RSSEarly Eight Count
Monday, July 02, 2007
EEC - July 2, 2007
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- The rumors are true: Felix Trinidad will be coming out of retirement to fight later this year, most likely in December.
- Oleg Maskaev’s showdown against Samuel Peter has been moved from September 29th to October 6th on Showtime and will now take place at Madison Square Garden according to Don King. Showtime is looking to fill the vacant September 29th weekend spot with a possible matchup between Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson, provided they are both victorious in their bouts on June 9th.
- Contract talks between the camps of Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik are almost finished according to Lou DiBella. Taylor would end up defending his middleweight titles on September 29th on HBO. DiBella says that he is currently attempting to hold the event at Boardwalk Hall.
- NetBoxe is reporting that WBC and WBA Cruiserweight Champion Jean-Marc Mormeck is currently in talks with the camp of David Haye for a possible fight on September 28th.
- Nikolai Valuev and Vladimir Virchis look set to fight at some point this fall. The deadline for purse bids for this fight is July 30th according to Per Ake Persson of Boxing Scene.
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Friday, May 25, 2007
EEC - May 25, 2007
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- The proposed rematch between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez for August 4th is now official…
- Boxing Hall of Famer Michael Carbajal was arrested yesterday for allegedly threatening a Phoenix police officer as well as carrying an open container of liquor in public:
The 39-year-old Carbajal was booked into jail on suspicion of threatening and intimidating a police officer and a liquor violation, police said. He was later released on bond.
Sgt. Joel Tranter, a Phoenix police spokesman, said Carbajal was “agitated, argumentative and belligerent” with officers who found him walking in a vacant lot with an open bottle of rum early Thursday.
Carbajal “threatened to kill one of the officers” and was taken into custody, Tranter said.
- WBA Middleweight Champ Felix Sturm will defend his title on June 30th against Alesia Graf in Germany…
Weekend Fights:
Friday -
Anthony Peterson vs Luis Ernesto Jose - Washington DC - Lightweight (ESPN2)
Lamont Peterson vs John Brown - Washington DC - Junior Welterweight (ESPN2)
Jesus Soto-Karass vs Gilbert Venegas - Albuquerque, NM - Welterweight
Brandon Rios vs Carlos Madrid - Albuquerque, NM - Featherweight
Ray Sanchez vs Chris Overbey - Albuquerque, NM - Welterweight
Saturday -
Krzysztof Wlodarczyk vs Steve Cunningham - Warsaw, Poland - IBF Cruiserweight Title
Arthur Abraham vs Sebastien Demers - Bamberg, Germany - IBF Middleweight Title
Vadim Tokarev vs Marco Huck - Bamberg, Germany - IBF Cruiserweight Eliminator
Thursday, May 24, 2007
EEC - May 24, 2007
Just to let everyone know, this me blogging and not my father…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Zab Judah is a sly fox…
Judah fooled promoters and media alike yesterday when he allowed his father, Yoel, to replace him on a scheduled conference call. Moments after the 30 minute session was over, multiple writers contacted Top Rank’s Lee Samuels and said that they didn’t think it was Zab on the phone.
“We don’t promote Zab, we promote Cotto,” Samuels said. “So I immediately checked with Judah’s camp and they said it was his father on the conference call.”
“Mea culpa,” Samuels said. “I called Zab’s number 10 minutes ahead to make sure he would be ready and I assumed the person I was talking to was Zab. I’ve been doing conference calls for Top Rank since 1982 and I’ve never been snookered like this before. I would have made a lousy contestant on the game show ‘To Tell The Truth.’ But I do apologize to the media for this.”
Samuels said that he will attempt to schedule a new conference call with Zab before the fight…
- Former WBA Light Middleweight and Middleweight Champion Julian Jackson will be presented with a permanent Middleweight Title on June 18th by the WBC.
- According to a recent interview ITV did with Bob Arum, Kelly Pavlik is going to be bigger than Oscar De La Hoya:
“It is hard for you to envision now, but he will be much bigger than Oscar De La Hoya ever was. I’m telling you. That is my goal,’’ Arum said.
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Saturday, April 28, 2007
EEC - April 28, 2007
Some fight results and a fight announcement headline today’s Early Eight Count…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- EBU Cruiserweight Champion David Haye was victorious in his heavyweight debut last night with a TKO win over Tomasz Bonin in the first round. Haye improved to 19-1 while Bonin fell to 37-2. One of the most interesting things to note is that Haye weighed in at a stout 231 lbs for the bout despite fighting the majority of his fights at the cruiserweight limit of in or around 200 lbs.
- Dan Rafael of ESPN is reporting that a rematch between Rafael Marquez and Israel Vazquez is currently set for August 4th on Showtime. If you recall, the two last fought on March 3rd with Marquez taking Vazquez’s belt and stopping him in the 7th round. Vazquez’s corner was forced to throw in the towel after Vazquez apparently told his corner that he could not breath correctly.
- Both Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr successfully made their 7 day weigh-ins prior to their fight on May 5th…
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Friday, April 27, 2007
EEC - April 27, 2007
A lot of quotes today…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Because of his comments by his son and brother, Floyd Mayweather Sr will no longer involve himself in the May 5th fight between his son, Floyd Mayweather Jr , and Oscar De La Hoya according to an interview with the Grand Rapids Press:
“We’re back to square one,” Floyd Sr. said. “That’s where we’re at, we’re back at the beginning. I do want to get back together with Little Floyd. I do want to get to know my grandkids. But if he doesn’t want it to happen, so it will be. Roger talks all that (stuff) on TV, but what champions has he made? I made Floyd Mayweather Jr., and even he knows that. That foundation was already laid, long before Roger. Roger shouldn’t even comment on things that went on between me and Little Floyd. Floyd is only 30 years old, and Roger has lived in Las Vegas for 26, 27 years. He was never there to know.”
“Your kids are looking, your grandmother’s looking, your family’s looking. You don’t say stuff like that. What is he getting out of that? I don’t know why he’s willing to be portrayed as the bad guy. It’s reality TV, and you can say something wrong, and they catch you. That’s one thing. But he looks right in the camera and says it.”
“I didn’t do anything to Floyd except care. And when you get right down to it, he didn’t do anything for me. Everything I’ve got, I got from De La Hoya. I don’t care if it is his uncle. To say he’s loyal to Roger, when I’m the one who gave him life? What is he talking about? I’ve been careful not to say anything bad about anybody this camp, and I don’t even think Little Floyd should be speaking on it.”
- Speaking of “Little Floyd” - He thinks that everyone, the media and De La Hoya especially, is going to be surprised by his punching power on May 5th:
“I’ve got a hell of a knockout ratio and I feel that’s what is going to be the surprise for Oscar on May 5 - my punching power. My hands are strong and I feel good. Weight doesen’t win a fight. Fame doesn’t win a fight. Smartness and intelligence win a fight,” Mayweather said. “Everybody says Oscar has a good left hook. Well Floyd Mayweather has a good left hook, a good right hand and can dig to the body with both hands. He has the best defense in boxing and can beat you inside or outside.”
- In a possible attempt to try and get Jermain Taylor to accept Frank Warren’s attempts to match Taylor and Joe Calzaghe up this summer, Calzaghe has once again stated that he wants either Taylor or Mikkel Kessler for his next title defense…
“I have proudly held the WBO title for nearly 10 years since my great win over Chris Eubank way back in 1997. I’ve made 20 defences and I would love my 21st to be either against Kessler or Taylor,” Said Calzaghe.
Weekend Fights:
Friday -
Mike Anchondo vs Darling Jimenez - Washington, DC - Junior Lightweight (ESPN2)
Vernon Paris vs Alain Hernandez - Washington, DC - Junior Welterweight (ESPN2)
David Haye vs Tomasz Bonin - London, England - Heavyweight
Tommy Morrison vs Dale Ortiz - Houston, TX - Heavyweight
Sergio Martinez vs Saul Roman - Houston, TX - WBC Junior Middleweight Title Eliminator
Jose Aguiniga vs Joe Morales - Houston, TX - Featherweight
Vanes Martirosyan vs Nelson Estupinan - Houston, TX - Junior Middleweight
Saturday -
Acelino Freitas vs Juan Diaz - Mashantucket, CT - WBO/WBA Lightweight Title Unification Bout
Javier Castillejo vs Felix Sturm - Oberhausen, Germany - WBA Middleweight Title
Silvio Branco vs Stipe Drews - Oberhausen, Germany - WBA Light Heavyweight Title
Ricardo Torres vs Arturo Morua - Barranquilla, Colombia - WBO Junior Welterweight Title
Ivan Calderon vs Ronald Barrera - Barranquilla, Colombia - WBO Strawweight Title
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Tuesday, April 24, 2007
EEC - April 24, 2007
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Philippine broadcasting network ABS-CBN is reporting that one of Manny Pacquiao’s bodyguards shot and wounded a 10 year old boy yesterday. The boy was rushed to St. Elizabeth Hospital in General Santos City and is currently in stable condition. Doctors stated that the boy was shot in both of his hands.
There is a nationwide gun ban in the Philippines. So why did Pacquiao’s bodyguard have a gun? He was given approval to carry firearms after alleged kidnapping threats to Pacquiao and other members of his family.
- The WBC has ordered two mandatory title bouts: Edgar Sosa will defend his WBC Light Flyweight Title against Luis Lazarte and Jean-Marc Mormeck will make his first defense of his WBC Cruiserweight Championship against David Haye. The winner of the Mormeck-Haye bout will be forced to fight former WBC Cruiserweight title holder O’Neil Bell later this year.
- Corrie Sanders will face Kevin Monity on May 12…
- Amir Khan will take on Willie Limond at London’s O2 Arena on July 14. Steven Luevano and Nicky Cook will decide who gets the vacant WBO Featherweight Title that same night in the main event…
- Here are some quotes from the Litzau - Valtierra press conference that was held yesterday…
Bob Van Syckle (Litzau’s trainer): “This is a very important fight for Jason. A win in this fight will get him back in the top ten rankings and back on HBO in a revenge match with Jose Hernandez. Jason had his best training camp ever. At first I was a little apprehensive about training in his hometown of St. Paul with all the temptations nearby, but, Jason showed his professionalism by maintaining a strict training discipline. He trained 3 times a day, starting with a run around Phalen Lake at 6:00 am, sparring at Rice Street Gym in the afternoon and finishing up with strength and conditioning at Lifetime Fitness in the evening. You will see a new and improved Jason Litzau with an emphasis on Defense and smart, aggressive offense.”
Jason Litzau: “Since I was a little kid, I dreamed of fighting in the main event at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in my hometown of St. Paul. Now, on April 25, my dream will become a reality. I hope we can sell out the arena because nothing motivates me more than 6,000 screaming fans. I know that this will be my toughest fight. My opponent has never been stopped, and he is coming here to stop me. I guarantee that I will give everyone in the stands and everyone watching on ESPN2 their money’s worth. My ultimate goal is to win a World Championship for Minnesota and to do it in the big arena, the EXCEL Energy Center.”
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Friday, April 20, 2007
EEC - April 20, 2007
Weekend Fights:
Friday -
Mike Arnaoutis vs Kendall Holt - Atlantic City, NJ - WBO Junior Welterweight Eliminator (Showtime)
Mike Marrone vs Malachy Farrell - Atlantic City, NJ - Heavyweight (Showtime)
Malcolm Klaasen vs Mzonke Fana - Khayelitsha, South Africa - IBF Junior Lightweight Title
Some Good Reads:
Boxing Scene: Larry brought substance, eloquence and honesty
Eastside Boxing: Dream Fight Article - Foreman vs. Tyson: If They’d Met In 1990!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
EEC - April 19, 2007
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Former heavyweight champion Chris Byrd made his return to the ring last night and defeated Paul Marinaccio by TKO in the 7th round…
- According to various reports coming from the UK, newly crowned WBA Heavyweight Champion Ruslan Chagaev may possibly make his first title defense this summer against the winner of the May 26th bout between Matt Skelton and Michael Sprott in London.
Chagaev actually took on Sprott in June of 2006 and knocked him out in the 8th round…
- Mark Vester of Boxing Scene is reporting that WBA Cruiserweight Champion Virgil Hill is demanding a third bout against Henry Maske…
- Joe Frazier has filed a lawsuit against his daughter that seeks the return of various contracts, product endorsements, business papers, and various other documents that his daughter has reportedly has in her possession. Frazier’s daughter served as his lawyer and business advisor from 1989-2004.
- Who is Shane Mosley picking to win on May 5th? Oscar De La Hoya by KO…
- Paul Williams has told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he plans on brawling with Antonio Margarito when their scheduled bout goes down this summer:
“If you have the attitude that you won’t accept losing and you’re going to refuse to lose, it makes a difference,” said Williams. “The easy thing would have been to take the money and fight the other guy. But he stepped up like a man. I’m going to be in there and I’ll bang with him. I don’t think he’s going to be used to that. I’m a harder puncher than he’s seen.”
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Tuesday, April 17, 2007
EEC - April 17, 2007
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- According to a recent interview with BBC Sport, Jermain Taylor has turned down promoter Frank Warren’s latest offer of $4 million in order to fight Joe Calzaghe in London later this summer.
Warren has apparently been trying extremely hard to land Taylor as Calzaghe’s 21st title defense in July. However Taylor is now saying that he wants more than double the amount in order to lace up the gloves with Calzaghe.
“If Joe and Frank want me that much, make me an offer for $10 million and I will show up and bring him a gift to his front door,” Taylor told BBC Sport.
Taylor will take on Cory Spinks first on May 19th. He also says that he has no problem at all traveling overseas to Calzaghe’s home turf to fight him…
“No atmosphere is intimidating because, once you start fighting, your focus is on the man in front of you,” Taylor added.
If Taylor and Warren are unable to come to terms on a deal than Calzaghe may have to settle for a mandatory title defense against Dennis Irkin.
- Joan Guzman has fired Don House as his head trainer and replaced him with Floyd Mayweather Sr…
- Lovemore Ndou is certain that he can “whip Ricky Hatton’s ass”...
“Why do you think he chose to hand over the title rather than let me fight him for it? He knows he would get his ass whipped, simple as that. Instead he chose to fight Castillo who, just like him, is on the slide, Ndou said. “Fatton’s people know that I’m capable of doing more damage to that beer-belly than Castillo would at this time of his career. And truth is, if the Castillo that fought Corrales shows up that night, he is capable of punching Fatton through the ropes.”
Some Good Reads:
Eastside Boxing: Rating The Heavyweights - After Saturday’s Shake-Up, Today’s Top-Ten
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Thursday, April 12, 2007
EEC - April 12, 2007
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Look for the April KO Corner World Rankings to be released at some point this weekend…
- Andrey Tsurkan stopped Sam Sparkman in the ninth round of their bout last night in New York City and successfully defending his NABF Junior Middleweight Title. Tsurkan connected with a left hook in the early stages of the ninth round and put Sparkman right to sleep. It was Tsurkan’s 16th career KO…
- On the undercard of the Tsurkan-Sparkman fight, Raymond Joval won a unanimous decision victory over Willie Gibbs…
- According to members of Jameson Bostic’s training camp, Robert Allen, Bostic’s opponent for a bout scheduled for next weekend has officially pulled out. Allen cited a lack of interest in fighting Bostic as the main reason.
However Bostic’s camp sees it another way:
“My manager Bob Cerbe received a phone call from Team Allen, saying he was no longer interested in fighting me. Apparently, the fact that I’m 6’4” and training with Buddy McGirt scared them off.”
“That man has the nerve to call himself Armed and Dangerous? That scared punk looks more like ‘Armed and Shameless’ if you ask me.”
Robert Allen’s training camp. The former world title challenger abruptly withdrew from next week’s scheduled showdown with Jameson “Jamie Kang” Bostic