Manuel Quezada Weighs in at 230 Ready For New Opponent

WBC CABOFE CHAMPION

MANUEL "EL TORO" QUEZADA TAKES ON NEW OPPONENT JEFF BROWNFIELD
WEIGH-INS

QUEZADA (230 LBS) VS BROWNFIELD (208 LBS)

Q & A with Manuel Quezada
By Anson Wainwright ~ 15rounds.com

Tomorrow night in Lemoore, Ca Heavyweight Manuel Quezada 26-4(16) looks to add another win to his increasingly impressive resume. He'll be matched over 8 rounds with journeyman Jeff Brownfield. Having started his career going 11-4 in his first 15 contests it looked as though Quezada was going nowhere anytime soon. However in his next 15 bouts he's gone 15-0. Quezada 31, seems on the cusp of a big fight with one of the leading big guys and hopes that this marking time fight will keep him in good shape and active (Imagine that from a Heavyweight!?!) until his opportunity comes along. Here's what Quezada had to say.

Hello Manuel, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright - In your last fight you stopped Eric Boose in five rounds, what can you tell us about that fight? How do you view that performance?

Manuel Quezada - It was one of my better performances. The last time we fought I won a unanimous decision. This time around I got the KO. I wanted to come out and let me hands go and that was the difference. Since then I've improved my game tremendously. I feel I'm ten times better than I was back then.

Anson Wainwright - Your on a very good run now, you've gone 15-0 since you last lost back at the end of 2005. How have you developed as a fighter since then?

Manuel Quezada - When I first started boxing, I really didn't take it that seriously. I knew I was better than my record showed. So I started getting good sparring and made the move to start training in LA. My timing was getting better and I started to sit on my punches more. That was the difference. Continue Reading...

Mario Serrano
Publicist ~ Tachi Palace Casino
boxingpublicist@aol.com
(408) 607-5756

Haye hopes to revitalize heavyweight division

By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sport Writer

NEW YORK (AP)—One of heavyweight boxing’s harshest critics could end up being its savior.

His name is David Haye, and although he has virtually no following in the United States—what heavyweight does these days?—he’s well enough known in Europe that 47,000 tickets were sold in the first two days for his June fight against IBF and WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Haye combines the knockout power of a young Joe Frazier with the bravado of a young Muhammad Ali, his mouth usually moving just as fast as his hands. He was the undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving up to heavyweight, where he quickly lined himself up for a shot at the long-reigning champion.

A shot at putting some drama back in a stale division, too.

“It’s up to me to come in and shake it up,” Haye said, spicing up his description of the heavyweights with some choice expletives. “Nobody knows what the hell is going on in this division, ever since Lennox Lewis hung it up.”

That said, about the only thing Lewis and Haye have in common is that they’re Brits.

Lewis, who retired in 2003 after stopping Vitali Klitschko in Los Angeles, chose his words carefully and never got too riled up. He was a model of English etiquette, the noble champion with a big following who left a gaping void in the sport when he walked away in his prime.

The 28-year-old Haye (22-1, 21 KOs) speaks without a censor, sometimes without thinking. In just a matter of weeks he’s gone from relatively unknown challenger to the big reason more than 60,000 are expected at Schalke’s soccer stadium in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on June 20.

At news conferences from Germany to London to New York’s Times Square, where he met with reporters Thursday, Haye has been wearing T-shirts that depict him standing in the ring with the dismembered heads of Klitschko and his brother, WBC champion Vitali—promotional ploys intended to get under the champion’s thick skin.

“It’s for shock,” Haye said, rocking back in a chair. “Twenty years from now, they’re not going to remember the T-shirt. They’re going to remember how I destroyed Wladimir Klitschko in Germany in front of 60,000 of his fans.”

The needling has evidently been working.

The usually mild-mannered Klitschko (52-3, 46 KOs) has taken offense at the grisly T-shirts. The only time he’s been this upset before a fight, he confided, was back in 2001, when Klitschko knocked out Derrick Jefferson to defend his title the same weekend as his birthday.

“He said my birthday party was going to be a funeral party. That really upset my brother,” Klitschko said, smiling at the memory. “But he paid the price for it.”

Klitschko is smart enough to understand the marketing element to the sport, that it sometimes takes over-the-top publicity stunts to drum up intrigue. It’s one of the reasons the two fighters also planned a trip to the top of the Empire State Building for photo ops.

The pensive champion thinks the big-punching Haye has gone too far, though, and for the first time Klitschko can remember he is predicting a knockout. In the 12th round, so that he can punish the young challenger as long as possible.

“I think David Haye is an immature fighter and person,” Klitschko said. “I’ll make sure David Haye, after the fight, is going to eat his words. Then he’s going to eat his T-shirt with the words on it.”

Unbeaten "Cobra" Froch risks title against Taylor

MASHANTUCKET, Connecticut (AFP) - Undefeated British super middleweight champion Carl Froch will defend his crown for the first time on Saturday against former undisputed middleweight world champion Jermain Taylor.

Froch, an Englishman from Nottingham nicknamed "The Cobra", carries a 24-0 record with 19 knockouts into his showdown with US star Taylor, 27-2 with one drawn and 18 knockouts, for the World Boxing Council title.

"I want to show the doubters. I want to make a statement," Taylor said. "This is a comeback fight for me and will probably be remembered by the outcome. It's the kind of fight I need."

Froch, whose only prior fight outside England was in 2005 in cinematic wonderland Hollywood, took the title last December in his hometown with a 12-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Canadian Jean Pascal.

"Jermain seems very confident, talking about being back and number one, but make no mistake - this is my belt. I'm the champion. I'm undefeated," Froch said. "Only a few warriors have been able to go the distance with me.

"Come Sunday morning, Jermain Taylor will be disappointed that he doesn't have the belt. I'm showing the Americans what "The Cobra" is made of."

Taylor claimed the undisputed middleweight crown with a 2005 split-decision victory over Bernard Hopkins and defended the title with three triumphs and a draw before being stopped by countryman Kelly Pavlik in 2007.

Taylor lost a unanimous decision in a 2008 rematch and moved up to super middleweight, defeating compatriot Jeff Lacy last November to book his first title bout in his new weight class against Froch.

"I have found the hunger again and it took fighting Carl for the belt to get it back," Taylor said. "I'm more focused on boxing because I don't have to worry about making weight. If I catch him, he's going to sleep."

Valuev-Chagaev fight set for Helsinki

FRANKFURT (AP)—The WBA heavyweight title fight between Nikolai Valuev and Ruslan Chagaev on May 30 will be held in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

Sauerland Promotions said Thursday the fight will be staged at the Hartwall Arena.

Chagaev won the WBA version of the heavyweight title by beating Valuev in Stuttgart on April 14, 2007. He had to pull out of a rematch twice because of a ruptured Achilles’ tendon and was declared “champion in recess” by the WBA. Because of his status, he has to fight Valuev by the end of June.

Valuev won the vacant title in August by beating John Ruiz, then defended it in December against former champion Evander Holyfield.

“The day has come to settle the score,” Valuev said. “I have been waiting for two years to make amends. Only a victory over Chagaev can put my mind at rest.

“Now is the time to end all this confusion. There will only be one WBA heavyweight champion after May 30 and that will be me.”

Chagaev won a technical decision over Carl Davis Drumond on Feb. 7, in the Uzbekistan-born heavyweight’s first fight in more than a year.

Chagaev was ahead of Drumond on points when the bout was stopped after the sixth round because of a cut over Chagaev’s swollen left eye.

Chagaev’s record is 25-0-1, with 17 KOs. Valuev is 50-1, with 34 KOs.

Pacquiao and his bobbleheads good for boxing

By TIM DAHLBERG, AP Sports Columnist

Buzz up!1 vote PrintWillie Mays said hey to him, and a frenzied crowd at AT&T Park couldn’t get enough of him. Not a bad night for Manny Pacquiao, even if they did run out of his bobblehead dolls.

Not a bad time for boxing, either. The sport everyone loves to bash just lost its biggest cash cow in Oscar De La Hoya, but the reports of its demise are, shall we say, premature at best.

Good thing, because where else are you going to get lines like this?

“There’s going to be another bobblehead night on May 2,” said Freddie Roach, who trains Pacquiao. “Only this time we’re going to use Ricky Hatton’s head.”

They just don’t say those kind of things in baseball, which may be good because guys carry bats in their hands. But that didn’t stop the San Francisco Giants from honoring Pacquiao on Tuesday with a Filipino heritage night promotion complete with 10,000 bobbleheads of the fighter for a packed house against the San Diego Padres.

The night tied nicely, of course, into the promotion for Pacquiao’s upcoming fight against Hatton, his first since sending De La Hoya into retirement. The fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is officially sold out (more on that later), but promoters want you to open your wallet to see it in the comfort of your living room with family and friends.

HBO wants you to do that, too, which is why it’s airing another episode Saturday night of its “24/7” reality series that surely will feature lots of footage of Manny Mania in the Bay Area. You’ll see Manny being mobbed by fans, Manny throwing out the first pitch, and Manny having a clubhouse chat with Mays.

Pacquiao is a star, at least at home in the Philippines and among Filipino-Americans. Hatton is a star, too, but mostly just in his native England.

That’s boxing these days. It’s a niche sport that caters to niche fan bases, crossing over every once in awhile with a fighter such as De La Hoya who can sell to the mainstream.

That doesn’t mean it’s dying. Far from it.

Yes, promoters and their television partners almost killed it by refusing for years to match the best fighters against each other, but that has changed. And with it has come a resurgence of sorts for a sport that once seemed threatened to be trampled by the onrushing success of mixed martial arts.

De La Hoya may be retired, but even that’s not all so bad. His retirement frees up pay-per-view dates, and, he’ll still be active as one of the top promoters in the sport. Fans will still see plenty of him, with the only difference being he won’t be taking punches to the face.

“I would argue that boxing is stronger with De La Hoya retired because he so dominated the sport,” promoter Bob Arum said. “Now that he’s gone all the other flowers will bloom bigger.”

Indeed, Pacquiao and Hatton would not be fighting next week if De La Hoya hadn’t officially announced his retirement earlier this month. The Cinco de Mayo weekend was always his on pay-per-view if he wanted it, and his fight two years ago with Floyd Mayweather Jr. was the richest fight ever.

Pacquiao-Hatton won’t match that, but the 140-pound bout has got the makings of a pretty good fight by itself. Pacquiao holds the mythical title of best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, while Hatton’s only loss came on a knockout at the hands of Mayweather. Both are eager to trade punches at a moment’s notice, and neither work too much on their defense.

Both have big fan bases, too, which is why promoters were able to announce this week that the 16,000-seat MGM arena was sold out with a top ticket price of $1,000. Then again, the same promoters announced two hours after tickets went on sale for the De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight that it was a sellout, and 2,000 tickets remained unsold at fight time.

Not all is always what it appears to be in boxing, though that’s part of the charm of the sport. But with Mayweather on the brink of unretiring, middleweight Paul Williams looking dominating, and Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye expected to draw 60,000 to a German soccer stadium in June for an intriguing heavyweight title fight, there should be some good days ahead.

De La Hoya is gone, but as good as he was at selling tickets, someone will take his place. That’s the way boxing has always been.

Maybe even someone with his own bobblehead.

Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlberg@ap.org

Return Of The Mac - Martin ‘Mac Man’ Lindsay Ready For Belfast Title Clash

Belfast’s Martin ‘Mac Man’ Lindsay (13-0) is coming home in style and is
more than ready for his biggest challenge to date, when he takes on
British Featherweight champion, Scotland’s Paul Appleby (14-0), for his
title on the 25th April at Ulster Hall in Belfast.

Lindsay, the current Irish Boxing Writer’s “Young Prospect Of The Year”,
secured the right to face Appleby for the coveted Lonsdale belt after a
stunning come-from-behind 9th round knockout of Liverpool’s Derry Mathews
in September ‘08 at David ‘Hayemaker’ Haye’s promotional debut event in
Sheffield.

26 year old Lindsay is particularly looking forward to the fight on the
25th April as it will be only the second time he will have fought in
front of his home crowd having campaigned in Canada for Orion promotions
since 2007.

Lindsay, who is managed by John Rooney Jnr. of Gleason’s Gym in London and
sponsored by P.U.G. Athletic, is clearly pleased to be home and has
nothing but praise for his Canadian former hosts when he said. "They put
on brilliant shows out in Canada, gave me some tough learning fights and
also delivered me my first title (winning the IBF Youth Featherweight
title against Uriel Barrera in October ‘07). They picked hard opponents
and I thrived on it.

As much as I enjoyed my time out there (in Canada), I was always hoping to
come back and fight in Ireland and England. Nobody from home really got to
see me fight out in Canada. Fighting in front of my home crowd will give
me a lot more profile and will actually allow people to see what I can do.

In any fight, especially at this level, you’re going to have have to dig
deep and pull it out. The home crowd does help to bring that out of you a
wee bit. It gives you a little bit extra. If things start going
pear-shaped you can always rely on the crowd for that extra boost.”

Don’t forget to put a note in your diary as you will not want to miss
this, 25th April ‘09 at the Ulster Hall in Belfast, because the long
awaited clash between the two most exciting and unbeaten young prospects
is finally on and is surely destined to be one of the highlights of an
already excellent domestic boxing season.

Martin Lindsay’s British title fight against Paul Appleby takes place at
the Ulster hall, Belfast on 25th April. Tickets priced at £35, £50 and £70
can be purchased directly by calling 02890 334455

"Date With Destiny" Ticket Winner - Dana Kraska

(Pictured above: One In A Million, Inc. Fan Dana Kraska holds her winning tickets to Saturday Night's "Date With Destiny" World Title Boxing Card)

After numerous attempts and being a longtime fan Dana Kraska finally got her chance to be the One In A Million, Inc. Ticket Winner. "I have been a boxing fan for sometime now and really enjoy all the One In A Million Events, I don't miss any of their shows. I want to thank Octavius James and One In A Million for bringing such a great show to the area and can't wait for the 25th to get here." said an excited Kraska after receiving her ticketsTickets for "Date with Destiny" are on sale now. 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 (219) 791-1234, (312) 559-1212, (866) 438-7372 or http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102557998206&s=160&e=001oUwMpppb60iI8SuZPm8K63_Io5oKsIYsAqWWnxLeCmMgLLu3bfTgGMlv-lJzePge9tqCF7iKmQLi4X1Dsb3cljkCSKitOHHwjS1Kq1mLejZZWNBsseL1CBAIygEgdpqxZpcH_xrPPSwxly1XJEdu5QSMoU5J0a3sFbrk5OnqFDftyPYWLoIg5_p5NoKEc8UuKRjwGPXoSSZtCT5edSuGB4_qBSvrZDMpXOczfs-rg2c= and at the Hammond Civic Center box office (219) 853-6378.The Hammond Civic Center, 5825 Sohl Ave. just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago will open doors at 6 p.m. with the first bout at 8 p.m.
Visit us at our new knockout website and leave us some feedback: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102557998206&s=160&e=001oUwMpppb60hbg7qoC6JLUHVAGDtnNcTMIIK26FLIkc-meAIINHwN1cooQrdhPT34SSOF6TbTKZUWqjNFQHBb07T-KnWnUcSD3Uu_5P7kaFp7NEc2YABQK9qWJRb43pgE

Cestus Fighters Shine in Texas !

By: Cestus Press

This past Saturday night (April 18), Hot blooded Mexican and Mexican American fight fans enjoyed a great night of action packed boxing where Cestus Management fighters Jairo “El BARBARO” Martinez, Hector Ramos, Rodolfo “BABY COBRA” Gomez and James “QUICK DRAW” DuBois produced explosive performances at the I.B.C. World Championship Boxing Event at the Veteran’s Field in Laredo, Texas. The fight card will also be available on Gofightlive.tv .

The second bout was the young San Antonio , Texas , native Jairo “El BARBARO” Martinez (2-0) who got the crowed going early with a dominating performance over the tall and lanky Genaro Castonera over four rounds. Martinez, who is only eighteen, did not skip a beat as he pressured Castonera from the opening round landing vicious combination to both the head and body. In the end, “El BARBARO” was just too much for Genaro and the judges agreed as Martinez won an easy decision.

In the fourth bout of the night former highly decorated amateur and former United States Military Air Force solider Hector Ramos (3-0-0) took on Antonio Gamez in a four round bout. Before the opening bell Ramos looked like he couldn't wait to get started and that's exactly what he did as soon as the first bell rang. Ramos, started fast setting the pace with quick fast double jabs that found their mark followed by a jarring straight right hand followed by a left hook to the body which immediately had Gamez wincing. Although Gamez was tough and hung in their; he did put up a game fight and tried to land as many punches as he could throughout the fight, but Ramos who is a fighting machine methodically disarmed, dissected and punished Gamez giving him a severe beating over four rounds; winning a dominating points victory.

Soon after the Ramos-Gamez bout, the fans where treated to the freaky size of 6ft 3" Welterweight Rodolfo “BABY COBRA” Gomez (4-0-0). Gomez, who is starting to be known for his technical boxing ability and uncanny reach (82"), squared off with Dwight Yett from Austin Texas in a fight scheduled for four rounds. Gomez, who also carries dynamite in both fists, quickly gave the fans what they wanted from the opening round; using fast hard snappy jabs followed by fast combinations to the head and body. Gomez kept this viscous assault going for the first two rounds and looked like he was just getting warmed up, when he went back to his corner at the end of the second round. Yett, to his credit was game throughout the bout and kept trying to bull his way in, taking some heavy bombs in the process, where at the end of the second round he walked back to his corner on shaky legs. That all changed as in the third stanza, as Gomez come out looking to finish the fight and landed a crippling hook to the body and a booming right hand to the head which sent Yett to the canvas which caused the referee to immediately call a halt to the contest.

In the six round co-main event of the evening, San Antonio native James “QUICK DRAW” DuBois (7-0-1) was outright robbed of a fight that he clearly won against the rugged Laredo based brawler Olvin Mejia. Mejia, came out aggressively in the first two rounds trying to land wild hay-makers on DuBois’ chin, but James slick boxing ability made Mejia look clumsy and Amateurish. The classy DuBois made the necessary adjustments needed and began to effectively counter and rip shots down the middle catching Mejia as he rushed in winging shots like a crazy man. By the fourth round of the fight, DuBois was in control breaking Mejia down and appeared to be well on his way to victory, in the fifth and sixth rounds Mejia's face was a mess with one of his eyes swollen and rapidly closing as DuBois had really busted him up. Mejia looked like a loser at the end of the fight and by the expression on his face he new that he had lost and was shocked when the decision was announced a draw.

Gina Iacovou, the company CEO, said, “ Laredo , again, witnessed the talent and quality that our fighters are known for in the boxing world. Jairo ( Martinez ), Hector (Ramos), Baby Cobra (Rodolfo Gomez), and James (DuBois) put on amazing performances and showed what kind of multi talent that will elevate you to the next levels in boxing.”

Mike Michael, said “We are very proud of all of our fighters as every one of them gives better performances every time they fight. Our stable of fighters is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with and their progress is where it should be and will only get better. The boxing fans were able to see some real talented young prospects that have a big future in boxing. Michael added, “I would personally like to thank Gofightlive.tv, Recon Garza Promotions, Anthony Velasquez of Gente Entertainment for their continued support. I would further like to thank the beautiful city of Laredo and all of its fans and city leaders such as Mayor Raul G. Salinas, Sheriff Martin Cuellar, Carlos Villarreal, Jesus M. Olivares,Gene Belmares and Roy Medina for coming out and showing and giving all of their support to Cestus Management.

Other fight results: Reyes Esqueda won a four round decision over veteran Arturo Herrera; Hector Ferreyro won a twelve round decision for the vacant IBC World Heavyweight Title, Heavyweight Bill Willis knocked out Isaac Ruiz in the first round.



CESTUS MANAGEMENT
Makers of Champions

Visa delay keeps Kotelnik from news conference

LONDON (AP)—Junior welterweight champion Andrea Kotelnik expects to keep his distance in the ring against big-punching Amir Khan. He had no choice Wednesday when visa delays prevented him from attending a joint news conference to promote the fight.
The Ukrainian did his talking from Germany.
“I will knock Amir Khan out on June 27 as I am so annoyed right now,” the German-based WBA champion said by phone.
“Khan is a good, ambitious fighter. Like me he won a silver medal at the Olympics and we were beaten by the great Mario Kindelan. But that is where the similarity ends. I am a world champion and I will show my class against this child.”
Kotelnik, who has fought three times in Britain and has a 31-1-2 record, was unable to get a visa in time to fly in for a news conference which was postponed twice. The bureaucratic delays left promoter Frank Warren furious.
“I am very, very disappointed and quite angry about it,” Warren said. “I shouldn’t think he is a threat to national security.”
Warren is confident that Kotelnik’s visa problem will be sorted out before the fight at London’s O2 Arena.

British boxer Amir Khan, left,… AP - Apr 22, 7:44 am EDT
Khan, who is moving up from lightweight, is getting his first world title chance at age 22. He showed his potential with a series of early knockout victories and by beating Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera in a bout that was stopped after five rounds on March 14.
His only loss came when he was knocked out in 54 seconds last September by Colombia’s Breidis Prescott, a defeat that revealed a suspect chin.
Khan said that loss taught him a lesson and he has since been working in the United States with Freddie Roach and sparring in the same camp as Manny Pacquiao, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
“So much has changed from that defeat. I changed from a boy into a man,” said Khan, who first made his mark by winning an Olympic silver medal as a 17-year-old.
“There were times when I would just go in the ring and fight but the Prescott defeat taught me in the right way. If I had gone into that fight and boxed with my mind it would have been a different night.”
Kotelnik has only 13 knockouts among his 31 victories, the last of which was a split decision over the previously unbeaten Marcos Rene Maidana of Argentina in February. Khan’s punching power even in the heavier division should cause the champion plenty of problems.
“I am confident I can do a job on him,” Khan said. “I have got fast feet and fast hands and if I box him cleverly, I think I can make it an easy night and a night I can become world champion.”

Wladmir On Severed Heads

The Heavyweight champion is not happy with David Haye's severed heads T-Shirt stunt and vows to punish him for it.

“FIGHT OF THE YEAR” CANDIDATE THIS FRIDAY NIGHT IN CHICAGO

ANTONIO ESCALANTE VS. GARY STARK ON ESPN2
PUBLIC PRESS CONFERENCE THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT
ADVANCE TICKETS NOW ON SALE

CHICAGO, IL (April 21, 2009) Boxing fans in Chicago are talking “Fight of the Year” candidate about this Friday night’s battle between junior featherweights Antonio Escalante and Gary “KID” Stark in the ESPN2 FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS main event at the UIC Pavilion.

An open to the public press conference will be held on Wednesday night at 7pm at the Union Park Lounge, 228 S. Racine Ave in Chicago, just three blocks north of the UIC Pavilion. Escalante and Stark along with the undercard fighters will attend.

Presented by Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, tickets for ESPN2’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS, starting at $31, can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Online: www.ticketmaster.com, Phone: 312-559-1212) and through the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800.

Said Pesoli, “Since we announced the fight, I’ve had many people who know both fighters tell me their styles make for an outstanding fight. Escalante has only lost once in the last five years. He’s shown numerous times, particularly against Jose Hernandez at Cicero Stadium three years ago when he was hurt badly early in the fight, that he’ll do whatever it takes, absorb whatever punishment to win a fight.”

“About four months after the Hernandez fight, Antonio came back to Chicago and beat Juan Ruiz for the NABO belt in a fantastic war. This is his fourth fight in Chicago and he’s obviously very popular amongst the local fight fans.”

The 23 year old Escalante has won five in a row, brings a record of 19-2-1 (12KO’s) and is ranked #6 by the World Boxing Association.

The New York native Stark, making his first Chicago appearance, brings a record of 22-2-1 (8KO’s) into the twelve round battle with Escalante. He’s won four in a row, most recently a unanimous decision over Leiva Brea in New York City.

Continued Pesoli, “I’ve seen Stark fight a number of times on TV and what always strikes me is his exceptional spirit in the ring. Two fights ago he had a rematch against a tough Colombian, Andres Ledesma, who had knocked him out a couple of years ago.”

“But there’s Gary telling his promoter, “Get me Ledesma again” a year later. And in the second fight which I just watched again his right eye was swollen for most of the fight. Even after the eighth round when the doctor almost stopped the fight because he could barely see, Stark kept attacking Ledesma and got his well deserved revenge taking the decision.”

“Both of them are true warriors and these are the types of fighters I’m honored to promote for the Chicago fight fans and the ESPN2 audience.”

In the co-main event, sensational super middleweight prospect Daniel ‘THE GOLDEN CHILD” Jacobs, 14-0 (13KO’s) of Brookyn, New York, will face Jose “TERRIBLE” Varela, 23-5-0 (16KO’s) in the eight round co-main event.

Also returning to the ring will be Chicago favorite, Ivan Popoca. The junior welterweight, 9-0-1 (7 KO’s), will square off against Canadian veteran Sebastien Hamel, 10-17-1 (1KO), in a scheduled six rounder.

Rounding out the card is 2008 U.S. Olympian Deontay “THE BRONZE BOMBER” Wilder, and Chicago natives; lightweight veteran Leo Martinez and newcomer Noe Perez. Also featured on the undercard will be pro debuters; junior welterweight Ramiro Carillo and Nigerian heavyweight Enobong Umohette.

Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7:30pm with the first bell at 8:15pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 N. Racine, at the corner of Harrison and Racine in the downtown West Loop area of Chicago.

Further details for the UIC Pavilion, including directions, can be obtained through their website at www.uicpavilion.com

About Golden Boy Promotions
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions was established in 2002 by Oscar de la Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. In 2007, in its fifth year of promoting, Golden Boy Promotions set a record by selling over 2.5 million in pay-per-view homes in a single night. Also in 2007, Golden Boy Promotions established the record for highest grossing pay-per-view homes in a single year with more than 4 million total. Golden Boy Promotions is one of boxing’s most active and respected promoters, presenting shows in packed venues around the United States on networks such as HBO, HBO Plus, SHOWTIME, VERSUS and ESPN.

About 8 Count Productions
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 www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxing.com


Contacts: Ramiro Gonzalez / Monica Sears , Golden Boy Promotions:
(213) 489-5631
Bernie Bahrmasel, DOUBLE B PUBLICITY: (773) 289-3415

"THE GHOST" JOINS ELITE IN EA SPORTS "FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 4"

Gilroy, California (April 21, 2009) - Two-time world champion, Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero, has inked a deal with EA Sports. Guerrero, who hails from Gilroy CA, will be one of the select few to be featured in the upcoming EA Sports "Fight Night Round 4" video game. Guerrero joins an elite list of boxers, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and many other current and past champions that are slated to appear in the game.

"Everyone knows EA Sports is the top video game company in the world," said Guerrero. "To be featured in "Fight Night Round 4" with the top fighters in the sport, past and present, is dream come true. I'm very thankful and appreciative to EA Sports for giving me the opportunity to be part of something special. This deal puts my name on a global stage with gamers around the world."

Electronic Arts, the leader in sports video games, has been developing its dynamic product since 1993 and distributes on a global scale. "Fight Night Round 4" is scheduled to be released in the summer of 2009. For more information on "Fight Night Round 4" please visit www.fightnight.easports.com.

ESPN2’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS FRIDAY, APRIL 24TH, UIC PAVILION, CHICAGO, IL

ESPN2’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS is presented by Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions. The live broadcast will start at 9PM Chicago Time. Tickets, starting at $31, for can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Online: http://www.ticketmaster.com/, Phone: 312-559-1212) and through the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800.

Further details for the UIC Pavilion, including directions, can be obtained through their website at http://www.uicpavilion.com/

About Golden Boy Promotions
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions was established in 2002 by Oscar de la Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. In 2007, in its fifth year of promoting, Golden Boy Promotions set a record by selling over 2.5 million in pay-per-view homes in a single night. Also in 2007, Golden Boy Promotions established the record for highest grossing pay-per-view homes in a single year with more than 4 million total. Golden Boy Promotions is one of boxing’s most active and respected promoters, presenting shows in packed venues around the United States on networks such as HBO, HBO Plus, SHOWTIME, VERSUS and ESPN.

About 8 Count Productions
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/

MEDIA WEEK SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009/7PM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC/MEDIA PRESS CONFERENCE
UNION PARK LOUNGE
228 S. RACINE AVE.
(3 BLOCKS NORTH OF THE UIC PAVILION)
CHICAGO, IL
312-243-9002
Main Event, Co-Main and Undercard Fighters to Attend

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2009/7PM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC/OFFICIAL WEIGH IN
MORGAN’S ON MAXWELL STREET
1325 S. HALSTED ST.
(2 BLOCKS SOUTH OF ROOSEVELT RD.)
CHICAGO, IL
312-243-4800

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2009
DOORS OPEN AT 7:30PM, FIRST BELL 8:30PM
ESPN2’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTSUIC PAVILION
525 S. RACINE AVE.
(CORNER OF RACINE AVE. AND HARRISON ST.)
CHICAGO, IL
312-413-5740

Philadelphia Newspaper Lobby US Embassy Over Visa For British Boxer Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston.

British Super Bantamweight Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston, who was refused a visa in order to compete on the under card of Brian Cohen’s WBC Americas Light Heavyweight title fight on the 9th May at South Philadelphia High School, has learned that her plight has not gone unnoticed in the City that has been her adopted home for the best part of two years.

Journalist and boxing columnist Kerry O’Connor, who writes for Philadelphia newspaper Center City Weekly Press and Examiner.com, heard of Marianne’s plight and decided that something pro-active should be done to correct the matter. His solution was to start a campaign of support by encouraging readers of his column to write directly to the American Embassy In London to lobby them to reconsider Marianne’s visa application.
O’Connor wrote in his Philadelphia Boxing column on Examiner.com on the
17th April “Earlier in the week, boxing fans said goodbye to the Golden
Boy. Today, I'm reporting that we're being denied the chance to say hello
to the Golden Girl.

Marianne "Golden Girl" Marston, a Super Bantamweight boxer from London, England, was supposed to make her professional debut May 9th here at South Philadelphia High School.

However, after two years of playing by the rules, and filing proper paperwork with the American Embassy so she could come back and forth between Philly and London to train, the Embassy has denied her visa application.”

O’Connor then provides his readers with further information regarding Marianne and her plight before suggesting to his readers, “If you'd like to see Marianne get her visa, let the US Embassy know! Send an e.mail titled: "Let Marianne box" to Special Consular Services at SCSLondon@state.gov “

The Wednesday 22nd April issue of the Weekly Press will feature a more in-depth article by O’Connor, including an interview with Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, to generate as much interest as possible in the campaign.

So what has made O’Connor leap to support Marianne and campaign on her behalf? "I found the circumstances surrounding Marianne's denial of a visa to be very unfair," said O'Connor. "She's always abided by the rules regarding her travels between the UK and the States in the past, so to say she might not return to London after the fight is ridiculous. She is just as deserving of a chance to box in the States as Ricky Hatton. Let her have her dream. Let her fight."

On learning of Kerry O’Connor campaigning on her behalf a very grateful Marianne said, “When I got a call telling me of the support coming from Kerry through his column I was blown away, I was speechless, what a truly wonderful thing to do.

In some ways I’m not surprised though as everyone there is so nice. Philadelphia is a very special place filled with such wonderful people. When I made the decision to train full time in America I had two choices, Philly or Los Angeles. What swung me to choose Philly was the people, they made me feel at home from the very first day I visited there. I know I was right to do so as they care about others. Kerry proves that, we’ve never met or spoken yet he has done this for me. Wow, that is something else.

I can’t thank Kerry enough as I love Philly and can’t wait to get back...and fight.”

If, like Kerry O’Connor, you would like to help Marianne fulfill her dream to professionally fight in America please send an e.mail titled: "Let Marianne box" to Special Consular Services at SCSLondon@state.gov asking them to reconsider Marianne Marston’s visa application. www.mariannemarston.com

For tickets and further details for the ‘Brawl on Broad Street’ event on
9th May 2009 at South Philadelphia High School please contact:

Donna Cohen
ABBCorp, Inc. & Bionic Bull Enterprise
Tel: 215 755 8155

Jessica "The Ragin" Rakoczy Returns After One Year Layoff"

Former WBC Lightweight world champion, Jessica "The Ragin" Rakoczy (29-3, 10 KO's) returns to the ring April 23, 2009 at the Tachi Palace Casino in LemooreCA, in a rematch against New York, N.Y.'s Belinda Laracuente (23-24-3). Rakcozy took a year off while nursing her body as she was pregnant and gave birth on November 16th 2009, to a healthy 7 lbs 9 oz baby boy, whom she named Jesse Jr.

"Words can't describe what its like being a mother for the first time." said Rakcozy. "I'm very blessed to have Jesse Jr. in my life. I'm very appreciative to Christian Printup who stuck with me through this layoff. My goal is to comeback strong and prove to everyone that I'm an elite fighter. I can't wait to get in the ring and perform to my best ability."

In Rakoczy's last fight against Cindy Serrano on April 17, 2008, Jessica won every round on all scorecards, proving she has the skills to compete at the highest level. With that victory, Rakoczy captured the NABF title, and looks to defend it come fight night with hopes of recapturing the WBC world lightweight championship.

The "Best of Both Words PFC/Boxing" card is promoted by the Palace Fighting Championships in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions. Tickets priced $60, $50, $40 and $30 are available at www.tickets.com or the Tachi Palace Box office by calling (559) 924-7751. For more information visit

www.palacefightingchampionship.com or www.goosentutor.com.

Mario Serrano
Publicist ~ Tachi Palace Casino
boxingpublicist@aol.com
(408) 607-5756


GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
$60, $50, $40, $30


TICKETS.COM