Updates: Hatton Fight, Miranda, HOF, More

Manchester Reaches Boiling Point For Hatton vs. Lazcano

With the excitement in North West England reaching a fever pitch for Ricky Hatton’s much anticipated return to his beloved city of Manchester, there are many questions still to be answered surrounding this massive fight card which will be played out in the open air City of Manchester Stadium before a record breaking 56,000 spectators.

The debate rages on between camps of those who maintain that Hatton will resume as the wrecking ball that destroyed Jose Louis Castillo with a devastating bodyshot versus those concerned that “The Hitman” has already left his best on the canvas of the Thomas and Mack Centre in Las Vegas when put there by Floyd Mayweather last December.

One point that is beyond contention is the confidence of IBO/Ring light welterweight champion Hatton, 43-1 (31), which has reached sky-high proportions as he relishes performing once again in front of his legion of faithful followers who will pack the massive football ground in numbers that Britain has never before witnessed.

“Lazcano comes to fight and I won’t have to go chasing him, that’s for sure,” said Hatton. “This one is really important for me to get back to what I do best and work off me boxing abilities and not just go rushing in. I think that people will see the best Ricky Hatton that there’s ever been.”

Hatton’s opponent Juan Lazcano, 37-4-1 (27), has been conducting himself with quiet confidence since arriving in Manchester and the highly seasoned 34 year old hasn’t come here to play the sacrificial lamb.

“My brithday fell on Easter this year and I truly see his as a Resurrection type thing for me,” said the Mexican born American. “I know what I’ve got to do and I’m going to surprise a lot of people in that stadium. If Ricky Hatton didn’t already have a loss on his record, I’d be putting the first one on there.”

The mouth-watering undercard is led by a bad-blood rematch between the flashy IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi, 24-1 (5), and the man he swept past to win that title, no-nonsense grafter Lovemore N’dou.

Despite his wide points victory over N’dou in their first bout, Malignaggi sees this return contest as a dangerous endeavor that must not take for granted, particularly if he is to get his long called for showdown with Hatton this fall in New York’s famed Madison Square Garden.

“Lovemore is going to be a dangerous and I can’t afford to look past him,” said the brash New Yorker. “Look what happened to Junior Witter recently; he was focused on a fight with Hatton and got schooled by Timothy Bradley. I’m a great fighter but I have to put on a great fight against N’dou.”

The transplanted South African N’dou, 46-9-1 (31), has come a long way from his adopted Australia but feels that this rematch will give him a chance to right what he feels are injustices that led to his defeat in the first bout with Malignaggi.

“When we fought in America, the referee wouldn’t let me work on the inside and that cost me the fight against Malignaggi,” recalled the hard-nosed N’dou.”Here in England I think I will get better treatment and have the chance to do my thing, so I will win this fight.”

An all-Manchester scrap that has been brewing for some time has now reached a boiling point as Commonwealth welterweight champion Craig Watson, 12-2 (4), puts his belt at risk against the more experienced Matthew Hatton, 33-3-1 (13).

“I just love to fight and I’ve been really looking forward to this one against Matthew, especially on this bill,” said rugged southpaw Watson. “I’ll show my win against Ali Nuumbembe for the Commonwealth was just the start and I guarantee I’ll win this fight.”

Having had a short amateur career led to a long professional development for Matthew Hatton and the eight year veteran could not have picked a better time to start sharing the spotlight with superstar big brother Ricky.

“This is my time now and I won’t be denied,” stated Matthew. “I’ve worked hard and have kept improving to reach this point. This is the perfect opportunity for me to show what I can do and there’s no way I won’t have the Commonwealth title on Saturday night.”

Saturday, May 24, 2008 will feature the biggest selling fight in the history of British boxing, IBO/Ring light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton vs. Juan Lazcano, in front of 55,000 fans at City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England on a shared production between Frank Maloney Promotions, Punch Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.

The Homecoming Press Conference

Press present at the City of Manchester Stadium today for the final press conference ahead of Ricky Hatton’s May 24 bout with Juan Lazcano were in no doubt that Saturday’s clash will live up the massive pre-fight expectations.

There was a real buzz amongst the dozens of journalists, radio and TV crews present as co-promoter Frank Maloney opened proceedings with the announcement that a further 350 seats were available for the record-breaking event that has already sold 55,000 seats.

Maloney, flanked by Hatton, Lazcano and co-promoters Richard Schaeffer of Golden Boy and Ray Hatton or Punch Promotions, captured the mood of the afternoon when he said that Britain was the perfect place to stage world class boxing events.

“Why go to America when it has been proved that you can sell out top class venues like this in Britain,” said Maloney in reference to British boxing’s surge in popularity.

“Saturday’s massive show has shown beyond any doubt that the British public’s enthusiasm for top-flight boxing remains and that the huge interest in this bout proves that beyond any doubt.”

“I believe this is a lesson to be learned from massive promotions like this,” said Maloney, who was joined at the top table by IBF light-welterweight champion Paul Malignaggi, Lovemore N’Dou, Commonwealth Welterweight champ Craig Watson and Matthew Hatton and their connections.

“The press and PR is as important for boxers of today as boxing itself and the two must go hand in hand if you want to be a star,” Maloney continued.

Press, television and Radio journalists then had the opportunity to interview, film and photograph the fighters inside and then out in the stadium, where preparations are at an advanced stage, and those present openly complimented Saturday’s stunning venue.

HALL OF FAMERS ARGUELLO AND PRYOR TO REUNITE IN CANASTOTA

Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend June 5-8th

CANASTOTA, NY – MAY 21, 2008 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today former ring rivals Alexis Arguello and Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor will reunite in Canastota for festivities planned for the 19th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 5-8th.

In 1982 and 1983, the Hall of Famers met in two pitched battles for Pryor’s junior welterweight championship, with Pryor registering kayo wins in the 14th and 10th round respectively.

“Arguello and Pryor engaged in one of boxing’s greatest ring rivalries,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “Boxing fans always enjoy recalling their two battles with them when they’re here in Canastota.”

A native of Managua, Nicaragua, Arguello held the featherweight, super featherweight, and lightweight titles. Known as “The Explosive Thin Man,” Arguello compiled an 80-8 (64KOs) record that included wins over Ruben Olivares, Ray Mancini, and Bobby Chacon. Arguello was elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.

Boxing out of Cincinnati, OH, Pryor reigned as junior welterweight champion from 1980 to 1985. Pryor’s professional record reads 39-1 (35KOs) and includes wins over Gaetan Hart, Alfonso Frazer, Lennox Blackmoore and Hall of Famers Arguello and Antonio Cervantes. In 1996 he was elected to the Hall of Fame.

The June 5-8th Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will feature over 20 exciting events including a banquet, parade, golf tournament, cocktail party, and the official induction ceremony honoring the Class of 2008. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 8th are heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, junior welterweight champion Eddie Perkins, promoters Mogens Palle and Frank Warren and journalists Dave Anderson and Joe Koizumi. Posthumous inductees will also be honored.

Over 50 boxing stars are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities.

For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 19th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.

RESULTS FROM TWIN RIVER
(Lincoln, RI)

May 23, 2008 – “Ring Warriors”
(winners listed on top)

HEAVYWEIGHTS
Jason Estrada (13-1, 3 KOs), Providence, RI
WTKO7 (1:38)
Moultrie Witherspoon (14-2, 8 KOs), Columbia, SC

CRUISERWEIGHTS
Jose Luis Herrera (16-4, 16 KOs), Miami, FL
WTKO5 (1:58)
Aaron Williams (17-1-1, 12 KOs), Las Vegas, NV

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Joey McCreedy (8-2, 5 KOs), Lowell, MA
WDEC6 (60-56, 58-56, 57-58)
Henry Mayes (7-6-1, 4 KOs)

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Angel Camacho, Jr. (10-0, 4 KOs), Johnston, RI
WDEC4 (39-37, 39-37, 38-37)
Andre Hemphill (6-8-2, 3 KOs), Woodbridge, VA

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Richard Starnino (9-3-1, 2 KOs), Providence, RI
WTKO3 (1:58)
Richard Royal (5-3-1. 2 KOs), Charleston, NC

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Hank Lundy (11-0-1, 6 KOs), Philadelphia, PA
WDEC4 (38-37, 38-37, 38-36)
Steve Almaraz (7-1, 4 KOs), Kileen, TX

Promoter: Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc
Matchmaker: Ted Panagiotis

MIRANDA ON ABRAHAM: “PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM AS THE GUY ON MY HIGHLIGHT REEL.”

HOLLYWOOD, FL, May 23 – With training camp well underway for his June 21st rematch with Arthur Abraham, some have suggested that super middleweight contender Edison Miranda has been uncharacteristically quiet before the biggest fight of his career.

Not so, says ‘Pantera’.

“Oh, I’ve been talking,” laughed Miranda from his training camp in San Juan, Puerto Rico. “Every day I hit the heavy bag, I’m calling Abraham’s name out and with each punch. That’s the goal. Do what I did the last time, and improve on it by finishing the job. Abraham won’t hear the final bell on June 21st.”

In their first bout in September of 2006, Miranda broke Abraham’s jaw in two places before losing a controversial 12 round decision. This time, Miranda vows revenge.

“I’ve never been this focused for a fight,” said Miranda. “My only concern is that because this is Abraham’s first fight in the US, after I knock him out people will think I just took out a nobody. That’s okay though, people will always remember him as the guy on my highlight reel.”

Arthur Abraham vs Edison Miranda II, a 12 round super middleweight attraction, headlines a night of professional boxing presented by Seminole Warriors Boxing and Sauerland Event. Showtime World Championship Boxing will televise this highly-anticipated rematch from Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida beginning at 9pm ET / PT.

Tickets for Abraham-Miranda II, priced at $202, $152, $102, and $52 are now on sale and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Live Box Office or TicketMaster.com.

For more information regarding this and other events, log on to: www.WarriorsBoxing.com

ENZO LANDS LOEW BLOWS

Furious Enzo Calzaghe has launched a stinging attack on Kelly Pavlik’s trainer Jack Loew after he bad mouthed his son Joe – and middleweight title contender Gary Lockett.

Loew has been quoted in the press as saying: “maybe Enzo can teach Lockett to slap like a girl – just like Joe”.

Pavlik and Lockett meet at the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City on June 7 with the American’s WBC and WBO middleweight world titles on the line, screened live and exclusive on Setanta Sports.

And the fiery Sardinian hit back at Loew by saying: “I had to go on the internet because I’d never even heard of this person Jack Loew.

“And all I found was that he paves driveways. Well, once Lockett has dealt with Pavlik and Loew is out of boxing then at least he can go back to paving driveways.

“I’ve got no one to answer to. I’ve trained four world champions, I’ve got other champions in my gym. I won trainer of the year in America last year.”

Then Enzo added: “When Pavlik is world champion for 10 years and has made 21 title defences then I will listen to Loew, but Pavlik hasn’t even held his title for a year yet. All I can say is that Joe must slap pretty hard because he’s knocked out 32 of his opponents and been an undefeated world champion for more than a decade. Ask Bernard Hopkins, Jeff Lacy and Mikkel Kessler if Joe Calzaghe slaps.

“Loew had better hope and pray that Lockett doesn’t slap like Joe because if he does it’s going to be goodnight for Kelly Pavlik. He’d better make sure that he is double prepared or even triple prepared for Gary Lockett.

“My man is in fantastic shape, real 110% stuff. He’s looked brilliant in the gym, he was a great amateur who won European competitions when he was a youngster, he’s the real deal.”

Calzaghe also challenged Loew to have a massive wager on Pavlik, who is a big favourite to win the fight.

“If he’s so confident in his fighter, then why doesn’t he put his house on Pavlik winning,” said Calzaghe.

“Tell him to put his balls where his mouth is. What he’ll tell you is ‘No way, Jose’.”

Then Calzaghe turned his attention to Pavlik.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Pavlik because he’s the champion and he beat Jermain Taylor twice,” he said.

“Anyone who does that has my respect.

“But I have not seen anything from Kelly Pavlik whatsoever that worries me. He’s a good fighter but he’s mechanical, it’s the same thing, same thing, same thing all the time. I can’t get worried about it.

“He’s never heard of Gary Lockett, never seen him fight, but Lockett knows all about Kelly Pavlik, and he is in for a surprise on June 7. His team open their mouths and talk the talk, but can they walk the walk?”

“I’ve spent a lot of time in America already this year, but we’re not coming to Atlantic City for a holiday. It’s business.”

JOAN GUZMAN: ‘NATE CAMPBELL, YOUR HONEYMOON IS OVER, I’M COMING FOR YOU’

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 20, 2008) – Two-division champion Joan Guzman has made it no secret that he intends to win a title in the lightweight division. He already has an opponent in mind; the lightweight kingpin and always colorful Nate Campbell.

Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KOs), who got married last Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla., is currently on his honeymoon.

“Everyone has seen the picture of Nate and his wife in their cute, white, wedding outfits,” said Guzman, who has a record of 28-0, with 17 knockouts. “I hope they’re enjoying their honeymoon because Nate’s honeymoon at the top of the lightweight division is going to end once he finds the courage to fight me.”

Guzman may or may not get his wish since Campbell’s team is in a WBO purse bid with Campbell’s mandatory challenger Joel Casamayor. The purse bid is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27.

“I don’t know why Nate is considering fighting Casamayor,” said Guzman, who is exclusively promoted by San Diego-based Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “I think he’s afraid of me. I’ll make Nate look so bad that he’ll retire after I wipe the floor with him.

“I guess I can understand why Nate doesn’t want to fight me. Twenty-eight boxers have tried to beat me and none of them came close to succeeding.

“I honestly thought Nate was a serious fighter, but I’m starting to question that. If Nate wants a real challenge, he knows where to find me.”

POWELL AND QUILLIN LOOK TO CONTINUE ROAD TO THE TOP ON JUNE 11TH

HARD ROCK CAFÉ IN TIMES SQUARE TO HOST WEDNESDAY NIGHT FIGHTS 11TH

HOLLYWOOD, FL, May 23 – They’re two of the boxing world’s brightest young stars, and on Wednesday, June 11th, Sechew ‘The Iron Horse’ Powell and Peter ‘Kid Chocolate’ Quillin will light up the Hard Rock Café in the heart of Times Square in separate ESPN2 Wednesday Night Fights showdowns that they hope will lead them closer to world title shots.

In the main event, Powell, the number one ranked junior middleweight in the world, will take on St. Louis’ talented Deandre Latimore in a ten round bout

The unbeaten Quillin will be tested by Colombian knockout artist Dionisio Miranda in the ten round middleweight co-feature.

This night of world-class professional boxing, presented by Seminole Warriors Boxing and Gotham Boxing association with Bad Dog Promotions will be aired live on ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights

beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.

Tickets for this once in a lifetime event are limited to just 500, and will include food and soft drinks. To purchase these limited tickets, priced at $300, please call Seminole Warriors Boxing at (954) 985-1155 or Gotham Boxing at (212) 755-1944.

A National Golden Gloves Champion in 2000 and a United States Amateur Champion in 2001, Brooklyn’s Sechew ‘The Iron Horse’ Powell (23-1, 14 KOs) has been destined to achieve great things in the fight game. Winner of 23 out of 24 pro bouts, with his only loss coming at the hands of former world champion Kassim Ouma in 2006, Powell is currently the number one ranked IBF contender at 154 pounds, and the owner of wins over Grady Brewer, Cornelius Bundrage, Robert Frazier, Ishe Smith, and Terrance Cauthen, making him one of the brightest young stars in the game today. In Deandre ‘The Bull’ Latimore (18-1, 15 KOs), Powell will

be facing a hard-hitting battler who has won seven fights in a row, five by knockout.

A Grand Rapids native who now proudly calls New York City his home, middleweight Peter ‘Kid Chocolate’ Quillin (18-0, 14 KOs) has garnered plenty of attention for his habit of throwing chocolate candy kisses to the crowd after his victories, but he’s also struck fear into opponents for his habit of knocking people out with frightening efficiency. A pro since 2005, Quillin has been getting better with each fight, and most recently he scored the biggest win of his pro career as he took a dominant ten round decision over former world title challenger Antwun Echols on April 16th. His opponent on June 11th, 25-year old Barranquilla native Dionisio Miranda (18-2-2, 17 KOs) is a non holds barred banger, with 13 of his 17 pro KOs coming in three rounds or less.

Also in action will be hot junior welterweight prospect Victor M. Cayo (15-0, 10 KOs), who will take on veteran spoiler Harrison Cuello (15-6-2, 11 KOs) in a six rounder. Cuello stopped 140-pound contender Edgar Santana last June, and a year later, he is looking to score another upset.

In another junior welterweight bout, unbeaten Jeremy Bryan (4-0, 2 KOs) faces Nebraska’s Trenton Titsworth (2-2-1, 2 KOs) in a four rounder.

Paterson, New Jersey’s Richard Pierson (7-1, 4 KOs) takes on Jamaal Davis (7-3, 6 KOs) in a six round middleweight bout.

Rounding out the card is a junior middleweight four rounder between Karl Desravines (1-1) and Eusebio Flores (0-1), and a six round super middleweight attraction between unbeaten Brooklynite Yasin Rashid (6-0, 2 KOs) and Philadelphia’s Edward Andre Hemphill (6-7-2, 3 KOs).

Doors open at 7:00pm, and the first bell rings at 7:30pm.