A LOOK BACK: The Ghost is For Real
Photos & Report by:
Paul Gallegos

4-5-2005: Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero of Gilroy, CA put another notch on his garlic clove as he retained his NABF featherweight title with a 12th round stoppage of hard pressing Adrian Valdez (16-4-3, 8 KOs) at the Palace in Lemoore, CA on April 1. Neither of these boys wanted to be made the fool on Showtime's ShoBox as their strategies became evident from the start. From the outset, Guerrero (15-0-1, 8 KOs) attempted to control the fight from the outside with his long jab, while the shorter Valdez worked his way in with hard counterpunches. Both men enjoyed good success with their respective game plans. (READ PAUL GALLEGOS' FULL REPORT - PLUS SEE PHOTOS THAT YOU CAN'T FIND ANYWHERE ELSE)

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Lazcano Withdraws from
"Viva Mexico" Card

4-5-2005:Citing personal reasons, lightweight contender Juan Lazcano has been forced to withdraw from this Saturday's "Viva Mexico" card in El Paso, Texas, where he was to face Hernan Galaviz in a ten round contest. Stepping in for "The Hispanic Causing Panic" will be highly regarded featherweight prospect Aaron Garcia (2-0), who will put his unbeaten record on the line against rugged veteran Bryan Garcia (7-12, 2 KOs) in a six round contest. This bout will open the HBOPPV card at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. "Viva Mexico" which airs live from the Don Haskins Center beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT - is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and headlined by the junior lightweight championship bout between boxing superstar Marco Antonio Barrera and number one contender Mzonke Fana. The card also features a WBO super flyweight championship matchup between Ivan Hernandez and Fernando Montiel, as well as bouts featuring unbeaten rising stars Abner Mares and Vicente Escobedo.

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Rodel Mayol Puts On Boxing Clinic
By Rey Danseco

4-5-2005: Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation minimum weight champion Rodel Mayol will wait another year for a possible World Boxing Council title shot despite the fact that he retained his belt in convincing fashion over a very tough Japanese fighter on Monday night at Central Gym in Osaka, Japan.

Mayol, who was nicknamed by this writer as “Kid Rapido” three years ago because of his unstoppable capability to land merciless punches, dominated every round of the fight and floored former Japanese champion Takayuki Korogi in the ninth round to keep the regional WBC belt by winning a unanimous decision over 12 one-sided rounds. (READ REY DANSECO'S FULL REPORT)

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Euro News Watch
By Per-Ake Persson

4-5-2005: Purse offers for Luan Krasniqi´s defence of the EBU heavyweight title against Timo Hoffmann have for the second time been postponed and will now take place on April 12. Krasniqi is still going through with the May 28th WBO eliminator against Lance Whitaker.
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Swede Samuel Kebede is still in line for a shot at IBC jr light champ Janos Nagy May 7 in Hungary - and this is due to the negotiations for Nagy v Manuel Medina in an IBF eliminator haven´t gone too good. The IBF first had March 25 as the date for the agreement but has now pushed it back until April 12. This has re-opened the door for Samuel, who was in line to fight Nagy in March but then the Hungarian was injured. Kebede´s gymmate Isam Khalil might also get a fight on this bill. (READ PER-AKE'S FULL EURO NEWS WATCH)

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Luisito Espinosa Promises
Great Comeback
By Rey Danseco

4-5-2005: LUISITO Espinosa remains one of the oldest veteran prizefighters in the world today. The 37-year old fighter, who relocated to Vallejo, California after losing last month in Las Vegas, defied the call for him to retire after his 21 year campaign that made him a World Boxing Association bantamweight boss and World Boxing Council featherweight kingpin.

Espinosa claimed he is aming to redeem himself in the eyes of millions of fans that still support him despite a couple of lackluster losses. The original “Golden Boy” of boxing is backed in training, this time in Vallejo's PAL Boxing Gym. Luisito made it known that he believes he can still regain some of the glory from being a world champion, citing Manny Pacquiao as his inspiration after personally witnessing Pacquiao's huge crowd when the People’s champ vowed to 12-heated-rounds of fighting against Erik Morales two weeks ago. (READ REY DANSECO'S FULL REPORT ON LUISTIO ESPINOSA'S BRAVE COMEBACK)

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Nasir Stays Undefeated After
Tough Learning-Fight!

4-4-2005: As expected, and hoped for by the team behind him, Danish middleweight Fawaz Nasir was pushed the full six-round distance by Turkish brawler Ata “The Gladiator” Dogan on Saturday April 2 in Velten, Germany. After two straight first-round wins, this was exactly what the 25-year-old stylist needed in order to progress and move towards the next level. (READ THE FULL RELEASE FROM RISUM BOXING NEWS)

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Joe Mesi Attempts to Continue Fighting

4-3-2005: According to reports from the (AP), heavyweight Joe Mesi who is currently suspended indefinitely after reportedly sustaining a head injury which caused bleeding on the brain during a unanimous decision victory over Vassiliy Jirov last year plans to attend a hearing next month to determine whether he can resume fighting. Mesi spokesman Tony Farina said Tuesday that the boxer and his representatives, which include sports neurosurgeon Robert Cantu, will be available to attend the Nevada State Athletic Commission hearing April 18 in Las Vegas. The date was tentatively set last week, pending the availability of Mesi and his camp.

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Arlos Becomes First WBE Jr. Flyweight Champ While Danggod Wins 2nd PBF Title
By Rey Danseco @ Ringside

4-3-2005: VETERAN fighters Jun “Snake” Arlos and Celso Danggod both prevailed over their younger foes to win titles Saturday night at Alabang Junction in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Arlos earned a unanimous 12-round decision over his fellow former Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) minimumweight champ Philip Parcon to become the first World Boxing Empire (WBE) junior flyweight champion and third Filipino world champ after WBF super-flyweight Gerry Peñalosa and WBF light welterweight Dindo Castañares. Judges at ringside had it 115-114, 115-112 and 116-111 all in favor of Arlos, who fought for his second world title after losing on points for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight throne against Thai hero Ratanapol Sor Vorapin in 1996. (READ FULL FIGHT REPORT BY REY DANSECO)

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Mormeck Outpoints Braithwaite
Photo (c) Tom Casino

4-3-2005: World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Jean-Marc Mormeck became the first boxer from France in any weight division to become a unified world champion when he scored a unanimous 12-round decision over previously unbeaten World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite in a cruiserweight world title unification bout Saturday.

Mormeck (31-2, 21 KOs), of Noisy-le-Grand, France, won the first world cruiserweight unification match since 1988 when Evander Holyfield defeated Carlos De Leon by the scores of 116-110, 115-111 and 114-112. It was the 28th consecutive victory for the strong, muscular Mormeck, who scored the bout’s lone knockdown in the seventh round when he dropped Braithwaite with an overhand right. Mormeck seemed to hurt the smaller, quicker Braithwaite with every punch he landed. The biggest victory of Mormeck’s career came in his first start since he retained his WBA belt for a third time by registering a 12-round unanimous decision over four-time world champion Virgil Hill in a rematch on May 22, 2004, in South Africa.

Braithwaite (21-1, 17 KOs), of Georgetown, Guyana, had won 15 out of his last 16 starts by knockout but he did not come close to matting Mormeck. The southpaw boxer-puncher had success when he could utilize his speed to outbox the slower Mormeck in the middle of the ring, but he was not strong enough to keep the Frenchmen off him. Braithwaite, who was cut on the left eyelid, lost a point in the eighth round for holding. The Brooklyn resident was making the fourth defense of the WBC title he won with a 10th-round TKO over Vincenzo Cantatore on Oct. 11, 2002.

On the undercard late replacement Luis Collazo fighting out of New York scored a split decision over Jose Rivera with scores (115-113); (115-113) for Collazo and (115-113) for Rivera. Also, Roman Karmazin beat former champ Keith Holmes in a 12-round decision on the undercard. Karmazin won on two judges' cards and the third scored it a draw. WBA champion Lou Del Valle took a unanimous decision from light heavyweight Dan Sheehan, welterweight Miguel Angel Rodriguez stopped Luis Maysonet in the fourth round, and featherweight Elio Rojas took a unanimous decision from Angelo Torres.

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Marco Schulze Stops Douglas Bellini in 7
By Per-Ake Persson @ Ringside

April 2, Velten, Germany: Marco Schulze, 153.5, Ger TKO 7 Douglas Bellini, 152, Bel
Schulze, the local hero, floored Bellini twice in the seventh for a stoppage at 2.16 to win the vacant IBF Int´l title. The crowd in the sold out Town Hall had been on their feet since Schulze made his entrance and when he got on top in the fourth the arena exploded creating a tremendous atmosphere. Bellini, an experienced southpaw, used his reach and slicker moves to outbox Marco in the early going and the strong but fairly limited German appeared to be in for a long night. But his pressure and bodyshots paid off and he gradually wore his opponent down. Bellini, as brave as they come, fought back hard but couldn´t keep Schulze off and was under pressure in the fourth, took a beating in the fifth and was hurt in the sixth. After six Schulze was ahead by 58-56 on all cards. Referee was German Jurgen Langos. (READ THE FULL FIGHT REPORT BY PER-AKE PERSSON)

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Ricardo Lois' "Stick & Move" Audio Interview with Ebo Elder
Hosted By Ricardo Lois

4-2-2005: Ebo "The X-Treme Machine" Elder (22-1 with 14 KO's) is preparing for one of the biggest fights of his career as he takes on Juan "The Baby Bull" Diaz (27-0 with 13 KO's) on April 23rd, 2005 at the Cesar's Palace in Las Vegas Nevada. Many people may think that Diaz will just over power Elder with his constant pressure and devastating body attack, but Elder is as tough as they come. His only blemish was a first round TKO loss to Ubaldo Hernandez; however, he has beaten Emmanuel Clottey, the very tough Dagoberto Najera, plus undefeated Oscar Diaz just last year. If it is true that styles make fights - then all of us boxing fans should be in for a treat as both Elder and Diaz have very aggressive fighting styles. Listen in to see what Ebo Elder thinks about the up-coming bout as Ricardo Lois brings you another edition of his "Stick & Move" Audio Interview. (Just Click the Photo to hear the complete Interview)

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Guerrero Stops A Tough Valdez

4-2-2005: Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero (15-0-1) remains undefeated as he showcasedan educated jab the was too much to handle for the tough and rugged Adrian Valdez (16-4-3) out of Juarez Mexico. Referee Marty Sammon had to stop the fight with 1:05 left in the 12th round as Guerrero imposed his larger frame on the battle worn Valdez. The bout was action packed from the gate as both fighters came out swinging. But it was "The Ghost" who established his jab early and continued to land the cleaner shots as the fight went on, frustrating the slick southpaw from Mexico. Drama entered the match and the war erupted as the two exchanged low blows in the middle rounds. Valdez came gunning for Guerrero, after "The Ghost" hit him while he was slipping and on the ground. No points were taken away and fireworks lingered as the bout went into the 12th round with Robert ahead on all score cards. A go for broke Valdez was a true warrior as he gave it all he could in the final round, but was stopped by a barrage of punches from Guerrero. The crowd was on it's feet, chanting Robert,Robert as Referee Marty Sammon had no choice but to stop the fight. Guerrero continues to show the world, that he is a force to be reckoned with in the featherweight division as he records his 8th KO in a row. After the fight Guerro said, "With Gods blessings, I'm ready to dominate the featherweight division and exult my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

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Euro News Watch
By Per-Ake Persson

ELISEO CASTILLO VS WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO

4-1-2005: It appears that Eliseo Castillo for now is the opponent for Wladimir Klitschko April 23 in Dortmund in a non-title ten-rounder topping a K 2 / Sauerland Event joint venture. Leo Nolan is the standby opponent and has a spot reserved on the undercard. There are all in all ten fights scheduled with Abraham v Velazco (WBA I/C 160), Sanavia v Haussler (WBA I/C 168) and Koc v Sprott (EU 160) as chief supports. Talented Ukrainian jr middle Zaur Baysangurov takes on Frenchman Stephane Taliana in a scheduled eight-rounder and cruiser Marco Huck is in against Saber Zairi.
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WBA supermiddle champ Mikkel Kessler spars at the moment with South African Ruben Groenewald in Copenhagen and also with stablemate Martin Nielsen. Coming in next week is EU lightheavy champ Elvis Michalenko and joining Kessler in Australia (he leaves from Denmark April 24) is Sam Soliman. Kessler defends against Anthony Mundine May 11 in Sydney. Nielsen takes on veteran Charles Brewer April 15 in Copenhagen. (READ PER-AKE'S FULL EURO NEWS WATCH REPORT)

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The Way Forward for Harrison
Lies Through Brodie
By Curtis McCormick

4-1-2005: WBO Featherweight Champion Scott Harrison will defend his crown against former three time world title challenger Michael Brodie as part of a huge weekend of fights taking place in Manchester, England on June 3rd and 4th. Harrison's promoter, London based Sports Network, made the announcement official two days ago on a teleconference call that both Brodie and Harrison took part in along with the Scotsman's manager Frank Maloney and Sports Network's Chief Frank Warren, among others. (READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE)

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Arlos vs Parcon For
First WBE Jr. Flyweight Title

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Euro News Watch
By Per-Ake Persson

3-31-3005: Italian promoter Rosanna Conti Cavini won today´s (March 31) purse offer for EBU cruiser champ Aleksander Gourov´s defence against Italian Vincenzo Rossitto. Cavini bid 56 550 EUR while World Sporting Promotions came in second best with a bid for 56 510 EUR. Date and site is to be announced shortly and is depending on TV. Gourov stopped Rossitto in two rounds last year and has since won the Ukrainian and WBA I/C titles.
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WBA I/C champ Arthur Abraham gets a tough test April 23 in Dortmund when he takes on Argentinian Hector Velaczo, the former WBO ruler who lost the title on a controversial split call to Felix Sturm in Germany in 03.
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EBU bantam champ Simone Maludrottu´s defence against Vadim Metelev goes ahead May 13 in Cagliari. (READ THE FULL EURO NEWS WATCH)

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Boxeo Notebook

Toney’s Costume was Offensive
By Ricardo Lois

March 31, 2005: James Toney showed up to a New York City press conference wearing an over-sized, cartoon-like Mexican style sombrero and multi-colored zarape yesterday. All “Lights Out” needed to complete the stereotypical costume was altering his speech to match that of Warner Brother cartoon character Speedy Gonzalez. (READ RICARDO LOIS' FULL BOXEO NOTEBOOK)

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Euro News Watch
By Per-Ake Persson

3-30-2005:Sauerland Events will have jr middles Alexander Abraham and Alexander Sipos on Italian promoter Mario Loreni´s show in Bergamo April 8 topped by Alessio Furlan vs Luca Messi (national 154). Heavyweight Paolo Vidoz faces Estonian Mendauga Kulikauskas in the co-feature.

Hungarian website profibox.hu writes that WBO 175 lb champ Zsolt Erdei could be defending the title May 7 in Braunschweigh as the chief support to Calzaghe vs Veit (WBO 168). Opponent? Well, it appears that Frenchman Medhi Sahnoune is the one targeted. (Read Per-Ake's Full Euro News Report)

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David Tua Takes On Talmadge Griffis

3-30-2005: Talk about jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire, former No. 1 heavyweight contender David Tua of Western Samoa is dodging the former in exchange for the latter. “I had a good rest, but now my wife is standing over me with a frying pan, so I really need to fight again and make some money,” said Tua, who returns to the ring for the first time in more than two years when he faces American Talmadge Griffis in the 10-round main event on a pay-per-view card presented by Cedric Kushner Promotions March 31 in Auckland, New Zealand. (READ THE FULL REPORT - SEE WHAT DAVID TUA HAS TO SAY ABOUT SATURDAY'S FIGHT)

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Fawaz Nasir vs. The Gladiator On Saturday!

3-30-2005: After two first round blow-outs in a row, Fawaz Nasir (8-0, 5 KOs) will surely get tough opposition on Saturday (April 2), when he takes on Turkish trialhorse Ata "The Gladiator" Dogan over six rounds in Velten, Germany.

Dogan brings a modest record of 6-13-1 (1), but he is known for his durability and come-forward style, and always gives a strong effort. He has only been stopped once in those thirteen defeats, and in his latest bout he drew with WBB super middleweight champion Isidore Janvier over ten rounds.

Two of his defeats came on points against then world-ranked Belgian Lansana Dialo, and last July Italy’s current IBF Youth champion Domenico Spada edged a decision over Dogan.

Originally, Former European title challenger and WBO Intercontinental champion Lorant Szabo from Hungary was the first choice as opponent for Nasir, but the parties could not come to terms this time.

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Joan Guzman Sends
Message to Oscar Larios

3-30-2005: After a late afternoon training session in Indio, California, W.B.O. Super Bantamweight Champion Joan Guzman had this message for fellow one hundred and twenty-two pound Champion Oscar “El Chololo” Larios. “Don’t run from me Chololo, the people have no interest in a re-match with Wayne McCullough. A unification bout between you and I is what the fans want, the fight we agreed to before your unfortunate injury.” Juan Carlos Gubi, writer for Boxeo-Latino.com, reported earlier today that W.B.C. Super Bantamweight Champion Oscar Larios’ manager, Jose Reynoso, is considering the possibility of a rematch with Wayne McCullough after Larios rehabilitates his surgically repaired shoulder.

Gubi’s article went on to note the possibility of Larios’ next opponent, if not McCullough, being the winner of an upcoming bout between veterans Frank Archuleta and Johnny Tapia. Said “Little Tyson” Guzman, “McCullough, Archuleta, and Tapia are all fine fighters, but they have had their opportunities. Our time is now Oscar. Don’t run from the unification fight we agreed on! Honor Mexico’s rich boxing tradition and meet me in the ring this summer. A fight between the two of us would be a spectacle for all boxing fans to enjoy.” Guzman returns to the ring on April 22nd at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas with Francisco Beltran Junior being his scheduled opponent.

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Toney vs Stoney at Ruiz - Toney
Press Conference Today
By Richard Thomas
All Photos: Richie Maldonado

(Click Photo To See Press Conference Video)
DON'T MISS THIS VIDEO

3-29-2005:Today’s press conference at the Madison Square Garden Theater lobby was for the James Toney vs. John Ruiz world title fight for Ruiz’ WBA heavyweight title, and it was full of excitement and drama as the two combatants was going to go head-to-head before the scheduled April 30th fight.

The press conference was for John Ruiz vs. James Toney but one could have sworn that it was for James Toney vs. Norman ‘Stoney’ Stone (John Ruiz’ brash trainer). And the drama all began when the no holds barred speaker James Toney came up to the podium:

(Plus See Full Report & Photo Layout)

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Peter and Diaz April 29 on ESPN2

3-29-2005: Two of the prized jewels of Duva Boxing’s up-and-coming stable will headline the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights telecast on April 29 at the Union Plaza Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event will feature rising heavyweight crusher Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter, 22-0 (19), going against capable veteran Gilbert Martinez, 18-8-3 (7). And in a guaranteed thriller of a co-main event, exciting junior welterweight slugger Oscar “El Torito” Diaz, 19-1 (11) will face rugged Jesse Feliciano, 12-3-2 (7). (READ THE FULL REPORT)

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"I'M TAILOR-MADE FOR BERNARD!"

LACY STILL READY TO DEFEND SUPER MIDDLE TITLE
AGAINST HOPKINS AT CATCHWEIGHT

3-28-2005: Undefeated IBF super middleweight champion JEFF "LEFT HOOK" LACY reiterated his offer to defend his title against undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins in light of comments made to the Las Vegas Review-Journal by Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Hopkins' promotional company, that there is still no deal for a fight against Jermain Taylor. Yesterday, Schaefer stated in an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, "I keep reading where this fight is done, and I don't know where that's coming from...It sure is no done deal."

"The way the negotiations between Bernard and Jermain are going, they might as well title the fight 'Bored & Taylor,'" said Lacy. "I just want to remind Bernard and his promoters I am a done deal and I am ready to move down to a catchweight and defend my title against him for the original purse Taylor was offered, $1.5 million. Bernard keeps talking about moving up to the light heavyweight division to fight Glenn Johnson, so surely coming up four or five pounds cannot be an obstacle in fighting me for my title." Lacy, 19-0 (15 KOs), one of the busiest world champions, has successfully defended his twice since winning it last October.

"If Bernard really wants to fight a member of the U.S. Olympic Class of 2000, Jeff is ready to accomodate -- with a new title for Bernard too," added promoter Gary Shaw. "We will not ask for a rematch clause or even options. Jeff is a turn-key package that is ready, willing and able to sign on the dotted line and make the fight."

Lacy, 19-0 (15 KOs), one of the busiest world champions, has successfully defended his twice since winning it last October.

"If Bernard really wants to fight a member of the U.S. Olympic Class of 2000, Jeff is ready to accomodate -- with a new title for Bernard too," added promoter Gary Shaw. "We will not ask for a rematch clause or even options. Jeff is a turn-key package that is ready, willing and able to sign on the dotted line and make the fight."

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The International Scene
By Per-Ake Persson

3-28-2005: US veteran Charles Brewer will now fight Dane Martin Nielsen April 15th in Copenhagen with the vacant WBO I/C title at stake. Brewer was originally to have fought Rudy Markussen on this show but Rudy pulled out with the flu.
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endi.com writes that the next opponent for Miguel Cotto on June 11 in New York is Uzbekistaner Mohamed Abdulaev, signed to Universum and the reigning WBO I/C 140 lb ruler.
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Finnish Steel Ring Promotions stages a show in Rovaniemi April 23. Headlining is cruiser Petri Manniko. Norwegian heavy Leif Dolonen Larsen may make it on the bill despite his recent problems with the law. (READ THE FULL INTERNATIONAL SCENE)

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Vargas Gets Past Joval and is
Now Looking For Castillejo

3-27-2005: Saturday night, in Corpus Christi Texas, former two time junior middleweight champion Fernando Vargas beat unheralded contender Raymond Joval via ten round decision. Vargas who showed flashes of what made him the youngest junior middleweight in history looked a bit rusty after a 15 month layoff as he struggled with the high punch volume of his opponent. After the fight Vargas said "I give my self a 3 or a 4" on a scale of one to ten. Vargas is now looking to take on current WBC 154 title holder Javier Castillejo sometime this year.

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How Do We Fix Our Sport? I'll Tell You
By Frank Maloney

3-26-2005: I'm amazed at the response I received from my most recent article regarding the state of small hall boxing and thought I would continue along a similar theme for two reasons. One, because I make my living from boxing and have done so for quite some time now and two because I'm a fan who would still attend boxing shows even if I weren't in the industry.

So, I write this piece both as a person involved in the business and as a fan that has more inside knowledge than most.

The state of boxing may not be very rosy at the moment but many people involved in the sport today do not realize this. At the moment boxers who were earning a certain amount of money twelve to eighteen months ago for their efforts are finding it hard to adjust to the fact that the same sort of compensation is simply not available at this time. Additionally, before this situation improves, it may actually worsen. (READ FRANK MALONEY'S FULL REPORT)

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Ricardo Lois' "Stick & Move" Audio Interview with Juan Lazcano
Hosted By Ricardo Lois

3-25-2005: Listen in as Ricardo Lois speaks with Juan Lazcano (33-3-1 with 25 KO's) about his upcoming fight with Justin Juuko (39-8-1 with 28 KO's) on April 9th, 2005 at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas. Lazcano has been in the ring some of the best fighters in Boxing - he has a win over Stevie Johnston (35-2-1) which was a crowed pleasing war that saw Johnston hit the canvas in round 1 only to come back and knock Lazcano down in the second round, but it was Lazcano who stuck out and dropped Johnston twice in the championship rounds winning by TKO in the 11th round. His next fight was a losing effort against the one and only Jose Luis Castillo - and now his fight with Justin Juuko is his first time back in the ring. DON'T MISS RICARDO'S STICK & MOVE AUDIO INTERVIW - JUST CLICK THE PHOTO TO HEAR WHAT LAZCANO HAD TO SAY.........

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Gatti Gets His Turn at Presser

WATCH FOR FREE

3-24-2005: Yesterday Floyd and Roger Mayweather had their chance to dig in and let the boxing fans know why Floyd would win the fight between them and Gatti, but today was Gatti's turn and he didn't disappoint anyone. Gatti made sure that everyone knew that it was not him holding up this fight, after all, he says it was him that called Mayweather out in the first place; however, he wanted to let it be known that he puts the fans in the seats. Gatti said he has never had to give away tickets to one of his fights - just like yesterday when Team Gatti made it very clear that this would be the first time that Mayweather lost a fight, they also made it clear that this would be the first time that he fought in a sold out stadium and didn't have to give away tickets. (CLICK HERE OR THE PHOTO TO SEE THE ARTURO GATTI PRE-FIGHT POST CONFERENCE - ALL FOR FREE)

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The Latest on Hopkins vs Taylor

3-24-2005: While nothing is official BBB's inside sources tell us that Bernard Hopkins (46-2-1 32KO's) has agreed to up the ante to $1.8 million dollars and that Jermain Taylor (23-0 with 17 KO's) and Team agree on the money. Now it is a matter of finalizing all the details and getting everything put together so that they can annuonce the fight - which can could be a lot of work considering the history between Hopkins and Team Taylor. In fact, this could end up being all smoke and mirrors - but hopefully not, as this would be a great fight for the boxing fans.

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Lennox Lewis Wins Court Battle
Against Former Promoter

3-24-2005: According to the (AP) Lennox Lewis won another case against former promoter, which allows Lewis to sue Panos Eliades for rights to property in London. Lewis vacated the title a year ago and already won a $5.5 million award in New York in 2002. A jury ruled Eliades and his company, Panix Promotions, defrauded the fighter of millions of dollars while acting as his manager and promoter. Lewis has not received any of the damages from Eliades, who says he has no assets, according to court testimony in London. The court ruled Wednesday that Eliades owned a $3.8 million property in Enfield, and now Lewis can sue him for ownership.

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Mayweather vs Gatti Press Conference

Video By Bill Emes

Don't Miss This "FREE" Video

3-23-2005: Arturo Gatti was unable to show up to the press conference today, but it was still exciting as Floyd Mayweather PROMISED - THAT THE FIGHT WOULD NOT GO THE DISTANCE, and then offered to make a MILLION DOLLAR BET WITH BUDDY McGirt who said "he doesn't bet," but that what matters is that come fight night Arturo Gatti will be giving Mayweather a ass kicking. Mayweather said Arturo has been beaten 6 different times, that means there are 6 ways to beat him, and come fight night Mayweather is going to show #7, but Buddy McGirt is not short on comebacks, as he dug into Pretty Boy Floyd's Amateur career and ask him if he was undefeated. This fight is already heating up. (CLICK HERE OR THE PHOTO TO SEE ONE OF THE BEST PRE-FIGHT CONFERENCE VIDEOS TO HIT THE NET IN SOME TIME)

Talk about Press Conference ON BadBoysBoxing's
Message Board - Just Click Here

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Wayne Braithwaite Interview
By Richard Thomas

3-23-2005: WBC cruiserweight champion of the world Wayne 'Big Truck' Braithwaite (21-0, 17 KO's) will be in action on April 2nd in Worcester, Massachusetts at the DCU Center, as he takes on WBA world champion Jean-Marc Mormeck (30-2, 21 KO's) in a scheduled twelve round duel. Both fighters will be defending their respective titles and will also be seeking cruiserweight supremacy as the Ring magazine title is also up for grabs. The bout will also air the same day on the Showtime network at 11PM ET/PT.

Wayne Braithwaite last fought on April 17th at Madison Square Garden in a rematch with the rugged Louis Azille, which Braithwaite won by a unanimous decision. But the decision-win sadly ended the Big Truck's 15 fights by knockout streak. Braithwaite then wanted to resurrect that KO streak. And he was going to start off by Mormeck being his first victim, as he was scheduled to meet Mormeck as the co-feature bout of the Mayorga/Trinidad super-fight back on October 2nd. Braithwaite then got word that his fight was off because Mormeck injured his leg during training. (READ THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH WAYNE "BIG TRUCK" BRAITHWAITE)

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The International Scene
By Per-Ake Persson

3-23-2005: Ex-WBC 168 lb champ Cristian Sanavia will as indicated yesterday go ahead with his already signed showdown against German Danilo Haussler April 23 in Dortmund. At stake is the vacant WBA I/C title. As for who will fight Vitaly Tsypko for the vacant EBU 168 lb title on this date is still not certain but Irishman Brian Magee is likely.
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EBU jr middleweight champ Sergey Dzindziruk defends against Frenchman Jimmy Colas April 16 in Magdeburg in a voluntary defence. Dzindziruk´s mandatory defence against Italian Michele Piccirillo will go ahead June 18 in Pula (Croatia) after a last minute agreement between OPI 2000 and Universum.
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German welterweight Michel Trabant has relinquished his position as official challenger for the EU title. Italian Michele Orlando will now get another opponent, which could be Frenchman Mustapha Bouzid as those ranked above him aren´t available for one reason or another. (READ THE FULL INTERNATIONAL SCENE)

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Will Roy Jones Be
Chopping Up Wood Again?

3-22-2005: According to reports from the BBC, Newly-crowned IBF light-heavyweight champion Clinton Woods is setting his sights on a summer rematch against Roy Jones in Sheffield. Woods Management believes not only will Roy Jones Jr. take the fight, but he also believes that Roy will go to England to fight him. Wood's team actually believes that things would turn out different in a rematch with Jones. However; there are rumors floating around that all this talk of a Roy Jones Jr. talk is to take everyone's mind away from any thought of Woods getting in the ring against Joe Calzaghe.

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Castillo vs Coralles For Lightweight Unification Bout

3-22-2005: In a highly anticipated match-up, the two best 135-pound boxers in the world will square off when two-time World Boxing Council (WBC) Lightweight Champion Jose Luis Castillo takes on World Boxing Organization (WBO) Champion Diego “Chico’’ Corrales in a world title unification bout Saturday, May 7, 2005, on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

In the excellent co-feature, International Boxing Federation/World Boxing Association (IBF/WBA) Featherweight Champion Juan Manuel Marquez will defend his titles against WBA No. 5 contender, Victor Polo. The world championship doubleheader at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas will be co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, Top Rank, Inc., and Banner Promotions.

“Fights like this do not come about often or easily,” said Jay Larkin, Senior Vice President, Showtime Sports & Events Programming. “Castillo and Corrales are without a doubt the two best lightweights in the world and both have earned their reputations by fighting the best in the division. This fight has ‘Fight of the Year’ promise and is the last step in deciding who really is number one in the world.” (READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE)