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Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Cotto Defends Against Mosley on November 10
NEW YORK – “Fast & Furious” is the only way to describe this epic rumble between two of boxing’s top pound for pound superstars—undefeated WBA world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto and four-time world champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, in association with Madison Square Garden, “Fast & Furious” will take place Saturday, November 10, at the “Mecca of Boxing,” Madison Square Garden. The 12-round world welterweight title fight will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
Cotto (30-0, 25 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico, has headlined at the ‘Mecca of Boxing’ on the eve of New York’s annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade the last three years. On June 9, in front of a capacity crowd of over 20,500, Cotto, 26, knocked out two-division world champion Zab Judah to retain his title and improve his Garden record to 3-0.
“I am very excited to be returning to Madison Square Garden and I will be completely prepared for the biggest fight of my career,” said Cotto. “Shane is a great fighter but he will not be the better fighter on November 10. I will be leaving the ring the same way I will be entering it – undefeated and still world champion.”
Continue reading "Cotto Defends Against Mosley on November 10"
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Wednesday, July 11, 2007
De La Hoya to Attend Chagaev-Ibragimov
LOS ANGELES - Golden Boy Promotions’ President Oscar De La Hoya and CEO Richard Schaefer will be in attendance when Golden Boy co-promoted WBO World Heavyweight Champion Sultan Ibragimov and WBA Heavyweight Champion Ruslan Chagaev square off to unify their titles on October 13th in Moscow.
De La Hoya and Schaefer are extremely excited about the opportunity to witness what looks to be the beginning of a resurgence of the heavyweight division first hand, as both Heavyweight Champions seek to become the first Unified Heavyweight Champion of the 21st century. Ibragimov and Chagaev will battle to become the first heavyweight to unify the title since November of 1999, when Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield by unanimous decision. The fight also marks the first time in boxing history that two champions will be attempting to unify in the first defenses of their titles.
“This is going to be a big night for the entire sport of boxing and I am thrilled to travel to Moscow to be a part of it,” said ten-time World Champion and President of Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya. “For the first time in nearly a decade, we are finally getting closer to seeing who the true king of the heavyweight division is.”
De La Hoya continued, “I would like to thank Sultan Ibragimov’s sponsor, Nafta Moskva, for their commitment to Sultan and for making this historic event possible.”
Making the trip with De La Hoya will be Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer who noted “Never before has a fighter attempted to unify belts in his first title defense, and in this case both fighters are trying to earn that honor,” noted Schaefer. “This is a monumental event that Oscar and I can’t wait to witness first hand.”
The Ibragimov-Chagaev World Heavyweight Championship Unification is presented by Nafta Moskva and is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Seminole Warriors Boxing, Golden Grain Promotions and Sampson Lewkowicz in association with Universum Box-Promotion.
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Wednesday, May 23, 2007
De La Hoya Picks Ibragimov Over Briggs
LOS ANGELES – Sultan Ibragimov is ready to put his unbeaten record up for grabs against the WBO Heavyweight Champion, Shannon Briggs, on Saturday, June 2nd at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ.
The high-impact 12-round showdown is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Seminole Warriors Boxing Promotions in association with Caesar’s Atlantic City, Nafta Moskya, Golden Grain, CSI Sports, Global Advertising and Main Events. The fight will be shown on Pay-Per-View and begins at 9:00 pm ET/ 6:00 pm PT.
Ibragimov is one of the hottest talents in the heavyweight division, and experts as well as his Russian supporters believe he has the ability to beat the current champion in this long-awaited match up. The championship fight was originally scheduled for March 10, but was postponed after Briggs suffered from an pneumonia.
“We’re confident that Sultan Ibragimov is the next heavyweight champion of the world, and we’re eager to see him beat Shannon Briggs and put the championship belt around his waist,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya.
“He dominated Javier Mora with a quick 46-second knockout in the first round of his last fight, and we know he is ready for his fight against Briggs,” continued De La Hoya.
A 2000 Olympic Silver medalist for Russia, Sultan Ibragamov (20-0-1, 17 KO’s) turned pro in 2002 with a first round knockout of Tracy Williams - in fact, his first four fights ended in opening round victories. He won the WBO Asia-Pacific title in October of 2004 with a third-round knockout against Najee Shaheed. He defended that crown six times.
He has also defeated former world champion Al Cole and contenders Lance Whitaker and Zuri Lawrence.
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Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Itskowitch Named COO of Golden Boy
LOS ANGELES - Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, on the heels of promoting De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, the most financially successful fight in boxing history, today announced that David Itskowitch has been hired to fill the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer of Golden Boy Promotions.
“It is our pleasure to have David Itskowitch join the Golden Boy Promotions team,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “With his knowledge and experience in the boxing industry we look forward to having him as our Chief Operating Officer.”
“It is an honor to be joining the Golden Boy Promotions team,” stated David Itskowitch. “The company has proven itself to be a powerhouse in the sport of boxing and I look forward to helping it reach even greater heights. Not only I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work for Oscar, who is one of the most respected individuals in boxing and truly one of the good guys in our sport, but also to work with Richard Schaefer and the first class staff at Golden Boy who I have had the pleasure of getting to know well over the past several years.”
Itskowitch, a 32-year-old graduate of the University of Wisconsin who previously served as Vice President of DiBella Entertainment from 2000 through 2006 following a three year stint at HBO Sports, will relocate from New York City in order to assume his post on June 1st at Golden Boy’s headquarters in Los Angeles.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Bojado’s Return Kicks Off Biggest Boxing Weekend Ever
LAS VEGAS – The night before the super fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, some of the world’s best fighters will be in action as Golden Boy Promotions presents “Fiesta Boxeo” at MGM Grand. The eyes of the world will be on Las Vegas for the biggest boxing weekend in decades which kicks off Friday, May 4 with the championship bout between World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight champion Hugo Cazares and challenger Wilfrido Valdez Perez.
This exciting night of world-class professional boxing will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the MGM Grand Conference Center and will feature the WBO championship bout, as well as the return of 2000 Olympian Francisco “Panchito” Bojado to the ring. The event will air live on Telefutura’s ‘Solo Boxeo’ telecast beginning at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST. Doors are scheduled to open at 3:30 p.m. with the first bout beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Continue reading "Bojado’s Return Kicks Off Biggest Boxing Weekend Ever"
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Monday, March 12, 2007
Ibragimov and Briggs Try Again on June 2
Fresh off a 46 second annihilation of Javier Mora on Saturday night at The Theater in Madison Square Garden, number one WBO Heavyweight contender Sultan Ibragimov is looking forward to getting his shot at champion Shannon Briggs on June 2, in his home country of Russia.
“I’ve been ready for Briggs for a long time and I’m just waiting to win the belt officially back home in Russia,” said Ibragimov. “June 2nd will be a big night for me and my fans.”
The unbeaten Ibragimov’s promoters, Seminole Warriors Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions, and Golden Grain Promotions, have finalized plans to bring the WBO Heavyweight Championship bout to Moscow, Russia on June 2.
Continue reading "Ibragimov and Briggs Try Again on June 2"
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Monday, February 12, 2007
EEC - February 12, 2007
Not a lot on the whole news front today but there’s still some interesting notes…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- One of Shane Mosley’s next opponents may very well be Miguel Cotto. Cotto’s scheduled June bout against Antonio Margarito is now all but officially cancelled since Margarito signed a contract to face WBO mandatory challenger Paul Williams.
- It seems that Bernard Hopkins is picking his fellow Golden Boy Promotions associate, Oscar De La Hoya to defeat Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May…
“Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather will be the first time in history that a fighter’s name gets changed after the fight, from Pretty Boy to Ugly Boy. I’m just telling you how I feel. The opposite of pretty is ugly. There ain’t no in-between. I’m just telling what’s going to happen,” Hopkins said.
- Hasim Rahman has pledged to donate a percentage of the rest of his career earnings to the family of an injured Baltimore detective who was struck by a vehicle driven by Rahman’s brother Karim during a chase from police in which Karim also robbed a convenience store.
Some Good Reads:
The Sweet Science: This Day in History (February 12, 1974)
MaxBoxing: Still Sweet
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Thursday, February 08, 2007
EEC - February 8, 2007
If you enjoyed yesterday’s rankings, I’m sure you will also like the fight predictions we will be coming out with in the next few weeks…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- As of right now, the June 9th showdown between Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto is apparently off...
So what exactly is happening here? Mark Vester breaks it down better then I can:
Last week, the WBO held a purse bid for a bout between their welterweight champion Antonio Margarito (34-4, 24KOs) and the mandatory challenger, Paul “The Punisher” Williams (32-0, 24KOs). Dan Goossen of Goossen-Tutor Promotions beat out Golden Boy Promotions for the right to promote the fight. Goossen bid $1.5 million to secure the promotional rights to stage the bout in either late May or early June, in either Las Vegas or Los Angeles.
Arum told scribe Robert Morales of the Press-Telegram that he did not participate in the purse bid because Margarito and his team told him that he was going to fight Cotto in June. Earlier this week it was revealed that Margarito signed to face Williams, instead of Cotto. Arum, who owns full promotional rights to Margarito, says that he never gave him permission to sign a contract for the fight.
Goossen-Tutor Promotions isn’t permitted to sign a contract making a Margarito-Williams bout since Margarito is under an exclusive contract with Arum and Top Rank…
“He has a contract with us, an exclusive contract with us,” Arum said of Margarito. “We didn’t participate in the purse bid because they (Margarito’s co-managers) told us not to because they were fighting Cotto. It (Margarito-Williams) may be a done deal as far as (Goossen) is concerned, but these people have no authority to sign a contract because they’re under an exclusive promotional agreement with us.”
You know what that means. Arum says he will be filing litigation by the end of the week, meaning he will now be in separate legal battles with Goossen-Tutor and Golden Boy Promotions at the same time.
- IC Wales is reporting that WBO Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Maccarinelli wants to come over to America and take on WBA, WBC, and IBF Cruiserweight Champion O’Neil Bell in an attempt to unify all four major cruiserweight titles.
Maccarinelli will defend his WBO title against Vincenzo Cantatore on April 7th. Because Bell fights the month before, a summer fight could work out great for the both of them:
“Bell is the one recognized as the undisputed champion, but he can’t call himself that until he beats me,” Maccarinelli told IC Wales. “That’s the fight I’m aiming for. He’s said he’s got a lot of admiration for me and that he wants my belt. I want to fight the best straight away and I definitely feel that I’ll get him.”
“He’s got a fight in March and I’m fighting in April, so it could work out. There’s talk about Joe going over to the States in July or there’s a lovely stadium (Liberty) down in Swansea which would be happy to hold the event. Home or away doesn’t bother me whatsoever. When that bell goes it’s only me against him, the crowd’s not going to help either of us.”
Some Good Reads:
FOX Sports: Greatness demands political incorrectness
The Sweet Science: Is Boxing Dead? Ask Mr. Computer
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Wednesday, January 31, 2007
EEC - January 31, 2007
A lot of matchups forming this week. Could the heavyweights be starting up as I predicted?
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Joe Calzaghe made sure it was a point to jump at the fact that his opponent on April 7th, Peter Manfredo Jr., will be without his primary trainer Freddie Roach who will be training Oscar De La Hoya for his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 5th.
“Sounds like Cap’n Freddie Roach was smart enough to jump ship before the U.S.S. Manfredo sinks in Wales on April 7,” remarked Calzaghe.
- Paul Spadafora will be returning to the ring on March 9th. An opponent has not yet been anmed for him…
- Now that Lou DiBella has Roy Jones Jr. locked up, he’s looking to make the possible super-fight between his client and Bernard Hopkins a reality:
“We will move forward to make the superfight against Hopkins on July 21 as long as the deal is fair to all parties and the fight is on an even playing field. I have never failed to make a fair deal with Golden Boy when we have negotiated for a fight that our fighters wanted.”
- Apparently Diddy looks up to Jack Johnson according to The Source magazine…
“I’m the return of Jack Johnson. His whole swagger, personality, the way he whupped yo ass, it’s the dress, the style, the cars and the money… “This man would rent whole trains, get six or seven women, take them away for six months and rent out the top floor of hotels… (at) a time when they were lynching niggas,” Combs said.
- What do Mike Tyson and Lindsay Lohan have in common? They are both in the same “rehab center”...
Some Good Reads:
ESPN: Lawrence got rocked, but ready to roll again
TSS: This Day in History (January 31, 1914)
Boxing Scene: The Big Time Has Called Kelly Pavlik
MaxBoxing: ‘The Ghost’ Arrives on the Scene; is Taylor Next?
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Thursday, January 25, 2007
EEC - January 25, 2007
Well the return of Vitali Klitschko means three things: Samuel Peter is getting screwed, the heavyweight division gets that much better, and we will never see the titles unified until he retires again…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Oscar De La Hoya will not use Floyd Mayweather Sr. as his trainer for his superfight against Mayweather’s son in May. A spokesman from Golden Boy Promotions said that the asking price of $2 Million to train Oscar was way too high and then De La Hoya has rejected the offer for the final time.
Even though he won’t be part of the May superfight unless his son mysteriously asks him to help out which is very unlikely, Mayweather Sr. apparently hasn’t ruled out working with De La Hoya in the future if the opportunity presents itself…
- The British Boxing Board of Control suspended Scott Harrison yesterday after he failed to show up to a scheduled hearing to discuss the cancellation of his fight with Nicky Cook last year. The association released this statement:
Despite confirmation of his attendance received from the office of his manager Barry Hughes, Scott Harrison failed to appear before a tribunal of the stewards scheduled to take place at the board’s offices. Accordingly his licence will remain suspended and he will not be permitted to take part in any boxing contest within the board’s jurisdiction until such time as the stewards permit him to do so.
- Confused about the whole Vitali Klitschko returning situation? This might help...
WBC President Jose Sulaiman says that the decision of Vitali Klitschko to return to boxing will provide a “New air of enthusiasm in the heavyweight division.” As an emeritus champion, or legend, WBC rules mean that Vitali could have an immediate crack at the current champion Oleg Maskaev. But Sulaiman says that the Board of Governors must vote on the next step, and their ruling is expected within ten days.
If they ordered an Eastern block confrontation the winner would then be ordered to fight number one challenger Samuel Peter next. Don Jose said, it depends on the Governors decision, but if the fight happened, he would be happy if took place in Russia. He also revealed that Vitali had discussed with him, the possibility of resuming his ring career as long ago as when the two met at the WBC’s Convention in Croatia last year. Vitali has retired in 2005 due to a knee injury.
But the momentum appreciably gathered pace a few days ago, when Vitali phoned Sulaiman at his home, “full of enthusiasm,” to explain that the doctors have given him a clean bill of health to return, he was back training in the gym and feels great. The WBC is awaiting the medical report. Don Jose said: “In his telephone conversation with me, Vitali was very determined. And I think that Vitali Klitschko’s return will be a progressive injection to the Heavyweight Division. There’s no doubt about that. “He was at his peak when he retired, he’s still at the right age, and so we’ll have to see.”
Some Good Reads:
ESPN: Pavlik not looking past Zertuche, but craves title shot
Boxing Scene: The Downward Spiral of Heavyweight Iron Mike Tyson