Here’s to you, ESPN: From television to internet and beyond
By Kyle Kinder
As ESPN readies to turn thirty-one later this week, the boxing industry should feel free to join in any celebrations the world wide leader plans on having. Since Chris Berman, Bob Ley, & co. emerged on television screens across the nation in September ’79, ESPN has televised boxing on a regular basis — both professional and amateur bouts. The relationship between ESPN and boxing is a crucial one that must be maintained and through the use of the internet, hopefully expanded.
This past Saturday, ironically, the network’s Friday Night Fights season series wrapped up in Montreal, Canada — marking the end to yet another entertaining and successful year of fights for the Disney-owned network. While both HBO and Showtime’s fistic budget dwarfs that of ESPN’s, Doug Loughrey, ESPN’s boxing director of programming, has done an admirable job putting together intriguing and exciting fights.
This past season, specifically, while HBO and Showtime created storylines and built-up fighters (Chris Arreola & Chad Dawson to name two whose scripts were rewritten), ESPN seized on opportunities for create and air fights that already had intriguing storylines built-in.
For instance, back in February, Antonio Escalante (24-2, 15 KO) took on Mickey Roman (30-7, 22 KO). Built-in storyline: Escalante and Roman were childhood rivals, both having grown up in Juarez, Mexico. They scrapped once some thirteen years previous to this bout on the streets of the city and had a chance to run it back once more inside the ropes in El Paso, Texas — Escalante’s adopted hometown. After ten hellacious rounds in front of the pro-Escalante crowd, the judge’s awarded the fan-favorite the unanimous decision victory.
Then in June, Zab Judah (39-6, 27 KO) returned to the ring in front of five thousand fans in Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center. Built-in storyline: Judah returned back to 140 lbs. and claims he is refreshed. This interested 625,000 people enough to tune into Friday Night Fights to watch “Super” Judah stop Jose Armando Santa Cruz (28-5, 17 KO) within three rounds — landing a crisp, beautifully thrown uppercut to drop his opponent in the third.
I could continue to rattle of a laundry-list of built-in storylines that were flushed out during this past Friday Night Fights season, but that would be silly. Point is, Loughrey’s vision in what to invest in and create for his Friday Night Fights series is admirable. What is even more exciting for boxing fans is that it seems Loughrey has a vision for boxing on ESPN that stretches beyond the television set — which could lead to endless possibilities.
A few months ago, ESPN announced that it had struck a deal with the English Premier League, Italy’s Seria A, the German Bundesliga, and Spain’s La Liga — among others — to air select soccer games on ESPN3.com. The stream, which pending one’s bandwidth has the potential to come in clearer than on a television set, is offered for free, even if the game is not shown on ESPN or ESPN2.
On July 31, ESPN announced that, only after HBO and Showtime passed up the opportunity to televise the fight, it will be showing the September 11 Wladimir Klitschko-Samuel Peter IBF & WBO title fight live on ESPN3.com and replay the bout the following day on ESPN.
On the following Friday, the 17th of September, ESPN3.com will air the live flyweight bout between Edin Dapudong vs. Wilbur Uicab, live from Cancun, Mexico and replay it the next day on ESPN Deportes.
If ESPN’s budget grows next year — like it did with soccer this year — ESPN3.com can serve as a crucial player in how boxing fans will be able to watch intriguing fights in high quality for no cost.
The relationship that boxing has with ESPN is vital — regardless of the talent they are able to book for Friday Night Fight cards. When ESPN has a financial investment in a sport, they are more willing to support it and promote it. If their financial investment grows, there is little doubt that the coverage will mimic that.
ESPN has the potential to drive and push sports. When it increased it’s stake in NASCAR at the expense of hockey, ESPN created the NASCAR Now television show, while axing National Hockey Night. Once ESPN shut the door on the NHL completely, hockey turned Versus to air their national games, including playoffs. This led to a columnist at the spoof-newspaper The Onion to pen an article titled “NHL Signs Broadcast Deal with Food Network” — an obvious jab at being forced to televise their sport on deep cable.
None of us want boxing to end up on the proverbial Food Network and the opportunity with ESPN3.com emerging as a serious outlet for major sports to be televised live on is great news for boxing. Hopefully the Klitschko-Peter fight draws enough traffic to the site that it will catch the attention of the big wigs at the world wide leader. If that’s the case, then like soccer, maybe the people running the show at ESPN can kick a little more cash boxing’s way. And with an expanded boxing budget for ESPN, we’d all reap the rewards.
Hennessy promotions present professional boxing.
By Michael Serra
On Friday September 10th at the mecca of East End boxing, at the York Hall in London’s East End, Mick Hennessy makes a welcome return to boxing has he promotes a eight fight card.
Topping the bill is talented former Commonwealth welterweight champ, John O’Donnell a transplanted Irishman who bases himself out of West London taking on over twelve experienced American Terrance Cauthen, a former Olympian in an interesting international match up, O’Donnell is hoping that victory here could propel him into a British title challenge by the end of the year providing he comes through this.
Also booked for action is Lee Purdy, the first ever professional boxing champion from Colchester, England’s oldest recorded town!
Purdy last time out fought beyond the call of duty in possibly the fight of the year against Manchester’s Denton Vassell for the then vacant Commonwealth title, Purdy is scheduled to defend his Southern Area bauble against an opponent to yet be announced.
Further up the scales is gigantic Tyson Fury who at 6′9 has lofty ambitions himself has he hopes for a showdown with British champion Derek Chisora, last time out Fury disposed of one time nemesis John Mcdermott in crushing fashion in a much eagerly awaited rematch due to controversial scoring in there first meeting, Tyson showed there was no need for mathematics this time around, only for the ref to be able to count to ten!
Fury however takes on American Donnell Holmes over 8×3 minute rounds, and is the first time Tyson has met an American during his professional career.
Also featured is Greek hero Chris Evangelou from Enfield at light welter, has is Tyler Goodjohn who also debuts at 10st in his first pro outing, as does middleweight John Ryder whom is trained by ex pro Colin Lake, all face selected opposition.
Plus two more added to the card see’s improving Bradley Evan’s and Phill Fury, cousin of heavyweight Tyson who are appearing against select opposition.
For tickets please visit www.hennessysports.com
Goodwin promotions present championship boxing Sept 11th, York Hall, Bethnal Green, London.
By Michael Serra
On Saturday September 11th at London’s York Hall, Goodwin promotions put on a interesting show, featuring no fewer than eleven fights in an almost marathon show, however topping the bill are two title fights featuring Pat McAleese who takes on over ten at light middle, Lee Noble.
Also another title fight between Ryan Barrett and Hackney’s Mark Alexander look’s like it could be rather interesting if the pre fight insults have been anything to go by, has Barrett has promised to humiliate and stop Alexander in there clash for the international masters super featherweight title.
“I will destroy and knock Alexander out to win the title!” the former Amir Khan opponent has promised, has both have hurled insults at eachother, even Barrett called Alexander ‘Minnie Mouse’!
But hey talking of cartoon charachter’s, or in true Warner Bros idiom ‘that’s not all folks’, there’s more…..
Also featured on the undercard is big punching Tony Conquest at cruiser who takes on much travelled Hastings Rasani, also booked for action is Erick Ochieng at middle against Alex Spitko, a true warrior.
Also featured are Darryl Setterfield against solid journeyman Matt Scriven, plus exciting light welter sensation Phil ‘the Phil Gill experience’ Gill against Damien Turner, in Gill’s sixth outing in the pro ranks, Gill is hoping sometime in the near future for a title chance.
At super middle Eder Kurti meets Danny Goode over four, while feather George Jupp takes on oft beaten Pavels Senkovs again over four while at middle Michael Norgrove takes on one time prospect Ian Eldridge.
Also making there professional debuts are Jamie Arlain at light welter and also Joel Mcintyre at light heavy.
For ticket information please visit www.goodwinpromotions.co.uk or alternatively phone 01525 851150.
STRIKEFORCE – Oct. 9: Nick Diaz vs. KJ Noons Rematch Video
‘Sucra’ Ray Oliveira returns vs. Joey ‘KO Kid’ Spina
CES show Oct. 2 at Foxwoods Resort Casino
MASHANTUCKET, CT (Aug. 31, 2010) – Former world title challenger “Sucra” Ray Oliveira returns to the ring October 2nd for the first time in more than five years against world rated light heavyweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina, headlining the “Last Man Standing” card, in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
“Last Man Standing” is being presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Foxwoods Resort Casino.
“We’re excited to have Ray Oliveira’s comeback start on our ‘Last Man Standing’ show,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said. “All of us are very happy to be back at Foxwoods, too. Ray was one of the most exciting fighters in the world, setting records on ESPN for most punches thrown. He is a fighter’s fighter who didn’t want to return against a soft opponent for an easy win. Ray wants to be tested and he will be against Joey Spina, one of the hardest hitting punchers, pound-for-pound, in boxing. It’s a crossroads fight for both of them. What’s Ray got left? That’s the key question. He fought most of his career at 140-147 and this fight is at 175. Spina was getting close to a world title shot but fighting to a draw last October hurt him. He could use a win against a name opponent like Ray to push him higher up in the world ratings.”
Oliveira, 42, has always been an action-fighter and is also a 3-time world title challenger. The slick boxer and defensive genius from New Bedford (MA) is a former IBU welterweight, NABF light welterweight and New England lightweight champion. “Sucra” has defeated Vince Phillips, Saul Duran, Vivian Harris, Charles Murray (twice), and Tracy Spann, among the more notables, and also fought world champions Ricky Hatton, Vernon Forrest, Jake Rodriguez and Zack Padilla.
Spina returns to the scene of his greatest triumph, which occurred back in 2006 at Foxwoods when “KO Kid” stopped Jesse Brinkley with a vicious body shot in the 11th round of a fight Spina trailed. Brinkley challenges IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute for the world title October 15. Spina, who is coming off of a 10-round draw last October against former world champion Lou Del Valle, also holds wins against former world champion Carl Daniels, Jay Pina and Anwar Oshana
In an intriguing match-up of promising prospects, David Bauza (5-0, 3 KOs), of Hartford, and Reynaldo Rodriguez (5-1, 2 KOs), fighting out of Woonsocket (RI), battle for the vacant EBA New England Super Middleweight Championship in the 6-round co-feature.
“Ray and Joey aren’t the only fighters on this stacked card who find themselves at the crossroads, “Burchfield noted. “Billy Moffard hasn’t been in the ring for a long time. We also have some of the best young fighters in New England and two – David Bauza and Renyaldo Rodriguez — are in against each other.”
Hometown favorite Karen Dulin (1-6, 0 KOs), a super bantamweight from nearby Mystic, meets Treasure Saunders (0-4-1) in a 4-round match. Also scheduled to fight against opponents to be announced are Hartford super lightweight Joseph “Chipper” Jones (4-0, 1 KO), Stamford (CT) light heavyweight Ahmad Mickens (1-0), Hartford welterweight Addy Irizarry (8-4, 2 KOs), Randolph (MA) heavyweight Billy “The Kid” Mofford, and New Haven super lightweight Edwin Soto (4-0-1, 2 KOs). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $40.00, $60.00 and $100.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254) or Foxwoods (800-200-2882), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com, or in person at Foxwood’s box office.
For more information contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Foxwoods Resort Casino (www.foxwoods.com). Doors open at 6:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.
JEFFRIES IN TRAINER BREAK-UP–WATCH FIGHT LIVE ON GFL
TONY JEFFRIES has split with trainer Bobby Rimmer after 18 months together.
The Olympic bronze medallist (7-0-1) is being trained by Sean Casey for his
next fight at Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton-le-Spring on Saturday 11th
September.
After the Sunderland boxer¹s next fight, a major announcement will be made
regarding a new full-time trainer.
OJaffa¹s¹ promoter said: ³The split is no reflection on the job Bobby has
done with Tony since they teamed-up.
³I rate Bobby highly and I hope to continue our good working relationship.
³He already trains British light-middleweight title contender, Brian Rose
who I co-promote, and hopefully there will be other fighters with can work
together with.
³Everyone involved with Tony¹s career would like to thank Bobby for all the
sacrifices he has made for Tony.²
Maloney indicated that Jeffries¹s long-term future could lay with an
American trainer.
He added: ³When Tony was in America on holiday I arranged for him to meet
with some well known trainers I have personal knowledge of.
³He enjoyed meeting them, but I have to emphasise no decision has been taken
yet. It will be made immediately after the next contest.
³I am sure Sean will make sure that Tony is well prepared for next week¹s
test.²
Jeffries¹s opponent will be named in the next 48 hours.
The Houghton-le-Spring bill is topped by Jason Booth (35-5) who challenges
for Canadian Steve Molitor¹s (32-1) IBF world super-bantamweight
championship.
In the chief supporting bout to, British featherweight champion Martin
Lindsay (16-0) boxes a non-title bout.
Local stars in action include Jon Lewis Dickinson (8-1), Travis Dickinson
(6-0), Trevor Crewe (2-2), Gary Fox (2-0), Kirk Goodings (4-0), Martin Ward
(8-0), George Watson (8-1-2), and debutant Glen Foot.
Tickets for the massive night of action are available from 0871 226 1508,
0191 564 0202 or www.frankmaloney.com. VIP Ringside are £95 with the rest a
bargain £35. Get yours in advance for a show that looks certain to sell out.
LINDSAY¹S GOT TWO FIGHTS ON HIS MIND–WATCH FIGHT LIVE ON GFL
click for more information on the fight
MARTIN LINDSAY has his eye on two fights in the next few days, but will only
be landing his bombs in one of them.
The British featherweight champion (16-0) faces Kenyan southpaw David Kiilu
(33-10-2) in a non-title eight rounder at Rainton Meadows Arena,
Houghton-le-Spring on Saturday 11th September.
He also has one eye on this Saturday¹s Commonwealth championship clash
between John Simpson and Stephen Smith where the winner will become his
mandatory challenger.
Lindsay, 28, said: ³Simpson v Smith is a very hard fight to call, but I
couldn¹t care less which one I defend my British title against.
³I just hope there is someone who has the bottle to share a ring with me for
my British crown.
³Kiilu looks a good opponent and has more experience than anybody I have
ever faced and even won a title at lightweight.²
Promoter Frank Maloney added: ³It is such a headache getting Martin matched
up because nobody wants to face him.
³Ideally, I would have liked next week¹s bout to be a British title defence
but nobody wanted to know, although I am sure Simpson or Smith will be
keen.²
Lindsay won the British title when he last boxed in March with a convincing
points win over Jamie Arthur.
The Houghton-le-Spring bill is topped by Jason Booth (35-5) who challenges
for Canadian Steve Molitor¹s (32-1) IBF world super-bantamweight
championship.
Local stars in action include Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries
(7-0-1), Jon Lewis Dickinson (8-1), Travis Dickinson (6-0), Trevor Crewe
(2-2), Gary Fox (2-0), Kirk Goodings (4-0), Martin Ward (8-0), George Watson
(8-1-2), and debutant Glen Foot.
Tickets for the massive night of action are available from 0871 226 1508,
0191 564 0202 or www.frankmaloney.com. VIP Ringside are £95 with the rest a
bargain £35. Get yours in advance for a show that looks certain to sell out.
Q & A with Michael Domingo
By Anson Wainwright
Anson Wainwright - Your scheduled to appear next on 28 August at Waterford Cebu City, any ideas as yet who you will be facing? What can you tell us about the show?
Anson Wainwright - Going back to the start of your career you debuted back in 1999 you streaked to 10-0-1(3) before your first loss, then you then slipped to 11-12-1(5) in your next 24 fights over a 4 year period. What happened to you at that time?
Anson Wainwright - Your countryman Manny Pacquiao won the race to congress. What are your feelings on that and what you feel he has done for Filipino Boxing?
Thanks for your time Michael, keep up the good work.
Tarver to take on Aguilera for Heavyweight debut
According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former Light Heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver will make his first appearance as a Heavyweight when he takes on Nagy Aguilera on October 15th in either Memphis or California in a bout that will be broadcasted on Showtime.
“I won’t be the biggest heavyweight. I won’t be the strongest guy, but I think I’ll be the quickest and most elusive and the best counter puncher the heavyweight division has seen in a long time,” Tarver said. “I want to see if I can hit these big boys and put a dent in them. It remains to be seen, but if I can put a dent in these big boys, I’ll be the next heavyweight champion.
“I think I have so much more to give to the game. People are dying for a guy in the heavyweight division who has a face and a name and has some credibility. That’s what I bring to the table. You look at the American landscape and we don’t have anything out there. So I will give it a try until they beat me. I look at it like I am undefeated at heavyweight. And I am not fighting a dead man. Aguilera is a credible guy and I will see where I stand right off the bat.”
The bout is slated to headline a special edition of Showtime’s “ShoBox: The New Generation” series. Tarver (27-6, 19 KOs) has been working as a ringside commentator on the series.
“Maybe I’ll fight and commentate at the same time and pick up two checks,” Tarver joked.
“I think I stayed too long in that division,” said Tarver, who is best known for defeating Roy Jones Jr. in two of their three fights, including a shocking second-round knockout in their 2004 rematch. “I outgrew that division a long time ago. I was 28 coming out of the amateurs. I fought at 178 and, as a pro, I had to lose three more pounds. It was tough. I did it for a long time and I don’t have any regrets. But my last performances show I wasn’t as strong as I was in the past, and Dawson was 14 years younger than me. That had a lot to do with it. I wasn’t able to be as strong as I should have been in a fight.”
“I feel good right now. My goal is to be very strong and solid at the weight,” said Tarver, whose promotional company AT Entertainment will promote the bout. “I’ll look better with the weight on me. I won’t look frail and drawn and skinny.”
“Aguilera is a bona fide heavyweight and did real well going the distance against Maurice Harris,” Tarver said. “We’ll see if we can best that and step up to the plate with the big boys. This is a great opportunity for him to fight a name guy after just losing a competitive fight. I’m not picking no dead man to fight. Aguilera can hit, so I’m testing myself. I’ll have to get used to the big guys punching me — if they can land one. I am looking to fight those big guys and prove I am worthy of the heavyweight championship.”
Witherspoon stops Castillo in Seven–Watch fight on demand on GFL
By John Wall (ringside)
A capacity crowd turned out to support Philadelphia, PA’s Chazz Witherspoon (26-2 18 KO’s) at the Grand Ballroom of Trump’s Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ. The partisan crowd was hoping Witherspoon would return to his winning ways, while cagy veteran Livin Castillo (16-8 10 KO’s), of Atlantic City via Ecuador, a much better fighter than his record would indicate, was looking to make Witherspoon’s degree in pharmaceutical sales to use as his source of income.
Witherspoon got off to a slow start, losing the first four rounds on my card. Although he was the bigger man, Witherspoon was unable to mount an offense and was fed a steady diet of body shots by Castillo, whose game plan looked to be pot-shot then get out of range. The fight plan was working beautifully, on paper, as Castillo won the early rounds, taking no damage, but also delivering very little as well.
Sensing their fighter needed a lift, those in attendance came to life at the start of round five. Witherspoon did as well, feeding off the new energy. The St. Joseph’s university graduate started fighting with a greater sense of urgency, rediscovering his right hand, but his power shots failed to find the mark and the round that started as momentum changer ended with an even more confident Castillo.
One of the beauties of heavyweight division is a big strong man is never out of the fight. The fatal flaw in Castillo’s plan was letting a fighter with Witherspoon’s punching power hang around to long. The Philadelphia crowd soon got what they drove down the Atlantic City Expressway to see.
Early in the seventh round Witherspoon unloaded a right uppercut to the chin of Castillo that sent him to the canvas. A game but rubber legged Castillo got up, but Witherspoon landed several more right hands, forcing Referee Earl Brown to stop the contest at 2:21 of the seventh round.
In a battle of Super middleweights Philadelphia’s Farah Ennis (16-0 10 KO’s) bested an out classed Reggie Pena (6-4 1KO’s) from Ocala, Florida. Pena has a habit of leaning in with his head and Ennis was only to happy to use his right uppercut to demonstrate why that is not a good idea. Pena did manage to mount an attack in the third round only to be knocked down by a body shot in the closing seconds. Ennis sealed the deal in the third by another body shot and Pena was counted out at 1:56 of the round.
In a six round lightweight, contest Jose Reyes (23-8 8 KO) of Vineland, NJ got bested by Colombia’s Walter Estrada (37-13 25 KO) in a split decision. Estrada, a southpaw, knocked Reyes down in the first with a left cross. Estrada suffered a cut to the bridge of his nose in the fourth round. But his better ring generalship carried the day and swayed the judges his way. Scores were 58-55 and 57-56 for Estrada, with the third card reading 57-56 Reyes.
In a one sided match in the light heavyweight division Lavarn Harvell (6-0 3 KO) of Atlantic City knocked down Jackson, TN’s Nathan Bedwell (2-4 1KO) three times in four rounds on his way to a unanimous decision victory. Scores were a lopsided 40-33 on all three cards.
Super Middleweight (and son of former heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon) Isiah Seldon (2-0 1 KO) of Atlantic City drew a nice crowd to his second pro fight and didn’t disappoint them, stopping Jason Johns (0-3) of Danville Virginia at 2:57 of round 1.
In the opening bout of the evening, Atlantic City’s Eugene Soto (3-0 1KO) added another win to his record besting Maurice Williams (1-6 1KO) of Camden via majority decision. Mr. Williams may be the cockiest 1-6 fighter of all time and his clowning in the ring may have cost him in the judges’ minds. The scorecard of 37-37 was overruled by tallies of 38-36 and 38-37 for Soto.
For more New Jersey boxing news, go to gardenstatefightscene.com
ESPN News- Pacquiao, Roach rip Mayweather, back Bradley February 21, 2012Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr. both realize almost every boxing fan wishes Floyd Mayweather Jr. had been standing next to Pacquiao at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Tuesday. […]Associated Press
- HBO PPV secures rights to Pacquiao-Bradley February 21, 2012HBO made it 2-for-2 in securing the rights to the first two major pay-per-view fights of the year on Tuesday, announcing that it had finalized an agreement to produce and distribute Manny Pacquiao's defense against Timothy Bradley Jr. […]Dan Rafael
- V. Klitschko says still owes Chisora a knockout February 21, 2012WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko wants to fight Britain's Dereck Chisora again -- so he can knock him out. […]Associated Press
- Chisora apologizes 'wholeheartedly' for brawl February 20, 2012Dereck Chisora apologized "wholeheartedly" Monday for the brawl with David Haye that followed his loss to WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. […]Associated Press
- V. Klitschko tore shoulder ligament vs. Chisora February 19, 2012Heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko suffered a torn ligament in his left shoulder during his unanimous decision win over Dereck Chisora on Saturday in Munich, Germany, but he will not require surgery. […]Dan Rafael
- Stars honor Ali at 70th birthday gala in Vegas February 19, 2012President Barack Obama lauded Muhammad Ali Saturday as he joined some of the world's most famous people in a birthday celebration for the boxer known simply as "The Greatest." […]Associated Press
- Esparza, Underwood, Shields win boxing trials February 19, 2012Claressa Shields screamed, sidestepped and finally hopped around the ring, unable to contain her glee when she was named the outstanding fighter at the first U.S. Olympic team trials for women's boxing. […]Associated Press
- Gamboa, Rios agree to April 14 bout in Vegas February 17, 2012Former unified featherweight titlist Yuriorkis Gamboa will jump up two weight classes and face former lightweight titleholder Brandon Rios in a fight that matches two of boxing's most crowd-pleasing fighters. […]Dan Rafael
- Boxer banned for threat, sparking ring riot February 17, 2012The IBF on Thursday banned former junior flyweight titlist Luis Lazarte from participating in any fight the organization is associated with following Lazarte's actions during a bout last Friday. […]Dan Rafael
- Ward cleared for training as long as hand OK February 16, 2012Unified super middleweight champion Andre Ward has received medical clearance to resume using his left hand, as long as it feels OK, after fracturing it in two places. […]Dan Rafael
- Pacquiao, Roach rip Mayweather, back Bradley February 21, 2012
