Boxing Info (please stick)

[Blaxican8504]

Re: Mayorga threatens pull out!

That would suck big time.

[marq]

Re: Mayorga threatens pull out!

Rafael Notebook:

is over and I'm looking forward to a new chapter in my career. I have big plans in 2006."

Although Rivera is predicting victory, he was respectful of Garcia for agreeing to fight him in Worcester.

"I want to thank 'Terra' Garcia for coming all the way to Worcester to give me a title shot," Rivera said. "I want to thank him for coming here to fight me for his title because not many champions do that."

Garcia said traveling to enemy turf was no big deal.

"I am not concerned about fighting in Rivera's hometown," Garcia said. "Once the bell rings, I only focus on the opponent, not the surroundings. It will be just me and Rivera in the ring. Rivera may have a big crowd rooting for him, but I still have my fists. They are the great equalizer. Having a big crowd of people on hand to support you is great, but what good is it if you give them nothing to cheer about?"


Calzaghe maps future: Joe Calzaghe doesn't yet have an opponent for his July 8 bout, which will take place in front of a hometown crowd in Cardiff, Wales, but 33-year-old unified super middleweight champ knows which fights he would like beyond that fight.



Calzaghe


"Antonio Tarver is my main objective," Calzaghe said of the light heavyweight champion. "I'd also love to fight the winner of Winky Wright and Jermain Taylor. Those would be two massive opportunities out there for me, but obviously, they're all fighting in June so we're looking at the autumn as a possibility."

Both fights are far more realistic now than they have been because Calzaghe is headed to HBO for his summer fight, although promoter Frank Warren and HBO are still discussing potential opponents.

That list-leading contender to get the fight is Librado Andrade. Others mentioned include Peter Manfredo Jr. and light heavyweight contender Briggs of Australia, who lost a close decision to Adamek for a vacant title in a spectacular action fight last May.

One name removed from consideration is Allan Green, who nearly got knocked out by a journeyman in a shaky performance on ESPN2's "Wednesday Night Fights" last week.

Tarver, Taylor and Wright all fight on HBO, which recently outbid Showtime for the rights to Calzaghe's next fight.

Tarver would first have to defeat Bernard Hopkins, who plans to retire, on June 10 to make a fall fight with Calzaghe possible.

"He hasn't fought any great fighters and as far as I'm concerned, he's overrated," Calzaghe said of Tarver. "He's beaten an old man in Roy Jones, who Tarver wouldn't have touched five years ago, struggled against another old man, Glen Johnson, in two fights and as far as I'm concerned, I'll knock him out. I don't really rate Tarver and I think that he's a boring fighter to watch."

Calzaghe, who unified two 168-pound belts with a masterpiece against Jeff Lacy in March, is also interested in the other title holders in his division, Markus Beyer of Germany and Mikkel Kessler of Denmark.

"When Markus Beyer first won the WBC title from Richie Woodhall in 1999, we tried to make a fight with him and it was impossible," Calzaghe said. "It may be easier to make now. Beyer's getting older and probably looking for a big payday, but there's bigger fish out there."

As for Kessler, Calzaghe said, "Mikkel Kessler is a good fighter, he's undefeated and probably a better fighter than Beyer, but does Kessler mean that much outside of Denmark? These are the things that have to be looked at. Obviously, come November, if the fights can't be made with Tarver or one of the top middleweights, then maybe we'll go that route."


Day in court: Former welterweight champ Zab Judah, father and trainer Yoel Judah, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. adviser Leonard Ellerbe, are scheduled to appear before the Nevada Athletic Commission on Monday at a hearing to determine their punishment for their roles in the melee that erupted during the 10th round of Judah's decision loss to Mayweather on April 8.

The commission, which is still holding Judah's $1 million purse, is expected to fine and suspend all three.

After Judah hit Mayweather with a severe low blow and punched him behind the head, Roger Mayweather, Floyd's uncle and trainer, entered the ring to confront him. That led to Yoel Judah and Ellerbe also entering the ring, which ignited a brawl.

Roger Mayweather already has been fined $200,000 and had his license revoked for at least a year.

Outgoing commission executive director Marc Ratner, who will work two club shows next week before heading for his new job with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, said that the Judahs and Ellerbe are expected to appear at the hearing to explain their actions.



Pereira


New foe for Pereira: Featherweight titlist Valdemir Pereira (24-0, 15 KOs) of Brazil was supposed to make his first defense against former European junior featherweight champ Esham Pickering (29-4, 11 KOs) of England, on next Saturday's Ricky Hatton-Luis Collazo undercard at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.

However, Pickering suffered a rib injury in training and will be unable to fight. Pickering's most likely replacement is American Eric Aiken (15-4, 12 KOs), who scored a major upset April 1 when he knocked out former bantamweight champ Tim Austin in the sixth round in Cleveland on the undercard of the Sergei Liakhovich-Lamon Brewster heavyweight title bout.


Quick hits



Marquez


• Former featherweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez is planning his return after losing a close decision to Chris John in Indonesia in March. Plans are in the works for Marquez, who plans to move up to junior lightweight, to appear in HBO's Aug. 5 televised opener against fellow Mexican Humberto Soto, an interim featherweight titlist who would also move up in class. Soto gained acclaim last summer when he upset Rocky Juarez on HBO. The Aug. 5 card is headlined by the rescheduled Ike Quartey-Vernon Forrest junior middleweight bout.



Margarito


• If Showtime can't land Adamek-Johnson or Peter-Ibragimov for Aug. 5, the third option for the slot (and the easiest fight to make) is welterweight titlist Antonio Margarito against Joshua Clottey. Margarito is available because Floyd Mayweather Jr. rejected an $8 million offer to fight him. Mayweather instead wants to see if he can put together a fight with De La Hoya, should De La Hoya beat Mayorga on Saturday night.



Maskaev



Rahman


• Hasim Rahman's mandatory heavyweight title defense against Oleg Maskaev will be announced Wednesday in New York. The fight, which is Aug. 12 in Las Vegas on HBO PPV, has been dubbed "America's Last Line of Defense" given Rahman's status as the only American remaining as a heavyweight champion out of the four title holders. The fight is also a rematch. In their first fight on Nov. 6, 1999, Maskaev (32-5, 25 KOs) rallied to knock Rahman (41-5-2, 34 KOs) out with one huge right hand in the eighth round, a punch that sent Rahman sailing out of the ring, onto the HBO broadcast table and ultimately to the arena floor.

• Bantamweight Jose Navarro (21-2, 11 KOs), a 2000 U.S. Olympian, has reunited with promoter Lou DiBella and will face Vernie Torres (27-6, 15 KOs) of the Philippines May 17 on ESPN2's "Wednesday Night Fights." Navarro's two losses both came in junior bantamweight title fights in Japan, a highly controversial decision loss to Katsushige Kawashima in January 2005 followed by a close decision loss to Masamori Tokuyama on Feb. 27. After the first loss, Navarro split with DiBella, who signed him out of the Olympics. Also on the card will be boxing's most loveable journeyman, the entertaining Emanuel Augustus (32-26-6, 17 KOs), who will face Adrian Mora (15-0-1, 8 KOs) in a junior welterweight bout, and welterweight mega prospect Andre Berto (11-0, 9 KOs), a 2004 Olympian for Haiti.

• Undefeated cruiserweights Felix Cora Jr. (18-0-2, 9 KOs) and Vadim Tokarev (21-0-1, 14 KOs) of Russia will face each other in the May 18 pay-per-view co-feature on the "Tribal Pride" card at the Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena in Hollywood, Florida. The card -- called "Tribal Pride" because it the first co-promotion between Native American promotional companies Warriors Boxing and Sycuan Ringside Promotions -- is headlined by former titlist Julio Diaz (32-3, 24 KOs) facing Ricky Quiles (39-6-3, 8 KOs) for an interim 135-pound title, which is available due to a serious arm injury suffered by belt holder Jesus Chavez. Also on the card: interim junior featherweight titlist Celestino Caballero (24-2, 17 KOs) of Panama returns to U.S. shores for the first time in a year to defend against Nicaragua's Moises Castro (24-6-1, 14 KOs); and former K-1 kickboxer Siala "Mighty Mo" Siliga will make his pro boxing debut in a heavyweight bout.



Duddy


• Hot middleweight prospect John Duddy (16-0, 14 KOs), who is so popular with Irish fight fans that he sold out the 5,000-seat Madison Square Garden Theater in New York recently despite the fight being a complete mismatch, has signed a promotional deal with Irish Ropes. "We've worked with John on a handshake deal," Irish Ropes president Eddie McLoughlin said. "I'm sure he got better offers from other promoters, but we have built a team of people that he's very comfortable with." Many promoters, including Bob Arum and King, were after Duddy and made substantial offers. Duddy's next fight will on Arum's June 10 pay-per-view card headlined by junior welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto vs. Paulie Malignaggi. Duddy will face Freddy Cuevas (25-8-1, 17 KOs).



Tszyu


• Former junior welterweight champ Kostya Tszyu's mind is clearly not on boxing these days. He is instead concerned with his dancing career. After nine weeks of dancing, Tszyu has advanced to next week's finals of Australia's version of the reality series "Dancing with the Stars." Although he has not announced his boxing plans, Tszyu hasn't fought since being dethroned by Ricky Hatton last summer.

• Featherweight titlist Takashi Koshimoto (39-1-2, 17 KOs) of Japan makes his first defense against 22-year-old Rudy Lopez (18-2, 12 KOs) of Mexico. They'll meet July 30 in Fukuoka, Japan. Koshimoto, a 35-year-old southpaw, claimed a belt with an upset decision victory against Injin Chi in January. Should Koshimoto win, he is expected to face Chi in a rematch later this year.



De La Hoya


Quotable: "Mayorga made the biggest mistake of his life by talking the way he has from the beginning of this promotion. He definitely got under my skin but he certainly did not get in my head. He doesn't realize that he's made it worse for himself and on Saturday night, he is going to know what I am talking about."
-- Oscar De La Hoya, on junior middleweight titlist Ricardo Mayorga, who relentlessly trash talked about De La Hoya and his wife, Millie, throughout the promotion

I agree with Calzaghe..

[Complex]

DLH's return generates $43M

HBO Sports reported today that 875,000 pay-per-view buys and $43.8 million in pay-per-view revenue was generated from last Saturday’s super welterweight title fight featuring Oscar De La Hoya and Ricardo Mayorga at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The fight was promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Don King Productions. The MGM Grand Hotel & Casino was the host site. The 875,000 buys consisted of 475,000 buys from cable systems and 400,000 buys from satellite homes throughout the 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. The pay-per-view performance of Mayorga vs. De La Hoya is the best performing pay-per-view event since De La Hoya last fought 20 months ago. His September 2004 showdown with middleweight legend Bernard Hopkins produced one million pay-per-view buys and $56 million in revenue.

[Complex]

RJJ in Idaho?

Roy Jones, Jr. will face Prince Badi Ajamu on July 29 at the Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho. Both Virgil Hill and Evander Holyfield has also been mentioned for that card, although representatives of both have said nothing is firm. Local favorites Cleveland Corder and Kenny Keene are expected to be on the card. Tickets, not available yet, will likely range from $50 to $450.

[Complex]

Hatton-Collazo Post Fight Presser

Fresh off of capturing the third world championship of his career, the new WBA welterweight champion, Ricky "Hitman" Hatton (41-0, 30 KOs) and the former champion, Luis Collazo (26-2, 12 KOs) took part in a post fight press conference for the media in attendance at the TD Bank North Garden, in Boston, MA on Saturday night. Neither fighter was at a loss for words, including their promoters, Arthur Pelullo of Banner Promotions representing Ricky Hatton, and Don King representing Luis Collazo.

Luis Collazo arrived to the podium first and stated to the media in attendance. "I would like to thank him (Ricky) for giving me the opportunity. I would love the chance for a rematch. He could not deal with my power as he was holding on the whole time. Well when the referee said break and he threw at the same time."

Collazo continued to recall being knocked down in the first round by saying, "Before the fight, the referee had a chance to visit the locker room. He said that I want a clean fight, and when I say break, take two steps back. He said break and Ricky stepped in and threw the punch. I don't know if he stepped on my foot or knocked me down, but whatever it was, it gave me a ten to eight round. I believe in the 12th round that I had him hurt and it should have been a 10-8 round."

"I am a warrior. It comes down to blood and glory. It is about whoever wants it most. If I have to bleed then I have to bleed, to come out with the victory, but I think I did that tonight," said Collazo.

A member of the media asked Collazo if there were things that he thought he could have done differently in the fight. Collazo responded by saying, "I could have boxed a little more, but I have to stand my ground, or otherwise the judges would have really taken me out of the fight. I believe that I came out victorious today, but the people know who really won the fight."

Collazo was then asked if Hatton's style caused him any problems during the fight. He responded by saying, "When he got inside and he was holding, I thought he was going to throw more combinations, but I thought that I kept my distance. After a while I was keeping my distance and jabbing him, and throwing combinations, and he could not do anything. I believe that he did not do enough to win. I still feel that I am the champion and he is the challenger."

"I knew that he was aggressive and a dirty fighter," said Collazo about Hatton. Collazo continued, "There were a lot of things that he did that he should not have gotten away with, but that's alright, I will be back."

Luis Collazo was then asked to give some examples of Hatton fighting dirty. Collazo responded by saying, "Pushing my head down, and coming in with his head. Those are the things that Ricky does. Like I said if he is a man of his word, then we can do a rematch and I will take care of it then. He should go back down to 140 pounds because I believe if he gives me a rematch, I will knock him out."

When asked if Collazo would fight a rematch against Ricky Hatton in Hatton's hometown of Manchester, England, Collazo stated, "We can go to Manchester. I am not worried about that. I believe that if he is a man of his word, he will give me a rematch."

Ricky Hatton's promoter, Arthur Pelullo responded to Collazo's statement by saying, "If Ricky Hatton wants a rematch, and then there will be a rematch."

Luis Collazo's promoter, Don King was then asked about his thoughts on the fight. King stated to the media, "They never thought that our guy would be in the fight, so he was in the fight, and it proved to be a great fight."

Collazo was then asked about the referee of his fight tonight, John Zablocki from Massachusetts, who also refereed last week's WBA super-welterweight title fight between Jose Antonio Rivera and Alejandro Garcia. "Last week he did a hell of a job. Where is he from, Massachusetts? Where is Rivera from," said Collazo?

He was then asked about if he thought the referee was too inexperienced to handle a fight like this. Collazo responded by saying, "He sounded fair in the locker room, but every referee sounds fair in the locker room."

Arthur Pelullo then read the Compubox stats from the fight to the media in attendance, in a sense to prove that Hatton won the fight, and that Collazo was treated fairly in the bout. Pelullo stated, "I just found my Compubox stats. I am sorry. I just thought you would like to know. Total punches thrown, Collazo 712, Hatton 741. Total punches connected, Collazo 213, Hatton 259. Connection Percentage for Collazo was 30 percent, Hatton 35. I am just reading the numbers for you."

There was a short delay in waiting for Ricky Hatton to arrive at the press conference.

The promoters then had a war of words as Arthur Pelullo and Don King argued about the assignment of the officials in the fight. Pelullo stated, "Concerning the officials for the fight tonight, I have an official letter from the WBA that was faxed to me, that these were the officials for the fight." Don King responded by saying, "Now, now, I have to challenge you. What they did is they did not have any judges, so Nick (Manzello, president of the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission,) in his own inevitable wisdom, appointed some judges and said, here write these names down. They did not appoint official judges. I am going to protest to the WBA, and whatever in their infinite wisdom they decide."

Arthur Pelullo then responded to King's comments, "First of all, you have a mastery of the English language that I do not have. Luis Collazo is a great fighter, he was the welterweight champion. Ricky Hatton went up to welterweight. Everybody knows about the legal battles going on in the 140 pound division. This title was available. He was available to fight. Collazo was a great champion and it was a great fight. I would have no problems with a rematch, Ricky Hatton won the fight. The outcome was the outcome and I thought that Hatton won the fight clearly."

Don King then retorted by saying, "It was great but the rematch is going to be even better."

The new WBA welterweight champion, Ricky Hatton arrived to the podium with his left eye swollen from his highly competitive fight with Collazo. Collazo's camp immediately started shouting for a rematch. Hatton stated in response, "Well sure as soon as my left eye is better. It was a great fight tonight. I don't think anybody deserves as much credit as Luis Collazo does tonight, and he showed what he is all about. Sometimes when you are a champion you have to fight the best, and be the best. This is my third world title fight in consecutive fights. In moving up in weight, I think I showed what I am all about."

A member of the media asked Ricky if he thought if this was the toughest fight of his career, Hatton responded by saying, "Yeah I would say so, I mean this was my first fight at this new weight. I think he showed his toughness tonight. He was moving well and throwing punches at me pretty well. Whenever you move up in weight and your first fight is against a world champion, you can expect that it is going to be a very difficult fight."

When asked by the media who he would like to fight next, Ricky Hatton responded by saying, "I will fight anybody out there, and I approve of a rematch with Luis."

In regards to being hurt by Collazo in the 12th round Hatton stated, "It wasn't just the 12th round, he hurt me several times in the fight. He hits a lot harder. I still believe that I am a junior welterweight and I moved up to welterweight. I did notice the difference. He hit me several times. He hit me and hurt me in the last round and I was able to stay close, smother him, and keep my wits about me."

Ricky Hatton summarized his performance tonight by saying, "I think I went a full twelve rounds and it wasn't about the decision, but I definitely feel that I won the fight. The fight was a fantastic fight. Everybody asks me before the fight, to predict a victory, and I never make a prediction, because being a professional at this level, you cannot ever take any opponent for granted. It was a big, big night for me, my first fight in the United States, moving up a weight division, and fighting in my first fight at this new weight division for a world title."

[Complex]

John Ruiz ranked #1

Two-time world heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz (41-6-1, 28 KOs) is the World Boxing Association's No. 1 contender according to its latest ratings. Ruiz had petitioned the WBA for an immediate rematch against Nicolay Valuev for the WBA heavyweight title, or No. 1 rating, after losing a controversial decision last December in Berlin. "I want to thank the WBA for granting at least one part of our petition," Ruiz said. "If we couldn't get an immediate rematch, we asked that I be rated in the No. 1 position and next in line for a WBA title match against the winner of Valuev and (Owen) Beck (June 3)."
Friday, May 26 2006

[Complex]

Maxboxing reports....

its just a rumour but..

James Toney vs. Wladimir Klitschko for November 11

[Complex]

Calzaghe closes on Johnson bout

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4932648.stm

Joe Calzaghe's long search for an opponent for his big 8 July Millennium Stadium show looks to have led to light heavyweight star Glen Johnson.

The Florida-based Jamaican, 37, is expected to sign, despite concerns over what weight the fight will be at and over demands for money up front.

Johnson wanted guarantees after Calzaghe's late withdrawal from a planned bout in Manchester in 2004.

His capture will be a boost after major problems finding a foe for Calzaghe.

Although he does not hold a title at the moment, Johnson is regarded alongside Antonio Tarver as the leading light heavyweight in the world.

As Johnson is unlikely to make the 168lbs super middleweight limit, it is doubtful that 34-year-old Welshman Calzaghe's IBF and WBO titles will be on the line.

A catch-weight between the two divisions is likely to be agreed.

"I am in training now, I don't care about the late notice," Johnson told the Seconds Out website. "If the deal is done with Calzaghe then I'll be ready.

"Calzaghe's win over Jeff Lacy did not impress me. If Calzaghe is so dangerous then why does his promoter [Frank Warren] play these games?

"Why do Joe Calzaghe and his promoters only want to arrange fights on five, six weeks notice? Because they don't want the opponent to be 100% prepared.

"Calzaghe is already fighting in his hometown but he needs even more advantages. He wants to be the only man in the ring to be properly prepared.

"He needs those advantages but I have been in the gym for months. I never stop training and I will be in shape."

Warren spoke last week of his trouble in getting a suitable opponent for the Cardiff show, after an announcement was delayed three times.

"Wherever we have turned guys have then gone and been beaten," said Warren.

"We looked at Allan Green and he took a fight and went down in the third round, so he went by the wayside.

"Librado Andrade didn't fancy it, Mikkel Kessler was supposed to be fighting in June but he's pulled something so he's out.

"Yusef Mack is another one we've looked at but he got beat.

"We talked to the guy who beat Howard Eastman [Edison Miranda] and his management said yes, but then he turned down the fight."

Calzaghe was philosophical about the delay, saying: "I've been through it before.

"Maybe people are thinking twice after seeing my last performance against Jeff Lacy.

"People have been asking for too much money, but that's part and parcel of boxing."

Also on the Millennium Stadium bill are Danny Williams' heavyweight rematch against Matt Skelton and Amir Khan's eighth pro fight.

WBU cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli is also expected to fight for the interim WBO title and Gary Lockett is set to meet Ryan Rhodes for the WBU middleweight crown.

Bradley Pryce makes his first Commonwealth light middleweight defence, Tony Doherty faces Taz Jones for the Celtic welterweight title, and Gavin Rees challenges Scot Martin Watson for the Celtic lightweight crown.

Warren has confirmed that more than 13,000 tickets have already been sold for the Millennium Stadium show.

Lot of good reading here..

[Vince]

Re: Maxboxing reports....

its just a rumour but..

James Toney vs. Wladimir Klitschko for November 11

Actually, Toney rejected that...

http://boxingtalk.com/pag/article8497.html

[Complex]

Re: Maxboxing reports....

Actually, Toney rejected that...

http://boxingtalk.com/pag/article8497.html

Yeah i saw that. I dont blame him actually. that offer is way to low

[Complex]

Re: Boxing Info (please stick)



McCall set for return!

The heavyweight division could be in deep trouble with the return of Oliver McCall.

“The Atomic Bull”, a former world Heavyweight Champion and one of only two people to defeat future Hall of Famer Lennox Lewis, is back, and with a new team and a new attitude, he’s ready to make a run at the four heavyweight titlists.

“I’m feeling better than ever, physically and mentally, and I’m excited to be back in the mix,” said McCall, who will face Gary “Bring Da Pain” Bell on June 30th’s “Ring Warriors” card at the Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena in Hollywood, Florida. “I don’t think there is any heavyweight out there who can beat me, but instead of just talking about it, I’m gonna prove it, beginning on June 30th.”

46-8 with 33 KOs, McCall is unbeaten in 20 of his last 21 fights, but he feels that there was something that until recently was missing in his career.

“I can’t put my finger on it, but I just wasn’t performing as well as I should have,” said McCall. “But now, everything is clicking, and I can’t wait to get back in the ring and start knocking people out. My fists are cocked, locked and ready to rock!”

Leon Margules, Executive Director of Warriors Boxing Promotions, McCall’s new co-promoter, agrees.

“I’ve seen Oliver in the gym preparing for this fight, and it’s been night and day from when I’ve seen him before,” he said. “This is a new fighter, who is focused and determined to be back at the top of the Heavyweight Division. Fight fans will be amazed at what they see from Oliver McCall on June 30th.”

WBO #5 Torres returns Friday!

Big puncher Ricardo Torres, the WBO #5 rated junior welterweight of Colombia, returns to action to take on heavy-handed Carlos Donquiz of Caracas, Venezuela, here Friday, June 30. This will be the first fight for Torres since his wild knockdown war vs. world champion Miguel Cotto in Atlantic City, N.J. on Sept. 24, 2005. Torres, 28-1 with 26 knockouts, takes on a hard hitter in Donquiz who has a record of 12-3 with 12 knockouts. The fight is scheduled for 10 rounds and will be promoted by Top Rank in association with Quadrilaterio Promotions of Colombia.

[Complex]

One of my fav boxers finally getting some propz

Welterweight Paul Williams (30-0, 22 KOs), who was so impressive in a 10th-round TKO of Walter Mattysse on HBO's May 27 "Boxing After Dark" card, is coming right back to headline the Aug. 19 "BAD" card against former junior welterweight champ Sharmba Mitchell (57-5, 30 KOs). No other top welterweights would accept a fight against the dangerous 6-foot-1 southpaw other than Mitchell, who rebounded from a one-sided destruction at the hands of Mayweather in November 2005 to outpoint fringe contender Jose Luis Cruz on May 3.

Hell Yeah...my boy finally gets to show what he can do.

[Complex]

Re: Boxing Info (please stick)

One way or another, promoter Don King and HBO are determined to get 7-foot, 320-pound heavyweight titlist Nicolay Valuev into the ring in the United States and on American television.

King and HBO know that boxing fans have been clamoring for a look at the massive fighter King calls "King Kong."

After a couple of false starts, Valuev is expected to defend his belt against New Yorker Monte Barrett on Oct. 7 at Madison Square Garden.

"I fight against every fighter [in] the world at any place," Valuev said. "My boxing home is Germany but to go to the USA is an interesting challenge."

The probable HBO undercard fight is a dandy -- light heavyweight titlist Tomasz Adamek of Poland facing Paul Briggs of Australia in a rematch.

HBO originally had scheduled Oct. 7 as a pay-per-view date for a possible Antonio Margarito fight, but pulled it in favor of opening the date for Valuev.

King, normally more vocal than any reporter can stand, isn't talking, which usually means he's hunkered down taking care of business.

"It's too sensitive to talk about. I think he's in deal mode, not talk mode," King publicist Alan Hopper said.

However, Heiko Mallwitz, spokesman for Valuev's German co-promoter Wilfried Sauerland, confirmed the fight was close to being set for Oct. 7, saying, "The contract is not signed yet, maybe in a few days."

King and Sauerland co-promote Valuev but King takes the lead on American fights. King and HBO first tried to organize Valuev-Barrett for Sept. 9. That, however, quickly broke apart when Valuev opted for a vacation after his first defense against Owen Beck, followed by elective surgery on his left knee to clean up frayed cartilage.

"The operation went very well," Mallwitz said. "He has no problems and started with rehabilitation a few days after the operation."

King and HBO then hoped to schedule the fight Oct. 14, but that went out the window because the date didn't work for Valuev's German TV network, ARD, which is already committed to the Markus Beyer-Mikkel Kessler super middleweight unification fight that night.

Then, HBO decided to dump a pay-per-view date that had no specific fight attached to it in favor of Valuev-Barrett.

"I've been told it's Oct. 7 and it looks like the Garden unless Don changes it," Barrett adviser Stan Hoffman said. "I've been to Germany twice to see Valuev fight and Monte has reviewed tapes. He knows he can win. All Monte has to do is use his skills, stick and move and make the guy crazy. That's what I am looking for."

Valuev plans to train at altitude in Armenia beginning in August before going to Berlin to finish training. Barrett has already begun training at Hoffman's camp in New York's Catskill Mountains.

Hoping to draw the passionate Polish fans who turned out in force to support heavyweight Andrew Golota when he fought in New York, King has put together the mandatory rematch between Adamek and Briggs as the co-feature.

In a vicious, bloody brawl, Adamek won a vacant light heavyweight title on a majority decision against Briggs in May 2005, but the fight was not televised in the United States.

King, who remains in litigation with Adamek over their contract, nonetheless made a deal with Adamek this week to avoid a purse bid on Wednesday.

"We're still in court, but we made a deal," Adamek representative Ziggy Rogalski said. "We're supposed to be on Valuev's undercard. Tomasz is ready. All he wants to do is fight."

[Complex]

Re: Boxing Info (please stick)



"Maybe I should change my ring name from 'Left Hook' to 'The Magic Man' since I'm the one who made Tarver disappear."

-- Former super middleweight titlist Jeff Lacy, on former light heavyweight champ Antonio Tarver (nicknamed 'The Magic Man'), who seems to be ducking Lacy's challenge to fight him this fall in Tampa, Fla., the area where they both live.

Interesting......

[Complex]

Woods vs Johnson Sep 2

British promoter Frank Warren formally announced that light heavyweight titlist Clinton Woods will defend against mandatory Glen Johnson Sept. 2 in Bolton, England. This will be their third fight. Johnson was held to a controversial draw in the first bout in November 2003 and easily won a decision in the February 2004 rematch.

Warren, along with Johnson promoter Warriors Boxing, teamed up to surprisingly win the purse bid for the fight, edging Woods promoter Dennis Hobson. Hobson is Warren's chief rival in Britain.

In a dig at Hobson, Warren has titled the card "For a Few Dollars More."

The card will also feature 2004 British Olympic silver medalist Amir Khan, and Souleymane M'Baye of France facing Raul Balbi of Argentina for one of the junior welterweight belts vacated by Ricky Hatton when he moved up to welterweight in May.