HBO Sports presents MIGUEL COTTO VS. SHANE MOSLEY, the exclusive replay of their welterweight championship showdown, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17 at 9:45 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO. The HBO Sports team, which was ringside for the live event at Madison Square Garden in New York, will call all the action.
The fight, which took place Nov. 10 and was carried live on HBO Pay-Per-View, featured the highly anticipated matchup of two accomplished ring performers. The undefeated Cotto retained his title with a unanimous decision victory in a thrilling fight.
In addition to the Cotto-Mosley replay, HBO will present the previously announced HBO BOXING AFTER DARK doubleheader from Atlantic City headlined by Joan Guzman vs. Humberto Soto.
HBO replay Nov. 18 (at 9:00 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates for all three bouts: Nov. 18 (5:00 p.m.) and 20 (11:30 p.m.).
NEW YORK—Two of the greatest boxers in history, Felix “Tito” Trinidad and Roy Jones Jr., will face each other in a battle boxing fans have been waiting for years to see at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden. The bout will take place on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008 and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.
Trinidad (42-2, 35 KOs), from Puerto Rico, and Jones (51-4, 38 KOs) from Pensacola, Fla.,—both destined for the Hall of Fame—have built a staggering list of accomplishments and will enter the ring for this highly anticipated 12-round fight at or below the catch weight of 170 pounds.
Jones is an eight-time world champion, winning belts in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, becoming the first former middleweight champion to win a world heavyweight crown in over 100 years.
Trinidad is a five-time world champion with a stunning career knockout ratio of 80 percent that has won titles in the welterweight, junior middleweight and middleweight classes. He also holds the distinction of having defeated three Olympic Games gold medalists: Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya and David Reid.
“I always want to fight great fighters and I have always wanted to fight Roy Jones Jr., one of the greatest fighters of the era,” Trinidad said. “I have too much boxing left inside of me and I want to show that I am still one of the best fighters in the world. I feel good at this weight and it will be a great fight.”
Jones minced no words in summing up the match.
“We both have bombs in our tank and are phenomenal boxers on top of that,” Jones said. “We are both powerful punchers and it will all depend on who gets there first. I will guarantee this: count on it; this will be a superfight that delivers the goods. We’re going to give fight fans exactly what they want to see.”
“Tito is a great champion and I know he leaves a great legacy behind him. If someone like that challenges you, how are you going to turn that down?”
Promoter Don King is especially proud to be promoting this fight.
“I’ve been trying to put these two superstars in a match for a long time and to get this done just leaves me breathless,” King exclaimed. “This will be a fight for the ages and will be remembered among the greatest events I have ever staged. Tito and Roy, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
HBO Pay-Per-View’s Mark Taffet shares his excitement.
“Tito Trinidad and Roy Jones are two legendary fighters who have participated in some of the biggest and most memorable fights of our generation,” Taffet said. “We’re thrilled that boxing fans will finally get to see this matchup of superstars.”
The Mecca of boxing is proud to be hosting the event at the world’s most famous arena.
“Two legendary fighters at Madison Square Garden in the greatest city in the world, it just can’t get any better than that,” said Joel Fisher, senior vice president, Madison Square Garden Sports Properties. “The Garden is strongly committed to the sport of boxing and Trinidad versus Jones is certainly an event our loyal boxing fans have been waiting to see.”
From 1993 to 2004, Jones was regarded by most as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He was Ring magazine’s “Fighter of the Year” in 1994 and was voted 1990’s “Fighter of the Decade” by the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America.
The list of top-name fighters Jones has defeated reads like a Who’s Who and is even more impressive when one considers the opponents’ records going into the matches: Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (22-1); Thomas Tate (29-2); James “Lights Out” Toney (44-0-2); Vinny Pazineza (40-5); Eric Lucas (19-2-2); Mike “The Body Snatcher” McCallum (49-3-1); Montell Griffin (27-0); Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill (43-2); Lou Del Valle (27-1); Otis Grant (31-1-1); Reggie Johnson (39-5-1); Julio Cesar Gonzalez (27-0); Clinton Woods (32-1); John Ruiz (38-4-1); and Antonio Tarver (21-1).
Trinidad is the greatest and most revered fighter ever from the boxing-crazed island of Puerto Rico. He was named the BWAA Fighter of the Year in 2000 and in that same year participated in the BWAA and USA Today Fight of the Year when he knocked out then-undefeated “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas.
His list of vanquished star foes provides a similar list to that of Jones: Maurice Blocker (34-3); Hector “Macho” Camacho (43-2); “Yory Boy” Campas (56-0); Oba Carr (32-0); Freddie Pendleton (40-20-4); Pernell Whitaker (40-2-1); Hugo Pineda (36-1-1); Oscar De La Hoya (31-0); Fernando Vargas (20-0); William Joppy (32-1-1); and Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga (27-4-1).
Trinidad’s father, manager and trainer Felix Trinidad Sr. was named BWAA Trainer of the Year in 1995 and again in 2000 as well as Manager of the Year in 2000.
The Trinidad vs. Jones domestic pay-per-view telecast beginning at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available in more than 61 million pay-per-view homes.
The domestic telecast will be available in HDTV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your Trinidad vs. Jones fight week updates, log on to HBO Online.
The event will be distributed internationally by KingVision, available through DK International Sales, a division of Don King Productions, Inc.
The event is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Madison Square Garden.
Darren Barker is aiming to complete a Commonwealth double when he boxes Australia's Ben Crampton at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on a Hennessy Sports show.
The Barnet boxer believes he is in the best form of his career for his fight with unbeaten Crampton (20-0-1) for the vacant Commonwealth Middleweight Title. Sky Sports will televise the show that also features an English Light-Welterweight Title fight between Lenny Daws and Nigel Wright.
Barker has compiled an unbeaten record since turning professional after winning the Gold Medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
He will be full of confidence after taking out Greg Barton in three rounds last month in his first fight for ten months.>> “It meant a lot to me to win the Commonwealth Games gold medal and it would be great to do the double by winning the Commonwealth as a pro," said Darren.
“A lot has changed since the Commonwealth Games. I’ve filled out a lot more and I couldn’t have wished for it to go any better with my trainer Tony Sims and promoter Mick Hennessy.
“If Ican win the Commonwealth title, you never know where it might lead.”
Darren has recently shared a ring with Mikkel Kessler, who recently lost his WBC and WBA world titles to Welshman Joe Calzaghe. The trip to Denmark for sparring with Kessler followed a ten-day training trip to France where he did altitude training in the Alps.
“It was great experience sparring with Kessler for a week and I more than held my own,” said Barker. “The quality he has got means the sparring was really beneficial for me.
"He’s at the pinnacle of his game and was a double world champion at the time so sparring with someone like that can only bring you on and I’ve picked up some things. It left me feeling really optimistic about the future.”
Lenny Daws is aiming for a second professional win over Nigel Wright for the English Light-Welterweight Title to get him back into contention for the British Title.
The rematch is chief support to Barnet's Darren Barker versus Australian Ben Crampton for the Commonwealth Middleweight Title in a clash of two unbeatens at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on a Hennessy Sports show with title partners GoldenPalace.net. Sky Sports will televise.
Daws believes winning the English belt will help get him back into contention for the domestic title. Daws won the British belt by out-pointing Wright (Hartlepool) in May last year after impressive stoppage wins over Colin Lynes and Oscar Hall.
But Lenny suffered his first pro defeat after an excellent encounter with Barry Morrison in January. He lost a split decision to the Scot in his first defence and now Lenny is on a mission to get the belt back.
“Once I get through Wrighty I want to fight for the British Title next year and win it outright,” said Lenny. “Nigel is awkward but I felt once I got going against him last year I won it convincingly in the end.
“If I can do a better job on him this time then hopefully it will help get me closer to a British Title fight. Since losing to Barry Morrison, Colin Lynes has won it and he’s not interested in fighting me at the moment so it’s a bit of a waiting game. I have to get myself into a mandatory position to try and force Colin to fight me again.”
Promoter Mick Hennessy said: "We thought Lenny won the fight against Morrison clearly.
New York, NY —DiBella Entertainment has added to its roster today, signing talented Junior Middleweight Sergio Martinez (40-1-1, 21 KO’s). The southpaw has fought all over Europe and South America in his 10 year career. Martinez has fought twice in the United States, most recently earlier this year in Houston where he knocked out Saul Roman (27-4, 24 KO’s) in the fourth round of a twelve round WBC Light Middleweight Title Eliminator. On November 2, Roman defeated one of the division’s established stars, Kassim Ouma (25-4-1, 15 KO’s).
His first U.S. fight came seven years ago in Las Vegas, where an inexperienced Martinez battled superstar Antonio Margarito. Despite losing the hotly contested bout by knockout, Martinez showed his toughness and potential. He has won an impressive twenty-four fights in a row.
“I am very excited with this signing of an international star in Sergio Martinez,” said DBE president Lou DiBella. “He is a phenomenal boxer who packs a serious punch. I am happy to be promoting a major player in the 154 pound division under my banner.”
“DiBella Entertainment is proud to be working with world renowned international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz who assisted us in making the deal to sign Sergio,” said the DBE head. “Sampson is one of the true stand-up individuals in the sport and one of the best minds in the boxing world.”
Martinez, who resides in Madrid, Spain, will surely be showcased more on American soil after signing with DiBella Entertainment. “Being a part of DBE, Sergio will have a wealth of opportunities and will finally be recognized by the boxing world,” said DiBella. “I am enthusiastic to begin working with Sergio, his manager Ricardo Sanchez Atocha, and the rest of Team Martinez. He can be a champion.”
LOS ANGELES – It's only fitting that the December 8 "UNDEFEATED" Floyd Mayweather vs Ricky Hatton featured undercard fights bring the same high caliber competition as the evening's main event super bout. Former super middleweight world champion Jeff Lacy returns to the ring against former 'Contender' star Peter Manfredo Jr., WBO World Junior Featherweight Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon defends his crown against Eduardo Escobedo and rising star Wes Ferguson looks for payback in a rematch against Edner Cherry to put a perfect ending on the sweet science.
"We've pulled out all the stops to make this card the event it should be," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. "There is no filler on this pay-per-view card, with each fight holding important implications for the winner and the loser. These are the fights I want to see as a fight fan."
"Mayweather Promotions is excited to be a part of this tremendous event," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO Mayweather Promotions. "We look forward to bringing boxing fans an end of the year show they will never forget."
Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, and sponsored by Rock Star Energy Drink, Tecate Beer and Southwest Airlines, "UNDEFEATED", which is headlined by the welterweight championship bout between Mayweather and Hatton, will take place Saturday, Dec. 8 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.
In the main undercard bout, former world super middleweight champion Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy makes his debut under the Golden Boy Promotions banner and his first appearance since shoulder surgery last December when he takes on former world title challenger and a finalist from season one of 'The Contender', Peter Manfredo Jr., in a ten rounder. In a classic crossroads fight for both men, the winner goes on to a possible showdown with the elite of super middleweight or light heavyweight divisions, while the loser goes back to the drawing board.
"I'm very excited that my first fight with Golden Boy Promotions will be on December 8 th," said Jeff Lacy. "I've been anxious to get back in the ring and this is the perfect night for my return after my injury."
"On behalf of The Contender I would like to thank Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions for this great opportunity for Peter Manfredo Jr. to showcase his skills," said Jeff Wald, Co-Executive Producer and Promoter for 'The Contender'. "This is an important fight for both fighters and we are happy to be a part of what will surely be a great night of boxing."
A stellar amateur who compiled a record of 209-12 over a career that culminated in a trip to the 2000 Olympic Games, Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy (22-1, 17 KO's) has gone on to take the pro boxing world by storm with his concussive power, aggressive style and charismatic personality. The St. Petersburg, Florida native won the World Super Middleweight Title in just his 18 th pro fight when he stopped Syd Vanderpool in eight rounds on October 2, 2004. Lacy defended his title four times before falling short via decision in a unification bout against Joe Calzaghe in March of 2006 on Calzaghe's home turf in England. Undeterred, Lacy returned to the ring with a gritty decision win over Vitali Tsypko in December of 2006, but suffered a torn left rotator cuff in the bout. Now healthy and itching to get back into the ring, "Left Hook" is ready to wreck havoc on the 168-pound and 175-pound divisions.
The pride of Providence, Rhode Island, 26-year-old Peter Manfredo Jr. (28-4, 13 KO's), has been fighting since he was a child and he is still improving with every fight. Winner of his first 21 pro fights, Manfredo, a former NABO junior middleweight champion, became a star during his stint on season one of 'The Contender'. Manfredo made it to the finals of the competition, only to lose a hard fought decision to Sergio Mora. Since then, Manfredo jumped up to 168 pounds and scored big wins over Scott Pemberton and Joe Spina before suffering a loss via controversial stoppage in a title bout against Joe Calzaghe in April. Manfredo bounced back quickly with two straight wins and is looking to make it three in a row against Lacy.
Also featured on the December 8th card is a WBO junior featherweight title bout between hard-hitting champion Daniel Ponce De Leon and challenger Eduardo Escobedo. Perhaps the most talked about young champion in the lower weight classes, Daniel Ponce De Leon (33-1, 30 KO's) is a former Mexican Olympian who has developed into a dangerous fighter with power in both fists and a solid champion in one of boxing's most competitive divisions. A world champion since 2005, De Leon has defended his crown five times, most recently with an impressive first round TKO of previously unbeaten Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista on August 11th in a bout televised by HBO. In his last fight, a non-title bout, De Leon kept busy with a fifth round knockout of Reynaldo Lopez on September 28 th.
The Mexico City native who now makes his home in Jarrell, Texas, 23-year-old Eduardo Escobedo (20-2, 14 KO's) is eager to take advantage of the opportunity of a lifetime on December 8th. A six-year pro with impressive power, Escobedo has won seven fights in a row and is currently riding a three fight knockout streak that includes KO's of well regarded fighters such as Edel Ruiz and Jose Mendoza
Opening up the pay-per-view telecast is a 10-round rematch between highly-touted lightweight prospects Wes Ferguson and Edner Cherry. The 22-year-old Ferguson (17-2-1, 5 KO's), a protégé of headliner Floyd Mayweather, is known by the nickname of "Wicked" for his impressive boxing skills. Cherry (22-5, 10 KO's) owns the moniker "Cherry Bomb" for his ability to explode on opponents and end fights with one punch. In June, the two met for the first time and Cherry emerged victorious via a hard fought ten-round decision, snapping Ferguson's seven fight winning streak. On December 8 th, the Las Vegan looks for revenge.
Closed circuit tickets, priced at $50, are still available and can be purchased at MGM Mirage properties' box office outlets or by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711. For MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay venues, tickets also are available by visiting Official Ticketmaster site. Tickets for Concerts, Sports, Arts, Theater, Family, Events, more or by calling 702-474-4000. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person and all seats are general admission.
The Mayweather vs. Hatton pay-per-view telecast beginning at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your Mayweather vs. Hatton fight week updates, log on to HBO Online.
The premiere episode of the HBO all-access series "MAYWEATHER/HATTON 24/7" debuts Sunday, Nov. 18 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. The four-part series, with unprecedented access, will chronicle the fighters' preparations for the December 8 super-fight at MGM Grand and will provide viewers with a compelling look at two extraordinary champions.
McLean, Va. - World Boxing Council (WBC) continental Americas super welterweight champion Jimmy Lange today announced that $5,170 was raised and will be distributed to the family of the late world champion Diego “Chico” Corrales as a result of last month’s benefit event hosted by the popular Northern Virginia contender.
I’m truly proud that we raised more than $5,000 to help Diego Corrales’ family,” said Lange of the Saturday night program that combined entertainment and philanthropy with a live boxing card. “My fans have been extremely loyal and generous in support of everything I do. I’m extremely grateful for everyone that helped organize and participate in the event. I want to personally thank Gary Shaw, Chico’s promoter, who was instrumental in putting us in touch with Michelle (Diego’s wife) and her children. We hope our small token of appreciation helps the family during the holiday season.”
A hometown title defense in the spring 2008 is next up for Lange who captured the 154-pound title in an impressive, hard-fought rematch over Fontaine Cabell last May. The Patriot Center, where the native Northern Virginian has enjoyed enthusiastic, hometown crowd support en route to a 3-1-1 record over the past two years, has been reserved for Saturday, March 29, 2008. Further details, including an opponent and ticket information, will be announced in the near future.
(Merrillville, IN)- This Thursday, Langel’s Pizza, located at 2833 Highway Ave. in Highland, Indiana, will host the official fighter weigh- ins for One In A Million Inc.’s annual “Pre-Thanksgiving Showdown.” Beginning at 6 p.m., fans are invited to this free pre-fight event to meet the fighters and win tickets to Friday night’s “Pre-Thanksgiving Showdown” at the Radisson at Star Plaza in Merrillville.
“The weigh-in events always fill Langel’s with an enthusiastic crowd who appreciate great boxing as well as great pizza,” said Rodney Langel. “This Thursday night’s event provides a fun, casual way to enjoy a relaxing evening out with friends before the holiday crush starts next week.”
In the evening's main event, Jimmy “The Fighting School Teacher” Holmes (15-1-2, 8 KOs) looks to return to the win column after suffering his first defeat in June. “Everything just seemed off that night,” Holmes said. “No excuses. He (undefeated Travis Loveless) was the better fighter that night.”
The pride of DeMotte, Indiana, Holmes’ legion of loyal fans will return with him this Friday to show their continued faith in their favorite middleweight. “I hung up the Showdown poster with my picture on it in my office at school. The kids think it’s really cool and have been really encouraging.”
“I’ve done more sparring for this fight than any other fight, my head is straight and I’m ready to go,” Holmes continued. “Next year, one of my goals is to fight for the IN.B.A. Junior Middleweight title.”
Another of the region’s most popular fighters, welterweight Ruben “The Modern Day Warrior” Galvan (27-11-2, 10 KOs) of Hammond, returns for the first time since April when his ESPN2 televised bout against Zab Judah was ruled a no contest due to an accidental head butt. Galvan, now recovered from the nasty laceration he suffered, is anxious to get back in the ring.
In addition, light heavyweight “Marvelous” Shay Mobley (16-9-1, 7 KOs) of Chicago, middleweight Derrick “Superman” Findley (8-2, 5 KOs) of Gary, welterweight Ed Ochoa (1-0, 1 KO) of Hobart and light heavyweight Jimmy Perez Jr. (1-0) of Hammond will all fight in separate bouts.
Welterweight Marcus Thompkins, a Michigan City native, is the newest addition to the One In A Million stable. “Thompkins is an exciting fighter,” said Octavius James. “His pro debut is something the fans shouldn’t miss. I know he intends to make a statement.”
For more information, visit: Welcome to One In A Million, Inc.. The Radisson is located at I-65 at US 30 in Merrillville, IN. Doors open at 7 p.m. First bout at 8 p.m.
press release 11/15
