RAMIRO CARRILLO RETURNS TO ACTION IN CHICAGO ON MAY 29TH

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT PROSPECT FACES STIFF TEST IN SECOND BOUT

ADVANCE TICKETS NOW ON SALE


CHICAGO, IL (May 18, 2009) Sensational junior welterweight prospect Ramiro “EL LOBITO” Carrillo will quickly return to action on Friday, May 29th at “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 2” at the UIC Pavilion, it was announced today by Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.

The 18 year old former amateur standout made his pro debut on April 24th with a stunning first round knockout of Steve Hall at the UIC Pavilion. He will battle the much more experienced Oscar De La Cruz at the upcoming May 29th event in a scheduled four rounder. The 32 year old De La Cruz brings a record of 5-6-0 (2KO’s) into the battle with Carrillo.

“We see a lot of young kids make their pro debuts with a splash but Ramiro’s was truly special. It was obvious that his skill level and poise belied his age. He was all business as soon as made his walk to the ring. Once the fight started he was patient, saw the opening and ended it quickly” said Pesoli.

“The fans loved him and wanted to see more of him right away so he’s back very quickly.”

Carrillo’s amateur career included two Chicago Golden Gloves Championships along with three Junior National Golden Gloves titles in addition to winning the National Blue and Gold Tournament. His overall record was 207-13.

Born in Mexico , Carrillo, the youngest of three boys now calls Chicago his home. He is managed by longtime Chicago businessman and boxing manager, Ernesto Pedroza.

Said Pedroza, “I followed Ramiro for a number of years as an amateur. I was always impressed by his skills but also his approach to boxing. He’s very serious and very dedicated to the sport and these attributes are really what a young boxer needs to be successful.”

De La Cruz is much more experienced but we feel confident that Ramiro will be able to take care of business on the 29th.”

Headlining “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 2” is an excellent rematch between Chicago’s Jaime “SUPERFLY” Sandoval and Juan Carlos “EL PEZ” Martinez of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, for the World Boxing Foundation Americas Lightweight Championship, which will be contested over ten scheduled rounds.

On October 19, 2007, Sandoval and Martinez battled over eight epic, bruising rounds, with Martinez winning a unanimous decision at Cicero Stadium.

Advance tickets for “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 2”, starting at $31, are on sale now through the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800 and through Ticketmaster at 312-559-1212 or http://www.ticketmaster.com/.

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/

Telemundo to Showcase Feature Story on the Life of Carina Moreno

Watsonville California (May 18, 2009) - Telemundo's Ramon Diaz showcases the talents of four-time world champion, Carina "La Reina" Moreno, in a story called "La Reina De Los Punos" set to be televised on Wednesday May 20, 2009.

As Diaz talks about Moreno's accomplishments in boxing, he also touches on her personal life outside the ring. The story will air in the San Francisco, Fresno and Las Vegas during Telemundo's (Channel 48) "Conteo De Noticias" at 6:00 PM and again at 11:00 PM. In other cities such as, Tucson, Phoenix, Dallas, San Antionio and Houston, the story will appear at 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

Mario Serrano
Publicist
boxingpublicist@aol.com
(408) 607-5756

Undefeated Heavyweight Prospect Ashanti Jordan Back in Action May 21

Sacramento California (May 18, 2009) - Golden Boy Promotions hard-hitting undefeated heavyweight prospect, Ashanti "The Boss" Jordan (8-0, 7 KO's), returns to the ring Thursday May 21, 2009 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento when he faces journeyman David Johnson in a scheduled six round bout.

Jordan, who trains and resides in nearby Fairfield CA, is happy to be fighting close to home as he stated, "I've been training hard and I want to put on a great show because I have a lot of family and friends that are coming to see me fight. This fight is another step towards my goal of becoming a world champion. I'm excited and I can't wait to showcase my skills to the fans in attendance."

This fabulous fight card is headlined by Woodland California's Vicente Escobedo (20-1-0, 12 KOs) vs. Kevin Kelley (60-9-2, 39 KOs) and is promoted by Don Chargin Productions in association with Golden Boy Promotions and Maloof Sports and Entertainment.

Tickets priced $102.50, $77.50, $52.50 and $22.50 are available at Tickemaster.com or the Arco Arena Box Office hotline's at (916) 649-TIXS, (530) 528-TIXS, (209) 551-TIXS. $12 Toll plazas open at 5:30 PM. Doors open 6:30 PM. First fight at 7:30 PM

Mario Serrano
Publicist ~ Team Jordan
boxingpublicist@aol.com
(408) 607-5756

Major to Face Clark for NABA Belt WBA NABA Lightweight Championship on the line in Buffalo, June 19

Promoter Nick Garone and X-Cel Worldwide have put together an enticing championship bout for their "Buffalo Beatdown" show on June 19 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in Buffalo, New York.

All-action lightweight Meacher Major "Pain" of the Bahamas will face Columbus, Ohio's Michael "Cold Blood" Clark (38-5-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-round battle for the vacant NABA Lightweight Championship.

Major turned himself into an instant fan favorite in Buffalo last February by becoming the first man to stop super-durable veteran Kevin Carmody in an exciting shootout. The skilful Clark has been on the cusp of a world title fight in the past and already fought to a draw for the same NABA belt in 2008.

Garone says although Clark is a dangerous opponent, he believes 27-year-old Major has the tools to become a world champion. "I don't feel like Meacher was brought along properly in the past. He's got a ton of potential. His losses are to Edner Cherry (via split decision), Lamont Peterson and Edgar Santana and they're all good fighters. And now that he's got proper training facilities and sparring, he's going to make a real dent in this division. I have enough confidence in Meacher to be putting him in with a world-class guy like Clark, so what's that tell you?"

At stake for both fighters will be the WBA's North American Championship and a bump up to the top-10 of their world rankings.

Also featured at the "Buffalo Beatdown" will be popular Niagara Falls, New York, super lightweight Nick "Hands of Gold" Casal (18-4-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round match-up. On the undercard, Rochester super lightweight Kenny Abril, Buffalo light heavyweight Lionel Thompson and Buffalo heavyweight Excell Holmes (pro debut) will see action.

Garone brought professional boxing back to Downtown Buffalo for the first time in six years last February with a show that was surprisingly well attended and very well received by fans. The "Buffalo Beatdown" will be his third professional boxing show in Western New York in less than a year. "I know Buffalo loves boxing, so we're going to give them the world-class shows they deserve."

Tickets for the "Buffalo Beatdown" can be purchased starting Monday, May 18 and are priced at $30, $45 and $75 for ringside. They can be purchased online at www.championsofboxing.com or by calling 877.77CLICK. A small amount of VIP seating is available by calling 631.878.1676.

Boxer being investigated for suspicious substance

By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—The California State Athletic Commission confiscated a suspicious substance from the corner of Colombian boxer Edison Miranda during his loss to Andre Ward on Saturday, Ward’s trainer and the fight’s promoter told The Associated Press.

Trainer Virgil Hunter said the substance was in a brown bottle resembling a Vaseline tub apparently hidden in a bag in Miranda’s corner. When Miranda’s cornermen were spotted taking the substance out of the bag around the fourth or fifth rounds of the fight at Oakland’s Oracle Arena, it was seized before officials actually saw it given to Miranda, according to promoter Dan Goossen.

“We’re not sure if anything was going on, but it’s good they caught it,” Hunter said.

Goossen said the athletic commission will test the substance and could have results by Monday.

The commission’s offices were closed Sunday, but spokesman Luis Farias confirmed officials seized something from Miranda’s corner during the bout. The commission will determine its next step Monday, Farias said.

Ward (19-0) won the 168-pound fight in his hometown with a comfortable unanimous decision over Miranda (32-4), a former top middleweight prospect who has lost to champions Arthur Abraham and Kelly Pavlik in the past two years.

“I don’t want to jump to any conclusions right now,” Goossen said. “That’s why I didn’t say anything (Saturday). There’s nothing worse than taking away from a good victory by putting the focus on something else.”

Miranda’s managers, Steve Benbasat and Greg Wantman, didn’t immediately respond to e-mails.

Hunter and Goossen don’t assume anything illegal occurred, and most of the substances applied to boxers’ heads and bodies during fights are legal petroleum jelly mixes or coagulants to stop bleeding.

But boxing lore also is filled with stories of substances surreptitiously applied to a fighter’s head or arms that could irritate an opponent’s eyes or open cuts. Ward had a cut above his eye from early in the first round after a head-butt from Miranda.

Petroleum jelly is routinely applied to fighters’ faces to stop cuts and to lessen the impact of punches to the face, although it’s not allowed on the body and can’t be used excessively, according to California’s boxing code of regulation.

The California commission suspended former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito for at least one year in February after illegal wraps containing a substance resembling plaster of Paris was discovered on his hands before his fight against Shane Mosley in Los Angeles.

Ward stated his case for a title shot with his decisive victory over Miranda, although the 2004 U.S. Olympic gold medalist might not get it immediately. Ward has called out WBC champion Carl Froch of Britain, and Goossen also would like to match Ward against IBF 168-pound champ Lucian Bute, who hasn’t fought outside of Montreal in four years.

“I want any champion with a belt,” Ward said. “My respect is here now, and it’s going to continue to grow. That’s the story of my career. … I don’t know what it is about my style, but they get in there and then they see something different. By the time they figure it out, it’s too late.”

Gleason’s Famed Trainer John Rooney Jnr. Speaks His Mind On Bruce Scott, ‘Buster’ Keeton and Prizefighter 7 - The Cruiserweights.

John Rooney Jnr. head coach and owner of the World Famous GleasonÆs Gym London near Tower Bridge, spoke out on the upcoming Prizefighter 7 - The Cruiserweights, which takes place at EarlÆs Court on Tuesday May 19th, and the chances of his charge, former British, Commonwealth and WBU International Champion Bruce æLionheartÆ Scott, being victorious and pocketing the top prize of ú25,000.

Rooney, who as a manager and/or trainer, guided many well known fighters, such as fellow Prizefighter 7 competitor Micky Steeds, British Featherweight Champion Martin Lindsay and British, Commonwealth and European Middleweight Champion Howard Eastman, to national and International glory, was chosen by æLionheartÆ to prepare him for his return to big time boxing, following a three year sabbatical from the sport, because as the big Jamaican simply puts it. ôJohnÆs the best in the business and GleasonÆs is the best gym in the Worldö

Following ScottÆs final coaching session the ever chirpy Irishman sat down and spoke about ScottÆs preparations, his first opponent in the tournament and the Prizefighter series.

On ScottÆs training Rooney said. ôBruce is training really well at the minute. HeÆs been out for three years but has lived the clean life in the three year period and hasnÆt abused his body. IÆve known Bruce for ten years and IÆve never seen him looking this good.

Bruce ScottÆs gonna be hard to beat, put it like that, Bruce is gonna be hard to beat. In sparring heÆs been dropping heavier guys to the head and the body. I donÆt have any concerns on any of the guys in Prizefighter including the ones coming up from Light Heavyweight to make Cruiserweight. Bruce Scott has every chance of winning.ö

On learning that Scott has been drawn to face the former World Boxing Foundation and World Boxing Federation, WBO Inter-Continental and BBBofC British Champion, John æBusterÆ Keeton, in the second quarterfinal of Prizefighter 7 - The Cruiserweights on the 19th May at EarlÆs Court, Rooney grinned broadly before saying ôI think weÆll be fighting the winner of one of the other quarterfinals in the next round. Bruce has knocked Buster out twice. Not that IÆm saying heÆll do that again, but this is the best I have seen Bruce in ten years quite frankly.ö

This will be the third time that æLionheartÆ and æBusterÆ have fought each other. The first, in December æ94, Scott knocked Keeton out in the second round. Almost six years to the day, on the 16th December 2000, they faced each other again for the BBBofC British Cruiserweight title. After six rounds of brutal action æLionheartÆ again finished off æBusterÆ with a devastating knockout punch.

Finally Rooney gave his thoughts on the Prizefighter series. ôItÆs really good entertainment, ItÆs the best boxing on the telly. ItÆs an all drama type situation. ItÆs a great success for TV. Barry Hearn is talking about taking the series to the US and Asia as well. ItÆs brought the life back to boxing.ö

The Prizefighter series is a knockout boxing tournament created by boxing promoter Barry Hearn and aired on Sky Sports. The format has an initial eight fighters compete in four quarterfinals with the chance of fighting their way into a final fight for a chance to win a main prize of ú25000. All contests take place on the same evening and consist of 3 x 3 minute rounds.

Prizefighter 7: The Cruiserweights, takes place at EarlÆs Court in West London on the 19th May 2009. The eight fighters that compete in Prizefighter 7 are all former champions. They are British, Commonwealth and WBU International Champion Bruce æLionheartÆ Scott (27-9), Commonwealth Cruiserweight Champion Darren æRaging BullÆ Corbett (27-4-1), British and European Cruiserweight Champion Terry Dunstan (20-2), British, Commonwealth and European Light Heavyweight Champion Dean æStarÆ Francis (30-3-1), British Cruiserweight Champion John æBusterÆ Keeton (26-16), British and Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Champion Neil æSimmoÆ Simpson (26-18-1), British Southern Area Cruiserweight Champion Micky Steeds (12-4) who replaced Mark Krence, who pulled out following an injury sustained during training, Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Champion Ovill æThe UpsetterÆ McKenzie (14-9)

Take note now so you donÆt kick yourself afterwards. Prizefighter 7 - The Cruiserweights is a donÆt miss event and will be held at EarlÆs Court Arena in West London on Tuesday 19th May 2009

Tickets cost ú25 (unreserved) and ú50 (reserved, ringside) and are available by calling 0870 264 3333 or 01277 359900.

Ward wins unanimous decision over Miranda

By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Andre Ward remained unbeaten and stayed on course for a 168-pound title shot this year with the biggest victory of his pro career, a unanimous decision over Colombia’s Edison Miranda on Saturday night.

Ward (19-0, 12 KOs), the 2004 U.S. Olympic gold medalist, showed resilience in fighting 11 1/2 rounds with a cut over his left eye caused by a head-butt from the free-swinging Miranda (32-4). Although Ward couldn’t land a knockout, he clearly demonstrated better skill and discipline while thriving in the late rounds of just the second 12-round fight of his career.

Fighting at Oracle Arena in his hometown for the first time as a pro, Ward heard his name chanted during several rounds, and received a standing ovation afterward from the crowd of 7,818.

“This is kind of a bittersweet victory,” Ward said. “I’m happy and excited because the fans had a good time, and there were a lot of people here, but I’m not 100 percent happy with my performance. I’ve got to go look at the tape. I did some things well, but I felt I could have improved in other areas.”

Two judges scored the fight 119-109 for Ward, while the third favored him 116-112. The Associated Press also scored it 117-111 for Ward.

Miranda once was a prime 160-pound prospect, but was knocked out by Kelly Pavlik and Arthur Abraham in the last two years. The loss is his third in seven fights.

“I thought it was going to be easier, but it was tougher than I was expected,” said Miranda, a prodigious pre-fight trash talker. “I don’t feel cheated. Andre is the champion. I have respect for him.”

Miranda represented the biggest professional test for Ward, who has progressed deliberately in the nearly five years since his triumph in Athens, where he won the only gold medal for an American fighter in the last three Olympics. Injuries and overall caution kept Ward from capitalizing instantly on his Olympic success, but Virgil Hunter, his trainer and longtime mentor, believes Ward is ready for every top name in the super middleweight division.

Ward hopes his next fight will be against WBC 168-pound champion Carl Froch of Britain, who dramatically stopped Jermain Taylor in the final round of a bout Froch was losing last month. Ward is expected to be Froch’s mandatory challenger.

Barely a minute into this fight, Miranda lunged toward his retreating opponent and connected head-to-head with Ward, who complained to the referee. Ward fought the rest of the round with blood covering his face, and the cut opened again in the second.

“The cut was never a big factor,” Ward said. “I knew I had to keep my cool. Miranda is an awkward guy with long arms. … I would have liked to have stopped him, but I did what I had to do, and that’s the mark of a good fighter.”

Indeed, Miranda seemed more dazed than Ward from the exchange. He allowed Miranda to stalk him in the opening rounds, but replied with counterpunches and defense until Miranda eased off in the fourth.

Ward began to attack, landing big shots with both hands as he switched stances and broke down Miranda’s defense. Miranda rallied in the middle rounds when Ward wandered off his game plan, but the Olympian quickly got it back together, even while his left eye gradually got worse.

Ward fell to the canvas with about 20 seconds left in the 10th round, but his slip clearly wasn’t a knockdown.

Many top East Bay athletes turned out for Oakland’s biggest boxing event in about two decades, including Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell and Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson.

On the undercard, John Molina Jr. and Frankie Archuleta were roundly booed after their lightweight bout was stopped in the second round when the referee ruled Archuleta couldn’t continue. Molina improved to 17-0.

Shawn Estrada, the American Olympic middleweight in Beijing, improved to 6-0 with a first-round stoppage of Cory Jones, a late substitute from Brooklyn who barely threw a punch in anger. Estrada has finished every opponent with a knockout since turning pro.

Fragomeni draws with Wlodarczyk to keep title

ROME (AP)—Giacobbe Fragomeni retained his WBC cruiserweight title Saturday night, earning a draw with Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in his first defense.

Judge Richard James Davies scored the bout 116-112 for Fragomeni, Robin Dolpierre had it 114-113 for Wlodarczyk, and Esa Lehtosaari scored it a 114-114 draw.

The 39-year-old Fragomeni was able to avoid the Polish challenger’s long reach to get in close and throw combinations, before his foot speed took him away from danger.

The Italian champion—who beat Rudolf Kraj to win the vacant title last October—finally began to land some powerful shots as he relaxed into his style, but it never appeared that Wlodarczyk would be stopped.

The 6-foot-9 Wlodarczyk, enjoying a foot in height advantage, hung around until Fragomeni began to tire in the later rounds. He put Fragomeni to the canvas in the 11th and thought he’d done it again, but referee Ian John-Lewis ruled the second time that Wlodarczyk had hit the champ while he was still down.

Fragomeni (26-1-1) hasn’t lost in six fights since being stopped by former unified champion David Haye, who has since moved up to heavyweight and will challenge Wladimir Klitschko in Germany later this summer.

Wlodarczyk (41-2-1) hasn’t lost since dropping a majority decision in an IBF title fight to Steve Cunningham in May 2007.

Ward ready to step up to trash-talking Miranda

By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—While Andre Ward sat calmly on a nearby stool, Edison Miranda turned the canopied stage in the sun-kissed downtown square into his pulpit.

Miranda criticized Ward’s skills, then praised his opponent, then ripped him again. The Colombian fighter curiously proclaimed the imminent death of boxing two days before the two are scheduled to step into the ring. He announced God had personally guaranteed him a victory Saturday—all this after claiming he was tired of talking about the bout.

Miranda then stepped to Ward and glowered, hoping to punctuate his verbal threats. Ward instantly rose with a malevolent gleam in his eye—a look many have long wondered whether the last American Olympic gold medal boxer would ever flash at a foe.

“Don’t get my intensity wrong,” Ward said. “This guy’s whole game is built around fear and intimidation, and I’m not going to buy into that. I don’t fear any man, and he’s going to understand this now.”

The 25-year-old Ward is aware of the stakes in just his 19th pro fight since his triumph in Athens nearly five years ago. After numerous injury setbacks along his deliberate path, he’s finally in position to get a 168-pound title shot if he can beat Miranda in his hometown’s biggest boxing event in many years.

Miranda (32-3, 28 KOs) is a concrete-fisted puncher with unpolished skills who’s been stopped by Kelly Pavlik and Arthur Abraham, but he’s also the most accomplished and dangerous fighter Ward has ever faced.

A victory could finally grab the attention of the elite super middleweights Ward now believes he’s ready to fight: Jermain Taylor, Lucian Bute, Carl Froch or Librado Andrade, who all turned down the chance to meet Ward, trainer Virgil Hunter claims.

“I know this is a fight where everything is on the line for me,” Ward said. “This is the kind of fight I want. This is the test that I need, to show people what I’m all about and what I can accomplish in this sport. I want to be a world champion, I want that title shot, and Edison Miranda is in the way.”

Ward is both a disciplined boxer and a suburban father. His quiet demeanor and squeaky-clean piety—he chose “S.O.G.” or Son of God, as the nickname adorning his trunks and warmups—sometimes seem out of place in his cutthroat sport.

His promoter, Dan Goossen, has long claimed a dynamic champion lurked inside Ward, who developed himself as a teenager into a world-class amateur boxer. The Olympic version of the sport requires more elusiveness and less brute force, and Ward has spent the last several adjusting those skills to fit the pro game.

“He’s done the work to get to this point, and now he’s really, totally ready to fight anybody,” said Hunter, a fellow Oakland native who can’t remember a fight this big in his hometown since George Foreman knocked out Charles Hostetter at the Coliseum in July 1987.

Ward’s hometown fans have been bombarded by advertisements and attention surrounding the fight, which has the potential to be the most entertaining of his career. Nine of Miranda’s last 11 fights have ended in knockouts, and Ward had a streak of seven straight stoppages before his lopsided decision victory over Henry Buchanan in February.

Although Miranda represents a new class of opponent for Ward, Hunter isn’t impressed by his expensive suits or his big mouth.

“He brings on this persona, but the TV people created him,” Hunter said. “The networks gave him the name. Who has he beaten? He’s everything to the media what a boxer should be. Andre does things a different way, and he’s going to be rewarded for it.”

Holyfield to fight Ethiopia exhibition bout in July

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield will fight an exhibition match in Ethiopia in July to help raise funds for AIDS victims, promoters announced Friday.

The 46-year-old will take on Ethiopian-born American Sammy Retta in Addis Ababa on July 26, in what will be the Horn of Africa nation's first ever showpiece boxing bout.

"The two boxers and their team will arrive in Addis Ababa on May 17th to conclude a contract and for promotional purposes before the match on July 26," promoter Eshetu Belay told a press conference.

The match will cost organisers upto seven million dollars, Eshetu said, but declined to disclose how much Holyfield would receive in appearance money.

"Evander showed extreme enthusiasm to fight for the first time in Africa. He is very much delighted to be part of such a worthy cause," Eshetu added.

His scheduled opponent is a 35-year-old super-middleweight.

The four-time world champion last fought a competitive match at the end of last year when he lost in controversial circumstances to Russian Sultan Ibragimov in an attempt to clinch an unprecedented fifth title.

Holyfield is best remembered for having his ear bitten off by Mike Tyson in 1997 in a match which was later coined as the "The Bite Fight".

The fight would rank as one of the highest-profile all-American boxing bouts on African soil since the legendary 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" that pitted Muhammad Ali against Joe Frazier in the former Zaire.

Earthquake Predicted for May 19th - Bruce ‘Lionheart’ Scott To Face
‘Buster’ Keeton At Prizefighter 7

The Southern area seismic centres are going to have to shut down this coming Tuesday as Hackney, London, based Jamaican former WBU International, Commonwealth and British Cruiserweight Champion Bruce æLionheartÆ Scott learned that his first opponent, in the Prizefighter 7 - The Cruiserweights tournament at EarlÆs Court Arena in West London on May 19th, is SheffieldÆs John æBusterÆ Keeton, and has predicted an earth shaking knockout of his former foe.

Scott, who is returning to the ring after a three year sabbatical from the sport, has been taking his preparations for the tournament very seriously. In addition to securing the services of one of LondonÆs top boxing coaches, John Rooney Jnr of the famed GleasonÆs Gym London, near Tower Bridge, æLionheartÆ has also been sparring with some of the UKÆs top fighters including current British Heavyweight Champion, Danny æThe Brixton BomberÆ Williams, best known as the man that knocked out æIronÆ Mike Tyson, to ensure he is fighting fit for the event.

When recently asked if he thought that being three years out of the ring may put him at a disadvantage JamaicaÆs favourite son answered, ôFirst of all, I think the lay off has been good for me as IÆve had a good rest, no stress, nobody around me stressing me going boxing, boxing, boxing. I just kick around and spend time with my kids and family. IÆve boxed for the World championship 3 times, I think that was good for me. If I win this (Prizefighter 7 tournament) IÆll get a shot at the British title again. IÆll get to fight Rob Martin and knock him out and then get to fight for a World championship again. ItÆll be great if I win that. ItÆll be magicö

Like æLionheartÆ, Keeton is a former multi title holder. During his near sixteen year professional career æBusterÆ has held both the World Boxing Foundation and World Boxing Federation Cruiserweight World titles as well as WBO Inter-Continental and BBBofC British titles.

This will be the third time that æLionheartÆ and æBusterÆ have locked horns in battle. In their first meeting, at the York Hall in Bethnal Green in December æ94, Scott knocked Keeton out in the second round. Almost six years to the day later they were to face each other again, this time in KeetonÆs own back yard at the Sheffield Arena on the 16th December 2000, in a BBBofC British Cruiserweight title fight. After six rounds of brutal toe to toe combat æLionheartÆ again finished off æBusterÆ with a devastating knockout punch.

On being drawn to face his old foe Scott said, ôAh, Buster, bless him. I knocked him out cold already, twice. Then again maybe third time lucky. Na, It will be third time lucky for me. IÆm in good shape and intend to knockout old Buster again.

I want to knock them all out. Anybody come in the ring with me IÆm gonna knock them out. IÆm gonna let them know Bruce Scott is back. Then IÆm going for the British Championship and knock Rob Martin out as well.ö

Should æLionheart make this a a hat trick win over æBusterÆ Keeton he will then progress to the semifinal, later that evening, to face one of the other successful quarterfinalists.

The Prizefighter series is a knockout boxing tournament created by boxing promoter Barry Hearn and aired on Sky Sports. The format has an initial eight fighters compete in four quarterfinals with the chance of fighting their way into a final fight for a chance to win a main prize of ú25000. All contests take place on the same evening and consist of 3 x 3 minute rounds.

Take note now so you donÆt kick yourself afterwards. Prizefighter 7 - The Cruiserweights is a donÆt miss event and will be held at EarlÆs Court Arena in West London on Tuesday 19th May 2009

Tickets cost ú25 (unreserved) and ú50 (reserved, ringside) and are available by calling 0870 264 3333 or 01277 359900.

Prospect Hightlight Carlos Ivan Velasquez

8CountNews.com caught up with Golden Boy Promotions super featherweight prospect, Carlos Ivan Velasquez. This talented young fighter is coming off of a 1st round knockout over Andres Ledesma and looks to continue the rise up through the division rankings. Managed by Shelly Finkel, it appears that this young prospect has all the tools to go from prospect to contender in the near future.
　
8CountNews.com: Carlos, welcome to 8CountNews.com. You're coming off an impressive TKO where you demolished Andres Ledesma in the first round. Can you tell us about that victory?

Carlos Ivan Velasquez: This was my first fight back since I injured my bicep in September of 2008. It was good to get back in there and show the fans and media in attendance that I was completely healthy and ready to go. I landed some good body blows that opened up some holes to land my overhand right. I dropped Ledesma once before knocking him out late in the round. Continue Reading..

Mario Serrano
Publicist ~ Shelly Finkel Management
boxingpublicist@aol.com
(408) 607-5756

One In A Million Boxing Helps Legendary Gary P.A.L. Reopen

May 13 (Merrillville, In) - The Gary P.A.L. Program was the starting point for some of the world's greatest fighters including former world champion Angel Manfredy and the current WBC International Super Lightweight and NABC Lightweight Champion "Merciless" Mary McGee.

Both of whom were in attendance along with another 100 fight fans to watch an amateur fight card dubbed "The Comeback." This event could have never happened if it wasn't for the hard work of Coach John Taylor and donations from Octavius James' One In A Million Inc.

The gym has boxing posters clattered all over the walls showcasing some of the sport's biggest fight cards, but not too long ago the walls were covered in water that was as high as the ring and mold that had built up from the flooding that stunned the region destroying most of the furniture that once sat inside the gym.

"It was a shame to see such a legendary place on the verge of disappearing, that gym and coach (John) Taylor are the heart of boxing in Gary," said Octavius James, C.E.O. of One In A Million Inc. Taylor presented McGee with a plaque that gave thanks to James and One In A Million Inc. for the funds they donated from their fight card "SLUGFEST 2009."

"I was so sorry that I couldn't be there to accept that plaque, because that means more to me than any award I could ever receive," said James. "To give kids from the city I was raised in a chance to do better with their lives is such a special honor for me."

"With Octavius and One In A Million helping us rebuild our gym and their donations, it really helped make this a success," said Taylor. "I'm so excited about this card, because people came out and the fights have been great; it's just been amazing."

One of the future stars of boxing given a chance to step into the recently refurbished ring was Portage 15 year-old Alexis Carrasco. Carrasco was making his amateur debut and ended it with a bang and a 1st round TKO. "I was training at One In A Million before coming here and to know that this is where Mary and Angel got their starts means a lot and it was coach Taylor that helped them get to where they are now," said Carrasco.

Octavius James' One In A Million Inc. gets back to business with the "Tinley Park Rumble". Tickets can be purchased at VIP $100, VIP ringside $75, ringside $50, and general admission $30 and they are available from any Ticket Master location at (800) 745-3000, (866) 438-7372 or www.TicketMaster.com.

The Holiday Inn/Tinley Park Convention Center, which is just 25 minutes from Northwest Indiana, will open doors at 7 p.m. with the first bout at 8 p.m.

Visit us at our new knockout website and leave us some feedback: www.oneinamillionboxing.com

Contact:
Aaron Pineda
Publicist/Media & Public Relations
One In A Million Inc.
apineda@oneinamillionboxing.com

Professional Boxing
Saturday, May 16, 2009 7pm
Farm Bureau Building Indiana State Fairgrounds

4 rounds
Mustapha Johnson, Indpls., vs Joe Howard, Kokomo

4 rounds
Julian Nixon, OH vs Moussa Zakou, IN

4 rounds
Mike Dawson, IN vs Josh Johnson, IN

6 rounds
Larry Smith, Lafayette vs Mike Oliveira, FL

4 rounds
Ronald Garr, OH vs Azga Augustama

6 rounds
Travis Loveless, Frankfort vs Billy Cunningham, TN

4 rounds
Dionne Craig, OH vs Thomas Hayes, IL

4 rounds
Derek Hill, IN vs Tom Brown, IL

6 rounds
George Blades, IN vs Tyrone Dowdy, TN

4 rounds
Keon Johnson vs Dave Foster, OH

6 rounds
Dante Craig, OH vs Carlos Adams,

6 rounds
Frank "Ya Ya" Lawrence, IN vs tba

Mitchell Not Deterred by Loss

Former two-time world champion Byron "Gator" Mitchell says his comeback won't be derailed by one setback.

Mitchell took a short-notice chance at a quick bump in the world ratings and paid for it over the weekend by suffering his fifth career loss to undefeated Kazakhstan native Beibut Shumenov at the Stadium Khadjimukan in Chimkent, Kazakhstan, via TKO 4.

"We weren't really in the gym, but we got the call and decided to give it a shot," explained the disappointed Mitchell, who took the Shumenov matchup on 48 hours notice, flew 27 hours and landed on the day of the fight at 9 am.

To compound his disadvantages, Mitchell was then forced to drop some weight pre-fight.

"I take nothing away from this kid Shumenov, he fought well. But that wasn't the real Gator in there. I'd like to face him again under more even circumstances."

Mitchell's promoter, Nick Garone of X-Cel Worldwide, says although the entire team knew the odds they were up against, the opportunity to fight for the International Boxing Association, WBO Asia Pacific, WBC Asian Boxing Council and interim PABA light heavyweight championships in one fight was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

"We knew going in it was a steep hill to climb, but a loss like this is explainable and doesn't affect our future plans with Byron. He still has his NABA-US title and he'll be back."