JUNIOR WITTER SURRENDERS WORLD TITLE TO
NEW CHAMPION TIMOTHY "DESERT STORM" BRADLEY!

SHOWTIME to Replay the Fight on Monday and Tuesday!

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND (May 10, 2008) -- There's a new sheriff in Nottingham and his name is TIMOTHY "DESERT STORM" BRADLEY! The undefeated Bradley from Palm Springs, California, entered the ring at the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham, England tonight as the No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger and exited it as the new World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight champion. Bradley (22-0, 11 KOs), promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions, won a superb 12-round split decision on scores of 115-113, 114-113, 112-115. He turned the tide near the end of the sixth round, smashing an overhand right to the jaw of defending champion Junior Witter (36-2-1, 21 KOs), en route to dethroning Witter in his third defense of the crown he has held since 2006.

“I knew this fight was mine,” the newly crowned 24-year-old champion told SHOWTIME, which broadcast the fight to the U.S. on its popular program ShoBox: The New Generation. “I’ve seen the tapes [of Witter’s past fights], and he fades in the sixth and seventh. And I know that’s when I come on. I get stronger in the later rounds.

“I have been working on that punch,” said Bradley of the overhand right that dropped Witter. “He tends to pull back with his chin up in the air and I just caught him. But I couldn’t finish him. I had to be careful in there. He’s got power in both hands.”

“This can be considered an early candidate for upset of the year,” said renowned ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood. “It is so difficult to win a world title on the road. And to do it with as little experience as Bradley has, this was something special. That one-punch knockdown in the sixth proved to be the difference maker in the fight.”

A hometown Witter crowd, that was hostile to Bradley in the beginning, received the judges' decision with solid applause and appreciation for the new champion in what became a huge upset in boxing.

"I knew when I signed Timothy Bradley that he would be world champion," said Gary Shaw, Bradley's co-promoter. "Bradley's spectacular work ethic combined with his hunger were the elements that worked tonight. He is a class act with a lot of character and good family values that add to his commitment to the sport. It is those attributes that catapulted him into being a champion for such as stellar organization as the World Boxing Council. I am always confident in the WBC's selection of judges and tonight reaffirms the faith that I have in them."

"I could not be prouder of Timothy Bradley after this performance," said Ken Thompson, President of Thompson Boxing Promotions, Bradley’s co-promoter. "His win tonight proved what we have been saying about Timothy for years - that he is the best junior welterweight in the world and one of the game’s future superstars."

If you missed Saturday’s exciting telecast, catch the replay on SHOWTIME.

Monday, May 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime Extreme; Tuesday, May 13 at Midnight on Showtime Extreme; and anytime at SHOWTIME On Demand beginning Tuesday, May 13.

 JUDAH INJURED, BOUT WITH MOSLEY OFF;

MAY 31 PAY-PER-VIEW SHOW CANCELED

LOS ANGELES (May 8) – The scheduled May 31 fight between Shane Mosley and Zab Judah has been canceled due to an arm injury suffered by Judah during his Las Vegas training camp it was announced by Golden Boy Promotions today.  The HBO Pay-Per-View event was scheduled to take place at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

 Judah suffered multiple severe lacerations on his right forearm and received 50 stitches to close the wounds suffered in an accidental fall.  As a result, Judah will be unable to train for four weeks and was forced to withdraw from the bout.

 "It is very unfortunate that Zab suffered this injury and that this great event had to be canceled," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions.  "We are already in discussions with all parties involved to attempt to reschedule the fight for the near future."

Instant Classic? Mijares-Munoz Unification on PPV
Salado-Miranda co-feature May 17 in Mexico
 

GOMEZ PALACIO, DURANGO, Mexico (May 7, 2008) – Styles make fights and the May 17 unification title bout between WBC champion Cristian Mijares and WBA title-holder Alexander “El Explosivio” Munoz has all the makings of an instant classic.

The 12-round Mijares-Munoz main event, marking the first super flyweight unification title bout in more than 10 years, headlines the “Noche de Campeones” pay-per-view event live from the Auditorio Centenario in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico.

“Noche de Campeones,” promoted by KO Entertainment in association with DiBella Entertainment, will be produced and distributed by Integrated Sports for live viewing in the United States (9 PM/ET) on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and DISH Network, as well as on The Fight Network in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

The 12-round co-feature matches Mexican warriors Omar Salado and Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda in a WBC flyweight elimination bout.

“Unifying the super flyweight title is one of my first goals to be recognized as the best in my weight class,” Mijares said. “I’ve always desired to fight on a pay-per-view show and now it’s real. At the same time it is a big responsibility because so many boxing fans are going to be watching my performance. It’s an honor to fight before my people and I know more

DIAZ PREDICTS SANTA ANNA WINDS FROM THE ALAMO
WILL BLOW AWAY PACQUIAO'S DREAM FOR A FIFTH TITLE!

SAN ANTONIO, TX (May 7, 2008) -- World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion DAVID DIAZ (34-1-1, 17 KOs), from Chicago, paid a media day visit to San Antonio yesterday, May 6, to talk up his title defense against WBC super featherweight champion and Filipino national treasure MANNY PACQUIAO (46-3-2, 34 KOs).

After visiting The Alamo, the birthplace of Texas independence from Mexico, Diaz, whose family hails from Mexico, said: "Yesterday may have been Cinco de Mayo, but June 28 will be the sinking of Manny. His drive for five world titles will stall out when we meet in the ring in Las Vegas. I didn't work this hard to win the title just to become another notch on Pacquiao's belt. The Mexicutioner is about to become the Mexicutionee." (Note: Photo Credit for attached photos of Diaz at The Alamo: Bernie Bahrmasel/Top Rank)

The Pacquiao vs. Diaz world lightweight championship fight headlines "Lethal Combination," the pay-per-view extravaganza which takes place Saturday, June 28 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, the Pacquiao vs. Diaz pay-per-view telecast will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Remaining tickets for Pacquiao vs.Diaz, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Shaun George: "I Feel like a New Fighter

May 7, 2008: For Shaun George, his May 16 showdown with Chris Byrd is about more than a fight - it represents the struggle to fulfill the lofty potential held in his fists.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, George has had to overcome the odds more than once to reach his goals. Yet even in New York City's deep and competitive amateur boxing program, George was able to make a name for himself, earning two NY Golden Gloves titles and a US National Amateur championship. His amateur accolades have yet to translate into the professional acclaim that once seemed inevitable, a fact that George fully recognizes.

"Up until this point, I feel my career has been a disappointment to myself. I have all of this telent and I haven't shown it. I have the ability to take my fight game to the next level. I'm bringing it all to the table on May 16. I want to show everyone, not just the judges, not just myself, but everyone what I am made of."

Just as aware as George is of his thus far unlocked talent, he is just as cognizant of the stern challenge set before him. Byrd, 40-4-1 (21 KO), is a significantly more experienced professional with two heavyweight championships in his past. In order to elevate his training process, George left his adopted home base of North Jersey for the first time to prepare in Arizona.

Leaving behind his wife Casey, who is expecting their first child in September, has not been easy on George.

"Being away from my wife bothers me, but it's a sacrifice I have to make. I want to be the best that I can be. In the end, winning this fight will make it all worthwhile. look back more

Emery-Nickel Clash Added to FSN Best Damn Championship Fight Night Period Card June 12 at Mohegan Sun
 

HENDERSON, Nevada (May 6, 2008) – An compelling match between middleweights Jill Emery and Cristy “Code Red” Nickel has been added to the already exciting and competitive Fox Sports Net’s Best Damn Championship Fight Night Period card, headlined by a pair of International Female Boxers Association (IFBA) world championship bouts, on Thursday, June 12 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Best Damn Championship Fight Night Period, presented by Cappiello Boxing in association with Hollybrook Regency, Inc., features IFBA World junior featherweight champion Lisa “Bad News” Brown (14-3-3, 4 KOs) defending her crown against Alicia “Slick” Ashley (14-7-1, 1 KO) in the 10-round main event, plus Russian invader Anastasia Toktaulova (12-8, 2 KOs) challenging IFBA World flyweight champion Elena “Baby Doll” Reid (19-4-5, 5 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.

Emery (8-2, 3 KOs) and Nickel (7-6, 4 KOs) have a lot in common, including historic roles played in fights overseas. Both are college graduates from middle class backgrounds and physical training instructors who live in New York City. Jill works and trains at the famed Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, where Cristy often spars, yet, they’ve never met in person.

Pittsburgh-native Emery, a graduate of Bucknell University, is a 3-time US Nationals champion, who also captured top honors four years in the New York Daily more

Countdown Begins For Hatton's Return Against Lazcano

Listen to Conference  Video

Photo by Jane Warburton/MMG

Saturday, May 24 sees a record breaking show in the United Kingdom with 55,000 fans packed into the home of Manchester City Football Club to witness the homecoming of their favorite son, Ricky Hatton.

Ricky defends his IBO light welterweight crown and the most prestigious title in world boxing, the Ring Magazine belt, against Mexican-American hard man Juan Lazcano.

The eyes of the boxing world will be firmly focused on May 24 at 10PM when the first bell goes to see which Ricky Hatton steps into the ring. The big question will be has the loss to Floyd Mayweather done anything to the man's boxing ability and his belief in himself?

Very few fighters throughout history have stayed undefeated including such greats as Roberto Duran, Lennox Lewis, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard, but it is the nature of how a fighter comes back after a loss that is very important and that is what everyone will be judging Ricky Hatton upon.

In Autumn, Ricky Hatton is expected to step into the ring with IBF light welterweight champion Paul Malignaggi, who is certainly not shy about coming forward and more

JAMES MOORE WILL OPEN ESPN 2 TELECAST ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2008