The International Boxing League - Page 13

Romdawg88 · 06-20-2007, 11:11 PM

I think we should all take a moment and say a prayer that Wilfie Greaves gets out of this match in one piece. I don't envy him at all.

Jeff1787 · 06-21-2007, 10:43 AM

The build up to these fights is something else......

kenyan_cheena · 06-21-2007, 05:30 PM

Thanks, Jeff. Glad you're enjoying it.

Ric915 · 06-21-2007, 05:31 PM

The write ups are awesome Can't wait to see how my guy does. Ray Lampkin is gonna be in for a world of hurt

SAL · 06-24-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

(continuation of post #231)

Yes, Long is perhaps one of the fittest fighters amongst the ranks of the IBL but in the days since the scheduling lottery he has taken his training to another, bionic-like level.

"I'm not going to die wondering," he said, smiling. "I have to be prepared as close to perfectly as possible to give myself the best chance of success. I don't know why anyone wouldn't be doing that. I mean, just looking at the other guys in my group I'm going to have to treat every fight like it's do or die."

It's true that the "USA West" region of the Light-Heavyweight division is one of the toughest in the entire International Boxing League with other fighters such as Michael Spinks, John Henry Lewis, Michael Nunn and Jack Fox all expected to contend for a top four finish. Against such imposing opposition, Long will do well to qualify for the World Championship tournament and it will be fascinating to follow his progress during the coming year...

I'll take just a short break from my training to reply to the BS that tub from Florida that calls himself the Iceman has been putting out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Your right of course, it is wrong of me to tempt fate and to insult such a talented fighter with such a bogus prediction. Thus, I feel it is necessary for me to revise my prediction to be more fitting of a fighter of SAL's stature, Foster by KO in 60 seconds. There I feel much better for righting my previous wrong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Now I'm really looking forward to your guy's debut, just to see if anything "unexpected" happens...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Well, I'm clearly hoping that if Karma decides to punish me it gets me before my fighter's debut. Of course, if Karma happens to live in Australia I might be screwed.

Karma will be the last thing the Iceman will have to worry about once I prove my mettle in the Light Heavies. Once I'm satisfied with ring skills against the Light heavies, I have no problem packing on a few pounds and would relish a chance to fight in the Heavyweight division......escp. down in Florida. So Mr. Romy, just keep packing away those donuts and maybe I'll pay you a visit in a year or two.

Romdawg88 · 06-24-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAL

I'll take just a short break from my training to reply to the BS that tub from Florida that calls himself the Iceman has been putting out.

Karma will be the last thing the Iceman will have to worry about once I prove my mettle in the Light Heavies. Once I'm satisfied with ring skills against the Light heavies, I have no problem packing on a few pounds and would relish a chance to fight in the Heavyweight division......escp. down in Florida. So Mr. Romy, just keep packing away those donuts and maybe I'll pay you a visit in a year or two.

I look forward to your short stay in the Heavyweight division. Since I'm such a nice guy I'll even give you a shot at my world title before sending you scurrying back to the LHWs.

kenyan_cheena · 07-08-2007, 01:51 AM

COLOSSAL AMBITIONS

Wednesday 7 August 2002

Story by David Gomez for espn.com

Having grown up in the tough northern St. Louis housing project of Pruitt-Igoe, 22 year-old International Boxing League competitor Michael Spinks experienced a childhood that was anything but easy. His was a neighbourhood where violence was a regular occurence with gang warfare, drugs and murder presenting hurdles that those who inhabited the neglected area had to endure on a daily basis.

"It's something I've tried hard to forget," said Spinks. "Those were dark days and I feel real fortunate that I survived them, that my family survived them and that they're behind us. Like, I remember walking down the street one day when I was about twelve years old and this brother got shot in the head right in front of me."

A haunted quality came to his eyes as he reflected on the incident.

"That type o' stuff happened all the time," he said. "I think at one point almost half the teenage brothers in the neighbourhood were part of one gang or another. Just crazy s%^t, you know? Brothers just destroying themselves. Just boggles my mind when I think of all the lives that were just snuffed out for nothing. Just senseless."

His father was an alcoholic who deserted his family when Michael was just eleven, leaving him, his younger brother Leon and their mother Kay to fend for themselves. It was an incident that forced Michael to grow up quickly, helping his mother by getting a job selling newspapers.

"It didn't pay much, but it was something," said Spinks. "My mother is an extraordinary woman but those were hard times for her and I tried my hardest to make them a bit easier."

For a time it looked like the family would be doomed to a life of struggle in Pruitt-Igoe but the government stepped in when the decision was made to demolish the deteriorating project back in 1994. Some of the residents protested but for Michael and his family it was a true blessing.

"They set us up in an apartment complex in Richmond Heights," said Spinks. "We were still poor but the difference between that neighbourhood and Pruitt, it was jus' like night and day. That was where I discovered boxing and, lookin' back, if my family hadn't come to RH my life could o' been real different today."

Spinks started training at the neighbourhood gym named the Capri when he was sixteen, under the watchful eye of the gym's owner Jim Merrill.

(to be continued)

kenyan_cheena · 07-08-2007, 10:10 PM

(continuation)

It was quickly evident that Spinks was a gifted, powerful boxer, a young man with the ability to inflict damage with both hands. Before long he had started fighting as an amateur in the Middleweight division, accumulating an impressive record and winning several tournaments during '97, '98 and '99 before shocking many with his upset KO victory over Harry Greb in the Sydney Olympics selection trial final. Despite being three years younger than Spinks, Greb was favoured to represent the USA in Sydney but Spinks floored him for the full count with a flush left hook midway through round three. What followed made Spinks a national hero as he won the gold medal in Sydney, becoming an Olympic Champion. Spinks defeated the Frenchman Marcel Cerdan in the semi-finals and Panama's Joe Gans in the gold medal match, joining Lightweight Pernell Whitaker and Light-Welterweight Ray Leonard as one of three United States champions at the event.

"That surprised a lot of people," said Spinks. "Folks were thinkin' that Harry was unbeatable, which in my opinion is a tag that should never be applied to a boxer. We're all just one punch away from disaster and I gave proof to that theory when I defeated him. That gave me a lot of confidence that I could go all the way in Sydney and it was a real dream run that I had through the tournament."

Spinks made the most of his status as Olympic Champion, signing an endorsement deal with Nike that improved his family's financial situation. Come 2001, Spinks was considering his options. With no professional boxing structure in place he wondered how much of a future he had in the sport. Nonetheless, he continued his amateur career and clashed with Greb twice during the year. The Pittsburgh native gained a measure of revenge in April before Spinks was victorious in their rubber match three months later.

A couple of weeks after that fight, Spinks was able to look upon his status in the sport with renewed optimism as the formation of the Heavyweight Boxing Federation, boxing's first professional organisation in almost fifty years, was announced in New York. Then on the 3rd of September, Federation President Michael Vincennes revealed that a World Championship tournament would be held and Spinks almost made a decision right then and there to attend the auditions.

"I thought it wouldn't be too hard to pile on thirty pounds," he said, laughing. "I was that excited to be a part of it but a good friend of my mother's told me I should wait. Jim was even more adamant, said that I'd destroy any chance I had of a successful career. I remember how he told me that the HBF would just be the beginning, that a day would come when the whole sport would be professional, not just the big guys. So I waited and I have to say, that day came a lot quicker than I expected."

Rumours of an HBF expansion started in early February and gathered steam when Spinks and fellow gold medallist Ray Leonard were contacted by individuals who claimed to have engaged in expansion talks with Vincennes. The issue died down almost as quickly as it arose but then on the 4th of April, Las Vegas businessman James Molk caught the boxing-following public with their pants down when, with the assistance of Leonard, Spinks and Whitaker, he unveiled the International Boxing League, a second professional organisation but one that would cater to the weight divisions starting at Featherweight and going all the way up to Light-Heavyweight.

"Looking back, it was just beautiful, the way Mr. Molk pulled it off," said Spinks, smiling. "It was nice to be a part of it also, I have to say."

Spinks' decision to compete in the IBL as a Light-Heavyweight generated speculation over whether he was running from what was expected to be a "stacked" Middleweight division.

"I never really understood that," said the St. Louis native. "I mean, I was the Olympic Middleweight Champion. I had already earned the right to be called the best in the division so to say that I was running was pretty crazy."

Spinks went on to reveal the reasons for his decision and to say that they have ambition at their core would be an understatement.

"People will say that my ego has gotten the better of me," he said. "But I feel that if I don't strive for the highest of achievements, why should I bother? I just turned 22 last month and it's my intention that, by the time of my 34th birthday, I'll be the first three-division Champion in the history of our sport. I'm giving myself twelve years to do it, to win the Light-Heavy, Junior-Heavy and Heavyweight Championships. I make no bones about this and I mean no disrespect to my competitors. It's what I'm shooting for and what I plan to achieve."

Indeed, there would be many who'd say that Spinks has set himself a goal he can't possibly achieve, but he must be admired for the colossal nature of his ambitions.

"You know, I was living in poverty ten years ago," Spinks said. "Looked like my life would amount to nothing but boxing and the IBL has given me a chance to achieve something that I couldn't've dreamed of or even conceived of back then. Why shouldn't I shoot for the stars?"

Spinks will step into the ring for the first time as a professional boxer on the 4th of September at LA's Staples Center against hometown favourite Tommy Harrison. It's a bout that Spinks is expected to win and hopefully it will be a great first step on a path that may one day lead him to legendary heights...

Romdawg88 · 07-08-2007, 11:31 PM

When Spinks moves up I'll be willing to give him a shot at my belt and smack him around abit. We can do it after I take care of that Long fellow that was talking trash earlier or better yet set up a 2 on 1 handicap match so that they stand a small chance of seeing the 2nd round.

SAL · 07-11-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

When Spinks moves up I'll be willing to give him a shot at my belt and smack him around abit. We can do it after I take care of that Long fellow that was talking trash earlier or better yet set up a 2 on 1 handicap match so that they stand a small chance of seeing the 2nd round.

Man there is a lot of hot air coming from the south (Florida) here in Kansas.
Maybe it'll dry things out a little up here. Hey Iceman, don't count on facing Spinks anytime soon. After I smack him around in the Light Heavies, he'll have no desire to move up in weight unless it is to get away from me. As for you and me..........you win the HBF belt first and then I would consider facing you in the ring.

Romdawg88 · 07-11-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAL

Man there is a lot of hot air coming from the south (Florida) here in Kansas.
Maybe it'll dry things out a little up here. Hey Iceman, don't count on facing Spinks anytime soon. After I smack him around in the Light Heavies, he'll have no desire to move up in weight unless it is to get away from me. As for you and me..........you win the HBF belt first and then I would consider facing you in the ring.

Don't you worry I'll grab that belt no problems and I got you penciled in as my first defense already. I'm sure the bossman will let it happen. Hell, my guy is only 195ish pounds a good diet and I could probably cut to 175 so grabbing the HW, JHW, and LHW belts sound like fun. I suggest you start finding out how 160 suits you and make the move down as quickly as possible to avoid the hurting coming your way.

kenyan_cheena · 07-11-2007, 10:32 PM

HIGH HOPES DOWN UNDER

Friday 9 August 2002

It's now just seventeen days until the commencement of the International Boxing League's regional World Championship qualifying tournament and, as is the case in many other countries, followers of the sport in Australia are excitedly readying themselves for it. The Sydney Entertainment Centre will play host to the first card of the Light-Heavyweight division's Oceania region on Monday the 2nd of September and with six locals set to be in action, it figures to be a great night of action.

"There's been a real buzz building up during the last couple of weeks," said Sydney Telegraph sports writer David Greenshields. "Even though we weren't able to watch it, the league's opening night was big news and it really gave an extra dose of anticipation for everyone who follows the sport down here. I'm pretty sure that the tickets have already sold out and the event is still three weeks away. That just shows you how popular it's going to be. Don't forget, the HBF guys will also be down here next week for the Asian Championship auditions. There's been a lot of interest in that, also."

A number of Australian competitors are expected to make a splash in the IBL, led by Sydney Olympics medallists Jeff Fenech and Les Darcy. Fenech will be fighting in the Featherweight division and is the early favourite to finish at the top of the Asia/Oceania region. He'll have some tough opposition to contend with, including fellow Sydney native Albert Griffiths, who the IBL discovered during their June selection trials. Silver medallist Darcy will be competing in the talent-heavy Middleweight division but will be in a good position to qualify for the World Championship tournament from the Asia/Oceania/Africa region.

"No doubt, there's some solid fighters in the group," Darcy said recently. "Guys like Dick Tiger and Koichi Wajima. But I'd be lying if I said I don't feel a little bit lucky. Knowing that I won't have to tackle any of the American fighters to start my career ... that's a pretty good break, I have to say."

Elsewhere, Mark Somogyi is tipped to be the standout in what is a Light-Heavyweight regional group full of virtual unknowns, at least internationally. He'll make his debut during the Sydney card and Greenshields is enthusiastic about the hard-punching Melbournian's prospects.

"Somogyi has a really great chance of finishing on top of that group," he said. "Light-Heavy is a division where we aren't the strongest in this part of the world but Mark is an exception and I'll be surprised if he doesn't go through the regional phase undefeated."

As Greenshields mentioned, the Heavyweight Boxing Federation will be visiting Australia next week to hold auditions for their upcoming Asia/Oceania Championship tournament. The auditions will be held in Melbourne and it's hoped that they'll unveil some talented fighters.

"PJ has made us all proud with his efforts in the World Championship tournament," said Greenshields, referring to undefeated 6th seed Peter Jackson. "It would be great if we could build on what he's achieved and the Asian tournament is a great opportunity for us to do that."

Whatever angle you look at it and from a HBF and IBL perspective, there's little doubt that Australia is set to be one of the major powerhouses in boxing during the coming years...

kenyan_cheena · 08-09-2007, 10:29 PM

NYC LIGHTWEIGHTS CIRCLING EACH OTHER
AHEAD OF REGIONAL QUALIFIERS

Wednesday 14 August 2002

A war of words has erupted in New York City during the past couple of days between supporters of International Boxing League Lightweight competitors Tony Canzoneri and Richie Plunkett. The two fighters account for Gotham's entire presence in the league's regional qualfiers in the Lightweight division and with both of them Italian-Americans, there's been a healthy dose of animated trash talking going on over which one will emerge as "The King of New York".

Canzoneri and Plunkett have not said anything to ignite the colourful debate, prefering to concentrate on preparations for their debut bouts which are set to take place on the 20th of September in West Virginia. Even so, they recognised the importance of their eventual clash when asked about it.

"Of course," said Plunkett. "There's gonna be a whole bunch of fights in these tournaments that have local significance, that'll generate rivalries and greater than average interest. When Tony and I step in the ring against each other, there's gonna be a whole added dimension to it with both of us representin' NYC. I ain't got anything against him personally but I'd be lying if I said that I'm not looking forward to it."

"It's kind of weird," said the 17 year-old Canzoneri. "'Cause I wasn't born in New York, see? I was born in Louisiana and my family only moved to Queens about five years ago. But I consider myself a New Yorker now so I guess it's understandable. I'm not going to let the hype get the better of me, though. Yeah, we may be a couple of New Yorkers but in the end it'll just be another tournament bout. Puttin' it bluntly, my future ambitions pretty much dwarf anything that'll come from a win in that fight."

In an article in today's New York Age, sports journalist James Reynolds pointed out the age difference between the two fighters as something that could swing the outcome in Plunkett's favour.

"Richie's a full decade older," wrote Reynolds. "I have the feeling that he'll handle any pressure that comes from the fight better than Tony will. But then again, we haven't seen either of them in action yet so Canzoneri might be more than capable of putting that to one side."

"It's gonna be the Bronx versus Queens," continued Reynolds. "The Yankees and Mets in a boxing ring. What more could you ask for?"

Ric915 · 08-10-2007, 03:23 PM

Ahhhhh..I can't wait..Great write up...it's funny Canzonari has always been a favorite of mine going back to the title bout board game days to bad I'm gonna have to beat him down

kenyan_cheena · 08-19-2007, 10:20 PM

GREB TO HEADLINE IBL OPENER

Friday 16 August 2002

International Boxing League Chief Director James Molk has released details of the "running order" for the organisation's first week of regional qualifier fight cards, which kicks off in Pittsburgh in ten days.

The league's opening week will feature bouts in the Middleweight division and local hero Harry Greb has been selected to feature in the main event of the Pittsburgh card. Greb was on hand at Molk's MGM Grand Casino for the announcement and expressed his pride and gratitude to the league's Chief Director over his selection.

"It'll be a great honor for me to headline the league's debut fight card," said Greb. "To do so in my hometown will just make it all the more special and I want to thank Mr. Molk and the league for this appointment."

Hard-hitting Wisconsin native Jake Morrison will appear in the Co-Feature, his nemesis from the selection trials Stanley Ketchel preceeding him in the night's fourth contest.

Understandably and unsurprisingly, the league has scheduled each card to feature either a local fighter or, failing that, the best possible matchup in the main event. Italian gold medallist Nino Benvenuti will headline Tuesday's European event at the Casino Di Campione in Lombardia while on the Wednesday Mexico's Javier Aguirre and Texas-born Californian Terry Norris should produce sparks when they highlight the card at the MGM Grand.

Promising local Mickey Walker will take on Gene Armstrong in the Atlantic City main event on Thursday and on Friday Japanese bronze medallist Koichi Wajima will start his campaign in front of thousands of his fellow countrymen at Tokyo's Ariake Coliseum. The week will conclude on Saturday at Panama City's Olympia Stadium with silver medallist and national hero Joe Gans headlining the event against Colombia's Santiago Lopez.

"I'm confident that our opening week will be a fantastic success," said Molk. "It will be the culmination of these extraordinary last four months and to think that it is now a mere ten days away is something that sends chills of anticipation down my spine. I'm sure that all fans of the International Boxing League are just as excited and expectant as I am."

Following is the complete schedule for the league's opening week of regional qualifiers (note: bouts listed in order from Opening Bout through to Main Event):

MONDAY 26/08/02
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - NORTH AMERICA CENTRAL
VENUE: MELLON ARENA, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, USA

CHARLEY BURLEY vs PAUL PIRRONE
FRANK BATTAGLIA vs TED WRIGHT
GREG MOE vs TONY ZALE
MIKE O'DOWD vs STANLEY KETCHEL
WILFIE GREAVES vs JAKE MORRISON
HARRY GREB vs RONNIE HARRIS

TUESDAY 27/08/02
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - EUROPE
VENUE: CASINO DI CAMPIONE, LECCO, LOMBARDIA, ITALY

GRATIEN TONNA vs LAURENT BOUDOUANI
LUIS FOLLEDO vs ALAN MINTER
LEO STAROSCH vs MAURICE HOPE
NIGEL BENN vs ODDONE PIAZZA
MARCEL CERDAN vs RANDY TURPIN
NINO BENVENUTI vs TOM BOGS

WEDNESDAY 28/08/02
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - NORTH AMERICA WEST
VENUE: MGM GRAND HOTEL & CASINO, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA

MICHAEL OLAJIDE vs GEORGE DUKE
FREDDIE APOSTOLI vs LUPE AQUINO
BOBBY JONES vs BERT LYTELL
JAMES TONEY vs DENNY MOYER
MARCOS GERALDO vs FREDDIE STEELE
TERRY NORRIS vs JAVIER AGUIRRE

THURSDAY 29/08/02
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - NORTH AMERICA EAST/CARIBBEAN
VENUE: BOARDWALK HALL, ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY, USA

RUBIN CARTER vs HOLMAN WILLIAMS
KID TUNERO vs JOEY ARCHER
DONATO PADUANO vs YAMA BAHAMA
JEFF SMITH vs HARRY SMITH
MIKE MCCALLUM vs ELISHA OBED
MICKEY WALKER vs GENE ARMSTRONG

FRIDAY 30/08/02
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - ASIA/OCEANIA/AFRICA
VENUE: ARIAKE COLISEUM, TOKYO, JAPAN

DAVE SANDS vs TADASHI MIHARA
TROY WATERS vs GIOVANNI PRETORIUS
CHARLIE WEIR vs DICK TIGER
CEFERINO GARCIA vs LES DARCY
SHINJI TAKEHARA vs MASASHI KUDO
KOICHI WAJIMA vs MICHAEL DYSON

SATURDAY 31/08/02
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - SOUTH AMERICA
VENUE: OLYMPIA STADIUM, PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

JUAN ROLDAN vs MIGUEL DEOLIVEIRA
ANDRES SELPA vs FABIO AUTRAN
MIGUEL CASTELLINI vs KENNY BRISTOL
CARLOS HERRERA vs OMAR ENDARA
RODRIGO VALDEZ vs ROLANDO LOMBARDO
JOE GANS vs SANTIAGO LOPEZ

kenyan_cheena · 09-27-2007, 01:05 AM

SAYS CAMACHO:
"ROSARIO'S FANS ARE SENDING ME DEATH THREATS"

Wednesday 21 August 2002

Speaking last night on a popular Puerto Rican variety show, International Boxing League Lightweight competitor Hector Camacho has revealed that he's received "close to 100 anonymous death threats" during the past couple of months.

"I'm pretty certain that it's Rosario's fans," said Camacho, smiling. "Rosario's fans are sending me death threats and I have to say that I take it as a compliment. They are terrified of what I'll do to their guy once we step in the ring and this shows that they'll resort to anything to try to unnerve me."

Camacho said that the threats had come as either brief phone calls or letters in the mail, with one caller making it known that he'd been following the outgoing 19 year-old on his travels around his hometown of Bayamon.

"A couple of times I've actually dared them to kill me," Camacho said, laughing. "I say to them, "Well, I'm at my house right now so why not come and kill me? I'll be waiting." But so far none of them have shown up and that disappoints me."

"Oh, I'm sure that he has nothing to do with it at all," replied Camacho when asked if he thought Rosario was involved in the threats. "I may have called him some things lately but coward definitely ain't one of them. he's a tough guy and it would be totally out of character for him to have put these people up to it."

It will be interesting to hear Rosario's take on the situation and whether or not he'll demand that the threats against Camacho stop. He could not be reached for a comment today.

MOTIVATING FACTOR:
SALDIVAR PUSHED ON BY HATRED

In other rivalry-related IBL news, the trainer of Mexican Featherweight boxer (and Olympic Bantamweight gold medallist) Vicente Saldivar has spoken today of the unusual method he's employed to motivate his charge for the upcoming regional qualifiers.

"I've put about fifty large photos of Sanchez all around the gym," said Rodolfo Saldivar, who also happens to be the fighter's father. "Every time he sees one of those shots of the guy smiling at him it really pisses him off and it makes him train even harder. I really can't tell you how badly he wants to defeat Sanchez."

The hatred that exists between Sanchez and Saldivar has been well-documented and the day that they finally step into the ring against each other is, without a doubt, a day to look forward to...

Ric915 · 09-28-2007, 10:35 AM

Great Stuff KC

Send Camacho a death Threat from me too Damn I hated him

kenyan_cheena · 09-28-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric915

Great Stuff KC

Send Camacho a death Threat from me too Damn I hated him

Thanks, Ric.

Hopefully your fighter will also develop a hatred for him as the story progresses, leading to a great eventual matchup.

One of the things I'm sorry about is that my lack of activity in recent weeks has delayed the start of the IBL tournaments. I'd like to apologise to everyone for that. But the first card is only a few universe days away now and I'm really looking forward to writing about it.

Ric915 · 10-02-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Thanks, Ric.

Hopefully your fighter will also develop a hatred for him as the story progresses, leading to a great eventual matchup.

One of the things I'm sorry about is that my lack of activity in recent weeks has delayed the start of the IBL tournaments. I'd like to apologise to everyone for that. But the first card is only a few universe days away now and I'm really looking forward to writing about it.

Definately understandable life does always seem to get in the way BTW sorry about your Bengals last night I hate New England

kenyan_cheena · 10-02-2007, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric915

Definately understandable life does always seem to get in the way BTW sorry about your Bengals last night I hate New England

That was very disheartening to watch, especially when Chad and Palmer were arguing before halftime.

Once again, been busy the last couple of days. HBF/IBL will definitely be back in action tomorrow.

06-20-2007, 11:11 PM	#241
Romdawg88 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Belle Glade, FL Posts: 4,182	I think we should all take a moment and say a prayer that Wilfie Greaves gets out of this match in one piece. I don't envy him at all. __________________ Romy "Iceman" Alvarez First TBCB Forum Tournament Champion, 10-6 (5). IBL: 13 - 4 (7) Henry Armstrong > You.

06-21-2007, 10:43 AM	#242
Jeff1787 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Doghouse Posts: 3,535	The build up to these fights is something else...... __________________ 1903: The hatchet is finally buried

07-08-2007, 01:51 AM	#247
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	COLOSSAL AMBITIONS Wednesday 7 August 2002 Story by David Gomez for espn.com Having grown up in the tough northern St. Louis housing project of Pruitt-Igoe, 22 year-old International Boxing League competitor Michael Spinks experienced a childhood that was anything but easy. His was a neighbourhood where violence was a regular occurence with gang warfare, drugs and murder presenting hurdles that those who inhabited the neglected area had to endure on a daily basis. "It's something I've tried hard to forget," said Spinks. "Those were dark days and I feel real fortunate that I survived them, that my family survived them and that they're behind us. Like, I remember walking down the street one day when I was about twelve years old and this brother got shot in the head right in front of me." A haunted quality came to his eyes as he reflected on the incident. "That type o' stuff happened all the time," he said. "I think at one point almost half the teenage brothers in the neighbourhood were part of one gang or another. Just crazy s%^t, you know? Brothers just destroying themselves. Just boggles my mind when I think of all the lives that were just snuffed out for nothing. Just senseless." His father was an alcoholic who deserted his family when Michael was just eleven, leaving him, his younger brother Leon and their mother Kay to fend for themselves. It was an incident that forced Michael to grow up quickly, helping his mother by getting a job selling newspapers. "It didn't pay much, but it was something," said Spinks. "My mother is an extraordinary woman but those were hard times for her and I tried my hardest to make them a bit easier." For a time it looked like the family would be doomed to a life of struggle in Pruitt-Igoe but the government stepped in when the decision was made to demolish the deteriorating project back in 1994. Some of the residents protested but for Michael and his family it was a true blessing. "They set us up in an apartment complex in Richmond Heights," said Spinks. "We were still poor but the difference between that neighbourhood and Pruitt, it was jus' like night and day. That was where I discovered boxing and, lookin' back, if my family hadn't come to RH my life could o' been real different today." Spinks started training at the neighbourhood gym named the Capri when he was sixteen, under the watchful eye of the gym's owner Jim Merrill. (to be continued) Last edited by kenyan_cheena; 01-01-2008 at 05:06 PM.

07-08-2007, 11:31 PM	#249
Romdawg88 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Belle Glade, FL Posts: 4,182	When Spinks moves up I'll be willing to give him a shot at my belt and smack him around abit. We can do it after I take care of that Long fellow that was talking trash earlier or better yet set up a 2 on 1 handicap match so that they stand a small chance of seeing the 2nd round. __________________ Romy "Iceman" Alvarez First TBCB Forum Tournament Champion, 10-6 (5). IBL: 13 - 4 (7) Henry Armstrong > You.

08-09-2007, 10:29 PM	#253
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	NYC LIGHTWEIGHTS CIRCLING EACH OTHER AHEAD OF REGIONAL QUALIFIERS Wednesday 14 August 2002 A war of words has erupted in New York City during the past couple of days between supporters of International Boxing League Lightweight competitors Tony Canzoneri and Richie Plunkett. The two fighters account for Gotham's entire presence in the league's regional qualfiers in the Lightweight division and with both of them Italian-Americans, there's been a healthy dose of animated trash talking going on over which one will emerge as "The King of New York". Canzoneri and Plunkett have not said anything to ignite the colourful debate, prefering to concentrate on preparations for their debut bouts which are set to take place on the 20th of September in West Virginia. Even so, they recognised the importance of their eventual clash when asked about it. "Of course," said Plunkett. "There's gonna be a whole bunch of fights in these tournaments that have local significance, that'll generate rivalries and greater than average interest. When Tony and I step in the ring against each other, there's gonna be a whole added dimension to it with both of us representin' NYC. I ain't got anything against him personally but I'd be lying if I said that I'm not looking forward to it." "It's kind of weird," said the 17 year-old Canzoneri. "'Cause I wasn't born in New York, see? I was born in Louisiana and my family only moved to Queens about five years ago. But I consider myself a New Yorker now so I guess it's understandable. I'm not going to let the hype get the better of me, though. Yeah, we may be a couple of New Yorkers but in the end it'll just be another tournament bout. Puttin' it bluntly, my future ambitions pretty much dwarf anything that'll come from a win in that fight." In an article in today's New York Age, sports journalist James Reynolds pointed out the age difference between the two fighters as something that could swing the outcome in Plunkett's favour. "Richie's a full decade older," wrote Reynolds. "I have the feeling that he'll handle any pressure that comes from the fight better than Tony will. But then again, we haven't seen either of them in action yet so Canzoneri might be more than capable of putting that to one side." "It's gonna be the Bronx versus Queens," continued Reynolds. "The Yankees and Mets in a boxing ring. What more could you ask for?" Last edited by kenyan_cheena; 08-09-2007 at 10:33 PM.

06-21-2007, 05:30 PM	#243
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	Thanks, Jeff. Glad you're enjoying it.

06-21-2007, 05:31 PM	#244
Ric915 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona Posts: 1,262	The write ups are awesome Can't wait to see how my guy does. Ray Lampkin is gonna be in for a world of hurt

07-08-2007, 10:10 PM	#248
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	(continuation) It was quickly evident that Spinks was a gifted, powerful boxer, a young man with the ability to inflict damage with both hands. Before long he had started fighting as an amateur in the Middleweight division, accumulating an impressive record and winning several tournaments during '97, '98 and '99 before shocking many with his upset KO victory over Harry Greb in the Sydney Olympics selection trial final. Despite being three years younger than Spinks, Greb was favoured to represent the USA in Sydney but Spinks floored him for the full count with a flush left hook midway through round three. What followed made Spinks a national hero as he won the gold medal in Sydney, becoming an Olympic Champion. Spinks defeated the Frenchman Marcel Cerdan in the semi-finals and Panama's Joe Gans in the gold medal match, joining Lightweight Pernell Whitaker and Light-Welterweight Ray Leonard as one of three United States champions at the event. "That surprised a lot of people," said Spinks. "Folks were thinkin' that Harry was unbeatable, which in my opinion is a tag that should never be applied to a boxer. We're all just one punch away from disaster and I gave proof to that theory when I defeated him. That gave me a lot of confidence that I could go all the way in Sydney and it was a real dream run that I had through the tournament." Spinks made the most of his status as Olympic Champion, signing an endorsement deal with Nike that improved his family's financial situation. Come 2001, Spinks was considering his options. With no professional boxing structure in place he wondered how much of a future he had in the sport. Nonetheless, he continued his amateur career and clashed with Greb twice during the year. The Pittsburgh native gained a measure of revenge in April before Spinks was victorious in their rubber match three months later. A couple of weeks after that fight, Spinks was able to look upon his status in the sport with renewed optimism as the formation of the Heavyweight Boxing Federation, boxing's first professional organisation in almost fifty years, was announced in New York. Then on the 3rd of September, Federation President Michael Vincennes revealed that a World Championship tournament would be held and Spinks almost made a decision right then and there to attend the auditions. "I thought it wouldn't be too hard to pile on thirty pounds," he said, laughing. "I was that excited to be a part of it but a good friend of my mother's told me I should wait. Jim was even more adamant, said that I'd destroy any chance I had of a successful career. I remember how he told me that the HBF would just be the beginning, that a day would come when the whole sport would be professional, not just the big guys. So I waited and I have to say, that day came a lot quicker than I expected." Rumours of an HBF expansion started in early February and gathered steam when Spinks and fellow gold medallist Ray Leonard were contacted by individuals who claimed to have engaged in expansion talks with Vincennes. The issue died down almost as quickly as it arose but then on the 4th of April, Las Vegas businessman James Molk caught the boxing-following public with their pants down when, with the assistance of Leonard, Spinks and Whitaker, he unveiled the International Boxing League, a second professional organisation but one that would cater to the weight divisions starting at Featherweight and going all the way up to Light-Heavyweight. "Looking back, it was just beautiful, the way Mr. Molk pulled it off," said Spinks, smiling. "It was nice to be a part of it also, I have to say." Spinks' decision to compete in the IBL as a Light-Heavyweight generated speculation over whether he was running from what was expected to be a "stacked" Middleweight division. "I never really understood that," said the St. Louis native. "I mean, I was the Olympic Middleweight Champion. I had already earned the right to be called the best in the division so to say that I was running was pretty crazy." Spinks went on to reveal the reasons for his decision and to say that they have ambition at their core would be an understatement. "People will say that my ego has gotten the better of me," he said. "But I feel that if I don't strive for the highest of achievements, why should I bother? I just turned 22 last month and it's my intention that, by the time of my 34th birthday, I'll be the first three-division Champion in the history of our sport. I'm giving myself twelve years to do it, to win the Light-Heavy, Junior-Heavy and Heavyweight Championships. I make no bones about this and I mean no disrespect to my competitors. It's what I'm shooting for and what I plan to achieve." Indeed, there would be many who'd say that Spinks has set himself a goal he can't possibly achieve, but he must be admired for the colossal nature of his ambitions. "You know, I was living in poverty ten years ago," Spinks said. "Looked like my life would amount to nothing but boxing and the IBL has given me a chance to achieve something that I couldn't've dreamed of or even conceived of back then. Why shouldn't I shoot for the stars?" Spinks will step into the ring for the first time as a professional boxer on the 4th of September at LA's Staples Center against hometown favourite Tommy Harrison. It's a bout that Spinks is expected to win and hopefully it will be a great first step on a path that may one day lead him to legendary heights...

07-11-2007, 10:32 PM	#252
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	HIGH HOPES DOWN UNDER Friday 9 August 2002 It's now just seventeen days until the commencement of the International Boxing League's regional World Championship qualifying tournament and, as is the case in many other countries, followers of the sport in Australia are excitedly readying themselves for it. The Sydney Entertainment Centre will play host to the first card of the Light-Heavyweight division's Oceania region on Monday the 2nd of September and with six locals set to be in action, it figures to be a great night of action. "There's been a real buzz building up during the last couple of weeks," said Sydney Telegraph sports writer David Greenshields. "Even though we weren't able to watch it, the league's opening night was big news and it really gave an extra dose of anticipation for everyone who follows the sport down here. I'm pretty sure that the tickets have already sold out and the event is still three weeks away. That just shows you how popular it's going to be. Don't forget, the HBF guys will also be down here next week for the Asian Championship auditions. There's been a lot of interest in that, also." A number of Australian competitors are expected to make a splash in the IBL, led by Sydney Olympics medallists Jeff Fenech and Les Darcy. Fenech will be fighting in the Featherweight division and is the early favourite to finish at the top of the Asia/Oceania region. He'll have some tough opposition to contend with, including fellow Sydney native Albert Griffiths, who the IBL discovered during their June selection trials. Silver medallist Darcy will be competing in the talent-heavy Middleweight division but will be in a good position to qualify for the World Championship tournament from the Asia/Oceania/Africa region. "No doubt, there's some solid fighters in the group," Darcy said recently. "Guys like Dick Tiger and Koichi Wajima. But I'd be lying if I said I don't feel a little bit lucky. Knowing that I won't have to tackle any of the American fighters to start my career ... that's a pretty good break, I have to say." Elsewhere, Mark Somogyi is tipped to be the standout in what is a Light-Heavyweight regional group full of virtual unknowns, at least internationally. He'll make his debut during the Sydney card and Greenshields is enthusiastic about the hard-punching Melbournian's prospects. "Somogyi has a really great chance of finishing on top of that group," he said. "Light-Heavy is a division where we aren't the strongest in this part of the world but Mark is an exception and I'll be surprised if he doesn't go through the regional phase undefeated." As Greenshields mentioned, the Heavyweight Boxing Federation will be visiting Australia next week to hold auditions for their upcoming Asia/Oceania Championship tournament. The auditions will be held in Melbourne and it's hoped that they'll unveil some talented fighters. "PJ has made us all proud with his efforts in the World Championship tournament," said Greenshields, referring to undefeated 6th seed Peter Jackson. "It would be great if we could build on what he's achieved and the Asian tournament is a great opportunity for us to do that." Whatever angle you look at it and from a HBF and IBL perspective, there's little doubt that Australia is set to be one of the major powerhouses in boxing during the coming years...

08-10-2007, 03:23 PM	#254
Ric915 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona Posts: 1,262	Ahhhhh..I can't wait..Great write up...it's funny Canzonari has always been a favorite of mine going back to the title bout board game days to bad I'm gonna have to beat him down

08-19-2007, 10:20 PM	#255
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	GREB TO HEADLINE IBL OPENER Friday 16 August 2002 International Boxing League Chief Director James Molk has released details of the "running order" for the organisation's first week of regional qualifier fight cards, which kicks off in Pittsburgh in ten days. The league's opening week will feature bouts in the Middleweight division and local hero Harry Greb has been selected to feature in the main event of the Pittsburgh card. Greb was on hand at Molk's MGM Grand Casino for the announcement and expressed his pride and gratitude to the league's Chief Director over his selection. "It'll be a great honor for me to headline the league's debut fight card," said Greb. "To do so in my hometown will just make it all the more special and I want to thank Mr. Molk and the league for this appointment." Hard-hitting Wisconsin native Jake Morrison will appear in the Co-Feature, his nemesis from the selection trials Stanley Ketchel preceeding him in the night's fourth contest. Understandably and unsurprisingly, the league has scheduled each card to feature either a local fighter or, failing that, the best possible matchup in the main event. Italian gold medallist Nino Benvenuti will headline Tuesday's European event at the Casino Di Campione in Lombardia while on the Wednesday Mexico's Javier Aguirre and Texas-born Californian Terry Norris should produce sparks when they highlight the card at the MGM Grand. Promising local Mickey Walker will take on Gene Armstrong in the Atlantic City main event on Thursday and on Friday Japanese bronze medallist Koichi Wajima will start his campaign in front of thousands of his fellow countrymen at Tokyo's Ariake Coliseum. The week will conclude on Saturday at Panama City's Olympia Stadium with silver medallist and national hero Joe Gans headlining the event against Colombia's Santiago Lopez. "I'm confident that our opening week will be a fantastic success," said Molk. "It will be the culmination of these extraordinary last four months and to think that it is now a mere ten days away is something that sends chills of anticipation down my spine. I'm sure that all fans of the International Boxing League are just as excited and expectant as I am." Following is the complete schedule for the league's opening week of regional qualifiers (note: bouts listed in order from Opening Bout through to Main Event): MONDAY 26/08/02 MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - NORTH AMERICA CENTRAL VENUE: MELLON ARENA, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, USA CHARLEY BURLEY vs PAUL PIRRONE FRANK BATTAGLIA vs TED WRIGHT GREG MOE vs TONY ZALE MIKE O'DOWD vs STANLEY KETCHEL WILFIE GREAVES vs JAKE MORRISON HARRY GREB vs RONNIE HARRIS TUESDAY 27/08/02 MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - EUROPE VENUE: CASINO DI CAMPIONE, LECCO, LOMBARDIA, ITALY GRATIEN TONNA vs LAURENT BOUDOUANI LUIS FOLLEDO vs ALAN MINTER LEO STAROSCH vs MAURICE HOPE NIGEL BENN vs ODDONE PIAZZA MARCEL CERDAN vs RANDY TURPIN NINO BENVENUTI vs TOM BOGS WEDNESDAY 28/08/02 MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - NORTH AMERICA WEST VENUE: MGM GRAND HOTEL & CASINO, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA MICHAEL OLAJIDE vs GEORGE DUKE FREDDIE APOSTOLI vs LUPE AQUINO BOBBY JONES vs BERT LYTELL JAMES TONEY vs DENNY MOYER MARCOS GERALDO vs FREDDIE STEELE TERRY NORRIS vs JAVIER AGUIRRE THURSDAY 29/08/02 MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - NORTH AMERICA EAST/CARIBBEAN VENUE: BOARDWALK HALL, ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY, USA RUBIN CARTER vs HOLMAN WILLIAMS KID TUNERO vs JOEY ARCHER DONATO PADUANO vs YAMA BAHAMA JEFF SMITH vs HARRY SMITH MIKE MCCALLUM vs ELISHA OBED MICKEY WALKER vs GENE ARMSTRONG FRIDAY 30/08/02 MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - ASIA/OCEANIA/AFRICA VENUE: ARIAKE COLISEUM, TOKYO, JAPAN DAVE SANDS vs TADASHI MIHARA TROY WATERS vs GIOVANNI PRETORIUS CHARLIE WEIR vs DICK TIGER CEFERINO GARCIA vs LES DARCY SHINJI TAKEHARA vs MASASHI KUDO KOICHI WAJIMA vs MICHAEL DYSON SATURDAY 31/08/02 MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - SOUTH AMERICA VENUE: OLYMPIA STADIUM, PANAMA CITY, PANAMA JUAN ROLDAN vs MIGUEL DEOLIVEIRA ANDRES SELPA vs FABIO AUTRAN MIGUEL CASTELLINI vs KENNY BRISTOL CARLOS HERRERA vs OMAR ENDARA RODRIGO VALDEZ vs ROLANDO LOMBARDO JOE GANS vs SANTIAGO LOPEZ Last edited by kenyan_cheena; 09-26-2007 at 10:56 PM.

09-27-2007, 01:05 AM	#256
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	SAYS CAMACHO: "ROSARIO'S FANS ARE SENDING ME DEATH THREATS" Wednesday 21 August 2002 Speaking last night on a popular Puerto Rican variety show, International Boxing League Lightweight competitor Hector Camacho has revealed that he's received "close to 100 anonymous death threats" during the past couple of months. "I'm pretty certain that it's Rosario's fans," said Camacho, smiling. "Rosario's fans are sending me death threats and I have to say that I take it as a compliment. They are terrified of what I'll do to their guy once we step in the ring and this shows that they'll resort to anything to try to unnerve me." Camacho said that the threats had come as either brief phone calls or letters in the mail, with one caller making it known that he'd been following the outgoing 19 year-old on his travels around his hometown of Bayamon. "A couple of times I've actually dared them to kill me," Camacho said, laughing. "I say to them, "Well, I'm at my house right now so why not come and kill me? I'll be waiting." But so far none of them have shown up and that disappoints me." "Oh, I'm sure that he has nothing to do with it at all," replied Camacho when asked if he thought Rosario was involved in the threats. "I may have called him some things lately but coward definitely ain't one of them. he's a tough guy and it would be totally out of character for him to have put these people up to it." It will be interesting to hear Rosario's take on the situation and whether or not he'll demand that the threats against Camacho stop. He could not be reached for a comment today. MOTIVATING FACTOR: SALDIVAR PUSHED ON BY HATRED In other rivalry-related IBL news, the trainer of Mexican Featherweight boxer (and Olympic Bantamweight gold medallist) Vicente Saldivar has spoken today of the unusual method he's employed to motivate his charge for the upcoming regional qualifiers. "I've put about fifty large photos of Sanchez all around the gym," said Rodolfo Saldivar, who also happens to be the fighter's father. "Every time he sees one of those shots of the guy smiling at him it really pisses him off and it makes him train even harder. I really can't tell you how badly he wants to defeat Sanchez." The hatred that exists between Sanchez and Saldivar has been well-documented and the day that they finally step into the ring against each other is, without a doubt, a day to look forward to...

09-28-2007, 10:35 AM	#257
Ric915 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona Posts: 1,262	Great Stuff KC Send Camacho a death Threat from me too Damn I hated him