Travis Kauffman to Face Miller on 2/27 in Allentown–FIGHT TO BE SHOWN ON GFL ON MARCH 1ST

Allentown, PA (Wednesday, February 24, 2010) – The first taste of adversity for a professional boxer reveals a great deal about the character of the fighter. Heavyweight prospect Travis Kauffman of Reading, PA intends to show that what hasn’t killed him will only make him stronger when he returns to the ring this Saturday, February 27th at the Rodeway Inn & Conference Center in Allentown, PA against Mike Miller of Akron, OH in the six round main event.

King’s Promotions will promote the ten-bout event that will feature both professional and amateur boxing action.
The full card can be seen via tape delay on www.gofightlive.tv for just $4.99 by clicking

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?eventId=626
Kauffman, 18-1 (15 KO), will be making his first appearance since his first professional loss to Tony Grano in September. Ahead on the scorecards and trying to finish off his fading opponent, Kauffman was drawn in by his opponent’s dirty tactics and left himself open in the process. After taking some time to deal with the defeat, Kauffman has put the experience into perspective.

“It got me down a little bit at first,” admits Kauffman, “but I feel I’ve won bigger fights than that as an amateur. I fought with my heart instead of my head and that was my biggest mistake in that fight. I got over it in time and am now 100% focused in the gym. I still feel I have the potential to be the heavyweight champion of the world and hold the title. All this has done is strengthen my desire to prove that I am a world class fighter.”

Kauffman, a former number one ranked heavyweight amateur in the country, accrued a number of amateur accolades, including a gold medal in the 2004 PAL Nationals. The 6?3? Kauffman was on an eight-fight knockout streak prior to the defeat but has demonstrated technical boxing skills in addition to power.

Kauffman was originally supposed to face Baltimore, MD’s Bernard Brown but plans changed when Brown suffered from cold feet in the last 24 hours and pulled out of the fight. Stepping in on short notice is the durable Mike Miller, 6-15 (3 KO), who was the first person to extend Kauffman the distance in the pros. Miller has only been knocked out once as a professional, by the aforementioned Grano.

“It doesn’t matter who they put in front of me, I’m ready to fight. I want to show Allentown, the entire Pennsylvania and the world that I’m still on a mission to become heavyweight champion of the world.”

In the co-featured attraction, Jason Cintron of Reading, PA will clash with Maurice Chalmers in junior-welterweight action. Cintron, 11-1, is the brother of former welterweight champion Kermit Cintron. He is fresh off a unanimous decision win over Martinus Clay at Reading’s Sovereign Center in December.

Rounding out the professional action, undefeated super-middleweight Farah Ennis (11-0, 5 KO) of Philadelphia will face Emmanuel Gonzalez of San Juan, Puerto Rico in a six round bout. Featherweight Coy Evans (6-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia, PA will face Robert DaLuz of Providence, Rhode Island in a six round bout. Middleweight Derrick Webster of Glassboro, NJ will face Pete Guthy of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in a four round bout. New York super-featherweight Emanuel Gonzalez will face Jamar Saunders of Atlanta, GA in a four round bout.

Bragging rights will be at stake in the amateur portion of the night when fighters from the Allentown Boxing Club challenge their counterparts from Reading’s King’s Gym.

Tickets are priced at $25.00, 50.00 and 65.00 and are now available at the Rodeway Inn (610-395-3731), Kingsboxing.com and the Allentown Boxing Club (Luis Melendez: 484-860-5162). A special student discount of $5.00 off any ticket price will be available at the door only along with student ID. A portion of ticket sales will be donated by King’s Promotions to the Allentown Boxing Club. Doors open at 6:00 pm; first bout starts at 6:3




Gunn-Ali off!

This Saturday’s bout between Rochelle Park, NJ’s Bobby “The Celtic Warrior” Gunn (21-4-1 18 KO’s) and Nigerian Bash Ali has been canned due to multiple difficulties. The bout, which was to be promoted by the Nigerian government, was initially scheduled for December.

Many doubted that the bout would ever take place due to the fact that Ali tuns 54 on Saturday and in addition to not fighting since August 2004, but Gunn was set on taking it due to a handsome payday. Gunn, who made a name amongst locals for his brave performance last July against Secaucus’ Tomasz Adamek, now has his sights set on landing a bout with unbeaten Ran Nakash later in the year.




Joshua Clottey workout Photo Gallery

“RIPPED AND READY” — Challenger and #1 contender Joshua Clottey,Ghana is in top condition, ripped and ready to challenge Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao,General Santos City,Philippines on Saturday,May 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas,Texas on HBO Pay-Per-View. Here are some Clottey camp photos from Fort Lauderdale,Florida

Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank




Vazquez-Sonsona Press Conference Quotes–FIGHT SATURDAY ON GFL


Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.: “I am ready physically and mentally for this fight. We taken training seriously and I’m in the best condition that I can be. We are focused on our opponent and when we get in the ring, Sonsona will see that wanting to fight me was wrong.”

Marvin Sonsona: “At this weight I feel great; stronger and my punch is stronger, too. I think I have everything to beat Vazquez and I have much more experience than him. I’m going to win that title and show my skills in the ring.”

“The Double Assault” PPV Fact Sheet

WHAT: “The Double Assault” PPV

WHEN: Saturday, February 27, 2010 – 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT

WHERE: Bayamon, Puerto Rico & Guadalajara, Mexico

PROMOTER: In Puerto Rico: PR Best Boxing, in association with All Star Boxing and Sampson Boxing LLC. In Mexico: Boxeo De Gala

“The Double Assault” PPV is also available on www.GoFightLive.TV outside of the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Philippines for just $9.99 by clicking:

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?eventId=604

PAY-PER-VIEW ANNOUNCERS: World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Col. Bob Sheridan (blow-by-blow) and former NFL player and veteran boxing announcer Benny Ricardo (color analyst).

INFORMATION: www.integratedsportsnet.com




Berto to defend against Quintana on April 10


According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBC Welterweight champion Andre Berto will defend his crown against former WBO champion Carlos Quintana on April 10th in Sunrise, Florida.

“Andre is energized and ready to fight again,” said Berto’s promoter Lou DiBella. “The working title of the card is ‘Fighting for Haiti.’ There will be a lot of charitable elements to the event.”

In the televised co-feature, light heavyweight titlist Tavoris Cloud (20-0, 18 KOs) will make his first defense against mandatory challenger and former champion Glen Johnson (50-13-2, 34 KOs), who is also from South Florida.

“Cloud and Johnson, stylistically, can’t miss,” DiBella said.

“Obviously, Mosley being the huge name that he is presented a big opportunity for Andre, but I believe this is a good test for him,” said DiBella, who promotes Berto and Quintana. “He is fighting a guy who is 1-1 with Paul Williams and who is clearly one of the 10 best welterweights in the world. Quintana is an excellent fighter. This fight is no walk in the park. People want to see Berto with a real quality welterweight. This guy is a real quality welterweight. It’s a difficult fight. Quintana is a tough fighter. Just ask Paul Williams.”

“Carlos is very slick and capable of being an excellent offensive fighter,” DiBella said. “He’s got a good skill set and he’s tricky. I don’t think there is a welterweight out there who would view Quintana as a day at the beach.

“Quintana has wanted a big fight for a long time and Berto has been a guy who has always come up as a possibility because he views fighting Berto as a big fight. So I am happy for Carlos that he is getting the opportunity. I think Berto knows he has to focus on the fight and be at his best because he’s fighting a damned good fighter,” he said.




Making History for Puerto Rican and Filipino Boxing

“Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona (14-0-1 12KO’s) and Wilfredo “Papito” Vazquez Jr. (17-0-1 14KO’s) will be looking to make history and add to the brewing rivalry between Puerto Rico and the Phillipines come Saturday night. The two undefeated boxers will square off for the WBO super bantamweight title at the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum in Bayamón Puerto Rico.

Sonsona is, along with Ben Villaflor (54-8-7 31KO’s), one of the two youngest ever Filipino world champions having both won their first belts at the age of 19. Unlike Villaflor, whose last fight was fifteen round decision loss against Puerto Rican Samuel Serrano, Sonsona is moving up in weight, two divisions, to look for his second world title. After winning the WBO super flyweight title from Puerto Rican José “Carita” López (39-8-2 32KO’s) last year but having failed to make weight for his first defense against Alejandro Hernández (22-7-2 11KO’s), “Marvelous” skipped the bantamweights altogether and is aiming to become the youngest ever two division Filipino world champion.

Vazquez Jr. on his part is also a young fighter at 25. Not as young in years as his next opponent but the fact that he didn’t have an amateur career helps him look fresher than his age would suggest. Still, it is not age which offers a spot on the history books for “Papito” but his lineage. His father, Wilfredo “The Pride of Puerto Rico” Vazquez is a former three division world champion and one of the island’s most cherished fighters. Winning the world title this Saturday would make them the first ever Puerto Rican father and son duo to win world titles.

Still, more history could, and probably will, be made this Saturday. This is because for several years now, a rivalry has been developing between Puerto Rico and the Philippines in terms of boxing. Manny Pacquiao, by himself, has made sure that Filipino boxers are considered when speaking of any division south of junior middleweight but he may only be the tip of the iceberg.

The biggest match to date is Pacuqiao knocking Cotto out but many other titles have been disputed and many other match-ups have produced great battles. Even though it was mostly one sided, Juan Manuel López and Gerry Peñalosa was an entertaining fight with good action with the WBO super bantamweight title on the line. Recently, Mario Santiago and Bernabe Concepcion gave us a good show on the same card that Eric Morel and Gerry Peñalosa fought for an interim version of the WBO bantamweight title. Sonsona himself showed maturity well beyond his years when he fought tough veteran “Carita” in a very entertaining affair and Rodel Mayol gave Iván Calderón all he could handle for twelve rounds over the course of two title defenses.

Come Saturday night, we will have two young, undefeated fighters fighting for their countries, their place in history and their livelihood. Sonsona, an accomplished amateur boxer, enjoys clear advantages in reach and amateur experience while Vazquez Jr. should be more comfortable at the weight and should come in the heavier man.

At 115lbs. Sonsona had serious power. Only “Carita” López, a man who has never been stopped, went more than five rounds with the Filipino and when they met each other September of last year. López was down on the fourth and never really recovered fron the straight left that put him there. Nonetheless, Sonsona’s failure to make weight for his first defense and the resulting draw may have shed a little bit of light into his incredible power. Enjoying advantages in size over of his previous opponents may have proved very advantageous and he is now jumping, not one, but two divisions and seven pounds north to face a natural super bantamweight.

Sonsona is also a southpaw with good punching technique and decent ring generalship. Yet, he often carries his hands low and keeps his stance wide when looking to counter. This could prove dangerous against Vazquez Jr. who has good power on his hands and can go to the body fairly well. Sonsona’s skinnier frame may be too available for Vazquez Jr. if he can’t keep the Puerto Rican at bay with jabs and straight lefts.

Papito will most likely carry the weight advantage the day of the fight and will have a hometown crowd cheering for every punch he throws. He should also feel more comfortable absorbing punishment and if he can take Sonsona’s firepower for the first half of the fight, has a chance of wearing the Filipino down. It must be noted that Vazquez Jr. has not faced a southpaw the likes of Sonsona and he may find it difficult to adapt his footwork properly.

With both fighters carrying power and motivation into the fight, this should be an exciting bout with a very good chance of ending before the final bell. Sonsona said he will look for the knockout and his own piece of history, Vazquez Jr. says he is looking for the money a victory would put him in position to earn. With WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” López set to defend against Bernabe Concepción this summer, the rivalry between the nations just keeps getting more interesting.




Q & A with Craig McEwan


Scotland’s Craig McEwan has made his home in Los Angeles, Ca since turning pro 3 and a half years ago where he has run his record to an impressive 17-0(9). The 27 year old originally hails from a tough part of Edinburgh. He had an impressive amateur career that got the attention of Freddie Roach who brought him to Los Angeles where he still trains at the Wild Card. McEwan trains with a galaxy of Boxing superstars lead by Manny Pacquiao, the supporting cast isn’t to shabby either with Amir Khan & Guillermo Rigondeaux plus an assortment of other fighters at various points of there career’s. McEwan doesn’t currently have a fight lined up but he’s ready and raring to get back into action.

Hello Craig, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly can you tell us what your up to at the moment? Do you have any fights lined up? If so can you give us the details?

Craig McEwan – Right now there’s nothing concrete. Hoping to fight soon. I’m training hard and I’m ready to go. I’m currently sparring with Edison Miranda. Great sparring so I should be well prepared for any thing that comes my way!

Anson Wainwright – It’s been the better part of three and a half years since you decided to go pro, how do you assess your development?

Craig McEwan – I’ve learned so much since I’ve been over here in Hollywood. Being in the WildCard, training with world-renowned fighters, getting great sparring really keeps you motivated. I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to spar with so many great fighters, from world champions like Bernard Hopkins, Winky Wright, Tony Margarito, Kingsley Ikeke, Edison Miranda, as well as great prospects like Shawn Porter, Vanes Martirosyan, Peter Manfredo, Enrique Ornelas, Librado Andrade. If I take something from all of these guys and use it in my own game then hopefully it’ll help me get to where I want to be. All of these opportunities have helped me develop as a fighter. I’ve still got a lot to learn but I hope I’m improving with every fight.

Anson Wainwright – Your from Scotland but decided to base yourself in Los Angleles. Can you tell us how this came about? Would you ever like to go back to Britain and fight?

Craig McEwan – Well, as an amateur in 2005, I came over to spar in the Wild Card ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Freddie and I have a mutual friend, Terry McCormack (another boxing coach). Terry had been over to the WildCard gym a few times and would come back and tell me all about it. He recommended I come here. I loved it. I have been training since I was 7 years old and training at home was getting a bit repetitive. The WildCard was so different and the sparring was brilliant. After the month-long training camp Freddie wanted me to stay and turn professional in the States but I had made a promise to compete for Scotland in the Games, which I did. I came over here in August 2007 and Freddie signed me immediately. He is now my co-manager and trainer.
I would really like to fight in Britain, especially Scotland, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen any time soon. You never know, with Amir signing with Golden Boy they may start promoting shows in Britain and I’ll get my chance then. At this moment in time I’d be happy to fight anywhere!!

Anson Wainwright – You obviously get to see many top fighters like Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan, Guillermo Rigondeaux etc work out. What have you learnt from being around some of these guys in the gym?

Craig McEwan – With Manny, it’s the way he trains, he’s a different species!! He doesn’t know the word tired! It encourages me to train harder. I was also lucky enough to be in the gym when Floyd Mayweather was there. He is another one that trains really hard. He trained non-stop for 2 hours without pausing for even a minute. Unbelievable!! It show how hard you need to work to be a champion. Amir has a similar attitude too. I’ve seen him mature so much since he’s been here. A nice guy, doesn’t deserve any of the bad press he gets. Even guys like Kingsley Ikeke who is in the gym every day without fail even when there is no sign of a fight on the horizon…that’s dedication for you!
Anson Wainwright – You train at the Wild Card gym that is obviously a tremendous experience for you with the host of stars that have come through those doors. Can you tell us about some of those?

Craig McEwan – I’ve mentioned a few already. There’s a lot of boxing stars who train there but also a lot of celebrities about. I was a bit star struck at the start but you soon get used to seeing guys such as Mickey Rourke, Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale hanging around. Obviously the biggest boxing superstar is the Pacman but you would barely know it because he’s one of the most down to earth guys you will ever meet. He’s forever trying to imitate my accent!! Floyd was actually a really nice guy too. He’s not as he comes across in the media.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about Team McEwan, who is your manager, trainer and promoter and also anyone else who may help you out?

Craig McEwan – Well, I am trained and co-managed by Freddie Roach. My other co-manager is Billy Keane, who also manages veteran Pilipino fighter Gerry Penelosa, and UFC fighter Andrei Arlovski. I work a lot with Freddie’s assistant Jesse Arevalo on a day to day basis. He makes sure I’m working hard! I’m promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. You know, if Freddie Roach and Oscar De La Hoya keep telling you, you can be a World Champion then you start to believe it.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about how it was for you growing up in Scotland and the path that took you into Boxing?

Craig McEwan – It was my dad who got me into boxing. He started boxing at 32 and would fight anyone! He tried to get my two older brothers into boxing. They got fed up, he stuck at it. He had 100 fights as an amateur and boxed for Scotland. He now has his own amateur gym in Edinburgh and has produced a number of champions. When I started boxing at 7, my dad’s hero was Sugar Ray Leonard. He taught me how to move before I could punch! Boxing just came naturally to me and 20 years later I’m still fighting!!

Anson Wainwright – You had an impressive amateur career, can you tell us about the titles you won and what your final record was?

Craig McEwan – Well, I had about 378 amateur fights. I would fight more than twice a week sometimes!! To tell you the truth, I have no idea what my final record was but I definitely won more than I lost…I think, haha! I fought for the Scottish National team since I was 15. Travelled the world! I think I won 10 gold medals in international tournaments, one of them the European U19’s, as well as a bronze at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. My amateur experience stood me in good stead for the pro game. I have learned to adapt my amateur style into something more suited to a pro.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing?

Craig McEwan – Eat and spend time with my family…in that order, haha!! My wife, Sally, and my son, Callum are out here with me. We take advantage of the California sun as much as possible, trips to the park, zoo, beaches, anything outdoors. My wife is due our second son in June so we’re going to have our hands full! We have no other family here so we’re going to be busy – no babysitters! Mind you, I’m going to be even fitter, chasing after two boys!!

Anson Wainwright – The Middleweight division looks pretty weak at the top with only Pavlik, Sturm, Williams and Martinez however it looks as though there is a new wave of talent coming through including Korobov, Jacobs, Guerrero, Golovkin, N’Dam N’Jikam etc How do you assess the division and where do you think you sit with the new wave of guys coming through?

Craig McEwan – Yeah, it’s going to be tough at the top in the future but this is a good thing. You know, I take every fight seriously. It’s exciting just to be among those names that you mentioned. I’m just waiting for my chance then I’ll train hard and my time will come!

Anson Wainwright – What goals do you have in Boxing?

Craig McEwan – I have trained all my life to win a world title. I would love to win one and defend it in Edinburgh, at Easter Road or the castle!! I just want to be involved in great fights, know that I’ve done my best and to have a long and healthy career. I also want to keep my good looks intact, haha! That’s not too much to ask for, is it?

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans back in Britain and the one you have in America?

Craig McEwan – Just thanks for all their support. There’s a lot of people who have been working hard to keep me in the Scottish and British press and that support really means a lot to me especially when all of my fights have been over here in America. Any time any one is in L.A come in and see me at the Wild Card!

Thanks for your time Craig, keep up the good work.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com




“Hammerin” Hank Lundy ready, willing and able to fight any Lightweight in the world

PHILADELPHIA (February 23, 2010)—“Hammerin” Hank Lundy is undefeated and wants to prove to the world that he is one of the top Lightweight prospect’s anywhere and he is willing to face anyone to prove that.

Lundy of Philadelphia took his record to 17-0-1 with ten knockouts with a ten round split decision against former Cuban amateur star Richard Abril (12-1-1) on January 22nd in Boston.

Lundy has a fan friendly style and has the confidence that champions need to excel to the next level.

“Look at the records of the guys who I have fought.. I was fighting opponents with fifty-plus fights in my sixth bout. “, said Lundy

“I have fought many veterans, undefeated guys and now contenders. I am ready for the next level so any lightweight out there preferably in the top ten because I know I am very close to realizing my dream to become world champion.”

Lundy has taken on five undefeated guys (4-0-1) before his meeting with Abril. Lundy annihilated then 10-0 Jason Cintron on April 24, 2009 and the momentum has continued to grow on his way to a significant fight.

“He is Mr. Excitement and shortly he will be Mr. World champion”, said Lundy’s manager Ivan Cohen.

“We are looking to move him rapidly as we he is ready for anybody in the Lightweight division. We are working on getting him a little more exposure here in Philly then it’s time to unleash him on the world.”

Lundy is currently ranked sixth by the NABO and is ready to fight anybody in order to get his chance at the world title.

Lundy, who is promoted by Providence, based Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment Sports feels the same way as the fighter and manager.

“Hank is ready for anyone in the top-ten at 135 pounds”, said Burchfield

“Look at his last four fights. Especially Cintron who was undefeated, Valtierra who was a grizzled veteran who had only been stopped once and Hank got him out of there in one. Then Abril who was a decorated amateur who brought a style of a lot of movement and Hank was able to beat these guys showing the versatility of a champion.”

“We would love to fight guys such as John Murray of England, David Diaz, Michael Katsidis, Anthony Peterson or Martin Honorio right now.”

“There is always a special fighter that comes out of the woodwork who is very exciting and knocks people out. Hank is that guy. I defiantly put him in the class of a Ray Mancini and Vinny Paz in terms of excitement”

“This kid belongs on ESPN and SHO BOX now. And any of those fights that I mentioned are more than worthy for the networks. He has a terrific team in place with Ivan Cohen and Sloan Harrison who bring a lot to the table as they have each been in the game along time and have worked with many world champions themselves and we all feel we are ready to get to the top of the mountain.”

“On top of everything else, this kid has a great personality and is a quote machine. He feels he is the best and he doesn’t use any sware words when he talks. Once the rest of the country gets to know Hank Lundy they will be sure to fall in love with him as a fighter and person.”

Lundy is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment Sports (CES); managed by Ivan Cohen and trained by Sloan Harrison as well as his strength and condition coach Brian Cohen.




Gamboa to take on Jonathan Victor Barros


According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBA Featherweight champion will take on undefeated Argentinean Jonathan Victor Barros (28-0-1, 16 KO’s) March 27th in Germany.

The card will take place in Hamburg and will be the first show of Gamboa’s co-promoter, Arena-Box deal with German television network SAT.1

“We don’t know a lot about him, but any time you fight a fighter from Argentina, you’ll probably get a crude guy with a decent chin who is a wild puncher, so there is always some danger,” said CarlMoretti of Gamboa’s co-promoter Top Rank. “I know Gamboa is an excellent talent and this is another step as we move forward.”

“This will be our special highlight for our new TV partner,” said Ahmet Öner of Arena Box. “Of course, it is not easy to bring a superstar like Gamboa to Germany, but he is my fighter so I am very proud to bring him back to where his pro career started three years ago. When Gamboa will be back in Hamburg it will feel like a circle is complete.

“I know that he has lots of friends here and is happy to return to Germany. But this will be an exception. Gamboa’s main market is in the USA now. He will be in Germany for this one fight only and then continue his great career in the big venues in the States.

“This will be our biggest show in Germany so far,” Öner said. “With SAT.1 we have finally found a major TV partner who helps us to bring great fights to a big audience. Of course, a German TV station wants to present German fighters. That is why we have decided to feature the heavyweight clash between Steffen Kretschmann and Denis Bakhtov as one of two main events.”

Photo by Claudia Bocanegra




Mayol-Nino & Vazquez-Sonsona World title fights featured on “The Double Assault” PPV–THIS SATURDAY ON GFL


HOBOKEN, N.J. (Feb. 23, 2010) – Styles make fights and Saturday night’s WBC light flyweight title bout between Filipino power puncher Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol and stylish Mexican boxer Omar “Giant Killer” Nino shapes-up as a potential classic from Guadalajara, Mexico on “The Double Assault” pay-per-view extravaganza.

The 12-round main event matches Mayol (26-4-1, 20 KOs), rated No. 2 by The Ring, defending his crown against the WBC No. 1 contender, former WBC light flyweight titlist Nino (28-3-1, 20 KOs). Also airing on the entertaining Guadalajara card, presented by Boxeo De Gala, is a 10-round WBC Youth lightweight championship bout between defending champ Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada (21-1, 17 KOs) and veteran Angel Alirio “El Morocho” Rivero (21-7-1, 14 KOs).

“The Double Assault” pay-per-view action commences at 9 PM/ET live from Reben Rodriquez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, with hometown hero Wilfredo “WV2” Vazquez, Jr., who plans to make Puerto Rican history when he fights the 19-year-old Philippine sensation, “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona, for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO junior featherweight title. PR Best Boxing Promotions, in association with All Star Boxing and Sampson Boxing LLC., is presenting the Puerto Rican segment of “The Double Assault” pay-per-view.

The unique, split site broadcast is being distributed outside of North America on www.gofightlive.tv for just $9.99 by cliicking:

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?eventId=604

THIS EVENT WILL NOT BE OFFERED BY GFL IN THE UNITED STATES, MEXICO, PUERTO RICO AND THE PHILIPPINES. IN ORDER TO PURCHASE THIS EVENT PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CABLE/SATELLITE SERVICE PROVIDER.

Mayol, now fighting out of Los Angeles, captured the WBC light flyweight crown in his last fight (November 21) with a win by second-round technical knockout of Edgar Sosa (37-5) in Mexico. Mayol, who has stopped 20 of 26 victims, had come off of back-to-back fights against WBO light flyweight titlist Ivan Calderon that ended in technical decisions, due to cuts from accidental head butts suffered by the Puerto Rican, for a Calderon win and draw.

Nino hopes to live-up to his “Giant Killer” nickname by out-boxing and taking Mayol into the later rounds. Nino earned his title shot by winning an 8-round technical decision, when he suffered a cut to his head caused buy an accidental head butt, against Juanito Rubillar (46-11-7) in their June WBC title eliminator in Mexico. Nino, who upset Brian Viloria in 2006 to capture the WBC title, will also be fighting in his hometown of Guadalajara, where he is undefeated in nearly 20 career fights.

WBO No. 2 rated Vazquez, Jr. (17-0-1, 14 KOs), the WBO Latino super bantamweight champion, would become the first Puerto Rican son of a world champion (Wilfredo Vazquez, Sr.) to capture a world title by defeating former WBO super flyweight titlist Sonsona (14-0-1, 12 KOs), ranked No. 3 by the WBO.

Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Carlos Negron (7-0, 6 KOs), 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian, provides chief support in a 6-round bout against Rudy Ashworth. Also fighting on the card in their pro debuts are the Arroyo twins and also 2008 Puerto Rican Olympians, flyweight McWilliams and bantamweight McJoe.




Q & A with Steve O’Meara


This Friday marks the return of the hugely popular Prize-Fighter in Britain. This time it’s the turn of the Light Middleweight’s. It starts with 8 men who fight over 3×3 minute rounds with the winner advancing to the next round until one man is left standing. One man hoping that is him is Londoner Steve O’Meara 11-0(2). In the first round the 26 year old faces battle hardened Martin Concepcion 16-6(10). O’Meara has packed some interesting things into his 2 years as a pro he’s already fought at two of the most famous boxing venue’s in the world The York Hall in London and The Blue Horizon in Philadelphia. He’s also been to Las Vegas and trained and sparred with Floyd Mayweather Jnr. Since returning home he has begun training with Olympic Gold medallist James Degale. However Prize-fighter gives him his chance to put his own name up in lights. On Friday we’ll find out if he can write another interesting paragraph in his storied career.

Hello Steve, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly you are fighting in the upcoming Light Middleweight Prize-fighter. What do you think of this concept? Who do you see as the danger men?

Steve O’Meara – The concept is great its like the FA Cup (A famous Soccer competition in Britain) of boxing were you’ll see underdogs beating the favourites more often than usual. With the experience an KO% you would say Sinclair and Pryce but i don’t think the experience will come into play as much in this tournament.

Anson Wainwright – Early in your career you fought in America. How did this come about?

Steve O’Meara – I had links with some good people in Philly. Ron Boddie was friends with Tom Moran who managed Kassim Ouma and Tim Witherspoon. So that lead me to be trained by Tim Witherspoon, which was great. I trained at Shulers.

Anson Wainwright – What happened to make you come back to Britain?

Steve O’Meara – I went over to America 2 or 3 times. I was supposed to debut at Madison Square Garden (On 15/3/08 on a card hedlined by James Moore-V-J.C Candelo) but that feel through. I went home and made my debut before coming back to America. I was supposed to fight in Atlantic City but my opponent didn’t turn up, before i got the fight in Philly. I wasn’t fighting regularly enough an probably a bit of home sickness. After the fight at The Blue Horizon i came back Mick Hennessy got in touch and said i fight regular with him. So i stayed.

Anson Wainwright – Your second pro fight was at the world famous Blue Horizon in Philadelphia. Looking back at that experience what can you tell us about it?

Steve O’Meara – Well i knew nothing of my opponent other than what i had seen on the net (which was him KO in a guy in an amateur bout) so thought i was in for a hard nights work. I was also feeling a lot of pressure as a lot of people at home were watching live. So when i stopped him in the second i celebrated like i had won a title but really i was just so relieved i hadn’t let everyone down. Looking back now it makes me laugh at it a bit.

Anson Wainwright – Since coming back to Britain you have aligned yourself with James Degale. How did this come about and how has this helped you personally?

Steve O’Meara – Me an James boxed at the same club as amateur’s so have been friends for years so when he was looking to turn pro i told him my trainer Jim McDonnell was a great trainer who he should work with, they automatically gelled together. Obviously sparring James everyday is great for me to progress as a fighter too.

Anson Wainwright – You went to Las Vegas and trained with Floyd Mayweather Jnr. What can you tell us about this? Did you spar with him? What did you make of him having been up close and personal with him?

Steve O’Meara – Yes this is something i will remember forever, it was a great experience, we had a good spar an he gave me some positive compliments. Floyd is a machine, he trains like no one i’ve ever seen. I would love to one day go back an train an spar with him again.

Anson Wainwright – Who is your manager, trainer and promoter? Also what gym do you use for your training?

Steve O’Meara – My manager is Tony Sims, trainer is Jim McDonnell and promoter is Mick Hennessey. I train at the Loughton Academy in Essex.

Anson Wainwright – What is the best part about being a Boxer? and the worst?

Steve O’Meara – The respect between fighters, worst for me is the traveling i do to the gym i travel about 130-150 miles a day.

Anson Wainwright – So far what is your best memory you have as a Boxer?

Steve O’Meara – Sparring with Floyd Mayweather.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing in your spare time?

Steve O’Meara – I like watching football (soccer) my teams Tottenham Hotspur and i’m a movie buff. I like all sorts comedies, action anything. My favourite movies are Friday, 300, Oldboy etc.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your amateur career and what titles you won? What was your final record?

Steve O’Meara – I won the national Middleweight novices, London opens at Welterweight, 26 bouts 22 wins 4 losses

Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?

Steve O’Meara – I don’t like to say to much about this because it can come across as arrogant so I’ll go with to be remembered as a good fighter.

Anson Wainwright – Who was your favourite fighter growing up?

Steve O’Meara – Nigel Benn and Roberto Duran

Thanks for your time Steve, good luck in the Prizefighter. Make Philly proud Haha

Thank mate

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com




Chris Murphy retires

Sparta, NJ based junior middleweight Chris Murphy, 3-0-1 3 KO’s, notified 15Rounds that he is retiring due to a reoccurring retina injury. Murphy first hurt his eye three years ago and after multiple surgeries, re injured it sparring with contender Alfredo Angulo a few months back.

Murphy, a pressure fighter who loved to brawl, will remembered among most locals for his scintillating four round draw with Abe Torres, which will likely go down as one of the most entertaining club show fights in North Jersey history.

“I am blessed because I have a year left in school and aspirations to get a higher degree when I am done with that” said Murphy, a student at Sussex County College who also played professional hockey. “I am looking to follow in my brother’s footsteps (who graduates from Georgetown law in the spring).”

Although he will no longer be fighting, Murphy vows to support his stablemates as they develop.

“Glen Tapia, Jeremy Bryan, (Bobby) Rooney, Jorge Diaz, Pat Farrell, Danny McDermott and the rest of Pound 4 Pound (promotions) are my family for life. It was great to work with them as well as trainer Mike Skowronski.”

15Rounds wishes Murphy the best of luck in his future outside of boxing.

For more New Jersey boxing news, go to gardenstatefightscene.com




A tribute to Rocky Marciano’s legendary boxing trainer, Allie Colombo

A tribute to Rocky Marciano’s legendary boxing trainer, Allie Colombo, will be held tomorrow night at Joe Angelo’s Café in Brockton.

Both Marciano (49-0, 43 KOs), who retired in 1956 as the only undefeated heavyweight champion in boxing history, and Colombo were born and raised in “The City of Champions” and they became friends at a young age.

“The Brockton Blockbuster,” a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame who was selected fighter of the year by Ring Magazine on three separate occasions, was a terrific athlete and he particularly flourished on the baseball diamond during his youth.

However, Marciano eventually decided to quit baseball because he wanted to focus all of his efforts on the sport of boxing.

Colombo observed Marciano as he trained and sparred and he knew that “The Rock” could develop into an elite prizefighter if he was correctly mentored.

“He (Colombo) devoted his life to Rocky,” Brockton native Denis Marrese said of Colombo. “He knew Rocky had the ability and he wrote letters to promoters once Rocky got into boxing. He knew.”

In January 1969, Colombo tragically died at the age of 49 in an industrial accident on a loading dock where he was employed.

In a sad twist of irony, Marciano was killed only seven months later on the eve of his 46th birthday when a private plane that he was a passenger in struck a tree near a small airfield outside Newton, Iowa.

Before Marciano’s terrible misfortune occurred, the great pugilist raved about Colombo as both his friend and trainer.

“It was Allie’s contention that I could make it very big in the professional ranks, so we talked it over together and decided to give it a try,” recalled Marciano, who Ring Magazine ranked as the twelfth greatest fighter of the last 80 years in 2002.

“Allie was a real buddy. He kept my interest in boxing alive through all the difficult moments. Prize fighting is a very serious business, but Allie was very witty and when we got too serious he’d use his sense of humor to relax the atmosphere.”

Veteran boxing trainer Roger “Pit” Perron will serve as master of ceremonies at Saturday’s celebration for Colombo.

“He (Colombo) was a real easy going, laid-back kind of guy, easy to talk to and willing to talk anytime,” said Perron, 73, also a product of Brockton who managed to defeat bladder cancer in 2004.

In order to be admitted, all attendants must purchase a ticket for $25 and they will be served a hot and cold buffet by Chef Henry Tartaglia.

All proceeds collected from the event will be utilized to pay for a statute of Colombo.

Ideally, the statue of Colombo will be situated near a bronze sculpture of Marciano where it will overlook Rocky Marciano Stadium at Brockton High School.

“Allie did something great for this city,” said Marrese. “He never forgot about Brockton and we shouldn’t forget about Allie. He did something great for all of us. He discovered raw talent in a guy named Rocky Marciano.”

“The Brockton Blockbuster” was once quoted as saying, “I don’t want to be remembered as a beaten champion.”

Ultimately, Marciano would never be “remembered as a beaten champion.”

In many ways, Allie Colombo helped make Rocky Marciano the athletic icon that he is today.




Boxing Returns to Akron, Ohio

Area boxing fans are in for a night of thrilling competition when two of the best heavyweights around square off. Local favorite Charles Hatcher, with a lifetime record of 15-6 with 11 KOs, will unleash his comeback fury against Midwest fighter Thomas on Saturday, May 1 at The Chapparell in Akron.

One of Hatcher’s last fights was against Michael Grant, the former IBC Heavy Weight Champion. Hatcher, born in Columbus and now living in Canton, is 6′ 3″ and will be entering the ring against Thomas between 228 and 230 pounds. Hatcher has fought at well-known venues like Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, City Center Pavilion in Reno, Nevada, Caesar’s Tahoe in Stateline, Nevada and The Palace at Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Introducing the main event and the undercards will be popular ring announcer George Phillips, who always brings high-octane energy and excitement to any boxing match. Phillips is a veteran announcer on the local and national scene for both championship-style boxing events and mixed martial arts matches. Fans who come to The Chapparell on May 1 won’t want to miss George’s unique style of ring announcing and the way he interacts with the audience.

Hatcher vs. Thomas is the kickoff event for the new Hall of Fame Boxing and Promotions Company, headquartered in the Half of Fame city of Canton. Hall of Fame Boxing is licensed by the Ohio Athletic Commission and will be producing future championship-style boxing events around Ohio and the Midwest.




Sonsona hungry for another world title and redemption on “The Double Assault” PPV—LIVE IN GFL


HOBOKEN, N.J. (Feb. 22, 2010) – Filipino sensation “Marvelous” Marvin Sonoma is hungry to capture another world title, as well as overcoming the aftereffect of losing his WBO super flyweight belt on the scales in his last fight, this coming Saturday night in the highly-anticipated showdown against hometown hero Wilfredo “WV2” Vazquez, Jr. for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight championship.

Vazquez, Jr.-Sonsona is one of two world title fights featured on the split-site “The Double Assault” pay-per-view broadcast, commencing at 9 PM/ET live from Reben Rodriquez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, the hometown Vazquez, Jr., who plans to make Puerto Rican history by defeating 19-year-old Sonsona.

The unique, double-barrelled broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

Outside the United States and Canada fans can watch this great fight on www.gofightlive.tv for just $9.99 by clicking:

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?eventId=604

THIS EVENT WILL NOT BE OFFERED BY GFL IN THE UNITED STATES, MEXICO, PUERTO RICO AND THE PHILIPPINES. IN ORDER TO PURCHASE THIS EVENT PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CABLE/SATELLITE SERVICE PROVIDER.

PR Best Boxing Promotions, in association with All Star Boxing and Sampson Boxing LLC., is presenting the Puerto Rican segment of “The Double Assault” pay-per-view.

WBO No. 2 rated Vazquez, Jr. (17-0-1, 14 KOs), the WBO Latino super bantamweight champion, would become the first Puerto Rican son of a world champion (Wilfredo Vazquez, Sr.) to capture a world title by defeating former WBO super flyweight titlist Sonsona (14-0-1, 12 KOs), ranked No. 3 by the WBO.

Sonsona, billed in the Philippines as that country’s next Manny Pacquiao, fought Alejandro Hernandez to a draw last November in Canada. Marvin, however, lost the WBO super flyweight title that he had won in his previous fight against Jose Lopez, due to weighing-in 2 ½ pounds over the 115-pound contractual weight. Sonsona is fighting two full weight classes above super flyweight against Vasquez, instead of taking a “tune-up” fight before fighting in this world title bout.

“My promoter (Sampson Lewkowicz) wanted me to take this fight because I have a big chance to win the title,” Sonsona explained. “It’s a good opportunity for me to get a championship belt back. I’ve trained hard for this fight and we’ve worked on his (Vazquez) weaknesses. He makes a lot of mistakes. This fight is very important for me, especially being on pay-per-view in North America. I want to make up for what happened in Canada and win another world title. I’m hungry and focused on this fight; I’m hungry like a tiger.

“Manny is Manny. It’s hard following in his footsteps but all I can be is my best and, hopefully, bring another world title home. Fighting in his (Vasquez) hometown doesn’t bother me. The officials will be fair and I have a lot of Puerto Rican fans, too. I’m not sure if it’ll end in a knockout, but it’s going to be a very good fight.”

Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Carlos Negron (7-0, 6 KOs), 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian, provides chief support in a 6-round bout against Rudy Ashworth. Also fighting on the card in their pro debuts are the Arroyo twins, flyweight McWilliams and bantamweight McJoe, also members of the 2008 Puerto Rican Olympic Boxing Team.

The PPV action continues later Saturday night, live from Guadalajara, as WBC light flyweight champion Rodel “Bantang Mandaue” Mayol (26-4-1, 20 KOs), rated No. 2 by The Ring, defends his belt in the 12-round main event versus the WBC No. 1 contender, former WBC light flyweight titlist Omar “Giant Killer” Nino (28-3-1, 20 KOs). Also airing on the Guadalajara card, presented by Boxeo De Gala, is a 10-round WBC Youth lightweight championship match between defending champ Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada (21-1, 17 KOs) and veteran Angel Alirio “El Morocho” Rivero (21-7-1, 14 KOs).

Integrated Sports Media: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton, Cristian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports Media distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA, as well as World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com




SubUrbano blight


The second event I covered was a Top Rank card on May 6, 2005 at Fort McDowell Casino in Fountain Hills, Ariz. Televised on “Solo Boxeo,” the marquee comprised Mexican prospects like Giovanni Segura, Mike Alvarado, Jesus Soto Karass and Jesus Gonzales. But that night no one stood out like Urbano Antillon.

I miss “Solo Boxeo.” I miss Urbano Antillon.

An easily hit facsimile of Antillon was in action Saturday on Fox Sports Español. He stopped a fellow Mexican named Luis Arceo who’d lost eight of his preceding 11 fights. The match goes on the books “TKO-3” for Antillon. That’s a very happy rendition of what actually happened, though.

Referee Juan Jose Ramirez called the fight off, on doctor’s orders, 2:25 into the third round. Could Arceo have continued? Sure. He had an ugly gash on his left eyebrow, but had the same gash happened over Antillon’s brow, the fight wouldn’t have stopped. The nature of the entire televised card was one of over-protectiveness. Who was protected? That’s the question. Every time the favorite got his man in trouble, the referee’s intervention came quick. Records got preserved.

Did the cut over Arceo’s brow come from a punch? That’s another question. Arceo’s trainer said to the referee, “Juan, it’s a ‘t’.” And the cut did have the sort of ‘t’ shape that rarely comes from a gloved fist and more often from a man’s head. Replays were inconclusive because there weren’t any.

Had the cut been ruled the result of a butt, and had the fight lasted another round, it likely would have been a draw on my card. I gave the first to Arceo. I had the second even. The third was trending Antillon. Don’t know what would have happened after that. Point is, Antillon (27-1) and Arceo (22-10-2) were a lot more even than their records.

This was supposed to be a rehab fight for Antillon, who was stopped in his last match by Miguel Acosta, a Venezuelan whose previous exploits did not anticipate a round 9 knockout victory over Antillon. Arceo was put there to be hit by Antillon. Trouble was, Antillon’s chin was available like he held a “Vacancy” sign between his gloves.

Where was the guy who boxed confidently, occasionally slipped punches and dropped a smooth left hook on the liver? Abandoned in the corner of some Southern California gym, I’m guessing.

The So-Cal gym scene is a delight to aficionados and visiting trainers. It’s a great place to get sparring for a champion who readies for a title defense. It’s where hungry young guys hone their craft, prove their toughness and impress fellow gym rats – then wear themselves into injury-prone strongmen with diminished coordination and a reflexive appetite for abuse.

The more a young Mexican demonstrates he has a strong chin, the more he gets to use it. That’s the trouble with reflexivity. At the same time he uses his strong chin to take a more direct route to his opponents, forsaking head movement and punch parrying, he also sustains the sorts of blows that slow the signals passed from brain to body. Soon enough, he’s brazen about getting hit and begins down a path that ends the same way for everyone who takes it – with an opponent whose punch he cannot withstand.

Urbano Antillon’s defense of a left hook, Saturday, was to throw his own left hook. His defense for a right hand, it seemed, was to eat the punch then throw another left hook. That sort of thing can be inevitable when you find yourself across the ring from an equal. But if Luis Arceo is now Antillon’s equal, Antillon’s last five years have been awfully damning.

That’s a real possibility. Antillon made his first noteworthy gym war in 2004 with Edwin Valero. Yes, that Valero. The Venezuelan got the better of Antillon. Not as much better as some have come to remember it, but better enough. Since then, Antillon has been on an atonement tour.

He made another gym war with Juan Manuel Marquez in 2007. Just last year, he was the toughest sparring Manny Pacquiao found while readying for Ricky Hatton – and much tougher on Pacman, as it turned out, than Hatton was. When you make hellish battles with Marquez and Pacquiao, though, aren’t you supposed to make lots of money?

The fights Antillon has been paid for include wearying brawls, too. There was an Olympic Auditorium scrap with Ivan “El Relampago” Valle in only Antillon’s 10th fight. Then came a 10-round battle of attrition with Fernando “El Pillo” Trejo right after Trejo stopped Jose Armando Santa Cruz. Antillon won both and gained experience. He gained experience in hard sparring with world champions as well. But at some point, Antillon’s valuable experiences became counterproductive proofs of machismo.

Saturday, Antillon seemed too deliberate. Nothing happened with the ease it used to. Some of that might be attributable to Arceo having a good opening round; Arceo does, after all, have 22 victories on his resume. But Antillon also seemed graceless. He was trying much harder and accomplishing less. That’s the troubling trait of a guy who’s been fighting either too often or too much. That’s a troubling trait to have at age 27 with nary a title fight on your record.

It’s time for Antillon to stop proving his toughness and start preserving himself. Next time some junior welterweight champion calls for sparring, Urbano needn’t answer the phone. He needn’t prove himself against hungry young prospects who remind him of his 2005 vintage either. He should work on defense with sparring partners who don’t take his hard counterpunches personally.

There’s little room for hope; Antillon appears to have lost too much already. But we’re loath to end things on a down note. So, there’s news that Antillon has a refreshed outlook on life with new trainer Abel Sanchez!

Still down? Well, how about the rumor that “Solo Boxeo” might come back . . .

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry

Dynamic symulation and experiment on a sprayer boom structure.(Report)

Annals of DAAAM & Proceedings January 1, 2009 | Lupea, Iulian; Tudose, Lucian; Stanescu, Cristina Mihaela; Lupea, Mihaela 1. INTRODUCTION The dynamic behavior of agriculture sprayer mechanisms trailed by tractors has been constantly observed and analyzed (Ramon & De Baerdemaeker, 1997); (Kennes et al., 1999). The sprayer boom is a large and relatively slender component, used to support the spray nozzles. It is important to control and minimize the vibration of the structure on the vertical and horizontal planes, in order to insure the uniformity of pulverization over the field (Lupea et al., 2008). The horizontal and vertical movements, as well as the geometrical features of the sprayer boom, influence the pulverization quality. It has been made (Lebeau et al., 2004) a spray controller aiming to compensate the effect of the horizontal boom movements on the spray deposits homogeneity. In this paper the dynamic study of a sprayer boom structure of about 12m length on each side is presented. Initially, the real boom has been optimized in terms of minimizing the vertical vibration, considering the dynamic model of the whole sprayer mechanism excited from the ground when is following a standard bumpy path. In that approach the dynamic model of the whole sprayer mechanism and a rigid sprayer boom were considered. A similar downscaled (1/10) boom structure has been manufactured and tested. An important parameter of the dynamic behavior is the boom tip vibration amplitude. This parameter is observed in the finite element analysis of the optimized structure considered at a natural scale and in the experimental approach of the downscaled structure, resulting a good correlation (considering the scale factor). During the tests of the manufactured structure, scale factors such as the time factor and the force factor for transient dynamic load, have been considered. Other similar parameters, such as the resonant frequencies, have been observed in both models. This work was supported by the grant of the Romanian Government PNII Idei id 1077 (2007). website force factor reviews

[FIGURE 1 OMITTED] Further research is aiming a better understanding of the similarities of the real boom structure, the associated finite element model and the down-scaled real structure used for tests in the laboratory.

2. FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS Starting from the CAD model of the sprayer boom structure, a standard mesh procedure as a preprocessing step of a finite element analysis has been followed. Mainly shells, a reduced number of solid elements, rigid connections and a few spring elements were used. Some small components were replaced by lumped masses and finally, the same mass in both, the model and the real structure has been reached.

The model was prepared with HyperMesh preprocessor (2007, HyperWorks) for normal modal analysis with Optistruct solver which is using Nastran similar cards in the deck file. The frequency band of interest was between 0.1 and 60Hz. Some modes of vibration are preponderant moving on the vertical plane, others are on the horizontal plane and some are moving on both planes. The lowest mode is a lateral bending of the structure. The most important modes of vibration are in general the lowest ones, which generate large amplitude at the free end of the sprayer boom. Other important modes of vibration are those which can be excited by active loads. Hence, a typical time dependent load coming from the ground has been used to excite the sprayer boom arm structure. This load was derived from the dynamic simulation of the whole agriculture sprayer machine (including the suspension) trailed by a tractor when is following a standardized bumpy path. site force factor reviews

In order to find out the sprayer tip (node #202497, Fig.1.) vibration amplitude as a response to the dynamic load, a modal transient response procedure by using finite element analysis, has been applied. The time variable load coming from the dynamic modeling of the sprayer mechanism excited from the ground has been applied at the level of the symmetry line of the structure. The free end motion and the amplitude of the boom have been registered in three perpendicular directions (Fig. 2). The vertical (Oy) response amplitude is the most important (0.068m), followed by the lateral one (Oz) and finally the response along the length (Ox) of the arm. The modal method, instead of the direct integration method, has been chosen. The modal damping, experimentally measured on a similar downscaled (1/10) real structure which was manufactured for testing, has been plugged into the finite element model.

[FIGURE 2 OMITTED] 3. EXPERIMENTS 3.1 Measurement Set-up A similar down-scaled (1/10) boom arm structure has been manufactured in order to perform tests in the laboratory, in parallel to the field tests.

The frequency response function–inertance of the downscaled manufactured structure has been measured.

A measuring set-up available in the Vibration & Noise Measuring Laboratory (www.viaclab.utcluj.ro) has been used. It is based on an acquisition system, a shaker, a force transducer, a light accelerometer and a Labview application.

A simplified measurement set-up is shown in Fig. 3. The device under test (DUT) is excited from the output channel 0, while the force transducer and the mini-accelerometer are monitored by using the input channel 0 and channel 1, respectively.

[FIGURE 3 OMITTED] 3.2 Measurement of the FRF-Inertance The force transducer measures the force transfered from the shaker to the DUT. The accelerometer, glued on the structure’s free end is monitoring the vertical acceleration. From the FRF peaks (Fig.4), the resonant frequencies of the structure in vertical plane and the modal damping values have been derived. A mean damping ratio value of 0.02, derived by using the bandwidth method for resonant peaks, has been plugged into the finite element simulation. The structure has been considered as lightly damped.

For the FRF-inertance (magnitude–phase) derivation, a Labview application based on sine sweept procedure in the frequency band of interest has been used (2008, Labview).

[FIGURE 4 OMITTED] 3.3 Down-scaled Structure Free End Response A Labview application has been developed. The application derives the manufactured structure compliance by double integrating the measured FRF-inertance, finds the main harmonics of the down-scaled time varying load acting on the similar down-scaled structure and calculates the structure responses for each harmonic (magnitude and phase) excitation. Finally, the application superposes the responses of the downscaled structure to the main harmonic excitations (Lupea, 2005). The time varying load imposed on the real structure is similar (down-scaled: 1/100) to that used for excitation on the modal transient response finite element simulation.

After the superposition of the harmonical responses, the structure’s tip vibration is depicted in Fig. 5.

[FIGURE 5 OMITTED] 4. CONCLUSION A transient response simulation of a real-sized and an experimental approach on the down-scaled sprayer boom structure have been performed. The free end boom structure vibration amplitude derived from FEA is in good correlation with the one obtained from the experiment based on the measured FRF-inertance. Resonant frequencies resulted from the simulation of the boom structure, the measurements on the real structure and on the down-scaled structure, correlate as well. By improving the finite element model, better results are expected. Other standard excitations will be imposed on the structures, observing the responses.

5. REFERENCES Kennes, P.; Ramon, H. & De Baerdemaeker, J. (1999). Modeling the effect of the passive suspensions on the dynamic behavior of sprayer booms. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, Vol. 72, Issue 3, 1999, pp 217-229 Lebeau, F.; El Bahir, L.; Destain, M.; Kinnaert, M. & Hanus, R. (2004). Improvement of spray deposit homogeneity using a PWM spray controller to compensate horizontal boom speed variations, Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, Vol. 43, Issue 2, 2004, pp 149-161 Lupea, I. (2005). Vibration and noise measurement by using Labview programming, Casa Cartii de Stiinta Publisher, Cluj-Napoca, ISBN 973-686-840-0 Lupea, I.; Stanescu, C. & Drocas, I. (2008). Measurements on the Sprayer Boom Vibration, The Fifth International Symposium about forming and design in mechanical engineering, COD 2008 Proceedings pp. 331-334, ISBN 978-86-7892-104-9, ADEKO Association for Design, Elements and Constructions, Belgrade, 15-16. April 2008, Novi Sad Ramon, H. & De Baerdemaeker, J. (1997). Spray boom motions and spray distribution – part 2: experimental validation of the mathematical relation and simulation, Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, Vol. 66, Issue 1, 1997, pp 31-39 *** (2008) Labview–Sound and vibration toolset, National Instruments, Austin, Texas *** (2007) HyperWorks (HyperMesh and Optistruct), Altair Engineering Inc., Troy – Michigan Lupea, Iulian; Tudose, Lucian; Stanescu, Cristina Mihaela; Lupea, Mihaela




AUDIO: MIKE JONES ON THE SUNDAY SIZZLER


Welterweight Mike “MJ” Jones 19-0(16KO) Interview and Marc Abrams LIVE on air!! – Weekend Fight recaps and upcoming fight previews! 15rounds.com’s Johnny Schulz presents: Talking BOXING with JSizzle and New York Danny Stash – A weekly Sunday boxing show covering Boxing from all angles. • All of the week’s top boxing stories from results to previews, history, to stories outside of the ring and more.




Jewish champ will lose to Puerto Rican icon at Yankee Stadium


Provided that a bar mitzvah doesn’t prohibit it from occurring, WBA super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman is expected to defend his crown against former WBO welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto on June 5 at Yankee Stadium.

“The Yankees want to make a deal, we know we can make a deal, they’re just working through a problem at Yankee Stadium,” promoter Bob Arum told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

“But you wouldn’t believe it if I told you. They’ve leased out some lounges for this bar mitzvah and part of the deal was for a half hour or so, they could use the big screen in center field to show pictures and all that sort of stuff. Obviously you can’t do that if there’s a fight going on.”

Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs) last fought on Nov. 14 when he relinquished his belt to Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) by a brutal 12th round TKO.

On the undercard of the Pacquiao versus Cotto bout, Foreman (28-0, 8 KOs), who is ironically an aspiring rabbi, defeated Daniel Santos (32-4-1-1, 23 KOs) by unanimous decision to become Israel’s first ever world boxing champion.

Foreman, 29, the winner of the New York Golden Gloves in 2001, was considered as a potential opponent for Pacquiao after the WBO champion’s proposed matchup with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (40-0, 25 KOs) deteriorated earlier this month.

However, Pacquiao rejected the offer mainly because Foreman, at five feet and eleven inches, is quite tall for a welterweight. As evidenced by his paltry knockout percentage, Foreman does not possess tremendous power in either of his fists.

Still, Foreman is a tactician in the ring and his height has posed problems for his opponents in the past.

“Foreman is a solid boxer,” said Brad Sherwood, a personal trainer at Gold’s Gym in Medford, Massachusetts. “He is way taller than Cotto and Cotto has been through so many wars that he is old for a 29-year-old. But, I still think Cotto will win though because he is such a powerful warrior. I would take Cotto by a stoppage in the later rounds.”

Foreman was born in Gomel, Belarus.

At age nine, Foreman immigrated with his family to Israel and it was in the Holy Land where he began to box at a local Arab gym.

“The first time I walked in, I saw the stares. In their eyes, there was a lot of hatred,” said Foreman. “But, I needed to box; and boy, did they all want to box me.”

Particularly because of the pounding he received at the hands of Pacquiao, Cotto is going to “want to box” and bludgeon Foreman as well.

Foreman’s vast size advantage and relatively cautious style will keep him competitive in the fight.

Nevertheless, expect Cotto to ultimately brawl his way to a decisive knockout victory over Foreman whenever the two finally meet in the Bronx.

Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank




Matthysse – Harris reamtch on April 2?


Sources notified 15Rounds that Carlstadt, NJ’s Vivian Harris, (29-4-1 19 KO’s), will be granted a rematch with Lucas Matthysse April 2 on ShoBox due to a controversial stoppage. We were unable to find footage of the bout, but multiple media sources reported that Harris’ night was cut short after taking a right hand in the fourth round.

“He threw two punches, I blocked them and the referee stopped it”, Harris angrily told us. “The whole crowd was booing and you will all see (that the ending was a joke) when it is on youtube. This guy used to getting people out of there early and that wasn’t happening against me!”

With many still insisting that he retire, Harris is excited about getting back on track in the rematch.

“I am going to try and get him out of there early next time. I have to throw more punches in the first few rounds in the rematch.”

Team Harris claims that Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya and Matchmaker Eric Gomez personally mandated a rematch immedately following the fight. They are also hoping for the official result to be changed to a no contest.

For more New Jersey boxing news, go to gardenstatefightscene.com




Former heavyweight champ Oliver McCall needs help or he’ll be dead within five years


Former WBC heavyweight champion Oliver “The Atomic Bull” McCall was arrested on Saturday night for possession of cocaine and a crack pipe in Fort Lauderdale Saturday.

McCall (54-9, 37 KOs), who upset Lennox Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KOs) by second round TKO for his title in September 1994, was scheduled to fight Zuri Lawrence (24-15-4-1, 8 KOs) this week at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in nearby Hollywood, Florida.

“The Atomic Bull,” who was raised on the South Side of Chicago, has amassed an extensive criminal record outside of the ring and last weekend’s infraction is a direct violation of his probation.

Inside the ring and at his peak, McCall was a slightly above average pugilist who possessed formidable power in both of his fists.

Unfortunately, the two-time Golden Gloves champion from “The Windy City” is a longstanding dope fiend whose emotional state has made him a pathetic laughingstock.

“My neighbor used to smoke crack,” said Quincy native Mike Cardello, 28. “It was truly sad because he was such a good guy. But, he never could overcome his personal demons. He died two years ago at only 49.”

More than two years after McCall shockingly knocked Lewis onto Queer Street, the combatants fought in a February 1997 rematch in Las Vegas.

The first three rounds between McCall and Lewis were nine minutes of uneventful and lackluster “action.”

When the fourth round began, McCall flatly refused to defend himself against Lewis.

If McCall’s lack of guard and retaliation wasn’t bizarre enough, the Chicagoan subsequently started to uncontrollably bawl like a woman watching Beaches as the round came to a close.

Ultimately, McCall’s loopy behavior forced referee Mills Lane to stop the match and award Lewis with a fifth round TKO victory.

“In the third round, he (McCall) got in close, and then seemed frustrated, and then he just back off and put his arms down,” said Lane. “I thought he was playing possum but then I saw his lips started to quiver and I thought ‘My God, is he losing it?’ I wanted to fix the fight for him, but he started crying, so I had to stop the fight.”

At an old 44, McCall has absolutely zero business trying to box again.

Oliver McCall is an unstable man who is in dire need of both psychological and substance abuse rehabilitation centers.

Impressively, McCall has never been knocked down as a professional prizefighter.

However, if he doesn’t receive immediate help, Oliver McCall will never rise and survive the count of life.




Segura retains Light Flyweight crown with third round stoppage over Tello


Giovanni Segura scored a third round stoppage over Walter Tello toretain his WBA Light Flyweight title in a wild brawl in Acapulco, Mexico.

the two traded shots from the start of the fight with the much shorter Tello showing no fear by throwing wide shots in an effort to work his way inside. There was no gameplan from either guy as one could not tell if Segura or Tello was orthodox or southpaw as they just squared up and whaled away at one another for basically the whole seven minutes of action with Segura landing the harder shots.

Segura landed a bout six straight hard shots that forced referee Luis Pabon to jump in at 1:51 of round three.

Segura, 108 lbs of Bell Gardens, California made the third defense of his crown and is now 23-1 with nineteen knockouts and he expressed interest in fighting WBO champion Ivan Calderon.

Tello, 108 lbs of Panama is now 14-4.

Urbano Antillon scored a third round technical knockout over Luis Antonio Arceo following an accidental headbutt caused a cut over the left eye of Arceo in round three of their scheduled ten round Jr. Welterweight bout.

The bout was action packed from the outset as the two stood toe to toe with Antillon landing the harder shots with left hooks to the head. The two fighters clashed heads in round three that caused the cut and that forced the referee Juan Jose Ramirez to stop the bout at 2:25 of round three.

Antillon, 136 1/2 lbs was coming off his first defeat when he was stopped by Miguel Acosta last fall gets back in the win column and ups his record to 27-1 with twenty knockouts. Arceo, 136 1/2 lbs falls to 22-10-2

Son of the Legend, Omar Chavez remained undefeated by scoring a one-punch knockout over Eugenio Lopez in round one of a scheduled six round Welterweight bout.

Chavez caught Lopez with a leaping left hook and the fight was stopped without a count at 1:44 of round one.

Chavez, 147 lbs is now 20-0-1 with fifteen knockouts. Lopez, 145 1/2 lbs is now 12-16-1.

In an exciting slugfest, seventeen year old Adrian Young remained perfect as he notched his sixth knockout in as many fights as he stopped Orlando Garcia in round three of a scheduled four round Featherweight fight.

Young controlled most of the fights except a few instances when the shorter Garcia landed wild shots for which it drew a large response from the crowd.

The end came when Young landed a short to the siude of the face that froze Garcia on the ropes and referee Juan Jose Ramirez stopped the bout at 2:39 of round three.

Young, 125 1/2 lbs of Los Mochis, Mexico is now 6-0 with all wins coming early. Garcia is now 3-12

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank




Pound 4 Pound Promotions Returns March 25!

15Rounds was informed that John Lynch’s Pound 4 Pound Promotions will return Thursday March 25 at the elegant Schuetzen Park ballroom in North Bergen, NJ.

In state prospects slated to appear on the card are lightweights Chris Green (3-1 one KO of Asbury Park), Danny McDermott (North Bergen – 8-1-1 3 KO’s), cruiserweight Patrick Farrell (5-0 3 KO’s – Jersey City), featherweight Victor Valenzuela (7-0 1 KO – Passaic), super middleweight Jason Escalara (7-0 6 KO’s) and junior middleweight Abe Torres 1-3-2 1 KO, each of Union City. Bronx NY’s Steven Martinez, a highly touted junior middleweight with a 3-0 (3) record will be on the card as well.

McDermot and Green each had good amateur backgrounds and are fixtures at Schuetzen Park. Farrell, a rapidly improving prospect, is coming off an impressive four round unanamous decision over The Contender’s Jon Schneider February 6. Valenzuela and Escalara are two highly touted local prospects. Martinez won the 2007 National Golden Gloves welterweight title, while Torres is best remembered for a thrilling August 09′ draw against Sparta’s Chris Murphy in what will go down as one of the most entertaining four round fights in North Jersey history.

Tickets will be available on location and at the majority of North Jersey’s boxing gyms.

For more New Jersey boxing news, go to www.gardenstatefightscene.com




Porter decision Jordan in Cleveland

Shawn “Showtime” Porter was crowned the new NABO Jr. Middleweight Champion with a 10 round decision over Russel “Spiderman” Jordan. Many at ringside belived that this would be a easy knockout for Porter although Jordan saw it differently. Jordan rocked his smaller oppenent at times with Porter’s eye being left eye bloodied from an accidental head butt in the fifth round. A tactical fight and a great test for the new champion.
Tom Miller and Phil Rogers each had it for Porter, 97-92, with Gene Glen calling it a shutout, 100-89. Porter improves to 13-0, 10 KO’s and Jordan dropps to 15-7, 10 KO.

*Referee Randy Jarvis took a point away from Jordan in the 9th round as he lost his mouthpiece for a second time in the round, judging it a delaying tactic.*

Lanard “The Fireman” Lane improved to 11-0 (7 KOs) with an eight-round unanimous decision against welterweight Martin Tucker (7-5, 3 KOs) of Toledo.

2008 Olympian Gary Russel Jr. remined at 7-0 4 KO with a 1st round knockout over Jario Delgado 3-5 3 KO

In the night’s opening bout, 200-pounders Brian Cook from Northfield and Justin Riegle from Orrville put on a four-round slugfest. What it lacked in style was made up for in tenacity as neither man would give in to some heavy punching. Cook (3-4, 2 KOs), went down twice in the third round. Riegle (3-3, 1 KO) got the unanimous decision.




The five most skilled boxers since 1985

Unfortunately, very little news of interest has emerged so far this week in the world of boxing.

Considering the relative dearth of recent activity in The Sweet Science, I decided to rank the five most skilled boxers to enter the ring over the course of the past quarter-century.

It is imperative that I emphasize the word “skilled.”

The forthcoming list is not comprised of the most accomplished or decorated pugilists since 1985.

Rather, I ultimately nominated the five fighters below based strictly on their physical gifts and their overall pugilistic capabilities.

1) “Sugar” Ray Leonard- Leonard (36-3-1, 25 KOs), named Fighter of the Decade for the 1980s by Ring Magazine, captured world titles at multiple weight classes.

Leonard managed to defeat legendary fighters Wilfred Benitez (53-8-1, 31 KOs), Thomas Hearns (61-5-1, 48 KOs), Roberto Duran (103-16, 70 KOs) and Marvin Hagler (62-3-2, 52 KOs).

Leonard, the winner of the gold medal as a light welterweight at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, possessed blinding speed and deft agility in the ring.

Furthermore, Leonard was a deceptively powerful puncher who could badly hurt an opponent with one solid shot.

“Leonard was a great fighter,” said promoter Rich Cappiello from Brockton. “But, above all, he was a tremendously gifted athlete.”

“Sugar” Ray, who was rightfully inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997, is the most skilled boxer since Reagan’s second term.

2) Roy Jones, Jr.– Jones (54-6, 40 KOs) has been on a seeming mission for the past seven years to tarnish his once brilliant legacy.

Jones, named Fighter of the Decade for the 1990s by the Boxing Writers Association of America, has been shellacked by a host of marginal fighters since his career peaked in 2003 when he defeated WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz (44-8-1-1, 30 KOs) by unanimous decision.

Prior to Jones’ descent, he was a chiseled physical specimen with incredible quickness and power.

Many critics claim that Jones never had a defining victory in his career and that he never defeated any elite opponents.

In actuality, Jones was a sensationally talented pugilist who, at his peak, could have beaten any fighter, from any era.

3) Floyd Mayweather, Jr.- Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs), the winner of six championships in five separate weight classes, is a very polarizing figure both inside and outside of the ring.

Many onlookers believe that he sidesteps dangerous contenders like Evander Holyfield avoids condoms.

Other Mayweather detractors loathe his defensive-minded mentality.

Nevertheless, despite his litany of faultfinders, Mayweather is a skilled, boxing marvel.

“Pretty Boy,” the winner of the bronze medal in the featherweight division at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, is elusive and speedy and he often makes his adversaries look simply foolish.

Mayweather will never be a universally beloved figure in the sport of boxing.

Still, Mayweather and his incredible talents deserve to be respected and recognized.

4) Mike Tyson– Before he became a cannibalistic, convicted rapist, Tyson (52-6, 46 KOs) was an enormously gifted boxer.

Tyson, the youngest man to ever win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles, combined ferocious power, with extraordinarily rapid reflexes and quickness, to become a dominating prizefighter.

Tyson employed a Peek-a-Boo defensive style that enabled him to deftly dodge his adversary’s punches while he awaited his chance to explode offensively.

There is a widespread belief that Tyson won the bulk of his matches by intimidation alone.

Such a perception is unfair and inaccurate.

Before he squandered his talents, Mike Tyson was one of the most phenomenal forces to ever grace the ring.

At his pinnacle, Tyson could have knocked out any fighter ever on a given evening.

5) Manny Pacquiao– Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), the first fighter to capture seven world titles in seven different divisions, is currently rated by Ring Magazine as the number one pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

Pacquiao has long been regarded as one of the best boxers in the sport.

However, his recent demolitions of solid scrappers Miguel Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs), Ricky Hatton (45-2, 32 KOs) and Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs) have elevated his status to a newfound superiority.

“The Fighting Pride of the Philippines” is scheduled to battle Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs) March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

Another overwhelming performance by Pacquiao in “The Lone Star State” will only further heighten his iconic reputation.

Pacquiao has been blessed with every necessary tool to become an outstanding prizefighter and he has aptly utilized those abilities.

*Needless to say, this article is predicated off of my opinion.

I look forward to the thoughts and feedbacks of my readers.

The Clymer Experiment Begins Tonight

The Washington Post September 20, 2006 | Tarik El-Bashir – Washington Post Staff Writer The decision to switch Washington Capitals veteran Ben Clymer from forward (the position he’s played the past five seasons) to defenseman (where he skated as a rookie) appears to have been a wise move. website ashburn ice house

“In the initial stages, I don’t see why Clymer can’t do this,” Coach Glen Hanlon said yesterday at Ashburn Ice House, where the team is holding its training camp. “I haven’t seen anything to deter my enthusiasm for his ability as a defenseman. He can skate and move the puck and do everything that you want a defenseman to do.” Clymer’s big test comes tonight in the club’s preseason opener against Tampa Bay at Verizon Center. Hanlon said he plans to give the Clymer experiment four exhibition games. If, after that, Clymer doesn’t look like he will crack the team’s top four, the 28-year- old veteran will return to his role as a checking-line winger.

Against the Lightning, Clymer will be paired with Steve Eminger, another offensive-minded defenseman.

“I’ve felt better than I thought I would feel,” Clymer said. “I thought there was going to be more scrambling, but maybe playing with Eminger has helped settle me down. I’m excited about [tonight]. It’s going to be a lot different in game situation.” Eminger added: “The style that the NHL is geared toward now is definitely [Clymer’s] style. A [defender] who can contribute offensively is key.” Clymer broke into the league as a defenseman with the Lightning, but was moved to forward midway through the 2000-01 season.

Veteran center Brian Sutherby took exception to a hit from minor leaguer Chad Wiseman during a scrimmage and challenged him to a fight. After the two dropped their gloves, Sutherby made quick work of Wiseman, who left the ice with what appeared to be a cut above his eye.

“It’s camp,” Sutherby said, shrugging. “I thought he took a run at me and clipped my knee. My emotions got going and I had a little fight. Everyone is out there trying to make the hockey club. I felt the hit was knee on knee. . . . It’s no big deal.” Hanlon brushed off the incident, saying, “All coaches enjoy feistiness and competitiveness.” Eleven players were reassigned yesterday, reducing the training camp roster to 38. Among the players headed for Hershey (Pa.) of the American Hockey League are: defensemen Sasha Pokulok and Trevor Byrne; forwards Steve Werner (Chevy Chase), Louis Robitaille, Joey Tenute and Matt Stefanishion; and goaltender Daren Machesney. The other cut players — forwards Oskar Osala and Francois Bouchard, goaltender Michal Neuvirth and defenseman Patrick McNeill — are headed back to their respective junior teams. here ashburn ice house

The roster for tonight’s game includes star winger Alex Ovechkin as well as newcomers Richard Zednik, Alexander Semin, Donald Brashear and Brian Pothier. Ovechkin is expected to skate with Sutherby and Zednik. Goaltender Olie Kolzig will start in net and is likely to play the entire game.

All 82 of the Capitals’ games will be televised. Fifty-six will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet; WDCW (formerly WB50) will carry 13; NewsChannel 8 will show 10; and three are scheduled for national broadcasts. All games on Comcast SportsNet will be available in high definition. . . .

Several changes have been made to the team’s medical staff. The new doctors are Chris Walsh (internist), Bill Rich (ophthalmologist) and Thomas Lenz (dentist). Ben Schaffer remains the team physician. Capitals officials said the changes were necessary because of the club’s move from Odenton to the new practice facility in Arlington, which is scheduled to open in November.

Tarik El-Bashir – Washington Post Staff Writer




Gonzalez decisions Vazquez in Miami

William Gonzalez used the strength of a second round knockdown to score a unanimous decision over Jesus Vazquez in a twelve round Bantamweight fight at the Micccosuke Gaming Resort in Miami, Florida.

In round two, Gonzalez dropped Vazquez with a straight left hand. Vazquez was competitive but seemed to lose most of the rounds with some of the rounds, especially the ninth providing solid two way action.

Gonzalez a former world title challenger from Managua, Nicaragua won by scores of 119-108, 119-108 and 117-110 to raise his ledger to 24-3. Vazquez, of El Dorado, Mexico is now 19-4-1.

In a mild upset, Edel Ruiz scored a fourth round stoppage over former 122 lb champion Clarence “Bones” Adams in a scheduled twelver round Featherweight fight.

In round two, Adams landed a good over hand right but that was the high point for the former champ as he was rocked in round three from a hard right on the ropes. In round four, Ruiz landed a clipping right on the jaw that “short circuited” Adams that led to another right that sent Adams stumbling into the ropes that referee Frank Santore ruled a knockdown. Ruiz scored a second knockdowns another right to the top of the head put Adams in the canvas. Adams fought on only to eat a few more shots before Santore stopped the fight at 1:55 of round four.

Ruiz of Los Mochis, Mexico scored his fourth straight knockout and is now 34-22-4 with twenty-five knockouts. Adams of Las Vegas had not lost in eight years (just 3-0-1-1 in that span) is now 44-7-4.

Exceptions to NY gay marriage bill focus of talks

AP Online June 22, 2011 | MICHAEL GORMLEY ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) ??? New York’s three top political leaders said Wednesday they supported several additional religious exceptions to a gay marriage bill and were in critical negotiations over wording. site ny gay marriage

Even if the exceptions are approved, however, the Republican conference, most of whose members oppose gay marriage, must send the bill to the Senate floor for a vote. The Democratic-led Assembly has already approved the bill but would need to approve any revised version that might come out of the Senate.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos and Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said that while there was no deal on the religious exceptions, talks were encouraging.

“We are going back and forth on language,” Cuomo said late Wednesday. “But we have not hit any obstacles.” Negotiations were expected to continue into Thursday.

Negotiators are trying to include enough protections in the bill so religious groups that oppose gay marriage aren’t hit with discrimination lawsuits. Those provisions also are intended not just for the few undecided senators, but to satisfy the entire Republican conference enough to send the bill to the floor.

“It’s not just the people who are going to vote ‘yes’ or who may vote ‘yes,'” Cuomo said. “The entire conference is looking at this language and the whole conference wants to make sure that they feel confident that if it comes out, and if it passes, that it protects religion.” The need to get the Republican senators to agree to send the bill to the floor for a vote was a pressure point for some of the hundreds of demonstrators at the Capitol on Wednesday. Signs cropped up threatening Republicans that if they allow the bill to the floor they should face a costly primary even if they ultimately vote against gay marriage.

Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long has also urged Senate Republicans to keep the bill from the floor, where a block of Democrats and a few Republicans could pass it.

Cuomo said he’s optimistic his bill will pass in the coming days.

New York’s action is being watched closely as a pivotal moment in the national gay rights movement.

Earlier Wednesday, Skelos and Silver tried to minimize their differences over the bill in an optimistic press conference. But the religious protection additions hadn’t been printed by Wednesday night, so lawmakers didn’t have anything to vote on.

Leaders in the Assembly said they were ready to bring their members back on Thursday to take up the vote. The Democrat-led chamber easily passed a gay marriage bill last week but would have to vote again because of the religious protection changes.

The stronger protection for religious organizations, such as adoption agencies and marriage counselors who oppose gay marriage on principle, is sought by undecided Republican senators who are key to the vote. Currently, the Senate appears to be one vote shy of making New York the sixth state where gay marriage is legal.

Among Democrats in the Senate, 29 of 30 say they’ll vote for gay marriage, meaning only three Republicans need to vote for it to pass in the 62-seat chamber. Two have already committed to voting for it, and at least two others are undecided.

Wednesday, Republican senators met behind closed doors to take up other major issues including a property tax cap, New York City rent control and public college tuition increases.

Outside the Senate conference, members of several congregations sang hymns including “Amazing Grace” alternating with “God Bless America” in peaceful demonstrations by those for and against same-sex marriage. As proponents chanted and held signs calling for “Liberty and Justice for All,” senators quietly left their closed-door conference late in the morning.

A famous chef and television actress were among the advocates promoting legalization. Restaurateur Mario Batali said he was at the Capitol representing his 3,000 employees, who understand they should be able to make their own decisions on marriage, not the government.

Audra McDonald, who appears on ABC’s “Private Practice,” said she has many gay and lesbian Broadway friends in committed relationships and thinks there would be “tons” of weddings. this web site ny gay marriage

Both said gay marriage would bring an estimated $400 million economic boost for the state and New York City.

Cuomo, who took office this year, has invested considerable energy and political capital in the effort.

A similar measure to legalize same-sex marriage largely stalled two years ago when the state Senate voted it down. Since then, the movement has failed in Maryland, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Advocates hope a “yes” vote in New York will jumpstart the effort.

“I believe the people are entitled to a vote, and let the elected officials stand up and say ‘yea’ or ‘nay,'” Cuomo said. “I believe that’s how democracy works.” Two Republicans clearly undecided are Sen. Stephen Saland of the Hudson Valley, one of the Senate’s most veteran and respected members, and Sen. Mark Grisanti of Buffalo, a freshman who is part of the GOP youth movement voted into office in the 2010 Republican tide nationwide.

Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa and the District of Columbia allow gay marriage. Of them, all but Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., allow at least limited religious exemptions.

New York’s legislative session had been scheduled to end Monday.

___ Associated Press writer Michael Virtanen contributed to this report.

MICHAEL GORMLEY




Weights from Cleveland

Shawn Porter 152 vs. Russell Jordan 152

NABO Jr. Middleweight Title

Lanard Lane 144 vs. Martin Tucker 144

Gary Russell, Jr. 125 vs. Jairo Delgado 128

Jake Giuriceo 144 vs. Sam Gibson 145

Justin Riegle 201 vs. Brian Cook 201

Venue: Wolstein Center, Cleveland, Ohio

Promoter: Prize Fight Promotions & Warner Promotions

Venue: Cleveland State University Wolestein Center

TV: ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights 9pm est.




TONIGHT – RING OF COMBAT XXVIII Live on www.GoFightLive.Tv


The RING of COMBAT Show is Entirely SOLD OUT!!
No Tickets Will be Sold at the Door.

THIS IS THE HOTTEST TICKET IN NEW JERSEY TONIGHT – SOLD OUT AND STANDING ROOM ONLY.

If you do not have a ticket then Go Fight Live.TV is the only place you can watch the Show. Don’t miss the action as Lou Neglia again brings a hot and action packed card to the Tropicana.

MAIN EVENT – CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS
Escovedo v Bedard v.

Ryan LaFlare vs. Justin Haskins
v .Gian Villante vs. Mike Cook
v. Louis Gaudinot vs. Tuan “Kid Thunder” Pham
v. Joe “Apocalypse” Abouata vs.

Brendan Barrett
v. Robert Cunane vs. David McMahon
About GoFightLive

GoFightLive (GFL) is the leading website for the broadcast of LIVE BOXING, MMA and WRESTLING. GFL has broadcast over 350 events and has a library of over 2,000 fight videos. We are adding more videos every week, so come check us out.




If Margarito wants a license, he needs to show up and explain himself


Anybody seen Antonio Margarito lately? Anybody heard from him? There have been more Tiger Woods sightings during the last three months than there have been of Margarito in more than a year. Margarito has vanished, almost as if he’s in hiding.

In the court of public opinion, it’s a bad idea, especially if he ever hopes to be licensed in the United States again. Fair or not, there is talk he is hiding because there is something to hide.
Out of sight, but not of mind.

Questions continue about why, not whether, his gloves were loaded 13 months ago before a loss to Shane Mosley in Los Angeles. Some people want him to apologize. I just want to hear an explanation, straight and unvarnished, from Margarito. He needs attorney Daniel Petrocelli for the legalese required in appearances before the California State Athletic Commission or the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or some other bureaucracy.

But legal arguments won’t erase deep-seated skepticism about his claim that he had no idea disgraced ex-trainer Javier Capitello put some plaster-like substance into wraps that would turn gloves into weapons of mass destruction. Nobody who has ever worn gloves believes that one. Nobody who has ever worn shoes believes it either. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If there’s a rock in your shoe, you know it.

I have no idea how Margarito would answer the questions. Until he does, however, it’s impossible for me to say that he should be re-licensed. If he can’t stand up and argue for himself, how can anybody argue for him?

He didn’t fight anywhere for a year. That was the idea when California revoked his license on Feb. 10, 2009. He did what he had to. He did the time. But the process is incomplete without an explanation that may – or may not – serve as the final punctuation in this ongoing controversy.

Top Rank’s plans for him to fight on the March 13 card featuring Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas were dropped because of pressure on Texas not to grant him a license. It just wasn’t going to happen.

His Texas application is still pending, but it doesn’t figure to go anywhere until he first re-applies in California. Even if he does that, there will be controversy that only he can address. If – as tentatively planned — Margarito fights on May 8 in Mexico, it would only be a further complication. Regulators in California or Nevada or Texas or Arizona probably would see the move as another way to duck the questions. He’s being doing a lot of that.

During the week before Pacquiao’s victory in November over Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas, he was scheduled to make an appearance at a nearby shopping mall. I and couple of other sportswriters jumped into a car and rushed out to meet him. He had been there. But by the time we arrived, he had vanished, which is what will happen to Margarito’s career if he doesn’t show up and practice some accountability.

Between Cotto’s victory over Clottey in June and his loss to Pacquiao, there had been a lot of talk about a Cotto-Margarito rematch. To this day, nobody knows whether Margarito’s gloves were similarly armed, locked and loaded in his stunning beat-down of Cotto.

But talk of a rematch, like Margarito, has vanished. Cotto told the English-speaking press that he would be interested in rematch. Then, he was quoted in the Spanish-speaking press as saying there was no way he would help Margarito make money.

Let’s just say that Cotto has his own suspicions.

Until we hear from Margarito, that’s all anybody has.

NOTES, QUOTES
· High school senior Jose Benavidez, a junior-welterweight from Phoenix, continued to impress by scoring two knockdowns in first-round stoppage of John Michael Vega Saturday night on the undercard of super-flyweight Nonito Donaire’s third-round KO of Manuel Vargas at the Las Vegas Hilton. Benavidez’ next fight is scheduled for the Pacquiao-Clottey weekend. He could appear on the undercard at Cowboys Stadium. But the place probably would be empty for bout early on the card. Instead, Benavidez (2-0, 2 KOs), who has Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach in his corner, might fight on a Dallas card Friday night in smaller room where people would see him. And remember him.
· Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, has added some boxing drills to his training regimen. He’s not the first. Swimmer Gary Hall Jr., a 10-time medalist over three Olympics, put on gloves and hit the heavy bags for years. Hall, who taught heavyweight Earnie Shavers’ kids how to swim, was a fight fan. Hall, a sprinter, said the regimen helped strengthen his muscles and improved his reaction time off the starting blocks.




PRICE RETURNS AFTER INJURY


OLYMPIC bronze medallist David Price returns to action next month after recovering from a hand injury.

Price (4-0) boxes a selected opponent at Leigh Indoor Sports Village on Friday March 19 on a Frank Maloney show being televised live by Sky Sports.

The 6ft 8in Liverpool boxer now hopes for an injury free year which will help him rise towards to summit of the British heavyweight rankings.

Maloney said: “David’s right hand has been concerning him for some time, but it has now been sorted.

“I believe that David will hit harder than ever now and is determined to show that he is Britain’s best heavyweight prospect.

“I saw David spar with another one of my hopefuls, Tom Dallas last year and he showed then that he is for real.”

Price added: “I couldn’t be any happier than where I am now, and once I get my wins into double figures I will start thinking of titles.”

In an exciting top of the bill battle on the Leigh card Belfast’s Martin Lindsay (15-0) risks his British featherweight title against in-form Welshman Jamie Arthur (16-2).

Other stars on the bill include former British super-middleweight champion Tony Quigley, British flyweight king Shinny Bayaar, Paul Edwards, Mark Moran, Karl Place, Rick Goddins and Kieran Farrell.

Tickets for are available for £40 and £80 ringside from 0871 226 1508 or www.frankmaloney.com




Guillermo Rigondeaux ““I will be a 3 weight champion in the next 18 months”


One of the most celebrated amateurs of all time, Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux, decided in 2009 it was time to leave his homeland of Cuba and get paid for his undoubted talents.

Having had to abort his initial attempt in August 2007, Rigondeaux finally defected in February 2009. After undergoing a rigorous training programme that helped get him back into the best fighting shape of his life, he made his much anticipated debut in May 2009. Since then, he has run his record to an impressive 5-0 (4). The latest win took place at a recent edition of “Friday Night Fights” where he was matched with Adolfo Landeros.

Landeros had clearly seen better days but was expected to bestow Rigondeaux a few rounds. The 30 year old Mexican was known for his toughness sporting a 20-12-1(13) ledger going in but, he’d never fought anyone of Rigondeaux’s immense quality and was dually bowled out in just 28 seconds. Rigondeaux threw a combination that saw his beleaguered opponent looking to cover up prior to being thrown a picture-perfect left hook to the body which saw Landeros writhing around in agony for several minutes.

Going in to this fight, some had questioned Rigondeaux’s ability to fight on the front foot and go for the kill. Even his trainer, Freddy Roach, was unsure about Rigondeaux having to carry the fight and not look to play the role of counterpuncher. However, if this performance was anything to go by, he is most certainly the dynamic fighter that audiences want to see time and time again. He says of this and the win over Landeros, “I didn’t even get going but I have been working on fighting more aggressively and I showed Friday night how I can be as effective when attacking as defensively”.

Last September, Roach spoke about Rigondeaux’s forthcoming fight with Giovanni Andrade, where he waxed lyrical about his charge’s defensive skills adding that the Cuban would win a world title inside of 10 fights. It is something Rigondeaux firmly believes he can achieve, “I am a novice-pro but ready to fight for a world title that should answer your question. I am preserved and seldom hit because of my defensive skills so I will be champion into my late 30s”.

Interestingly, going into his last fight he weighed just 1lb over the Bantamweight limit, while a beefier Landeros was 6lbs heavier. Rigondeaux rationalises this, “I will fight in March this year for the 118lbs title and then I will move back up to 122lbs and then 126lbs. I will be a three weight champion in the next 18 months”. This is undeniably a hectic schedule but, the experience of regularly fighting every other day during competitions for sustained periods of time, should benefit him considerably.

Rigondeaux’s impressive skills were in evidence in the Amateurs for the best part of a decade when, in addition to several other titles, he twice won both the celebrated Olympic and World titles. When asked of which title he was most proud, he stated unequivocally, “Olympic Gold because it is the most prestigious and very competitive”. However, he was far more reticent when asked about his toughest opponent, “I fought many tough guys so I would not like to single one out in case I disappoint some of the others. There are a lot of very tough amateurs on the world circuit”. During his amateur tenure, several different records have been published for him but he claims his record was 247 fights with only 3 losses.

Since joining Roach in Los Angeles at the famed Wild Card gym, Rigondeaux has become somewhat of a gym rat and affirms, “In the pro game I have to train very hard and be very disciplined. I love training hard and sparring with experienced opponents”. When asked about sparring with those experienced opponents he added “Manny and Amir are very exciting fighters. I would love to spar both of them because I will gain a lot from them and they will from me but, we are in the same team so the competitiveness will be there but it’s not the same as actual combat”.

Rigondeaux is well practiced in two of boxing’s lost arts; bodypunching and slick defensive moves that only Floyd Mayweather Jnr, Ivan Calderon are capable of today. His hero Pernell Whitaker, who briefly worked with Rigondeaux when he first arrived in America, was also slick and brought a ton of old school tricks to every fight. The Boxing I.Q that these two possessed make the mind boggle.

Since going pro, there have been a few documented problems behind the scenes in relation to ascertaining the identity of Rigondeaux’s manager. Following arbitration late last year, it was revealed that Irish businessman Gary Hyde holds this position. Rigondeaux commented, “Gary was the first manager to sign me and looked after me when I had nothing in Cuba. When I left Cuba I met with some other people who took advantage of my situation but all the problems are behind me now and I have a good team around me”.

When talking about his early years and how it moulded him mentally and physically as a fighter he says “I used to pull large tanks of water for many miles to my family home from the village so I think that’s where I get my base strength. As for the boxing in Cuba, if you don’t get on the national team life is very difficult so when I joined boxing first, I found it very natural and spent most of my days practicing”. Rigondeaux’s self-discipline ensures that he trains religiously three times a day and whilst he is left with little time for other enjoyments, when he does have chance to relax, he enjoys Rega Bo music – both listening and dancing to it!