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gibe

Mar 23 2006, 04:19 PM

Gerry Peñalosa
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WBC Super Flyweight Champion, Feb 20, 1997 - Aug 29, 1998

Gerry Penalosa won the World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight crown from Hiroshi Kawashima on February 20, 1997 in a fight held in Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan and was able to defend it three times until August 1998. In June 1999, he knocked out a Mexican fighter Oscar Andrade to clinch the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) North American junior bantamweight title in Mississippi. Gerry is the brother of former world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa, was born in Cebu.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 02:07 AM

Naseem Hamed
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The Prince
Naseem Hamed (born Feburary 12 1974, in Sheffield, United Kingdom) is a British boxer. Although not officially retired it is believed by many that his career is over.

Born of Yemeni ancestry, Hamed styled himself as Prince Naseem Hamed. Hamed is known for his flashy and sometimes arrogant style, colourful ring entrances and unorthodox southpaw style.

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Hamed's spectacular ring entrances have included being deposited in the middle of the ring by an elevator, which was set up specially for the event near the roof of the Manchester arena, being carried into the ring on a king's throne, walking into the ring on a fashion runway style walk way, walking into the ring with a Halloween mask for his fight with McCullough (fought on Halloween night of 1998), and many others.

Hamed's behaviour is somewhat strange outside the ring too. He is known for stopping to sign autographs for fans, but he also had an altercation at Heathrow Airport with former world champion Chris Eubank, showing off his belts and reminding Eubank that Eubank was not a champion anymore.

He was managed by Frank Warren but then his brother Riath Hamed took over towards the end of Hamed's career.

Biography

Early career
Hamed was considered a boxing prodigy since his early days. He himself confesses that he didn't care much for school because he believed that someday he would become world champion. Known throughout the first half of his career for his abilities to land extremely powerful blows, to dodge opponents punches - and, conversely, in the latter half of his career, for his tendency to be caught by some very obvious ones too - one account claims that his first manager, Brendan Ingle, initially saw a pre-teen Hamed through the lattice mesh of a schoolyard fence, fighting off a gang of older boys who all seemed unable to land a blow on the fast-moving young boy. At the age of 12 he was a top amateur boxer in England and Europe, and at 18 he signed his first contract as a pro. Hamed's elusive, hands-down style was developed at Brendan Ingle's famous gym in Wincobank, Sheffield. However, it was also strongly influenced by the gym's star fighter in the mid-1980s, Herol 'Bomber' Graham.

Hamed rose swiftly through the ranks and in (un)popularity, his unorthodox style winning a large fan base, and his innate arrogance generating a large group of anti-fans. In 1995 he won his first world title, knocking out Wales' defending WBO world Featherweight champion Steve Robinson in 8 rounds in front of Robinson's home crowd in Cardiff. His first defense came against Austrian based Nigerian, Said Lawal, knocking him out in only 45 seconds. This was the fastest world title fight ever held in Scotland.

Title defenses
Hamed kept defending his title and then he met Puerto Rican Daniel Alicea. The fight was televised to the United States by Showtime and Hamed was dropped in round one. While in his corner, Hamed was advised to temporarily abandon his hands-down stance in favour of a conventional defense. Upon returning to the fight, he won by a knockout in round 2.

The next opponent was IBF world champion Tom Johnson who was defeated in 8 rounds in a unification bout, once again in London. Johnson was saved further punishment by the referee, who stopped the fight.

In 1997 he flew to the United States to fight there for the first time. His ceremonious arrival on the British Airways Concorde was covered by multiple media outlets. There, he and former WBC Featherweight champion of the world Kevin Kelley fought in Ring Magazine's fight of the year at the Madison Square Garden in New York. This fight marks something of a watershed in Hamed's career, as he was forced, for the first time, to abandon his hands-down style of fighting throughout the entire course of the bout, given the calibre of Kelley. In addition, many of the speed and stamina-related hallmarks of his career, ie the prevalence of combination punching, ability to dodge blows etc, seemed to have degraded somewhat; debate still rages as to whether this was the result of increasing age, or of increasing quality of opponent, or both. Nonetheless, despite being dropped three times himself, Hamed put Kelley down for a third and final time to win by a fourth round knockout. This was his first of many fights on HBO. The fight was ranked 100th in Channel 4's 100 Greatest Sporting Moments in 2002.

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In 1998 Hamed enjoyed victories over former 3 time WBA world champion Wilfredo Vazquez (KO in 7), Former WBC Bantamweight world champion Wayne McCullough (W 12), and in 1999 the WBC world Featherweight champion Cesar Soto, (W 12) to add the world Featherweight championship to his resume.

Hamed finally lost on April 7, 2001 at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas. His record at the time was 35-0 and his opponent, Marco Antonio Barrera had a record of 52-3. Barrera moved up to Featherweight for the fight after himself as a top Super Bantamweight (Junior Featherweight). The bout was delayed a full hour as Hamed's elaborate entrance, involving fireworks, loud music, spectacular lighting, and conveyance to the ring on a motorized seat suspended from a catwalk, was prepared. However, when the fight was underway it was immediately obvious that Hamed was facing the toughest opposition of his career and his bluster might not live up to his performance. Prior to the fight, Hamed was a heavy favorite with bookmaker's odds of 3:1 consistently in his favor. The press too was almost unanimous is predicting victory for Hamed. But, it was not to be. Hamed was unable to hit Barrera with his trademark lefts as the Mexican champion circled to his left and worked both head and body. Barrera, a no-nonsense fighter, was not a fan of Hamed's antics and responded to Hamed's punches during clinches. On one occasion early in the fight, Hamed grabbed Barrera and both fell to the ground where Barerra through a light jab leading to a warning from referee Joe Cortez. Ultimately, Barrera threw more punches, harder punches, and more impressive combinations. He was awarded the victory via a unanimous decision and won Hamed's Super Featherweight title.

Style
Hamed employed a unique style that flummoxed opponents and contributed to his tremendous popularity. Hamed's most powerful punch was a straight left that was known to knock strong fighters out in a single shot. He rarely threw combinations in excess of three punches, which were usually composed of two right jabs followed by a left straight, hook, or uppercut. Because Hamed threw his left with such ferocity, he often lost his balance, a stylistic defect that opponents such as Kelley and Marco Antonio Barrera (the latter more successfully) took advantage of. For defense, Hamed relied mainly on his sharp reflexes to avoid his adversaries' punches, rarely blocking shots and preferring to back away from strong attacks. His quick feet prevented him from from getting stuck against the ropes or in corners. Hamed clinched infrequently, primarily because he was not usually sufficiently fatigued to warrent such tactics. When in clinches he would often throw lefts to opponents' heads.

Hamed was also known to clown around in the ring. When hit cleanly he would smile at opponents, make faces, shake his head, and shrug his soulders to indicate that he was unhurt. Hamed sometimes danced in the ring and, ever the showman, usually entered by doing a flip over the ropes. Hamed's opponents did not generally respond to his taunts and horseplay, but his best, Barrera was sufficiently infuriated by Hamed's flippancy to drive "Naz's" head into a turnbuckle in the twelfth round of their fight costing him a point.

Criticism
In the eyes of hardened supporters and some observers, both despite and because of blatant flaws in his style of fighting, Hamed had earned a reputation of invulnerability by the time of his fight with Barrera. As one Boxing reviewer wrote, "He does everything wrong except lose". It was the view of many by this point that, regardless of the opponent presented, as long as that challenger weighed within 10pound (mass)lb, he would simply and inevitably lose; any measure of success against Hamed only decreased the opponents final standing, being all the more badly bruised and marked for lasting 12 rounds. Nor did it seem to help if you succeeded in knocking Hamed down; all of the three men who had succeeded in punching him to the canvas, namely Alicea, Kelley, and Sanchez had ultimately been knocked out in increasingly brutal fashion over the years, culminating finally with the carrying away of Sanchez on a stretcher in 2000.

In the eyes of a few boxing cognoscenti, however, Hamed's downfall was only a matter of time. They pointed to the increasing instances of opponents knocking him down and lasting 12 rounds; they attributed this both to Hamed's own declining qualities, i.e. dulling reflexes, worsening defense etc, and also to the increasing quality of opponents presented before him.

It was in 2001 therefore, to the shock of the great majority of the Boxing community, and to the gratification of a smaller minority of experts and anti-fans, that Hamed suffered his first loss, being beaten comprehensively by Barrera, a champion of long standing, to lose the WBO's version of the Featherweight title.

He fought a single return match in 2002 against the European Featherweight champion Manuel Calvo of Spain, and annexed the IBO title with a 12 round majority decision, despite a knockdown suffered in round seven. Despite, or in some cases because of Hamed's re-styling of himself as The Fresh Prince, a nickname hinting at a return to the combination punching, fleet footwork and inaccessibility to inbound punches that typified his pre-Kevin Kelley fights, many of his fans as well as some boxing magazines were left unimpressed by his performance, indeed loudly expressing discontent at the continued deterioration of his skills, many seats around the ring becoming vacant as the latter rounds whiled by.

There is often speculation about Hamed making a return to the ring. In November 2005, Hamed announced he was considering the possibility of a return to the ring.

Legacy and Impact
Hamed is regarded today as principally responsible for boxing fandom's renewed interest in the lower weight classes. Stars like Barrera, Erik Morales, and Manny Pacquiao, though they were contemporaries of the Prince, gained much of their recognition thanks to Hamed's fame and, indeed, infamy. As popular lower weight fighters like Oscar De La Hoya and Kostya Tszyu moved into the mid weight classes and the heroic Mexican champion Julio Cesar Chavez declined, Hamed and Arturo Gatti filled the void. Hamed's power made him the new poster-boy for lighter weight boxers and his charisma attracted a large number of fans. Almost four years removed from his last fight, Naz remains a major name in boxing and a comeback would, no doubt, be highly lucrative.

One of Britain's rising stars, 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist Amir Khan, is seen by many a somewhat heavier successor to Naseem Hamed. Beyond superficial resemblence, Khan shares Hamed's high level of confidence and penchant for flash. Hamed has been on hand to root for Khan in professional bouts on more than one occasion.

Record
Amateur boxing: 67 Fights 62 Wins 17 KOs 5 Loses 0 Draw
Professional boxing: 37 Fights 36 Wins 31 KOs 1 Loss 0 Draw
[edit]
Career
IBO World super Featherweight champion
WBO World Featherweight champion
IBF World Featherweight champion
WBC World Featherweight champion

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 02:16 AM

Luisito Espinosa
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Luisito "Golden Boy / Lindol" Espinosa
WBC Featherweight Champion, Dec 11, 1995 - May 15, 1999
WBA Bantamweight Champion, Oct 18, 1989 - Oct 19, 1991

For five years, Luisito "Lindol" Espinosa has held two different world-boxing titles: the World Boxing Association (WBA) Bantamweight crown, via a first round demolition of Khaokor Galaxy on October 18, 1989, in Bangkok, Thailand, and the World Boxing Council (WBC) Featherweight belt via a win over Manuel Medina on December 11, 1995 in Tokyo, Japan. In 1996, Luisito Espinosa was named "Athlete of the Year" for defending his World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight crown thrice. A brutal 4th round knockout win over Mexico's Alejandro "Cobrita" Gonzalez, on March 1 in Guadalajara, Mexico. A 12 round decision over Cesar Soto in Manila. And an 8th round TKO win over Japan's Nobutoshi Hiranaka in Fukuoka, Japan. The five-foot-seven boxer was born in Tondo, Manila on June 26, 1967.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 02:17 AM

Hasim Rahman
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The Rock
Hasim Rahman Statistics
Nickname The Rock
Weight division Heavyweight
Born November 7, 1972
Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Style Orthodox
Record
Total fights 47
Wins 41
KOs 33
Losses 5
Draws 1
No contests 0

Hasim Shariff Rahman (born November 7, 1972 - ), an American boxer who simultaneously held the IBF and WBC world Heavyweight Championships (by knocking out Lennox Lewis) for seven months in 2001; also was awarded the WBC world Heavyweight Championship on November 10, 2005 (upon the retirement of titleholder Vitali Klitschko, due to recurring injuries which had caused him to postpone his April 2005 match with Rahman 4 times). His nickname is The Rock (the name comes from his last name, which is properly pronounced "rock-mahn", not "ra-mahn" as it appears). He is sponsored by eBaum's World.

Biography
Rahman grew up in Baltimore, but unlike most championship boxers, got a relatively late start in the sport. He took up boxing at age 20 and had just 10 amateur bouts before making his pro debut on December 3, 1994 at age 22.

Despite his inexperience, Rahman had obvious natural boxing skills that propelled him to 11 knockout wins in his first 12 fights. Then he took a step up in class in March 1996 with a 10-round decision win over veteran Ross Puritty and seven months later, he repeated the feat against former world champion Trevor Berbick.

In July 1997, he won the USBA regional heavyweight title, and four months later, he added another regional belt, the IBF Intercontinental heavyweight title. By the fall of 1998, he was ranked as one of the top five heavyweights in the world.

On December 19, 1998, Rahman faced fellow contender David Tua in a fight to determnine who the IBF's mandatory contender would be. Rahman apparently won most of the first eight rounds and appeared to be on his way to victory when Tua staggered him with a punch after the bell in the ninth round. Because the punch was illegal, Rahman should have been given whatever time he needed to recover, but the referee erroneously forced him to begin the 10th round after just a few minutes. Tua pounced on him immediately and won by a technical knockout.

Because of the controversial nature of the loss, Rahman's ranking did not suffer, but in November of 1999, he was knocked out by Oleg Maskaev in the eighth round of a fight he looked to be winning, and dropped out of the Ring Magazine top 10 as a result.

Rahman came back with three wins, including one in May of 2000 over Corrie Sanders for the fringe WBU heavyweight title, and moved back up in the rankings. Finally, on April 22, 2001, Rahman earned a shot at Lennox Lewis -- the consensus World Heavyweight Champion, to boxing fans -- and his unified WBC and IBF Heavyweight Titles. Lewis looked slightly out-of-shape (he had been shooting a cameo appearance in a movie just 48 hours prior, in North America), yet abundantly confident of winning.

In the fight, held at Brakpan, South Africa, Lewis and Rahman traded hard blows for five rounds before Rahman, a 14-to-1 underdog, stunned the crowd by knocking the complacent Lewis out with one punch. It was only the second loss of Lewis' career, and made Rahman only the third Muslim ever (after Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson) to hold a world heavyweight championship.

Lewis had an immediate-rematch clause (in case he lost to Hasim -- a common stipulation in title fight contracts) in the contract for his defense against Hasim, and chose to invoke it. Rahman and his new promoter, the legendary Don King, made plans to defend the titles against at least 1 other opponent first, and give Lewis his rematch later (a rather common occurrence in contemporary boxing). Lewis sued Rahman in U.S. federal court to enfore their contract. The judge sided with Lewis; so, on November 17, 2001 in Las Vegas, the two men met again. This time, Lewis landed the most devastating punch in yet another slugging match, sending Rahman down for the count in the fourth round.

Rahman's next fight took place on June 1, 2002 against former champion Evander Holyfield, as both men sought another shot at Lewis, or failing that, a chance to fight for the WBA belt that Lewis had earlier vacated. An accidental headbutt by Holyfield caused an abnormally large (almost softball-sized) swelling above Rahman's left eye. This caused the referee (after consulting with the ringside doctor) to stop the fight after just seven rounds, and send it to the judges' scorecards. Rahman lost a split decision (67-66 for, 69-64 [twice] against).

On March 29, 2003, Rahman faced Tua for a second time, and again the fight ended in controversy. The fight was ruled a draw after one judge scored it for Rahman, a second for Tua and a third had the score even. However, most observers thought Rahman won the fight, and in June, he was elevated to the No. 1 contender's position by the WBC. On December 13, Rahman was matched with former WBA world champion John Ruiz, in a match for an Interim (i.e., temporary, pending the inactive champion's return) WBA heavyweight title. Rahman was favored, but appeared to be out of shape; he lost by (twelve round) unanimous decision on December 13.

After this defeat, Rahman stepped back to a lower level of competition and defeated four journeyman fighters while working to get back into shape. His efforts paid off when he was rewarded with a fight against Kali Meehan on November 13, 2004. The fight was an eliminator for the IBF, WBA, and WBC, so the victor could potentially become the number-one contender in more than one world-title organization. Rahman scored the victory by a fourth-round knockout at New York City's Madison Square Garden.

The WBC designated Rahman as Vitali Klitschko’s next mandatory challenger; the fight was set for April 30, 2005. Klitschko injured his thigh while training for the fight, so it was rescheduled for June 18. As this date approached, Klitschko’s camp said that the thigh had not fully healed; the WBC made July 23 the new fight date. Soon after this second postponement, Vitali’s doctors reportedly discovered back injuries that they said demanded minor-yet-immediate corrective surgery. The WBC pushed Rahman's title shot back again, this time to November 12; Rahman's share of the purse following this match would reportedly be around $4.2 million (U.S.).

After this third rescheduling, Rahman, tired of the delays, needlessly risked his guaranteed title shot by fighting for a WBC "Interim" heavyweight championship (i.e., temporary-champion status, pending the linear titleholder’s – Klitschko’s – return; then, the two must fight each other). Rahman defeated #2 contender Monte Barrett on August 13, 2005 via unanimous decision in a largely uninspired effort (both men were friends, so neither was aggressive).

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At this point, Klitschko would be stripped of his now-disputed WBC Title if his first fight back was not against Rahman. On November 7, it was announced that Klitschko had suffered severe right knee injuries during training; the WBC said it would strip him of the championship if he was unable to box within 60-90 days of a soon-to-be-announced base date. However, on November 9, Vitali Klitschko retired instead. On November 10, 2005, the WBC voted to award its (no longer disputed) heavyweight championship to Rahman.

Ironically, since the match never took place, the purse (including Rahman's $4.2 million challenger's share of it) was rescinded. That money was desperately needed: Rahman had declared bankruptcy on October 4th while waging a costly, bitter court fight with Don King (his own promoter, since 2001). With the court case unresolved, King maintains exclusive rights to promote Rahman's future matches. The funding of the purse (i.e., each fighter's pay) in professional boxing matches is usually controlled by one of the 2 fighters' promoters. This basically means that King can control (and vindictively suppress, at will) Rahman's earning ability for the foreseable future. Meanwhile, Rahman has expressed interest in fighting Wladimir Klitschko, a top contender -- and, Vitali Klitschko's younger and more talented, yet less durable brother.

On December 9, 2005, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge ended Rahman's legal fight with King. As part of the Chapter 11 settlement, Rahman's promotional contract with King was nullified; plus, Rahman was allowed to immediately sign instead with Top Rank Boxing (a firm built by promoter Bob Arum, a longtime King rival).

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 02:20 AM

Nikolai Valuev

The Russian Giant
Statistics
Nickname The Russian Giant
Weight division Heavyweight
Born August 21, 1973
St. Petersburg, Russia
Style Orthodox
Record
Total fights 43
Wins 43
KOs 31
Losses 0
Draws 0
No contests 1

Nikolay Valuev (Russian: Николай Валуев) (born August 21, 1973) is the first Russian professional and the current WBA heavyweight champion. He is the largest and heaviest champion of all time, and may be the largest competitive heavyweight boxer ever, standing at 2.13 m (7'0") tall and weighing as much as 150 kg (330 lb).

Biography
Valuev's alias used to be "The Beast from the East" but now he prefers to be styled "The Russian Giant." Valuev propelled himself into a position to fight for a world title with victories over Bob Mirovic, Otis Tisdale, Paolo Vidoz, Gerald Nobles, Attila Levin, and Clifford Etienne. In August 2005 Valuev was rated by major boxing sanctioning bodies as #2 by WBA, #8 by WBC, and #6 by IBF. His one non-victory was a No Contest decision to German Andreas Sidon in 1999.

On December 17, 2005, he squared off with WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz, and won a controversial twelve round majority-decision. This victory came after narrowly defeating Larry Donald on points in the title elimination bout. Valuev's last two fights were seen as controversial, being quite close, and showing his vulnerability to opponents who are capable of getting inside, while also able to avoid Valuev's trademark slow knockout punches. In the last days of December 2005, however, it was revealed that Valuev had been fighting Ruiz one-handed, due to the injury of his right hand. This had been carefully concealed by Valuev's camp, in fear of losing the chance of fighting for a world title.

In January 2006 Valuev was accused of assaulting a security guard at the Spartak Ice Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. The guard, 61-year-old Yuri Sergeyev, claims Valuev's wife parked her car illegally, and after Sergeyev told her to move the car, they got into an argument. Following the argument, Sergeyev alleges Valuev appeared and assaulted him.

Record
Despite his imposing size and unblemished record, many boxing experts and writers are still in doubt about Valuev's ability as a boxer, and some have labeled him as a "freak show." Although his current record stands at 43-0 with 31 KOs many of his early fights were against notably lesser opponents and his best, most recent, victories are unconvincing. Many experts also observe that Valuev does not hit as hard as his size would suggest.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 02:23 AM

Lamon Brewster
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Relentless
"Relentless" Lamon Tajuan Brewster (b. June 5, 1973, Indianapolis, Indiana) is an American heavyweight professional boxer, who has won the World Boxing Organization's version of the world heavyweight title. His record as of 28 September 2005 consts of 33 wins (29 by knockout) and 2 defeats (to Clifford Etienne and Charles Shufford, respectively).

On February 2, 2002, Brewster knocked out Nate Jones to win the North American Boxing Organization title; the win made him the mandatory challenger for the WBO champion. In October 2003, WBO Champion Corrie Sanders vacated the title (to accept a match for the higher-profile WBC world Heavyweight Title), setting the stage for Brewster to face highly-regarded former WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko (the younger brother of one-time WBC titleholder Vitali Klitschko).

On April 10, 2004, Brewster knocked out Wladimir Klitschko in the fifth round to win the vacant WBO Heavyweight Championship in Las Vegas. However, some regarded this win as fraudulent because of the fight's controversial circumstances. Right before the match the betting odds that favored Wladimir were dropped from 11:1 to 4:1. After the fight Wladimir was brought to a hospital, where blood samples were taken due to suspicions that Wladimir had been drugged during the fight (results indicated extremely high blood-sugar levels, as predicted by Klitschko's camp). Before they could be analyzed, the blood samples inexplicably disappeared. The charges that Klitschko (who fought exclusively out of Germany at the time) had been doped were never proven.

Brewster's first WBO Title defense was a hotly disputed, split-decision win over the lightly-regarded Kali Meehan. His second defense, on May 21, 2005, was a highly memorable performance: he knocked down Andrew Golota three times in the 1st round. Brewster went on to score a TKO - in just 53 seconds - to retain his title. Lastly, in September 2005, he survived a severe beating by a German-based Kosovar Luan Krasniqi only to KO the latter in the 9th round, while trailing on all cards. This bout was considered controversial by many critics because of some peculiarities from the referree. Towards the end of the 8th round, Brewster knocked Krasniqi down with a left hook, and the latter received the count. However, the referree stopped his count at nine, and allowed Krasniqi to get up and continue the fight. Brewster's corner protested the action to no avail.

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After this last defense, Brewster gained significant recognition in the heavyweight world, especially that he flew to fight to Germany, despite fears of local judges being unfavourable of the US boxers. He did it on the 100th birthday of the German national boxing hero Max Schmeling, the day when most local boxing fans expected a new German champion to emerge.

He is currently set to defend his title on April 1, 2006 against Serguei Lyakhovich from Belarus.

Brewster has two kids with his wife and one from his previous relationship. He has two girls and a boy. Brewster is a devout Christian (to the point that he even asked the people at a pre-fight press conference to pray for him). He is also a cousin of IBF world Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd (who is also very religious).

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:21 AM

O'Neil Bell
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Champagne Supernova
O'Neil "SuperNova" Bell is the current undisputed (WBC/WBA/IBF) Cruiserweight Champion. He defeated Canadian Dale Brown in a controversial but unanimous decision on May 20, 2005 on Friday Night Fights to capture the vacant IBF title. He defeated Frenchman Jean-Marc Mormeck, on January 7, 2006, for his WBA and WBC belts making Bell the second undisputed champion of the division, Evander Holyfield being the first.

O’Neil Bell Bell was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and moved with his parents, Charles and Norma, and younger brothers Omar and Anthony, to Dover, Del., at the age of 7. He moved to Atlanta at 21, where he remains to this day. "I had always wanted to box, but in the time I grew up, they didn't have a program in Delaware,” Bell said..

Athletically gifted, Bell was a four-year varsity, all-state football star playing both ways at Polytech High School in Dover—fullback on offense and linebacker on defense. He also won a state championship in wrestling competing at 189 pounds in 1994.

Fate intervened in 1996 when, at age 21, Bell moved to Atlanta to join his girlfriend, even though he had earned a scholarship to wrestle at Delaware State University. The turning point came when he went to see a box-off featuring the Cuban boxing team at the Omni in Atlanta.

“I had always wanted to be a boxer—since age 4,” Bell said. “It was always a dream of mine. I remember my father talking about boxing when I was a child. I studied them all: Jack Johnson, Ezzard Charles, ‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson, Ken Norton, Muhammad Ali, Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad and Bernard Hopkins just to name a few.”

While working as a United Parcel Service driver in Atlanta, Bell struck up a conversation about boxing with a co-worker that knew the phone number to the Doraville Boxing Gym (now the Paul Murphy boxing Gym). Bell phoned and made a visit. He immediately fell in love with participating in the sport he had admired from a distance.

“I went to the gym every single day including Sundays,” Bell said. “I still remember their hours. They were open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.”

“When I first started boxing, I wanted to learn so much, so I began watching old fights. I have a lot of tape of Jack Johnson, Ezzard Charles and Ray Robinson. I didn't have that many amateur fights, so I had to improve my game quickly.”

Lacking citizenship, Bell was not allowed to enter some of the amateur competitions and could only find 12 amateur matches. He won all of them by knockout.

Regardless of his lack of ring experience, he nonetheless turned pro, fighting a man named Holyfield in his first match. It wasn’t Evander Holyfield, but it was his nephew, William, and Evander was in his corner on Feb. 19,1998, in Atlanta.

“Most boxers making there professional debut would have been intimidated to see Evander Holyfield in the opposing corner—not to mention Mills Lane being the referee—but I was actually inspired to show these ring legends my artistry,” Bell said.

He scored a fourth-round technical knockout over Holyfield.

Against the advice of his trainer, he took his next bout against Mohamed Benguesmia, a fighter who had participated in 142 amateur bouts.

“I’ve never been one to duck a challenge and that goes back to the beginning,” Bell said. “I had Benguesmia out on his feet but was too inexperienced to know how to finish him.

“He beat me that night but refused to ever give me a rematch. I haven’t lost since.”

Twelve wins in a row earned Bell a shot at the vacant North American Boxing Federation title on Jan. 18, 2001, in Biloxi, Miss. where he scored a 10th-round technical knockout over the previously undefeated James Walton. Bell was cut over the left eye in the fourth round after an accidental clash of heads, but he wore down Walton with a steady body attack that let to a stoppage.

The new champion made his first title defense against Jose Rivera in East St. Louis, Ill., on May 10, 2001. Bell knocked down Rivera in the fourth round and continued the pounding until Rivera could not answer the bell for the eleventh round.

Bell took on one of the toughest challenges of his career in his next title defense against former International Boxing Federation cruiserweight champion Arthur Williams in Hankinson, S.D. on Sept. 7, 2001. Bell was impressive, rocking Williams several times before flooring him with a left hook in the eleventh round. Williams regained his feet only to suffer another barrage that caused the referee to halt the match with 30 seconds left in the round.

In his third NABF defense, which was also for the vacant United States Boxing Association title, Bell squared off in a rematch with Williams on Nov. 8, 2002, in Las Vegas. Williams decked Bell in the first round and was dominating the fight until Bell rallied to knock down Williams in the ninth round. The referee halted the bout and declared Bell the winner by technical knockout at 2:06 into the round.

Bell put his NABF and USBA crowns on the line in a fight that was also an IBF elimination bout against future world champion Kelvin “Konkrete” Davis at the Lucky Star Casino in Concho, Okla., on May 23, 2003.

The fight was highly competitive with both fighters scoring throughout the match. Bell hit Davis with 11 unanswered power shots in round six, but Davis was able to survive—in part by spitting out his mouthpiece to slow down the assault. Davis continued to fade in the closing rounds, and Bell culminated his punishment with three brutal right hands in a row—all landing on Davis’ left ear—which caused the referee to halt the contenst in round 11.

After scoring an eighth-round technical knockout over Derrick Harmon on Dec. 19, 2003, it appeared Bell would challenge WBC cruiserweight champion Wayne Braithwaite in 2004, but Braithwaite decided to make an optional defense.

Bell then met top contender Ezra Sellers at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Sept. 4, 2004. Bell stunned the Labor Day crowd with a one-punch knockout in the second round that earned him the No. 1 ranking in the IBF as well as becoming the mandatory challenger to IBF cruiserweight champion Kelvin Davis.

In one of most bizarre episodes in the history of a sport filled with unusual occurrences, Davis inexplicably refused to fight Bell, pulling out of the match at the weigh in at the Savvis Center in St. Louis on Feb. 4, 2005, subsequently causing him to be stripped of his title.

Bell was then paired with IBF No. 2-ranked Dale Brown at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Fla., on May 20 to determine the new IBF cruiserweight king. Bell won a unanimous decision by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-112.

In his last outing, Bell successfully defended his crown on Aug. 26—again at the Hard Rock in Florida—when he knocked out Sebastian Rothmann in round 11 in a fight that had been even up to that point.

Bell can best be described as a New Age boxer. He is unorthodox in every way. He keeps no daily training schedule, preferring to do what he feels is best each day including jogging, swimming, meditation and “intense sparring and intense body work.

“After I sign to fight, I begin purifying my system by ridding myself of all toxins, including negative influences,” Bell says. “Everything I do is predicated on maximizing my intensity. If I am too intense, I might get caught with a shot from my opponent because I’m too tight. If I lack intensity, I’m also putting myself at risk of making a mistake that could cost me.

“My style is ever changing, never the same. My goal is to continuously evolve.”

His favorite fight was against Kelvin Davis, “because he made me want to fight. I love it when a real fighter comes to fight and throws lots of punches. I like it bloody.”

Those tough words don’t apply to his recent decision to change his nickname from “Give ‘Em Hell” to “Supernova” Bell.

“I just decided nothing good comes from hell, so I’d rather be a supernova.”

His longtime trainer is James Plenty. Away from the ring, he loves to fish for bass. His favorite types of food are Jamaican and Thai.

International Boxing Federation Cruiserweight Champion
Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Dec. 29, 1974, now living in Atlanta
Height: 6’ ½” Weight: Cruiserweight (200)
Record: 25-1-1, (23 KOs)

STRENGTHS: An aggressive style and good punching power, especially in his body shots. He is durable, determined and can be an awkward opponent. Bell works hard in the gym and is physically very strong.

WEAKNESSES: Hopefully his late start to his boxing career does not leave him vulnerable when fighting more experienced boxers.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:23 AM

Virgil Hill
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Virgil Hill (born January 18, 1964) is a Joplin, Missouri fighter partly of Native American heritage, who forged a solid connection between the state of North Dakota and the sport of boxing. This connection began in 1984 when Hill, then age 20, won a silver medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in a close decision loss in the 165-lb. final.

After going eighteen straight fights without a loss to start his pro career, 'Quicksilver' (his nickname) was a challenger to Leslie Stewart of Trinidad for the latter's WBA light heavyweight tile in September 1987 in Atlantic City. After an even match in the early going, Hill floored the defending titlist twice in the fourth round - first with a left hook and the second time with an uppercut - to take the title on a TKO win.

A series of ten successful defenses followed, mostly in his adopted hometown of Bismarck, ND. Offers were being made for Hill to fight in Las Vegas and other cities, but Virgil chose the place of his 'roots' and 'hometown fans' to be the place of the majority of his defenses. Opponents in his first run as champion included Bobby Czyz, James Kinchen, Joe Lasisi, and Ramzi Hassan. Then superstar Thomas Hearns would meet - and defeat - Hill in Las Vegas by decision in June 1991 to end Hill's first reign as champion.

After a couple of fights over the next year or so, it was Hill pitted against 1984 Olympic teammate Frank Tate in September 1992 for the vacant WBA 175-lb. title (the same title that Hearns won from Hill, but which was vacated after Iran Barkley dethroned Hearns afterward). It was a 'grudge match' between the two, and Hill won the decision (and the title) on his home turf of Bismarck. Another string of ten defenses would follow, including a rematch with Tate, a close decision over Louis DelValle (who almost upset Hill), and a decision over IBF champ Henry Maske to unify the belts, before German phenomenon Dariusz Michalczewski scored a unanimous decision over Hill in June 1997 to win the WBA-IBF title.

Hill continued to fight, including against Roy Jones Jr. the following year, and was stopped in four. It was then on to the cruiserweights for the aging Hill, and he won a title at age 36 - the WBA cruiserweight title - by knocking down Fabrice Tiozzo three times to win the title in Villeneuve, France by TKO in the first. He made his first defense, also in France, against Jean-Marc Mormeck, but would lose both match and title on cuts after nine rounds. He then decisioned Donny Lalonde in July 2003 in a North Dakota-Manitoba 'border fight,' but later lost a disputed decision to Mormeck in a title rematch in South Africa in May 2004.

On Saturday January 28th, 2006 Virgil Hill defeated previously undefeated Russian cruiserweight Valery Brudov by Unanimous Decision to win the 'regular' WBA World Cruiserweight championship. Despite being cut on the face in the sixth round, Hill was able to out hustle and out work his much younger opponent to capture his fifth world title at the age of 42.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:26 AM

Johnny Nelson
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Johnny Nelson (born 4 January 1967 is a boxer from Sheffield, England. He is the WBO Cruiserweight World Champion a title he gained on 27 March 1999 by defeating Carl Thompson. He has also previously fought for the WBU & WBF Crusierweight title which he won but then later gave them up. His fight record is 45 wins (29 by knockout), 12 losses and 2 draws.

Nelson has had a number of high profile fights however his next bout was scheduled to be a defining fight as it was against the hot prospect Welshman Enzo Maccarinelli for the WBO Cruiserweight title. The fight would have taken place on the undercard for the Joe Calzaghe Vs. Jeff Lacy WBO / IBF unification bout however an injury picked up by Johnny forced the fight to be cancelled, it remains to be seen if the bout will be made in the future.

Nelson is currently promoted by Frank Warren and is stablemates to boxers such as Joe Calzaghe, Scott Harrison, Amir Khan, Danny Williams and Matt Skelton.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:28 AM

Antonio Tarver
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The Magic Man
Antonio Deon Tarver (born November 21, 1968), nicknamed the "Magic Man, is a professional boxer from Orlando, Florida, who is the current reigning world Light heavyweight champion of the world. After an impressive amateur career, which included winning a bronze medal while representing the United States at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Tarver made his professional debut at the relatively old age of 28 on February 18, 1997, with a second round knockout victory over Joaquin Garcia at the legendary "Blue Horizon" in Philadelphia.

Tarver won his first ten fights, eight of which came by knockout, before stepping up on his level of competition. After taking most of his first ten fights in either his native Florida or at the "Blue Horizon", for his eleventh fight he met veteran Rocky Gannon, a former title holder of a minor organization's Heavyweight belt, in Chester, West Virginia on August 30 of 1998. Tarver went on knock Gannon out in the second round.

On February 29 of 2000, he fought Ernest Mateen, who had previously fought and lost to James Toney, over whom he proceeded to score a first round knock out victory in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Later that year, Tarver suffered his first career loss when he was knocked down in the eleventh round by Eric Harding, en route to a unanimous decision loss on June 23 in Biloxi, Mississippi.

However, he rebounded from this defeat by racking up four straight wins, including a knockout of Harding in round five of their rematch.

On April 26, 2003, Tarver received his first world title shot, when he faced former world champion Montell Griffin for the IBF and WBC world Light-Heavyweight titles that had been vacated by Roy Jones Jr., who had gone on to beat John Ruiz for the WBA world Heavyweight title the previous month. After dropping Griffin in both of the first two rounds, Tarver was crowned world Light-Heavyweight champion after winning a unanimous decision.

Next, Roy Jones Jr. decided against defending his Heavyweight title and instead announced his plan to return and take back the Light-Heavyweight belts. After causing an uproar by initially choosing to hand Roy Jones Jr. the Light-Heavyweight belts back, the WBC and IBF bowed to pressure and re-declared Tarver as the champion, setting the stage for the first of three fights between Tarver and Jones.

Given little chance of winning, Tarver surprised both fan and expert alike by taking Jones the distance and losing the fight by a close majority decision on November 8 of 2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Because many of those that saw the fight thought that Tarver had actually done enough to win the fight, a small but well publicized controversy ensued, leading to the pair's second fight.

Because of Jones's proven ability to adjust to opponents' styles during rematches, experts did not believe Tarver would pose much of a threat in the second fight on May 15 of 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevertheless, Tarver produced the upset and recovered the world titles by knocking Jones out in the second round. In the eyes of most observers, it wasn't as shocking that Tarver had beaten Roy Jones Jr. as it was that he had knocked him out; in fifty previous fights, Roy Jones Jr. had been sent to the floor only once, and he had never lost a fight by knockout.

In addition to the surprising result, Tarver-Jones II will also be remembered as the "No Excuse Fight" as a result of Tarver's memorable comments in the middle of the ring just prior to the match. When referee Jay Nady asked if the fighters had any questions, Tarver surprised everyone (though he had told his trainer, James (Buddy) McGirt, he would do this) by replying: "I have a question." Then, looking straight at Jones, asked, "Do you have any excuses tonight, Roy?".

Tarver became a mainstream celebrity after his rematch win over Jones, making appearances at late-night shows, appearing on the cover of both Ring and KO Magazine, being spotted by television cameras as a spectator at various boxing fights, and co-hosting ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" for one telecast.

Later in 2004, the WBC decided to strip Tarver of the world title after he decided against fighting their mandatory challenger, instead choosing to fight IBF world champion Glencoffe Johnson December 18 in Temecula, California. Interestingly, Johnson himself had been stripped of his IBF world championship before the bout with Tarver for the same reason. Both fighters were celebrated for their decision to fight each other rather than bow to the pressure from what has become known as "The Alphabet Soup" sanctioning bodies (WBC, WBA and IBF). Instead, Tarver and Johnson, who most believed to be the top two fighters in the Light-Heavyweight division, fought each other. Ring Magazine announced that the winner would be declared its recognized champion.

Tarver, considered a favorite to win the fight, suffered an upset loss to Johnson by way of a split decision in a fight that he did not appear to be in top shape for.

However, he avenged the loss six months later with a unanimous decision over Johnson at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. After out-boxing and out-worked the aggressive Johnson, Tarver won the bout handily and regained the Light Heavyweight Championship.

In their third fight, Tarver won a unanimous decision over Roy Jones Jr. on October 1of 2005 in Tampa, Florida, almost knocking Jones out in the 11th round.

His record now stands at 24 wins and 3 losses, with 18 wins coming by way of knockout.

On October 28, 2005, he was confirmed for the role of fictional boxer Mason 'The Line' Dixon in the upcoming film, Rocky Balboa.

He also is planning to move up to the heavweight divsion. A rumor has even circulated that Tarver was in discussions to fight the former Heavyweight champion of the world Mike Tyson sometime in 2006. However, on January 23 of 2005, Tarver's promoter, Joe DeGuardia, stated that the contract had not been signed due to lack of agreement on prize money.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:35 AM

Fabrice Tiozzo
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WBA Light Heavyweight Champion
Birthday: May 8, 1969
Hometown: St. Denis, France
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: Cruiserweight (190 lbs)
Reach: 71"
Record: 44-2 (29 KO)

Fabrice Tiozzo is more of a finesse fighter and doesn't have that much punching power for someone his size. Tiozzo has done a great job moving up in weight class and had positioned himself as a nice cruiserweight, but Tiozzo's inactivity has been a major obstacle to getting back to the top. Tiozzo lost his world title to Virgil Hill in late 2000 in an embarrasing 1st round TKO loss. Tiozzo was overwhelemed by Hill and never could get things started. Tiozzo then took a year off and started a comeback in late 2001, but then has preceded to take another year off and just recenlty came back to score an easy decision victory over George Arias. Tiozzo needs to decide if he wants to make another title run or just hang up the gloves. Activity has to be the key to making a solid comeback.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:39 AM

Clinton Woods
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Date of Birth: 01 May 1972
Birthplace: Sheffield
Hometown: Sheffield
Country: England
Division: Light-Heavyweight
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Manager: Self
Clinton Woods is a boxer from Sheffield, England. He is the IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion a title he gained on 3 March 2005 by defeating Rico Hoyle. He has also previously fought for the WBC Light Heavyweight title but lost to Roy Jones Jr in 2002. His fight record is 38 wins (23 by knockout), 3 losses and 1 draw.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:40 AM

Glen Johnson
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Glengoffe Donovan Johnson (born Clarendon, Jamaica, January 2nd, 1969) was a professional boxer, nicknamed Gentleman. He stands at 180cm, almost exactly 6ft tall.

After a promising amateur career faded with a bloody loss to Abid 'The Abenator' Khan at the ABC in Paris, the fighter won his first 32 professional fights before being TKO'd by Bernard Hopkins in the penultimate round of a bout at Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, CA, USA.

He added 8 more to his tally of losses, most to less than special fighters, including 2 as a Light Heavyweight, before drawing and then beating Clinton Woods with a unanimous decision to earn his shot at the champion, Roy Jones Jr., in what would be an historic and career defining shock upset in September 2004.

The subsequent split decision victory over Antonio Tarver that December made him the undisputed Light Heavyweight boxing champion of the world. It was under the management of Henry Foster and training of Orlando Cuellar that the Jamaican national made this transition, being chosen the 2004 fighter of the year by the Boxing Writer's Association of America.

Known as an easy-going "nice guy", Glen Johnson is something of an anomaly in today's world of boxing. He has proven that a Gentleman outside the ring can still showup inside it, and even make history in the process. Johnson lost the Light Heavyweight title to Antonio Tarver in the rematch.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:42 AM

Zsolt Erdei
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Born 1974-05-31, Budapest, Hungary
Reach 72 in.
Height 5 ft. 10 in. -- 1.78m
Manager Zsolt Dámosy
Trainer Fritz Sdunek

Zsolt Erdei (22-0, 13KO) began his professional carrier as an amateur world champion, 2x european champion and olympic bronze medallist in 2000. Four years later he became WBO lightheavy weight world champion after he had beaten Julio Gonzalez easily. Since then the 30 year old hungarian fighter has defended his title three times.. He beat the tough Hugo Hernan Garay twice in very hard fights and easily outscored the hard hitting Alejando Lakatus. Erdei is maybe the most succesful fighter from the Eastern European region. Zsolt might defend his WBO belt against former world champion Mehdi Sahnoune on 18th July.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:44 AM

Markus Beyer
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Markus Beyer (born April 28, 1971) is a German born boxer at Super-Middleweight.
Contests: won 34; Knockouts: 13. Lost: 2 Height: 5'9 1/2 Current WBC Super Middleweight Champion. Has a future bout in the works to face WBO and IBF Super-Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe

Markus Beyer resides in Cologne, Germany.

Titles held
German Super-Middleweight;
IBF Intercontinental Super Middleweight;
3x WBC Super Middleweight (Current:)23rd October 1999 to 6th May 2000; 5th April 2003 to 5th June 2004; 9th October 2004 to CURRENT
WBC International Super Middleweight; 21st April 2001 to 24th August 2002

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:46 AM

Mikkel Kessler
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Mikkel Kessler (born March 1st, 1979) is a professionel Danish boxer and a WBA World Champion in super middleweight.

One boxing pundit has called him "the European Oscar de la Hoya." He is just 26 years old. He has blond good looks that makes the girls tipsy. And he certainly can fight. He is WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler of Denmark (36-0, 27 KOs).

In his professional career he is undefeated with a record of 37-0, 28 knockouts. He is promoted by Team Palle and seeking future bouts with fellow champions Markus Beyer (WBC) and Joe Calzaghe (WBO and IBF).

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:50 AM

Joe Calzaghe
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Joseph "Joe" Calzaghe (born March 23, 1972 in Hammersmith, London) is a British boxer of half Italian and half Welsh descent, based in Wales. He is sometimes referred to as the "Italian Dragon" as a nod to his mixed heritage (the dragon being a Welsh emblem), or the "Pride of Wales". He is the current WBO and IBF super-middleweight world champion.

Joe's father and trainer Enzo was born in Sardinia but spent many years living in England. When Calzaghe was two years old the family moved to South Wales, from where Calzaghe's mother hailed. Encouraged by his father, Joe was a promising footballer and boxer, first putting on gloves at Newbridge Boxing Club at the age of nine. Calzaghe has stated that he was bullied as a child and teenager, which may have affected his boxing style where he relies upon physical prominence and confidence.

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After winning British schoolboy titles, Calzaghe went on to win three consecutive British ABA titles (1991-1993) at welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight divisions. Joe became only the second boxer in history to achieve such a feat, the first being Fred Webster in 1926-1928 who won at bantam, feather and lightweight. Only one boxer took Calzaghe to the full nine minutes of a bout during this time. In one of his two losses, his opponent's father was the referee.

In September 1993 Calzaghe was signed up to the Terry Lawless and Mickey Duff stable and made his professional debut at Cardiff Arms Park on the Lewis-Bruno bill the following month. He created enough of an impression for one journalist to remark, "...those punters who took their seats an hour or so before the big fight might one day make the boast in a slightly different context I was there when Joe Calzaghe made his professional debut!." (South Wales Echo)

By June 1995, Calzaghe had won nine out of nine fights, seven in the first round and two in the second. At the end of 1995 Calzaghe was voted Young Boxer of the Year by the Professional Boxing Association and the Boxing Writers' Club. He became Barry McGuigan's top tip for 1996 with the following quote: "He punches ferociously, moves superbly and has the best of the European technique and US aggression." By October 1995, he had won the British Championship, stopping Steve Wilson in the eighth round.

Calzaghe's critics said that he had not really been tested. His reply was that he could only beat whoever was out there and prepared to fight him. A five round bludgeoning of the experienced and respected Mark Delaney in April 1996 started to change opinions. In November 1996, Calzaghe moved to Frank Warren's stable. Warren, who had managed Nigel Benn for his first 20 fights, declared: "Joe Calzaghe is a far better prospect, in fact he is my fighter for the new millennium."

Calzaghe spent the summer of 1997 chasing a fight with either Robin Reid or Steve Collins (WBC and WBO champions respectively). The fight with Steve Collins was arranged, but at a late stage Collins withdrew because of injury, was stripped of his title, and then retired.

A fight against the recently deposed champion Chris Eubank was set up for the vacant WBO world crown for 11 October 1997 in Sheffield, which ended with a decisive win for Calzaghe. In 1998 he defended his title against Branco Sobot (winning by technical knockout in 3 rounds) and then the durable Juan Carlos Gimenez (TKO in 9 rounds), a nemesis of both Nigel Benn and Eubank.

1999 started with a points win against Robin Reid, and another points win against Rick Thornberry followed early the next year with another points decision against David Starie. The wins against the highly rated Omar Sheika (a five round stoppage) and former WBC champion and close friend Richie Woodhall were followed by a first round win over Mario Veit (1 minute 55 seconds) and an equally decisive win against Will Mcintyre on the Tyson undercard in Copenhagen. After facing tough competition against Bryon Mitchell and Karbary Salem, both of whom scored knockdowns again Calzaghe, he beat Veit, in a rematch that ended in a technical knockout in the sixth round.

On 10 September 2005 Calzaghe fought the Kenyan boxer, Evans Ashira and won by a unanimous decision despite breaking his left hand in the third round. Calzaghe fought on one-handed winning 120-108, 120-108, 120-107.

His scheduled bout with IBF world champion Jeff Lacy for November 5, 2005 was initially cancelled due to the break sustained to the metacarpal in his left hand. His promoter, Frank Warren, successfully rescheduled it for March 5, 2006, and the match was won by a very wide unanimous points decision over Lacy (119-105, 119-107, 119-107), who was the pre-fight favourite with the bookmakers, gaining Calzaghe the IBF title. Calzaghe had a point deducted in the 11th for holding and turning Lacy, meaning the American did not win a single round on a single card.

Calzaghe has been linked up to fight Light-Heavyweight legend Roy Jones Jr in either June or July. Another possiblity is WBC Super-Middleweight Champion Markus Beyer

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:52 AM

Jermain Taylor
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Statistics
Nickname Bad Intentions
Weight division Middleweight
Born August 11, 1978
Little Rock, AR
Style Orthodox
Record
Total fights 25
Wins 25
KOs 17
Losses 0
Draws 0
No contests 0

Jermain Taylor (born August 11, 1978, Little Rock, Arkansas) is the current WBA, WBC, and WBO middleweight boxing champion. Taylor currently has a perfect record of 25-0-0, with 17 wins coming by way of knockout. He is married to former Louisiana Tech and WNBA player Erica Smith-Taylor.

Since early in his professional career, Taylor had been touted by many as being the heir apparent to middleweight king Bernard Hopkins. Taylor dominated all of his opponents, scoring wins over respectable fighters such as Raul Marquez and William Joppy (although both were at the end of their careers). On February 19, 2005, Taylor defeated the previously unbeaten Daniel Edouard via TKO in round 3. With this win, Taylor earned a title bout against Hopkins, who had unified the four major world middleweight titles and was rated by Ring Magazine as the #1 "pound for pound" boxer in the world.

Taylor fought Hopkins for the undisputed middleweight championship July 16, 2005. Taylor outboxed the slow-starting Hopkins early in the fight, winning the early rounds by using his jab and power punches. Although Hopkins gradually became more active and maintained his dominating defense, Taylor continued to fight aggressively (but ineffectively) and won some of the middle rounds. In the last four rounds, however, Hopkins became the aggressor and battered Taylor, shrinking Taylor's lead on the scorecards. Nonetheless, Taylor survived the late surge and won the fight by close split decision to become the new undisputed middleweight champion.

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The decision was somewhat controversial. One judge awarded the twelfth round to Taylor; if he had awarded it to Hopkins, then the fight would have been a draw. Others have said that although Taylor deserved the win based on the point system, the fight demonstrated flaws in the system.

On December 3, 2005, Taylor won the rematch against Hopkins by a unanimous decision. Taylor had vacated the IBF title in order to make this fight happen.

Winky Wright is Taylor's mandatory opponent for the WBC title. The two sides finally agreed upon a fight date, not a venue at the current moment, despite earlier reports of Taylor possibly vacating the title.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:53 AM

Ronald Wright
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Winky Winky Winky
Statistics
Nickname Winky
Weight division Middleweight
Born November 26, 1971
Washington, DC, USA

Style Southpaw
Record
Total fights 53
Wins 50
KOs 25
Losses 3
Draws 0
No contests 0

Ronald Lamont "Winky" Wright (born November 26, 1971 in Washington, DC) is an American boxer, the former Jr. Middleweight Champion and a current Middleweight contender. Due to his defensive style and quick jab, Wright is considered one of the best fighters in the world, the rare boxer who is feared by the competition despite his lack of knockout power.

Wright was an underlooked fighter for many years, for a time fighting 20 fights in seven countries across three continents. Wright would later joke that he couldn't pronounce some of the names of the places he was fighting in. After his 2nd round knockout of Carlos Santana on July 30, 1992 in St. Petersburg, Florida, the ring announcer called him "Winky" Wright. The nickname stuck for the rest of his career.

Big time promoters like Don King and Lou Duva would not promote Wright in the early part of his career. His first big time promoters were the French based Acaries brothers, who struck a deal for Wright to fight Darryl Lattimore in Luxembourg on January 1, 1993. Wright knocked Lattimore down three times, and the fight was stopped. Wright went on a tear during his tour of Europe, winning 8 straight in France, Germany, Monte Carlo, only fighting in the United States once over the next year.

On August 21, 1994, Wright received his first title match against WBA Light Middleweight titleholder Julio Cesar Vasquez in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France. Although he was 25-0 at the time, Wright had not fought in a match that had gone more than 8 rounds. His inexperienced showed as Winky lost a unanimous decision, with Vasquez knocking down Wright in the second, seventh, ninth, and twice in the round 12.

On February 4, 1995, Wright defeated Tony Marshall by unanimous decision, winning the North American Boxing Federation Middleweight Championship.

Wright continued fighting in Europe, only fighting in the United States once, until his unanimous decision victory against Andrew Council on March 5, 1996 which was aired on the USA Network's Tuesday Night Fights. His impressive win opened the door to fight WBO Light Middleweight champion Bronco McKart, a fight Wright won by split decision. He continued to tour the world, fighting and winning fights in South Africa and England.

After breaking with the Acaries brothers in 1999, citing that he was tired of all the travel, Wright knocked out Derrick Graham in the third round in Miami, Florida. This set the stage for his first major fight against IBF Jr. Middleweight Champion Fernando Vargas. Although many ringside fans and members of the media felt Wright won the fight, Vargas won a controversial majority decision. Wright continued to defend the NBAF and won the USBA Light Middleweight title in another decision over Bronco McKart.

Felix Trinidad's jump to the middleweight division left the IBF Jr. Middleweight title vacant. Wright scored a unanimous decision over the highly regarded Robert Frazier on October 12, 2001 to win his first major boxing championship. In his first defense on February 2, 2002, Wright stopped Jason Papillion in the fifth round. He took a third fight against Bronco McKart, which ended in controversy as the referee disqualified McKart for repeated low blows in the 8th round.

Wright's Las Vegas debut after fighting all over the world was against Juan Carlos Candelo on March 1, 2003. Wright won an unanimous decision. He followed that up with another blowout victory over Angel Hernandez 8 months later.

To the surprise of many including Wright, Shane Mosley challenged Winky to a Jr. Middlweight Unification fight on March 13, 2004. Mosley was a celebrated fighter coming off his second win against Oscar De La Hoya, but many felt he was making a mistake in fighting Wright. Wright beat Mosley soundly with his effective jabbing and defense, winning a lopsided Unanimous Decision, winning the RING Magazine Jr. middleweight championship of the world and became the division's first undisputed champion in 29 years, and the first man to hold all the IBF, WBA, and WBC Jr. Middlweight titles simultaneously. The rematch took place on November 20, 2004. This fight was much closer, with one judge scoring the bout a draw. However, the other two judges scored 115-113 and gave the majority decision to Wright.

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On May 14, 2005, he defeated Felix Trinidad by unanimous decision. Trinidad was a fan favorite and a feared power puncher, and many figured he would be able to knock Wright out. Instead, Wright's jab and defense once again prevailed, and Wright won virtually "shut out" Trinidad, winning 120-107 and 119-108 on two scorecards, to establish himself as a top contender to challenge for the WBC middleweight championship. Wright's dominance over such a highly regarded opponent has lead to many placing him among the top two pound-for-pound boxers in the world, just behind Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Wright won a unanimous decision over Sam Soliman on December 10, 2005. He is expected to fight undisputed Middleweight Champion Jermain Taylor in mid-to-late 2006.

Wright currently calls St. Petersburg, Florida home. He is an avid fight fan and regularly attends major boxing events.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:57 AM

Felix Sturm
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Adnan Catic AKA Felix Sturm (born on January 31, 1979 in Leverkusen) is a German middleweight boxer of Bosnian heritage.

On January 27, 2001 Sturm made his debut as a professional boxer facing Antonio Ribeiro from Angola. Six months earlier he had qualified for the Olympic Games in Sydney but lost the fight to Jermain Taylor.

After 16 successful matches, Sturm won the WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight Title on May 10, 2003. On September 13, 2003 he replaced the injured Bert Schenk in a title bout against Argentinian Hectór Javier Velazco and surprisingly won the match.

Sturm defended the title against Rubén Varón Fernández from Spain, but was finally defeated on June 5, 2004 by Oscar de la Hoya in a much disputed decision.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 03:59 AM

Arthur Abraham
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Nationality German
Birth Name Avetik Abrahamyan
Global ID DE-00-208432
Hometown Berlin, Germany
Birthplace Yerevan, Armenia
Rated at Middleweight
World Rank 4 / 933
Date of Birth 1980-02-20
Age 26
Stance Orthodox
Height 5' 10
Trainer Ulli Wegner
Manager Wilfried Sauerland
W 20 (17 ko's) | L 0 | D 0 | Total 20

LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) — Armenia´s Arthur Abraham stopped Nigeria's Kingsley Ikeke in the fifth round to win the vacant IBF middleweight title on Saturday. Abraham improved to 20-0 with 18 knockouts as he took the title vacated by Jermaine Taylor. Ikeke, ranked second by the IBF, fell to 23-2. "It was his fight, not mine — I couldn´t stop him," Ikeke said. Abraham had no trouble hitting the 6-foot-4 Nigerian. By the fourth round, he was taunting Ikeke, and Abraham´s corner told him to stop showing off. In the fifth, Abraham knocked Ikeke into the ropes with a left, and after several more shots the referee pulled him off Ikeke. "It may not have looked like it tonight, but I think he beat a world-class guy," said Abraham´s trainer Uli Wegner.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:00 AM

Sam Soliman
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Statistics
Nickname King
Weight division Middleweight
Born November 13, 1973
Melbourne, Australia
Style Orthodox
Record
Total fights 40
Wins 32
KOs 12
Losses 8
Draws 0
No contests 0

Sam Soliman (Born 13-11-1973) is an Australian boxer of Egyptian descent and the current IBF no. 1 contender. With a history in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Kick-Boxing, Sam turned pro at the Cruiserweight level in 1997 at the age of 23. Without a lot of connections, and lacking an easy path to a championship, Sam fought 12 rounds for the Australian cruiserweight championship in only his second fight. He's worked hard to make his name by taking on only the best opponents and gained a worldwide audience when he defeated Raymond Joval in impressive fashion in July 2004.

Soliman recently lost a 12 round bout against Winky Wright on points. In a contoversial outcome, Soliman was given a standing ovation by the 4,682 strong crowd at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, who had initially booed him coming into the ring. Soliman threw an amazing 1,260 punches, twice that which Winky Wright threw, but landed 32 percent less then Wright. Afterwards, Soliman was praised by HBO commentators who had earlier dismissed the bout as an easy win for Wright. He is quickly becoming known for his high effort, awkward style and positive attitude.

Sam is trained by Dave Hedgecock and based in Melbourne, Australia where he lives with his wife Maria.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:02 AM

Ricky Hatton
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W 40 (30 ko's) | L 0 | D 0 | Total 40
Date of Birth 1978-10-06
Age 27
Reach 65”
Stance Orthodox
Height 5' 6
Trainer Billy Graham
Manager Ray Hatton

Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton, (born October 6, 1978), is a boxer from the Hattersley council estate in Hyde, Tameside, Greater Manchester England and is the current WBU, WBA and IBF light-welterweight champion, in the IBF's case the title being his first major world championship. On June 5, 2005 he beat Kostya Tszyu, who was widely regarded as one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world, by a technical knockout after the Australian failed to answer the bell for the 12th round. Hatton was a heavy underdog for this fight, and the victory announced his entry to the upper echelon of the world boxing scene. Prior to the fight the majority of boxing critics had given Hatton little or no chance and this victory was regarded as one of the best victories by an English boxer in the last 20 years. On 26 November 2005 he won the WBA title when he defeated Carlos Maussa in the ninth round of a unification bout.

Hatton's career record is 40 wins (30 by KO), 0 losses and 0 draws. Critics denigrate his generally unimpressive level of opposition prior to the Kostya Tszyu bout, but Ricky has expressed desire to meet the most potent challengers and establish a legacy. Since the light-welterweight division is regarded as the most competitive in the sport, Ricky is in a prime position to achieve this.

In the ring, Ricky is known for his busy, attack-focused (he is a committed body puncher), crowd-pleasing style. He has also won fans for his 'down-to-earth' charisma, and until Amir Khan was almost undiputedly England's most popular boxer since Naseem Hamed - much to the chagrin of the more successful Welshman Joe Calzaghe. He was promoted by Frank Warren until August 2005 when Ricky Hatton left Sports Network, Warren's promotional group, and was sued by Warren. He is trained by Billy 'the Preacher' Graham, one of the most respected trainers in England.

In December 2005, Hatton was named the 2005 Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year.

Ricky Hatton is also a passionate supporter of Manchester City football club, with strong links to the club via his father, a former player. His entrance music is the club song, "Blue Moon" which is performed by the band "Supra".

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:04 AM

Miguel Cotto
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Miguel Cotto (born October 29, 1980) is a professional boxer from Puerto Rico. A native of Caguas, he shares, coincidentally, his birthday with another famous Puerto Rican boxer: Wilfredo Gomez. His brother, Jose Miguel Cotto, is also a professional boxer whom many think is destined to become a world champion. Jose Miguel is undefeated in 27 bouts.

Cotto was taken as a little kid to the famous Bairoa Gym in Caguas, where Juan Carazo and Alberto Mercado also trained. There, he was able to develop into a top amateur fighter who won several international competitions and represented Puerto Rico at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. After being eliminated from those games in the first classificatory round, Cotto decided to turn professional.

As a professional, Cotto has a record of 26-0 with 22 knockout wins. He has been able to beat some strong competition, such as former world title challenger John Brown (by a 10 round decision, at the Oscar De La Hoya-Fernando Vargas fight undercard) and former world champion Cesar Cobrita Soto, by a knockout in round 11.

In 2001, Cotto suffered a dangerous injury that threatened his boxing career: As he was driving to the gymnasium at 5 am in the morning one day, he apparently fell asleep and had an accident, breaking his arm and requiring hospitalization.

On September 13, 2003, Cotto beat former title challenger Demetrio Ceballos by a knockout in round seven at Las Vegas. With this, he was ranked number one by the WBA in his division, which is lead, as of 2004, by Kostya Tszyu.

Cotto himself began 2004 by beating Sammy Sosa's cousin, the former world title challenger Victoriano Sosa, by a knockout in round four. This was after a mishap filled previous week to the fight, which included Cotto having to wait for four hours for his luggage bags to arrive (after a 2am local time arrival) at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, and almost being removed from the Mandalay Bay Hotel, where the fight was held at, by a security guard who thought he was an unaccompanied minor.

On April 8 of 2004, he defeated the former world title challenger, Lovemore Ndou, over twelve rounds, by the unanimous scores of 117-111, and 115-113 (twice), once again, in Las Vegas.

On the early morning hours of June 9 of that year, Cotto and his family were involved in another car accident, this time with his wife as driver.: driving from Aguas Buenas to Caguas on a darkened road after picking up their children, their car skid off the road and landed upside down. According to police reports, she saw a black bag on the road. Fearing the bag might contain a dead body or anything else, she avoided it but lost control of the car, leading to the accident. Neither the driver or the passengers involved in the accident were hurt, and Cotto was able to fly to New York the next day, where he would take part in a series of promotional activities with fellow boxer and friend, Ivan Calderon.

For his next bout Cotto would face the highly skilled Brazilian Kelson Pinto for Pinto's WBO junior welterweight title. (see Cotto vs. Pinto)Pinto was not a stranger to Cotto, as amateurs they had met in the ring before at the Sydney 2000 Olympics with Pinto beating the then 19 year old Cotto. This fight was being televised by HBO from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Cotto became world champion by knocking Pinto out in six rounds.

On December 11, he retained the title for the first time, beating former world champion Randall Bailey by a sixth round knockout, as part of the Vitali Klitschko-Danny Williams undercard in Las Vegas.

Cotto is regarded by many as the next Felix TrinidadEleven days later, on December 22, the Puerto Rican boxing commission named Cotto Puerto Rico's fighter of the year for 2004.

On February 26, 2005, Cotto made his second successful title defense by knocking out former world champion Demarcus Corley in the fifth round at the Ruben Rodriguez coliseum in Bayamon (see: Cotto vs. Corley).

Just a few days after retaining the crown versus Corley, Cotto received another personal blow, when his stablemate and friend, former 2004 Olympian Joseph Serrano, was shot to the head upon leaving the Bairoa gym. Serrano has (so far) survived the shot, he is in critical but stable condition at a local hospital.

On June 11, 2005 he faced the last man to beat him as amateurs. Future gold medalist Mohamed Abdulaev from Uzbekistan. As amateurs Abdulaev eliminated Cotto from the first round of the 2000,Sydney Olympics. But this time they met as professionals in New York City's Madison Square Garden. During that fight Abdulaev's right eye was swollen shut, realizing it would impair him from seeing any of Cotto's dangerous left hooks he complained to the referee of not being able to see, and after the ringside Dr. viewed the eye the fight was halted in the 9th round, and Cotto retained his WBO Jr. welterweight title.

On September 24, he retained his title, after being dropped in the second round, when he knocked out Ricardo Torres of Colombia in seven rounds at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

On March 4, 2006, Cotto defended his WBO world Jr. Welterweight title by knocking out Gianluca Branco, who had to give up during the eighth round of their bout due to a shoulder injury.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:06 AM

Carlos Maussa
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Carlos "El Apostle" Maussa (right) is a Colombian boxer. On 25 June 2005, he entered the popular consciousness of boxing fans with a controversial upset win by KO against WBA light-welterweight titlist Vivian Harris. This exciting victory made Maussa a new champion in boxing's most competitive division.

The bout was notable for a number of reasons: Harris was an overwhelming favorite and regarded as one of the best boxers at the weight; Maussa showcased his awkwardly clever style and made frequent clowning gestures and facial expressions (accentuated by his lazy eye); while Harris lay face down following the match-ending knockdown, Maussa attempted to crush Vivian's skull with what seemed a psychotic deathblow to the back of his prone opponent's head. Fortunately, the bottom rope absorbed the impact of the blow and preserved Maussa's reputation (and perhaps Harris's life). When interviewed about his signature "Exclamation Punch" or "Nail in the Coffin," Maussa claimed he didn't connect with it on purpose, and that his sole intention was to impress the fallen Harris in case he had any desire to fight on.

All of these factors look set to afford Maussa some level of adulation and publicity. It remains to be seen whether he possesses the boxing ability to match his mystique.

On 26 November 2005 Maussa lost his WBA title when defeated by the IBF title-holder, Ricky Hatton, in a unification bout.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:08 AM

Junior Witter
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Bradford’s British, Commonwealth and European light welterweight champion Junior Witter has revealed how boxing has steered him away from the many troubles that beset the youth in his hometown.

“For as long as I can remember there has been tension in Bradford,” said the 30-year-old, who defends his European title against Krzysztof Bienias at the Wembley Conference Centre on Friday night’s Hennessy Sports ‘Born To Do It’ promotion.

“There are racial issues. There is fear, ignorance, unemployment, poverty and religious and political extremism.

“A lot of the youngsters in the area find it difficult not to get caught up in it all that.

“At times it threatens to spill over as it did in 1995 with the riots. I know for a fact that kids I went to school with were involved.

“These same kids now spend there days as 30-year-olds hanging around street corners with absolutely no ambition. It is a vicious circle and young people can be so easily led. I could have easily been one of them.”

Witter, whose father and mother came over to England from Jamaica in the 60’s, trod a different path after a family friend recommended he join a boxing gym.

“I never looked back,” Junior added. “I remembered walking in to the Bradford Police Boys Boxing Club and taking to it instantly.

“It wasn’t just about the sport, it was the whole atmosphere.

“There were kids from every possible walk of life. There were Christians, Hindus and Muslims. There were the rich and the poor and the black and the white.

“But none of that counted for anything. The trainer Alec Alan made us leave all of that at the door. Once we were inside that gym we were all equal, we were a team.

“And I know for a fact that being at the gym changed all of our outlooks.

“Alec Alan gave us guidance and kept us all on the right track. We all gained a lot of knowledge and self esteem.

“That is why it annoys me when people try to knock boxing. No one sees this side of the coin; the grass roots of the sport.

“At a very early age boxing encourages cultural integration. It teaches kids to have respect for each other and that there is no place for bullying in society.

“It also promotes discipline, a hard working ethic and takes kids off the street.

“This is why it also aggravates me when I hear the BBC is pulling out of the sport.

“They plough fortunes into football, which we are already saturated with, when boxing produces similar viewing figures at a tiny fraction of the cost and benefits the community.”

Junior, the youngest of four brothers and a sister, added: “I am going to be challenging for the WBC title next year, make no mistake.

“People are going to look at that and think that is what boxing is all about for me.

“Whilst, however, I desperately want to be a genuine world champion, there is more to it. I also value boxing for the person it has made me.”

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:10 AM

Vivian Harris
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"Vicious" Vivian Harris (left) (born June 17, 1978) is a boxer who was born in Georgetown, Guyana and now resides in Brooklyn, New York. Harris is best known for having been knocked out by Carlos Maussa. Harris began boxing at the age of twelve, and has since gained prominence in the boxing world for his aggression.

Amateur Career
After Harris arrived in the U.S., he began his amateur boxing career, racking up 45 wins, 5 losses, and 32 KO's. In 1995, Harris won the Metros championship, and the New York Golden Gloves two years later. Following these successes, Harris turned professional in 1997.

Professional career
Harris made his professional debut on November 4, 1997 when he fought Levi Long and KO'd him in the first minute of the first round. In December of the same year, Harris defeated Adam Salas, forcing the referee to stop the bout prematurely.

This pattern of aggressive fighting continued for years. Harris successfully won against several competitors, until he faced Ray Oliveira in early 2000. Harris was not able to match Oliveira's overall punch output, and consequently lost a 10-round decision.

Later that year, Harris was matched against Ivan Robinson, a fight which many thought he convincingly won. However, due to New Jersey's consensus scoring system, Harris was forced to accept a draw.

On October 19, 2002, Harris defeated Diobelys Hurtado and captured the WBA junior welterweight title. Harris defended his title twice in the next two years against Souleyman Mbaye and Oktay Urkal, respectively.

Carlos Maussa debacle
Harris was set to fight Colombian boxer Carlos Maussa as a part of the Thunder and Lighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. v. Arturo Gatti pay-per-view in mid-2005. Harris started the fight aggressively, trying to knock out Maussa not realizing that he had an iron chin and could take several power punches in stride.

As the fight wore on, Harris grew visibly tired as he desperately tried to score a knockout. However, in the seventh round, the awkward Maussa caught Harris with a left hook that successfully sent Harris to the canvas. As the referee began counting, Maussa delivered another punch to Harris as he was laid out on the ground. Most of the impact was absorbed by a ring rope, however.

Harris failed to answer the 10-count and the bout was scored as a knockout for Maussa.

Harris' professional record now stands at 25 wins, 17 KO's, 2 losses, 1 draw, with a total of 28 fights.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:12 AM

Antonio Margarito
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Antonio Margarito (born March 18, 1978) is a boxer from Tijuana, Mexico. Margarito is the WBO's world Welterweight champion.

On January 14, 1994, he beat Jose Trujillo in Tijuana by decision in four rounds, to make his professional debut.On April 25, he achieved his first knockout win, defeating Victor Angulo in the second round. On October 17, however, he suffered his first defeat, to Victor Lozoya, by decision in six. Over the course of his next six bouts, he lost two. However, he went onto a winning streak after that loss that has so far, reached twenty wins in a row, not including his fight with Daniel Santos, which ended in a no contest. Before getting to fight with Santos, he beat such fighters as Alfred Ankamah, Juan Soberanes and former Julio Cesar Chavez rivals Buck Smith, David Kamau and Frankie Randall, a former World Jr. welterweight champion who became the first man to beat Chavez in 91 fights.

On July 21, 2001, he received his first world title try, against Santos, for the WBO world Welterweight crown, at Bayamon, Puerto Rico's Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum. The fight had to be stopped in the first round as a consequence of a clash of heads that opened deep gashes on both fighters and sent them both to a nearby hospital. Because the fight had not gone over the reglamentary four rounds or more for a technical decision to be awarded, it was declared a no contest, and Santos retained the belt but without adding a loss to Margarito's record.

Santos then vacated the WBO world Welterweight title to pursue the WBO's world Jr. Middleweight championship, and Margarito was assigned to fight Antonio Diaz for the vacant world crown, in front of an HBO Boxing audience. On March 16, 2002, Margarito crowned himself world champion by beating Diaz by knockout in round ten. He defended that crown with a decision in twelve over Danny Perez and a knockout in two over former world champion Andrew Lewis.

Margarito has decided to go up in weight, to try to lure Fernando Vargas, Oscar De La Hoya or Shane Mosley into a fight, or Santos into a rematch at the Jr. Middleweight division. He asked for, but never got, for an unification bout with then WBC and WBA world champion Ricardo Mayorga. On October 17, 2003, Margarito made his Jr. Middleweight division debut with a two round knockout win over Maurice Brantley in Phoenix, Arizona.

On January 31, 2004, and back at the Welterweight division, he retained his title with a second round knockout of Canada's Hercules Kyvelos, who was undefeated until then.

Margarito faced Daniel Santos in a rematch on September 11 of the same year, at the Jose Miguel Agrelot coliseum in San Juan, for Santos' WBO world Jr. Middleweight title. The rematch also ended because of a headbutt, but this time, as the fight had already reached the four rounds mark that is needed for fights like these to be decided by judges, Margarito lost by a split ten round technical decision.

On his next fight, April 23 of 2005, Margarito retained his WBO world Welterweight title against another Puerto Rican, Kermit Cintron, dropping him four times on his way to a fifth round knockout as part of a ESPN Pay Per View card that also included a Shane Mosley victory.

After an almost ten month layoff, Margarito returned to the boxing ring on February 18, 2006, retaining his title with a first round knockout of Manuel Gomez, who had lasted eleven rounds with Mosley for the IBF world Lightweight title eight and a half years before.

Margarito has a record of 32 wins, 4 losses and 1 no contest, with 23 wins by knockout.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:13 AM

Carlos Manuel Baldomir
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Carlos Manuel Baldomir (born April 30, 1974 in Santa Fe) is an Argentine boxer and current WBC/Ring Magazine world welterweight champion. Baldomir failed to pay sanctioning fees imposed by the WBA and IBF, when he beat Zab Judah for the WBC world title, so, nominally at least, Judah remains the world champion for the IBF, while the WBA championship reverted to another boxer, Luis Collazo. (Some unconfirmed reports have it that Baldomir did not wish to pay the fees for those organizations out of loyalty to the WBC, which gave him the opportunity to fight for a world title.)

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Baldomir beat Judah on January 7 2006 in the mandatory challenge fight for the Welterweight title that took place in the Madison Square Garden. By unanimous decision (115-113, 114-113 and 115-112), Baldomir was crowned World Champion in that category, after 6 months of preparations in Los Angeles with Amílcar Brusa. After the fight, he said "This is a tribute to [Argentine boxing legend] Monzón".

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:15 AM

Shane Mosley
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"Sugar" Shane Mosley (born September 7, 1971) is a boxer who has won world titles in three weight divisions and beaten Oscar De La Hoya twice.

Mosley was highly respected Lightweight champion. He defended the IBF Lightweight title eight times, winning all eight by knock out. However, he did not have mainstream recognition until he fought WBC Welterweight Champion Oscar De La Hoya. De La Hoya was perhaps the most popular fighter in boxing, with only one controversial loss to Felix Trinidad. Mosley-De La Hoya was a 12 round war, which Mosley won by a split decision. De La Hoya, who disagreed with the decision in his fight against Trinidad, did not complain about this decision. He said that when he fought Trinidad he did not feel like a beaten fighter, but when he fought Mosley he indeed felt like he had lost the fight.

After his win over De La Hoya, Mosley garnered a great deal of respect from the boxing world. When Trinidad lost to Bernard Hopkins, Mosley inherited the title as best pound for pound fighter in the world.

He ran a successful string of defenses of his Welterweight title, but against three unheralded fighters. When he finally did step up his competition, it was against former Olympian Vernon Forrest. Forrest battered the undefeated Mosley and won by a lopsided decision, taking Mosley's title. They had a rematch six months later, and although Mosley fought better, he once again lost by decision.

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On February 8, 2003, Mosley's bout with former IBF world Jr. Middleweight champion Raul Marquez ended in a no contest when Mosley accidentally head butted Marquez twice in round three, which caused two very bad cuts above the eyes of Marquez.

He and De La Hoya faced each other for the second time on September 13, this time with De La Hoya's WBC and WBA world Jr. Middleweight belts on the line. Mosley defeated De La Hoya by a 12 round unanimous decision, and joined the exclusive group of world boxing champions that have reigned in three or more divisions. Many fans believed De La Hoya won the fight, but most experts agreed with the decision. Mosley was out-boxed by De La Hoya for the first part of the fight, but won the second part of the fight by being aggressive against the tiring De La Hoya.

On January 9, 2004, it was reported that the FBI was involved in an investigation into the De La Hoya rematch. According to the news, the fight's judges that night might have been bribed by outside forces to score the fight for Mosley, something Mosley and his handlers might not have been aware of. This however turned out to be untrue, as no evidence was turned up of any fix, and the reports of this particular fight being fixed were basically started by an unfounded remark by an FBI agent. Mosley was later also mentioned as part of an FBI investigation on athletes using steroids, but again no evidence was turned up of this. Mosley was rumored to be on steroids because he had become much more muscular since he had come up from Lightweight, but Mosley attributed this to lifting weights which he could not do at Lightweight because it would have made him too heavy for that weight. Mosley, who had been on a weight lifting team before he turned pro, continues to come into fights very muscled, but has never been found to be on steroids. It is notable, however, that Mosley was made to testify in front of the committee that investigated the BALCO steroid distribution scandal. While it has generally been accepted that Mosley was a client of BALCO laboratories, it has never been established that he engaged in any improper conduct or violated any rules set forth by any relevant state athletic commissions.

On March 13, 2004, Mosley lost his WBC and WBA world Jr. Middleweight titles in an unification bout with IBF world champion Winky Wright, by a unanimous twelve round decision. Wright, a fighter who like Mosley prior to the De La Hoya fight was widely respected in the boxing community but not a mainstream name, used his great jab, defense, and southpaw stance to confuse and out-box Mosley. Wright, however, appreciated Mosley for giving him a chance to participate in a big fight, and gave Mosley a rematch.

Eight days later, on March 21, Mosley announced that he split from his father, manager and trainer, Jack Mosley, on a professional level.

On November 20, Mosley and Wright had a rematch. Although the rematch was scored much closer by the three judges (115-113 twice for Wright and a 114-114 tie), Mosley, nevertheless, lost by a twelve round majority decision.

Shane Mosley returned to action as a Welterweight, defeating the previously undefeated David Estrada by a ten round unanimous decision at the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 23, 2005, as part of the Margarito-Cintron ESPN Pay Per View undercard.

On September 17 of the same year, he beat another previously undefeated fighter, Jose Luis Cruz, by a ten round decision, as part of the Barrera-Peden Pay Per View undercard.

Mosley defeated Fernando Vargas on February 25, 2006 by TKO in the tenth round, due to a massive swelling which closed Fernando's left eye.

Mosley currently holds a record of 42 wins, 4 losses and 1 no contest, with 36 knockouts.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:17 AM

Zab Judah

Super Chicken Dance
Zab (Super) Judah, (born October 27, 1977), of Teaneck, New Jersey, is a professional boxer formerly Junior Welterweight 140 lb (63.5 kg) champion and undisputed champion in the Welterweight 147 lb (66.7 kg) division, and current IBF Welterweight Champion.

Claims to fame
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Judah held his championship at 140 lb and was considered by many to be an authentic claimant to boxing's pound-for-pound title at that time. In November 2001 he met fellow titleholder Kostya Tszyu in a title unification fight and was knocked out in the second round. Judah got up from the knock-down only to fall again. This is humorously refered to as the "Chicken Dance" or the "Harlem Shake". In February 2005 he became undisputed Welterweight Champion by knocking out Cory Spinks.

Judah vs. Tszyu
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Tszyu's knockout, and the subsequent melee in the ring, are well-known among boxing fans. Judah was considered to have won the first round of the fight convincingly but appeared hesitant to engage his opponent in the second round. With only seconds remaining in the second round, Tszyu connected a right-handed blow to Judah's chin, which forced him to retreat. Tszyu then struck again, knocking Judah down flat on his back with his head slamming hardly against the canvas. Attempting to beat the referee's count, Judah rose from the knockdown almost immediately, and unfortunately for him, a bit prematurely: almost as soon as he rose to his feet, his legs appeared to melt beneath him, and he stumbled awkwardly across the ring, falling once more.

Controversy and suspension
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Following Judah's difficulties referee Jay Nady immediately halted the bout, as Judah rose again on unsteady legs, protesting the stoppage. As both camps flooded the ring, Judah continued to protest Nady's decision, with his outrage increasing to catastrophic proportions as the cameras rolled on. At one point, Judah pushed his gloved-fist into the throat of the much bigger Nady, and then returned to his corner, picked up the ring stool and threw it across the ring at Nady. None of Judah's post-bout fury appeared to be directed at his opponent.

As a consequence of his outburst at Nady, Judah was suspended from boxing. His stumbling attempt to beat Nady's count was converted into a six-second long compressed digital clip, which predictably spread like wildfire across the Internet on various boxing fan message boards. Dubbed "the Zab Dance", it has tarnished Judah's reputation ever since.

Judah's return to boxing
Since then, Zab Judah has returned to the ring and quietly worked his way back into the good graces of boxing's alliance of promoters, television networks and others. In 2004 he challenged reigning undisputed Welterweight Champion Cory Spinks but lost a narrow decision on the scorecards. The fight had none of the attendant controversy of Judah's previous title fight against Tszyu.

Then, in the rematch, in Spinks' hometown of St. Louis, Judah connected with several of his big left hooks, TKOing Spinks in the ninth round to become undisputed Welterweight Champion. He showed grace in victory, saying he did not want to hurt Spinks and that Spinks was a great fighter.

Judah's first title defense was a third round blowout of Cosme Rivera, Judah knocking Rivera down several times before the fight was stopped.

Judah was scheduled to defend his WBC title against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on April 8, 2006. However, that fight was put into jeopardy after Judah lost the WBC Welterweight title by unanimous decision to mandatory challenger Carlos Baldomir on January 7, 2006.

This loss may affect Zab for some time, he was a huge favorite going into the fight (and he was fighting at Madison Square Garden in front of a partison hometown crowd), but did say after the fight he was doing too many interviews because of his promoter Don King, but netherless this is a major setback. The Mayweather and Judah camps eventually decided that the fight would still take place despite Zab's loss.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:20 AM

Luis Collazo
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Won 26 (KOs 12) Lost 1 Drawn 0 Total 27
Nationality: US American
Birthplace: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Hometown: Queens, NY, USA
Born: 1981-04-22
Stance: Southpaw
Height: 5' 9
Reach: 72?
Trainer: Gary Starks

One of the great qualities of a person is the ability to bounce back from hard times. When it comes to fighters in particular, resiliency in and outside of the ropes can pay major dividends and I find current WBA Welterweight Champion Luis Collazo to be a perfect example.

In April of 2002 Collazo suffered the lone setback of his career on ShoBox: The Next Generation courtesy of some sharp right hands from Edwin Cassiani. Luis would go down in the 3rd and referee Jay Nady called a halt to the bout moments later, perhaps under unfair circumstances. Collazo was shaken, but it looked as though he could have continued. Despite the bad taste of the referee’s stoppage, the damage had been done and Collazo saw his undefeated record go out the window.

It was a defeat that would have deterred other young fighters but Collazo bit down, moved on, and went back to work.

Circumstances Surrounding WBA Welterweight Title
Collazo won the WBA Welterweight title on April 2, 2005 with a 12-round split decision victory over defending champion Jose Antonio Rivera. However, the WBA had elevated Cory Spinks to "Super Champion" status before he had lost his titles to Zab Judah, so Collazo was not the definite champion of that organization. On January 7, 2006, Judah lost a 12-round decision to Carlos Baldomir in New York. Baldomir had chosen to pay the sanctioning fee of the WBC only; as a result Judah's WBA and IBF belts were vacated. With Judah's loss, Collazo then attained recognition as the WBA's sole Welterweight champion.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:23 AM

Kermit Cintron
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Kermit Cintron (born October 22, 1979) is a Puerto Rican boxer who is from Carolina. Cintron is trained by Lou Duva.

Cintron had a tough childhood. He witnessed as his mother lay in bed for months before she died of Cancer. Unable to care for Cintron and his siblings, Cintron's father sent him to the United States, with Cintron's uncle, Benjamin Serrano, a former Middleweight contender who had fought Frank The Animal Fletcher among others. Cintron's father, however, kept regular contact with his kids. But when Cintron was 13, another tragic blow shook him: His father died of a heart attack, leaving him and his siblings orphaned on both sides.

Cintron found wrestling and boxing to be an outlet from his personal troubles, so he started spending more and more of his time practicing those sports. He became an accomplished high-school wrestler, but an injury to his knee prevented him from going on. Because of that, he turned into boxing full time.

However, he did not start boxing in the amateurs until he was 19. He compiled a record of 24 wins and 3 losses as an amateur.

On the night of October 7, 2000, he knocked out Jesse Williams in two rounds in Lancaster to begin his professional career. With that, he began an undefeated streak that continued on for a considerable amount of time.

One of his toughest tests so far came against Omar Davila, February 16 of 2002. He took up the fight on one week's notice and travelled to San Antonio, to fight at his opponent's hometown. Cintron was cut on the side of one of his eyes in round one. Facing adversity, he came back to defeat Davila by knockout in round two.

Cintron was featured on NBC May 18 of 2003, against Puerto Rican veteran Luis Rosario, and he won by knockout, 59 seconds into round one.

On July 17, 2004, he made his HBO Boxing debut, knocking out the usually durable Teddy Reid in eight rounds.

KO Magazine made a feature article on Cintron, where they compared him to Félix Trinidad and Thomas Hearns.

Kermit Cintron got his first world title try when he challenged the WBO world Welterweight champion, Antonio Margarito, as part of a Pay Per View undercard that also featured a win by Shane Mosley. Cintron was dropped four times en route to a fifth round knockout loss at the hands of Margarito, who kept the world crown.

He has a record of 24 wins with one loss, with 22 wins by knockout.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:26 AM

Diego Corrales

Statistics
Nickname Chico
Weight division Lightweight
Nationality American
Born August 25, 1977
Columbia, SC
Style Orthodox
Record
Total fights 43
Wins 40
KOs 33
Losses 3
Draws 0
No contests 0

Diego Corrales (born August 25, 1977, Columbia, SC) is the current WBC lightweight boxing champion. "Chico" has a professional record of 40-3-0, with 33 wins coming by way of knockout.

Corrales' early life was filled with violence. He was raised in Sacramento, CA, where he was involved with street gangs. At age 13, he witnessed his best friend's death via drive-by shooting.

Corrales was victorious in his pro boxing debut on March 19, 1996. On October 23, 1999, Corrales won the IBF super featherweight title by defeating the previously unbeaten Roberto Garcia via TKO in the seventh round. After defeating Angel Manfredy on September 2, 2000, Corrales' managers vacated his title.

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On January 20, 2001, Corrales challenged Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the WBC Super Featherweight title. In the bout, Mayweather knocked down Corrales five times (three times in the seventh round and twice in the tenth round). After the fifth knockdown, Corrales' corner stopped the fight, despite Corrales' protests. This fight was the first one in which Corrales was knocked down, and was his first loss.

After the Mayweather Jr. bout, Corrales had to deal with personal issues. When he was accused of violence against his pregnant ex-wife, Corrales accepted a plea bargain. He spent 14 months in prison.

In 2003, Corrales returned to the ring. After easily winning four fights, Corrales fought against Joel Casamayor. After the sixth round, the fight was stopped because of a deep cut inside of Corrales' mouth. On March 6, 2004, there was a rematch for the vacant WBO super featherweight title that Corrales won by close split decision.

On August 7, 2004, Corrales won the WBO lightweight title from Acelino Freitas via TKO in the tenth round. Freitas was a celebrated fighter, and a national hero in Brazil. Freitas won the early rounds of the fight by hitting and running. But he expended too much energy, and was battered by the power punching of Corrales. After being knocked down three times, Freitas quit.

On May 7, 2005, Corrales defeated Jose Luis Castillo for the WBC lightweight title, also via TKO in the tenth round. The fight is almost universally regarded as the best fight of 2005; many have called it one of the best fights of all-time, if not the single best fight of all-time. Both men stood in front of each other, battering each other with hard combinations and power punches throughout the entire fight. Finally, in the tenth round, Castillo knocked Corrales down twice. Corrales was put in further jeopardy when he was penalized one point for spitting out his mouthpiece. After the point was taken away, Corrales shockingly connected with a punch that Castillo later called "a perfect right hand." Corrales then trapped Castillo against the ropes and landed numerous punches, causing the referee, Tony Weeks, to stop the fight. Whether or not the stoppage was premature has been debated by boxing fans and analysts. On one hand, Castillo was not given the same chance to recover that Corrales had had. (The rules did not include a standing 8 count.) On the other hand, Castillo was trapped against the ropes with his hands at his sides, apparently knocked out on his feet—a potentially life-threatening position.

A rematch between Corrales and Castillo occurred on October 8, 2005. On the day before the fight, Castillo weighed-in 3½ lbs. over the 135 lb. lightweight limit. Since Castillo did not make the weight, the fight became a non-title bout. The two fighters continued with the same fighting style that they had used in the first fight, trading inside punches throughout the first three rounds. Early in the fourth round, Castillo knocked down Corrales with a left hook to his chin. Corrales wobbled to his feet at the referee's count of ten, causing the fight to end.

Corrales vs. Castillo III, dubbed "The War to Settle the Score," had been scheduled for February 4, 2006, but it was postponed because of a rib injury that Corrales suffered while training. The fight is now scheduled for June 3, 2006. It will be for only the WBC lightweight title, since the WBO stripped Corrales.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:30 AM

Jose Luis Castillo

Statistics
Nickname El Temible
Weight division Lightweight
Born December 14, 1973
Empalme, Sonora, Mexico

Style Orthodox
Record
Total fights 62
Wins 54
KOs 47
Losses 7
Draws 1
No contests 0

Jose Luis Castillo (born December 14, 1973, Empalme, Sonora, Mexico) is a Mexican boxer. Nicknamed El Temible, Castillo has a current record of 54-7-1 with 47 knockouts.

Despite his record, Castillo has had a solid professional career, defeating the likes of Stevie Johnston, Joel Casamayor, Juan Lazcano, Julio Diaz, and losing a controversial decision with current pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr.. Castillo early in his career sparred with Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez.

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Castillo is best known for his grueling fight against Diego Corrales for the WBC-WBO lightweight title unification, on May 7, 2005. Both fighters were exchanging a brutal amount of punishment, until Castillo finally knocked down Corrales twice in the tenth round. Corrales was deducted a point from referee Tony Weeks for spitting out his mouthpiece while getting up from the second knockdown, and then surprisingly roared back, pinning Castillo against the ropes landing devastating punches, scoring a win by TKO. Castillo, as well as some boxing experts and fans, later debated that Corrales was given too much time to recover during the point deduction. More controversy surrounded the fight, in which some say that Weeks did not give a fair chance for Castillo to recover, although Castillo showed no animosity toward the stoppage, saying "he was in bad shape" after the barrage. Many regard this fight as the one of best of all-time, and it won Ring Magazine fight of the year for 2005.

The Castillo and Corrales rematch occurred on October 8, 2005. Castillo surprised many by weighing in 3 1/2 pounds over the 135 lightweight limit, making the fight a non-title bout. The fight continued the same pace as the first one, until Castillo landed a left hook on the chin early in the fourth round, flooring Corrales, and scoring a win. Castillo was later criticized for purposely not making weight, giving him an extra advantage to knockout Corrales, despite apologizing to fans after the weigh-in.

Castillo's last fight was against Rolando Reyes on February 4, 2006, in El Paso, Texas, in which Castillo won by unanimous decision. The fight replaced the highly anticipated Corrales-Castillo III, which was postponed due to a Corrales rib injury, and was rescheduled for June 3, 2006 in Las Vegas.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:33 AM

Acelino Freitas
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Acelino Freitas (born September 21, 1975), is a native of Bahia, Brazil, who is a boxer and a former world junior lightweight and lightweight champion.

His nickname is Popó. That nickname was given to him by his mother, after the sound that babies make while drinking milk.

Freitas had a difficult childhood, often sleeping in a sandy floor at his house. Since early in his life, he dreamed of a better place to live for his family. A skilled soccer player, he was more inclined, however, towards the sport of boxing since an early age. Brazil's Eder Jofre, who is generally recognized as the greatest world champion to come out of that country, was one of Freitas' childhood heroes.

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Freitas turned into a professional boxer on July 14, 1995, against Adriano Jose Soares. With his win by knockout in the first round that night, Freitas set off a streak of 29 knockout wins in a row, which places as one of the longest knockout wins streak in boxing history. His first 10 wins were against low level competition, but for fight number 11, he took on the much more experienced Edwin Vazquez, knocking him out in the seventh round.

Between 1997 and 1998, Freitas won four more fights and then took on Francisco Tomas Da Cruz, a former world title challenger of Julio Cesar Chavez. Freitas handled Da Cruz with a knockout in two rounds and then added three more knockout wins before getting his first world title try.

That happened on August 7, 1999, when he challenged WBO world Jr. Lightweight champion Anatoly Alexandrov. Freitas became a world champion by knocking Alexandrov out in round one. Soon after, he signed a contract with Cable TV giant Showtime, which began to telecast Freitas' fights to the United States. Freitas then made five defenses of his world title and one non title bout, all of which ended in knockout wins. Then, he went to London, and took only 45 seconds to beat Daniel Alicea (a former world title challenger of Naseem Hamed) in another non title affair.

Freitas then beat the former world champion, Al Kotey, (brother of David 'Poison' Kotey) by a decision in ten before deciding to sign for a unification bout with the WBA world champion, Joel Casamayor, a Cuban refugee who resides in Florida. Freitas dropped Casamayor in round two and went on to add the WBA belt to the WBO one he already had by beating Casamayor by a close but unanimous 12 round decision on January 12 of 2002. Next, he went to Phoenix, to fight Nigeria's Daniel Attah, with only the WBO belt on the line. Freitas kept his world title with a 12 round decision on August 3.

Freitas was able to reach his dream of buying his family a better place to live: He has become a national hero in Brazil, one that evokes memories of the idolatry many Brazilians felt for Freitas' childhood hero, Jofre. Because of that, he has become a campaign spokesman of many companies, to add an extra income to what he already earns from his world title fights.

He has been able to buy mansions for his family, and, in addition to that, he built a soccer field in his own mansion, which allows him to practice his second favorite sport.

This avid autograph signer's fame in Brazil has reached such proportions, that when he got married, his wedding was televised live to all of Brazil, and it broke the all time audience record for a live event in Brazil,

Freitas retained the title in Chicago with a fourth round knockout of Juan Carlos Ramirez. Then, on August 9, 2003, he and Jorge Barrios engaged in what Showtime commentator Steve Albert called a candidate for fight of the year. Freitas was floored in rounds eight and eleven, but retaliated with a knockdown of his own towards the end of the eleventh, and ended up retaining the title by knockout in round twelve.

Freitas' personal life took a downturn that year, however, when he divorced the girl that he married on that televised wedding. Their divorce was very public in Brazil.

Freitas began 2004 by winning a 12 round unanimous decision over Artur Grigorian on January 4, to become the WBO's world Lightweight champion.

On February 1 of that year, the WBA announced it had named Freitas their 2003 fighter of the year.

On August 7, Freitas lost for the first time, losing his WBO world Lightweight title to Diego Corrales by a tenth round knockout in Connecticut. Freitas quit the fight in that round after taking a severe beating, and has been scorned in the boxing community because of it.

His record currently consists of 37 wins, 1 loss and 32 wins by knockout.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:35 AM

Jesus Chavez
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His first title opportunity came against WBC Jr. Lightweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. where he was knocked out in the 9th round after an entertaining and close, competitive bout. He rebounded to win Mayweather's vacated WBC title, but lost it to then two time champion Erik Morales. In another exciting fight, Chavez rocked Morales early in the first round. Morales recovered and knocked Chavez down twice in the 2nd round, but Chavez came back and fought hard for the rest of the fight, despite having an injured hand. Morales pulled out a close decision, but Chavez gained further respect for his effort. In his next fight, he took on former IBF Champion Carlos Hernandez, who in turn had also lost his own title to Morales. In an exciting 12 round war, Chavez pulled out a close decision.

He then moved up to the Lightweight division to take on IBF champion Leavander Johnson. In an unfortunate bout, Chavez outhusstled Johnson throughout the entire fight, beating him severely for the entire fight until the referee finally stepped in and ended it. Johnson died several days later when he went into a coma. Johnson's family has encouraged him to keep fighting, and Chavez will next take on three time champion Marco Antonio Barrera.

Chavez has a career record of 43 wins, (30 by way of knockout) and 3 losses. His nickname is "El Matador".

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:37 AM

Zahir Raheem
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After a stellar amateur career, which included a 213-4 record, 15-1 against international competition, and a spot in the 1996 U.S. Olympic team. Raheem turned professional on November 16, 1996, with a 4th round KO win over Clifford Watford. Being among the less touted of the '96 U.S. Olympians, Raheem worked his way up the rankings slowly, before finally recieving a shot against Rocky Juarez. Raheem lost to Juarez in what many thought by "hometown" decision.

Raheem's next big fight was against Mexican Erik Morales on September 10, 2005 in the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. Morales was a heavy favorite and the matchup was viewed as warmup for his already scheduled superfight against Manny Pacquiao. Raheem surprised everyone by dominating the fight from the beginning by using excellent footwork and body movement, and never let Morales find his rhythm. Raheem won by unanimous decision, winning Ring Magazine upset of the year for 2005, and cemented himself as a lightweight contender.

Raheem's next fight is scheduled April 29, 2006, against Acelino Freitas for the recently vacated WBO Lightweight title. This will be Raheem's first world title fight, and he hopes to capitalize after his upset win over Morales.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:49 AM

Vicente Mosquera
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When Vicente “El Loco” Mosquera of Panama City won the WBA super featherweight title from Yodsanan “3-K Battery” Nanthachai of Thailand at Madison Square Garden in New York on April 30, he made history in more ways than one. Besides being the first Panamanian to win a world title at the Mecca of Boxing since Roberto Duran in 1972, Mosquera became the second Panamanian to be crowned with a title in one weekend. The day before, Roberto “The Spider” Vasquez won the vacant WBA light flyweight title with a tenth round knockout of Beibis Mendoza in Panama City.

“This is a great thing for me, and a great thing for my country,” said a jubilant Mosquera. “Winning the title is great, but winning it at Madison Square Garden, where the great Roberto Duran won his first title, makes it even more special.”

Promoter Porfirio Betegon said there would be bedlam in the streets when news of Mosquera’s fight made its way back home. Not only did Mosquera, now 21-1-1 (10 KOs), garner a crown, he did so in most exciting fashion.

He dropped the former champion, now 44-3-1 (36 KOs), in the first round, both fighters were down in the third, and Nanthachai hit the deck again in the eleventh. When the dust settled, Mosquera won a unanimous decision in the most exciting bout of the card, which was headlined by the WBA heavyweight title fight between John Ruiz and James Toney.

As important as this fight was for Mosquera on a nationalistic level, from a personal perspective it was equally important. His father, who guided him into boxing at the age of eleven, had always told him that he would someday be a world champion. Even when Mosquera doubted himself, which wasn’t often, his father’s words resonated with him and propelled him forward.

Although boxing kept the 25-year-old Mosquera on the straight and narrow some of the time, he still had no problem finding trouble. Just four years ago he was released from prison, where he served two years for assault with a knife. And two years ago he survived four gunshot wounds, all of which were below the waist, that were pumped into him by a soccer player who, according to Mosquera, was jealous of all the attention he was garnering as an athletic hero.

While recovering from his wounds, Mosquera was not so sure he would he able to continue his boxing career. But, he says, the words of his father and the encouragement of his mother, as well as his girlfriend Anaika, two children Edwin, 2, and Aris, 4, and the entire Panamanian boxing community, provided him the impetus for his comeback from the abyss.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:51 AM

Jorge Barrios
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WBO jr lightweight champion
Won 45 (KOs 32) Lost 2 Drawn 1 Total 49
Alias: La Hiena
Nationality: Argentinian
Birthplace: Tigre, Buenos Aires
Hometown: Tigre, Buenos Aires
Born: 1976-08-01
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5' 6

Interview
WBO jr lightweight champion Jorge "La Hiena" Barrios received his new WBO belt in a special ceremony on Friday at the offices of Golden Promotions in Los Angeles. Barrios (43-2-1, 31 KOs) first broke on to the world boxing scene with his stirring 2003 "Fight of The Year" candidate against Acelino 'Popo' Freitas. Though Barrios fell short in his first world title try, he more than made up for it the second time around when he stopped the highly regarded and previously unbeaten Mike Anchondo in four one-sided rounds. While he was in town, the colorful champion (43-2-1, 31 KOs) checked in with Fightnews.com, where he revealed his upcoming plans, his thoughts of Morales-Pacquiao, and how he got the nickname "La Hiena."

First thing is congratulations Champ on your great victory. What's your plan now that you're champion?
Well now that I have a title, I want to go ahead and defend as many times as possible. Basically, looking forward to this year, I want to be on a good card or carry my own card and to just to continue to show the world that I'm a bona fide champion and obviously I'm with the best team which is Golden Boy Promotions.

Are you going to continue to fight in the United States or are you going to defend your title in Argentina now?
Now, in the position that I am in, obviously I love my country and there will be times to fight there, but I really want to continue to fight the best and it seems like the best are here in the U.S., so I see myself fighting a lot in the United States in the coming years.

Whats the difference between the Jorge Barrios that fought Acelino Freitas and the one that beat Mike Anchondo for the title?
When I prepared for Anchondo, I had matured as a fighter a substantial amount in comparison to the Freitas fight. I guess as you grow older you get better at your skill.

When you fought Freitas and you got that bad cut, sevaral times you wiped the blood off your face on the referee's shirt. No one had done that before.
A lot of people ask me about that whole situation, how I went ahead and did that. It was unique. I wish I could reach out to the referee and ask him if there's any way I can buy his shirt. I would really like it as a momento.

Did they ever talk to you afterwards or are they going to make a rule against that?
No, I haven't heard anyone say anything. There havn't been any negative comments about it. But I want to make it clear that I was cleaning my eye when the fight was broken up by the referee [not causing any delays in the action].

How did you get the nickname "La Hiena?"
La Hiena. HA HA HA HA. WBO, I become the Hyena HA HA HA HA.
It's done by my laugh, I laugh like a hyena.

Who's your preference really now, you have Morales, Barrera, Pacquiao...
I want to fight Mr. Barrera.

What did you think about the Morales-Pacquiao fight?
It was a great fight. That night, Pacquiao was in the best condition possible, but it was amazing how Morales was being able to dictate the pace of the fight, being able to counter with that unbelievable right.

What did you think about the Barrera-Fana fight?
I haven't had a chance to see that fight.

Are you going to be staying at super featherweight for a long time or are you thinking about going to lightweight?
Right now I'm happy with this division that I'm fighting but eventually I would love to move up in weight and hopelly get the oportunity for a rematch against Acelino Freitas.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:53 AM

Manuel Medina
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Juan Manuel Rubio Medina (born March 30, 1971) in Tecuala, Nayarit, Mexico), is a boxer who is better known as Manuel Medina. He has been a world Featherweight champion five times. His nickname is Mantecas, which can be loosely translated to (food) fat.

Professional boxing career
Manuel Medina began his professional boxing career on September 9, 1985, beating Daniel Flores by a four round decision in Mexicali, Mexico. Medina was only fourteen years old when his first professional fight took place.

Medina won one more fight, then lost two bouts in a row: on December 5, he lost a four round decision to Gerardo Martinez in his first fight abroad, held in San Jose, California, United States. On January 16, 1986, he suffered his first knockout defeat, being stopped because of a cut by Alex Madrid in San Diego.

After losing to Madrid, Medina had a streak of twenty seven wins in a row. That streak was stopped by Juan Carlos Salazar, who outpointed Medina over ten rounds on July 10, 1989 in Tijuana. After two more victories, however, Medina contended for his first championship belt, the regional, WBA "International" Super-Featherweight title, which he won by a seventh round disqualification victory against Edgar Castro, on December 11 of that same year, in Inglewood. Medina retained tha title twice, then challenged Tyrone Jackson for the lightly regarded IBC Jr. Featherweight title, on May 21, 1990, also at Inglewood. He won that belt with a twelve round decision win over Jackson. His next fight, against former world Featherweight champion and Barry McGuigan conqueror, Steve Cruz, was his first fight at the Featherweight division. He outpointed Cruz over ten rounds on July 5 of the same year.

Medina won four bouts, then had his first chance at becoming a world champion, when, on August 12, 1991, he faced IBF world Featherweight champion Troy Dorsey in Inglewood. Medina became a world champion by defeating Dorsey by a twelve round decision. He made four defenses of his title, including victories against future world champion and Medina conqueror Tom Johnson, beaten by a nine rounds technical decision and Fabrice Benichou, another world champion boxer, outpointed by Medina over twelve rounds. His first reign as world Featherweight champion took him to places like France and Italy.

Medina lost the championship to Johnson by a twelve round decision on their February 26, 1993 rematch, held in France. He returned to the Jr. Featherweight division, where he won one fight, then attempted to become world champion there also. But, on June 26 of the same year, he lost to IBF world Jr. Featherweight champion John John Molina by a twelve round decision, in Atlantic City.

Medina then returned to the Featherweight division, where he won two more fights before facing Johnson in a rubber match, held on January 28, 1995 at Atlantic City. Johnson retained the IBF world Featherweight title he had won from Medina by beating him by a twelve round decision. In his next fight, Medina won the WBC's regional Fecarbox title by defeating Juan Polo Perez by a twelve round unanimous decision on March 15 in Miami, Florida.

Medina's next fight was televised nationally in the United States, as he became world Featherweight champion for the second time, defeating Alejandro Gonzalez on September 23 of '95, with a twelve round unanimous decision, at Sacramento, California, for the WBC world Featherweight title. He lost the title in his first defense, losing a twelve round decision to Luisito Espinoza on December 11 at Tokyo, Japan.

After a win, Medina tried to become a three time world Featherweight champion by challenging Naseem Hamed for Hamed's WBO world title, but he was defeated by Hamed with an eleventh round knockout on August 31, 1996 in Dublin, Ireland. He followed that loss with a win, and another attempt at winning the world Featherweight championship for a third time, this time around in a rematch with Espinoza. held on May 17, 1997. He lost to the Asian champion once again, this time by an eight rounds technical decision at Intramuros, Philippines. Medina lost his next fight as well, by a ninth round knockout on August 7, to future world champion Derrick Gainer, for the regional, NABU Jr. Lightweight title.

On October 18, he recovered from his two loss streak to defeat Jose Ayala in Homestead, Florida, winning the WBA's Fedecentro regional championship, and setting himself in a position to obtain another chance at winning the world Featherweight title for the third time. He knocked Ayala out in the eighth round.

On April 24, 1998, Medina joined Carlos De Leon, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Edwin Rosario, Evander Holyfield and a small number of other boxers in the exclusive group of fighters to reign as world champions three or more times in the same division, when he outpointed defending IBF world champion Hector Lizarraga over twelve rounds in San Jose, California. He retained the title on April 16, 1999 in Las Vegas with a nine rounds technical decision over former world Super Featherweight champion Victor Polo, then proceeded to lose the championship to Paul Ingle.

The fight against Ingle, held on November 13 of the same year, in Hull, England, went on to be considered one of the fights of the year by boxing fans, experts and magazine writers alike. Floored in the second and tenth rounds, Medina almost saved his title when he dropped Ingle in the twelfth and last round. He ended up losing a unanimous decision, however.

Medina then met future world champion Frankie Toledo, beating him in Las Vegas by a ten round decision on May 19, 2000. When Ingle had to retire from boxing due to health complications, Toledo won the vacant IBF world Featherweight title. Medina, meanwhile, picked up two more wins, including a fourth round knockout over future world title challenger Mike Juarez.

Medina and Toledo had a rematch on November 16, 2001, with Medina joining Robinson as four time world champions in the same division when he knocked Toledo out in the sixth round.

His next fight was filled with controversy. Faced against former two division world champion Johnny Tapia on April 27, 2002, Medina lost the title by a twelve round majority decision at the Madison Square Garden in New York city. The decision was critizized for months to come by writers from such publications as Ring and KO Magazine. The official scorecards reflected a very close fight, with two judges scoring it 115-113 for Tapia and a third scoring the fight a 114-114 tie.

Medina's first attempt at tying Robinson's record as the only boxer to win a world title in the same division five times came on February 1, 2003, when he and Juan Manuel Marquez faced off in Las Vegas for the championship vacated by Tapia. Medina was knocked out in the seventh round by Marquez, however.

After two more wins, Medina got his second chance at becoming world Featherweight champion for the fifth time. WBO monarch Scott Harrison was a British Olympic hero and fan favorite. The two boxers fought for the first time on July 12 at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow, Scotland. Medina made history and joined Robinson as the only two fighters in history to be five time world champions in the same division, by defeating Harrison, who until then had been defeated only once, by a twelve round split decision. A boxing magazine from the United States then called Medina the gambler's nightmare, because of his tendency to win world Featherweight titles, lose them quickly, then regain them just as quick.

Medina and Harrison were rematched on November 29 of the same year, and Harrison regained the WBO world title, with an eleventh round knockout of Medina, once again, at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow.

Medina only fought once in 2004, defeating Leonardo Resendiz on July 23 at Rancho Mirage, California by a third round knockout, to win the NABA regional Jr. Lightweight title.

He was to fight Jose Miguel Cotto on August 20, 2005 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Had he beaten Cotto, he would have put himself in a position to challenge for the WBO's world Jr. Lightwight title. Cotto was not able to reduce weight to the Jr. Lightweight division's weight limit, however, so the fight was suspended.

Medina has a record of 64 wins and 14 losses in 78 professional boxing bouts, with 30 wins by way of knockout.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:55 AM

Janos Nagy
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An up and coming contender of the 130lb division (WBO #1), Janos "Bonecracker" Nagy (22-0) is fighting against the Olympic silver medalist, former EBA champ Tontcho Tontchev (33-3) of Bulgaria on the 10th of September in Hungary. The Hungarian boxer spoke about his preparation and the expected fight agains Barrios at the end of the year.

Interview
What's your opinion about the next opponent?

-He's a gifted fighter. I've already seen many of his fights as an amateur. If my memories are correct, he won a silver medal at the Olympics and at the European Championships as well. These are results which are not easily forgotten. He has won 33 professional fights and only lost 3, and this is an excellent record in my opinion, which speaks for itself.

Aren't you afraid of his punching power? He has knocked out two of your former opponents, Bognar and Kirkorov, both whom your fight went to full-length.

-I'm not afiraid, but I'll be careful, because he's an exceptional fighter. I'm not afraid doesn't mean that I don't take him serious, or do not hold him as a strong foe, but having a great punching power is a different case.

What kind of a fight are you expecting?

-A hard one! He's 170 cm tall, so he's 8cm's taller than me. This is an advantage for him, but luckily he's orthodox, so he'll have difficulties with my southpaw style. I think I can match him in punching power too.

What do you feel, how can you suprise your challenger?

-I'm not really preparing to suprise him, I just want to box in my own style, and hopefully that will be enough for the victory.

He seems to be the toughest opponent since the former featherweight world champion Julio Pablo Chacon.

-The two fighters are completely different, because Chacon was as tall as me, and had a similar style to mine, but Tontchev is taller and likes to box, but can also go into a slugfest.

How's your preparation going?

-Very good: I had a training match of 12 rounds last week. I was fine both physically and mentally, but I felt I wasn't sharp enough.

What were you and your team concentrating on during the preparation?

-On conditional training, the three minute rounds. Three minutes aren't too long, but twelve rounds are.

Let's look a bit forward, since your manager, Felix Racz has recently said that given a win against Tontchev, you may fight for the WBO world title against the reigning champ, the Argentinian Jorge Rodrigo Barrios.

- That’s right! But I don’t want to rush anything I’d like to take only one step at a time!

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:58 AM

Edwin Valero
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According to several boxing pundits:
"Edwin Valero. The future. He's a monster. He's perfection in the ring."

18-0-0
18 KOs in the first round.

Will he make it big? Or just another urban legend?
His US license is the problem.
Lets wait and see what happens.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 04:59 AM

Robbie Peden
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W 25 (14 ko's) | L 3 | D 0 | Total 28
Hometown St. Louis, MO, USA
Birthplace Brisbane, Australia
Rated at Super Featherweight
World Rank 11 / 878
Date of Birth 1973-11-11
Age 32
Reach 69”
Stance Orthodox
Height 5' 8
Trainer Roger Bloodworth

Recent fights
Records list # Date Opponent Record Location Result
2 17.09.2005 Marco Antonio Barrera
60-4-0, 42 USA, Las Vegas, MGM Grand L UD 12 (12)

Nate Campbell 25-2-1, 21
Australia, Melbourne, Festival Hall W TKO 8 (12)

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 05:01 AM

Randy Suico
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Randy "Komong Bato" Suico
OPBF Super Featherweight Champion, Apr 27, 2002 - present

Randy Suico captured the OPBF Super Featherweight title from Sung-Ho Yuh of Korea on April 27, 2002 and has gone through 5 successful defenses against Timbul Hutagalong of Thailand, Kazunori Fujita of Japan, Seung Won-Baek of Korea, Ibrahim Aroby and Muangfahlek Kiatwichean of Thailand.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 05:03 AM

Bobby Pacquiao
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WBC Intercontinental Super Featherweight Champion, Jun 18, 2005 - present

Bobby Pacquiao forced the highly favored Carlos Navarro to quit in the 7th round by vicious body shots to wrest the WBC Intercontental Super Featherweight title on June 18, 2005 in Friant, CA., U.S.A.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 05:05 AM

Alex Arthur
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22-1-0
17 KOs
European Super Featherweight Champion
British and Commonwealth Super Featherweight
IBF International Super Featherweight Champion
WBO Intercontinental Super Featherweight Champion

"Alex is a class act as a young man and as a boxer, with his amateur pedigree and natural ability I am confident that I can have him fighting for a British title after ten fights. He has enormous potential and will set alight the featherweight division."
Frank Warren

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 05:08 AM

Arturo Gatti
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Arturo "Thunder" Gatti (born April 15, 1972), is a Canadian professional boxer. Gatti was born in Italy to Italian parents, but his family moved to Canada when he was young and he was raised in Montreal. He has lived in Jersey City, New Jersey since 1991.

Gatti is considered by many boxing experts (including former world Heavyweight champion George Foreman) and fans alike to be one of the most exciting boxers living today. He participated in Ring Magazine's fight of the year three years in a row, from 1996 to 1998. His brother, Joe Gatti, is also a professional boxer who recently tried unsuccessfully to become a Super Middleweight titlist, losing to Sven Ottke by a knockout in round nine in Germany.

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Arturo Gatti was a member of the Canadian National Team, and was in training to represent Canada at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, but at age 19 (in 1991), he decided to turn pro instead. He began boxing professionally on the night of June 10, 1991, with a third round knockout of Jose Gonzalez in Secaucus. He went undefeated for seven bouts before losing to King Solomon by a decision in six on November 17 of 1992.

His next fight, on March 23, 1993, was his first fight abroad, where he visited Amsterdam and knocked out Plawen Goutchev in round one. A couple of fights later, he beat Cliff Hicks, a guy who also lost to Oscar De La Hoya, by a knockout in round three.

1994 was a year when Gatti stepped up his quality of opposition. He started by beating Leon Bostic, and followed through with a win over Pete Taliaferro to win the USBA Jr. Lightweight title, by a knockout in round one. He retained the title against Richard Salazar and Jose Sanabria.

On December 15, 1995, Gatti challenged the IBF's world Jr. Lightweight champion, Floyd Patterson's adoptive son Tracy Harris Patterson. Gatti became world champion when he narrowly outpointed Patterson, and signed a multi-fight deal with HBO, to fight on HBO Boxing.

He only had 2 fights in 1996, once defending his world title. But his title defense, at the Madison Square Garden against Dominican Wilson Rodriguez was the first of three Gatti fights in a row to be named fight of the year by Ring Magazine. Dropped in round three and with his right eye closing fast, Gatti knocked out Rodriguez in round six to retain the title.

In 1997, he repeated his points victory over Patterson, then scored a technical knockout over former world champion Calvin Grove in round seven of a non-title affair. Then came his defense against former world champion Gabriel Ruelas, which was also named fight of the year by Ring Magazine. Hurt badly and shaken in round four, Gatti came back and knocked Ruelas out in round five to retain the world title.

After that fight, Gatti chose to relinquish the world title, going up in weight to the Lightweight division. But 1998 was a bad year for Gatti, as he lost all three of his fights that year. He lost by a technical knockout in round eight to Angel Manfredy, and then lost a pair of close decisions in 10 rounds to Ivan Robinson. Gatti-Robinson I was chosen fight of the year by Ring Magazine, thus marking the third year in a row that a Gatti fight was given that award.

He only had one fight in 1999, knocking out Reyes Munoz in round one.

His first fight of 2000 proved to be controversial, however. Faced with former world champion Joey Gamache, Gatti won by a knockout in round two. But when Gamache went into a coma for a day and it was discovered that Gatti had gained 18 pounds since the weight-in the day before and thus had a large advantage in size over Gamache, boxing legislators pushed for a new law requiring boxers not to exceed a certain amount of extra weight from the weight accorded on the day of the fight. After Gatti-Gamache, boxing commissions started weighing the boxers a second time, on the day of the fight.

Gatti then won his two other fights that year, over lesser quality name opponents.

In 2001, Gatti only had one fight, going up in weight to meet Welterweight De La Hoya, a multiple times world champion who beat him by a technical knockout in five rounds, but in 2002, Gatti rebounded down at the Jr. Welterweight division well, beating former world champion Terron Millet by a knockout in round four, and then splitting two ten round decisions with "Irish" Micky Ward, losing their first bout, but winning their second. Gatti-Ward I also garnered fight of the year honors by Ring Magazine.

Gatti-Ward I has already been called the fight of the century by many experts, including HBO commentators. Emanuel Steward called round nine of that fight, the round of the century.

On June 7 of 2003, he and Ward had a rubber match, and Gatti recovered from one broken right hand and a knockdown in round six to win a unanimous ten round decision. HBO producer Lou DiBella said their 30 rounds against each other will live in boxing history.

On January 24, 2004, Gatti also recovered from a broken hand, scored a tenth round knock-down and defeated Gianluca Branco of Italy by a twelve round unanimous decision to win the WBC's interim Jr. Welterweight title. This victory could have given him a chance to challenge Kostya Tszyu for the division's undisputed world title (the Tszyu-Gatti fight ultimately did not materialize).

On July 24, 2004, he knocked out the previously unbeaten, former world champion Leonard Dorin in two rounds at Atlantic City, to retain his interim title.

Gatti's second defense of his interim title came against another former world Jr. Lightweight champion, Jesse James Leija, on January 29, 2005. Gatti beat Leija by a fifth round knockout.

Gatti was gaining momentum once again, however he lost to former Jr. Lightweight and Lightweight world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. on June 25. After six rounds, Gatti's corner threw in the towel, thus ending his title reign via sixth-round technical knockout.

After the loss to Mayweather, Gatti moved up to the welterweight division. He beat Thomas Damgaard on January 28, 2006 by an eleventh round technical knockout for the vacant IBA welterweight title. When Gatti was asked about his hand after the fight, he said that it was not broken, but was hurting because of problems with tendons in his wrist.

Gatti has a record of 40 wins and 7 losses, with 31 wins by knockout.

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 05:09 AM

Manny Pacquiao
Reigning WBC International Super Featherweight Champion
People's Featherweight Champion, 2003 - 2005
IBF Super Bantamweight Champion, 2001 - 2004
WBC Flyweight Champion, 1998 - 1999
46 Fights
41 Wins (32 by way of Knockout), 3 Loses, 2 Draws

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Emmanuel "Manny" D. Pacquiao (born December 17, 1978), aka "Pacman" and "The Destroyer" is the reigning WBC International Super Featherweight Champion (2005–present), former RING People's Featherweight Champion (2003 to 2005), former IBF Super Bantamweight Champion (2001 to 2004), and former WBC Flyweight Champion (1998 to 1999). He has a record of 41 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws, with 34 wins coming by way of knockout.

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Biography
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Pacquiao was born in the province of Bukidnon in the Philippines. It is not certain whether he started selling bread called "pan de sal" on the streets or made it as a bread maker or a "panadero" who makes different kinds of breads including the "pan de sal". There are news items that link him to being cocky in bars, a gambler, starting fights but that part of his personality may have faded as evident of his closeness to God (as a Catholic) on recent interviews as well as his religious gestures before and after a fight.

Career
The boxer, who hails from General Santos City, Philippines is also dubbed "The Destroyer" by his peers in the boxing world. He has ended many of his fights with his left punch.

The 27-year-old Pacquiao started his professional boxing career in 1995 at 106 pounds. He bounced in weight from 106 to 113 pounds before losing in his 12th fight against Rustico Torrecampo via third round technical knockout. Shortly after the Torrecampo fight Pacquiao settled in at 112 pounds, winning the WBC Flyweight title only to lose it in his second defense against Medgoen Singsurat by third round knockout. Technically speaking, Pacquiao may have lost the belt at the scales by not being able to make weight of 112 lb (51 kg).

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Following the loss to Singsurat, Pacquiao again jumped in weight, this time stopping at the Super Bantamweight division of 122 lb (55 kg) where he picked up the WBC International title, defending it five times before his next world title fight came. Pacquiao’s big break came on June 23rd, 2001, against IBF Super Bantamweight champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba. Pacquiao stepped into the fight as a late replacement and walked out of the fight the newly crowned IBF Super Bantamweight champion. Pacquiao scored three knockdowns before the end of the fight was called in the fifth round.

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Manny went on to defend his title four times before the match that many consider to have defined his career, against his childhood boxing idol, Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico came. Pacquiao rose from an official knockdown in the first round, and won the fight by technical knockout, when Barrera’s corner stopped the fight in the eleventh round. With this victory, the "Pacman" captured the WBO and Ring Magazine People's Featherweight Title, as Barrera had beaten Naseem Hamed previously for that belt. Pacquiao's performance established himself, according to many critics, fans and boxing magazines alike, as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, and put the Philippines on the boxing world's map again where he follows in the footsteps of past Filipino boxing stars such as "Flash Elorde", Ben Villaflor, and Pancho Villa, among others.

Only six months removed from his win over Marco Antonio Barrera, Pacquiao went on to challenge another respected Mexican boxer, Juan Manuel Marquez, holder of the WBA and IBF Featherweight Title. Experts predicted that Marquez, a dangerous counter-puncher, would prevail over Pacquiao because of his apparently superior boxing skills. The fight turned out to be one of the greatest Featherweight clashes in the history of boxing. Pacquiao's handspeed and punching power was displayed early as he stormed Marquez with jabs and straight lefts that sent the Mexican Champion to the canvas three times in the first round alone. It looked as if Pacquiao was on his way to a quick victory, but things changed as Marquez started to take control in the second, arguably dominating the fight and getting better with each passing round. When the bell to end the 12th round sounded, the fight was scored a draw (tie).

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In a fight held in the Philippines, Pacquiao fought against Fahsan (3K-Battery) Por Thawatchai. Pacquiao sent Por Thawatchai to the canvas three times en route to a knockout in the fourth round. A left uppercut to the jaw knocked down the Thai fighter that lifted his two feet off the canvas and ended the fight.

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Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao posing with the WBC Super Featherweight Title after knocking out Erik Morales in their second fight.Pacquiao once again jumped in weight, this time to the Super Featherwight division and squared off against former three-time division champion Erik Morales on 19th of March, 2005. However, Pacquiao lost the 12 round match with a unanimous decision from the judges. Pacquiao had to fight with a cut in his eye for most of the fight against Morales. Despite the loss, Pacquiao gained further credibility as a fighter who could fight back under adversity.

On September 10, 2005, Manny Pacquiao knocked out Hector Velazquez, capturing the WBC International Super Featherweight Title in the process.

Pacquiao defeated Erik Morales by TKO in a rematch on January 21, 2006 in Las Vegas at Thomas and Mack Center, United States. Pacquiao nearly dropped Morales in round two and wobbled him again in the sixth. Pacquiao floored Morales twice in round 10 before the fight was stopped at 2:33. It was the first time the 29-year-old Morales, a former world champion in three weight classes, was stopped in his career. With this win Pacquiao is now ranked the top contender in the WBC superfeatherweight rankings and is now eligible to face Marco Antonio Barrera again for the WBC Belt. A third fight with Morales is possible but the future for it is unclear.

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Pacquiao was in the limelight again during the first week of February 2006 when a girl working in a Manila billiard hall, Joanna Bacosa, claimed that Pacquiao was the father of her son, born out of a whirlwind affair with the boxer. The boxer was not giving her support, prompting the girl to sue Pacquiao in court, demanding P 15,000,000.00 pesos in child support. (US $ 1- P 54.00 pesos).

gibe

Mar 25 2006, 05:14 AM

Chris John
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He must be special this Indonesian Thin Man the one they call Chris John, the WBA Featherweight Champion of the World

W 37 (20 ko's) | L 0 | D 1 | Total 38
Hometown Semarang, Indonesia
Birthplace Banjarnegara, Indonesia
Rated at Featherweight
World Rank 1 / 968
Date of Birth 1979-09-14
Age 26
Reach 65”/165 cm
Stance Orthodox
Height 5' 7½
Trainer Craig Christian
Manager Craig Christian

Anthony Mundine
(Former WBA World Super Middleweight Champion)
“This guy is mad man, oh baby he’s mad.”

Kostya Tzsyu
(Former Undisputed Jnr Welterweight Champion)
“He is a fantastic boxer, very, very good boxer and fast.”

Jeff Fenech
(Former WBC & IBF World Champion)
“I told you he is the best in the division, I told him he would be the best when he was an amateur.”

Vic Darchinyan
(IBF & IBO World Flyweight Champion)
“He very good. Good speed, I want spar him.”

Smokin’ Joe Frazier
(Former WBC & WBA World Heavyweight Champion)
“I liked him against Gainer but man has he improved.”

Lovemore N’Dou
(IBF World #5 Jnr Welterweight)
“He’s smart and he just keeps going, good stamina man.”

Nedal Hussein
(IBF World #7 Super Featherweight)
“He’s good but I’ll beat him, give me a shot.”

Khoder Nasser (Anthony Mundine’s manager)
“He’s good, who’s his manager?”

Stanley Christodoulou (Referee)
“He is good, my God. I’ve referred all the featherweights in the world, he can beat any one of them believe me.”

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