Manuel Quezada to face Chad Van Sickle April 23rd
Ultimate Fight Night 18 Predictions
By Gary Herman
Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann (170)
By placing Condit in the main event in his debut, the UFC clearly believes Condit has a ton of potential. He was undefeated (5-0) in the WEC, and he generally delivers exciting fights. Condit has great submissions and underrated power. He also has a tremendous heart and is very difficult to stop. On the other hand, Kampmann is a very dangerous opponent. He is an experienced kickboxer and is also well versed at submissions. Kampmann has never gone past the second round – in his entire career (sixteen fights). He also boasts a 5-1 UFC record. But it his lack of going past the second round that will hurt him against Condit. A win here for Condit really legitimizes his WEC title reign as well as his standing as a top ten welterweight. In a good fight, Condit wins by third round submission.
Ryan Bader vs. Carmelo Marrero (205)
The UFC is not doing Bader any favors by matching him with Marrero as his first non Ultimate -Fighter opponent. Marrero is a good stand-up fighter with a notable victory over Cheick Kongo. However, Marrero’s biggest weakness is his ground skills. That is definitely where the former collegiate wrestler, Bader, will look to bring this fight. In what will turn about to be a very boring match-up, Bader grinds out a unanimous decision victory.
Tyson Griffin vs. Rafael Dos Anjos (155)
Thankfully, this fight was put onto the main show. The match-up has the potential to be fight of the night. Griffin always puts on a great show, and Dos Anjos looked fantastic before being caught by a devastating uppercut against Jeremy Stephens. The fight will likely go the distance, but there will be plenty of close calls on both sides. In the end, Griffin’s wrestling will be too much for Dos Anjos. Griffin wins by unanimous decision.
Junie Browning vs. Cole Miller (155)
We all saw what we saw on The Ultimate Fighter with Browning so there’s no point rehashing. Upon leaving the show, Browning’s done the right thing and that’s move to Las Vegas to train at Xtreme Couture. He looked much improved in his win against David Kaplan, but I don’t think Kaplan has any place near a UFC cage. His opponent, Miller, is a talented fighter that is very good at submissions. He has a 3-1 UFC record, and Miller will likely improve to 4-1. Miller is much better than Browning at this point in their careers. Browning’s peak is likely a few years down the road. Miller wins by second round submission.
Gleison Tibau vs. Jeremy Stephens (155)
As a lightweight, Stephens fights like a heavyweight. He’s always looking to connect with the big knockout punch. That has made him a very one-dimensional fighter albeit an exciting one. Tibau is the exact opposite. He’s looking to grind out a win and try for a few submissions along the way. Tibau’s style will frustrate Stephens. Unless Stephens connects with one of his wild punches, he’s destined for a loss here. Tibau wins the fight by unanimous decision.
Ricardo Almeida vs. Matt Horwich (185)
Almeida against Horwich should not take very long. Even though Almeida lost to Patrick Cote, he’s much better than Horwich. Outside of his surprising KO win against Benji Radach, Horwich has won most of his fights by either decision or submission. That’s the wrong route against Almeida. Even though Almeida also has won a lot of his fights by decision, he’s much more skilled on the ground than Horwich. I’m not sure how Horwich makes it out of the first round. Almeida wins by first round submission.
Brock Larson vs. Jesse Sanders (170)
After signing a contract to receive a WEC welterweight title shot against Condit, Larson saw the opportunity go away due to injury. Then, the WEC disbanded the division. However, the good news for Larson is that Zuffa quickly transferred his contract over to the UFC, and his first fight should be an easy one. Sanders has been a very busy fighter as he’s had 24 fights in a little over three years. He’s won 20 of those fights, but they were against mostly lower tier competition. This is a big step up for Sanders – one that he’s not ready for. Larson wins the fight by first round submission.
Tim Credeur vs. Nick Catone (185)
Downey is stepping back into the cage less than two months after his last fight (a submission victory over Derek Downey). Fortunately for Catone, he is taking on Credeur. Credeur won a very uninspiring fight over Nate Loughran, but he showed little in the fight as Loughran looked like he wanted out as soon as possible. Catone is undefeated and will stay that way. Catone wins by first round TKO.
Jorge Rivera vs. Nissen Osterneck (185)
Osterneck is one of the top prospects in the middleweight division. His last fight was a spirited loss to another top prospect, Jake Rosholt, in the WEC. Osterneck has good submissions and underrated power. He will certainly get a good test of exactly where he is when he takes on Rivera. Rivera has been up and down in his career. He wins some of the fights he’s supposed to lose (Kendall Grove and Dennis Hallman) and then loses some of the fights he’s supposed to win (Terry Martin and Chris Leben). One thing is guaranteed in every Rivera fight, and that is Rivera will come out swinging. He’s got good power and is always looking for the knockout. He won’t get one here though. Osterneck continues his ascension up the UFC ranks with a second round submission.
Rob Kimmons vs. Joe Vedepo (185)
I still love the highlight of the ring announcer accidentally reading Kimmons’ name after Marvin Eastman dominated him for 25 minutes on a smaller show. If you haven’t seen, it is definitely worth looking up. Nevertheless, Kimmons is a below average UFC fighter at best. He’s had some decent submission victories on a smaller scale but true notable wins. For Vedepo, he’s been fighting for three years but doesn’t boast any significant wins either. Can both of these guys lose? Probably not – so I’ll take Kimmons’ experience as the tiebreaker. Kimmons wins the fight by third round submission.
Tim McKenzie vs. Aaron Simpson (185)
McKenzie against Simpson is a battle of former WEC fighters making their debuts in the UFC. McKenzie is a journeyman with a decent all around game but nothing that overly stands out as excellent. On the other hand, Simpson has a chance to become very good fighter. He’s undefeated in four fights – all ending in knockout. Only one fighter even made the third round. The fight is set to make sure Simpson looks good. He will. Simpson stays undefeated with the first round TKO.
Steve Steinbeiss vs. Ryan Jensen (185)
Steinbeiss is likely in the UFC due to his association with Condit, Bader and CB Dalloway as they all train at Arizona Combat Sports. Besides that, there is not too much to Steinbeiss’s credentials. He’s a decent stand-up fighter who is tough to finish. Jensen’s had a bunch of big fights (Thales Leites, Demian Maia, Joey Villasenor, and Wilson Gouveia), but they’ve all ended in losses. Still, Jensen should have enough to get by the unproven Steinbeiss. Jensen wins by second round TKO.
SIX QUESTIONS WITH LIBRADO ANDRADE
Andrade to Face Vitali Tsypko In IBF Elimination Saturday, April 4, 2009
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING—Live at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT
NEW YORK (March 31, 2009) – The overwhelming fan underdog in his last fight in Montreal, Canada–a controversial loss to Lucian Bute–30-year-old Librado Andrade is looking forward to the cheers that will undoubtedly rain down on him Saturday night from the boxing-crazed Bell Centre crowd.
Andrade (27-2, 21 KOs) is ranked No. 3 in the International Boxing Federation super middleweight division and figures to be a favorite when he meets Ukriane’s Vitali Tsypko (22-2, 12 KOs), who is ranked a notch above him at No. 2. The winner becomes the No. 1 contender and Bute’s mandatory challenger.
Saturday’s elimination bout will air on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live at a special time 10:45 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) to accommodate fans watching the conclusion of the 2009 NCAA® Men’s Final Four®. The fight will take place before Timothy Bradley and Kendall Holt unify their respective World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) 140-pound titles.
The 12-round fights are co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc., Thompson Boxing Promotions, Inc., and. The Tsypko-Andrade bout is promoted in association with Sauerland Events and Golden Boy Promotions. Gillett Entertainment Group
SHOWTIME: What do you know about your opponent Vitali Tsypko?
LIBRADO ANDRADE: “The only thing I know and hope is that he doesn’t run too much. If he doesn’t run then I’ll be OK. If I don’t have to chase him all around the ring I’ll be fine. My coach watches tape of all the fighters. I don’t like to do it. I don’t like to know too much. It’s get into my head the weaknesses of my opponents and it can play tricks with your mind.”
SHOWTIME: The Montreal fight fans are very knowledgeable and actually cheered for you when they showed you on the big screen at Lucian Bute’s last fight there. How did you become so big in Montreal?
LIBRADO ANDRADE: “It started with my fight against Otis Grant in 2006 (a seventh-round TKO). I started training in Montreal before the holidays, came back, but have actually been back in Montreal since Jan. 17. I’ve always just been welcomed there. There are boos at times but there are more cheers than there are boos. The fans there just want to see a good fight. They are not going to just go after the hometown fighter. They are such a good crowd. They seem to recognize me all the time whenever I’m out in public.”
SHOWTIME: Are you surprised you are fighting in Montreal and on SHOWTIME again?
LIBRADO ANDRADE: “I’m very, very surprised. I really thought we were going to fight in the Ukraine where Tsypko is from. I was prepared for that. It’s just really a credit to my management team and my promoters at Golden Boy Promotions to get this fight there. They’ve really done a great job with me and given me an opportunity to really get my name out there.”
SHOWTIME: You are from La Habra, Calif., near East Los Angeles and are signed with Golden Boy. Do you speak much with Oscar De La Hoya?
LIBRADO ANDRADE: “We talk from time to time. I’ve trained with him for about two months in the past. We have a good relationship. It’s not like a buddy-buddy relationship. He’s real nice when I have to deal with him but as my promoter he’s basically dealing with my management team.”
SHOWTIME: Did it take a long time to get over your controversial loss to Bute?
LIBRADO ANDRADE: “No, I got over it right away. I accepted it and moved on. They keep saying he made a mistake but I don’t think he did. He fought a good fight. He was beating me the entire fight. I did come out feeling like a winner in that fight. I fought the way I wanted to fight and finished like I wanted to finish but I ran out of time. But I accepted it right away. I can only ask for one more chance to fight him and I think I will get it. I want to fight him to clear up this mess.”
SHOWTIME: “What are some things you like to do outside of the ring when you’re not training or preparing for a fight?
LIBRADO ANDRADE: “I like to just be at home and relax with my family. I just miss home so much. I think about it all the time. I’m going to be moving back to California after this fight to where I started at the La Habra Boxing Club and I can’t wait to get back on a normal schedule and routine like I’m used to.”
TELECONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS CARL FROCH AND JERMAIN TAYLOR
Saturday, April 25, LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/PT
From MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort Casino
PARTICIPANTS: WBC Super Middleweight Champ CARL FROCH
Former Undisputed Middleweight Champ JERMAIN TAYLOR
Promoters MICK HENNESSY and LOU DIBELLA
NEW YORK (March 31, 2009) – Undefeated Carl Froch, a household name in his native England, looks to enhance his reputation in America when he defends his World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight title against Jermain Taylor, a former undisputed middleweight champ and one of the most highly regarded and recognizable fighters of this generation, in a world championship fight on Saturday, April 25, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
Froch (24-0, 19 KOs), of Nottingham, England, will be making the first defense of the vacant 168-pound crown he gained in his last outing with a unanimous 12-round decision over Jean Pascal on Dec. 6, 2008.
Taylor (28-2-1, 17 KOs), of Little Rock, Ark., has had a prolific pro career since winning a bronze medal for the United States in the 2000 Olympic Games and is the only boxer to twice defeat future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins. When he outpointed Hopkins the first time, Taylor became 160-pound world champion in the WBC, World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Both fighters took part in a teleconference call with media members on Tuesday. Highlights from the call follow:
Mick Hennessy:
“I believe this to be a genuine super fight. It’s one of the very best fights in world boxing right now. (We have) two fighters a similar age at the absolute peak of their powers. I would like to congratulate both fighters because, in these days, there are a lot of major fights being avoided and both of these fighters have stepped up to the fight.
“I genuinely believe that Carl is the best super middleweight on the planet. I think he’s going to prove that on April 25. One thing Carl brings to the table is he is never, ever in a dull fight. He brings the heat and is relentless.
“I believe Jermain is going to feel heat like he’s never felt before. We’re not coming to America to make up the numbers. We’re coming for Carl to launch himself in a big way and you’re going to see something very special on April 25.”
Lou DiBella:
“I want to thank SHOWTIME. I think Ken Hershman championed the fight and it’s happening because he understood the significance of this fight and how important it was for Jermain to have another shot at a world title. Carl Froch is a worthy champion who has already proven that he can be exciting in the ring. He’s going to try and come over and make sure that everybody in the world knows how to pronounce his name (It’s pronounced Fro-CH, not Fro-CK).”
Carl Froch:
“For me it’s not a big deal coming to America. I boxed in AmericaAmerica and showcase my talents on SHOWTIME. That’s the reason I’m coming over here. I want to establish myself on American soil. That’s what this fight is for. I’ll be coming over there and defending my title in style.” once before. Traveling for me is not a problem. Obviously, to come and establish myself in the States, this is what I need to do. I need to come to
Jermain Taylor:
“I’m looking forward to the fight. I’m just ready to fight.”
Carl on the keys to the fight:
“The key to winning this fight is for me to establish myself early on and let Jermain know that I’m there. I don’t want to take a step backward so it looks like it will be an exciting fight. It really does. But I’ll still do my thing landing the big, heavy shots and I think the usual thing will happen and my opponent will start to fade and fall apart in front of my very eyes. Then I’ll start to showcase my skills even more.”
Jermain on concerns about moving from 160-168?
“I’m not worried about his strength. He’s a strong fighter, so what? I’ll just go in there and box the hell out of him.”
Lou DiBella:
“Jermain Taylor wanted to win the WBC 168-pound title. Carl had it and SHOWTIME loves the fight and was willing to make it one of their premier fights of the year. “
Froch on if Taylor is his toughest opponent:
“You could say that Jermain Taylor is the biggest fighter I’m going to box until this point. But, how would you define a great fighter? Jean Pascal was 26 years old, hungry and unbeaten. He was a hungry, young talented fighter coming to put it all on the line. He didn’t know what it was like to lose. I’d say that was a big fight for me for the title and a fight that I won convincingly in an exciting matchup.
“It’s easy to say that I haven’t fought anybody. But that’s what boxing is about. Like Mick said earlier, we’ve got two fighters here who are both putting it all on the line. We’re both of a similar age. We’re both on the top of our careers. We’re both fit and hungry. He wants my belt? I don’t want him to take my belt. It’s going to be a fabulous fight. I’ve been in 24 fights, I’m unbeaten, I haven’t been in any trouble. I’m coming to this fight confident that I’m taking my belt home with me. No problems.”
Taylor on Froch’s level of confidence:
“I don’t worry about it. With the opponents he’s fought, of course he’s going to be confident. He doesn’t know how to lose yet and I’m going to teach him.”
Froch concerned that he is the underdog?
“I am surprised because for my whole career I’ve always been a massive favorite. I’ve never been an underdog. Odds don’t mean anything as far as I’m concerned because I’m not a gambling man. But, I’m not surprised. The American media doesn’t necessarily know who Carl Froch is in terms of big-time boxing. This is why I’m going over there with my title to defend against such a top name as Jermain Taylor. Until I do that, then the odds probably won’t be stacked in my favor. I don’t mind being the underdog.”
Froch on if it will be a tough fight:
“There’s no such thing as an easy fight. I’ve been with awkward opponents….I’ve had my fair share of difficult fights. But, honestly, I’ve never been in a hard fight. What I mean is, I’ve never been in a fight where I didn’t feel that I was in control, I wasn’t dominating and didn’t think I was going to win.”
Froch on if he thought Taylor was trying to duck him:
“He’s good fighter. He’s obviously a confident man and he means business. He’s got what they call ‘Bad Intentions.’ He had absolutely no intentions of coming to England and fighting the Cobra, that’s for sure. You can take what you want from that, but I take it as he didn’t fancy to fight. I’m not going to say he didn’t want to fight because he signed up for the fight.”
Taylor on why he took the fight:
“It’s all about being a champion. All these other fights mean nothing until you get these belts back. As far as me going over there…Going over there? For what? I mean who is he? I didn’t even know who he was until now. So I wasn’t going over there. He needs to come over here.”
Froch on his style:
“My style is very rangy, very fast. I’m powerful. I can box out of range and not get hit. I can fight in close and I’m a puncher with the best of them. Styles make fights, well I adapt to my opponents. It’s hard to describe my style except for it’s a winning style. Whatever Jermain Taylor brings, I will be reacting in a positive way for me to win.”
Taylor on Froch’s style:
“He’s rangy. He moves and fights with a lot of strength. I don’t think he’s fast though. He tries to get you on a break. I think he’s too slow. The guy doesn’t know how to lose. So someone has to teach him how to lose. I have to break him down.”
Froch on if the fight will be easy:
“I feel like I will make the fight as easy as I can. I know what to do to give myself an easy night. If Plan A isn’t working then I’ll but Plan B together and it will be destructive, trust me.”
Taylor on impressing the fans:
“I just know that hard work pays off. Those few fights I lost, I not only let myself down, I let my fans down; I let my hometown down. I just want to get these belts back and all of it will be erased. Now, I have a chance to do that and I’m going to take it. I’m Arkansas Razorback until the day I die. I have another chance to come back and be champion. It’s amazing. That’s what I love about boxing because I’m never out of it. Everything I’ve done in the past will be erased. I’m not worried about anything.”
Froch on the problems Jermain presents for him:
“I’m struggling to find major problems. I will say he’s very experienced against top level (opposition). He hasn’t been dominant at the world level. He’s had a couple of split decisions, he’s had a draw. I’m not worried. I’m really not. I’m just looking forward to going out there and doing what I do best. The fitness is there. The strength is there. I just know that I need to come there and put my work together.”
Taylor on Froch’s comment:
“He’s a cocky fighter and I love that because I plan on bringing all that down. He doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into and I’m going to teach him.”
Froch when asked if he could knock Taylor out:
“I’m the bigger, stronger man. Jermain Taylor has not stopped anybody for four years. But don’t get me wrong, he’s a good fighter. He thinks he’s fast, but I don’t know what he thinks his speed is going to do to me. I’ve fought fast fighters.
“I’m not giving him any disrespect or trying to be cheeky. I’m in no way cocky. I’m quite a very level headed man. I’m just very confident and believe in myself.
“Fact of the matter is, he’s fought most of his career at middleweight and I’m a big, strong super middleweight. And that can very well be the deciding factor. When I start connecting with the right hand on the jaw section there will probably be some damage done.”
Taylor on Froch’s size:
“I’m not worried about his power at all. As far as him never being on the floor before, there’s a first time for everything. He gets hit a lot. His defense is his head. He stands right there.”
Taylor on how serious he is taking on Froch:
“At the end of the day, he’s still champion. It doesn’t matter who knows him or who doesn’t. At the end of the day, he’s still got the belt. So, of course, I’m taking it seriously. I haven’t trained this hard in a long time. Those fights he was looking at me getting tired. You know what? Those are the past. Here it is. I got a chance to get those belts back and I’m going to take it. This is the best fight that you’re going to see me fight in my life.
“If he’s bigger, so what? It doesn’t mean anything as long as I’m boxing and moving.”
Taylor on what he respects about Froch:
“I just respect the fact that he has the belts. I think he’s way too cocky and he doesn’t know how to lose. He has to learn how to lose.”
DiBella on why Taylor is taking on Froch:
“When has Jermain Taylor ever fought an easy fighter? I think Jermain has always reached out for a challenge and always wanted to fight someone who meant something to him. He wasn’t familiar with Carl’s name, but I think Jermain agrees with what Carl said earlier in that he views the WBC belt as the biggest prize and that he wanted to get that belt back. That’s why this fight is happening.”
Closing Comments:
Mick Hennessy:
“Winners don’t need to learn how to lose and Carl Froch is certainly not going to learn how to lose on April 25. It’s not in his makeup.”
“Showtime really knows their business and knows there fights because they picked a hell of a one right here.”
Lou DiBella:
“Stylistically, this can’t be a bad fight. This is a Fight of the Year candidate waiting to happen. I’m confident in my fighter and know he is going to get a belt again.
“This fight is can’t miss and Ken Hershman is going to look like a genius after this fight when Jermain Taylor wins a very hard fought fight over former world champion Carl Froch.”
Carl Froch:
“I want to thank SHOWTIME for coming on board for this fight. I think they’ll be thanking me and Jermain Taylor after the fight because it’s going to be one hell of a fight.”
Jermain Taylor:
“I’m just looking forward to the fight. I’ve been training in Miami hard. I’m training harder than I’ve ever trained before. I’m looking forward to getting these belts back. I’ve been missing them.”
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will air live from MGM Grand Theater at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. The fight card is being co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Hennessy Sports. Tickets are on sale now and priced at $200, $100, $75 and $50. Tickets are available at www.mgmatfoxwoods.com, your local Ticket Master and MGM Grand Box Office 866-646-0649.
Povetkin, Pianeta, Raoui media work-out
Alexander Povetkin has vowed to take one step at a time as he prepares for Saturday´s showdown with Jason Estrada. The White Lion is eager to return to the ring following his ankle injury which forced him to postpone his hotly-anticipated clash with heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. Today Povetkin (16-0, 12 KOs) gave the fans a first taste of his class during a public work-out session in Dusseldorf. “When I twisted my ankle back in October, I didn´t think it was a big issue at first. But the doctor´s diagnosis then was a huge blow for me,” he recalled. “However, I have put the injury past me. I am back at 100 percent and don’t have any problems with my left foot any more.”
Even though the showdown with Klitschko is on the horizon, the top-ranked IBF challenger claimed he will shift his full focus to Estrada. “I am only thinking about Saturday,” Povetkin said. “Estrada is on my mind. Once I have beaten him, I want to fight Wladimir Klitschko.”
While Povetkin only did some light shadow boxing and skipping during the work-out, Estrada (15-1, 3 KOs) also worked the pads with assistant coach Ernest Shelton, firing quick series of hooks. Just like Povetkin, the American also took time to speak to the on-site media members. Asked about his ‘lights out tattoo’, he replied: “Povetkin will see what that means.”
In the co-featured main event, EU heavyweight champion Francesco Pianeta (18-0, 11 KOs) will make a third defence of the title he won last August. It will be a special fight for the 24-year-old who was born in Italy and raised in Gelsenkirchen, which is just 30 miles away from Dusseldorf. “My coach Ulli Wegner has prepared me very well,” he said. “I am in top shape and will leave the ring as the winner.” His opponent, experienced Albert Sosnowski (44-2, 27 KOs), is also confident of success. “He is a big guy but he has only limited boxing abilities,” the challenger said. “I will win the fight in the last couple of rounds.”
Also in action will be local hero Nadia Raoui (9-0, 3 KOs). The 23-year-old will clash with Maria Rosa Tabbuso (12-1, 3 KOs) for the WIBA Flyweight Title. Raoui came to fame last December when she fascinated a sell-out crowd of 12.000 fans in Zurich on the Valuev-Holyfield undercard. The fans reacted with shock and disbelief when the judges scored the fight a draw which allowed Eileen Olszewski to keep her title. “I am so close of accomplishing my goal and win the world title,” the ‘Beauty Beast’ said. “I have trained very hard with my coach Dietmar Berg and I am well prepared.”
Raoui will count on the fan support from her nearby home city Herne. Last night she played tour guide for Alexander Povetkin, giving him a brief tour of Dusseldorf. “I am really looking forward to Saturday night,” she added.
Gilbert Melendez sounds off
Melendez (14-2), the former Strikeforce lightweight world champion, will attempt to recapture the belt when he takes on current champ Josh “The Punk” Thomson (16-2) on Saturday, April 11 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the HP Pavilion at San Jose. The fight is a rematch of their classic five-round battle in 2008 when Thompson earned a unanimous decision victory over Melendez to win the title.
The “Shamrock vs. Diaz” event represents the dawn of a new age for Strikeforce as it will be the first one under its new television agreement with Showtime Networks Inc. The live telecast will feature up to five fights including a thrilling main event between three-time world champion and MMA legend Frank Shamrock (24-9-1) and fellow knockout artist Nick Diaz (18-7, 1 NC) contested at a catch weight of 179 pounds.
Middleweight (185-pound limit) sluggers Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith (16-5, 1 NC) and Benji “Razor” Radach (19-4) will also meet in a featured contest.
Rival forces from different worlds will meet when women’s mixed martial arts (MMA) sensation, Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (6-1) of Brazil collides with “Smack Girl” Champion Hitomi “Girlfight Monster” Akano (14-5) of Japan, in a 145-pound showdown.
Heavyweight mixed martial arts (MMA) forces, Brett “The Grim” Rogers“Abongo” Humphrey (12-0) will put their unbeaten records on the line when they face off. (8-0) and
Tickets for “Shamrock vs. Diaz,” priced from $30, are available for purchase at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070) as well as at all Ticketmaster locations (408-998-TIXS), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com), and Strikeforce’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).
Below are some highlights from the attached sound bites recorded at the workout. For full audio, please download the documents attached to this email.
What do expect from Josh:
“I expect the same Josh. Sticking and moving, sticking and moving, and trying to stay light on his feet. He’ll fight with a lot more tricks, a lot more strategy. Maybe go low, and then high and fight at a lot more angles. Josh is a great. He’s a pioneer in the sport and I expect everything from him. He’s good everywhere. He had great takedowns last time as well and I expect a good fight from him.”
On how his training is going:
“I feel great. I feel like 25 minutes is like a normal thing for me. It’s a jog. It’s always hard to feel completely prepared because I always feel like there isn’t enough time in the week to prepare and do everything I need. I feel confident that I’m going to do a hell of a lot better than my last performance out there. I’m just looking forward to performing a lot better than last time.
Are there any friends at 155 pounds?
“Everything is different now. Guys have asked me to train. Diego Sanchez asked me to train now that he’s dropped out of 155. I’ve learned it is war out there. You gotta have your team and you have to stick by it. Sometimes you want to do things to help you out. It’s nothing personal out there, but I want to beat every 155-pounder out there except Nathan (Diaz) so it’s just the way it has to be.”
About Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history. The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265. Since 1995, Strikeforce has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.”
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
Luevano – Concepcion is OFF!!!
According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the WBO Featherwight title clash between champion Steven Luevano and Barnabe Concepcion scheduled for the May 2nd Manny Pacquiao – Ricky Hatton undercard has been postponed due to an injury to Luevano.
Luevano’s manager Cameron Dunkin told espn.com Luevano began to experience pain in his torso while training several days ago.
“He’s a tough guy and he was trying to continue and to work through it, but he couldn’t continue,” Dunkin said.
Dunkin said the exact nature of the problem has not yet been diagnosed but that Luevano was seeing a doctor later Tuesday for an exam and diagnosis.
Top Rank will replace the bout on the televised portion of the card it is co-promoting with Golden Boy. It may turn to junior lightweight titleholder Humberto Soto (47-7-2, 30 KOs), who blew away Antonio Davis in the fourth round to retain his title in his first defense last Saturday night on Top Rank’s “Tijuana Thunder” pay-per-view undercard.
Figueroa plans to put Bailey into checkmate position Friday night on ESPN
NEW YORK (March 31, 2009) – NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa feels every fight is like a chess match and he plans to put former 2-time world champion Randall Bailey into a checkmate position Friday night on ESPN2 during their scheduled 12-round IBF title eliminator in Memphis.
The winner between IBF No. 3 rated Bailey (38-6, 34 KOs) and No. 6 ranked Figueroa (20-2, 13 KOs) will earn a title shot against IBF champion Juan Urango.
Figueroa, riding a 12-fight win streak dating back to 2004, broke camp today in southern Florida and tomorrow he heads to Memphis. “Bailey’s a big banger who uses a single punch – right hand – to stop most of his opponents,” Figueroa said. “I’m not worried about what he’s bringing, more about what adjustments will be made during the fight. The key is figuring out your opponent and making the key adjustments to win. I’m very confident. I love to fight and this is what I do – fight! Figuring out a fighter and making adjustments in the mix is like playing chess. Both fighters come into the fight with a game plan but adjustments have to be made during the fight. I have to put him into a checkmate position to win the fight and reach my goal of winning a world title. I’m not looking past him, but I have one eye on Urango because that’s what drives me. It’s part of me, part of my goal, to be world champion. I’ve overcome obstacles to reach this point and I need to win this fight to have a shot at winning a world title.”
Also rated No. 11 by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBA, the 30-year-old Puerto Rican-American, born in Spanish Harlem and fighting out of the Bronx, is now handled by Roy Jones, Jr.’s Square Ring Promotions.
“I’m in the best shape of my career,” Figueroa added. “This training camp has been the best due to my manager, Sal LoNano, sending me to Boston for training at Mike Boyle’s for strength and conditioning. It continued in Florida with some great work with my trainer, Eggie Martinez, and valuable sparring sessions.”
For more information about Gato Figueroa visit his web site at www.teamgato.com.
HDNET’S INSIDE MMA IS THE ULTIMATE EXCLUSIVE NEWS SOURCE FOR MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
HDNet weekly news program is completely devoted to all things MMA
| DALLAS (March 31, 2009) When the biggest names in Mixed Martial Arts have news to break, they turn to HDNet’s INSIDE MMA as their exclusive outlet.
HDNet’s INSIDE MMA is the first and only one of its kind – an original, weekly television program devoted completely to news and highlights from the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Hosts Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten are joined by the sport’s top fighters and news-makers every week to discuss and analyze latest in MMA. The program also includes event highlights, viewer mail, and Ron Kruck providing up-to-the-minute news and features with Kruck’s Korner. INSIDE MMA has become the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving fans their weekly fix of everything MMA. Since the program’s inception in September of 2007, INSIDE MMA has covered some of the biggest stories in the business, including interviews with the biggest names involved. >From Randy Couture’s legal battles with the UFC to Seth Petruzelli’s upset win over Kimbo – and the Florida State Athletic Commission’s investigation of that fight, to the fall of EliteXC, INSIDE MMA has covered it all. Co-host Bas Rutten is a retired Dutch Mixed Martial Artist and kickboxer who has been involved in the fight world, in one way or another, for more than twenty years, while co-host Kenny Rice is one of the country’s most versatile sports announcers, working for NBC Universal before coming to HDNet, doing play-by-play for basketball, track and field, rugby and the Paralympic Games. Ron Kruck has covered practically every sport imaginable and, in addition to reporting from the ring of HDNet Fights and conducting pre- and post-fight interviews, Ron has also done play-by-play announcing for the IFL on HDNet, FSN and MyNetwork. INSIDE MMA, HDNet’s weekly series covering the latest news, rankings, stats and highlights from the world of Mixed Martial Arts, airs every Friday at 9:00 p.m. ET. |
| About HDNet HDNet (www.hd.net) is a network that is original, thinks independently and delivers unique content and provocative, authentic programming that appeals to men of all ages, delivered in true high definition. HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including television’s only HD news feature programs “HDNet World Report,” and the Emmy Award winning “Dan Rather Reports,” featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. Only HDNet goes beyond the headlines to deliver real news that is redefining the way we look at our world. HDNet News is provocative, sometimes controversial and always relevant – telling the important stories of our time in-depth, with attitude and with independence. HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the best of Mixed Martial Arts through HDNet Fights. HDNet Fights partners with leading MMA promoters including Affliction, DREAM, Sengoku, XFC, M1, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC, Adrenaline and more. HDNet produces more live mixed martial arts events than any other network and HDNet’s “Inside MMA” is the hottest mixed martial arts program on television, giving MMA fans their weekly fix for everything MMA. HDNet also delivers the world’s largest and most diverse concert line-up through the HDNet Concert Series. The HDNet Concert Series features leading artists and bands including Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, John Mayer and more. HDNet also features revealing lifestyle programming featuring “Art Mann Presents,” “Vegas Confessions,” “Deadline” and “Get Out!” HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning documentaries as part of the InFocus series. “NASA on HDNet” presents all live shuttle launches through 2010. Only HDNet Movies delivers exclusive Sneak Previews of new movies before they hit theaters. The HDNet Movies Sneak Preview series features top Hollywood stars in critically acclaimed performances including Gwyneth Paltrow, Joaquin Phoenix, Demi Moore, Michael Caine, Tom Hanks, Vera Farmiga, Parker Posey, Brian Cox, Matthew Broderick, Brittany Snow, Eric Bana, John Malkovich, Emily Blunt and Tom Hanks. Upcoming Sneak Previews include “The Girlfriend Experience” directed by Steven Soderbergh. In addition to being the exclusive home of Sneak Previews, HDNet Movies presents viewers with over one hundred films and an average of twenty-five “HD Premieres” each month. HDNet Movies viewers enjoy the best films from the classics of the 1950s-1970s, to favorite films from the 1980s and 1990s, to recently released theatrical films. HDNet Movies offers subscribers a premium movie viewing experience in true HD, and more original movies shot entirely in HD than any other network. Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net. |
Samuels, Iannuzzi Score Impressive Knockouts in Tampa !
ESPN News- Manny Pacquiao, Joshua Clottey practice civility at news conference March 10, 2010Manny Pacquiao, Joshua Clottey practice civility at news conference. […]Calvin Watkins
- Manny Pacquiao plans to entertain at post-fight party March 10, 2010Manny Pacquiao has big plans for Saturday night -- after his fight against Joshua Clottey. […]Associated Press
- Muhammad Ali visits San Francisco Giants' clubhouse March 9, 2010Muhammad Ali showed up in the San Francisco Giants' clubhouse as part of a campaign for his charity. […]Associated Press
- Judge dismisses felony coercion charge in battery case against Roger Mayweather March 9, 2010A court clerk says a judge dismissed a felony coercion charge against boxing trainer Roger Mayweather, who faces trial June 1 on allegations that he beat and choked a female boxer at a Las Vegas apartment he owned. […]Associated Press
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. associate faces charges in Vegas shooting March 9, 2010Police say an associate of boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been arrested on attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon charges in an August shooting outside a Las Vegas skating rink. […]Associated Press
- Promoter Bob Arum expects sellout for Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight at Cowboys Stadium March 9, 2010Promoter Bob Arum said he expects a sellout for the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight at Cowboys Stadium. […]Calvin Watkins
- Britain's Amir Khan to defend WBA light welterweight title against American Paulie Malignaggi March 9, 2010Amir Khan of Britain will defend his WBA light-welterweight title against American challenger Paulie Malignaggi on May 15 at New York's Madison Square Garden. […]Associated Press
- Devon Alexander stops Juan Urango to unify WBC, IBF light welterweight titles March 9, 2010Devon Alexander knocked out Juan Urango with a right uppercut at 1:12 of the seventh round to unify the WBC and IBF light welterweight titles on Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena. […]Associated Press
- Vitali Klitschko to fight Albert Sosnowski in WBC heavyweight title defense March 9, 2010Vitali Klitschko will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Polish-born fighter Albert Sosnowski on May 29. […]Dan Rafael
- Victor Darchinyan wins decision, retains WBA, WBC super flyweight titles March 6, 2010Australian Victor Darchinyan scored an unanimous decision against Rodrigo Guerrero of Mexico City to retain his WBC and WBA super flyweight titles Saturday night at The Show inside the Agua Caliente Casino. […]Associated Press
- Manny Pacquiao, Joshua Clottey practice civility at news conference March 10, 2010
