Tarver to take on Aguilera for Heavyweight debut
According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former Light Heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver will make his first appearance as a Heavyweight when he takes on Nagy Aguilera on October 15th in either Memphis or California in a bout that will be broadcasted on Showtime.
“I won’t be the biggest heavyweight. I won’t be the strongest guy, but I think I’ll be the quickest and most elusive and the best counter puncher the heavyweight division has seen in a long time,” Tarver said. “I want to see if I can hit these big boys and put a dent in them. It remains to be seen, but if I can put a dent in these big boys, I’ll be the next heavyweight champion.
“I think I have so much more to give to the game. People are dying for a guy in the heavyweight division who has a face and a name and has some credibility. That’s what I bring to the table. You look at the American landscape and we don’t have anything out there. So I will give it a try until they beat me. I look at it like I am undefeated at heavyweight. And I am not fighting a dead man. Aguilera is a credible guy and I will see where I stand right off the bat.”
The bout is slated to headline a special edition of Showtime’s “ShoBox: The New Generation” series. Tarver (27-6, 19 KOs) has been working as a ringside commentator on the series.
“Maybe I’ll fight and commentate at the same time and pick up two checks,” Tarver joked.
“I think I stayed too long in that division,” said Tarver, who is best known for defeating Roy Jones Jr. in two of their three fights, including a shocking second-round knockout in their 2004 rematch. “I outgrew that division a long time ago. I was 28 coming out of the amateurs. I fought at 178 and, as a pro, I had to lose three more pounds. It was tough. I did it for a long time and I don’t have any regrets. But my last performances show I wasn’t as strong as I was in the past, and Dawson was 14 years younger than me. That had a lot to do with it. I wasn’t able to be as strong as I should have been in a fight.”
“I feel good right now. My goal is to be very strong and solid at the weight,” said Tarver, whose promotional company AT Entertainment will promote the bout. “I’ll look better with the weight on me. I won’t look frail and drawn and skinny.”
“Aguilera is a bona fide heavyweight and did real well going the distance against Maurice Harris,” Tarver said. “We’ll see if we can best that and step up to the plate with the big boys. This is a great opportunity for him to fight a name guy after just losing a competitive fight. I’m not picking no dead man to fight. Aguilera can hit, so I’m testing myself. I’ll have to get used to the big guys punching me — if they can land one. I am looking to fight those big guys and prove I am worthy of the heavyweight championship.”
FORMER LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT KINGPIN ANTONIO TARVER TO JOIN SHOWTIME ANNOUNCE TEAM FOR A SECOND STINT
FORMER LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT KINGPIN ANTONIO TARVER TO JOIN SHOWTIME ANNOUNCE TEAM FOR A SECOND STINT
Crafty former light heavyweight world champion Antonio Tarver will join the SHOWTIME® announce team again this Saturday in a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
Tarver will join Al Bernstein and Steve Farhood as a guest commentator for the split-site doubleheader.
Tarver, the former undisputed 175-pound world champion, is the only man to stick two losses on the professional resume of future Hall of Famer Roy Jones, Jr.
Said Tarver, “My first time out of the gate with Nick Charles and Steve Farhood was an absolute blast. I’m looking forward to working with Steve again and Al Bernstein this weekend when I return to SHOWTIME. Al called the Olympic Games in ’96 and I have such a great deal of respect for him. He is one of the most knowledgeable and respected announcers around. I’ll have to be sharp as a knife! I’m really looking forward to this weekend.”
SHOWTIME will televise the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Middleweight Championship between defending champ Mikkel Kessler and challenger Gusmyr Perdomo on same-day coverage from Herning, Denmark.
Immediately following Kessler vs. Perdomo, SHOWTIME will air a LIVE 10-round Super Middleweight bout between unbeaten U.S. Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward and Shelby Pudwill from Temecula, Calif. Kessler and Ward will face each other later this fall (Nov. 21) in the first stage of SHOWTIME Sports’ groundbreaking tournament, the Super Six World Boxing Classic, a six-fighter tournament featuring the class of the super middleweight division.
For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the SHOWTIME Sports website at http://sports.sho.com.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT 175
By Anson Wainwright
It can be largely attributed to the emergence of Chad Dawson who stepped up from the Super Middleweight and wrested the WBC championship from Tomasz Adamek in 2007 a win that looks better and better ever since Adamek went on to become the top guy at Cruiserweight. What followed amounted to little more than Dawson settling into the division and title with two soft defence’s.
He kicked 2008 off with a win that showed he had the intestinal fortitude that is needed when things get a little dicey when he outpointed Glen Johnson in a fight that could of gone either way depending who’s work you liked the best. After that close win “Bad” Chad stayed in the big league and dually turned back Antonio Tarver. After a contractually obliged rematch which was a near replay of the first Dawson has marked himself out as the future of the division. He will again go old ground when he faces Johnson in November. A win will further solidify he claim to be the top dog at 175.
With Calzaghe retired and Hopkins still toying with his next move if there is in deed to be be one. Dawson could be called the Interim Light Heavyweight champion that asterisk could be removed up on Hopkins retirement, move to Cruiserweight or better yet if he could beat Hopkins. One other thing that could help Dawson in the long run is that the Johnson fight will take place in his home town of Hartford, CT. If he can develop a good home support that will help his continued development and hopefully move him more into the mainstream.
While Dawson 27, more than held his own against the old guard he didn’t have any allies in his quest to vanquish the oldies…until recently that is. In June Canadian’s Jean Pascal moved up to 175 having previously campaigned at 168 to win a highly entertaining fight with Canadian transplant Adrian Diaconu and capture the WBC crown.
It is rumoured that in September Pascal will make his first defence against one of those aging Vets, Silvio Branco. The undeserving Branco is 16 years Pascal’s senior and while he shouldn’t provide to much trouble in what shouldn’t amount to much more than a showcase for Pascal. A rematch with Diaconu will likely happen at some point based on the excitement and drama of the first fight. Not to mention another lively evening at the Bell Centre in Montreal between two locals.
This Saturday one of the brightest prospects in the world Kazakhstan’s Beibut Shumenov 8-0(5) looks to win his first world title when he faces off with Spain’s Gabriel Campillo 18-2(6) who’ll be attempting to make his first defence of the WBA trinket he won in June.
Shumenov 25, has a fine amateur pedigree which includes an appearance at the 2004 Olympics. Shumenov only debuted in November 2008 amassing 35 rounds of pro action so far. He’s been on the fast track almost from the get go beating veteran’s Donnell Wiggins & Epifanio Mendoza along with former world champions Montell Griffin & Byron Mitchell.
Shumenov isn’t the only young gun looking to make a big impression this month. American Tavouris Cloud 19-0(18) looks to break out in another changing of the guard fight when he squares off with Britain’s Clinton Woods. Power punching Cloud 27, took apart anvil chinned Julio Gonzalez and became the first man to stop him when the action was mercifully called a halt too in the tenth.
Since then Cloud has made several interesting moves including not fighting. It’ll be a shade over a year since the Gonzalez fight when he squares off with Woods. He also turned down a spot on the projected Dawson-Johnson card on HBO with a shot at Dawson next up if both won. On one hand it may not be the best business move ever but it shows his hunger for the title shot and straight away.
As well as those guys also looking to break through are young guns from Europe and America including Wales newest star Nathan Cleverly 17-0(7) who broke out of the shadows when he added the British title to his Commonwealth crown when he took apart previously unbeaten Danny McIntosh in 7 one sided rounds in a fight that appeared to be 50-50 going in. His first defence is tentatively scheduled for 9 October in Belfast. The former Joe Calzaghe protege who was trained by Enzo Calzaghe up until the unacrimonious split between the Calzaghe’s & Frank Warren. He learnt plenty from countless sparring session’s with Calzaghe, Enzo Maccarinelli plus several others. The move away doesn’t seem to of hampered Cleverly who has really come on since leaps and bounds setting out on his own including developing power which has seen the 22 year old score stoppages in his last four outings.
Ukrainian Ismayl Sillakh 8-0(7) has based himself in America where 7 of his 8 fights have taken place. While he also has a impressive amateur pedigree which culminated with a silver at the 2005 World Championships at Middleweight, the 24 year old isn’t in quite the rush Shumenov is to reach the top but still seems to have the skills to get there after all he only debuted a year ago. He will next see action this weekend on the “Pinoy Power” card in Las Vegas where he’ll be looking to show off his considerable talent.
The American up and comers include Cedric Agnew 11-0(4) who has been a pro since January 2007. He’s still only 22 however one minus seems to be the Chicago fighters lack of power. Maryland product Mark “TNT” Tucker 11-0(7) has been very active in his 18 months as a pro including fighting a ten rounder last time out. Tucker 21, has gained impressive exposure regularly sparring with top guys like Paul Williams & Glen Johnson. Tucker returns toward the end of September when he fights for a minor title.
With Calzaghe retired, Hopkins semi retired, Roy Jones on a good bye world tour, Tarver & Johnson both over 40 and nearer the end than the beginning of there careers. Hungarian Zsolt Erdei has been very inactive of late and close to the end at 35. Woods 37, last chance comes against Cloud. Those guys can now be supplanted with Dawson, Pascal, Shumenov & Cloud along with impressive prospects like Cleverly, Sillakh, Agnew & Tucker who will look to break out further. The Light Heavyweight division looks like it’s in good hands for the coming years.
ShoBox: The New Generation – News and Notes
FORMER LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT KINGPIN ANTONIO TARVER
TO JOIN SHOWTIME AS GUEST COMMENTATOR ON SHOBOX
____________________________________________________________________________________________
NEW YORK (July 27, 2009) – Crafty former light heavyweight world champion Antonio Tarver will join ShoBox: The New Generation announcers Nick Charles and Steve Farhood as a guest commentator on the telecast live Friday, July 31, on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
Tarver, the former undisputed 175-pound world champion, is the only man to stick two losses on the professional resume of future Hall of Famer Roy Jones, Jr.
Said Tarver about his SHOWTIME commentating debut, “I’d like to think that I am more than a boxer; I’m an on air personality. My experience as both an amateur and professional boxer will bring insight to the telecast. Nick and Steve are phenomenal at what they do and I’m just excited to be able to add the element of experience. I can let the audience at home know what these boxers are feeling at a very difficult time. So many things go through your mind and I understand the anxiety, the desperation, the excitement, and when you’re in a tricky spot, the fear.”
Tarver, still considered one of the best boxers in his era, continues to train and dedicate himself to furthering his boxing career. “By no means does this signal my retirement or the end of my boxing career. This is just another aspect to my career. I’m in the gym, I’m training and I’ll be fighting again this year.”
EXCLUSIVE TIMOTHY BRADLEY AND NATE CAMPBELL INTERVIEWS TO AIR DURING SHOBOX TELECAST
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Friday’s ShoBox telecast will also feature interviews with World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley and former unified lightweight champion and dynamic puncher Nate Campbell one night before their fight on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Saturday, Aug. 1, live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast)
Bradley, who has racked up frequent flyer miles and collected two world titles fighting the best at 140-pounds all over the world, will get his first shot at a “home game” at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif., less than 10 miles from where Bradley grew up in North Palm Springs.
The veteran Campbell, of Jacksonville, Fla., is a former unified 135-pound titleholder who is moving up in weight to challenge Bradley at 140-pounds. He can be crafty and smart, but more importantly, he’s hard hitting with 25 of his 33 wins coming by knockout.
Further Information:
July 31, 2009 – ShoBox: The New Generation: Quintero vs. Harris
In the main event, talented, once-beaten prospect Marvin Quintero (16-1, 12 KOs) hopes to continue his ascension through the ranks with a triumph over hard-hitting veteran Tyrone Harris (23-5, 15 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight bout.
In the co-feature, undefeated bantamweight prospect Chris Avalos (10-0, 8 KOs) will take on knockout artist Andre Wilson (11-2-1, 9 KOs) in an eight-round bantamweight bout.
The event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and will originate from Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif.
August 1, 2009 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: Bradley vs. Campbell
In the main event, Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (24-0, 11 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) 140-pound crown against former unified lightweight world champion Nate “Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KOs).
The co-feature will pit World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 1-ranked super lightweight Devon Alexander “The Great” will fight for the vacant WBC super lightweight championship against the former holder of that belt, Junior “The Hitter” Witter.
The event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions in association with Don King Productions and Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa.
For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the SHOWTIME Sports website at http://sports.sho.com.
About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Malignaggi, Kendall Holt, Timothy Bradley and Bernard Dunne.
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®.
ANTONIO TARVER IS FLY AT 40!
ON THE NEXT TV ONE ACCESS: HOST TATYANA ALI AND CORRESPONDENT QUDDUS CELEBRATE THE HOTTEST 40-YEAR-OLDS IN HOLLYWOOD
Tarver Joins Diddy, Jennifer Lopez and Tyler Perry Among Those Honored
Burbank, Calif. – June 5, 2009 – Three-time world light heavyweight champion and “Rocky Balboa” co-star ANTONIO TARVER will be featured on the next “TV One Access,” when host Tatyana Ali and correspondent Quddus celebrate the hottest 40-year-olds in Hollywood. “The Big 4-OH!” is an hour-long special produced by TV One’s monthly entertainment news program, “TV One Access.” The special premieres This Sunday! June 7, on cable’s TV One. http://www.accesshollywood.com/topic/tv-one
In this episode, “TV One Access” is hosting a birthday bash in honor of the biggest ballers, shot callers and power players who are at the top of their game at the age of 40. Some of the celebrities joining Tarver included a wide range from actor Terrance Howard and “Grey’s Anatomy” star Chandra Wilson to retired NFL football star Emmit Smith.
“Just call me fly at 40,” said Tarver who hit the milestone last November. “Last month I took an undefeated 26-year-old world champion in Chad Dawson into deep water making him fight a full 12 rounds. Ted Williams won a batting title at 40 and Jack Nicklaus became a Masters champion for the sixth time at 46. Keep that rocking chair in storage, the best is yet to come for me in the ring and on the silver screen.”
“With so many of Hollywood’s hottest stars turning 40 this year, ‘TV One Access’ decided to throw a grown and sexy birthday bash to celebrate this milestone year,” said Monique Chenault, Senior Producer, “TV One Access.” “Each star honored in this special episode, ‘The Big 4-OH!’ is proof that the good life begins at 40 years young.”
Diddy, the hip-hop mogul and father of five who heads up Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, turns 40 later this fall. Diddy is also a successful rapper and actor and is worth an estimated $300 million. Rapper Jay-Z, who also runs Def Jam Records and is married to actress and singer Beyonce, turns 40 this December.
Also included are singer/actress Jennifer Lopez, who turns 40 this summer and is a multi-faceted business woman who has a successful clothing line and is the mother of twins and Tyler Perry, the successful writer, director, actor and producer whose successful films include “Diary Of A Mad Black Woman” and “Madea Goes to Jail.” Rounding out the group is Singer Al B. Sure and rapper O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson.
# # #
About TV ONE ACCESS
Developed exclusively for TV One by the producers of “Access Hollywood,” TV ONE ACCESS is a monthly hour-long show and also provides TV One viewers with daily entertainment news updates. The show is hosted by Tatyana Ali. The senior production team responsible for TV ONE ACCESS consists of Executive Producer Rob K. Silverstein, and Senior Producers Monique Chenault and Claudia Eaton.
Weights from Las Vegas
Chad Dawson 175 – Antonio Tarver 172
Bowie Tupou 257 – Chris Koval 256
Jose Guzman 134 – Jose Lugo 133
Said El Harrack 149 – Hugo Correa 153
Anna Donatell Hultin 130 – Jasica Rojo 131
Melissa Hernandez 125 – Jeri Sitzes 123
David Whittom 179 – Ismayl Sillakh 180
Jose Pacheco 119 – Omar Valencia 120
DAWSON READY TO GIVE TARVER A POUND FOR POUNDING!
LAS VEGAS, NEV (May 5, 2008) – “Bad” CHAD DAWSON has pulled out all stops in training for his upcoming defense of the IBF/IBO light heavyweight title belts he proudly wears courtesy the unanimous decision victory he earned over the previous champion ANTONIO “Magic Man” TARVER on October 11. Dawson, the undefeated two-time light heavyweight champion, will meet Tarver in a world championship rematch This Saturday! May 9, in The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The fight will be televised live nationally on HBO, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT, along with the replay of the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton junior welterweight title fight.
“I already know I’m the best in the division because no other champion will fight me, which is why I give Tarver so much credit for stepping up again,” said Dawson. “Our last fight was a good one and Tarver has always won the rematch after a loss which has inspired me to train harder than ever. I’m not going to be another rematch victory notch on his belt like Roy Jones, Jr., Glen Johnson and Eric Harding. I’m out to prove that I’m not just the king of the light heavyweight division, but also the best, pound for pound, and if it means giving Tarver a pound for pounding, then so be it. No mercy.”
Promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and AT Entertainment, remaining tickets to Dawson-Tarver II are priced at $250, $175, $150, $75, $50 and $35 can be purchased at www.hardrockhotel.com, www.Ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster outlets.
Dawson (27-0, 17 KOs), from New Haven, Conn., began his second reign as a light heavyweight world champion by dethroning the defending IBF/IBO champion Tarver in a hard-fought battle in Las Vegas on October 11, 2008. For Dawson, it was a victory that proved he was one of boxing’s elite and a Top-10 pound-for pound fighter. Dawson’s resume proves he’s the man to beat. In fact three of his last five victories have been against defending or former world champions who had a combined record of 105-15-2 (76 KOs), a winning percentage of 86% and a victory by knockout ratio of 72%. Dawson, 26, captured his first world title on February 3, 2007 Dawson successfully defended his title three times over the next 14 months, the third against former world champion and 2004 Fighter of the Year Glen Johnson before vacating the title to challenge Tarver. by dethroning previously undefeated WBC light heavyweight champion Tomasz Adamek. It remains the only loss on the new IBF cruiserweight champion’s resume.
Tarver (27-5, 19 KOs), from Tampa, Fla., is one of his era’s greatest champions. The only man to hang two losses on the legendary Roy Jones, Jr. and the first to ever knock him out, Tarver also boasts victories over world champions Glen Johnson, Montell Griffin and Reggie Johnson. A true renaissance man, Tarver heads up his own promotional company, AT Entertainment, his own charitable foundation, The Antonio Tarver Foundation, a not-for-profit organization established to fund, create and provide opportunities for young people to achieve their dreams, and he co-starred with Sylvester Stallone in the 2006 hit motion picture “Rocky Balboa.”
DAWSON AND TARVER SET DATE FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH! IBF/IBO Light Heavyweight Championship Moves to Saturday, May 9 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas Broadcast Live on HBO World Championship Boxing
LAS VEGAS , NEV ( March 18, 2009 ) – The NEW Joint will be jumpin’! Undefeated IBF/IBO light heavyweight champion CHAD DAWSON and three-time world champion ANTONIO TARVER will meet in a rematch of their world title fight, Saturday, May 9, in The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. The fight will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 10:30 p.m. EDT / 7:30 p.m. PDT .
Promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC and AT Entertainment, Dawson-Tarver II tickets, priced at $250, $175, $150, $75, $50 and $35, can be purchased at www.hardrockhotel.com , www.Ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster outlets.
Dawson (27-0, 17 KOs ), from New Haven , Conn. , began his second reign as a light heavyweight world champion by dethroning the defending champion Tarver in a hard-fought battle in Las Vegas on October 11, 2008. For Dawson , it was a victory that proved he was one of boxing’s elite and a Top-10 pound-for pound fighter. Dawson ’s resume proves he’s the man to beat. In fact three of his last five victories have been against defending or former world champions who had a combined record of 105-15-2 (76 KOs ), a winning percentage of 86% and a victory by knockout ratio of 72%. Dawson successfully defended his title three times over the next 14 months, the third against former world champion and 2004 Fighter of the Year Glen Johnson before vacating the title to challenge Tarver. Dawson , 26, captured his first world title on February 3, 2007 by dethroning previously undefeated WBC light heavyweight champion Tomasz Adamek. It remains the only loss on the new IBF cruiserweight champion’s resume.
“Winning my first world title was a career highlight, but beating Tarver last year was a personal joy, one I look forward to repeating on May 9, “said Dawson. “I’ve beaten the best in my division. I am the king of the light heavyweights.”
Tarver (27-5, 19 KOs ), from Tampa , Fla. , is one of his era’s greatest champions. The only man to hang two losses on the legendary Roy Jones, Jr. and the first to ever knock him out, Tarver also boasts victories over world champions Glen Johnson, Montell Griffin and Reggie Johnson. A true renaissance man, Tarver heads up his own promotional company, AT Entertainment, his own charitable foundation, The Antonio Tarver Foundation, a not-for-profit organization established to fund, create and provide opportunities for young people to achieve their dreams, and he co-starred with Sylvester Stallone in the 2006 hit motion picture “Rocky Balboa.”
“ Dawson ’s a young lion and he had a high work rate during our first fight,” said Tarver. “I missed a few times with my power shot but that’s what it is, it’s a game of inches. But I always learn from my losses, and as Roy Jones, Glen Johnson, and Eric Harding will tell you, I never lose twice to the same man. Dawson will learn that lesson too on May 9.”
Dawson injures hand; rematch with Tarver on hold
Accoriding to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF Light Heavyweight champion Chad Dawson injured his hand that will force his March 14 rematch with Antonio Tarver to be postponed.
Gary Shaw said that the diagnosis was ligament damage and that Dawson was in a soft cast, unable to train for about two weeks.
“It’s not a break, it’s a ligament,” Shaw said. “In two weeks, he’ll be able to go back into training. The question is when can HBO give us another date for the fight?”
“I’m bummed. I really wanted Chad to get back in the ring to show his wares and move on,” Shaw said. “I’m sure Chad is pretty upset too. I’m sure HBO is pretty bummed out. Chad should be ready to fight as early as mid-April.”
ROY JONES JR. RETURNS TO FIGHT IN PENSACOLA AGAINST OMAR SHEIKA
IN “MARCH BADNESS” ON SATURDAY, MARCH 21 LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW
Card will Feature MMA Bouts with Stars Seth Petruzelli,
Bob Lashley, Roy Nelson, Jeff Monson & Doug Marshall
Pensacola, FL (February 11, 2009) – Roy Jones Jr., Eight-Time World Champion, returns to Pensacola to fight for the first time since January, 1999 when he battles Omar Sheika at the Pensacola Civic Center on Saturday, March 21, 2009. The fight card will also feature a bevy of Mixed Martial Arts stars headlined by Seth Petruzelli, who most recently knocked out Internet legend and previously undefeated Kimbo Slice. The event is being promoted by Square Ring Promotions in association with Hirsch Borao Boxing and the Pensacola Civic Center and will be broadcast live on pay-per-view.
Tickets, priced at $128, $103, $78, $53 & $28 go on sale Wednesday, February 11th at 10:00 a.m. and will be available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Pensacola Civic Center Box Office and Ticketmaster.com.
It wasn’t that long ago that Roy Jones Jr. (52-5, 38 KOs) was the consensus “pound-for-pound” champion and just over 20 years since the exuberant, talent-brimming Jones was denied an Olympic Gold Medal by corrupt judges. In a contradictory but unofficial admission the “Silver Medialist” Jones was named the Most Valuable Boxer at the ’88 Seoul Olympics. Jones later used that unfortunate episode as inspiration to become an eight-time world champion in four weight classes, claiming belts at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight.
He blew through the 90s and well into the 21st Century in unstoppable fashion, stunning his opponents with blinding quickness and brutal power, beating the top names in the sport, including Bernard Hopkins, James “Lights Out” Toney, Mike McCallum and Virgil Hill. He made history on March 1, 2003 when he stymied then-heavyweight champion John Ruiz to become the first former middleweight champion to win the heavyweight title in more than 100 years.
Following the Ruiz triumph, Jones was to take on “Iron” Mike Tyson, but when the deal fell through he had to lose twenty-five pounds of solid muscle in six weeks to drop not one, but two weight classes to regain the light heavyweight championship from Florida rival and nemesis Antonio Tarver on November 8, 2003. It was an unprecedented feat in boxing history, going from middleweight champion to heavyweight champion then back down to win the light heavyweight championship once again. However, the sudden weight variations had taken a toll on Jones’ body and he subsequently lost consecutive bouts against Tarver (twice) and Glen Johnson.
Down, but not out, Jones came back to score wins in his next two fights, setting up a highly-anticipated duel with Puerto Rican legend Felix “Tito” Trinidad at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2008. A Felis renewed Jones looked sharp and focused, flooring Trinidad twice, in capturing a hard fought unanimous win. In his most recent bout, on November 8, 2008 in “Battle of the Superpowers” Jones fought undefeated and the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Joe Calzaghe. Jones started out strong, knocking Calzaghe down with a left-right combination in the first round and had “Super” Joe practically out on his feet. To his credit, Calzaghe mustered the heart to get through the round, gaining strength in the next few rounds until Jones rocked him in the sixth with a deadly uppercut. The fight, however, took a significant turn in the seventh when Jones was cut for the first time in his career from a Calzaghe right hand. Jones’ corner was unable to stop the bleeding, and the steady stream of blood running over his eye was wreaking havoc on his vision and his pace had slowed considerably. Calzaghe went on to win a unanimous decision. To Roy, this was just another valley, and he will now begin another trek back to the peak and the first step takes place on March 21 against the always game, exciting brawler Omar Sheika.
Sheika (27-8, 18 KOs) of Paterson, N.J. accomplished something Roy Jones Jr. did not: he beat Glen Johnson, on June 2, 2000 at the famed Blue Horizon in Philadelphia. In the fourth-round, Sheika was getting inside of Johnson’s jab and began to nail him with uppercuts. He then floored Johnson with a powerful right hand. The fight went the distance and Sheika won a majority decision.
The Johnson win catapulted Sheika to a world title fight against reigning super middleweight champion and another Jones common opponent, Joe Calzaghe on August 12, 2000. In the fifth round of that bout a nasty laceration was forming above Omar’s left eye due to an accidental clash of heads earlier in the fight. However, the referee had ruled it had come from a punch and when it was decided that Omar could not continue, the fight ended as a technical knockout loss for Sheika.
But Sheika may mostly be known for his two brawling and brutal bouts against Scott Pemberton. The first meeting took place on July 25, 2003 and was ESPN2’s Fight of the Year. Pemberton won a 12-round split decision after being knocked down by Sheika in round two and surviving a late round rally. Their January 23, 2004 rematch, again for the NABF super middleweight title, was just as action-packed and an early candidate for 2004’s Fight of the Year. Sheika knocked Pemberton down in round two and in the sixth, drove Pemberton into the ropes with an overhand right leading to a mandatory 8-count. Pemberton survived the round and in a reversal of fortune, knocked Sheika down for the first time in his career in the tenth and the fight was soon stopped. In Sheika’s last bout, on September 29, 2007, he stopped Tiwon Taylor in the fourth round in Atlantic City.
Mixed Martial Arts Fights
Seth “The Silverback” Petruzelli vs. Doug “Rhino” Marshall
Bobby Lashly vs. TBD
Roy “Big Country” Nelson vs. Jeff “The Snowman” Monson
Headlining the Mixed Martial Arts portion of the card will be Seth “The Silverback” Petruzelli (10-4, 9 KOs) a wrestling/karate specialist from Fort Myers, FL. Seth has had only three of his fourteen bouts go longer than one round. Most recently, on October 4, 2008, Petruzelli took a fight against Internet Legend Kimbo Slice on one hour notice in an event broadcast on national television. Petruzelli attacked Slice from the opening bell and the fight was stopped 14 seconds in, giving Kimbo his first professional loss…and a new MMA star was born.
Doug “Rhino” Marshall (9-3, 6 KOs, 3 Submissions) is a Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu specialist from Visalia, CA. Doug began his MMA career at heavyweight and won his pro debut in 32 seconds. “Rhino” was given the opportunity to fight for a title in only his third pro fight and won that in 22 seconds! Doug’s thirst for winning was motivating him to train harder and his new regimen dropped him down to light heavyweight. On August 17, 2006, Doug won the WEC light heavyweight championship and had three successful defenses.
Bobby Lashley (1-0, 1 KO) is 6’3”, 265 lbs and cut like a Greco-Roman statue. He hails from Junction City, Kansas and was a three-time NCAA wrestling champion (1996-’98) and four-time All-American while at Missouri Valley College. After college, Lashley joined the Army and was a two-time Armed Forces Champion and 2002 Silver Medalist at the Military World Championships. In 2005, he began working in professional wrestling and before long was a WWE superstar. In 2007, Lashley was the star of Wrestlemania 23, representing Donald Trump in a bet against Vince McMahon. Lashley won the match and helped Trump shave Vince McMahon’s head in the ring. Lashley then began to train in MMA full time and made his debut on December 13, 2008 by stopping his opponent in 41 seconds in Miami, FL.
Roy “Big Country” Nelson (13-3, 6 KOs, 3 Submissions) is a grappler and Jui Jitsu specialist from Las Vegas, NV. Nelson played football and baseball and wrestled in high school. “Big Country” became motivated to learn martial arts after watching “The Karate Kid” and now trains with Ken Shamrock in The Lion’s Den. The 250 lb. heavy-handed Nelson is the current International Fight League (IFL) Heavyweight Champion. He’s a fan-favorite for two reasons…his body type (soft) and his skill (outstanding).
Jeff “The Snowman” Monson (27-8, 2 KOs, 17 Submissions) from Olympia, WA is 5’ 8” 240 lbs of solid muscle and was recently featured in a 3-page spread in ESPN The Magazine, as the world’s most intimidating MMA fighter. Monson got his nickname while in a 1999 grappling tournament in Brazil. He came in unknown and beat four Brazilians in a row, each tougher than the one before him, to win the tournament. They said he was like a snowball: white, compact, rolling downhill while getting bigger and stronger. In a fight, he is an avalanche headed straight for you. From 2002 to 2006, Monson won sixteen consecutive fights over the four and a half year time period. Monson, who has run into problems with the law as an open anarchist, comes into the ring using John Lennon’s “Imagine” and is a card-carrying member of the Industrial Workers of the World (Wobblies). Not only a superb athlete, Monson is an intellectual and idealist, and these attributes coupled with his skills as a fighter, make him one dangerous and unpredictable opponent.
“March Badness” is being distributed by Square Ring Promotions, Inc. live on pay per view at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in North America, on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network in the United States, as well as Viewer’s Choice, Shaw Cable, Star Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
CONTACTS: Ed Keenan, EMC (609) 399-1330 keenan@emcevents.com <mailto:keenan@emcevents.com>
Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, (978) 664-4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com
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