Filed under: Boxing | Tags: Carlos Baldomir, Corey Spinx, Demarcus Corley, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Kostya Tzu, Mickey Ward, Miguel Cotto, Roger Mayweather, Shane Mosley, Zab Judah
Former Jr. Welterweight and Undisputed Welterweight champion, Zab “Super” Judah, is facing his biggest challenge to date on August 2, 2008. On that date he will face #1 IBF ranked contender, Joshua Clottey for the vacant IBF welterweight title. Don’t get me wrong, Zab has faced much bigger names like Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather, and Miguel Cotto. However, on August 2nd, Judah will be facing the challenge of proving that he can rise to the occasion and once again overcome his many career setbacks. After his most recent arm injury that caused the cancellation on his planned showdown against Shane Mosley, Zab is a man on a mission that is out to achieve the former glory he once held in the Welterweight division.
Judah, a former New York Golden Gloves Champion with an excellent amateur pedigree, is coming up on 12 years as a professional. As he rose to prominence, fans and media were amazed at the speed, agility, and KO Power of Judah. From a southpaw stance, using fluid combinations and timing, Judah was able to win 21 of his first 28 fights by KO or TKO. On his way up the ranks, Judah defeated a variety of fighters including the likes of “Irish” Mickey Ward, Terron Millet and Junior Witter while eventually earning the IBF welterweight championship. In some circles, Judah was being referred to as a true throwback fighter and the next big thing in boxing. However, Judah’s career momentum came to a crashing halt on November 3, 2001.
Facing WBA and WBC Jr. Welterweight Kostya Tszyu in a unification bout, Judah was drilled by Tszyu’s signature right hand at the end of Round 2. Judah hit the canvas hard and promptly jumped up while his equilibrium was off. In doing so, he had no control over his legs and stumbled half way across the ring in an attempt to keep his balance. Referee Jay Nady immediately called and end to the fight. In the immediate aftermath, Zab shoved his gloved in Nady’s throat and even threw a ring stool at him in protest of the stoppage. The following month, Judah was fined $75,000 dollars and suspended for 6 months by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
Although his reputation was damaged, Judah dusted himself off after the layoff and got back to work. In a short period of time, he was able to defeat Demarcus Corley for the WBO Jr. Welterweight belt, and earn a shot against IBF, WBA, and WBC welterweight champion Corey Spinks. In an entertaining fight, each man was able to put the other on the canvas. In the end, the judges scored it a close decision for Spinks and Judah suffered the 2nd loss of his pro career. Undeterred, a year later Judah was able to stop Spinks in a rematch via TKO and become the undisputed welterweight champion.
King Arthur: “Who cares what Miranda says?”
For Immediate Release
King Arthur Abraham yesterday started his ten-day training camp on asmall island in the Baltic Sea to prepare for the June 21 showdown with Edison Miranda. The IBF middleweight champion, unbeaten in 26 fights (21 KOs), admitted he is already counting the days until his highly-anticipated US debut. “Things have been going great in practice,” he said. “I am looking forward to the rematch with Miranda.” Back in September 2006, King Arthur clinched a unanimous points victory over the
Colombian even though he had his jaw broken twice and lost over a litre
of blood.
Filed under: Boxing | Tags: David Haye, ESPN, Hasim Rahman, James Toney, Jin Mosley, Joshua Clottey, Juan Diaz, Juan Manuel Marquez, Michael Katsidis, Paul Williams, Sergio Mora, Shane Mosley, Vernon Forrest, Zab Judah
- As boxing fans wait in anticipation, we still have no idea if the proposed match up between Joel Cassamayor and Nate Campbell will actually take place. Promoter Don King won the purse bid to stage the fight offering $1,220,000.00. King beat out Golden Boy Promotions who only bid $571,000.00 . So at this point the ball is in Cassamayor’s corner to decide if he will take the fight with Campbell or take on Golden Boy’s Juan Diaz who was just beaten by Campbell. It is reported that Cassamayor, who holds the Ring lightweight belt, will make more money fighting Diaz, however most fans and media are calling for him to face Cassamayor to truly prove who the best lightweight in the division is. Many are of the opinion that Golden Boy Promotions is attempting to keep the Ring Belt in their stable as proposed fights for Cassamayor have included Juan Manuel Marquez, Juan Diaz, and Michael Katsidis – All Golden Boy promoted fighters. Nate Campbell has come on record saying that Cassamayor is avoiding him and regardless if it’s Cassamayor he is fighting, he looks to return to the ring sometime in July. KO Nation will keep you updated on the status of this potential fight.
Las Vegas, NV (USA) — The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s initial trip to Minnesota on August 9th just got bigger with today’s signing of the UFC® Welterweight Title bout between Champion Georges St-Pierre and number one contender Jon Fitch, which will headline the UFC 87: SEEK AND DESTROY card at Target Center.
It will be St-Pierre’s first bout since he regained his crown from Matt Serra at UFC 83 on April 19th. In Fitch, he will be facing a former Division I wrestler who has won eight consecutive UFC bouts without a loss, the longest streak in modern-day UFC history.
“He’s a very, very tough guy,” said St-Pierre of Fitch. “I’m gonna have to train hard and be very well prepared because he may be my toughest fight yet.”
Filed under: Boxing | Tags: Carlos Quintana, Paul Williams, Sergio Mora, Vernon Forrest
In Preperation of Showtime’s June 7th Doubleheader, the fighers and promoters talk about the big fight card:
Question: Lou DiBella, Dan Goossen, Paul, Vernon, Jeff Wald, and Sergio, can you provide us with some opening comments?
DiBella: I am pleased to have my champion, Carlos Quintana, defend his title for the first time, giving a rematch to the ex champion who the granted him the opportunity. It was a terrific fight the first time. I think people saw the terrific ability of Quintana and the strategy and toughness of Quintana and, frankly, the best of Quintana when he beat Williams.
But, Williams has big wins over Antonio Margarito and was a terrific champion in his own right. He is one of the tallest and has one of the biggest reaches I’ve ever seen in the welterweight division, and is a very dangerous guy.
BANNER PRESENTS “FREE FOR ALL, A NIGHT OF COMBAT”
LAS VEGAS’ FIRST COMBINED
BOXING AND MIXED AND MARTIAL ARTS SHOW ON JUNE 20;
ALONZO BUTLER VS FRIDAY AHUNANYA HEADLINES FIGHT CARD
TELEVISED LIVE ON ESPN’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS,
FOUR MMA BOUTS ALSO SCHEDULED;
TICKETS ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Promoter Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions will present a sensational event – Las Vegas’ first combined professional boxing and mixed martial arts show – on Friday, June 20, 2008, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The boxing main event and co-featured bout will be televised live on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights.”
Daren Libonati of the Thomas & Mack Center said, “Our special event teams have had the pleasure over 25 years to have hosted and promoted thousands of great events. But I must say the level of enthusiasm for this one night of duel combat Boxing and MMA is off the page. Our team and community partners have come together to create a one-of-a-kind special event night, for free.
“Times are tough and people need an opportunity and excuse to get out and be a part of great experiences. We anticipate giving them one on June 20, with our “Free For All, Night of Combat.”
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Alonzo “Big Zo” Butler, 26-0-1 with 19 knockouts, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, will fight seasoned veteran Friday “The 13th” Ahunanya, 23-5-3 with 13 knockouts, of Las Vegas, in the main event scheduled for 10 rounds.
Butler is returning to the ring for the first time in 13 months. He said, “I’m back. I’ve been in the gym for months and I’m not even rusty. I heard Friday’s a good fighter. I respect every fighter. It will be a good test for me.”
Ahunanya is coming off an impressive twelfth-round TKO win against previously undefeated New Zealand prospect Shane Cameron – 19-0 at the time – in his last fight in November, 2007, and is 3-0-1 in his last four fights.
Filed under: Boxing | Tags: David Haye, Golden Boy Promotionsm Wladimir Klitschko
GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS SIGNS “THE HAYEMAKER” BRITISH SUPERSTAR DAVID HAYE TO BE EXCULSIVELY PROMOTED BY GOLDEN BOY IN THE UNITED STATES
For Immediate Release
LOS ANGELES – One of the most charismatic athletes to hit boxing in recent memory, London’s David Haye not only packs a huge punch and outstanding boxing skills, but also possesses the willingness to take on all comers and the ability to capture the imagination of fight fans around the world – traits that have led him to 20 knockouts in his 21 victories and the undisputed cruiserweight world championship. As he now embarks on a quest to become Heavyweight Champion of the World, “The Hayemaker” has signed with Golden Boy Promotions, the premier promotional company in boxing, as his exclusive promoter in the United States.
Hip Hop Star Supports Upcoming Release, “Blessed,” With Ring-Walk Performance
At “CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS,” MMA’s First Primetime Network Television Event
LOS ANGELES – Multi-platinum rap music star Busta Rhymes will bring his unique brand of hip-hip to the Prudential Center on May 31st at MMA’s (Mixed Martial Arts) first primetime television event on the CBS Television Network.
What has been rumored for the last two weeks has now become reality: Zab Judah (36-5, 25 KO’s) will be facing Joshua Clottey for the vacant IBF welterweight title on August 2nd live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark.. After seeing his May 31st showdown with Mosley cancelled due to lacerations on his right arm, Zab now has the opportunity to fight for welterweight gold once again. Ghana’s Joshua Clottey (34-2 20 KO’s) also finds himself with another opportunity to fight for a welterweight title in less than two years from his last defeat.
Filed under: Boxing | Tags: Chazz Witherspoon, Chris Arreola, Dan Goosen, HBO
“THE NIGHTMARE” MAKES HIS MOVE
ARREOLA TO FACE WITHERSPOON ON HBO JUNE 21ST
LOS ANGELES, May 22 – With an 11 fight knockout streak dating back to 2005, Chris Arreola has truly been a “Nightmare” for opponents. But the best young heavyweight on the planet is not satisfied; he wants a world heavyweight title shot and is willing to go through anyone in the world to get one. On Saturday, June 21st, the pride of Riverside, California will make his intentions known to all HBO viewers when he makes his Boxing After Dark debut against fellow unbeaten Chazz Witherspoon (23-0, 15 KOs).
This stellar match-up of heavyweight rising stars, which is presented by DiBella Entertainment in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions, will air live on HBO from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.
“I give Chazz Witherspoon a lot of credit for stepping up and taking this fight when a lot of fighters wouldn’t,” said Arreola, 23-0 with 21 KOs. “This is gonna be a great fight between two of the top young heavyweights in the game and I’m planning on making a major statement to the heavyweight title holders that I’m not going anywhere and that you’ll eventually have to deal with me.”
“Two young, undefeated heavyweights, with 36 knockouts in their combined 46 victories, means only one thing: Fireworks on June 21,” said Dan Goossen. “Just what the heavyweight division needs. The future of the division will be determined with the winner of this fight and we believe there is no heavyweight in the world today that can beat Cristobal.”
A 2001 National Golden Gloves Champion, Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola has captivated the fight world in recent years with his exciting style, charisma, and knockout power. Being the first major heavyweight contender of Mexican descent in decades doesn’t hurt either. His recent knockout streak includes victories over highly regarded prospects Damian Wills, Malcolm Tann, and Thomas Hayes. Arreola is on the verge of big things in the heavyweight division. He is currently ranked in the top 10 in the world by three major sanctioning bodies, and in his last bout on February 9th, he needed just 82 seconds to destroy Cliff Couser who had recently knocked out former world contender Monte Barrett.
