Category: Boxing News

Not According to the Script Bernie McCoy

(APR 9) It was all set for the perfect Hollywood ending: Maureen Shea, as famous as the sparring partner for Hillary Swank during the actress' preparation for her starring role in "Million Dollar Baby" as she was as an up-and-coming amateur fighter, was in the finals of the New York Golden Gloves, one bout away from a title. Not only that, Shea, in a wonderful "back story", was a Irish fighter in a featured fight at Madison Square Garden, or the Theater at the Garden, where the Golden Gloves have been held in recent years. An Irish fighter featured at the Garden is a tradition going back, at the very least, to the 1940s and Billy Graham, the Greenwich Village welterweight, not the preacher. Hillary Swank, this year's Academy Award recipient for Best Actress, had jetted in for the fight Read more [...]

2005 – John Duddy rapidly climbing middleweight ladder

 QUEENS, N.Y. (April 7, 2005) – Unbeaten Irish middleweight prospect John Duddy (9-0, 9 KOs) is on the fast track in the 160-pound division, especially after his electrifying, high-profile first-round knockout of previously undefeated Lenord Pierre (16-0, 11 KOs), rated No. 19 by the World Boxing Council, March 18 on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. ESPN in-studio analyst for the March 18 show from Foxwoods, “Irish” Micky Ward, among many others, is sold on Duddy. “He’s the real deal,” Ward said. “John can do it all – speed, power and a good chin. Now it’s all up to his management team as far as how fast they move him. He looked tremendous fighting an undefeated kid (Pierre). If they move him right, Duddy has a great future because this kid can really fight.” Duddy’s Read more [...]

Winky Wright on N.E. Ringside Radio Show Plus Hauser & DeMarco -April 7, 2005

BOSTON (APR 7, 2005)  World champion Ronald “Winky” Wright, along with award-winning author Thomas Hauser and former world welterweight champion Tony DeMarco, are this week’s special guests on New England Ringside Radio Show, Thursday night (6-8 PM) on WWZN 1510 The Zone. The two-hour New England Ringside Boxing Radio Show – hosted by Ted Bodenrader, Anthony Pepe, Rick Brutti and Joe Bills -- airs every Thursday night between 6-8 pm (ET) on Boston’s Boxing Station, The Zone (1510 AM), and also may be heard live on the Internet by going to ....link Wright (48-3, 25 KOs) will talk about his May 14 super fight versus Felix “Tito” Trinidad, as well as his career-changing victories against Shane Mosley. The shifty southpaw may also reminisce about, before defeating Mosley, Read more [...]

Jacl Welsh: Saying Goodbye to a Friend By Howie Reed

(APR 2, 2005) Saying Good-bye to an old friend. Sports Writer/race caller/pal Jack Welsh was found dead in his apartment on Monday Evening. He was more than a figure on the sporting scene in Las Vegas he was a true “one off” as they say in England. He was a 18th Century Gentleman forced to live in the 21st Century and doing very well thank you. Jack was a graduate of the University of Kentucky which meant that he always carried that touch of gentleman around with him. He proudly served in the United States Marines. The time frame for that could have been in any period of time from the Spanish American War up to and including Korea. At times he wrote for newspapers in Montréal and Philadelphia with stops in between. He was a flac for a minor league hockey team in Detroit and called Read more [...]

2005: Saying Goodbye to a Friend: Jack Welsh Found Dead – by Howie Reed

(APR 2, 2005) Saying Good-bye to an old friend. Sports Writer/race caller/pal Jack Welsh was found dead in his apartment on Monday Evening. He was more than a figure on the sporting scene in Las Vegas he was a true “one off” as they say in England. He was a 18th Century Gentleman forced to live in the 21st Century and doing very well thank you. Jack was a graduate of the University of Kentucky which meant that he always carried that touch of gentleman around with him. He proudly served in the United States Marines. The time frame for that could have been in any period of time from the Spanish American War up to and including Korea. At times he wrote for newspapers in Montréal and Philadelphia with stops in between. He was a flac for a minor league hockey team in Detroit and called harness Read more [...]

Uranco, Vanderpool, Castillo, Highlight Return of “Hard Knocks at the Hard Rock” – April 22, 2005

HOLLYWOOD, FL, March 30, 2005 – In recent years, boxing fans have become used to a certain pattern when it comes to fight cards – one quality bout, maybe even two, with the rest of the show consisting of mismatches or showcases. In 2003, Warrior’s Boxing Promotions, Inc. decided that way of doing business wasn’t fair to fight fans, and since then, the Florida-based promoter has operated on one premise when it comes to their shows – all killer, no filler. In keeping with this philosophy, Warrior’s Boxing Promotions, Inc. in association with The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is pleased to present the latest installment of the “Hard Knocks at The Hard Rock” series on Friday, April 22 in the Grand Ballroom of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. In Read more [...]

2005: Troy Beets Meets Joseph Awinongya at the Emerald Queen Casino

(MARCH 28, 2005)  Tacoma, WA – Troy Beets (11-5-1, 7kos) will face Joseph Awinongya (12-8-5, 3kos) in the ten-round main event of the thirty-sixth installment of the Battle at the Boat boxing series, Saturday April 2, 2005 at the Emerald Queen Casino. Beets, the Mississippi southpaw, is eager to take on Ghana native, Awinongya. “Troy has a big jaw, lots of talent and is very difficult to hit” says his cousin Rusty who is not only his cousin, but his roommate and keeps Troy on track with his training. “He took his last fight against Russian Vadim Tokarev (for the IBF Intercontinental Cruiserweight title) without much training and paid the price” Rusty continued, “he’s ready for this fight and is coming to win!” In the 1994 Goodwill Games, Beets brought home the bronze medal Read more [...]

2005: Cruisin’ For A Bruisin” Showtime Championship Boxing

(MAR 28, 2005) NEW YORK - The two boxers widely recognized as the most talented in the exciting cruiserweight division will square off when undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite faces his World Boxing Association (WBA) counterpart, Jean-Marc Mormeck, in an eagerly anticipated world title unification bout Saturday, April 2, on SHOWTIME. The division’s most enthralling match-up in years will be shown on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). Don King Productions will present the event. Braithwaite (21-0, 17 KOs), of Georgetown, Guyana, has won 15 out of his past 16 bouts by knockout. The boxer-puncher will make the fourth defense of the title he won with a 10th-round TKO over Vincenzo Cantatore on Oct. 11, Read more [...]

Juan Laporte’s Gym (UTBANY, Inc.) honors a true hero of the Boricua community

(MAR 27) On Friday, April 15th, 2005, at the Juan Laporte's Boxing Gym, 700 Elton Ave. 2nd Floor 718-585-6753, Out of "El Barrio" comes forth a new warrior, seeking to prove himself on the frontlines of boxing, his adopted motto " Hasta la victoria siempre!" (-Ché Guevara) “El Chamaco” who campaigns at the red hot jr. welterweight level is not only an extremely talented fighter, but a very grounded and focused young man who sees himself as the torch bearer for Spanish Harlem and it’s supportive and boxing-savvy community. Edgar began his career on the island, under the tutelage of Felix Trinidad senior, training along side Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad, Fres Oquendo and the rest of the 1999-2001 Trinidad faction. The young Santana found himself in an enviable spot as he learned the Read more [...]

Elena Reid, Lucia Rijker and more By David A. Avila

Life imitates art even in the world of female prizefighting. With the recent announcement that Lucia Rijker will be fighting Christy Martin for a $1 million prize to the winner, it opens the door for female professional boxers such as Elena “Baby Doll” Reid (16-1-5, 5 KOs) who fights on an all-women fight card Saturday in Laughlin, Nevada. Because of the phenomenal success of Academy Award winner Million Dollar Baby - a film that has grossed more than $75 million to date - boxer promoters are stepping up to take advantage of female boxers. “She’s a real million dollar baby and probably the best female fighter in the world,” said Arum of Rijker, who guest starred in the film as the villain in the movie that won Best Picture for 2004. Rijker, 37, has long been considered Read more [...]

Undefeated Cruiserweight headed for the Pacific Northwest” -Halquist Productions Inks Van Sickle!

(DEC 23) Undefeated Ohio cruiserweight prospect Chad Van Sickle signed with boxing promoter Brian Halquist today. Van Sickle, who is 13-0-2, will immediately be moving from Ohio to the Pacific Northwest. “We are very excited to have Chad as part of our promotional team,” said Halquist Productions President Brian Halquist, “Chad is undefeated and an incredible crowd pleaser. He will start working with our conditioning coach/nutritionist Dave Grisaffi immediately upon his arrival. Chad has all the tools to be a contender,” Halquist said. Van Sickle will join contender Kenny Ellis in the Halquist boxing family. “We are planning on signing a few more athletes,” Halquist said. For the past 3 years, Halquist had promoted the popular northwest boxing series, “Battle at the Boat” Read more [...]

One on One Exclusive Interview with Tonya Harding!

(OCT 24, 2003) Interview by Sue TL Fox:   WBAN recently met up on Oct. 15,  with Tonya Harding, her trainer, Paul Brown, and Linda Lewis at Grand Gym, in Portland, Oregon.  That particular day, Harding was ill, but still came into the gym and spoke with WBAN and worked out with Brown. Harding has now been training with Brown for about 12 weeks, and feels that she is going in the right direction with this noted trainer. TL Fox:  WBAN had been told that in about 1998-1999, which was much earlier that the Celebrity Match with Paula Jones that you were considering becoming a pro boxer, is there any truth to that rumor? Tonya: I  had offers for wrestling, but I do not believe I had any offers for boxing. TL Fox:   How exactly did you get involved in the celebrity-boxing segment Read more [...]

Sue TL Fox Goes One on One In an Exclusive Interview with Tonya Harding!

(OCT 24, 2003) WBAN recently met up on Oct. 15,  with Tonya Harding, her trainer, Paul Brown, and Linda Lewis at Grand Gym, in Portland, Oregon.  That particular day, Harding was ill, but still came into the gym and spoke with WBAN and worked out with Brown. Harding has now been training with Brown for about 12 weeks, and feels that she is going in the right direction with this noted trainer. TL Fox:  WBAN had been told that in about 1998-1999, which was much earlier that the Celebrity Match with Paula Jones that you were considering becoming a pro boxer, is there any truth to that rumor? Tonya: I  had offers for wrestling, but I do not believe I had any offers for boxing. TL Fox:   How exactly did you get involved in the celebrity-boxing segment on Fox? Tonya: An offer Read more [...]

Ruiz goes back to his ring future

SOMERVILLE, Mass. – Former World Boxing Association heavyweight champion, John “The Quietman” Ruiz, has gone back to his roots to prepare for his December 13 WBA “Interim” heavyweight title fight against Hasim “The Rock” Rahman at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Ruiz, 31, now lives in Las Vegas, but he has returned home to Massachusetts for training camp. He’s running the same streets and hills in Chelsea, a working class suburb of Boston where he grew up, and working out at the nearby Somerville Boxing Club, where he first met his longtime manager, Norman “Stoney” Stone. After losing a 12-round decision and WBA title to Roy Jones this past March, Ruiz (38-5-1, 27 KOs) took some time off to resolve personal problems, and accepted an opportunity to replace David Tua Read more [...]

“Yeah, I Was in the Gloves” By Bernie McCoy

Even after all these years, the thing that I remember most vividly about that night was the boxing robe. It wasn't the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, but it was in the top ten. It was an almost black-red color, the color that cherries have when they're displayed on a fruit stand. On the back of the robe, in white script, was the legend "Salem Crescent". Those two words were enough for anyone who knew anything about Golden Gloves boxing in New York I was in the corner of a boxing ring in the gym at St Thomas Aquinas School, almost at the end of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. It was the first round of the Golden Gloves a long time ago. It was a time before headgear, it was a time before two minute rounds for first time boxers or as they were known in the Gloves, sub-novice fighters. If Read more [...]