throw. I mean anyone who has done the pads for Bernard Hopkins is good enough for me (laughs Serrano).

Q: Other then becoming champion of the world, do you have any other aspirations you want to fulfill in your career in boxing?

RS: I want to have a major fight in my native country of Puerto Rico. I fought there when I was an amateur but not yet as a pro. The atmosphere over there is absolutely crazy! There is nothing like Puerto Rican fans, I truly believe they are the best boxing fans in the world.

Q: Anything you would like to say in closing?

RS: I want to thank all my fans who have continued to show their support for me throughout my career. I want to encourage everyone to be there Saturday August 1st, as I am going to put on another great performance that no one will want to miss.


Tickets are priced at $125, $75, $45 and $30 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may log on to ticketmaster.com or purchase tickets by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office. Star is currently holding choice seats for prime customers. To find out more information about this terrific offer or to purchase these exclusive tickets please call Star Boxing at (718) 823-2000.

ABOUT STAR BOXING:
Star Boxing has been in operation since 1992 and has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry.

Photo's taken by Star Boxing Photographer Marty Rosengarten

Ohio man claims assault by boxer Pavlik, trainer

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP)—An Ohio man claims WBC middleweight boxing champion Kelly Pavlik and his trainer assaulted him at a bar in Pavlik’s hometown of Youngstown.

No charges have been filed.

Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said Tuesday the initial investigation into the report by 45-year-old Ronald Cappitte of Boardman has turned up no corroborating evidence.

Cappitte says he walked up to Pavlik in a bar about 11 p.m. Saturday, said, “Hi,” and was punched in the groin. A police report says he fell, got up and was punched repeatedly in the body by Pavlik and trainer Jack Loew.

Loew says there was an altercation but no assault and that Cappitte was unruly. No phone listing or immediate contact could be found for Pavlik.

The incident was first reported by The Vindicator in Youngstown.

Promoter wins libel action against ex-boxing champ

LONDON (AP)—Former world heavyweight champion Herbie Hide has been ordered to pay $57,720 in libel damages to boxing promoter Frank Warren by London’s High Court.

In a television interview in July 2008, Hide claimed that Warren had bribed Johnny Nelson to retire and give up his WBO cruiserweight title so that Enzo Maccarinelli, a boxer Warren promoted, would gain it without having to fight him.

Hide was found guilty at an earlier court hearing. At Monday’s proceedings, Judge Patrick Moloney determined the amount.

Moloney also granted an injunction preventing Hide from repeating the libel. The boxer took no part in the proceedings.

Hide twice held the WBO heavyweight title, most recently in 1999.

Police: Ex-boxing champion Forrest killed in Ga.

By CHARLES ODUM, AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA (AP)—Vernon Forrest, a former three-time champion who gained stardom when he became the first boxer to defeat “Sugar” Shane Mosley, was shot and killed during an apparent robbery in Atlanta, police said Sunday.

Atlanta Police Sgt. Lisa Keyes said in an e-mail Sunday that Forrest, 38, was shot “multiple times in the back” Saturday night. Keyes said there are no suspects.

“Vernon was one of the few decent people in boxing,” promoter Gary Shaw said Sunday.

“I mean really decent. He cared about mentally challenged adults. He cared about kids. I just can’t believe it.”

Mark Guilbeau, an investigator with the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office, said an autopsy is planned for Sunday.

Forrest, a native of Augusta, Ga., who lived in Atlanta, was a member of the 1992 Olympic team. He also was a former IBF welterweight and two-time WBC junior middleweight champion.

“He was one of the most gracious and charitable fighters in boxing and he will be missed by the entire boxing community and all of his friends at HBO,” HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg told The Associated Press.

Greenburg helped put on eight of Forrest’s fights.

“Maybe Vernon’s lasting legacy will be for Americans everywhere to rise up and end this kind of senseless violence,” Greenburg said.

Those who knew the fighter praised his role in launching the Destiny’s Child group homes in Atlanta, which work to provide homes for the mentally disabled.

“It was truly his calling,” Forrest’s publicist, Kelly Swanson, said of his work with children. “When he wasn’t boxing, this was his full-time job.

“When they would see him, they would just light up, and some of them couldn’t even talk. Vernon was very much involved. He’d have some of the kids over to his house on Sundays. They were part of his family.”

Swanson said Forrest was not married and has one son, Vernon Jr.

Inside the ring, Forrest was known for taking two wins over Mosley in 2002. On Sept. 13, 2008, Forrest reclaimed his WBC 154-pound title by beating Sergio Mora in a rematch of a fight won by Mora.

The win over Mora was Forrest’s last fight. He suffered a rib injury while training for an April fight against Jason LeHoullier. That fight was canceled, and Forrest had to vacate his title.

Ken Hershman, vice president in charge of boxing at Showtime, which aired Forrest’s first fight with Mora, said Forrest was a popular fighter who was dedicated to his charity work.

“He wasn’t looking for anything, he just did it because it was the right thing to do,” Hershman said.

“Vernon was a young, vibrant guy coming to the end of his career. He still had a lot of life ahead of him.”

There were tentative plans for a title fight against Sergio Martinez, perhaps in October, Shaw said. Plans for an August fight against Martinez were pushed back by Forrest’s rib injury.

“Instead of being an Olympian, a two-time world champion, a guy who beat Shane Mosley twice, the guy who did some good for boxing—maybe his legacy will be for something else,” Shaw said. “Maybe boxing will finally get around the violence outside of the ring. Maybe Vernon’s name and legacy will be for that.”

Forrest, who had a 41-3 career record with 29 knockouts, is the third prominent boxer to die this month.

Former two-time champion Arturo Gatti, who retired in 2007, was found dead July 11 at a Brazilian resort. Gatti’s wife, Amanda Rodrigues, is being held as the prime suspect.

Another former champion, Alexis Arguello, was found dead on July 1 at his home in Managua, Nicaragua. He was elected mayor of Nicaragua’s capital last year.

“If the saying is bad things come in threes, hopefully we’re done with that for a long time to come,” Hershman said. “I hope that’s the case. I mean, ironically three great people, three great human beings too. Not a good few months.”

Forrest’s trainer, Buddy McGirt, also worked with Gatti. McGirt said Forrest planned to start training Aug. 1 for his next fight.

“I just feel so bad, he has a son you know,” McGirt said. “Someone is going to be raised without a father because somebody wanted to rob someone.”

AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta contributed to this report.

Vernon Forrest Shot Dead

Some terrible breaking news that former three time world champion Vernon Forrest has been killed.

WSB News (WSB Radio)

Former boxing champion and U.S. Olympian Vernon Forrest was shot and killed in an attempted car jacking in Northwest Atlanta, a police spokesperson said. Lt. Keith Meadows with the Atlanta police department told WSB Radio, Forrest was putting air in the tires of his Jaguar around 11 p.m. Saturday at a gas station on White Hall St. at McDaniel Blvd. Investigators said at least two men jumped out of a red Chevrolet Monte Carlo and tried to steal Forrest's car.

The boxer had a gun and started running after the suspects. "The victim and suspect became involved in a brief foot chase," Lt. Meadows said. "At some point, gunfire was exchanged between the two of them. The victim was shot at least once in the head."

Investigators said they are talking to several witness. "At this point we have a general description of at least two black males driving a red Monte Carlo." Lt. Meadows said. Police don't think the suspects knew Forrest was a professional boxer.

His girlfriend's young son was in the car at the time of the shooting. Family members are flying in from Texas to pick up the child, Lt. Meadows said.

Forrest, who lived in Atlanta, was a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic team in Barcelona, Spain. He was a three-time champion with two WBC welterweight wins against Sugar Shane Mosley in 2002. Forrest, nicknamed the viper, beat Sergio Mora for the WBC junior middleweight title in September. The Augusta, Ga. native was stripped of his WBC belt in May because of a rib injury. He was supposed to fight Sergio Martinez on August 1st.

WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 4

8Count Promotions
UIC Pavilion, Chicago , IL
Friday, July 24, 2009

The leather was flying once again for Dominic Pesoli’s 8Count Promotions event Windy City Fight Night 4, playing to a packed house tonight in the Chicago hotbed of boxing talent.






First up was heavyweight TYREE ORTIZ ( Merrillville , IN ), who used his strength and impressive size to pound ERIC CRITTENDON ( Clinton , MO ) into submission. Ortiz needed only half a round to land a killer straight right hand and a series of left hooks that put Crittendon down for good, improving Ortiz’s record to 3-0.

Lightweights GADIEL ANDALUZ ( Chicago ) and OSCAR DE LA CRUZ ( Chicago ) staged a real barnburner in a fast-paced, well-executed fight. Andaluz started strong by taking the first two rounds with his perfect jab and accurate overhand right, which wobbled de la Cruz early in the fight. De la Cruz fought back, though, to rally and take the last three rounds (on the Bolo Punch scorecard) with his left hooks to the body and overall outhustling of Andaluz, who inexplicably stopped jabbing for the last two rounds. Knowing the official scorecards would be close, the crowd waited with baited breath after the final bell was given, but boos filled the air as the scores of 48-47 (Andaluz, twice) and 48-47 (De la Cruz) were read off. In a controversial split decision, Andaluz improves his pro record to 4-1), while de la Cruz moves down to 5-7.





Making his professional debut was NATE MOHR (Crystal Lake, IL) against TOMMY MOORE (Pinebluff, AR) in the third bout of the night, Mohr needed only two rounds to put Moore down three times, prompting the referee to stop the contest at 2:23 of the second round. Mohr brings some mixed martial-arts to the table, and his athleticism is as noticeable as his odd haircut (reminding me of a young Vinny Pazienza), but his boxing ability needs some time to blossom a bit. With opposition like Moore , though, he’ll be just fine for his next few fights, at least. Nate Mohr wins his debut, making his pro record 1-0.






In a super-middleweight bout, MIKE KURZEJA (Chicago) pounded on NICHOLAS WHITTING (Bermidji, MN) for three rounds, but in doing so, proved that he still needs quite a bit of work. Kurzeja is rather strong, but telegraphs all of his shots that, so far, it would take a fighter of the caliber of Whitting (now 1-11) to stand in front of them. Kerzeja bends at the waist well, and has power in both hands, landing big, looping overhand rights and lefts to the face of Whitting, who was stopped at 1:44 of the third round (TKO), improving Kurzeja’s pro record to 2-0.






Next up, DIAMOND JAMES BAIER (Chicago) took on NOE PEREZ (also from Chicago ) in a junior lightweight contest, pitting two high-energy fighters with very little professional experience in a truly stirring war. It should be noted that despite his lack of pro fights, Baier stepped up to be former WBC Lightweight Champion David Diaz’s chief sparring partner for Diaz’s 2008 battle with current pound-for-pound king, Manny Pacquiao. Both fighters were on top of the action at various points in the bout, with Baier’s fast, flashy style matching up beautifully with the accurate, plodding power of Perez. Perez was dropped in the second round, from a short straight left hand from Baier, but Perez stayed right with his opponent to take the third and fourth rounds with his intensity, giving one of the judges every reason to award him a 38-37 victory, but the other two judges saw the knockdown as the deciding factor to award Baier the victory, and in this game, majority rules. 38-37 (Baier, twice) and 38-37 (Perez) were the official scores to this bout, improving Baier’s pro record to 1-0-1.





Heavyweight debuts are always a bit of a charge for me. . . .and this one was no exception. DAVID “Diesel” LATORIA seemingly brought everyone from his hometown of Chicago to come cheer him on, as Diesel signs and t-shirts were running rampant throughout the UIC Pavilion on this night. Latoria, a late-blooming (27) powerhouse with an extensive football history needed only 1:50 of the first round to knock CHRIS BOYKINS (Holiday, FL) unconscious with a right-left-fight combo against the ropes, sending Boykins nearly onto the media table outside the ring, rendering him asleep for at least three minutes after the fight was waved off. Fortunately, Boykins got up on his own power, and headed back to the dressing room to gather his thoughts, and wonder why he ever took this fight in the first place. Latoria, truly a fan favorite, as well as a fighter worth paying attention to, starts his pro career the right way; 1-0 with 1 KO.




The headline fight of the evening waged “Fast” FRES OQUENDO ( Chicago by way of Puerto Rico) against former WBA Heavyweight Titlist, BRUCE SELDON ( Camden , NJ ) in a NABA heavyweight title fight. Seldon, probably best known for basically handing Mike Tyson his title after a 40 second “fight” in 1996 has always been a physically gifted specimen. Even during his ring walk, he amazed the fans, myself included, by standing ten feet from the ring steps, then without notice LEAPING up to the top step like a gazelle of some kind. Let me just say, it was damn impressive. I only wish Seldon fought with the same intensity. Oquendo, a utility heavyweight who has been impressive in nearly every fight he’s ever been in, had a field day with the post-40 year old Seldon, using his straight jab and overhand right hand to keep Seldon away from him, setting him up for his power shots, which quickly swelled up Seldon’s face and eyes. Seldon occasionally loaded up a telegraphed (albeit quick) left hook or overhand left hand, but they rarely ever found their mark. After seven rounds of taking a beating from Oquendo, Seldon took a knee to straighten himself out, only to be sent to the canvas again in the ninth, this time complaining of a hurt right arm, prompting the referee to stop the fight at 2:35 of the ninth, official stoppage being a TKO.

After the fight, during the in-ring interviews, Seldon said of Oquendo, “I won the title of the world in my first title shot. . . .you lost your first and second chances, but after tonight, THREE TIMES A CHARM!” Seldon hugged the taller Oquendo in the middle of the ring, basically saying he’d never be in Chicago again as a fighter, but as a trainer. Hopefully for the former champion, this was an announcement of retirement. Oquendo took the microphone and said to Seldon, “I appreciate the opportunity to fight the former world champion, and I thank my fans for their unending support.”

***Special thanks goes out to Mr. Dominic Pesoli and Mr. Bernie Bahrmasel of 8Count Promotions for issuing Bolo Punch the necessary credentials to cover this event.

***Written report and ringside photography by Emil Kegebein’s is exclusively the property of Bolo Punch Boxing, and is available for sale at smugmug.com.

Valuev to fight Haye for WBC belt in November

By ROBERT MILLWARD, AP Sports Writer

LONDON (AP)—Tired of waiting for Vitali Klitschko, Nikolai Valuev will defend his WBA heavyweight title against David Haye in November.

The fight is likely to be in Germany on Nov. 7 with Haye, the brash former cruiserweight world champion now trying to make his name as a heavyweight, promising to be the first fighter to knock out the 7-foot Russian.

“It is not the first time that my opponents have said things like that,” Valuev said Thursday. “Haye is a young man with a big mouth. Let him talk. It will be different in the ring. He will certainly not get my belt.”

Valuev’s German-based backers said they had been trying to set up a unification bout with Klitschko, the WBC champion, but they did not hear back from his management.

“I know that a lot of boxing fans really wanted to see Valuev fighting Vitali,” said Valuev’s manager, Wilfried Sauerland. “We wanted to make this fight happen. It was our top priority and I had really good talks with Vitali.

“But all of a sudden, I did not hear back. I could not get in touch with his management anymore. We were under time pressure and at some point we had to look for a different opponent. We are happy to present an up-and-coming challenger such as David Haye. I am sure it will be an exciting fight.”

Haye became available after his challenge to Vitali’s brother, Wladimir, was called off last month because Haye injured his back in training. Haye was also close to a deal to fight Vitali before deciding to take on Valuev instead.

Haye is still a novice at heavyweight, having fought only twice at that level, and will be nine inches shorter and probably up to 100 pounds lighter than Valuev, the tallest and heaviest world champion in boxing history.

The 36-year-old Valuev is 50-1, while the 28-year-old Haye is 23-1.

“I saw the guy actually fight when I was 16 years old at Battersea Town Hall” (in London), Haye said. “I went up next to him and I couldn’t believe human beings got that big. And now I am fighting him. I have got to get inside him and outmaneuver him. Big heavyweights punch a lot harder, but they punch a lot slower, so I can see everything that’s coming.”

Vitali Klitschko’s manager, Bernd Boente, said Thursday that Haye had turned down an offer to fight his client in Frankfurt so he can instead take on Valuev, considered by many a less formidable opponent than the Klitschko brothers.

Boente said he learned about the Valuev deal through the media, and railed against Haye for backing out of what he considered a completed deal to fight Sept. 12 at Commerzbank-Arena.

“The cancellation was very surprising,” Boente said. “Haye’s manager, Adam Booth, did not even have the courage to give me a call personally and tell me about their decision—for me a sign of his inexistent class.”

Wladimir Klitschko also took a shot at Haye, who irked the brothers during a media tour for their scheduled fight. Haye wore graphic T-shirts that depicted him holding the Klitschkos’ dismembered heads up in the center of the ring.

“David always had a big mouth and tried to offend us with ridiculous, self-made T-shirts,” Wladimir Klitschko said. “But when it comes up to step into the ring and show what he’s got, he runs away. He even admits that fighting Valuev is the easier way. For me Haye is a little, inexperienced kid who is afraid of his own courage.”

AP Sports Writers Nesha Starcevic in Frankfurt and Dave Skretta in New York contributed to this report.

Mexican boxer Nazareth dies of brain hemorrhage

MEXICO CITY (AP)—Mexican junior welterweight Marco Antonio Nazareth has died at a hospital in Puerto Vallarta, four days after sustaining a brain hemorrhage in a loss to Omar Chavez.

The 23-year-old Nazareth was hospitalized after the fight, in which Nazareth was knocked down in the first round and knocked out in the fourth.

Nazareth underwent surgery after the fight, but his condition steadily worsened. His professional record was four victories—three by knockout—and four losses.

The undefeated Chavez is the son of former champion Julio Cesar Chavez.