UNDERCARD FEATURES UNDEFEATED WORLD CLASS PROSPECTS IN DANNY GARCIA, TWINS CARLOS AND JUAN VELASQUEZ, ASHANTI JORDAN AND ELOY PEREZ

LOS ANGELES, MAY 20 - The pride of Gilroy, California, former two-time world featherweight champion Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero, returns to HP Pavilion at San Jose on June 12th to fight in front of his Northern California fans in the main event of ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" against Johnnie Edwards.

"We are excited to bring Robert back to his loyal hometown fans," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. "He has a huge fan base there and I know they're going to come out in force to cheer him on."

"It's always nice to fight close to home and when I hear those fans roar, it feels like I can knock out anyone," said Guerrero. "I'm looking to make a statement and I expect to put on a great show for my fans on June 12th."

The co-featured bout pits rising junior welterweight star Danny Garcia against Pavel Miranda in an eight round clash. Also in action in separate bouts on June 12th will be hot undefeated prospects Carlos Velasquez, Juan Velasquez, San Francisco's Ashanti Jordan, Eloy Perez of Salinas and San Jose's Anthony Johnson.

Guerrero vs. Edwards, a 10 round junior lightweight bout that headlines a hard-hitting night of world-class boxing, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The ESPN "Friday Night Fights" livetelecast beginning at 10pm ET / 7pm PT will be broadcast on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN360.com.

Tickets, priced at $100.00, $75.00, $50.00 and $25.00, go on sale to the public on Friday, May 22nd at 10 AM PT at the HP Pavilion Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Unbeaten since 2005, Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero (23-1-1, 16 KO's) has been getting better and better with each passing fight. A two-time owner of the IBF World Featherweight Championship, the 26-year-old defended his title twice before deciding to test the waters at 130 pounds in 2009. In his two 2009 bouts, he stopped Edel Ruiz in 43 seconds and had a no decision rendered in his March contest with Daud Yordan when an accidental clash of heads cut Guerrero, making him unable to continue. On June 12th, Guerrero aims to show a national television audience that he's ready for a title shot at junior lightweight.

A native of Aiken, South Carolina, former United States Marine Johnnie Edwards (15-4-1, 8 KO's) has the talent and discipline to go far in the fight game. For proof, just look at his big wins over former world champions Eric Aiken and Freddie Norwood. After some ups and downs in his pro career, the 29-year-old is back on track and looking for big things in 2009 and beyond.

One of Philadelphia's finest, 21-year-old Danny Garcia (12-0, 7 KO's) has the fight world waiting in anticipation every time he steps between the ropes. Unbeaten in 12 pro fights, the former U.S. Olympic team alternate has been upping his level of competition with each bout and is ready for the next test in his career in the form of Tijuana, Mexico's Pavel Miranda (16-3, 8 KO's). The 21-year-old Miranda has kept up a frantic pace in the fight game since turning pro at 16 and on June 12th, the former WBC Youth champion plans on pushing Garcia harder than he's ever been pushed before.

Champ of underdogs: Douglas healthy, happy at 49

By RUSTY MILLER AP Sports Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio(AP)—Every now and then a few words in a newspaper or on TV take James “Buster” Douglas back 19 years to a Tokyo boxing ring.

He smiles at that memory, and everything he has survived since.

“It’s like I made my mark, it’s proof that I existed on this planet,” he said. “That’s a good thing. I’m really, really proud about that.”

A happy family man, healthy after nearly dying during a diabetic coma 15 years ago, Douglas spends his days in the present. Still, what took place inside the ropes on Feb. 10, 1990, continues to amaze and confound. Even those who lived it have difficulty believing it.

“To tell you the truth, it’s almost something that didn’t happen,” said J.D. McCauley, Douglas’ uncle and corner man. “Then I look at the championship rings on my fingers. It’s funny, it didn’t seem like it happened. You know what I mean? But it did.”

On that winter night in Japan, the largely unknown and mostly ignored Douglas had a broken heart when he touched gloves with the unbeaten and seemingly invincible Mike Tyson.

Iron Mike, long before a spell in prison sent his career and life into a tailspin, was considered a knockout machine. He had a 37-0 record - decking opponents 33 times. The oddsmakers took one look at Douglas’ erratic career and established Tyson as a 42-to-1 favorite. Even that didn’t draw much action on the underdog.

Nicknamed “Buster” by his grandmother because of his youthful spunk, Douglas came into the fight shaken by the death of his beloved, doting mother, Lula Pearl, who had died while he was training for the fight.

Douglas, an athletic 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, had shown flashes of skill in compiling a 29-4-1 record, but most observers felt he was too passive - some even called him too “nice” - to stay upright for long against the vicious, hard-charging and violent Tyson.

They were so wrong. Instead, Douglas pulled off one of the greatest upsets in sports history.

He fought on even terms with Tyson for the first five rounds, gradually gaining in confidence. Then, in the eighth, Tyson caught him with a thunderous uppercut that leveled him. But he got up an instant before the 10 count.

Tyson, overconfident, unfocused or maybe not in top shape, seemed as surprised as the grizzled scribes and announcers at ringside when Douglas continued to hold him at bay. Even those closest to Douglas wondered if he would have the stamina, let alone the heart, to stand up to Tyson because he had had the flu 24 hours before the fight.

Then, in the 10th, it was all over.

Douglas, five inches taller and 11 pounds heavier, flicked jabs in Tyson’s face to keep him from pounding away at his midsection and taking head shots, then countered with punches that dizzied the champ. The lingering image is of Tyson crawling on the mat while struggling to find his mouthpiece as referee Octavio Meyran counted down the final seconds of Tyson’s invincibility.

Amid the chaos in the ring, Douglas was asked how he had pulled off the massive upset. “My mother,” he said, fighting back tears. “My mother.”

When Douglas looks back on that magical year, he fast-forwards through the next nine months. There were appearances on late-night TV, lengthy magazine pieces, countless photo ops and business proposals. In the days when being the heavyweight champion made you one of the most recognized faces in the world, Douglas enjoyed himself and lost his focus. He was out of shape and uninspired when he collected $24.5 million in his title defense against Evander Holyfield, who KO’d him in the third round on Oct. 25, 1990, in Las Vegas.

The years after were not kind. He ate and drank too much and the former high school and college basketball player ballooned to more than 400 pounds, nearly dying after going into diabetic shock in the summer of 1994.

He made it through that trauma, but continued to drift. His once close relationship with manager John Johnson, who had guided his boxing career, ended badly.

His little brother, 35-year-old Robert, was killed in a gunfight in a parking lot outside the Orchid Cleaning Center on Columbus’ Cleveland Avenue in December of 1998. Less than a year later, his father and mentor, former middleweight Bill “Dynamite” Douglas, died of colon cancer at the age of 59.

It took time, but Douglas again got up off the mat.

He and Johnson have mended fences, occasionally meeting to remember the good days. Douglas and his wife, Bertha, moved to Johnstown, a small town not far from Columbus, to raise sons Cardae, known better as B.J., and Artie. Both play football and run track, while B.J., who is about to graduate from high school, also wrestled. Artie, like his dad, was a basketball player as a freshman.

Now 49, Douglas is content watching his kids’ games. He also has a development company that he said will begin construction of retail and housing units next month not far from where he grew up in a tough, downtrodden neighborhood East of Columbus’ thriving downtown.

Douglas said he is happy that his one-time adversary, Tyson, has gotten his due with a recent documentary and a prominent cameo in a soon-to-be-released film. He wishes him nothing but the best.

He’s also regained his health. He weighs only 20 pounds or so more than he did in Tokyo, and tries to fit in time on a treadmill each day. He even has his diabetes under control and has recently co-written a cookbook, “Buster’s Backyard Bar-B-Q Knockout Diabetes Diet.”

Nineteen years later, Douglas’ remarkable upset of Tyson continues to be mentioned as proof that anything’s possible.

“It’s been so long ago, but then you look at those rings and you know it happened,” McCauley said. “As long as you live, they can never take that away from you.”

Occasionally his kids will see a clip of boxing’s biggest upset. It’s a teaching moment for their father.

“I always tell them, ‘You know what? There’s nothing that you can’t do. Whatever you want to try, try, do it. Because you never know,”’ Douglas said with a laugh. “I’m a prime example of that. Never say never, right?”

Cuban defector Rigondeaux to make pro debut

MIAMI (AP)—Former heavyweight contender Jorge Luis Gonzalez blazed the trail 18 years ago.
Gonzalez was the first noteworthy member from the Cuban amateur boxing system to defect in search of professional titles. Since Gonzalez abandoned Cuba following his second Pan American Games gold medal, the list of high-profile defectors has become lengthy, with mixed professional results.

Now it is Guillermo Rigondeaux’s turn to show whether his amateur accomplishments will parlay into professional success. Rigondeaux, 28, is the latest and perhaps most accomplished Cuban amateur boxer to leave the island.

Rigondeaux, who defected in February along with two other national team members, will make his pro debut Friday night at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. He is scheduled to face Juan Noriega of Danville, Ark. in a four-round super-bantamweight bout.

“I am happy that my debut will be here, where there are many Cubans supporting me,” Rigondeaux said. “Now we will see if I am as good as people anticipate of me. I came here to be a world champion.”

Rigondeaux, a veteran of more than 300 amateur bouts, was the top bantamweight in the world over a five-year span. He won Olympic gold medals in 2000 and 2004 and world championships in 2001 and 2005.

Before the 2008 Olympics, Rigondeaux was favored to join countrymen Teofilo Stevenson and Felix Savon as three-time Olympic gold medalists. Rigondeaux instead attempted an ill-fated defection with teammate Erislandy Lara during the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil.

Both boxers were repatriated to Cuba. Lara, now unbeaten in five professional fights, defected in March 2008.

Banned from the country’s amateur system when he returned from Brazil, Rigondeaux successfully left Cuba with Yudel Johnson and Yordanis Despaigne in February.

Johnson, a 2004 Olympic silver medalist, and Despaigne also will make their professional debuts Friday.

“I came to the United States to realize a dream and accomplish great results as a professional fighter,” said Despaigne, bronze medalist in the 2001 and 2003 world championships. “Something which motivates me is that (unbeaten super-middleweight) Andre Dirrell, someone I faced as an amateur, has accomplished much. That shows me I can also make it big in professional boxing.”

Despaigne’s first professional opponent will be Reshawn Scott of Philadelphia. Johnson will face Greg Weathers of Louisville in his inaugural bout.

Rigondeaux and his teammates hope to follow Joel Casamayor, Juan Carlos Gomez, Diobelys Hurtado and Yuriorkis Gamboa as Cuban defectors turned professional world champions.

Casamayor, a 1992 Olympic gold medalist in Barcelona, won professional world titles in two separate weight classes. Gomez and Hurtado, who defected in 1994, also captured belts in the cruiserweight and super-lightweight divisions, respectively.

In only two years since defecting, Gamboa already has a world title. Gamboa, a 2004 Olympic gold medalist, won a super-featherweight belt April 24.

But for all the heights reached by the early defectors and Gamboa, there are Cuban boxers who couldn’t replicate their amateur accomplishments as professionals. Even Gonzalez fell short of his goal.

Although he landed a title fight against then-heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe in 1995, Gonzalez failed to capitalize on his opportunity. Bowe stopped Gonzalez in six rounds and Gonzalez quickly descended from the heavyweight rankings.

Hatton-Pacquiao superfight report

This week we celebrate the success of the underdog as Sam Sexton triumphs over Martin Rogan and a partisan crowd to take the Commonwealth title in Belfast, while big outsider Ovill McKenzie shocks plenty of observers by winning the Prizefighter cruiserweight tournament.

We also look ahead to big fights involving young British stars, as Darren Barker defends his Cmmonwealth title against Daren McDermott, with a British title chance going to the victor, plus Nathan Cleverly meeting Billy Boyle with one eye on rival Danny McIntosh..
Click here for much more

ON THE WEB

Flex Speaks... to Colin Lynes – Hornchurch's former British and European light-welterweight champion talks about why he lost his domestic title and what he plans to to with his future. The likeable Essex man also finds time to give us his predictions on McCloskey-MBaye and Olusegun-Morrison.

'Fury is beatable' – Northern Ireland's Scott Belshaw, the forgotten man of the heavyweight division has stepped in to face unbeaten Tyson Fury at short notice this weekend. He tells us why he can upset the odds.

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TELEMUNDO'S STORY ON CARINA MORENO HAS BE RESCHEDULED TO MAY 22, 2009.

Due to network rescheduling, Telemundo's story on the life of four-time world champion, Carina "La Reina" Moreno, will now be televised this Friday May 22, 2009. All times remain the same. 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.

Bruce æLionheartÆ Scott Vows To Come Back After Shock Loss At Prizefighter 7 - The Cruiserweights.

Following his shock points loss (29-28 twice and 28-27) to John æBusterÆ Keeton in the quarter final of TuesdayÆs spectacular Prizefighter 7 - The Cruiserweights tournament, at EarlÆs Court 2 in West London, former British, Commonwealth and WBU International Cruiserweight Champion, Bruce æLionheartÆ Scott is to continue with his planned comeback, after a three year sabbatical, regardless.

It is understandable that Scott decided to continue his comeback trail as the battle with his former foe - æLionheartÆ had knocked out æBusterÆ both times in their previous meetings - was without doubt the best fight of the night, albeit controversial after the referee gave a standing count to Scott following a close encounter with the canvas following a two handed push by Keeton, as both protagonists clearly had the same game plan - early knockout. The crowd were on their feet from start to finish and no one, but no one, would dare take their eyes of the battle for a second as the heavy hitting pair locked horns in a slugfest of epic proportions. After the fight the fans gave them both a deserved standing ovation.

For the record: ScottÆs opponent, Sheffield's John æBusterÆ Keeton, went on to knockout, in just 2 minutes and 35 seconds of the first round of the semi final, tournament favourite Dean æStarÆ Francis before facing eventual Prizefighter 7 - The Cruiserweights winner, the aptly ring named, Ovill æThe UpsetterÆ McKenzie in an all action final.

London based Jamaican Scott, who retired in 2006 after losing to Hastings Rasani in a warm up fight for an IBO world title challenge against Carl æThe CatÆ Thompson, spoke of the fight, the event and future plans, ôFirstly IÆd like to congratulate Ovill (McKenzie) on his big win, If I couldnÆt win IÆm glad it being me brethren from Jamaica who did. I also want to say what a great night. The crowd were brilliant. Barry (Hearn) and the boys at Matchroom Sports put on a great show.

I really enjoyed myself, the fans were great and the atmosphere in the place and our dressing room with Darren (Corbett), Dean (Francis) and Terry (Dunstan) was electric. Yeah, IÆm disappointed I went out early, I wanted to win it bad. I thought IÆd done enough but the referee count me in the first (round). I donÆt believe he didnÆt see it was a push, not a punch.

This is not the last time youÆll see Bruce Scott, IÆm back in the gym on Tuesday and weÆll build from this. Me and John (trainer/manager John Rooney Jnr.) talked this morning and changed our plan. WeÆd been talking with Main Events about being on the Adamek-Godfrey card in New Jersey on July 10th, but now we decide weÆre gonna get a warm up fight here real soon, and then go for a British title eliminator as soon as possible.ö

John Rooney Jnr appears to have taken the loss far harder than Scott when he reiterated the plans he has for his charge, ôBruce lost the fight because of the knockdown in the first round which was a blatant two hand push. Everybody seen that ringside, IÆm very, very surprised if the referee didnÆt see it. Even if the referee hadnÆt seen it, because the referee has called a standing count, the judges can make their own decision, as it was a push, you see. ItÆs not just about the referee making his own decision. ItÆs a standing count, if the judges donÆt agree with the referee they donÆt have to class it as a two point round.

Bruce stopped him in the second round with some good punches. Third round both fighters pace dropped a little. Any quality punches were thrown by Bruce. I was proud the way Bruce performed after three years out of the ring.

WeÆre gonna get him an eight rounder, hopefully get him a final title eliminator and then weÆll go from there and see how we get along.ö

So the good news for boxing, especially the Cruiserweight division, is that one of the great ambassadors of the sport has decided to continue competing. Watch this space for news on who Bruce æLionheartÆ Scott will be facing next in his quest to add another championship belt to his already extensive collection.

Mayweather set for return to ring against Marquez

By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP)—When Floyd Mayweather Jr. walked away from boxing, he was widely considered the pound-for-pound king, the mythical mantle bestowed upon the best in the game.

Now that he’s back, at least one person believes Mayweather still is: lightweight champ Juan Manual Marquez, whom he’ll face in his highly anticipated return.

“I’m expecting the best Floyd Mayweather ever,” Marquez said Tuesday, at a news conference on the 80th floor of the Empire State Building to help launch the fight. “I’m putting in my mind that he never retired, so I’m expecting the best.”

The two will meet July 18 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where tickets are scheduled to go on sale Friday. They’ll fight at a catch-weight of about 143 pounds, eight more than Marquez has ever fought and the lightest that Mayweather has been since 2005.

Neither believes the weight will make much difference.

Mayweather already has been in the gym a couple of months, ever since giving his adviser Leonard Ellerbe the green-light to screen potential opponents. Mayweather claims he’s close to 147 pounds and pronounced himself fit after a run through Central Park on Tuesday morning.

Marquez has been packing on muscle while training in the mountains of central Mexico.

He said the brutal regimen, which has included several weeks of lifting boulders, has given him confidence that he’ll be the one to finally dethrone the king.

“I always prepare myself to win,” Marquez said quietly, sitting a few feet from where the outgoing Mayweather held court with dozens of reporters. “He’s not a machine, he’s a human being, and human beings can be beat.”

Mayweather, the former five-division champ, hasn’t stepped in the ring since knocking out Ricky Hatton in December 2007, when he was still basking in the aura of his transcending victory over Oscar De La Hoya. He’d cashed in his “Pretty Boy” nickname for one more befitting his agenda—“Money”—and was showing up everywhere from “Dancing with the Stars” to WrestleMania.

That’s when Mayweather abruptly called it quits, turning his attention to show business.

Mayweather’s year away from the ring opened the door for Manny Pacquiao to step through, and the charismatic Filipino icon did it in destructive fashion. Where Mayweather needed 12 rounds to beat De La Hoya, Pacquiao needed eight; where the flamboyant welterweight needed 10 rounds to stop Hatton, the smaller Pacquiao needed only two earlier this month.

Now, much to Mayweather’s chagrin, many consider Pacquiao the best.

“I respect him for what he does, I respect him in the fight game, but I’ve never been beat,” Mayweather said of Pacquiao, who’s lost three times, the last in 2005. “Nobody has the antidote for Floyd Mayweather.”

While most presume the two will eventually settle the pound-for-pound dispute in the ring, Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) must first deal with Marquez, his hand-picked opponent.

Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) lost a slugfest by close split-decision to Pacquiao in 2008, a bout that Mayweather and many others believe the Mexican fighter won. Five years ago, Marquez rallied from three first-round knockdowns to earn a bloody draw with Pacquiao in their first bout.

Marquez’s stunning knockout of Joel Casamayor last year and his brutal knockout of Juan Diaz in February entrenched him as one of the most electrifying fighters available. More importantly, they produced an opponent that intrigued Mayweather enough to return to the ring.

“Marquez is a warrior,” he said, conferring rare praise upon one of his foes. “He’s a hell of a fighter. I don’t have to come here and bad-mouth anybody.”

Mayweather paused for a moment, then added: “They say to be the best, you got to beat the best. I think they got Marquez in the dark and somebody has to give him a shot. Why not me?”

Holyfield targets September world title fight

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield will take another crack at the world title in September, his manager said here Tuesday.

"The September bout could either be against Nikolai Valuev or some other fighter, but it definitely will be against a world champion," Ken Sanders told AFP.

Holyfield is in Addis Ababa to prepare for a July 26 exhibition fight against Ethiopian-born American Sammy Retta to help raise funds for AIDS in what will be the Horn of Africa nation's first ever showpiece boxing bout.

Holyfield, 46, said he is not contemplating retirement despite concerns over his health from some spectators.

"It (retirement) never even crossed my mind. In fact, it reminded me of 1992 when I lost a title and came back to reclaim it," Holyfield said.

"I'll show the world how to be champion at this age."

The four-time world champion failed to clinch a fifth title late last year when he lost to Russian Valuev.

Valuev, the tallest and heaviest champion of all-time according to experts, is currently the holder of the World Boxing Association title.

Holyfield's July 26 opponent Retta is a 35-year-old with a record of 18 wins and three losses in super-middleweight bouts.

At 230 pounds, he now outweighs his more illustrious rival.

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

The July 26 fight will 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 George Foreman in the former Zaire.

Valuev and Uzbekistan's Chagaev are scheduled to box on May 30 for the WBA heavyweight title.

Both fighters hotly dispute the ownership of the belt after Valuev suffered his only defeat when losing to Chagaev in April 2007.

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.