HOT PICKS ON HBN!

Ricky: I'm no Rocky
(DEC 30) Comedian Ricky Gervais admitted today that he winced at his "gruesome" boxing victory over Grant Bovey after watching it on TV.  The unlikely contest ended in a win on points for the 41-year-old star of BBC2 comedy The Office. It involved three hard-fought rounds of one and a half minutes each with Anthea Turner's 40-year-old husband.  Link to copyrighted story on thisislondon.com

Boxing trainer, mentor to kids dies in Santa Fe skiing accident -By Aubrey Hovey, Tribune Reporter
A trainer who encouraged young Albuquerque boxers to succeed in and out of the ring died after striking a tree while skiing in Santa Fe.  Jim Johnson, 48, died at the Ski Santa Fe area Friday after skiing over a patch of ice and hitting a tree on an expert trail, Maj. Ron Madrid of the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department said.  Copyrighted story on www.abqtrib.com 

A "Boxing" Robot…Sometimes Truth is stranger than fiction! (DEC 30, 2002) According to news sources (ABC News Online) they have reported that Chinese scientists have constructed a boxing robot. Apparently a team of scientists from Beijing University have constructed a life size robot capable of playing China’s traditional for of shadow boxing – TaiChi. The robot has 32 joints and walks at one kilometre per hour.

World Heavyweight Boxing Champ returns home for a heroes salute Saturday was Chris Byrd day in Flint -By Courtney Chamberlin – ABC12.com  (DEC 29) -It was an afternoon of excitement and celebration as Flint saluted a hometown Heavyweight Champion. World Boxing Champ Chris Byrd won the title about Full Copyrighted story on ABC12, com 

Hopkins title defense with Hakkar has been postponed!
(DEC 29) According to the Sun-Sentinel (dated Dec. 29) they have reported that Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins'  title defense against Morrade Hakkar has been postponed.  Apparently, it was a scheduling conflict and it forced a postponement.

"Macho" Camacho to headline Jan. 18^th Card! (DEC 29) In what is being labeled, "The Backyard Brawl", 40-year old Hector "Macho" Camacho, will be head lining this eight-bout card, that will be held at the Seminole Okalee Native Village. The card will also host three fighters from Roy Jones Jr.’s stable, and he is expected to make an appearance. There will also be a women’s bout on the card featuring top contender Belinda Laracuente.
 

McCarter fights Hallback after pulling out earlier… By Sue TL Fox December 29, 2002

(DEC 29) Last night at the Johnny Mercer Theater, in Savannah, Georgia,  Chevelle Hallback won a 10-round unanimous decision over Layla McCarter in a non-titled 10 rounder.  This was NOT for the IBA World title defense for Hallback as reported on other Internet news sources that have it listed as a "title" fight. Earlier this week, as reported on WBAN, McCarter pulled out of the IBA World 10-round title fight when she claimed a hand injury.  The promoter was trying frantically to find a competent replacement for McCarter to fight Hallback on this night's card. Then McCarter did take the fight, but it was made a non-title 10 rounder. Final scores for this bout was 98-91, 97-95, 100-90. WBAN spoke with IBA president Dean Chance and confirmed that this fight was a non-title fight, and was not a title defense for his organization.

City considers naming street for boxing promoter  (DEC 28) ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- In a city that already has a street named for a famous King, officials are considering naming a street for boxing promoter Don King. The city council is scheduled to take an initial vote Monday on Councilman William Marsh's proposal  Full Copyrighted Story on Newsday.com 

Disappointment for Toney when Jirov pulls out due to injury! (DEC 27)  James Toney, 34, 65-4-2 (42KO) will NOT be fighting Vassily Jirov, 31-0 (27KO)the IBF Cruiserweight Champion on January 25, 2003 at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California and was to have been televised on HBO..  Jirov received a rib injury during a sparring session, and had to pull out.  There is talk that Toney will still be on the card and HBN will keep boxing fans posted on updates.  

Boxing Champ Simon Hurt in Car Accident
WINDHOEK, Namibia - (DEC 25) WBO middleweight champion Harry Simon broke an arm and a leg during a head-on collision last month in an accident in which three Belgian tourists died.  The 30-year-old Namibian has been charged with culpable homicide in the Nov. 21 accident near the beach resort of Langstrand.  Full Copyrighted Story  -Herald.com

Upcoming event in Florida!
Photo and report by Sue TL Fox (DEC 23) On January 24, 2003, at the "Fight Club Ovation" in Boynton Beach, Florida, Elite Sports Promotions,  returns with another championship card, this time from Delray Beach, FL.  One of the top female fighters pound-for-pound in the world today, world champion Melissa "Honey Girl" DelValle, will be fighting for  the WIBC Super- Featherweight title. Tickets: 561-586-5510. According to news sources, In attendance will be the following fighters Elite Sports Promotions promotes: Ada Velez, Kathy Rivers, Ann Wolfe, Marianne Chubirka, Yvonne Reis, as well as many top ranked male fighters.

Results just in! Velez retains her IBA belt! By Sue TL Fox

Mataele to face Gasio
(DEC 19) Paula Mataele takes on Bob Gasio in his second professional bout in one of the features of the final Auckland Boxing Association promotion of the year. Two-time national amateur superheavyweight champion Mataele will tackle Gasio - a former New Zealand... Copyrighted Story -New Zealand Herald 

Gatti-Ward highlights uneventful year in boxing (DEC 18) JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (Ticker) - With boxing's undisputed champions facing mainly overmatched competition, a pair of veterans without titles provided the most exciting bout of 2002.

Two of El Paso's favorite boxing sons -- one adopted, one home grown -- will be in the Don Haskins Center on Feb. 13.  Oscar De La Hoya, El Paso's adopted one, will be in the city for a few days before the fight and will be ringside for his Golden Boy Promotions fight card, a card featuring former El Pasoan Juan Lazcano in the main event. Copyrighted story on El Paso Online 

Casamayor at the IBA gym   Photos by Rick Pineda and Story by Tony Rila

(DEC 15) At the IBA Champions gym, Joel Casamayor worked earlier today.   Casamayor, 27-1, is preparing for his fight against Yoni Vargas, that will take place on December 20, at the American Airlines Arena, in Miami, Florida on an ESPN2 "Friday Night Fights" card. . Ada "The Ace" Velez will also be on this card, and was told that it will be TELEVISED. Velez will be fighting a 10-round IBA World title.  Casamayor trained until about 12:30 pm, and then headed off to the airport to go back to California.  Casamayor had made a special trip to Las Vegas yesterday to have his child baptized  at St. Anne's Church.