Boxing News

Phil Baroni: “I’ve been an outlaw my entire life”

Tue, 29 May 2012 12:33:00 GMT

8CN’s Darren Barcomb caught up with “The New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni today to discuss his very busy upcoming month. Baroni is currently training in Colorado in preparation for his June 2^nd matchup with Denver native Chris “The Hammer” Holland for Ring of Fire 43: “Bad Blood”. Then it’s off to Malaysia for ONE FC 4: ‘Destiny of Warriors” to face former training partner Roger “El Matador” Huerta on June 23rd.

According to Baroni, he is ready for a grueling month, stating “for the first time in years I know what it feels like to be healthy and well prepared.” The 36 year old Long Island native has seen it all, travelling the world many times and seeing action with the UFC, PRIDE, EliteXC, Strikeforce, Cage Rage, Titan FC, and ONE FC. “I want to make the most out of the time I have left”, Baroni added. “I’m gonna go out with a bang… I always said it’s better to burn out than fade away.”

Of course fading away has never been an option for the brash Broni, and according to the “New York Bad Ass”, “I’ve been an outlaw my entire life and I’m going out guns blazing, taking as many as I can with me.”

What else could we expect from Baroni? Win, loose, or draw, he is a heavy hitter who always brings a fight and promises fireworks throughout the month of June. Also of note to Baroni’s Canadian fans, he stated that he still has plans to travel to Montreal to battle it out for Instinct MMA, telling 8CN “I owe them a fight so I’ll be there soon.”

The ONE FC 4: ‘Destiny of Warriors” fight card:

Phil Baroni vs. Roger Huerta

Renato Sobral vs. Tatsuya Mizuno

Roger Huerta vs. Phil Baroni

Masakazu Imanari vs. Leandro Issa

Eddie Ng vs. Arnaud Lepont

Gregor Gracie vs. Adam Kayoom

Allamurad Karayev vs. Roldan Sangcha-an

Rodrigo Praxedes vs. Marcos Escobar

Peter Davis vs. Quek Kim Hock

Ring of Fire 43: “Bad Blood” fight card:

Phil Baroni vs. Chris Holland

Tyler Toner vs. Cameron Dollar

Marcus Edwards vs. Justin Gaethje

Tommy Thompson vs. Prentice Ingram

Vinnie Lopez vs. Mark Korzenowski

George Ashauer vs. Henry Solis

Aaron Romero vs. Tamboura Gerl

Laendro Veal vs. Chad Wicks

Former NFL’er Leandro Veal to make MMA debut vs. WWE alumni Chad Wicks on Baroni vs. Holland undercard

Mon, 28 May 2012 21:54:00 GMT

Former defensive tackle Demetrin Leandro Veal is set to make his MMA debut against fellow newcomer and former WWE star Chad Wicks on June 2^nd in Broomfield, Colorado at Ring of Fire “Bad Blood”.

The 30 year old Veal saw NFL time with the Falcons, Ravens, Broncos and Titans from 2003-2007 before signing with United Football League teams from 2009-2010. He is 6’3 and 240 pounds.

The main event for the night’s festivities pits former UFC/Pride, Elite XC star Phil “The New York Bad Ass” Baroni (14-14) against Denver’s Chris “The Hammer” Holland (4-3).

Does Kessler deserve a shot against Froch?

Mon, 28 May 2012 21:08:00 GMT

Former WBA/WBC super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler (45-2, 34 KO’s) appears eager to take his best shot against newly crowned IBF champ Carl Froch (29-2, 21 KO’s) and has stated that he has no quarrels with traveling to “The Cobra’s” home turf of Nottingham, England.

There is of course a history between the two as Kessler had the hometown advantage and defeated Froch in Denmark by scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111 in April of 2010 as part of the Super Six Tournament.

A confident Froch told express.co.uk “I am sure Froch thinks he will beat me next time, and I hope there is a next time, as I will show that I am the better fighter. I would have no problem traveling to England to face Froch. He came to Denmark, so why not?”

Certainly Kessler is on Froch’s short list, but we’ll have to wait and see how soon Lucian Bute cashes in his rematch clause and where Andre Ward fits in. Without a doubt, Froch fights with a different energy in Nottingham and the prospect of avenging the Super Six loss to Kessler at home has to interest him.

The other question that is sure to surface is Kessler’s suitability as an opponent. The jury is still out on Kessler’s form following his time off following the eye injury sustained in the Froch fight, but on May 19^th Kessler scored a 4^th round TKO of Allan Green and appeared to be back on track for a big title challenge.

Johnny Tapia’s wife releases statement

Mon, 28 May 2012 20:44:00 GMT

The statement released by Teresa Tapia regarding the death of her husband Johnny Tapia:

Today our family grieves the loss of a husband, a father and a close friend. With Johnny, the world has lost not just a Hall of Fame boxer but a special person, a fighter in life and in the ring. I am appreciative of all the support and condolences we’ve received and I thank Johnny’s many friends and fans for standing by in this difficult time.

I know many people are waiting for news but as we await the results of the autopsy I am not in a position to make any comment on what happened on Sunday.

We will hold a public memorial service for Johnny to give everyone a chance to say good-bye. The holiday and autopsy are delaying our final plans. We will announce the particulars as soon as arrangements have been made.

I know Johnny will be missed by everyone who ever met him. He was a special light in this world. He loved people so much, made friends with everyone so easily and kept those friends forever. He will remain in our hearts and be missed by all of us very dearly.

Punishing Lessons

Mon, 28 May 2012 20:34:00 GMT

What the Boxing World at Large Can Learn from the Paralyzing of Paul (The Punisher) Williams

This Memorial Day weekend, the boxing world saw two of its great warriors go down following decorated and distinguished careers in unarmed combat. First, troubled five-time world champion Johnny (Mi Vida Loca) Tapia was found dead in his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Then, former two-time welterweight champion Paul (The Punisher) Williams, who recently signed for to fight Mexican sensation Saul (Canelo) Alvarez for the WBC Light Middleweight Title, was reportedly paralyzed from the waist down following a motorcycle accident en route to one of his brother’s weddings in Atlanta. Williams survived, but was already advised that he will likely never walk, and thus box, ever again. Relatively speaking, Tapia was not as lucky. While Tapia’s story is one that was unique to his tortured life, one marked by the murder of his mother when he was eight-years-old, drug problems, and the death of his brother-in-law and nephew while they were on their way to visit him in the hospital following a 2007 cocaine overdose, there are a several lessons that can be learned from Williams’ plight, including what steps those handling the careers of professional athletes can take to try to avoid such sad endings to their charges’ careers. Standing 8 Court initially addressed those lessons back on October 13, 2010 shortly after then-unified bantamweight champion Fernando (Cochulito) Montiel suffered an injury to his right leg when a dirt bike on which he was a passenger crashed in Alamos, Mexico. To avoid redundancy, but reiterate those lessons in wake of Williams’ accident, I direct you back to “The Lesson to Learn from the Montiel Ordeal,” which available at: http://www.8countnews.com/news/125/ARTICLE/2970/2010-10-13.html. With that, I thank Tapia for many great boxing memories and pray that he finally finds peace going forward and wish a speedy recovery to The Punisher, who was perhaps the most physically unique top-level talent in the sport today.

Paul Stuart Haberman, Esq. is a New York-based health and sports law attorney. He is also a New York State licensed boxing manager and the Chairman of the Sports Law Committee of the New York County Lawyers Association. Paul can be e-mailed at haberman@8countnews.com. He can also be followed on Twitter at @Standing8Court.

Paul Williams reportedly paralyzed following motorcycle accident

Mon, 28 May 2012 15:45:00 GMT

Former two-division world champion Paul Williams (41-2, 27 KO’s) is reportedly paralyzed from the waist down following a motorcycle accident Sunday near Atlanta. The 30 year old “The Punisher” Williams had signed a contract last week to face Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on Sept. 15 in Las Vegas and last saw action in a unanimous decision victory over Nobuhiro Ishida in February in Texas.

More information to follow at 8CN.

Remembering Johnny Tapia

Mon, 28 May 2012 15:28:00 GMT

When it was announced yesterday that Johnny Tapia had passed away at 45 years of age, the boxing world lost a great champion, whos run-ins with the law, cocaine addiction, and jail stints marred his legacy, but was still adorned by legions of fans.

Hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Tapia captured the WBA bantamweight, IBF and WBO junior bantamweight, and IBF featherweight titles. He stormed to a 59-5-2 record in a career that spanned from 1988 through 2011. He was last seen in June of 2011 winning a unanimous decision over Mauricio Pastrana in Albuquerque in what would be the final battle of his illustrious career.

He was found dead at his home and details regarding the passing are pending the autopsy. The boxing community and indeed the entire world lost a true warrior far too early and 8CN would like to express condolences to the family and friend of Johnny Tapia as they battle through this tough time.

Boxer Johnny Tapia dead at 45

8CN — Mon, 28 May 2012 09:57:00 GMT

Five-time boxing champion Johnny Tapia, was found dead Sunday at his Albuquerque home. A life witch was plagued with drug addiction, depression and frequent run-ins with the law ended on Sunday when authorities were called to his home and discovered the legendary fighter dead. He was 45. “The death didn't appear to be suspicious”, said Police spokesman Robert Gibbs.

Tapia’s tough life started down a turbulent road from early on in his life. His mother had been brutally murdered when she was stabbed over 20 times with a screwdriver and left to die. Tapia was orphaned at 8 years old.

“Burque's Best" won five championships in three weight classes, including the WBA bantamweight title, the IBF and WBO junior bantamweight belts and the IBF featherweight title.

In 2007, he was hospitalized after an apparent cocaine overdose. That same week, his brother-in-law and his nephew were killed in car accident on their way to Albuquerque to visit the hospitalized boxer.

After coming off a three year ban on boxing because of his cocaine addiction Tapia returned to knock out Henry Martinez to win the WBO bantamweight title in 1994, and won four more championships over the next eight years. Tapia remained fighting up until last June with a final fight record of 59-5-2.

Kid Chocolate Quillin talks Winky Wright fight and more! 8CN Podcast

Sun, 27 May 2012 17:39:00 GMT

8CountNews caught up with middleweight contender Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (26-0-20KO) and got his thoughts on his June 2nd fight Vs. Ronald "Winky" Wright (51-5-25KO-1D). Quillin knows that this is the biggest fight of his career, and he's training for just that. He tells 8CN that this has been the best camp of his career, and that he will be ready to go come June 2nd. Quillin also addresses the recent steroids testing issue that transpired on Twitter from Winky Wright.

This fight will take place on Showtime on June 2nd at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Winky Wright has not seen action since 2009. He was dominated by Paul Williams. That defeat followed his loss to. Bernard Hopkins which took place almost two years prior. To say that Wright has been inactive is an understatement.

Check out the Podcast with Peter Quillin HERE

Undefeated middleweight Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin

Instinct 4 set for June 29th, Thatch vs. Grandmont and Pulver vs Pelletier headline

Sun, 27 May 2012 04:08:00 GMT

Quebec based Instinct MMA has announced that Instinct 4 will take place on June 29^th at the Pierre Charbonneau Centre in Montreal.

The event had been scheduled for June 2^nd with a headline of Quebec’s Steve “The Boss” Bosse vs. former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral, but was nixed due to a recent Bosse injury (broken forearm). Now, Instinct has revamped the fight card and announced that Bosse vs. Sobral will be delayed until sometime in the fall.

The newly announced Instinct 4 lineup:

Brandon Thatch vs Martin Grandmont
Jens Pulver vs Stephane Pelletier
Todd Stoute vs Anselmo Gutierrez
Luke Caudillo vs Thierry Quenneville
LLoyd Galindo vs Derek Gauthier
Derek Parker vs Strahinja Gavrilovic
Peter Nolan vs Cody Donovan
Chris Frank vs Yves Lemelin
Johan Croes vs Frank Marques
Matt Long vs TBA
Remy Bussieres vs TBA
Mandel Nallo vs TBA
Alex Laramee vs TBA
Guy Poulin vs TBA

Froch stops Bute in 5

Sat, 26 May 2012 23:33:00 GMT

In May 26^th action from the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, England, hometown favorite Froch (29-2, 21 KO’s) shocked previously unbeaten Lucian Bute (30-1, 24 KO’s) by 5^th round TKO to claim the IBF super middleweight title.

Both fighters went toe-to-toe in the opening rounds, but the “Cobra” took over in the 3^rd and 4^th rounds, before ending it at the 1:05 mark of the 5^th round.

It now looks like the duo will be headed back to Montreal, as Bute will have a hometown fight of his own with the rematch clause.

More to follow here at 8CN….

UFC 146 Results: Junior Dos Santos stops Frank Mir

Sat, 26 May 2012 23:33:00 GMT

Full UFC 146 Fight Results:

Junior Dos Santos defeated Frank Mir via 2^nd round TKO (punches) to retain UFC heavyweight title.

Cain Velasquez defeated Antonio Silva via 1^st round TKO (punches)

Roy Nelson defeated Dave Herman via 1^st round knockout (punch)

Stipe Miocic defeated Shane Del Rosario via 2^nd round TKO (elbows)

Stefan Struve defeated Lavar Johnson via 1^st round submission (armbar)

Darren Elkins defeated Diego Brandao via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jamie Varner defeated Edson Barboza via 1^st round TKO (punches)

C.B. Dollaway defeated. Jason "Mayhem" Miller via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 29-28)

Dan Hardy defeated. Duane "Bang" Ludwig via 1^st round knockout (strikes)

Paul Sass defeated Jacob Volkmann via 1^st round submission (triangle choke/armbar)

Glover Teixeira defeated Kyle Kingsbury via 1^st round submission (arm-triangle choke)

Mike Brown defeated Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Kim beats Rahimov on ESPN FNF’s

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:58:00 GMT

Ji-Hoon “Volcano” Kim (24-7, 18 KO’s) won a 10 round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Alisher “Ali” Rahimov (23-1, 12 KO’s) as the main event of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights at the Ameristar Casino in Saint Charles, Missouri. In back and forth action, Kim took the bout by scores of 96-94, 98-92 and 97-93.

With the victory, the 25 year old South Korean Kim has now won three straight while the 34 year old Russian Rahimov tasted defeat for the first time in his professional career.

UFC 146 Weights

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:54:00 GMT

MAIN EVENT

Frank Mir (261) VS Junior Dos Santos (C) (239) for the UFC Heavyweight Championship

PPV MAIN CARD
Antonio Silva (264) VS Cain Velasquez (240)
Dave Herman (233) VS Roy Nelson (254)
Shane Del Rosario (246) VS Stipe Miocic (245)
Stefan Struve (255) VS Lavar Johnson (248)

FX PRELIM FIGHTS
Darren Elkins (145) VS Diego Brandao (145)
Edson Barboza (155) VS Jamie Varner (156)
CB Dollaway (186) VS Jason Miller (185)
Duane Ludwig (171) VS Dan Hardy (170)

FACEBOOK FIGHTS
Paul Sass (156) VS Jacob Volkmann (155)
Glover Teixeira (204) VS Kyle Kingsbury (205)
Daniel Pineda (146) VS Mike Brown (145)

Winky Wright vs. Peter Quillin Conference Call Quotes

David Hopper — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:13:00 GMT

David Hopper of 8CN sat in on the Winky Wright-Peter Quillin conference call. Wright (51-5-1, 25 KOs) and Quillin (26-0, 20 KOs) will fight on June 2 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. The card, which will be televised live on Showtime, includes Antonio Tarver vs. Lateef Kayode in the main event and Delvin Rodriguez vs. Austin Trout.

Winky Wright: I'm happy to be back. I'm glad I got a formidable opponent. Peter comes to fight. We're gonna show the fans why we do what we do.

WW: My plan to come back to the ring was I wasn't ready to retire yet. I figured that if I still wanted to fight I had to get back into the ring and do it now. I just turned 40. We're glad to get an opponent like Peter. I'm going out to prove that I want to fight the best. I didn't come to fight just to get a win. I want to be the best. I want to be champion.

WW: First of all there was no one significant that wanted to fight me. I'm fighting because I want to be champ. I'm fighting because I want to be the best. None of the champions wanted to fight. We couldn't get any of them to sign on the dotted line. My career, my legacy is in stone. I would love to fight ya'll but ya'll don't want to. So I took time off and raised by son, do family things and just enjoy life.

WW: He's still here. I got a great opponent that's going to bring it out of me. I didn't pick a bum to fight. I picked a kid that's hungry that wants to win. He's going to have to do that June 2.

Peter Quillin: I think I probably should see the best of Winky Wright at the age that he's at now. He knows what's at stake with this fight. I'm super prepared for this fight. I'm ready. I'm not going to expect anything else besides him throwing his two hands and I have to be ready for that. The No. 1 thing that a fighter has to do is be able to adjust, and that's what I'm going to be able to do June 2.

PQ: Every fight for me is the biggest fight of my career. So right now I'm taking it as it the biggest fight of my career. As far as his long lay off, I can't necessarily say if that's going to hurt him or help him. I just know that I'm prepared for a 21-year-old Winky Wright and that's what I've been preparing for. I've been preparing for the best of Winky Wright, not where he's at right now, his age or anything.

PQ: I think my advantage is that I'm going to be as sharp as I can come June 2. Am I going to try to knock him out? No, knock outs don't come when you force them. Knock outs come naturally. I'm prepared for anything. I'm prepared to fight King Kong if I have to. That's what I've been training to do. Training is the biggest part of a boxer's fight.

UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir Predictions

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:11:00 GMT

This Memorial Day weekend features a UFC main card full of heavyweights! This exciting venue will be held on Saturday, May 26^th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It will determine if Frank Mir can take the belt from Junior Dos Santos and live up to all of the hype and confidence he exudes. Junior appears to be training as usual and working heavily on his Jiu Jitsu, according to all of the UFC Primetime television specials that have been running. This card will also determine the fate of Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy, the welterweight that quickly rose to the top earned himself a title shot against Georges St. Pierre that he lost by decision and followed up with four loses thereafter. It is also the return of Jamie Varner to professional MMA, and he will have a great challenge matched up against Edson Barboza.

Junior Dos Santos vs. Frank Mir: Mir via submission in the third

Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva: Cain via unanimous decision

Roy Nelson vs. Dave Herman: Herman via unanimous decision

Stipe Miocic vs. Shane Del Rosario: Miocic via KO

Diego Brandao vs. Darren Elkins: Brandao via split decision

Edson Barboza vs. Jamie Varner: Barboza via TKO

Jason Miller vs. CB Dolloway: Dolloway via decision

Dan Hardy vs. Duane Ludwig: Hardy via TKO in the second round

Jacob Volkman vs. Paul Sass: Volkman via decision

Kyle Kingsbury vs. Glover Teixeira: Kingsbury via submission

Mike Brown vs. Daniel Pineda: Brown via KO

UFC 146 Fight Card

Fri, 25 May 2012 00:34:00 GMT

Full Fight Card for UFC 146:

Date: Saturday, May 26^th, 2012

Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas

Main card:

Heavyweight Championship bout: Junior dos Santos (c) vs. Frank Mir

Heavyweight bout: Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva

Heavyweight bout: Roy Nelson vs. Dave Herman

Heavyweight bout: Stipe Miočić vs. Shane del Rosario

Heavyweight bout: Stefan Struve vs. Lavar Johnson

Preliminary card (FX):

Featherweight bout: Diego Brandao vs. Darren Elkins

Lightweight bout: Edson Barboza vs. Jamie Varner

Middleweight bout: Jason Miller vs. C.B. Dollaway

Welterweight bout: Dan Hardy vs. Duane Ludwig

Preliminary card (Facebook):

Lightweight bout: Jacob Volkmann vs. Paul Sass

Light Heavyweight bout: Kyle Kingsbury vs. Glover Teixeira

Featherweight bout: Mike Brown vs. Daniel Pineda

Chauncy Welliver vs. Sherman Williams set for June 28th in China

Fri, 25 May 2012 00:28:00 GMT

WBO Asia Pacific and WBC Asian Boxing Council Champion Chauncy “The Hillyard Hammer” Welliver returns to action on June 28^th in Macau, China where he will face Sherman “The Tank” Williams.

The 29 year old Welliver (53-5-5, 20 KO’s) is riding an 18-fight victory streak and has beaten “Smokin” Bert Copper and Moyoyo Mensah since the beginning of 2012. Popular both in the U.S. and abroad, Welliver has seen himself surge in the rankings the past year and currently sits as the WBC #6 and WBO #8 ranked heavyweight.

Looking to stop Welliver’s momentum will be the well travelled 39 year old Williams (34-11-2, 19 KO’s) who has been out of action since a no contest with former champ Evander Holyfield way back in January of 2011. Williams was looking good in the early stages of that bout, but it was stopped after Holyfield received a gash from an accidental head-butt in the 2^nd round, leading to the well publicized and controversial 3rd round no-contest ruling.

According to Welliver, “I'm training hard already and my manager will be discussing the next step after this fight in China. Rumor has it could be with a legendary name.”

Sounds like 2012 could be a big year for Welliver as he continues to remain active and rumble onward. Perhaps a big time U.S. based, televised matchup could be on his horizon…..

8CN Interview with Mark “Too Sharp” Davis

David Hopper: — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:36:00 GMT

David Hopper of 8CN caught up with undefeated super featherweight Mark “Too Sharp” Davis. The 25-year-old recently signed with the promotion companies Warriors, Bluewave and Newhouse. He will a fight a to be determined opponent on July 13 at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.

DH: Tell me about yourself.

MD: I’m 16-0 [5 KOs] and fight out of a Cleveland, Ohio. I’m looking to become a champion.

DH: Talk about your decision to sign with Warriors, Bluewave and Newhouse.

MD: I eventually went down to Miami and signed with them. I felt that they’re going to be the ones to get me to the top, Leon Margules, Tim Van Newhouse, and Luis DeCubas.

DH: Who were you promoted by beforehand?

MD: We were really doing our own, paying for our promoters and at the end of the day I think it ended up paying off.

DH: How’d you get the name Too Sharp?

MD: I got it from Marc “Too Sharp” Johnson, who used to box out of Washington, D.C.

DH: I watched a video of you on YouTube and saw you use the shoulder roll defense. Is that something you use often?

MD: I use it a little bit. I try not to do it too much but I use it sometimes. It comes to be me naturally.

DH: What are some of the advantages of the shoulder roll?

MD: You use the shoulder to block and you come back with the right hand or the right uppercut. Most of the time I like to keep my left hand up. Sometimes with the shoulder roll you can get clipped over the top of the shoulder with an overhand right. If you do that shoulder roll too much they’re going to fake the left hook and throw the right hand. It’s better to just keep your left hand up. You ain’t gotta really shoulder roll. I use the shoulder roll sometimes on a slow fighter. It’s kind of easier to use on a slow fighter who’s not experienced.

DH: You were three pounds overweight for your last fight. Are you having trouble making weight?

MD: I plan to stay at 130. The reason I was over in my last fight was because I was in camp with Adrien Broner. I was helping him for his championship fight that he had coming up. I was doing a lot of sparring with him. I was really trying to focus on helping him so I wasn’t concerned about weight.

DH: When do you hope to get a world title shot?

MD: Before the year is out.

DH: You currently don’t have an upcoming fight scheduled, is that right?

MD: I’m fighting July 13 on the Glen Johnson [vs. Andrzej Fonfara] undercard. We don’t know who I’m fighting. On August 10 I’ll be fighting on ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights.

DH: Who is your trainer?

MD: My father is training me, and Tim [Van Newhouse] is working with me. He works with me on the pads. We’re fit for each other. Everything comes together. Most fighters they got to find a trainer that they can be compatible with.

DH: What attracted you to the sport?

MD: My dad used to box in the Army. He got me in to spar when I was about 8. My first fight was at like 9 years old. I had about 260 amateur fights. I lost like 13.

DH: Were there any boxers you looked up to growing up?

MD: Marc “Too Sharp” Johnson, Roy Jones, Mayweather, Sugar Ray Leonard

DH: Did you try to emulate any of their styles?

MD: I mean you look at a lot of tapes and try to try new stuff. I don’t ever try to run with just any one style.

DH: How would you describe your fighting style?

MD: Mix a little bit of everybody’s stuff in with me.

DH: How do you think you’re a different fighter now than when you were an amateur?

MD: Now it’s the pros so I’m sitting down on punches a little bit more. In amateurs it’s really just points and moving around the ring. Now it’s pros so I’m sitting down on my punches and walking fighters down, more body shots, more setting up shots.

DH: You had a lot of fights in Tunica, Mississippi. Talk about that and how it prepared you as a pro.

MD: I had about 10 fights down there. As my career first started out I’d fight there about every three months. It helped me build up my record and get some experience. Those fans down there they love me down in Mississippi.

DH: Who is it you want to fight?

MD: I’m ready for the best of them. Anybody.

DH: What was your toughest fight and what did you do to pull out the victory?

MD: As far as professional? I made all of them easy. I need somebody to put me to the test because I don’t think I can be beat. I need somebody to show me. I fought a couple of guys who had some skills but I think I was just too much for them.

DH: What is it that makes you such a skilled fighter?

MD: I use my speed and power. I move my head good. I throw combinations and I’m smart. A lot of fighters they’ve got speed but they don’t use their head. I’m gonna land them punches crispy. They’re not just going to touch you, they’re going to count when they touch you.

DH: Is there anything you want to say to your fans?

MD: For the fans, we will become champion real soon so keep looking out, keep following me and we’re going to put Cleveland on the map.

VADA Mess!

Thu, 24 May 2012 23:31:00 GMT

A Quick Look at the Legal and Regulatory Issues Raised by the Cancellations of Khan-Peterson II and Berto-Ortiz II Following Positive Drug Tests

In one famously bad month for top-level professional boxing, two highly anticipated rematches of 2011 “Fights of the Year” were aced as a result of participants testing positive for banned substances. The unfortunate news began in early May, when it was disclosed that unified junior welterweight champion Lamont (Havoc) Peterson tested positive for synthetic testosterone in advance of his May 12, 2012 rematch with Amir (King) Khan. It continued about a week later when it was disclosed that the June 23, 2012 welterweight rematch between Andre Berto and “Vicious” Victor Ortiz was canceled after Berto tested positive for noandrosterone, a banned steroid. Both positive tests came during random testing administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (“VADA”) and agreed to by the contestants in their bout contracts. In the wake of these positive tests, what once looked like an outstanding device for making certain that professional boxers did not seek unfair advantages behind closed doors during their pre-fight preparations has now become the flashlight that illuminated what may be a long-time practice in professional boxing. What can be taken away from Peterson’s and Berto’s positive tests? A quick look follows.

Be Careful What You Contract For

A majority of athletic commissions do not compel random drug testing in the weeks and months leading up to a given fight card. Instead, they have a list of banned substances and if a boxer tests positive for one when it comes time for testing, the bout is either canceled (if the testing was done beforehand) or has its result changed (if performed afterward). The random testing by VADA is thus an animal that is born by contract. In the case of Berto-Ortiz II, it was Berto who sought random drug testing following widespread, but unsubstantiated, allegations that Ortiz might have used banned substances in his preparation for their first bout. Peterson requested a similar provision, as he “wanted to shine the light” on the subject of doping in boxing according to a recent interview with Boxing Talk. The lesson here: Be careful what you contract for. While Berto has claimed thus far that he did not knowingly use any steroids or banned substances, and former BALCO head Victor Conte, who was working with Berto, suggested that trace contamination might be to blame, Berto would not have necessarily been in this situation when it came time for drug testing had he not sought random drug testing for the Ortiz rematch. Nor necessarily would have Peterson, if the synthetic testosterone that he purportedly took due to low natural levels of testosterone would not have turned up in an official pre-fight drug test.

While it is easy to say that one should simply not agree to random drug testing in a bout contract, however, the reality is that now that VADA offers such a service, professional boxers and their teams may be hard-pressed to refuse to enter into an agreement that provides for it. Indeed, the implication of refusing to submit to random drug testing carries the hint of impropriety. If you have nothing to hide, why not submit to testing? If you do have something to hide, do you really want to raise that red flag by refusing to submit to it?

Could Positive Tests be Waived by the Participants?

So what would happen if Ortiz and Khan told their respective promoters to simply guarantee them more money in exchange for allowing their respective bouts to go on despite the positive tests? Odds are the bouts would have been cancelled by the Nevada State Athletic Commission anyway. While there are many aspects of a professional boxing match that can be manipulated by contract, such as catch weights, ring sizes, and glove sizes, the use of banned substances is not one such aspect. Rather, once a positive test for a banned substance is revealed an athletic commission has virtually no choice than to deny a given boxer a license to participate in his scheduled bout.

Could an athletic commission decide to simply see if the substance turns up in a boxer’s system when it is officially time for pre-fight testing? Perhaps, but that would not make for good policy, as such an allowance would do little more than encourage boxers to stop their usage of banned substances in time for them to not show up in testing. Whispers about such cycling have been made for many years in boxing. The only difference now is that if random drug testing is contracted for, one will never know when to stop using a banned substance in advance of a possible test.

Would the Therapeutic Use Exception Have Saved Either Bout?

According to VADA’s official “Therapeutic Use Exception” policy, an athlete will be granted the privilege of using otherwise prohibited substances for therapeutic purposes only in “strict accordance with the following criteria:

a. The athletic would experience significant health impairment if the method or substance were withheld in the course of training or competition.

b. The therapeutic use of the prohibited substance or method will not produce any additional enhancement or provide the Athlete with an unfair advantage or disadvantage other than that which might be anticipated by a legitimate medical condition that will maintain the Athlete’s normal health.

c. There is no reasonable therapeutic alternative other than the prohibited substance or method.”

Further, an athlete seeking the benefit of the “Therapeutic Use Exception” must submit the application for same “as soon as possible, in most cases no less than twenty-one (21) days before he/she needs approval (for instance, when registered as a VADA Athlete).” An application will not be considered for retroactive approval “except in extremely rare cases where:

a. Emergency treatment or treatment of an acute medical condition was necessary, or

b. Due to exceptional circumstances, there was insufficient time or opportunity for an applicant to submit, or VADA to consider, an application prior to doping control.”

Peterson claims that he began taking synthetic testosterone after it was discovered that he had low testosterone levels following repeated bouts of fatigue during his preparation for the first Khan fight. If that continued to be the case going into the rematch, however, Peterson should have sought use of the Therapeutic Use Exception both in the bout contract with Khan and through VADA employing the above-quoted procedure. If Peterson were to apply for it now, he would be compelled to shoe-horn his purported deficiency into the “emergency treatment” category or the “exceptional circumstances” category, neither of which is a slam-dunk given the circumstances. Berto’s situation is more clean-cut; he is denying that he knowingly used any banned substances in the first instance, so the Therapeutic Use Exception would never have come up in his negotiations with Ortiz. Parenthetically, Berto suffered a biceps injury in January which resulted in a postponement of the Ortiz rematch. James (Lights Out) Toney tested positive for a banned substance following his 2005 heavyweight bout with John (The Quiet Man) Ruiz and blamed the treatment of a biceps injury for same at the time. It would thus not be without historical precedent if the same thing happened with Berto seven years later.

Is There a Duty to Disclose the Use of Such Substances in the Absence of Random Drug Testing?

In almost every written contract, there are implied duties of good faith and fair dealing. Additionally, there is the lingering possibility that one can later turn around and assert that they would have not entered into a given contract in the first instance had they known about one fact or another and thus seek to get out of it. One would hope that a professional boxer would act in good faith and deal fairly with his prospective opponent and not use banned substances in his preparations for their bout. Similarly, one would hope that a material fact such as the therapeutic use of a banned substance would be freely exchanged with the opposing party. In reality, however, there is a tremendous dilemma that would arise if a boxer made such a disclosure. This is because even if the parties agree to go forward with the bout despite the usage, if the usage is expressly addressed in the bout contract as part of a random drug testing provision, odds are the athletic commission approving the bout will find out about it and perhaps decide to cancel it. Should there thus be an unofficial willful ignorance or don’t ask, don’t tell policy governing the topic of banned substances during bout negotiations? Standing 8 Court defers to the ethics and good judgment of the boxing community’s managers, promoters, and attorneys to do their own soul-searching on that question.

As to whether there is an affirmative duty to disclose the use of banned substances to a given athletic commission or sanctioning body, the answer is: do so or do not at your own peril. If you disclose it based on purported therapeutic use, be sure you are educated on how a given commission or sanctioning body will handle such a situation under its rules and regulations. If you do not disclose the use of a banned substance, it is a certainty that you will either be denied a license or have it suspended and that your bout will be canceled if you are caught during the commission’s mandatory testing or that you may be stripped of your title or be declared ineligible to fight for one by a sanctioning body.

Boxing fans would be fooling themselves to believe that banned substances have not been quietly employed by professional boxers for generations. It just so happens that May 2012 became the month where their use came under heightened scrutiny following the cancellations of Berto-Ortiz II and Khan-Peterson II. The cancellations were the end result of a movement toward contracted random drug testing prior to big fights in the era after the negotiations between Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao fell apart over Mayweather’s demand for random drug testing. The random drug tests may be a tremendous step towards closing the gaps in drug testing requirements between different athletic commissions and making sure that the playing field remains level, but VADA mess they have created this month!

Paul Stuart Haberman, Esq. is a New York-based health and sports law attorney. He is also a New York State licensed boxing manager and the Chairman of the Sports Law Committee of the New York County Lawyers Association. Paul can be e-mailed at haberman.paul@gmail.com or haberman@8countnews.com. He can also be followed on Twitter at @Standing8Court.

USC Boxing coach Ramon Espada talks amateurs, Venice Beach show May 27th, and the future of college boxing

Thu, 24 May 2012 19:48:00 GMT

8CountNews sat down with the head coach of The University of Southern California's boxing team, Ramon Espada. The coach has a busy schedule these days. He's putting together his annual "Rumble in Venice" boxing card that will have 25 boxing matches that will all be for FREE to the public.

The event will take place on May 27th, and his hosted by Espada Boxing and is a Joe Wheatley Production. This card will feature the UCLA and USC amateur boxing teams, and other amateur boxers from the greater Los Angeles area.

Coach Espada also talks about Olympic boxing, American heavyweights, and his dream to see kids get boxing scholarships to USC, UCLA, and other colleges across America. Check out the Podcast HERE

What does the future hold for Karim Mayfield?

Thu, 24 May 2012 03:52:00 GMT

When Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield (16-0, 10 KO’s) stopped Raymond Serrano (18-1, 8 KO’s) last Saturday he was able to retain the WBO NABO light welterweight title, but more importantly was able to awe the crowd not only in Albany, but also worldwide via the coverage on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.

Already ranked #9 by the WBO, Mayfield impressed by knocking down his previously unbeaten opponent in the 3^rd and 4^th rounds before ending it with a final flurry in the 5^th. So what’s next for the “Hard Hitta”?

In the crowded 140 lb. division, there are plenty of possible suitors for Mayfield, but to continue moving up in the rankings he will have to find top ranked opponents willing to challenge his punching power. His big victory over Raymond Serrano last weekend certainly should open some eyes and look for him to be back in action sometime in the Fall. Check back often with 8CN to see Karim Mayfield’s next move….

In the meantime, check out the fight gallery from Albany. (Photos courtesy of Jon Seelow)

What should we make of Razor Ruddock’s comeback?

Thu, 24 May 2012 03:08:00 GMT

When Canadian heavyweight Donovan “Razor” Ruddock recently announced his comeback plans, many skeptics displayed their doubts, but is it possible that the 48 year old former contender has something left in the tank?

Reportedly, Ruddock (38-5-1, 29 KO’s) is looking fit at a lean 215 lbs, and has aspirations of smashing the Canadian title from Neven Pajkic before taking Tyson Fury, Chris Arreola, Dereck Chisora, David Haye, Bermain Stiverne, Seth Mitchell, or Tomasz Adamek in tune-ups for the Klitschko brothers.

That makes for bold talk from a fighter who has not seen action since December of 2001. Then again, Ruddock is not your typical 48 year old pugilist. He retired after that last bout having actually won his last ten outings. With that time off and now supposedly healthy, could Ruddock really pose a threat in the division?

If you look at the career of Ruddock, a few things are evident. First of all, he was a heavy hitter with a nasty hybrid left hook he labeled the “smash”. Just ask Mike Tyson how hard Ruddock could hit. Secondly, although he never won a title, he was a feared heavyweight. In the 1990’s, big names like Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, and Riddick Bowe wanted nothing to do with him, and his only losses (other than an early career defeat to David Jaco under duress) came to champion like Mike Tyson (twice), Tommy Morrison, and Lennox Lewis.

Time will tell if Ruddock can obtain licensing and entice any top ranked heavyweights to face him, but at least for a moment we have been time warped back to the 1990’s when the heavyweight division was full of action and surprises before the era of Klitschko dominance ushered in unpopular predictability.

8CN Exclusive: Top Filipino boxing trainer Ala Villamor

Wed, 23 May 2012 20:36:00 GMT

8CountNews caught up with chief boxing trainer at the ALA Boxing Gym, Alla Villamor. The 3 time National Champion and two time world title challenger keeps busy in The Philippines working with up and coming prospects, current contenders, and current world champs as well. Villamor spoke with 8CN and updated us on his current stable. He also talks about the upcoming Manny Pacquiao Vs. Timothy Bradley fight.

8CN – Coach thanks for speaking with me. Can you give us an update on Ray “Boom Boom” Bautista?

AV – You're welcome Brad, thanks for the opportunity. Ray is currently in his home town and will be back in training the first week in June. We have to wait for Sir Ala (Antonio I. Aldeguer) and Michael Aldeguer CEO ALA Promotions, regarding the plans of Rey's next scheduled fight.

8CN – What's the latest on AJ Banal?

AV – AJ Banal is in deep training right now and the plan is for him to fight in July. This is ALA's plan for him.

8CN – Please update us on the rest of your stable.

AV – On June 2^nd in the Resort World Manila “Pinoy Pride 14” Our top main event will be two divisional world champion and the longest Filipino world champion Donnie Nietes. He will defend his title (WBO light flyweight) Vs. Felipe Salguero. Top prospect Milan Melindo (WBO intercontinental flyweight champion) will face Jesus Geles, former WBO intercontinental flyweight champion. Top prospect Genesis Servania Vs Genaro Garcia 8 time world title challenger for the WBC international silver super bantamweight title.

8CN – Do you think there will ever be another Manny Pacquiao to come along one day?

AV – No Brad there is only one Manny Pacquiao in The Philippines or in the world.

8CN – Put it into your words what Manny Pacquiao has done for Filipino boxers.

AV – Manny Pacquiao is our hero. He's a one of a kind fighter that has opened the doors for Filipino fighters to be recognized around the world. We thank Manny for this, it's a big help for Filipino boxers.

8CN – Who is the most talented fighter in your gym at this time?

AV – I don't like to say who's the talented in our gym because we have so many talented fighters in here. We have two division world champion Donnie Nietes, Rey Bautista, IBF international featherweight champion AJ Banal, WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champ and number one in the world, Milan Melindo, WBO intercontinental flyweight champ and number in the world Rocky Fuentes, WBC (OPBF) flyweight champ and number three in the world Genesis Servania. Some up and comers to watch are Jason and Albert Pagara.

8CN – How did you initially get into boxing?

AV – I got into boxing for self defense. Sir ALA the found of ALA Boxing Gym put on an amateur boxing tournament in Cebu City Philippines 26 years ago. The name of the event was “For the love of boxing” that's when I got into boxing, and love it. As an amateur I was a 3 time national champion. As a pro, I was the former Philippine minimum flyweight champion and two time world title challenger IBF/WBC. I fought Ricardo Lopez for the WBC title on March 16^th, 1996. This was the co main for the Tyson Vs. Bruno fight. I stopped boxing at 25 years of age because I broke my left hand. My record as a pro was 29 wins and 2 losses with 26 knockouts and 1 draw.

8CN – Tell the fans out there about ALA Boxing Gym.

AV – The fans can learn about the gym by visiting http://www.alaboxing.com/about/ I want to point out that there are 4 former world champions that came through this gym, namely Gerry Penalosa, Rodel Mayol, Joma Gamboa, and Malcom Tunacao. When Sir Ala Quit boxing in 1996, he focused on the amateur boxing program.

8CN – Does Timothy Bradley have any chance to defeat Manny Pacquiao. Give us your thoughts on this fight.

AV – I favor Manny Pacquiao to beat Tim Bradley. The only chance Bradley has to beat Pacquiao is to go for broke. I think this fight will end up by late stoppage or by decision for Manny Pacquiao.

8CN – Give me some closing thoughts.

AV – On behalf of ALA Boxing Promotions to all boxing fans, we thank you for your support. Thanks for supporting “The Pinoy Pride” series, now 14 series long. I hope you will continue to support us and support all of the Filipino fighters who give us honor to our country. Thanks Brad and God bless us all. Mabuhay Pilipinas!

Can Bute beat Froch in hostile territory?

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:36:00 GMT

When IBF super middleweight champion Lucuan Bute (30-0, 24 KO’s) puts his title and unbeaten record on the line Saturday in Nottingham against former world champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch (28-2, 20 KO’s), many pundits are wondering aloud if he can produce a big win outside of Montreal or Romania.

According to Froch, “He’s coming over here. He’s going to get beat. I’m going to be IBF champ. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure I win that belt.”

Confidence aside, Froch remains a live underdog in the bout and props to Bute for taking the fight in the Cobra’s lair. Also in Bute’s favor is the rematch clause for their matchup that will take the fight back to Montreal if Froch manages to win Saturday.

For years now, Bute has faced criticism for utilizing home turf advantage and for his omission from the Super Six Tournament. A convincing victory over Froch this weekend should silence those critics and should set up an Andre Ward showdown in the coming months.

Roy Jones Jr Vs. Dawid Kostecki in the works

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:48:00 GMT

8CN spoke with LEGEND Roy Jones Jr this morning and he confirmed that a fight between himself and Polish brawler Dawid Kostecki is in the works. Jones is currently on his way to Portland to ink the deal. Jones tells 8CN, "He challenged me, and I don't back down from a challenge." Stay tuned to 8CN for further updates.

Maumelle Police confirm Jermain Taylor rape allegations

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:22:00 GMT

Lt Jim Hansard of the Maumelle Police Dept spoke with 8CountNews this morning and confirmed that former undisputed middleweight world champion Jermain Taylor is being investigated for an alleged rape violation. This is Lt Hansard exclusive statement to 8CountNews.com

"On Friday the 18th of May we were called to Americas Best Value Hotel. There was a report of a verbal altercation going on in the parking lot. By the time we got there we found a female subject on the parking lot. She was complaining of a hurt ankle and she showed signs of swelling and scrapes on her ankle. The officer started digging further into it and she said that she was at the hotel with Jermain Taylor. She said that she was from Mississippi, and that she fell down the stairs after trying to get away from him (Jermain Taylor). She said that she got scared and ran away from him and fell down the stairs and that's how she got injured. She was subsequently arrested for possession of narcotics. After the investigation they started looking into it a little more and got consensus to search the hotel room. The officer found lortab wich is a prescription narcotic, and they also found some evidence of marijuana usage in the room. She was arrested and she refused medical treatment at our jail. She was then later transported to the hospital and at that point she requested a rape kit. She claimed that she actually was raped by Mr Taylor. Mr Taylor was never at the hotel when we got there. He was gone prior to our arrival. We did have some contact with the hotel manager, and he claimed that he actually saw Jermain Taylor there but left prior to our getting there."

8CountNews will continue to chase this story. It's very important that Jermain Taylor is not deemed guilty and or convicted of anything until the facts all come out. This is merely an accusation at this time and the former champ has yet to give his side of the story.

8CN Exclusive: Timothy Bradley talks Pacquiao!

Sun, 20 May 2012 18:24:00 GMT

Tim Bradley is preparing for a fight against Manny Pacquiao on June 9^th and, you wouldn’t expect that he is an underdog due to his overwhelming confidence. When I watched Bradley train last month. I noticed how sharp he was in sparring when he matched himself against prospects Eric Fowler and Andre Sherard.

Now with a new set of sparring partners in camp, Bradley says that his new mates are giving him fresh work as he prepares to fight against Pacquiao for his WBO welterweight championship. One man especially assisting him in training is his sparring partner, undefeated Luis Ramos Jr., who seems to be making Bradley think a little bit.

“You know what? They’re learning every single day, I got a new set of guys up in there that are working with me and they’re getting better,” Bradley would tell me in an 8cn exclusive interview this week. “Today I could tell that little Ramos, he definitely went home and studied. He came and had a different approach today during sparring. And that’s exactly what I need. He applied pressure and he boxed really well, he moved around really well. He definitely brought it a little bit today and I was happy with that.”

Bradley has so far put together a 28-0 record with 12 knockouts he began sparring four-minutes each round to open up his training camp, but now it seems he’s going for three-minute rounds to prepare as if it were an actual fight.

“His punch output is a lot better now,” Bradley would say about Ramos. “The pace is faster and it’s a lot better for them as well.”

When I asked the young champion whether or not he felt Manny Pacquiao was a different opponent than anyone who he has ever faced. Bradley seemed to feel that Pacquiao is not going to be any different than anyone else he has previously fought.

“You’ve just got to be prepared for every aspect of the game,” Bradley also said. “Regardless of what he’s done in the past. You’ve just got to be ready for every aspect of a fighter’s game. He’s very quick, has great movement, has great power. So I’ve got a little bit of everything in the camp. I’ve got a guy that hits really hard and really makes me open my eyes and be aware of punches coming. I’ve got a guy that is extremely fast. And then I got a guy that moves around a lot. You’re not going to find that one guy that is the total package when getting ready to fight a guy like Manny Pacquiao.”

Pacquiao vs. Bradley takes place inside the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Anyone looking for more information on the event can visit www.TopRank.com

Where does Daniel Cormier rank amongst heavyweight elite?

Sun, 20 May 2012 12:40:00 GMT

Coming off of last night’s unanimous decision victory over Josh Barnett to win the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale, Daniel Cormier continues to surge in the division’s rankings. Cormier (10-0) was not originally in the Grand Prix, but due to Allistair Overeem’s sudden departure from the tournament, he was able to step in and rode momentum and a strong fight game all the way to the top.

Following a tournament-reserve victory over the tough “Snowman” Jeff Monson, Cormier entered the Grand Prix and knocked out Bigfoot Silva prior to the final against former UFC champ Barrett. So, what’s next for Daniel Cormier?

Well, Strikforce plans to shut down its heavyweight division, but not before giving Cormier a tournament plus 1 bout. While that opponent is not yet known, a victory in that bout will be his last for Strikeforce before entering the octagon with parent company UFC.

It looks like a suffered broken hand sustained early in the Barnett fight will delay the inevitable for Cormier for a bit, but expect him to be back in action by year’s end. Also, after beating a perennial top 10 ranked heavyweight like Josh Barnett in convincing fashion, expect to hear a lot more Cormier hype in the coming months.

Strikeforce Results: Cormier beats Barnett to win Heavyweight Grand Prix

Sat, 19 May 2012 23:32:00 GMT

May 19^th Strikeforce results from the HP Pavilion in San Jose California:

Main Card (Showtime)

Daniel Cormier defeated Josh Barnett by unanimous decision to win the Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament.

Gilbert Melendez defeated Josh Thompson by split decision to retain the Strikeforce Lightweight title.

Rafael Cavalcante defeated Mike Kyle by 1^st round guillotine choke submission.

Chris Spang defeated Nah-Shon Burrell by 1^st round TKO.

Preliminary Card (Showtime Extreme)

Isaac Vallie-Flagg defeated Gesias Cavalcante by split decision.

Guto Inocente defeated Virgil Zwicker by unanimous decision.

Gian Villante defeated Derrick Mehmen by unanimous decision.

Quinn Mulhern defeated Yuri Villefort by split decision.

Bobby Green defeated James Terry by split decision.