Category: Latest News

“The Contender” Keeps Fighting

LOS ANGELES, May 26 – Don’t just look to the sky for fireworks this summer, as due to popular demand, Contender Partners will keep the Independence Day holiday going on Tuesday, July 5, with a spectacular night of boxing featuring the stars of the reality series “The Contender”. “There is an overwhelming demand for this show and these fighters all over the world,” said Mark Burnett. “We are incredibly excited to be able to bring you more championship boxing from “The Contender” so quickly.” Likely to compete on this card, which will be held at a Las Vegas site to be determined, will be the final four participants of “The Contender”: Jesse Brinkley, Alfonso Gomez, Peter Manfredo Jr., and series champion Sergio Mora. “The Contender” captured the hearts of fans around Read more [...]

2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward added to Johnson-Tarver undercard

(MAY 26) LOS ANGELES- US Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward, unbeaten as a pro at 3-0, will put his gold medal reputation on the line in a featured undercard bout on the June 18 mega-card at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, which is headlined by the light heavyweight showdown between Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver. "I'm just going to use this fight to show my god-given talent,” said the 21-year-old Ward, who will face an opponent to be announced shortly. “It's going to be a great fight and a great night and my next step toward my ultimate goal." Also added to the show - which will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 10pm (ET) / 7pm (PT)– is an intriguing 10 round middleweight matchup between former world champion's Ike Quartey and Verno Phillips. Read more [...]

Ruiz-Toney declared No-Decision May 11, 2005

(MAY 11) LAS VEGAS - Team Ruiz was formally notified on May 10th,  by the New York State Athletic Commission that the April 30th World Boxing Association heavyweight championship fight between defending champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz and challenger James "Lights Out" Toney has been officially declared a "No Decision" because Toney violated the illegal substance rule. Toney was suspended 90 days and fined $10,000. Team Ruiz is waiting for the WBA to enforce rule18:23 (3), disqualifying Toney and automatically reinstating Ruiz as world heavyweight champion. "We are waiting for the WBA to immediately implemented its rule," Ruiz' attorney Anthony Cardinale explained. "It's as clear as it can be. We're glad the truth has come out and Johnny hasn't lost his championship." WBA Rule 18:23 3. Read more [...]

Your Half Pictures Signs Their Own “Million Dollar Baby” Photo/Story By Doug Ward May 9, 2005

(MAY 9) Hollywood, CA.- Your Half Pictures, A California based movie production company, has signed World Champion fighter, Melinda Cooper to a lucrative multi-year sponsorship deal. We are honored to be sponsoring Melinda in her quest to being recognized as this finest female fighter in the world," says Your Half Producer, Eric Arlt. "She is without question the most exciting young fighter coming out of Las Vegas today. With the recent success of such films, Girlfight, and Million Dollar Baby, we are excited about female boxing becoming more mainstream. Melinda, in the coming years, will be at the forefront of its emergence." Your Half Pictures has recently produced the feature film "30 Miles". In 2005 they will release Steel City starring John Heard, America Ferrara, Tom Guiry, and Raymond Read more [...]

Boxing Action In Las Vegas! Info and Photos by Mary Ann Owen of BILV April 30, 2005

(APR 30) Last night at the Plaza Hotel, in Las Vegas, Nevada, - ESPN Television, and promoted by Lou Duva Promotions.  Randell "Tex" Cobb's son Joshua Cobb fought last night.  Randell "Tex" Cobb, a  Heavyweight who had a total of 52 pro fights and had a record of 43-7-1, 36 KOs, beat the likes of , Ernie Shavers, Leon Spinks and had losses to Larry Holmes, Buster Douglas & Michael Dokes. Tex Cobb beat and lost to the best contenders. Cobb went beyond the ring to the big screen and became a familiar tough guy face in many movies. Joshua Cobb, 19,  who came into the fight at 1-0-0,  stands at about 6'3" and 253 lb.  Cobb, lacking amateur experience, did not have the ring experience to be going into the pros so soon. Mary Ann Owen said, "He unfortunately grossly lacked ring Read more [...]

The Talk of a Mixed Match Rears it’s ugly head..again By Sue TL Fox

(APR 28) Yes, folks...you will need to endure again.  According to Team Wolfe, Ann "Brown Sugar" Wolfe will be taking on a male in the boxing ring.   Just this week Team Wolfe has sent WBAN two press releases about updates on Ann that include details of Ann getting ready to step into the ring with a male boxer.  [update: this fight never took place 2013] Team Wolfe said in their first release earlier this week, and sent to WBAN on about April 23, 2005, said the following: "In the meantime, many boxing fans are probably wondering if Wolfe is still planning to fight a man. The answer is "Yes". The fight will be moved to either late Summer or early Fall. According to the promoter PPV has already been locked in, so now it is just a matter of finding the right venue. The Wolfe camp continues Read more [...]

2005: Golden Boy Promotions salutes Jorge Rodrigo Barrios – Out Newest World Champ

 LOS ANGELES,  Posted APR 13, 2005 – With a capacity crowd of his fellow Argentineans cheering him on at the Miccosukee Gaming Resort in Miami, Florida, Jorge Rodrigo Barrios became the newest world champion on the Golden Boy Promotions roster Friday night, stopping Mike Anchondo in four rounds to win the WBO super featherweight crown. “Jorge Barrios is a true warrior and his performance against Mike Anchondo was explosive and exciting,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “This victory put the 130-pound division on notice that Jorge is here to stay, and we’re looking forward to more great things from him in the future.” Barrios, who was on the attack from the opening bell, sent the previously unbeaten champion to the canvas three times before Anchondo’s Read more [...]

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 [...]

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 level 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 [...]

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 [...]

Dawson-Welliver fight for WBC Youth middleweight title

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – Two 21-year-old middleweight prospects, “Bad” Chad Dawson and Dumont “Dewey” Welliver, will fight for the vacant WBC Youth title in the 10-round co-feature October 31 on Haunted Homecoming,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. Hometown hero Gary “Tiger” Balletto (29-1-2, 25 KOs), born in Providence’s historic Federal Hill, defends his International Boxing Union World lightweight title against former world champion Gregorio “Goyo” Vargas (43-7-1, 30 KOs) in the 12-round main event on “Haunted Homecoming,” presented by CES in association with Mohegan Sun, 94 WHJY, Westin Hotel and Gansett Juice. Dawson and Welliver Read more [...]

Exclusive: McClain Talks about the Promotion of the Ali-Martin card By Sue TL Fox

(AUG 25) WBAN interviewed "Yahya" Johnny McClain one on one about the latest promotion that he was involved in with the Ali-Martin card that was held on August 23, in Biloxi, Mississippi. I spoke to McClain about the August 25th article on Fightnews.com that is entitled,  "Promoters Spar After Ali-Martin."  McClain said that in regards to that article, that  “it is not true.”  McClain went on to explain,  “Brian Young (Prize Fight Promotions) did not speak to me after the fight or any other time regarding those matters….AND if we did ‘spar’---I would kick his ass.” McClain also talked about the remarks made in that article about him removing the Prize Fight Banner at the Post Fight Conference.  McClain said, “I DID remove the sole banner, because he (Young) had the Read more [...]

The Right Way By Bernie McCoy

Frank Lahey, one of the great football coaches at Notre Dame once said, "Egotisim is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity". Yesterday's silliness at the Biloxi MS press conference for the August 23 Laila Ali/Christy Martin may not have been totally stupid, but it was close enough to make the evening news. Putting Ali and Martin in a room with one microphone is similar to putting Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie in a room with one trumpet. Both women have egos equaling or exceeding their skill in the ring; both women are used to being the center of attraction at press conferences;  both women are used to throwing "punch" lines at their future opponents in the ring and getting no response in return. Thus, when Ali and Martin turned the press conference into the type of "dialogue" Read more [...]

Friday the 13th: Boxing card at the Chinook Winds Casino – by Katherine Dunn

Friday, June 13th, 2003, Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, Oregon. Promoter: Top Rank; Matchmaker: Pete Susens  -Ringside Physicians: Dr. Luis Rios, Dr. Ron Shear; Referees: Jim Erickson, Dave Hagan, Jeff Macaluso; Judges: Greg Baker, Robert Flamme, Trevor Lewis, Denis Ryan; Regulation: The Siletz Tribal Athletic Commission I’ve decided to blame Bob Arum for the Friday the 13th horror show at the Chinook Winds Casino. In letting the casino and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz off the hook, I’m giving them credit for their first fight card, back on December 4 of 1999, when they hosted the excellent HBO broadcast of Fernando Vargas vs Winky Wright and Diego Corrales vs John Brown. That was promoted by Ringside Ticket, Inc run by Patrick Ortiz. Then the Siletz held the respectable Read more [...]