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THE NEW ‘SULTAN OF SWAT’ READIES FOR ‘THE

QUIETMAN’ : IBRAGIMOV-RUIZ PURSE BID TO BE HELD ON

JUNE 3RD

HOLLYWOOD, FL, May 26 – Like the immortal Babe Ruth knocked home run after home run out of the park, the new “Sultan of Swat”, Sultan Ibragimov, is knocking out opponent after opponent in his quest for the Heavyweight Championship.

But finally, the unbeaten native of Rostov-na-Donu, Russia will get his chance to move closer to that dream as it was announced that a purse bid will take place on June 3rd, 2006 at noon during the IBF convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This bid will determine the day and site for the IBF elimination bout between Ibragimov (19-0, 16 KOs) and former World Champion John ‘The Quietman’ Ruiz. The winner will get a shot at newly crowned IBF Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko

“I would like to thank the IBF for this opportunity to fight for the number one contender’s position, and I would also like to thank my team of Warriors Boxing, Boris Grinberg, and Sampson Lewkowicz for their tireless efforts to put me in this position,” said Ibragimov. “Now it’s time for me to make the most of this opportunity, and I will succeed by knocking out John Ruiz and then Wladimir Klitschko to win the World Title.”

For more information on Warrior’s Boxing, please visit our website at www.warriorsboxing.com.

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                                                 Froch vs. Magee:

                                           Maloney Returns Fire

The Great Floyd Patterson

By Jim Amato

Poor Floyd Patterson. Everyone loved him but not everyone respected him as a fighter or champion. You rarely heard his name tossed about when the topic of all time great heavyweights is brought up.

Who is to blame for this heartbreaking oversight, people tend to forget that Patterson thrashed Archie Moore much more impressively then Rocky Marciano did the night he became the youngest man ever to win the heavyweight crown . Still when a " Dream Match " between Marciano and Patterson is talked about, Floyd is quickly dismissed... Simply put, Rocky had the PUNCH and Floyd did not have the whiskers.

After the Moore victory, Floyd would make " safe " defenses against guys like Pete Rademacher, and Tommy " Hurricane " Jackson. Floyd then had his chin exposed by Ingemar Johansson. To Floyd's credit he became the first heavyweight champion to regain the title by halting Ingo not once but twice. Finally Floyd fell to the ham like fists of Charles " Sonny " Liston in one round. Sonny repeated the one round trick in their return match.

I feel that the losses to Liston helped to make Floyd a better overall fighter. The " New " Patterson took on ALL comers. Fighters that he had " avoided ", were met and beaten. The new Patterson was raising some eyebrows. Although Floyd fought and lost to a prime time Muhammad Ali in 1965, he had earned that right to another title shot by defeating Eddie Machen and George Chuvalo. Floyd would come right back after his loss to Ali and destroy the respected Henry Cooper of England. he later fought a draw with an up and coming Jerry Quarry.

When Ali was stripped of his title for refusing to be inducted into the Army, the W.B.A. set up an eight man elimination tourney to determine a new champion. Floyd was among one of the eight selected. Floyd drew Jerry Quarry as his first tourney opponent. This time Jerry won a hotly disputed decision. Quarry went on to upset Thad Spencer and then lose to Jimmy Ellis in the " championship " bout.

Floyd had been so impessive against Quarry that he was matched with Ellis for Jimmy's W.B.A. title.On a cool night in Sweeden almost everyone thought that Floyd had done enough to win the verdict and regain the crown. Poor Floyd... The referee and sole voter gave it to Ellis.

Floyd would come back to win nine in a row including a points call over the rugged Oscar Bonavena. This led to another match with the now titleless Muhammad Ali. Floyd fought his heart out but could not overcome the bigger, stronger and faster Ali.

Patterson never fought again.

Danny Green Relishes Grudge

 Match With Anthony Mundine

Australia's ferocious super middleweight Danny Green won't have to wait long to get bitter rival Anthony Mundine in the ring as the two clash on Wednesday, May 17 at the Aussie Stadium in Sydney. At stake is the #1 position in the WBA ratings but for Green, it's not just business, it's personal. "In November of 2001, Mundine was interviewed on National TV and he called me a bum, basically disrespecting me," recalled Green. "He continued to say that, so enough was enough and I fired back saying, 'well mate if that's how you feel then let's do it, let's get it on'. And he avoided it for a long, long time. But now money talks so he figures the time is right."  

Apparently the Australian public agrees as the long building animosity between Green and Mundine has pushed this greatly anticipated pairing to live up to the pre-fight publicity. "This fight has been brewing for five years," declared Green's manager Justin Manolikos. "It's shaping up to be the biggest fight in Australian boxing history. We estimate a crowd of over 40,000 people and a viewing audience of one to one and a half million."  

Former IBF Interim Champion Green, 21-2 (19), brings tremendous punching power to the table and  can't wait to visit his destructive abilities upon ex-WBA Champion Mundine. "I'm very, very pumped; it's a massive occasion," said the Perth native. "It's a big fight but I have fought on bigger occasions. This fight isn't for the world title, it's just a stepping stone, an eliminator for the WBA world title, but it's a massive fight in Australia. I'm going to test Mundine's spirit, test his heart and I think that the man who wants to win more on the night is going to be the victor. That's how I feel and I'm very confident of being the man on the night."  

The Danny Green - Anthony Mundine Official WBA Super Middleweight Title Eliminator takes place at Aussie Stadium in Sydney, Australia on Wednesday, May 17. Tickets are priced from $95 to $1,000 and can be purchased online at http://premier.ticketek.com.au/  Main Event Pay-Per-View, Fox Sports Pub & Club and Austar will televise the historic fightcard starting at 5PM.   

Visit www.dannygreen.com.au to learn more about Danny "The Green Machine" Green.

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                                                                                                                                              Return of Daniel “The Haitian

 Sensation” Edouard

(DAYTONA BEACH, FL) – Professional boxing will return to Daytona Beach for the first time in more than a decade as the Daytona Cubs, in conjunction with the Manolo Corporation, have officially announced “Fight Night at the Jack.” The event is set for Saturday, May 27, 2006, at 7:00 P.M. at Jackie Robinson Ballpark..

The boxing card will feature the return of Daniel “The Haitian Sensation” Edouard, former USBA and current Fedecentro Middleweight Champion in a potential slugfest against Venezuelan heavy hitter Elio Ortiz. Edouard (16-1-2) has his only professional loss in his last fight versus current undisputed Middleweight Champion Jermain Taylor on February 19, 2005, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. He has not fought since. Ortiz, who bolsters 21 knock outs in his 27 victories, has faced the likes of Ricardo Mayorga, Sharmbra Mitchell, Kermit Cintron and Teddy Reid.

“I’m very excited to get back in the ring. I felt like I needed some time off from boxing to get my mind clear and free and to focus on the next stage of my career; and now I am both physically and mentally ready,” said Eduoard, who currently resides in West Palm Beach. “I’m looking forward to making my return in Daytona Beach at this historical venue.”

Edouard is simultaneously debuting at junior middleweight (154 lbs) which he believes to be closer to his true boxing weight than the middleweight class from previously in his career. “Boxers typically cut weight. If they walk around at 180 or 185 pounds, then they box at 160. I walk around at 170 pounds so my true boxing weight is closer to 154, or maybe even 147.” Edouard said. “I believe that competing at my true boxing weight will make him me an even bigger force and offer fans very exciting fights.”

The fight card will also mark the return of light heavyweight Derrick Harman (24-6), who once took Roy Jones, Jr., 11 rounds in Tampa’s Ice Palace on February 24, 2001. Other fighters on the card include undefeated Mexican lightweight Abisal Santizo (6-0), American featherweight Terry “The Palm Beach Punisher” Lantz and light welterweight Jose Angel Roman of Puerto Rico.

Ticket prices for “Fight Night at the Jack” are set at $15 for General Admission, $25 for Reserved, $35 for V.I.P. Box, $50 for Ringside Seats and up to $100 for VIP Table seating. There is a $10 ticket available to those with a Student ID as well as a $5 discount for all other tickets purchased in advance of May 19. The entire fight card will be announced soon and should feature as many as seven bouts.

For information please contact the Daytona Cubs at (386) 257-3172

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Ricky Hatton's Calm

Before The Storm

The fight that Ricky Hatton has been training his entire career for is just one day away and "The Hitman" couldn't be more serene. "I'm really enjoying myself in Boston, it's a great fight town," he said between sessions with the enthusiastic American media, in town to cover Hatton's clash with WBA Welterweight Champion Luis Collazo, presented by Fight Academy and Banner Promotions at the TD Banknorth Garden this Saturday and televised live by in the US by HBO and in the UK on Sky Box Office.

Normally a light welter, Hatton looked rock-solid wearing the extra seven pounds of the welterweight class at the press conference yesterday and was in a jovial mood after receiving a gift from his Brooklyn based opponent. "Collazo gave me a six pack of Guinness as a present," quipped Hatton, "which will take me all of five minutes to drink after the fight!"  

Hatton, 40-0 (30), is no stranger to the spotlight, having become accustomed to his role as one of Britain's most popular sportsmen. His relaxation at this crucial juncture is simply the calm before the storm, which he's determined to visit upon Luis Collazo, 26-1 (12). "I plan on showing the American audience what I've been delivering in Britain for 40 fights," he said. "I believe that I'm the most exciting fighter in boxing and that I've always given good value for money. I'm the same old Ricky Hatton and don't plan on being anything less tomorrow night."  

Fight Academy and Banner Promotions present the Ricky Hatton - Luis Collazo WBA Welterweight title clash held on Saturday, May 13 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, MA, televised live by in the US by HBO World Championship Boxing at 9:45PM ET/6:45PM PT and live in the UK by Sky Box Office starting at 9PM BST. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com

Oscar Stops Mayorga

By Michael Amakor - May 7,2006

Boxing fans were treated to another brilliant performance at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on May 6th, as Oscar De La Hoya, popularly known as the golden boy, despite a twenty month joy filled absence away from the ring needed only six rounds to decapitate the hydra headed trash talking Ricardo Mayorga, and seize his WBC Light Middleweight belt to add to his sizeable collection of trophies.

Most boxing analysts, including myself believed that Oscar might have been taking on more than he could chew too soon by challenging Mayorga, a fighter known for his wild power punching slugging tactics that once caught Vernon Forest and Trinidad off guard sending them down to the canvas. Our fears were however unfounded as Oscar unleashed his vintage left hook combinations that dropped Mayorga in the very first round, he then proceeded to brutalize the overmatched Mayorga down the stretch, firing laser guided bombs that ended suddenly with a barrage of punches that battered Mayorga against the ropes in the sixth round forcing Jay Nady to jump in and stop the one sided slugfest at the 1:25 mark.

As is typical after most feuds after a fight, the beaten Mayorga apologized to a gracious Oscar De la Hoya for all the horrible invectives he heaped on him to draw him out of his skin for this fight. This knew found respect is always preceded after receiving a sound beating, he has now tasted first hand, the destructive power of Oscar punches that have garnered him so many accolades over the years.I believe Mayorga is now convinced that Oscar is the real deal for him to apologize so soon after the fight, the ignomy of this defeat and the pain in his body must have convinced him not show up for post fight press conference afterwards.

This fight exemplifies the superiority of pure skill over sheer will, and this will no doubt be one of the most notable victories in Oscar's career which will be elevated to a higher plateau if he follows through with speculations of fighting Mayweather Jr or the winner of the Winky Wright vs Jermaine Taylor showdown. If he wins any of those fights he will become more than the living legend that he already is.

On my part, I have no doubt that he will give a good account of himself against any of them if these fights ever happen, but I would advise him to regain his rhythm against another B class opponent before stepping up to the A game of the winner of the Winky Wright vs. Jermain Taylor showdown, or Floyd Mayweather for that matter. Both of these guys are capable of giving him a boxing clinic if he rides up against them too soon and ill prepared as Felix Trinidad found out to his chagrin.

Nevertheless, this is Oscar's ninth title seizure in six weight divisions, his record has now improved to a solid 38 wins, 4 losses including stopping 34 top flight foes inside the distance. Simply Amazing.

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Rivera Dominates Garcia

By Michael Amakor - May 7, 2006

In another great fight in the Light Middleweight division(154lbs), former Welterweight champion Jose Antonio Rivera dropped defending champion Alejandro Garcia five times to seize his WBA Light Middleweight belt in front of his home town fans at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. The judges awarded the victory to Rivera by unanimous decision scoring the bout 116-106 twice and 114-117 against Garcia.

Rivera was not out of the fight despite the knockdowns and rose up from each occasion to fire off some telling right hands that wobbled Rivera in some cases, but he was unable to capitalize on his seemingly adjudged greater power and did not see or could not prevent Rivera right hooks and crosses that landed flush, catching him in all cases, off balance sending him down and up from without his wits or senses about him long enough to change his fight plan to counter Rivera constant pressure and ring generalship..

Rivera holds down a regular job in the court system in Massachusetts and had to take time off to prepare for this fight, and it showed because he was quite sure of himself during the pre-fight interview. He also claims that he was too dehydrated in the welterweight division and had decided to move up in weight, he still made some headlines in that division and had just lost his WBA Welterweight strap in his last fight against Luis Collozo in April of 05.

He now claims to feel stronger in the Light Middleweight Division and he fought a smart tactical fight against Garcia, he better head back to the gym and get ready to be called back to duty, if Oscar De la Hoya decides to begin a new mission of unifying the division.

I have no doubt that the battle tested Rivera will hold his own after examining his record which now stands at 38 victories, 4 defeats and draw which includes stopping 24 foes inside the distance. All hail the new champ.

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