VASQUEZ V MARQUEZ PRESS QUOTES!!! Thurs 28th February 2008 Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez will square off in a highly anticipated rubber match for the WBC/The Ring Magazine super bantamweight title this Saturday, March 1, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Vazquez-Marquez I and II produced the most exciting, bloody, give-and-take slugfests of 2007, with the second bout winning Fight of the Year and Round of the Year honors. Now, the Mexican warriors face each other in the final battle for honor, pride and 122-pound supremacy on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). The showdown is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, in association with Sycuan Ringside Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Romanza Boxing Productions. Tickets, priced at $300, $150, $75, $50 and $25, may be purchased at The Home Depot Center Box Office, open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, at all Ticketmaster retail ticket locations, as well as www.Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster-Charge-by-Phone, by calling 213-480-3232. Doors open at 4 p.m. The first fight is at 4:15. Vazquez-Marquez goes live at 6 p.m. PT. GARY SHAW (promoter) “The Wladimir Klitschko heavyweight title fight last Saturday was everything that is wrong with boxing. Vazquez-Marquez III is everything that is right about the sport. We need more fights like this one. “What happened yesterday (a Tuesday press conference to announce another fight in Los Angeles) was also totally wrong. “This week should belong to two Hall of Fame fighters, Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez, who have literally left their blood on the canvas in two prior fights, and are about to complete their amazingly exciting trilogy Saturday at the Home Depot Center on SHOWTIME. “That is what this week is all about and should have been all about. Nothing personal against Golden Boy – we are going to sellout anyway. But for the life of me I will never understand why they did what they did, especially when they (co) promote one of the fighters (Vazquez). “Why would a promoter try to take the limelight away from one of their own fighters? This should have been Israel’s time, not Oscar’s. “What they did was just flat-out wrong and makes no sense no matter what they say or how they try and spin it. “Don’t talk about trying to change boxing and make the sport better and then pull stuff like this. Frankly, it is an insult to promoters, the media and the fans.’’ ISRAEL VAZQUEZ “Deep down in my heart, I know and believe I am going to win by knockout Saturday night. I have the utmost respect for Marquez – everybody knows that – but in the ring it is a totally different story. I have to win by knockout. There is no other option. “This is a very important fight for boxing, but it is more important for my career and my legacy. This fight will go down in history. When they mention Marquez’ name, my name will be tied to him because of the legendary trilogy that we fought against each other. “My only goal is to win. A victory Saturday will set me up for my entire life. The victory will be for my fans and the sport of boxing. “I am going to be throwing punches with the baddest of intentions. I want to tear Marquez apart in the ring. I am ready to fight right now. “My main concern for the fight is to impose myself at all times. If Marquez wants to get into a boxing match with me and not trade shots, the fight might go the distance. “If he trades blows with me, this will end before the 10th round and I will be the winner.” RAFAEL MARQUEZ
“I think I can control the tempo. I did it in the first fight. I just have to keep my rhythm and throw the right kind of combinations that I have been working on in camp. “I can fight Vazquez in close situations, but I don’t want to expend too much energy doing that. I will engage him when I set him up for it. He will feel it when I put the pressure on. “There is no bad blood between Vazquez and myself. We are professionals and we want the same thing, to win fights and world championships. “I miss that WBC championship belt that he took from me in the last fight. I want it back. It is a terrible feeling to lose your championship belt. There is only one thing on my mind, and that is regaining that green WBC super bantamweight belt. I will get it back.” MUNDINE RETAINS TITLE!!! Wed 27th February 2008 WBA super middleweight champion Anthony Mundine succesfully retained his title today when he outworked the challenger Nader Hamdan over twelve rounds at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia. Scores at the end of the contest were 120-108, 117-111 and 119-109. CALZAGHE SR "HAYE IN TROUBLE" Wed 27th February 2008 Top trainer Enzo Calzaghe has warned David Haye that his career will be over if he's taken 12 rounds by Enzo Maccarinelli. MAY RETURN FOR HATTON!!! Tues 26th February 2008 Ricky Hatton has vowed to come back stronger and wiser from his knockout loss at the hands of Floyd Mayweather with May being looked at for his comeback, possible destinations include the City of Manchester Stadium or Wembley against possible Juan Luzcano. "I have never been in this solely for money. It has always been about challenges," said Hatton, a Manchester City fan. "I've gone past all my wildest dreams in boxing. The last few things I want to do are to top the bill at the world's greatest football ground, the City of Manchester Stadium, I want to top the bill at Madison Square Garden and I would like another crack at Floyd. "HBO wanted me straight back in America, but I insisted on fighting in England for the fans. There were more than 30,000 of them in Las Vegas when I fought Floyd, and only a few thousand were able to get in to watch. So I owe them the chance to see me. I'll be damned if the last fight I have is me lying flat on my back." WILLIAMS LOOKS FOR LIGHT OUT!!! Tues 26th February 2008 Danny Williams is looking for a potential match up with James "Lights Out" Toney in either May or June that's according to his new promoter Spencer Fearon. Fearon went on to say "Danny is not finished and the heavyweight division is wide open. Toney is a big name and will help Danny's reputation, plus he'll make Danny look like he is in condition!" MANUEL LOPEZ WINS AGAIN!!! Sun 24th February 2008 Juan Manuel Lopez scored a third round TKO over Jonathan Oquendo in a bout for the WBO Latino 122lb title. The fight took place at the Coliseo Héctor Solá Bezares in Caguas, Puerto Rico. which witnessed the impressive Lopez again notch up a victory. Oquendo was down twice in round two but showed alot of heart to beat the count on both occasions but the bout was stopped in the third at :49 seconds. Under Card Nelson Dieppa stopped another former world champion Alex "Nene" Sánchez in the tenth round when Sanchez`s corner pulled him out. Román Martínez TKO`d José Aníbal Cruz in three rounds. KLITCHKO UNIFIES TITLES!!! Sun 24th February 2008 Wladimir Klitchko retained his IBF/IBO heavyweight titles while also taking Sultan Ibragimov's WBO title in the process on Saturday night. Klitchko took the titles via a very uneventful twelve round Unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The fight itself was a very controlled one from the point of Klitchko using his long jab to keep the onrushing Ibragimov at bay and it was that single punch that cruised the Ukrainian to an easy twelve round decision. Scores from the judges at ringside were 119-110, 117-111, 118-110. which showed the one sidedness of the fight. After the fight Klitchko thanked Sultan for taking the fight while saying "I'm ready to fight again as soon as possible," Sultan revealed a hand injury hampered preparations for the fight and he still felt alot of pain throughout. Under Card John Duddy won a very controversial ten round majority decision against Walid Smichet. Joe Greene TKO`d Francisco Mora in the tenth round Johnathon Banks stopped Imamu Mayfield in the very first round Super Middleweight Peter Quillin took just two rounds to KO Thomas Brown Heavyweight Alexander Ustinov needed just one round as he made it 8 out of 8, Kayooing Earl Ladson in one round. TRINIDAD SR "NO PAVLIK V TITO FIGHT AT 160" Mon 18th February 2008 Upon hearing the news that Middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik is looking to fight his son Tito at 160 he told El Nuevo Dia "They have mentioned his name to us, but I am more than sure that the 160-pound division is going to be a thing of the past for Tito. I would not advise Tito to do that (move down to 160)," Trinidad Sr. said. "If he wants to fight Tito, it would have to be at another weight." PAVLIK VICTORIOUS OVER TAYLOR AGAIN!!! MONTIEL & MIJARES RETAIN TITLES!!! Sun 17th February 2008 WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik was again victorious over Jermain Taylor but this time both men made it through the full twelve rounds without hitting the canvas, with Pavlik taking the nod from the judges. The fight staged at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas was a non title contest that saw the busy Pavlik against the sharper Taylor, Many of the rounds were very close but Pavlik seemed to close the bout the better. Scores from the judges were 117-111, 115-113, 116-112. Under Card WBO super flyweight champion Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel finally came of age with his most impressive performance yet against former world champ Martin Castillo. Montiel had Castillo down in the first round when he connected with two great bodyshots, then at 1:56 of round four it was that same bodyshot that ended proceedings and left Castillo on the canvas for the full count. WBC champion Cristian Mijares again showed great ring presence as he outpointed Jose Navarro on route to a split decision victory. Mijares cut Navarro over the right eye on route to the win. the scores from the judges were 115-113, 117-111 on two cards with Judge Doug Tucker bizarrely turning in 120-108 in favour of Navarro. Ronald Hearns continued his climb up the rankings with another knockout victory, this time over Juan Astorga. Brian 'Hawaiian Punch' Viloria won an eight round unanimous decision over Cesar Lopez. VALUEV DECISIONS LIAKHOVICH!!! Sun 17th February 2008 In a one sided contest at the Nuremburg Arena in Nuremburg, Germany, Nikolai Valuev scored a very convincing twelve round unanimous decision against former world champion Sergey Liakhovich. The result was never in doubt in actual fact. from the opening bell the long jab coupled with overhand rights were too much for Liakhovich who hang on galliant for the full twelve rounds. the scores from the judges were 120-108, 120-108 and 120-107. HOPKINS "HE LOOKED PETRIFIED" Wed 13th February 2008 In a recent interview with The Guardian, recognized light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins talked about his highly anticipated match up with WBA/WBO/WBC super middleweight champ Joe Calzaghe and said how he felt fear in the Welshman. "I looked him right in his face and said, 'I ain't ever gonna lose to a white boy,'" Hopkins said. "He looked petrified. Scared. Shocked. Uncomfortable. This is what I read in his eyes and his demeanour. Ninety-nine per cent of eye contact gives you a feel for the person you're facing. The first reaction is everything. And even though he will fight it, there is fear inside him - not of me but fear of defeat. A guy that never lost fears losing. But I have nothing to lose. I go into that ring fighting like I fought from day one when I came out of the penitentiary." "He now has to train on emotion, to show that this white guy can beat me. That statement was important because he understands that I walk a dangerous line. It's dangerous because writers can twist it anyhow they want to. But isn't this, strangely enough, what Bernard needs to do to keep himself focused?" "You gotta understand that this thing now is also going to become a little ugly as we go on this press tour. A good percentage of Brits don't like Americans. In some ways we think we're better than them. In a lot of ways they think they're better than us," Hopkins said. "This goes back in time with the Brits. They're very arrogant. They got this disposition about themselves. I'm going to bring out the worst in them because I'm going to need that - to fuel the fire. That's also promotional thinking, making this fight as huge as it possibly can be. But I'm not creating a false impression. They've already booed the national anthem [before Hatton fought Mayweather]. And the Brit fighter has always been known for being exposed at the highest level. That's their biggest downfall." BARRERA LOOKING FOR VASQUEZ ON COMEBACK!!! Wed 13th February 2008 According to Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Marco Antonio Barrera is looking to continue his career with Isreal Vasquez in his sights. Schaefer said "Marco Antonio Barrera came to see me a few weeks ago and he indicated to me that he does want to come back and he does want to continue fighting. "I have discussed with him some possibilities, one of which would be against Israel Vazquez (co-promoted by Golden Boy and Sycuan), who is preparing for a rubber match against Rafael Marquez. "If Vazquez were to win the potential for him to move up to fight Marco Antonio Barrera has been discussed, and that would be a very exciting fight." THE IMPRESSIVE QUINTANA TAKES THE PUNISHERS WBO TITLE!!! Sun 10th February 2008 Carlos Quintana finally showed his quality last night as he impressively took the WBO title from Paul "The Punisher" Williams by unanimous decision. Quintana looked the quicker of the two fighters with the busy as ever Williams just looking to land, Quintana also seemed to land the harder shots over the twelve rounds and cuts occurred over both eyes of Williams. As I say this fight provided the shock to many with fight fans and experts alike looking to match the champion (Williams) against fighters such as Kermit Clintron or a rematch with Antonio Margarito, Carlos Quintana came on the scene beating all the top contenders only to be beaten by Miguel Cotto. Under Card Andre Berto looked sharp as he convincingly broke down former European champion Micheal Trabant before finally stopping him in the sixth round. CHAVEZ TOO GOOD FOR CELAYA!!! Sun 10th February 2008 Julio Cesar Chavez Jr scored an eight round TKO over Jose Celaya in a bout for the WBC Continental America super welterweight title on Saturday night. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr dropped Celaya in round two with a wicked left hook, The game Celaya made it to his feet and then after started to put together some good combinations of his own only for Chavez Jr to again connect this time with his right hand, from which Celaya called off the bout. Under Card WBC light flyweight champion Edgar Sosa sailed to an easy twelve round unanimous decision over Jesus Iribe. Marco Antonio Rubio needed just seven rounds to stop former olympian Jose Luis Zertuche. NABF super bantamweight champion Bernabe Concepcion beat Juan Ruiz over twelve rounds. Omar Chavez annihilated Miguel Camacho in just one round. HOLT TACKLES TACKIE FOR DECISION!!! Fri 8rd February 2008 Kendall Holt took on Ben Tackie last night and came away with a majority decision. The fight took place at the Hard Rock Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, which saw Holt control the fight from start to finish against the more aggressive Ben Tackie, The scores from the judges were 98-92, 98-92, 95-95. Vanes Martirosyan needed just three rounds against Jorge Munoz when referee Kenny Bayless stepped in to end the annihilation. CALZAGHE V HOPKINS PRESSER!!! Fri 8rd February 2008 Both men came face to face yesterday at a press conference in London nd both talked about thier highly anticipated match up on April 19th. Joe Calzaghe: "This will be Bernard's last fight. I am going to be a legend after this fight. I'm going over there to win and you will see an awesome performance," said WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe at today's press conference in London. "I've trained like a challenger every single fight, that's why I have been a champion for ten years. I'll be in the best shape, enough to do 15, 20 rounds. You haven't seen Hopkins flat out on his back yet -- you will in the PH Ring on April 19."
FORMER COACH SUES MOSELY!!! Thurs 7rd February 2008 Shane Mosley's former strength and conditioning coach has filed a defamation lawsuit over statements the boxer made that the coach gave him steroids without his knowledge. Derryl Hudson said in a statement to the Los Angeles Court that "never gave, pushed, recommended or in any way made the Defendant take the banned substances," Reports came out after Mosely's victory over Oscar De La Hoya saying that Mosely was tested for the banned substance BALCO, to this Mosely said I didn't know what the hell it was," Mosley told ESPN.com. "I didn't know anything about that stuff. It was something given to me, pushed up on me." JONES "CLINTON WILL WIN THEN HE CAN FIGHT ME" Wed 6rd February 2008 Roy Jones Jr is picking IBF light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods to overcome Antonio Tarver when the two men face off on April 12. Jones told SporttingLife "Clinton should win if he applies the pressure from early on," Jones said to Sportinglife. "Tarver is essentially weak-minded and he gets nervous. He is mentally not the strongest person in boxing and this will be to Woods' advantage. I think Clinton will win and then he can fight me." KHAN ALREADY LOOKING FOR HATTON!!! Wed 6rd February 2008 British prospect Amir Khan told press members yesterday that he would love to face either Junior Witter or Ricky Hatton in a domestic super fight, But thats after he has finished cleaning out the Lightweight division. Khan said "In 18 months I will be ready to step up to light welterweight, and if Ricky Hatton is still around then, I'd love to fight him." AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN MOSELY AND JUDAH!!! Wed 6rd February 2008 A verbal agreement has been reached that will involve a match up between former champions Sugar Shane Mosely and Super Zab Judah. The fight will take place on May 31st and will be in Las Vegas. KHAN SCORES SHUTOUT OVER ST CLAIR!!! Sun 3rd February 2008 Commonwealth lightweight champ Amir Khan showed the boxing public on Saturday night the reason why he as the tag of Best prospect. Khan fought former IBF junior lightweight world champion Gairy St Clair in what was supposed to be his biggest test to date but which in actual fact was made to look like a walk in the park. The Fight at the ExCel Arena in London from start to finish was controlled by the younger more skilled Khan who whipped his cobra like jab in the face of his challenger from the opening bell while moving and setting up his impressive combinations. St Calir looked to walk down Khan and take him into the later rounds but his plan didn't work and Khan looked quite comfortable and composed. The scores from the judges was a faultless 120-108 across the board. Under Card Nicky Cook scored a second round stoppage over Kirkor Kirkorov. Michael Jennings stopped Ross Minter in nine rounds Derry Matthews needed just one round to stop Nikoloz Berkatsashvili. OTHER WEEKEND RESULTS!!! Sun 3rd February 2008 Takashi Uchiyama kept hold of his OPBF super-feather title and his unbeaten record with a stoppage over fellow countryman Akira Yamazaki in the tenth round. Silence Mabuza retained his IBO bantamweight title as he stopped Eden Sonsona in the eighth round former WBU and WBO heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders was knocked out in the very first round by South African heavyweight champion Osborne Machimana The impressive Andy Lee scored a fifth round TKO over Alejandro Falliga. GORRES AND DARCHINYAN DRAW!!! Sat 2nd February 2008 The battle between Z Gorres and Vic Darchinyan ended in a very controversial draw on Saturday. The fight took place at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu, and saw two knockdowns both credited for Darchinyan, The first was more of a slip from Gorres who appeared to lose his balance in round one while the second knockdown appeared to graze Gorres` shoulder more than anything, Gorres also had to fight from the 6th round onwards with a rather nasty gash that occurred from an accidental headbutt. After the twelve rounds the scores from the judges were 113-112 for Gorres, 114-112 for Darchinyan and the third judge saw it 113-113. HATTON BACK IN THE GYM!!! Fri 1st February 2008 A rejuvenated Ricky Hatton was back in the gym yesterday after spending some time on Holiday in Africa. Alot as been said over the past few weeks with people predicting every name in the division as a possible challenger but Ricky's Father and Manager told MEN Sport: “We said the next fight will be in Britain as a reward to his fans who have travelled to America and it's looking like being at City's ground at Eastlands with up to 50,000 fans and with big screens so everyone can see. “We have been offered more money to fight in the early hours to suit American TV audiences but this will be a fight fought in English time. “We are working with another promoter to ensure a good undercard. As for Ricky's opponent, there have been Americans, Puerto Ricans, Mexicans and Brits looking to challenge him. That's all I want to say about it at the moment.” Ricky as left the door open for a match up with Junior Witter believing that Witter is “unfinished business”. |