The International Boxing League

[Ric915]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

All will be revealed on July 22 (universe date)...

Originally Posted by Jeff1787

Cool.....

Just 11 more universe days..woohoo

[kenyan_cheena]

SAYS MOLK:
SELECTION PROCESS "FINALISED"
ONE WEEK OUT FROM UNVEILING

Monday 15 July 2002

International Boxing League Chief Director James Molk announced today that the organisation has finalised the entrants for its upcoming World Championship regional qualifying tournaments and Future Contender series. Since the completion of the league's selection trials two weeks ago, Molk and his associates have been bunkered down in their MGM Grand Casino headquarters, completing the task of allocating some 600 positions over five weight classes and in a number of different regions around the globe.

"It's been a huge task," said Molk. "One that started during the trials. But I can reveal today that it's complete and finalised. One week from today, the world will know."

As has been heavily publicised, the IBL will be holding a special dinner at the MGM on the 22nd, where the breakdown of the regional groups in all five weight divisions will be revealed, as will the scheduling of the league's first series of fight cards. The event will be televised live on cable network HBO and the league is hoping for a considerable viewing audience.

"To think that it's now just a week away is tremendously exciting," said Molk. "We've been working towards this point for these last three months and it's a night that we're looking forward to greatly, as I'm sure our fans are."

Many of the fighters who have already been confirmed as entrants into the various tournaments will be present at the dinner and Molk believes it will be a great night for them and, in his opinion, something of a reward for the hard work they've put in while preparing for the start of their professional careers.

"These young men have worked so hard to be ready to fight," said Molk. "Next Monday will be a night when they can just forget all about that, relax and have some fun. They'll be face-to-face with guys that they'll be trading punches with, possibly in a matter of weeks. But it's a time to be happy about the progress they've made to this point. I have no doubt that it'll be a fantastic night."

[kenyan_cheena]

JAPANESE CONTINGENT JETS INTO VEGAS

Thursday 18 July 2002

Four days out from the International Boxing League's opening night, Japan has made quite a statement in regards to their seriousness towards the upcoming tournaments. The boxing mad nation's government has flown a group of their most talented boxers to Las Vegas on an all expenses paid first class flight to attend Monday night's big event.

Looking sharp in designer suits, sporting stylish haircuts and dark shades the quintet of Jaguar Kakizawa (Lightweight), Mitsonuri Seki (Featherweight), Yamada Tsubasa (Lightweight), Masashi Kudo (Middleweight) and Kazuo "Royal" Kobayashi (Featherweight) resembled a group of high-ranking Yakuza and had heads turning as they nonchalantly made their way through McCarran International Airport to a waiting chauffeur-driven limousine this morning.

Anyone who has followed boxing's rapid emergence from obscurity to world wide popularity during the past seven months will know that Japan is, without a doubt, the sport's biggest supporter outside of the United States and while the nation does not have any representatives in the Heavyweight Boxing Federation, it's likely that Monday night will reveal at least twenty in the IBL. In recent weeks, the Japanese government has discussed at length the possibilities that the sport has opened up for the nation as far as competing on the international stage is concerned and they will be watching keenly as the league's regional tournaments unfold during the coming months.

Of the five that arrived in Vegas today, Tokyo-born Yamada Tsubasa is said to be the most talented, despite having minimal amateur experience. The 19 year-old was a virtual unknown before the IBL's selection trials but is now being touted as a possibility for his nation's first World Champion. Those lofty expectations didn't appear to have affected the young man as he strolled through the airport in a relaxed, mellow fashion.

No doubt, Japan's assault on the world of boxing is something that has been much anticipated in the lead-up to the IBL's tournaments. On Monday night, the exact date and time of its commencement will be made known...

[kenyan_cheena]

With only two days of universe time to go until the big unveiling, this is my plan to make it there:

* between today and Friday (Oz time), I'll do the review of the Houston card plus a preview of the coming week's HBF action, aswell as updating the standings.

* On Saturday (Oz time), I'm planning to run the scheduling lottery for the IBL and write up the post for the review of the whole "opening night".

* The review will be posted here in the thread on Sunday morning (Oz time), which should be Saturday night in the USA.

[Ric915]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

With only two days of universe time to go until the big unveiling, this is my plan to make it there:

* between today and Friday (Oz time), I'll do the review of the Houston card plus a preview of the coming week's HBF action, aswell as updating the standings.

* On Saturday (Oz time), I'm planning to run the scheduling lottery for the IBL and write up the post for the review of the whole "opening night".

* The review will be posted here in the thread on Sunday morning (Oz time), which should be Saturday night in the USA.

sweeeet

[kenyan_cheena]

Sorry, folks. The big unveiling won't be ready to post Saturday evening US time. I'm working on it at the moment and I can already tell that I won't have it ready by then, so rather than leaving you all expecting it to be ready I'm letting you know now that it won't be.

I'd say Sunday night US time (Monday morning-midday Oz time) is a definite possibility, though.

[Ric915]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Sorry, folks. The big unveiling won't be ready to post Saturday evening US time. I'm working on it at the moment and I can already tell that I won't have it ready by then, so rather than leaving you all expecting it to be ready I'm letting you know now that it won't be.

I'd say Sunday night US time (Monday morning-midday Oz time) is a definite possibility, though.

that's ok but still looking forward to it

[kenyan_cheena]

I was able to get more of it done yesterday than I expected, so I should be able to post at least the contestants for each division within the next couple of hours. I haven't completed the lottery for the schedules yet and the posting of that will probably have to wait until tomorrow.

[Romdawg88]

Cool, I'm excited to see who'll be in each division. No worries on any delays though I'm sure no one who reads this thread would mind any wait.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Cool, I'm excited to see who'll be in each division. No worries on any delays though I'm sure no one who reads this thread would mind any wait.

Thanks, Romy. Just the first half of the opening night review will probably be the biggest post I've ever made in my boxing threads. I can report that I've completed it but first I have to make a post previewing the upcoming wee'ks action in the HBF. It has to be posted first for the chronology of the story to be correct, but once it's posted you can expect the opening night post to follow soon after...

[kenyan_cheena]

OPENING NIGHT:
INTERNATIONAL BOXING LEAGUE
INTRODUCED TO THE WORLD AT MGM BASH

Monday 22 July 2002

The International Boxing League officially "introduced" itself to the world tonight during a lavish dinner held at James Molk's MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas. The event was broadcast live on cable network HBO and to say that the show the IBL put on was "impressive" would be a considerable understatement. It was thought that this would be an exciting evening, but nothing said beforehand could have prepared those in attendance for what they were treated to. Putting aside the main reason for the evening, the 600-strong crowd were warmed up by funnyman Billy Crystal before enjoying a quartet of songs from Nelly and the members of Destiny's Child during the evening's interlude and then being witness to a spectacular thirty minute performance by Prince as a grand finale. If this was a sign of what fans can expect from the league once their competitions start, we've all got a lot to look forward to.

While they enjoyed their entrees, New Yorker Crystal had the audience in stitches for twenty minutes before handing over to the IBL's Chief Director and driving force behind the league's formation, James Molk. Making his way to the stage dressed in a tuxedo, Molk shook Crystal's hand before addressing the audience.

"Thank you, Billy," said Molk, smiling. "I don't think we could have asked for a better start to what will be a special night. Ladies and gentlemen, good evening and welcome to the MGM Grand Casino. No doubt, this is an event that we've all been looking forward to during the past weeks and now that we've arrived, I almost have to pinch myself when I think of all we've achieved in these four short months. I want to thank all the staff of the International Boxing League for the tremendous efforts they've made, efforts that have allowed us to put together this great event with a minimum of difficulty."

Molk paused and, almost as if on queue, the audience applauded in agreement with his words.

"I also want to thank all the young men who attended our trials and made them more successful than we could have ever dreamed of," Molk continued. "I want to thank their families also, for putting in the time and effort to help make their attendance possible. The Heavyweight Boxing Federation has already proven in little more than six months that this sport of ours has a truly international appeal. It's something that we plan to build on and in co-operation with the HBF I really believe we can make it the premier sport around the globe. So thank you to all of you who have strived to find a place in our organisation. Many of you are here in the house and I trust that you'll enjoy tonight's show."

Once more, the audience applauded, some of them shouting their approval to which Molk smiled.

"Well, we have a lot to get through tonight," said Molk. "So without further ado, I think we should kick this baby off. As you all know, the main purpose of tonight is to announce the competitors in our regional World Championship qualifiers and Future Contender series, aswell as revealing the opening matchups in these tournaments. During the first part of the night we'll go through the makeup of each weight division, starting with Featherweight and progressing through to the Light-Heavyweight division. Unlike the HBF, the International Boxing League will not be seeding any of our fighters during the tournaments. The scheduling of all tournament bouts will be determined using a lottery system. We believe this will add greatly to the excitement of our league and lead to a number of possible enticing matchups early during the tournaments. Just to let everyone know, main course meals will be served following this presentation. It gives me great pleasure to reveal the competitors for the IBL's Featherweight division."

The lights dimmed and the huge theater screen behind Molk came to life. It displayed, with an accompanying pre-recorded narration, the entrants in the Featherweight division...

FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION

REGIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION GROUPS

* REGION: SOUTH AMERICA

DANIEL BLANCO, COLOMBIA
RICARDO CARDONA, COLOMBIA
ANTONIO ESPARRAGOZA, VENEZUELA
RICARDO GONZALEZ, ARGENTINA
ANTONIO HERRERA, COLOMBIA
VICTOR LEON, VENEZUELA
CRUZ MARCANO, VENEZUELA
ERNESTO MARCEL, PANAMA
RAFAEL ORTEGA, PANAMA
RUBEN PALACIOS, COLOMBIA
SERGIO PALMA, ARGENTINA
EUSEBIO PEDROZA, PANAMA

* REGION: MEXICO

RAUL CRUZ, MEXICO
JUAN ESTRADA, MEXICO
JUAN ANTONIO LOPEZ, MEXICO
JUAN MEZA, MEXICO
RICARDO MORENO, MEXICO
FILI NAVA, MEXICO
RUBEN OLIVARES, MEXICO
RAMON PEREZ, MEXICO
VICENTE SALDIVAR, MEXICO
CLEMENTE SANCHEZ, MEXICO
SALVADOR SANCHEZ, MEXICO
DANIEL ZARAGOZA, MEXICO

* REGION: USA/CANADA

GEORGE DIXON, CANADA
DAVID DONALD, CANADA
ART HAFEY, CANADA
KEVIN KELLEY, USA (FLUSHING, NY)
JOHNNY KILBANE, USA (CLEVELAND, OH)
MAURICE LINCOLN, CANADA
TERRY MCGOVERN, USA (JOHNSTOWN, PA)
KENNEDY MCKINNEY, USA (LAS VEGAS, NV)
FREDDIE MILLER, USA (CINCINNATI, OH)
KEITH NANCE, CANADA
WILLIE PEP, USA (HARTFORD, CT)
SOLLY SMITH, USA (LOS ANGELES, CA)

* REGION: CARIBBEAN

FERNANDO BATISTA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
MIGUEL BERRIOS, PUERTO RICO
ROBERT BROWN, JAMAICA
TYRONE BURTON, JAMAICA
VICTOR CALLEJAS, PUERTO RICO
LEO CRUZ, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
NESLEY HAVEN, BAHAMAS
JUAN LAPORTE, PUERTO RICO
JOSE LEGRA, CUBA
ELIGIO MONTALVO, CUBA
CIRO MORASEN, CUBA
ANTONIO RIVERA, PUERTO RICO

* REGION: EUROPE/AFRICA

HOGAN BASSEY, NIGERIA
EUGENE CRIQUI, FRANCE
RUDEL DIETRICH, GERMANY
JIM DRISCOLL, WALES
NASEEM HAMED, ENGLAND
RAFIU KING, NIGERIA
DAVEY KOTEY, GHANA
BARRY MCGUIGAN, IRELAND
WELCOME NCITA, SOUTH AFRICA
SHAUN SMITH, SOUTH AFRICA
LORIS STECCA, ITALY
NEL TARLETON, ENGLAND

* REGION: ASIA/OCEANIA

JOHNNY FAMECHON, AUSTRALIA
JEFF FENECH, AUSTRALIA
ALBERT GRIFFITHS, AUSTRALIA
SOO-HWAN HONG, KOREA
JOHNNY JAMITO, PHILIPPINES
KAZUO KOBAYASHI, JAPAN
SEUNG-HOON LEE, KOREA
SAMART PAYAKAROON, THAILAND
MITSUNORI SEKI, JAPAN
KAZUO TAKAYAMA, JAPAN
GENARIO TORRES, PHILIPPINES
DONG-KYUN YUM, KOREA

FUTURE CONTENDER SERIES

* GROUP ONE

RAY FAMECHON, FRANCE
LUIZ FEOLA, BRAZIL
ALBERTO MARTINEZ, CUBA
CARLOS MENDOZA, PANAMA
RICARDO MORALES, MEXICO
STEPHEN MORRIS, AUSTRALIA
CARMELO NEGRON, PUERTO RICO
JOSEPH "SANDY" SADDLER, USA (BOSTON, MA)
ALAN SIGURDSEN, DENMARK
JOE TETTEH, GHANA
HOWARD WINSTONE, WALES
JACK WOLFE, USA (CLEVELAND, OH)

* GROUP TWO

BRUNO ALVES, PORTUGAL
ALBERTO ARIZMENDI, MEXICO
STEVIE CRUZ, USA (FT. WORTH, TX)
PAUL JORGENSEN, USA (PORT ARTHUR, TX)
MASASHI KANEDA, JAPAN
DELRON KHUMALO, SOUTH AFRICA
GRACIEUX LAMPERTI, FRANCE
EVERETT RIGHTMIRE, USA (SIOUX CITY, IA)
ROLLY SANTIAGO, PHILIPPINES
FERNANDO TAVAREZ, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
JESAN VALENZUELA, PHILIPPINES
FERNANDO ZAMACOLA, PERU

* GROUP THREE

BENNY BASS, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
RUBEN CASTILLO, USA (BAKERSFIELD, CA)
AUBURN COPELAND, USA (FLINT, MI)
PATRICK FORD, GUYANA
DWIGHT HAWKINS, USA (SAN DIEGO, CA)
JORGE JIMENEZ, VENEZUELA
RYAN PARKER, AUSTRALIA
CLAUDIO REDONDO, ARGENTINA
JUAN SANCHEZ, PUERTO RICO
GENE SMITH, USA (WASHINGTON, DC)
GEORGE SMITH, ENGLAND
ANUCHA THONGLAO, THAILAND

* GROUP FOUR

JET BALLY, PHILIPPINES
CHRISTOPHER BATTALINO, USA (HARTFORD, CT)
RONNIE CLAYTON, ENGLAND
JOHNNY DUNDEE, USA (NEW YORK, NY)
MARK FORREST, CANADA
KIYOSHI HATANAKA, JAPAN
HELMUT MULLER, GERMANY
CHRIS MULLIGAN, NEW ZEALAND
MASAMI NAGAI, JAPAN
JIMMY PERRIN, USA (NEW ORLEANS, LA)
FRANCOIS SALVATERRE, FRANCE
TERRY SPINKS, ENGLAND

"We now move onto the Lightweight divison," said Molk, after a considerable round of applause from the audience.

LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION

REGIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION GROUPS

* REGION: NORTH AMERICA

PAUL ARMSTEAD, USA (LOS ANGELES, CA)
JOE BROWN, USA (NEW ORLEANS, LA)
TONY CANZONERI, USA (NEW YORK, NY)
TYRONE EVERETT, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
ARTHUR KING, CANADA
RAY LAMPKIN, USA (PORTLAND, OR)
RAFAEL LIMON, MEXICO
ROCKY LOCKRIDGE, USA (DALLAS, TX)
ARTURO LOMELI, MEXICO
RUBEN NAVARRO, MEXICO
RICHIE PLUNKETT, USA (BRONX, NY)
PERNELL WHITAKER, USA (NORFOLK, VA)

* REGION: AFRICA

RAY ADIGUN, NIGERIA
EMAD ALLAM, EGYPT
CORNELIUS BOZA-EDWARDS, UGANDA
JONATHAN DELE, NIGERIA
MOSES KANGWA, ZAMBIA
SAMUEL MENSAH, GHANA
BRIAN MITCHELL, SOUTH AFRICA
AZUMAH NELSON, GHANA
OBAFEMI ROTIMI, NIGERIA
WILLIE TOWEEL, SOUTH AFRICA
FREDERICK TSHILOLO, CONGO
BENNI WILLIAMS, SOUTH AFRICA

* REGION: ASIA/OCEANIA

RENE BARRIENTOS, PHILIPPINES
RENATO CORNETT, AUSTRALIA
GABRIELE ELORDE, PHILIPPINES
JAGUAR KAKIZAWA, JAPAN
HIROSHI KOBAYASHI, JAPAN
TERUO KOSAKA, JAPAN
JOHNNY SATO, PHILIPPINES
DAOMAI SITHKODOM, THAILAND
KUROKAWA TAIKI, JAPAN
YAMADA TSUBASA, JAPAN
BEN VILLAFLOR, PHILIPPINES
HWAN-KIL YUH, KOREA

* REGION: EUROPE

LOTHAR ABEND, GERMANY
SERGEI ARTEMIEV, RUSSIA
MICHAEL AYERS, ENGLAND
KEN BUCHANAN, SCOTLAND
DAVE CHARNLEY, ENGLAND
SERAPHIN FERRER, FRANCE
FRED GALIANA, SPAIN
JEAN-BAPTISTE MENDY, FRANCE
PAOLO ROSI, ITALY
ALDO SPOLDI, ITALY
JIM WATT, SCOTLAND
FREDDIE WELSH, WALES

* REGION: SOUTH AMERICA

ANTONIO AMAYA, PANAMA
ALEXIS ARGUELLO, NICARAGUA
CARLOS ARO, ARGENTINA
CARLOS CANETE, ARGENTINA
VICENTE DERADO, ARGENTINA
ROBERTO DURAN, PANAMA
ERNESTO ESPANA, VENEZUELA
LEONEL HERNANDEZ, VENEZUELA
ISMAEL LAGUNA, PANAMA
ANDRES MONDRAGON, COLOMBIA
ALFREDO PITALUA, COLOMBIA
VICENTE SANTANA, BRAZIL

* REGION: CARIBBEAN

FELIX BROWN, JAMAICA
HECTOR CAMACHO, PUERTO RICO
TEO CRUZ, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
ALFREDO ESCALERA, PUERTO RICO
VILOMAR FERNANDEZ, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
ANGEL ROBINSON GARCIA, CUBA
CLAUDE NOEL, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
GREGORIO PUMARES, PUERTO RICO
EDWIN ROSARIO, PUERTO RICO
SAMMY SERRANO, PUERTO RICO
DOUG VAILLANT, CUBA
ORLANDO ZULUETA, CUBA

FUTURE CONTENDER SERIES

* GROUP ONE

BOB ALLOTEY, GHANA
SAMMY ANGOTT, USA (CLEVELAND, OH)
HUGO BARRAZA, COLOMBIA
JACKIE BEARD, USA (DETROIT, MI)
JACK BLACKBURN, USA (VERSAILLES, KY)
ENRIQUE BOLANOS, MEXICO
EMORY CABANA, USA (SANFORD, ME)
GEORGE DUNN, USA (HARTFORD, CT)
SAMMY FULLER, USA (BOSTON, MA)
ALFREDO MARCANO, VENEZUELA
MARIO MARTINEZ, MEXICO
JOSE LUIS RAMIREZ, MEXICO

* GROUP TWO

ANATOLY ALEXANDROV, KAZAKHSTAN
FRANKIE BALTAZAR, USA (LOS ANGELES, CA)
LIVINGSTONE BRAMBLE, VIRGIN ISLANDS
GEORGE CHANEY, USA (BALTIMORE, MD)
TOMMY COLLINS, USA (BOSTON, MA)
FREDDIE DAWSON, USA (THOMASVILLE, AR)
RICHARD HOWARD, CANADA
RAY MANCINI, USA (YOUNGSTOWN, OH)
BILLY PETROLLE, USA (FARGO, ND)
STEVE SULLIVAN, USA (BROOKLYN, NY)
ISHIMATSU SUZUKI, JAPAN
IKE WILLIAMS, USA (TRENTON, NJ)

* GROUP THREE

RICARDO ARREDONDO, MEXICO
BEAU JACK, USA (AUGUSTA, GA)
KENNY BOGNER, USA (TRENTON, NJ)
GIL CADILLI, USA (SAN FRANCISCO, CA)
ESTEBAN DEJESUS, PUERTO RICO
ROBERTO GARCIA, USA (OXNARD, CA)
GREG HAUGEN, USA (AUBURN, WA)
RAY MILLER, USA (CHICAGO, IL)
PEDRO MONTANEZ, PUERTO RICO
OSCAR NELSON, DENMARK
LARRY STANTON, USA (MERRICK, NY)
SHINICHI YAMABE, JAPAN

* GROUP FOUR

LOU AMBERS, USA (HERKIMER, NY)
GEORGE ARAUJO, USA (PROVIDENCE, RI)
IDELFONSO BETHELMY, VENEZUELA
LARRY BOARDMAN, USA (MARLBORO, CT)
MAXIE DOCUSEN, USA (NEW ORLEANS, LA)
AL FORD, CANADA
RODOLFO GONZALEZ, MEXICO
JUSTIN JUUKO, UGANDA
LUDWIG LIGHTBURN, HONDURAS
WILLIE RITCHIE, USA (SAN FRANCISCO, CA)
LEW TENDLER, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
BERNABE VASQUEZ, MEXICO

"Up next is the Welterweight division," said Molk.

WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION

REGIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION GROUPS

* REGION: CARIBBEAN

WILFRED BENITEZ, PUERTO RICO
SIMON BROWN, JAMAICA
HECTOR CONSTANCE, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
ANGEL ESPADA, PUERTO RICO
BUNNY GRANT, JAMAICA
ISAAC LOGART, CUBA
MIGUEL MONTILLA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
JOSE NAPOLES, CUBA
LUIS RODRIGUEZ, CUBA
FAUSTO RODRIGUEZ, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
JOSE STABLE, CUBA
FELIX TRINIDAD, PUERTO RICO

* REGION: SOUTH AMERICA

MAURICIO BRAVO, VENEZUELA
PEDRO CASTELLINI, VENEZUELA
ANTONIO CERVANTES, COLOMBIA
JUAN MARTIN COGGI, ARGENTINA
ROMAN GUARDIA, PANAMA
JOAO HENRIQUE, BRAZIL
NICOLINO LOCCHE, ARGENTINA
JAMES LOMBARDO, PANAMA
TITO MARSHALL, PANAMA
HUGO PINEDA, COLOMBIA
UBALDO SACCO, ARGENTINA
FEDERICO THOMPSON, ARGENTINA

* REGION: EUROPE/AFRICA

BRUNO ARCARI, ITALY
DAVID BARTLETT, SOUTH AFRICA
JACK BERG, ENGLAND
GUSTAV EDER, GERMANY
LLOYD HONEYGHAN, ENGLAND
BENEDICT KHUMALO, SOUTH AFRICA
DUILIO LOI, ITALY
LOMANA NONDA, CONGO
SEYI OLOFINJANA, NIGERIA
IKE QUARTEY, GHANA
JOHN H. STRACEY, ENGLAND
ADEMOLA UDEZE, NIGERIA

* REGION: NORTH AMERICA EAST

MAXIE BERGER, CANADA
VIC CARDELL, USA (HARTFORD, CT)
BILLY GRAHAM, USA (NEW YORK, NY)
CLYDE GRAY, CANADA
JOHNNY GRECO, CANADA
RAY LEONARD, USA (PALMER PARK, MD)
JAMES MCGIRT, USA (BRENTWOOD, NY)
EDDIE PERKINS, USA (CLARKSDALE, MS)
JAMES RAY, USA (HASTINGS, FL)
JOHNNY SAXTON, USA (NEWARK, NJ)
MARLON STARLING, USA (HARTFORD, CT)
MELDRICK TAYLOR, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)

* REGION: NORTH AMERICA WEST

RENE ARREDONDO, MEXICO
KID AZTECA, MEXICO
AARON LISTER BROWN, USA (LOS ANGELES, CA)
CURTIS COKES, USA (DALLAS, TX)
PIPINO CUEVAS, MEXICO
DONALD CURRY, USA (FORT WORTH, TX)
DON JORDAN, USA (LOS ANGELES, CA)
JIMMY MCLARNIN, CANADA
GASPAR ORTEGA, MEXICO
CHARLEY SHIPES, USA (OAKLAND, CA)
JACK THOMPSON, USA (LOS ANGELES, CA)
MAURICE WATKINS, USA (HOUSTON, TX)

* REGION: ASIA/OCEANIA

GEORGE BARNES, AUSTRALIA
JACK CARROLL, AUSTRALIA
DAVID CROWE, NEW ZEALAND
ROBERTO CRUZ, PHILIPPINES
HIROKI GUSHIKEN, JAPAN
AKIO KAMEDA, JAPAN
SAENSAK MUANGSURIN, THAILAND
SHOJI OHASHI, JAPAN
SAMAN SUKOTHAI, THAILAND
JIRO SUZUKI, JAPAN
MICHAEL TAYLOR, AUSTRALIA
EMMANUEL TORRES, PHILIPPINES

FUTURE CONTENDER SERIES

* GROUP ONE

TOMMY BELL, USA (YOUNGSTOWN, OH)
RAFAEL GARCIA, VENEZUELA
RAMON LACRUZ, ARGENTINA
BILLY LYNCH, USA (HARTFORD, CT)
JORGE MORENO, PANAMA
JASON MORRIS, USA (LOS ANGELES, CA)
BENNY PARET, CUBA
FRANCOIS PAVILLA, FRANCE
WILLY QUATOUR, GERMANY
ERNIE RODERICK, ENGLAND
CHARLEY SCOTT, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
ALEXIS VALDERRAMA, COLOMBIA

* GROUP TWO

FREDERICO DE SOUZA, BRAZIL
STANLEY HAYWARD, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
SANG-HYUN KIM, KOREA
REINHARDT KOHLER, GERMANY
TED LEWIS, ENGLAND
LIAM MAGHEE, AUSTRALIA
ROGER MENETREY, FRANCE
GERARDO MORALES, MEXICO
JAMES PAGE, USA (PITTSBURG, CA)
LUTHER RAWLINGS, USA (CHICAGO, IL)
MICHAEL WATSON, AUSTRALIA
JONTY COETZER, SOUTH AFRICA

* GROUP THREE

IFEANI ADAMU, NIGERIA
CARLOS ALOU, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
PEDRO CABRERA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
JIMMY CLABBY, USA (HAMMOND, IN)
BERNARD DOCUSEN, USA (NEW ORLEANS, LA)
DAVID FLEMMING, NEW ZEALAND
CARLOS HERNANDEZ, VENEZUELA
LEROY JACKSON, CANADA
JOHNNY JADICK, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
SANDRO LOPOPOLO, ITALY
PATRIZIO OLIVA, ITALY
AHMED SANTOS, MEXICO

* GROUP FOUR

VIRGIL AKINS, USA (ST. LOUIS, MO)
BILLY ALGER, USA (SAN DIEGO, CA)
EVERALDO AZEVEDO, ARGENTINA
NINO LAROCCA, ITALY
VINCE MARTINEZ, USA (MT. KISCO, NY)
GREGORY MULLINS, CANADA
ALEXIS ORTIZ, PUERTO RICO
BOON-NAM PANOMYAONG, THAILAND
JUSTIN ROWSELL, AUSTRALIA
HECTOR THOMPSON, AUSTRALIA
MIGUEL VELASQUEZ, SPAIN
DANILO VILORIA, PHILIPPINES

"We've now arrived at the Middleweight division," Molk said. "I will say that there's little doubt that this is the most talent-heavy division in the entire International Boxing League. That's not a slight on our other divisions, it's simply the truth. The man who manages to claim our inaugural World Middleweight Championship will have earned it, and then some."

MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION

REGIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION GROUPS

* REGION: EUROPE

NIGEL BENN, ENGLAND
NINO BENVENUTI, ITALY
TOM BOGS, DENMARK
LAURENT BOUDOUANI, FRANCE
MARCEL CERDAN, FRANCE
LUIS FOLLEDO, SPAIN
MAURICE HOPE, ENGLAND
ALAN MINTER, ENGLAND
ODDONE PIAZZA, ITALY
LEO STAROSCH, GERMANY
GRATIEN TONNA, FRANCE
RANDY TURPIN, ENGLAND

* REGION: SOUTH AMERICA

FABIO AUTRAN, BRAZIL
KENNY BRISTOL, GUYANA
MIGUEL CASTELLINI, ARGENTINA
MIGUEL DEOLIVEIRA, BRAZIL
OMAR ENDARA, PANAMA
JOE GANS, PANAMA
CARLOS HERRERA, ARGENTINA
ROLANDO LOMBARDO, PANAMA
SANTIAGO LOPEZ, COLOMBIA
JUAN ROLDAN, ARGENTINA
ANDRES SELPA, ARGENTINA
RODRIGO VALDEZ, COLOMBIA

* REGION: ASIA/OCEANIA/AFRICA

LES DARCY, AUSTRALIA
MICHAEL DYSON, AUSTRALIA
CEFERINO GARCIA, PHILIPPINES
MASASHI KUDO, JAPAN
TADASHI MIHARA, JAPAN
GIOVANNI PRETORIUS, SOUTH AFRICA
DAVE SANDS, AUSTRALIA
SHINJI TAKEHARA, JAPAN
DICK TIGER, NIGERIA
KOICHI WAJIMA, JAPAN
TROY WATERS, AUSTRALIA
CHARLIE WEIR, SOUTH AFRICA

* REGION: NORTH AMERICA EAST/CARIBBEAN

JOEY ARCHER, USA (NEW YORK, NY)
GENE ARMSTRONG, USA (ELIZABETH, NJ)
YAMA BAHAMA, BAHAMAS
RUBIN CARTER, USA (PATERSON, NJ)
MIKE MCCALLUM, JAMAICA
ELISHA OBED, BAHAMAS
DONATO PADUANO, CANADA
JEFF SMITH, USA (NEW YORK, NY)
HARRY SMITH, USA (HARLEM, NY)
KID TUNERO, CUBA
MICKEY WALKER, USA (ELIZABETH, NJ)
HOLMAN WILLIAMS, USA (PENSACOLA, FL)

* REGION: NORTH AMERICA CENTRAL

FRANK BATTAGLIA, CANADA
CHARLEY BURLEY, USA (BESSEMER, PA)
WILFIE GREAVES, CANADA
HARRY GREB, USA (PITTSBURGH, PA)
RONNIE HARRIS, USA (CANTON, OH)
STANLEY KETCHEL, USA (GRAND RAPIDS, MI)
GREG MOE, USA (INDEPENDENCE, MO)
JAKE MORRISON, USA (CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI)
MIKE O'DOWD, USA (ST. PAUL, MN)
PAUL PIRRONE, USA (CLEVELAND, OH)
TED WRIGHT, USA (DETROIT, MI)
TONY ZALE, USA (CHICAGO, IL)

* REGION: NORTH AMERICA WEST

JAVIER AGUIRRE, MEXICO
FREDDIE APOSTOLI, USA (SAN FRANCISCO, CA)
LUPE AQUINO, MEXICO
GEORGE DUKE, USA (PETALUMA, CA)
MARCOS GERALDO, MEXICO
BOBBY JONES, USA (OAKLAND, CA)
BERT LYTELL, USA (FRESNO, CA)
DENNY MOYER, USA (PORTLAND, OR)
TERRY NORRIS, USA (CAMPO, CA)
MICHAEL OLAJIDE, CANADA
FREDDIE STEELE, USA (TACOMA, WA)
JAMES TONEY, USA (LOS ANGELES, CA)

FUTURE CONTENDER SERIES

* GROUP ONE

JULIO ALVARES, CUBA
CARMELO BOSSI, ITALY
HUGO CORRO, ARGENTINA
MICHAEL CRONJE, SOUTH AFRICA
LAURENT DAUTHUILLE, FRANCE
HASTINGS GAYLE, JAMAICA
JOSE GONZALEZ, PUERTO RICO
SOLLY KRIEGER, USA (NEW YORK, NY)
ARTIE LEVINE, USA (CLEVELAND, OH)
TIBERIO MITRI, ITALY
TONY SIBSON, ENGLAND
JAE-DO YUH, KOREA

* GROUP TWO

STEVE BELLOISE, USA (NEW YORK, NY)
GUILLERMO CARRILES, PANAMA
TEBIRO DIAW, NIGERIA
DON FULLMER, USA (WEST JORDAN, UT)
DAVID GIBBS, AUSTRALIA
CHARLEY JOSEPH, USA (NEW ORLEANS, LA)
HIROMI KAMAMOTO, JAPAN
DIEGO KEMPES, ARGENTINA
JUAN RIVERO, ARGENTINA
MARIANO RONALDO, BRAZIL
LOMANA WAMBA, CONGO
COLEY WELCH, USA (PORTLAND, ME)

* GROUP THREE

JIMMY BEAU, USA (BRIDGEPORT, CT)
DWIGHT DAVISON , USA (DETROIT, MI)
JESUS ENAMORADO, CUBA
CLAUDIO FERNANDEZ, PERU
RENE JACQUOT, FRANCE
TONY JANIRO, USA (YOUNGSTOWN, OH)
ANTHONY JONES, USA (DETROIT, MI)
DAVEY MOORE, USA (BRONX, NY)
VINCENT PETTWAY, USA (RANDALLSTOWN, MD)
DAVE SHADE, USA (VALLEJO, CA)
FRANZ SZUZINA, GERMANY
ROBERT VILLEMAIN, FRANCE

* GROUP FOUR

VITO ANTUOFERMO, ITALY
JOSE BASORA, PUERTO RICO
ROCKY CASTELLANI, USA (LUZERNE COUNTY, PA)
JOE DENUCCI, USA (NEWTON, MA)
AHMET DOTTUEV, RUSSIA
RALPH DUPAS, USA (NEW ORLEANS, LA)
WALTER GOMEZ, ARGENTINA
FREDDIE HENNEBERRY, AUSTRALIA
WILLIE MONROE, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
FRANK MOODY, WALES
ROBBIE SIMS, USA (BROCKTON, MA)
ERNIE VIGH, USA (CARTERET, NJ)

"What a great lineup that is," said Molk, the crowd applauding in agreement. "Now for the big boys, the Light-Heavyweight division."

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

REGIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION GROUPS

* REGION: USA ATLANTIC/CARIBBEAN

DENNIS ANDRIES, GUYANA
IRAN BARKLEY, USA (BRONX, NY)
PAUL BERLENBACH, USA (NEW YORK, NY)
TOM BETHEA, USA (NEW YORK, NY)
DWIGHT BRAXTON, USA (CAMDEN, NJ)
JOHNNY PERSOL, USA (BROOKLYN, NY)
YOLANDE POMPEY, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
MAXIE ROSENBLOOM, USA (HARLEM, NY)
JAMES SCOTT, USA (RAHWAY, NJ)
JIMMY SLADE, USA (NEW YORK, NY)
MERQUI SOSA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
JOSE TORRES, PUERTO RICO

* REGION: USA CENTRAL

JIMMY ADAMICK, USA (DETROIT, MI)
ERIK BENGTSON, USA (MILWAUKEE, WI)
JIMMY BIVINS, USA (CLEVELAND, OH)
DAN BUCCERONI, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
BILLY CONN, USA (PITTSBURGH, PA)
LINDELL HOLMES, USA (TOLEDO, OH)
HAROLD JOHNSON, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
MARVIN JOHNSON, USA (INDIANAPOLIS, IN)
JOE KNIGHT, USA (CAIRO, GA)
STEVE LITTLE, USA (READING, PA)
MICHAEL MOORER, USA (MONESSEN, PA)
ALEXANDER WRIGHT, USA (CINCINNATI, OH)

* REGION: USA WEST

EDDIE BOOKER, USA (SAN JOSE, CA)
JACK CHASE, USA (HOLLYWOOD, CA)
BOB FOSTER, USA (ALBUQUERQUE, NM)
JACK FOX, USA (OMAHA, NE)
LEROY GRACE, USA (OAKLAND, CA)
TOMMY HARRISON, USA (LOS ANGELES, CA)
JOHN HENRY LEWIS, USA (PRESCOTT, AZ)
SCOT LONG, USA (MCCUNE, KA)
ALVARO LOPEZ, USA (STOCKTON, CA)
GORDON MCKENZIE, USA (MEMPHIS, TN)
MICHAEL NUNN, USA (DAVENPORT, IA)
MICHAEL SPINKS, USA (ST. LOUIS, MO)

* REGION: EUROPE/AFRICA

CELESTINE AMAKOCHI, NIGERIA
GEORGES CARPENTIER, FRANCE
STEVE COLLINS, IRELAND
BOB FITZSIMMONS, ENGLAND
PETITE FOURIE, FRANCE
LEN HARVEY, ENGLAND
MIKE HOLT, SOUTH AFRICA
TARIBO KESHI, NIGERIA
SHABANI MPUTU, CONGO
LOTTE MWALE, ZAMBIA
ALLAN POLLOCK, SOUTH AFRICA
GRACIANO ROCCHIGIANI, GERMANY

* REGION: SOUTH AMERICA

JORGE AHUMADA, ARGENTINA
FRANCISCO AVELINO, PERU
JOSE CACCIATORE, BRAZIL
MIGUEL ANGEL CUELLO, ARGENTINA
VICTOR GALINDEZ, ARGENTINA
DOGOMAR MARTINEZ, URUGUAY
MAURO MINA, PERU
FULGENCIO OBELMEJIAS, VENEZUELA
RAMON AVENAMAR PERALTA, ARGENTINA
VICENTE RONDON, VENEZUELA
MARIO ALBERTO SOSA, URUGUAY
ROBERTO VENANCIO, BRAZIL

* REGION: OCEANIA

PAUL ANDERSON, NEW ZEALAND
FRANK ASOTASI, NEW ZEALAND
DAVID CHAN, AUSTRALIA
ALI HABIB, AUSTRALIA
JONAH MAKA, TONGA
TUPUOLA MATAAFA, SAMOA
STEVE MATTHEWS, AUSTRALIA
NATHAN PRITCHARD, NEW ZEALAND
JASON SMITH, AUSTRALIA
MARK SOMOGYI, AUSTRALIA
DAVID TUPOU, NEW ZEALAND
JASON WANGANEEN, AUSTRALIA

FUTURE CONTENDER SERIES

* GROUP ONE

IN-CHUL BAEK, KOREA
CEZARY BISNIEK, POLAND
JOHN CONTEH, ENGLAND
VICTOR CORDOBA, PANAMA
YVON DURELLE, CANADA
GUS LESNEVICH, USA (CLIFFSIDE, NJ)
SIXTO RODRIGUEZ, USA (SAN ANSELMO, CA)
CHRISTIAN ROFF, USA (BELLEVUE, WA)
GIRALDO ROSSETTI, ITALY
GUSTAVE ROTH, BELGIUM
JAMES PAUL WARWICK, ENGLAND
TOMMY YAROSZ, USA (MONACA, PA)

* GROUP TWO

TONY ANTHONY, USA (NEW YORK, NY)
MELIO BETTINA, USA (BEACON, NY)
ALEX BUXTON, ENGLAND
JACK DELANEY, USA (BRIDGEPORT, CT)
HENRY HANK, USA (DETROIT, MI)
TONY MUNDINE, AUSTRALIA
GEORGE NICHOLS, USA (BUFFALO, NY)
CHONG-PAL PARK, KOREA
LORENZO PASCUAL, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
ALLEN THOMAS, USA (CHICAGO, IL)
FRED WALMAN, USA (PAWTUCKET, RI)
JIMMY WEBB, USA (ST. LOUIS, MI)

* GROUP THREE

SAM BAROUDI, USA (AKRON, OH)
ANTON CHRISTOFORIDIS, GREECE
BRAD GARRISON, USA (CINCINNATI, OH)
RICHIE KATES, USA (BAYONNE, NJ)
JUKKA KOIVISTO, FINLAND
LEO LOMSKI, USA (ABERDEEN, WA)
HARRY MATTHEWS, USA (EMMETT, ID)
HOLLY MIMS, USA (WASHINGTON, DC)
TONY SHUCCO, USA (BOSTON, MA)
BILLY SMITH, USA (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ)
GREG TANNER, USA (MIAMI, FL)
BOB THORNINGTON, JAMAICA

* GROUP FOUR

BOBBY CZYZ, USA (WANAQUE, NJ)
ALBERT FINCH, ENGLAND
JULIO GABALDON, USA (AUSTIN, TX)
CLARENCE HINNANT, USA (WASHINGTON, DC)
WILLI HOEPNER, GERMANY
HERSCHEL JACOBS, USA (NEW YORK, NY)
JOEY MAXIM, USA (CLEVELAND, OH)
WILLIE PASTRANO, USA (NEW ORLEANS, LA)
MIKE ROSSMAN, USA (TURNERSVILLE, NJ)
BATTLING SIKI, SENEGAL
NATE SIMPSON, USA (SEATTLE, WA)
CHARLES WILLIAMS, USA (COLUMBUS, OH)

"And their you have it, ladies and gentlemen," said Molk, smiling. "The 600 men who will be competing in our upcoming tournaments have now been revealed."

The crowd applauded strongly, some standing in their ovation as Molk nodded and smiled, acknowledging the applause with a raised hand.

"There will now be a fifteen minute intermission," Molk continued. "Main courses will then be served before we present some entertainment that I know you'll all love."

Thirty minutes later, Molk was back on stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my profound pleasure to introduce to the stage Destiny's Child and Nelly!"

The announcement genuinely caught the audience by surprise but within moments they were on their feet applauding as the R 'n' B and Hip Hop superstars appeared on stage and launched into an energetic twenty minute performance.

Starting off with Destiny's Child performing their 2001 smash hit "Survivor", Nelly took the spotlight next and went through a great rendition of his current #1 single "Hot In Herre" before being joined by DC member Kelly Rowland for a duet of "Dilemma", the ballad that will apparently be his next single. The mini-concert was concluded by Beyonce strutting her stuff with a sexy, booty-shaking performance of her funky single from the latest Austin Powers movie, "Work It Out".

(to be continued)

[SAL]

Great write-ups as usual Dan.

Talk about a tough group.........

EDDIE BOOKER, USA (SAN JOSE, CA)
JACK CHASE, USA (HOLLYWOOD, CA)
BOB FOSTER, USA (ALBUQUERQUE, NM)
JACK FOX, USA (OMAHA, NE)
LEROY GRACE, USA (OAKLAND, CA)
TOMMY HARRISON, USA (LOS ANGELES, CA)
JOHN HENRY LEWIS, USA (PRESCOTT, AZ)
SCOT LONG, USA (MCCUNE, KS)
ALVARO LOPEZ, USA (STOCKTON, CA)
GORDON MCKENZIE, USA (MEMPHIS, TN)
MICHAEL NUNN, USA (DAVENPORT, IA)
MICHAEL SPINKS, USA (ST. LOUIS, MO)

If I come out of this group alive I might be the greatest Lt. Heavy ever.

[Romdawg88]

Good luck SAL, you're going to need it that is a pretty nasty group.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by SAL

Great write-ups as usual Dan.

Talk about a tough group.........

EDDIE BOOKER, USA (SAN JOSE, CA)
JACK CHASE, USA (HOLLYWOOD, CA)
BOB FOSTER, USA (ALBUQUERQUE, NM)
JACK FOX, USA (OMAHA, NE)
LEROY GRACE, USA (OAKLAND, CA)
TOMMY HARRISON, USA (LOS ANGELES, CA)
JOHN HENRY LEWIS, USA (PRESCOTT, AZ)
SCOT LONG, USA (MCCUNE, KS)
ALVARO LOPEZ, USA (STOCKTON, CA)
GORDON MCKENZIE, USA (MEMPHIS, TN)
MICHAEL NUNN, USA (DAVENPORT, IA)
MICHAEL SPINKS, USA (ST. LOUIS, MO)

If I come out of this group alive I might be the greatest Lt. Heavy ever.

I'll be cheering for you! Seriously, though, your guy should have a chance of being right up there. As far as the ratings are concerned he'll be as good as most of them and better than half of them. It's going to be a great ride for him.

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation of post #171)

Soon after, Molk returned to the stage, thanking Nelly and Destiny's Child for a fantastic performance before addressing the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we've now come to the point in the night where the picture becomes even clearer," he said. "During the next thirty minutes the schedule for the IBL's first series of bouts will be revealed. I'm sure this is something that our fighters have been waiting eagerly to find out: who will their first opponent be? Well, the answers are only moments away. I'd like to call to the stage IBL competitors and Olympic Gold medallists Ray Leonard, Salvador Sanchez, Mike McCallum, Mauro Mina and Nino Benvenuti to assist in the running of the scheduling lottery."

The five fighters received a hearty round of applause as they joined Molk on the stage.

"The first step is to determine which weight division will kick off proceedings in our league," said Molk. "Ray, could I ask you to step forward and select one of the lottery balls from the container marked "WEIGHT DIVISIONS"".

Leonard fumbled around in the container for a few seconds, smiling out at the crowd, many of them on the edge of their seats. The slick Maryland Welterweight eventually passed one of the balls to Molk, who opened it up.

"Ladies and gentlemen, week one of the IBL's regional tournaments will commence on Monday the 26th of August," said Molk. "Fight cards during that first week of competition will be contested amongst ... the MIDDLEWEIGHT division!"

The crowd applauded enthusiastically, some screaming in delight and shouting their approval. The next step of the process was to determine the order in which each fight card in the division would be held and McCallum and the other gold medallists assisted in this task also. With each revelation, the fight card's schedule of bouts was displayed on the theater screen.

The North America Central region was drawn as the one that would contest the IBL's debut fight card.

MONDAY 26/08/02
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - NORTH AMERICA CENTRAL

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

Each other regional group in the division was drawn out, with the schedule working out like so:

TUESDAY 27/08/02
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - EUROPE

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

WEDNESDAY 28/08/02
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - NORTH AMERICA WEST

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

THURSDAY 29/08/02
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - NORTH AMERICA EAST/CARIBBEAN

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

FRIDAY 30/08/02
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - ASIA/OCEANIA/AFRICA

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

SATURDAY 31/08/02
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - SOUTH AMERICA

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

(to be continued)

[Romdawg88]

Well, we'll find out how for real Javier is right off the bat. Norris is going to be a tough fight for him. There are some other real good looking bouts, I'll post abit more in-depth thoughts right after UFC 71 is over.

EDIT: Javier/Norris is the fight I'm most interested in the first MW series. I'm taking Javier by KO5, Norris is tough but I think Javier will be able to break him down and get to that glass chin of his. Should be a hell of a fight until then.

Mike O'Dowd vs Stanley Ketchel looks like the best matchup on the North America Central card. It should be a hell of a fight as both guys are real aggressive, I'll take Ketchel by close UD.

Marcel Cerdan vs Randy Turpin and Kid Tunero vs Joey Archer should be great fights as well. I'll be rooting hard for Tunero, have to support my fellow Cuban fighters.

Double Edit: I forgot that Greg Moe was a created fighter. His fight was Tony Zale should be insane. Two tough sluggers going out there and throwing bombs sign me up for that it should be fun to watch.

[Ric915]

Darn I'm in a pretty tough group Sweet Pea is gonna be tough but I;m looking forward to the battle of the New Yorkers me and Tony Canzonari should be a barn burner

[Jeff1787]

My guy is fighting Wilfie Greaves in the first series of bouts...

I had to look up Greaves. He was a Canadian fighter who fought many top notch fighters...

[franklin_1]

* REGION: USA CENTRAL

JIMMY ADAMICK, USA (DETROIT, MI)
ERIK BENGTSON, USA (MILWAUKEE, WI)
JIMMY BIVINS, USA (CLEVELAND, OH)
DAN BUCCERONI, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
BILLY CONN, USA (PITTSBURGH, PA)
LINDELL HOLMES, USA (TOLEDO, OH)
HAROLD JOHNSON, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
MARVIN JOHNSON, USA (INDIANAPOLIS, IN)
JOE KNIGHT, USA (CAIRO, GA)
STEVE LITTLE, USA (READING, PA)
MICHAEL MOORER, USA (MONESSEN, PA)
ALEXANDER WRIGHT, USA (CINCINNATI, OH)


That's a tough little group as well, I've got my work cut out for me.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Well, we'll find out how for real Javier is right off the bat. Norris is going to be a tough fight for him. There are some other real good looking bouts, I'll post abit more in-depth thoughts right after UFC 71 is over.

EDIT: Javier/Norris is the fight I'm most interested in the first MW series. I'm taking Javier by KO5, Norris is tough but I think Javier will be able to break him down and get to that glass chin of his. Should be a hell of a fight until then.

Mike O'Dowd vs Stanley Ketchel looks like the best matchup on the North America Central card. It should be a hell of a fight as both guys are real aggressive, I'll take Ketchel by close UD.

Marcel Cerdan vs Randy Turpin and Kid Tunero vs Joey Archer should be great fights as well. I'll be rooting hard for Tunero, have to support my fellow Cuban fighters.

Double Edit: I forgot that Greg Moe was a created fighter. His fight was Tony Zale should be insane. Two tough sluggers going out there and throwing bombs sign me up for that it should be fun to watch.

Originally Posted by Ric915

Darn I'm in a pretty tough group Sweet Pea is gonna be tough but I;m looking forward to the battle of the New Yorkers me and Tony Canzonari should be a barn burner

Originally Posted by Jeff1787

My guy is fighting Wilfie Greaves in the first series of bouts...

I had to look up Greaves. He was a Canadian fighter who fought many top notch fighters...

Originally Posted by franklin_1

* REGION: USA CENTRAL

JIMMY ADAMICK, USA (DETROIT, MI)
ERIK BENGTSON, USA (MILWAUKEE, WI)
JIMMY BIVINS, USA (CLEVELAND, OH)
DAN BUCCERONI, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
BILLY CONN, USA (PITTSBURGH, PA)
LINDELL HOLMES, USA (TOLEDO, OH)
HAROLD JOHNSON, USA (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
MARVIN JOHNSON, USA (INDIANAPOLIS, IN)
JOE KNIGHT, USA (CAIRO, GA)
STEVE LITTLE, USA (READING, PA)
MICHAEL MOORER, USA (MONESSEN, PA)
ALEXANDER WRIGHT, USA (CINCINNATI, OH)


That's a tough little group as well, I've got my work cut out for me.

Thanks for all your replies, guys. It makes me happy knowing how excited and interested you are in the story I'm telling and the tournaments themselves. I am really hoping that all your fighters can have great success. Don't forget, though. This is only the initial tournament to crown the champs in each division. You'll have entire careers in front of you still once it's over.