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Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Senate Rules Reid Did Not Break Rules by Accepting Tix
The US Ethics Committee has ruled that Incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid did not break any rules when he accepted free ringside seats to boxing matches between 2003 and 2005.
Reid attended three events in Las Vegas over the past three years without paying and using credentials that were provided by the Nevada State Athletic Comission. Why was he given free tickets besides being a Senator? At the time, he was supporting legistlation that would create a federal agency to oversee the sport of boxing.
The Nevada State Athletic Comission actually opposed his efforts. So wait, why the hell are they giving him free stuff then? I haven’t found out any official reasons as to why from the NSAC but I’m thinking that they wanted to show him boxing is fine as it is and doens’t need any federal beings watching their every move.
The bill was never passed for those of you who are wondering…
Reid said that attended the events helped him understand boxing regulations and the legislation that he was supported. However, the move looked shady to other politicans and they basically called him on it. Reid has stated that he will never accept any such gifts like that ever again.
Yeah right - I’m sure that politicans get gifts way more expensive than free boxing tickets.
There is actually a rule that sets the limits on accepting gifts to nothing over $50 except when the gift is coming from the government. Not that it gets followed or anything like that… 
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Harrison, Williams Brawl During Weigh-In
Audley Harrison and Danny Williams got into a brawl on Friday during the weigh-in for their rematch tonight.
During a staredown, the two began exchanging words and Williams went ahead and shoved Harrison. Officials from both parties came running towards the two and knocked them both to the ground. Microphones and cameras were supposedly sent flying.
Promoter Frank Warren joked that the scuffle that took place was more exciting than the last fight between the two:
“There was more action in those few seconds than there was in the entire 12 rounds last time around,” promoter Frank Warren said. “It might be bad for the image of boxing, but there is a lot of pent-up aggression between the pair.”
Britsh Boxing General Secretary Simon Block said that sanctions for the two were likely…
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Berbick’s Killers Confess
Harold Berbick and Kenton Gordon, the alleged killers of former heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick have confessed to his murder.
The men were charged with his murder shortly after being questioned by police.
Kenneth Bailey, the senior detective assigned to the case, stated that the two suspects admitted to the crime and then revealed where another one of the murder weapons, which turned out to be a crowbar, was located…
Maskaev Now Russian Citizen
WBC Heavyweight Champion Oleg Maskaev is now a citizen of Russia as granted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The announcement comes on the same day that Maskaev is scheduled to defend his title against Peter Okhello in Moscow.
Maskaev was originally born in Kazakhstan when it was part of the Soviet Union but has lived in the United States for over 10 years and is an official citizen.
Duran, Whitaker, and Lopez Are 2007 IBHOF Inductees
Three of the best pound for pound fighters I’ve ever seen were rightfully voted to be inductees this coming June to the International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Roberto Duran, my favorite boxer of all time. Pernell Whitaker and Ricardo Lopez will become members of the elite this year.
Duran was the “best” lightweight of my time. Quite possibly of all time. He would also win titles at 147, 154 and 160. In his prime Whitaker did not lose fights. In fact he rarely lost a round. He was so dominant that he was almost boring to watch.
Ricardo Lopez was an amazing talent who really did not get the recognition he deserved because of his small stature. Nevertheless he was always high on the “pound for pound” lists throughout his remarkable career.
Also going in are Amilcar Brusa who took the great Carlos Monzon to the middleweight title. Long time WBC President Jose Sulaiman. Ringside painter Leroy Neiman and cartoonist Tad Dorgan. Their works were classics and they brought great attention to the sport. It’s about time Kid Norfolk got in. Joining him are heavyweight George Godfrey and lightweight Pedro Montanez.
Manager/matchmaker Cuco Conde is also going in. I remember him being associated with the outstanding welterweight champion Jose Napoles. Voted into the Pioneer class were Young Barney Aaron and Dick Curtis.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Women’s Boxing - An Olympic Sport?
An official associated with women’s boxing has stated that the IABA will attempt to make the sport an official Olympic event by trying to convince the International Olympic Committee.
“Women are eager to enter the Olympic Games boxing ring,” said Caner Dogneli, general secretary of the International Amateur Boxing Association, or AIBA.
Women’s boxing is a reality that has been reinforced by the success of the world championship, which was first staged in the United States six years ago,” Dogneli told reporters.
However the Olympics wouldn’t be their first target. Dogneli would like to see women’s boxing permitted in the 2010 Commonwealth Games before moving on to the big time…
“We plan to get women’s boxing added to the Commonwealth Games in 2010 before pushing for its inclusion in the Olympics,” he said.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Tyson Wants Own Reality Show
The New York Daily News is reporting that Mike Tyson is interesting in having his own reality TV show featuring him and one of his daughters.
Former heavyweight champion George Foreman already has a reality show on TV Land that will be debuting next year...
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Valuev’s Promotional Company Wants Title Defense in Sweden
Sauerland Events, the promotional company for WBA Heavyweight Champion Nikolai Valuev, has applied for permission to hold a show at the Globen Arena in Stockholm, Sweden for this coming January.
I bet you didn’t know that boxing has been banned in Sweden since 1970. So what’s the catch?
The law is no longer in effect starting January 1, 2007. It will be replaced by the “Martial Arts Law”. The law states that all promoters of contact sports must apply for permission up to 90 days before they want to schedule an event. A council will then review the application and decide whether or not the event is safe enough to be held.
New Sweden Promotions, another boxing promotional company has already applied and had their papers sent back to them as being incomplete.
Sauerland Events is going to have to be very careful when sending in their papers that everything they need is included in there.
If given the green light, the show will take place on January 27th - a possible opponent for Valuev has not yet been mentioned…
Harrison Out on Bail; Title Defense Against Cook Back On
Well this is a sudden change of events…
Last week we reported that Harrison would not be out of jail in time to defend his WBO Featherweight title against Nicky Cook on December 9th.
Well not only is Harrison now out of prison due to a spur of the moment bail agreement but his scheduled bout against Cook is now back on schedule after being cancelled by Frank Warren.
Despite many unsuccessful attempts to get his fighter out, Harrison’s manager Barry Hughes never lost hope and also stated that Harrison is in fighting shape and had been training while he was detained…
“My hopes of getting him out were fading on Friday night but something in my heart told me to keep on going and finally we got it sorted,” Hughes said. “We will fly back tomorrow morning and probably get into Glasgow early afternoon and hopefully go straight for the medical.
We have a medical booked for tomorrow so we are back on the timescale for the fight,” Hughes said. “If I thought he was not fit to fight, either mentally or physically, then I would not let the bout go ahead. But Scott has been training for an hour and a half - twice every day - and his weight is OK.”
Harrison will not be required to return to Spain until his trial.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Alphonse Halimi Passes Away
Former Bantamweight Champion Alphonse Halimi passed away on Sunday at the age of 74 according to French boxing officials.
Halimi became champion in 1957 and held onto the belt until he lost to Jose Becerra in 1959.
He was also a two-time European Bantamweight Champion as well…