Author: wban100@aol.com

“Too Smooth” Godfrey punching way to breakout year in 2006

PROVIDENCE (December 20, 2005) - USNBC cruiserweight champion Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey (10-0, 4 KOS), already rated No. 27 by the World Boxing Council, has outgrown his native New England and he plans on making more noise nationally in 2006. Matt, 24, has displayed poise and ring generalship far beyond his age, and he was recently named the No. 4 prospect in the world for fighters with 10 or less pro fights by Boxing Monthly magazine. "I'd give myself an A- grade for 2005," the well-spoken Godfrey said. "I was able to go from four-round fights to eight and quickly to 10 and win a title in my ninth fight. I may not fight as frequently next year because I'll be in eight and 10-rounders against guys with at least 15 or 20 wins. I want to bring my power back that I had as an amateur. Even Read more [...]

“Too Smooth” Godfrey punching way to breakout year in 2006

PROVIDENCE (December 20, 2005) - USNBC cruiserweight champion Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey (10-0, 4 KOS), already rated No. 27 by the World Boxing Council, has outgrown his native New England and he plans on making more noise nationally in 2006. Matt, 24, has displayed poise and ring generalship far beyond his age, and he was recently named the No. 4 prospect in the world for fighters with 10 or less pro fights by Boxing Monthly magazine. "I'd give myself an A- grade for 2005," the well-spoken Godfrey said. "I was able to go from four-round fights to eight and quickly to 10 and win a title in my ninth fight. I may not fight as frequently next year because I'll be in eight and 10-rounders against guys with at least 15 or 20 wins. I want to bring my power back that I had as an amateur. Even Read more [...]

ShoBox: Boxing action at Cicero Stadium

(DEC 16) Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING and Kathy Duva’s Main Events along with Miller Lite and TCF Bank team up on Friday, January 6, 2006 to present “SHOBOX” THE NEW GENERATION, another installment of terrific professional boxing at Cicero Stadium, 1909 S. Laramie Avenue in Cicero, IL. Tickets are on sale now by calling 312-226-5800. Doors for this special event will open at 6pm with the first bell at 7pm. Affectionately known as “Love Child” by ESPN.com’s boxing expert Dan Rafael, the 20 year old Julio, a native of Monteria, Columbia sports a jaw dropping record of 25-0 (22KO’s). He returns to Chicago to face Ugandan native Robert Kamya, 15-5 (4KO’s), now fighting out of West Palm Beach, Florida in a scheduled ten round welterweight Read more [...]

Lance Whitaker vs Sultan Ibragimov

HOLLYWOOD, FL, December 13 – After a press conference brawl pushed the bad blood between Lance Whitaker and Sultan Ibragimov past the boiling point, the two heavyweight contenders will finally get to settle their score on Thursday’s ‘Global Warfare’ card at the Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena in Hollywood, Florida. And now, for fans who want to get a little background on why these two heavyweights have declared war on each other, visit warriorsboxing.com for the exclusive footage of the battle before the war, the press conference melee between Whitaker and Ibragimov on November 16th that got the boxing world buzzing. In the “Global Warfare” main event on December 15th , top heavyweight contender Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter returns to the ring for the first time Read more [...]

Boxers fight a “Two” round bout! By Sue TL Fox

(DEC 12, 2005) It never ceases to amaze me in the things that happen in this sport. Last night, Dawn Ramey, 114, 1-0-1, fought on the undercard against Claudia O’Brian, 122, in what was “supposed” to be a four round bout.   WBAN received information from an "insider" who was at the event, tell WBAN the following (excerpt): “Last night I witnessed an injustice in women’s boxing, and I was ringside for the entire incident. Aaron Davis, the first Kansas Commissioner, has seemed to make up his own rules for pro women’s boxing. At the Kansas Expo Center in Topeka, a Danger Fire Promotions had a female fight scheduled for four rounds. Claudia O’Brian (122), making her pro debut, was fighting Dawn Ramey (114), 1-0-1. At the beginning of the third round bell, (neither fighter injured) Read more [...]

Castillo-Corrales will do it again

(DEC 2) Jose Luis Castillo and Diego “Chico” Corrales are ready to do it again on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006. The world’s most talented and courageous lightweights will collide in an eagerly awaited rubber match to decide once and for all the No. 1 135-pound fighter on the planet. The 12-round bout, co-promoted by Top Rank, Inc., and Gary Shaw Productions, LLC will air LIVE on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). A site will be announced in the near future. Castillo-Corrales III gives America’s No. 1 Boxing Network its strongest opening lineup in history. SHOWTIME, which celebrates its 20th year of televising world class fights in 2006, will open with a world cruiserweight title unification bout on Saturday, Jan. 7 (Jean-Marc Mormeck vs. Read more [...]

Fights at the Fitz

(NOV 30) SOUTHAVEN, MS – Prize Fight Boxing will close out a powerful 2005 with “Fights At The Fitz – An Old Fashioned Irish Brawl” December 10th from Fitzgerald’s Casino in Tunica, MS. Light Heavyweight prospect DeAndrey Abron will battle local favorite Terry Porter in an eight round main event. Abron, 6-0 (5 KO’s), fighting out of Fort Carson, CO will be making his second appearance at Fitzgeralds this year. Abron appears to be on the fast track after a storied amateur career that saw him capture multiple golden glove and national championships. Terry Porter from nearby Elaine, AR brings years of experience against the best competition the business has to offer. Terry has been in with the likes of Monte Barrett, James Toney, Sam Peter and Michael Moorer to name just a few. Read more [...]

Shobox: The New Generation’ in Lemoore

(NOV 27) Two hot featherweights on a collision course will finally meet on "ShoBox: The New Generation" Friday, Dec. 2, 2005, when North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Featherweight Champion/World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 2 contender, Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero, defends his title in a 12-round slugfest against WBC No. 7 contender, Gamaliel Diaz. In the 10-round co-feature, World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 13/International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 15 welterweight contender, Paul Williams, will square off against former Mexican champion, Alfonso Sanchez. SHOWTIME will televise the Goossen Tutor Promotions doubleheader from the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, Calif., at 11 p.m. ET/PT (tape delayed on west coast). The telecast represents the 69th in the popular "ShoBox" Read more [...]

U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada fights Najee Shaheed in N.E. heavyweight showdown

PROVIDENCE, RI (November 22, 2005) – U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada (4-0, 1 KO) steps up in class Wednesday night, Thanksgiving Eve (November 23) against his new opponent, veteran heavyweight Najee Shaheed (21-10-2, 11 KOs), in a six-round fight at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. Brockton (MA)-native Shaheed, who has replaced Jeremy “Superstar” Brooks, is from the same hometown as Rocky Marciano and his showdown against Estrada, of Providence, is a genuine New England showdown. Shaheed has been in against the iron such as Wladimir Klitschko, Kevin McBride, and Henry Akinwande. “It’s a big step up for me and I’m taking it because I want to prove I’m an up-and-coming heavyweight prospect,” Estrada said. “Shaheed is a big change in opponents. Read more [...]

Lance Whitaker – “I’m Ready for December 15”

HOLLYWOOD, FL, November 17 – Despite rumors to the contrary, Heavyweight contender Lance ‘Mount’ Whitaker is not only ready to go for his December 15th showdown with unbeaten Sultan Ibragimov on the highly-anticipated “Global Warfare” card, he’s ready to go NOW! “I can’t wait for this fight,” said Whitaker, who was rumored to have injured his hand during a press conference scuffle with Ibragimov in New York City on Wednesday. “Ibragimov made a big mistake by challenging me, and I’m going to make him pay on December 15th. If he thinks my hand is hurt, just wait ‘til he gets hit with it!” This twelve round Heavyweight title clash will be the co-featured attraction on Warriors Boxing Promotions’ “Global Warfare” card, which will air live on pay-per-view from Read more [...]

Olympian Estrada fights again Nov. 23 R.I. Convention Center in Providence

PROVIDENCE, RI (November 15, 2005) - U.S. Olympian Jason "Big Six" Estrada (4-0, 1 KO) returns to action in his hometown Thanksgiving Eve, November 23 against Jeremy "Superstar" Brooks (4-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round bout at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. Estrada, who turns 25 later this month (Nov. 30), is on a mission to prove that he is going to be an even better professional than amateur. His match against Brooks marks the fifth fight of heavyweight Estrada's 11-month pro career after completing his remarkable amateur career with a 261-14 record in the United States. Jason was the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row. The 2003 Pan-American Games gold medal winner went on to represent the U.S. in the super heavyweight Read more [...]

Training camp notes from Las Vegas WBA heavyweight champ John “The Quietman” Ruiz

LAS VEGAS (NOV 15) - World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz (41-5-1, 28 KOs) is at training camp in Las Vegas preparing for his December 17th title defense against Nicolay Valuev (42-0, 31 KOs) in Berlin. Ruiz offered his opinion on a wide variety of subjects including Vitali Klitschko's retirement, the WBC, HBO and The Ring magazine heavyweight champion, James Toney's steroid case, Don King's proposed heavyweight championship tournament, and his Dec. 17th title defense against Valuev. Vitali Klitschko: "The first words I'm going to say in Germany are, 'I'm not Klitschko; I'm no chicken.' Klitschko has always been a quitter. He's quitting again because he couldn't handpick his opponent to defend his title against. He always quits when the going gets tough." The Read more [...]

Training camp notes from Las Vegas WBA heavyweight champ John “The Quietman” Ruiz

LAS VEGAS (NOV 15) - World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz (41-5-1, 28 KOs) is at training camp in Las Vegas preparing for his December 17th title defense against Nicolay Valuev (42-0, 31 KOs) in Berlin. Ruiz offered his opinion on a wide variety of subjects including Vitali Klitschko's retirement, the WBC, HBO and The Ring magazine heavyweight champion, James Toney's steroid case, Don King's proposed heavyweight championship tournament, and his Dec. 17th title defense against Valuev. Vitali Klitschko: "The first words I'm going to say in Germany are, 'I'm not Klitschko; I'm no chicken.' Klitschko has always been a quitter. He's quitting again because he couldn't handpick his opponent to defend his title against. He always quits when the going gets tough." The Read more [...]

Olympian Estrada fights again Nov. 23 R.I. Convention Center in Providence

PROVIDENCE, RI (November 15, 2005) - U.S. Olympian Jason "Big Six" Estrada (4-0, 1 KO) returns to action in his hometown Thanksgiving Eve, November 23 against Jeremy "Superstar" Brooks (4-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round bout at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. Estrada, who turns 25 later this month (Nov. 30), is on a mission to prove that he is going to be an even better professional than amateur. His match against Brooks marks the fifth fight of heavyweight Estrada's 11-month pro career after completing his remarkable amateur career with a 261-14 record in the United States. Jason was the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row. The 2003 Pan-American Games gold medal winner went on to represent the U.S. in the super heavyweight Read more [...]

“Expressway Jam 2” Nov. 19 in Boston

WOBURN, Mass. (November 13, 2005) - "Expressway Jam 2," presented by New England Ringside Promotions, will be headlined by an eight-round main event between rival Worcester fighters, Roy "House of" Payne (19-12-4, 6 KOs) and John "House of Rain" Rainwater (10-11-3, 3 KOs), for the vacant Massachusetts State Cruiserweight Championship, November 19 at Freeport Hall (IBEW) in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Former World Junior Olympic champion Marvin "Too Much" Cordova, Jr. (5-0, 4 KOs), of Colorado Springs, is matched against veteran Connecticut junior welterweight Shakha Moore (9-10-3, 1 KO) in the six-round co-feature. In supporting four-round bouts, Brooklyn featherweight Roberto Benitez (2-0, 1 KO), a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, faces Nick Sheehan (1-2, 1 KO), Read more [...]