FEBRUARY 2003

Hot Stories behind
Fight Tickets!

Jones looks to continue winning ways as heavyweight..By WH Stickney Jr.
(FEB 28) Roy Jones Jr. is universally recognized in boxing as pound for pound the best fighter on the planet... copyrighted by Houston Chronicle, Texas

Jones' arrogance ready to confront weight of history
(FEB 28) It shows as he goes into tonight's potentially historic fight with the World Boxing Association's heavyweight champion, John Ruiz, with a late, blazing effort...Copyrighted Independent, UK

Dan Cook: Stomping on Shaq, Charlie Hustle, boxing
(FEB 28)  Why can't boxing matches be held there anymore?". (After the fire gutted the building and it was rebuilt at great cost, city fathers...Copyrighted on San Antonio Express, Texas

(FEB 28) Tonight at the Selland Arena in Fresno, California, Lisa Lewis won by TKO4 over Mikee Stafford. Lisa was on the attack from the opening bell and hurt Mikee with several big shots to the head. Referee Marty Denkin stopped the bout at the :46 mark of round 4. Steve Cummings, Ringside (©Inset photo of Mikee Stafford by Rick Horner)

Boxer Bobby Czyz faces resentencing for drunken driving offenses
(FEB 28) But a former lawyer for Czyz said Friday it is not clear whether the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Famer should face the jail time because of issues that were...Copyrighted on Newsday

Guns and Hoses charity boxing ends in draw  (FEB 28) The matches ended in an 8-8 draw between the fire and police departments. While there was plenty of boxing action in the ring, there was more going outside it...Copyrighted on WJXX, Florida

Mihtar won't duck a tough fight
(FEB 26) Dearborn fighter Brian Mihtar has never ducked an opponent, a decision that recently cost him in his final bout as an amateur. Mihtar, 23, who hopes to make his pro debut in the next month or two, lost on points last Friday to Flint sensation Anthony Dirrell, who appears to be a good bet to make the next U.S. Olympic boxing team. Copyrighted by Detroit Free Press

Boxing promoter plans legal action if Mesi fights
(FEB 26) BUFFALO, NY (AP) Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing of Los Angeles will take legal action if heavyweight boxer Joe Mesi fights in April....Copyrighted Story on Boston Globe, MA

Bad Boy Boxer: Paz picked up on Warrant.. Looks like the “law” caught up with Vinny Paz, 40, of Warick, Rhode Island, when he was arrested at the Foxwoods Resort Casino on charges of passing bad checks in Las Vegas. The former 1987-88 IBF lightweight champion apparently wrote some “hot” checks and had seven counts pending against him.

LAS VEGAS (FEB 25) Yesterday at the exclusive IBA gym, IBA Light-Heavyweight Champion of the world Roy Jones Jr. had a private workout at the facility.  Roy is getting ready for his March 1, fight at the Thomas & Mack Center, to take on John Ruiz, who is defending his WBA Heavyweight title.  The fight will be seen on HBO Pay-Per-View.

St. John to be on Best Damn sports Show on March 6th! By Sue TL Fox February 25, 2003

(FEB 25) Be on the lookout for Mia "The Knockout" St. John to be a guest on the "Best Damn Sports Show" televised on Fox Sports Net Thursday, March 6th. Mia will be discussing the aftermath of the Martin fight and her upcoming fight on Fox.

(FEB 23) Last night on a high profile card that featured mainliner Mike Tyson, in Memphis, Tennessee,  Showtime and the promoter of the event put on an untelevised  “beginner's bout” four-round boxing match on the undercard that featured former ice-skating princess  Tonya Harding, and her opponent, Samantha Browning.  Browning trained for this match with Harding for about a month or so.  Harding trained for a few months---neither one of them could have beaten most of the amateurs in the sport, much less the pros that are in the sport today.    Full Story

TALKIN BOXIN 
by Howie Reed -February 23, 2003
HE came, he saw, he conquered and he did it all in under a minute. That about sums up Mike Tyson's one punch victory over Cliff Etienne. Fortunately I ate my popcorn while waiting for the fight to begin or it would have been to late. Maybe now the "experts" will shut the F up. For two weeks we’ve read and heard from every segment of the population. Mike shouldn’t fight----he’s not in shape. No difference he won....Full Story

Tyson puts freak show on the road
By Bob Mee in Memphis  Copyrighted story - Daily Telegraph (FEB 22) Even by the standards routinely set by Mike Tyson, his fight early tomorrow morning against Clifford Etienne in Memphis is a depressing exercise in cynicism. But Tyson, as far as we can judge from his brief appearances, is enjoying his own freak show.

(FEB 22) Last night at the Aladdin Resort, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Kelvin "Konkrete" Davis used a hard right hand to drop Brazil's Rogerio Lobo at :42 seconds of the first round, to win the vacant IBA America's Cruiserweight title. Davis is now 19-1-1 (15KO). Photo Slideshow!

Tonight on Friday February 21, 2003 at the Aladdin Hotel, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Duva Boxing and the Aladdin Hotel present Kelvin Davis  (18-1-1-13ko) and Rogerio Lobo (25-6-19KO) for the vacant IBA America's cruiserweight title. The weigh-in was held today....See Photos!

Briefs: McCain wants boxing probe
John McCain on Friday asked Nevada's governor to look into possible conflict of interest violations in the appointment of the son of a major boxing promoter to ... Copyrighted Story on Record-Searchlight

Etienne now says he will not fight Tyson  (FEB 19) The latest on the continuing saga of Mike Tyson and his supposed boxing match set for February 22, in Memphis, Tennessee, is that now that Tyson says he will fight Clifford Etienne after canceling out, Etienne says he will not be fighting. Etienne told news sources that he was dropping out as he is tired of Tyson’s antics.  Promoters have other opponents that can take the fight on short notice, but they are hoping that Etienne will have a change of mind.  WBAN does not know if they plan on keeping Tonya Harding on the card or not.

Tyson's Boxing Truck Jackknifes on I-55 (FEB 19) Late Tuesday night, the truck and trailer transporting Tyson's boxing ring from TKO Productions in New Orleans ran off the interstate near McComb.... Copyrighted on TLBT-TV

Boxing: Callahan slams Witter
(FEB 18)MANAGER Mike Callahan today accused Junior Witter of looking to "run away" from a showdown with Belfast's Eamonn Magee. Callahan ... Copyrighted story on Belfast Telegraph

Boxing: Tyson fight in doubt
(FEB 17)  Mike Tyson's fight with Clifford Etienne in Memphis next weekend could be cancelled. The 36-year-old ... Copyrighted Story on Daily Telegraph

TALKIN BOXIN 
by Howie Reed February 16, 2003
"Hi Howie, Just wanted you to know that I enjoyed your last column. Keep up the good work...or whatever it is that you do... Keep Happy. Larry." Name withheld to protect the guilty.  MOM always use to say, "Always finish what you start."  Full Editorial

Tyson-Etienne Fight Could be Off
(FEB 15) LAS VEGAS — Mike Tyson doesn't feel well, has a bad back and hasn't set foot in the gym since Wednesday. Still, his comeback fight with Clifford Etienne remains on — at least for now. Copyrighted Story on US Today

Ex-Boxing Champ Whitaker Charged With DUI
(FEB 15) RICHMOND, Va. - Former boxing champion Pernell Whitaker was ordered held without bond after being charged for driving under the influence... Copyrighted Story Miami Herald

Kid Gavilan dies at age 77
(FEB 14) Former Welterweight champion, Kid Gavilan, born in Camaguey, Cuba, on January 6, 1926, died at the age of 77 years old. Gavilan suffered a heart attack on Thursday, and died at a Miami Hospital. Gavilan made fame when he became regularly had televised fights fighting such greats as Sugar Ray Robinson. His ending record before retiring was 107-30-6 (28), with a boxing career that spanned into 15 years in the sport.

Boxing runs in her blood
(FEB 14) Laila Ali, working out with trainer Roger Mayweather, will battle Mary Ann Almager
for the International Boxing Association super-middleweight title tonight at ... Copyrighted Story on Louisville Courier Journal

NBC will return boxing to network television (FEB 14) NEW YORK -- NBC, which brought boxing to national television 57 years ago, will return the sport to network telecasts for the first time since 1996 through an ... Copyrighted Story on St. Petersburg Times

Roach finds willing subject in Iron Mike (FEB 13) FREDDIE Roach has been such a fine trainer that last October, he was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Still, no way...Copyrighted Story on Whittier Daily News

Jones Says He Is Ready to Move Up
(FEB 12) now faces his scariest trip into the unknown, a long-awaited debut in the heavyweight division on March 1 against John Ruiz in Las Vegas for the World Boxing ... Copyrighted Story on New York Times.

Mia 'The Knockout" St. John to fight on Fox Sports Net! By Sue TL Fox February 12, 2003 ©photo by Mary Ann Owen

(FEB 12) On March 16, in Dallas, Texas on the Lou Savarese vs. Kirk Johnson mainliner, Mia will be fighting on this card. WBAN's insider reported that Mia will be televised on this card. No opponent has been named at this time. ©Photoby Mary Ann Owen of BILV.  Slideshow of past photos of Mia

OSCAR DE LA HOYA PRESENTA BOXEO DE ORO LIVE FROM SOUTH BEACH, MIAMI MARCH 6, 2003

MIAMI-- When the world’s most popular fighter teams up with the leading premium television network and decides to go to the most famous beach during the world’s largest street party, you can be sure that fists will fly, salsa will sound and everyone will be in for the time of their lives.  "RUMBLE AT THE BEACH" will be the third installment of "Oscar de la Hoya Presenta Boxeo de Oro", the new and exciting monthly boxing series shown exclusively on HBO Latino.  Press Release

Golden Boy turns boxing promoter
(FEB 12) By Vida en el Valle. Oscar De La Hoya still has some big fights ahead of him, but he wants to make sure he is prepared for life after boxing. ... Copyrighted Story on Vida en el Valle

Press Release: Pendarvis Boxing Promotions - Saturday night’s fight card in Boston cancelled
(FEB 12) BOSTON, Mass. – Saturday night’s (Feb. 15) scheduled "The Backyard Brawl" pro boxing card at the National Guard Armory in Dorchester (MA), featuring the comeback of Irish super middleweight Ray Close, has been cancelled due to the site’s lack of availability because an increased level (Orange) of security has been declared. "It’s out of our control," promoter Doug Pendarvis said. "I hope to reschedule the entire card."

Tonya Harding to make pro boxing debut on Tyson card (FEB 11) NEW YORK (AP) - Former Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding will make her professional boxing debut Feb. 22 on a card featuring Mike Tyson in Memphis, Tenn....Copyrighted Story on Canada.com

Ali Boxing Returns To Louisville
(FEB 11)  Her record stands at 13-0, and she
bears a striking resemblance to "The Louisville Lip." Laila Ali is boxing this...Copyrighted Story on Wave, KY

Max: Women's boxing has come a long way (FEB 10) other. It disturbs me. Women's boxing was difficult for me to get used to. Call me chauvinist or chivalrous -- it's up to you. Apparently... Copyrighted Story on ESPN

Klitschko Brothers in Threat to Lewis Belt  (FEB 10) LENNOX LEWIS was on the receiving end of a double whammy from the Klitschko brothers
yesterday as the row over his cancelled fight with Vitali escalated....Copyrighted Glasgow Daily Record

No result in Mosley bout
(JAN 9) THE scheduled 12-round junior middleweight bout between two-time former world boxing champion Shane Mosley and former world champ Raul Marquez ended in a "no ... Copyrighted by News Interactive

TALKIN BOXIN 
by Howie Reed -February 9, 2003
I’LL bet ya that a lot of you out there have said, when there is a lull in the conversation at the quiche and fondue party featuring a clever new white wine, "Boy that Talkin Boxin column seems.....Full Editorial

RESEDA, Calif.- The winningest brothers' act in the history of the heavyweight division, Wladimir "Steelhammer" and Vitali "Iron Fist" Klitschko, continue to train at Universum Gym in Hamburg, Germany, for their upcoming fights. Press Release

Canceled fights cloud Dodge's boxing plans
By Norm Frauenheim. (FEB 8) Red ink and another cancellation figure to alter, but not knock out, the Dodge Theatre's plans for boxing. "We ... Copyrighted by Arizona Republic

'Pink Pounder' gets ready to enter boxing ring
(FEB 7)  Pounder". The 43-year-old London architect is being billed as boxing's first openly gay fighter although he claims he is not alone. ... Copyrighted by Beaufort Gazette, SC

Boxing: Tyson career over with loss to Etienne, says trainer
(FEB 6) LAS VEGAS - Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson should consider life outside the ring if he can't beat Clifford 'the Black Rhino' Etienne... Copyrighted by New Zealand Herald

McCain Looks to Create Boxing Commission
(FEB 6) threw his support behind Sen. John McCain's bill that would createa federal agency to run boxing. "One commission!" said Hopkins ...Copyrighted Story by Miami Herald.

Boxing : Boxing clever in Aughagower
(FEB 6) Boxing is a sport, which gets to the very core of those who follow it. The flying leather, dancing feet, strength, skill and speed...Copyrighted Story on Western People-Ireland

Interview With Freddie Roach
(FEB 6) Boxingtalk.com was able to speak with Mike Tyson's trainer, Freddie Roach, on a national conference call with the press. Coach Roach discusses Tyson's upcoming fight against Clifford Etienne on February 22nd at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. Read on to see what he has to say. Copyrighted Story by Gregory Leon on Boxingtalk.com

World League of Boxing: The Time is Now!  (FEB 6) Read any boxing magazine, visit any website, listen to any fight commentator and you’ll soon be familiar with the long litany of boxing lights.. Copyrighted Story on Eastside Boxing

Boxing : Indian pugilists in top gear
(FEB 6)  Indian boxers were in top gear on the second day of the eighth ONGC-YMCA international boxing chamionships winning bouts with flair...Copyrighted Story on Delhi Newsline, India

RUSSELL Crowe is headed to the boxing ring.
(FEB 5) headlines for hot-tempered altercations away from the cameras, the actor will show the world his talent for throwing a punch when he portrays 1930s' boxing... Copyrighted Story on News Interactive

Boxing announcer Bobby Czyz Jr. charged with drunken driving
READINGTON, NJ - Boxing commentator and former two-time world champion Bobby Czyz Jr. has been charged with drunken driving. Czyz ... Copyrighted Story on Miami Florida

Amy Fisher not available...but Showtime found a new boxer to fight Tonya Harding..

Casamayor Moves Up
(FEB 2) IBA world jr. lightweight champion Joel Casamayor made it official earlier today that he will vacate his IBA 130 pound title and campaign at the lightweight division limit of 135 pounds. Casamayor, clearly one of boxing’s best, has set his sights on IBA world champion Juan Lazcano and Floyd Mayweather Jr. later this year.

(FEB 2) IBA World Lightweight Champion Juan Lazcano returns to El Paso, Texas, February 13 when he meets Radford Beasley in a twelve rounder on this years second installment of HBO Latino. A win for Lazcano makes him the logical choice to meet Floyd Mayweather Jr. later this summer in what could prove to be a fight of the year candidate.

John Whisler: Exit point has arrived for Leija, finally at 36  (FEB 2) "Jesse" James Leija shouldn't have to be concerned about a cut ever again, unless it comes from the razor that shaves his head. Full Copyrighted story on My San Antonio

De-Forrest-ation:  Mayorga wins strips Vernon (FEB 2) Even anti-smokers had to love the sight of Ricardo Mayorga lighting up that cigarette in the ring last Saturday night as he celebrated his stunning upset of Vernon Forrest. Although it was a unification bout - Mayorga already owned the World Boxing Association welterweight belt, while Forrest...Copyrighted Story on Boston Herald

TALKIN BOXIN 
by Howie Reed -February 2, 2003
NOT a day, week or month goes by when I’m not asked, "Howie, how is it that you are able to do such an outstanding job of covering the World of Boxing." My answer is always the same "alacrity". There are those that prefer "Smoke and Mirrors ". Full Editorial

Amigos sweep up Mohegan
(FEB 2) UNCASVILLE, Conn. - Main Events brought its ``Three Amigos'' group of prospects to the Mohegan Sun last night, and youth triumphed over experience in all three featured bouts, as featherweight (and Olympic silver medalist) Ricardo ``Rocky'' Juarez...Copyrighted Story on Boston Herald

Mundine praises Sullivan's grit
(FEB 2) It's what I needed before I fight for the world title again.". Mundine held onto his Pan Asian Boxing Association belt and World Boxing Association No. Copyrighted Story on New Zealand Herald, New Zealand

Duran lighthearted but a lightweight no mas
(FEB 2) Roberto Duran slid through the buffet at Mandalay Bay, cradling a plate overloaded with food, a Las Vegas cap pulled down low on his forehead.Copyrighted story on Las Vegas Review Journal

Lewis prefers Tyson rematch over quality opponent- As the Sports World Turns
(FEB 2) Lennox Lewis is doing his best to be remembered as a chicken-hearted and second-class heavyweight boxing champion. Copyrighted story on the Cincinnati Enquirer

Marquez wins IBF Featherweight crown (FEB 2) LAS VEGAS, Nevada: Juan Manuel Marquez knocked out fellow Mexican Manuel Medina here on Saturday to win the vacant International Boxing Federation...Copyrighted Story on Times of India, India.

Sinclair scores knockout to retain crown (FEB 2) The Lonsdale belt.``. Despite his convincing victory the Belfast fighter was not too happy with the quality of his boxing. Full Copyrighted Story on U.TV, UK

Hernandez adds title to credits
(FEB 2)I never thought I had the greatest style, but I have a big heart," said Hernandez, who trained at the Westminster Boxing Club under Hall of Fame trainer ....Copyrighted Story on Orange County Register, California

Mundine's dirty dozen
(FEB 2)  Mundine retained his Pan Asian Boxing Assocation super middleweight title with a unanimous and ultimately easy points win, though the second ranked World ... Copyrighted story on Sydney Morning Herald, Australia

Featherweight Marquez, Medina set for showdown (FEB 1) The featherweight division has been one of boxing's best the past few years, with such outstanding fighters as Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Johnny Tapia, Prince Naseem Hamed and Paulie Ayala. Copyrighted story on Las Vegas Review

Diaz stops Rodriguez to remain unbeaten  (FEB 1) But I'm learning.". Lou Duva, head of Duva Boxing, said Diaz's next fight could be Feb. 21 in Las Vegas, or perhaps March 8 in Reno, Nev., on ESPN2. ...Copyrighted Story on San Antonio Express, Texas

Boxing promoters pick Oceanside for big bout  (JAN 31) OCEANSIDE – The oldest, permanent, established, floating promotional alliance
in boxing (with an apology to "Guys and Dolls") might be that of Don Chargin ... Copyrighted Story on San Diego Tribune

Seventeen years later, Medina much the same man (FEB 1) Manuel Medina was 14 years old. He had learned to box two years earlier to protect himself from the bullies who were picking on him
Copyrighted Story on the Las Vegas Review Journal 

Boxing: Tua benefits from delay of Rahman rematch  (JAN 31)  David Tua's crucial heavyweight boxing rematch with Hasim Rahman has been delayed until the end of next month. The fight, which ... Copyrighted story on New Zealand Herald, New Zealand

Judge removes himself from boxer's lawsuit  (JAN 31) US District Judge Norman Mordue said he was a good friend of one of the directors
of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, another defendant in Frazier's ... Copyrighted on Newsday

IBF has number of problems
(JAN 30) After the racketeering trial of former IBF president Bob Lee a couple of years ago, a federal judge in Newark placed a monitor over the organization to make sure that the sins of the past were not revisited. Copyrighted Story on New York Daily News - writer Tim Smith

Boxing authorities want to ban televised celebrity fights
(JAN 30) LONDON - British boxing authorities have clamped down on the growing craze of televised
celebrity punch-ups, forcing the BBC to call off a charity fight slated ..Copyrighted Story on New Zealand Herald

Mayorga Shows He's Got the Stuff
(JAN 30) A few weeks ago, this column remembered Pipino Cuevas -- a snarling, hard-hooking bomber from Mexico. Cuevas, who reigned as WBA welterweight champion from 1976 to '80, may have been reborn Saturday in the form of Nicaragua's Ricardo Mayorga..Full Copyrighted Story El Paso Times by Matthew Aguilar

Cotto in no hurry to be great
(JAN 30) Hall of Fame matchmaker Bruce Trampler has to resist his urge to gush when discussing lightweight Miguel Cotto.Copyrighted Story on Las Vegas Review Journal.

Klitschko's bout against Lennox definitely off
(JAN 30)  Universum have asked their lawyers to urge the World Boxing Council (WBC) to make sure Klitschko can challenge Lewis before the beginning of June. Copyrighted Story on New Zealand Herald

(JAN 29) On Friday, Jan.31, at the Show Palace, in Oceanside, California, Mary Lehman will face Rita Valentini in a scheduled 119-lb four round bout. Tickets info 619-743-0698. Two of the scheduled six fights on the card will be broadcast on Telefutura. (slight chance women's could make it on TV)

Celebrity Boxing KO'D
(JAN 29) Celebrity TV boxing bouts have been KO'd after fight authorities left BBC chiefs on the ropes. The British Boxing Board of Control ... Copyrighted by Sky News, UK

Boxing: Pasadena's Paschall highlights fight card
(JAN 29) Pasadena resident Mike Paschall will put his 13-match amateur boxing winning streak on the line tomorrow night when the South Atlantic Championships come to ... Copyrighted on Annapolis Capital, MD

The great myth of boxing … pound for pound! (JAN 29)  The fights last Saturday evening once again reinforced and justified my firmly held belief that boxing's mythical "pound for pound" ratings/rankings ... Copyrighted story on EastsideBoxing.com

Mesi court hearing set in law suit with Sugar Ray Leonard firm
(JAN 29) BUFFALO, NY A federal judge will hear arguments before deciding whether to move heavyweight boxer Joe Mesi's lawsuit against Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing of ... Copyrighted Boston Globe, MASaturday, February 1, 2003, At 10 PM ET/PT ...From Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut  (JAN 29) NEW YORK – Three of boxing’s most highly regarded young boxers – Rocky Juarez, Francisco "Panchito" Bojado and Juan Diaz – hope to continue... More

Mayorga a throwback to a previous era CHICAGO - (KRT) - Vernon Forrest has learned one of boxing's harsh lessons: The distance from top of the heap to landing in a heap is about...Copyrighted story on San Jose Mercury News, CA

(JAN 28) SAN JOSE, Ca. – A press conference will be held on Thursday January 30^th at George’s Grill inside the HP Pavilion at 1:00PM. Boxing legend and former world champion Jorge Paez will be in attendance. Lunch will be served. The always entertaining and highly popular Mexican legend Jorge "Maromero" Paez of Mexicali, Mexico will headline an exciting professional boxing card presented by Top Rank Inc. and George Chung’s American Champion Sports on Friday, February 7 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.  Telefutura, the sister network of Univision the most important in the United States, will telecast the fight nationally during its very popular "Solo Boxeo" show. Paez went 5-0 last year with five knockouts, as he gets ready to take on the best in the best in the world at either 126 or 130 pounds. Also on the card will be Undefeated World Champion Laura Serrano of Mexico City 14-0-1 against formidable Jo Jo Wyman 9-5-1 of Los Angeles. Plus exciting prospect Arturo Morales (12-0, 4 KOs) of Pittsburgh, California against Artur Petrosyn of Armenia 9-4-1. This will be the first nationally televised Boxing event in San Jose in over 3 years. Tickets are now available at the HP Pavilion box office and all ticketmaster locations. (excerpt of press release)

LaMontagne-Grant world title fight Feb. 22 in Mass Flamos- Payne EBA cruiserweight title fight in Everett co-feature

(JAN 28 Press Release (Excerpt) PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Former world cruiserweight champion Uriah "Bossman" Grant battles Richie "The Mountain" LaMontagne Saturday afternoon, February 22 for the vacant International Boxing Union world cruiserweight title in the 12-round main event on the "Homecoming" boxing card, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, at Everett High School in Massachusetts. Massachusetts cruiserweight champion Tim "The Hammer" Flamos (16-2-1, 7 KOs), a licensed carpenter from Brockton (MA), faces Worcester’s Roy "House of" Payne (15-11-4, 6 KOs),  Full details

HBO World Championship Boxing presents: VERNON FORREST VS. RICARDO MAYORGA Saturday, JAN. 25 (10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT)
LIVE on HBO
(JAN 25) The 12-round welterweight title fight between WBC champion Vernon Forrest (35-0, 26 KOs) and WBA champion Ricardo Mayorga (24-3-1, 22 KOs) kicks-off a championship weekend in Southern California where both fighters look to unify the weight class.  Forrest, 32, from Augusta, GA, is on a mission to show why many have dubbed him the best pound-for-pound boxer of his generation while the brash Mayorga, 29, of Nicaragua, will try to use his go-for-broke style to become this year's rising star. In the opener, it's a compelling lightweight match-up as former super featherweight champion Joel Casamayor (28-1-0, 18 KOs) faces undefeated rising contender Nate Campbell (23-0-0, 21 KOs) in a 10-round fight.

Mundine the real deal
By Peter Jessup
(JAN 24)Anthony Mundine vows he will leave New Zealanders with memories of his first fight in Auckland "for years and years". Copyrgithed by New Zealand Sports News Full Story

Boxing: Passport fiasco KO's Takaloo's Dublin trip
(JAN 22) Jim Rock turned up for a press conference in Dublin yesterday to promote his forthcoming fight against the former World Boxing Union light-middleweight ... Copyrighted on Independent, UK

(JAN 25) On February 14,  on ESPN2 "Friday Night Fights" in Louisville, Kentucky,  Laila Ali will be a Stingin' against Mary Ann Almager on Valentine's Day! Ali will be defending her IBA Super-Middleweight title. .Want a Free Download of the Fight Poster of the Ali-Almager fight? Just send a request to WBAN, and one will be emailed to you!  Request for Downloaded Poster

DISH Network Satellite TV Presents "Night of Fury" Boxing on
(JAN 25) The "Night of Fury" includes three, 12-round boxing matches on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 9 pm ET from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada...Copyrighted Story on EastsideBoxing.com

Forrest set for boxing's prime time
(JAN 25) Mayorga, 29, is the outsider trying to crash the party, a Nicaraguan who hits hard but approaches the art of boxing with the same attitude he approaches life ...  Copyrighted Story on Toronto Sun

Mesi sues Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing over contract dispute
(JAN 25) In the suit filed on Friday in US District Court in Buffalo, Mesi accuses Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing of Los Angeles of stalling his career...Copyrighted Story on Boston Globe

Tyson myth is over.. and he knows it
(JAN 25) What else can he say? Tyson is boxing's last great project. Turn him around and
your reputation is made. So I don't blame Freddie for trying.....Copyrighted Story on The Mirror, UK

FIGHT NIGHT AT THE ROSE GARDEN III -TOP-20 HEAVYWEIGHT JEREMY WILLIAMS ADDED TO CARD; TICKETS GET HOT!

(JAN 21) Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and Portland’s Razor Sharp Productions today announced the addition of Heavyweight Jeremy Williams to the fight card for Fight Night at the Rose Garden III, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino. The heavyweight 10-round main event featuring Williams, currently ranked #15 in the world by the WBC, replaces the previously scheduled bantamweight main event.Full Press Release

Celebrity boxing tournament raises $9000 for community center
(JAN 21)  Boxing Hall of Fame referee Richard Steele even extended an invitation to Chambers
to visit his home in Las Vegas to discuss recruiting more corporate sponsors Copyrighted Story on Daily Press

Boxing trio in bother over televised celebrity bout
(JAN 20) THREE of British boxing's most well-known names could face sanction from the sport's ruling body for getting involved in a televised celebrity bout on the BBC ...
Copyrighted on ICNetwork.co.uk

Former Canadian boxing champion Berbick turns himself in to Jamaican Police
(JAN 20)  Berbick, who fought for Jamaica at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, became a landed Canadian
immigrant in 1979, shortly after beginning his pro boxing career while...Copyrighted on Canada.com

Tszyu prevails after ear injury forces Leija to quit
By John Whisler San Antonio Express-News
(JAN 19) MELBOURNE, Australia — "Jesse" James Leija's 10,000-mile quest to become a world champion for the second time ended in heartbreak Saturday night. Kostya Tszyu retained his undisputed 140-pound titles on a TKO when Leija was unable to answer the bell for the seventh round. 
 

Navarro Wins by knockout Photos by Rick Pineda

(JAN 18) On Thursday at the Olympic, and in front of 5,182 boxing fans, televised on HBO Latino, and promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, Jose Navarro remained undefeated (14-0 4KO) when he knocked out Carlos Madrigal (20-4, 15) in the second round of a super-flyweight unification match. Navarro retained his IBA Continental Americas belt, and won the North American Boxing Organization championship belt. Exclusive Photo Gallery

BAD BOY BOXER ALERT: FORMER BOXING CHAMPION THROWN INTO SLAMMER! 
(JAN 17) Riddick Bowe, 35, a former world heavyweight champion, has been thrown in the ole' slammer (jail) for a period of 18 months. Bowe apparently was convicted of kidnapping his estranged wife, Judy Bowen, and children five years ago using a pair of handcuffs, pepper spray and tape. Bowe has been inducted into the "Bad Boy Boxers" segment on Hot Boxing News! For more bad boys, go here!

Cops on the "lookout" for Berbick!
(JAN 17) JAMAICA - Another "Bad Boy Boxer" in the limelight lately is none other than Trevor Berick, 48, and former world heavyweight champion. The Jamaican police are looking for Berick for house breaking and larceny charges according to the police. For full details, go here
Copyrighted Story on www.nzherald.co.nz

Old Firm boxing bout dropped due to sectarian fears
(JAN 16) A CELEBRITY boxing match to be held in Glasgow next month has been called off amid fears of sectarian violence. Peter Grant and ...Copyrighted story on the Glasgow Herald

Final tribute to Rozadilla 
(JAN 15) Larry Rozadilla, who had been a boxing referee in 131 championship and was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1999, died at the age of 72 years old.  Rozadilla passed away from Cancer, and was at his home at the time in Manhatten Beach.

Delia Gonzalez to fight for World Title!  by Sue TL Fox January 14, 2003

(JAN 14) On February 21, 2003, in Acoma, New Mexico, Delia "The Chiqueta" Gonzalez will be fighting Adriana Delgado  for the vacant IBA Jr. Bantamweight World title. The event is promoted by Fresquez Promotion. 

"SUGAR" SHANE MOSLEY PREPARES FOR JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT DEBUT FEBRUARY 8 AT MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER
(JAN 14) BIG BEAR, CA - In his continuing quest to be boxing's best, Pound for Pound, former lightweight and welterweight champion "Sugar" Shane Mosley will try the 154-pound division on for size on February 8, 2003, when he squares off against former junior middleweight titleholder Raul Marquez at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mosley, 38-2 with 35 KOs, is not the least bit intimidated by fighting in his new weight class. "The Mosley-Marquez card, which also features a WBO welterweight title bout between Antonio Margarito and Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis, is presented by IMG Boxing and Top Rank Inc., in association with Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Both featured bouts will be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing, beginning at 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT. Tickets for this exciting six bout card, priced at $25.00, $50.00, $150.00, $250.00, are available by calling 702-632-7580.

Bojorquez Wins by TKO in Eleventh Round! (JAN 14) Last night at the Pontchartrain Center, in Kenner, Louisiana, and promoted by Kingfish Boxing Promotions, in the co-main event, Carlos Bojorquez successfully defended his IBA Continental Light Middleweight belt over Grady Brewer. Bojorquez went down in the first round, but went on to stop Brewer 2:46 of the eleventh round.

Paul Pender passes away
(JAN 13) Yesterday in Boston, Paul Pender a former middleweight champion passed away at the Veterans Administration hospital in Bedford, of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 72. Pender is best known for defeating Sugar Ray Robinson in 1960.  More on this story on miami.com 

TALKIN BOXIN 
by Howie Reed -January 12, 2003
TAPIA IN CRITICAL CONDITION. With his no holds bared style in and outside of the ring the odds were good that Johnny Tapia would suffered if not a sudden end then anything but a smooth road. With him the road is never smooth. As sad as it is to write that end may be closer than anyone believed.  Full Story

Camacho wants one more shot at title (JAN 12) In the twilight of a long and successful boxing career, the 40-year-old bad boy of boxing is preparing for his comeback on the main event of the Seminole ...Copyrighted storyon  South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Florida.

Tapia Near Death After Incident at Home  (JAN 12) Former boxing champion Johnny Tapia was clinging to life at a Las Vegas hospital Saturday after lapsing into unconsciousness at his northwest Las Vegas home. Copyrighted Story on Las Vegas Review-Journal 

Oliveira wins title
(JAN 12) PROVIDENCE -- New Bedford's Sucra Ray Oliveira won the International Boxing Union's
world welterweight championship last night at the Dunkin' Donuts Center ...Copyrighted Story on South Coast Today

Relaxed champ pulls no punches
(JAN 12) Next week it will be different when his International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council titles go on the line. ...Copyrighted on The Age- Australia

Small heavyweight Byrd doesn't like Jones' chances against Ruiz
By Royce Feour - Las Vegas Review Journal
(JAN 11) Chris Byrd, who won the vacant IBF heavyweight championship last month with a unanimous decision over Evander Holyfield, knows what it's like to be a small heavyweight. Byrd, who lives in Las Vegas, weighed 215 pounds in his decisive victory over Holyfield in a day when many heavyweights weigh 240 to 250 pounds.

Promoter takes chance on Oakland
By Jay Heater – January 11, 2003
Bay Area boxing fans will get an infusion of enthusiasm and youth when Justin McRay's Biz Productions promotes its first boxing card Jan. 30 at The Arena in Oakland. McRay, a former sparring partner who dreams of being "like Don King, only better," has scheduled a 10-round welterweight bout between Hector Camacho Jr. (35-1) and Santa Rosa's Sebastian Valdez (18-4) to serve as the card's main event.  Copyrighted story on bayarea.com 

Ruiz banking on pay-per-view jackpot By Kevin Iole-January 11, 2003
WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz agreed to unusual terms for his March 1 fight at the Thomas & Mack Center against light heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr. Ruiz will take no guaranteed money and accept all of his income as a percentage of the revenues.  Copyrighted Story on Las Vegas Review Journal 

Boxing: Tua fends off King approach
By Peter Jessup – January 11, 2003
The shadow of Don King hangs over the David Tua camp as the South Aucklander prepares for what may be his last shot for the top. King is trying daily to entice Tua's management into a long-term fight contract, but they are holding out until after the King-promoted re-match with Hasim Rahman. Copyrighted story on the nzherald.co.nz

Small heavyweight Byrd doesn't like Jones' chances against Ruiz
By Royce Feour - Las Vegas Review Journal
(JAN 11)
By Royce Feour - Las Vegas Review Journal
(JAN 11) Copyrighted Story on LasVegasReview Journal 

Boxing: Manager fumes at fight build-up...By Jon Anderson – January 11, 2003
LESTER Bedford, manager of "Jessie" James Leija, has blasted promoters of the January 19 world title bout at Telstra Dome. Bedford, who has been involved in 88 world title bouts during his 25 years in the sport, believes his boxer has been treated very poorly. It all boils down to training facilities, with Leija's opponent Kostya Tszyu given exclusive rights to the One 80 gymnasium owned by sports manager Ricky Nixon at Telstra Dome. Copyrighted story on Herald sun  

Foreman, Dundee, and Fiske elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame
(JAN 11) Three named to be elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be held on June 5-8, 2003 in Canastota, New York. Retired San Francisco Chronicle boxing writer Jack Fiske, Boxing Trainer Angelo Dundee, boxers George Foreman, Curtis Cokes Nicolino Locche, Mike McCallum. Also, the late promoter Dan Duva and Author Budd Schulberg. Induction ceremonies will be held June fifth through the eighth in Canastota, New York. (Source:  www.miamiherald.com)

Tszyu head over heels about home advantage
By Nabila Ahmed - January 10 2003
It began with a 20-minute skipping session and ended with a headstand lasting almost three minutes.
Guarded by tight security and watched by a group of about 20, including, for some part, tennis star Mark Philippoussis, Kostya Tszyu's training session at the new health and fitness centre at Telstra Dome...Full Copyrighted Story on TheAge.com.au 

Team Mesi cuts its ties with 
Sugar Ray
By Bob Discesare - January 10, 2003
Town of Tonawanda heavyweight "Baby" Joe Mesi has severed his relationship with Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing and is seeking a new promoter while planning to fight again in March.  Julie Bargnesi, attorney for Team Mesi, said SRL Boxing was notified on Dec. 31 that the relationship has been terminated.  Copyrighted story on Buffalonews.com 

CHANGES HIS MIND: De La Hoya adds May fight
By Royce Feour - January 10, 2003
Oscar De La Hoya will fight before September after all.De La Hoya, the WBC and WBA super welterweight champion, will meet Yory Boy Campas on May 3 at Mandalay Bay, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Thursday. Copyrighted Story on Las Vegas Review Journal 

Third Ind. Town Cancels Boxing Contest
(JAN 10) An amateur boxing contest scheduled for this weekend was canceled, the third time an Indiana city has blocked such an event amid concerns over serious injuries.  Vanderburgh County commissioners voted in an emergency meeting Thursday to cancel the Original Toughman Contest, citing a lack of insurance for participants.Copyrighted on abcnews.com   

Dreaming of dream matches
A new year calls for big dreams, so we're dreaming big in 2003 and asking for the moon. Last year produced several highly anticipated bouts — Lewis-Tyson, De La Hoya-Vargas, Barrera-Morales II, Freitas-Casamayor, Forrest-Mosley (twice) and, of course, two unforgettable helpings of Gatti-Ward. USA TODAY's Dan Rafael picks six more must-see matchups and handicaps their likelihood..Copyrighted by Dan Rafael on USA Today

Kingfish Productions boxing card in doubt at Cajundome
By Dan Macdonald – January 9, 2003
LAFAYETTE - Kingfish Boxing Productions is all dressed up with no place to go. One place the New Orleans-based promotion company likely won't be going as part of a series of televised boxing cards is the Cajundome, even though the company distributed a release this week touting a Jan. 27 card at the facility.  Copyrighted story on Advertisment.com

Tyson foe Etienne knows his stuff
By Eric Rineer - January 8, 2003
Clifford Etienne may have gotten a late start to professional boxing, but the heavyweight contender knows some surprising statistics about the sport's history.  Etienne, 30, a fourth-year pro who's training for his Feb. 22 fight with Mike Tyson, got into a friendly trivia match recently at a newly opened boxing facility, Elite Boxing.
Full Copyrighted Story on Knoxnews.com 

Don King's hair on the line
(JAN 8) BAD hair days could soon be a thing of the past for flamboyant boxing promoter Don King. Even if his fighter loses by a hair to Roy Jones Jr it may not be enough to allow King to keep his. Copyrighted FoxSportsNews 

(JAN 8) On January 16, 2003, at the famed Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, Golden Boy Promotions and HBO Latino present hard punching Carlos Madrigal (IBA #16) and former Olympian Jose Navarro (IBA #18) for the vacant IBA Continental Jr. Bantamweight Title.

Upcoming Rematch for Coronell vs. Torres  (JAN 8) On January 18, 2003, in  Hollywood, Florida, there will be a rematch when  IBA America's Champion Julio Coronell tackles Vernie Torres.

January 13th Event in Louisiana
January 13th in New Orleans Louisiana, Kingfish Boxing and Fox Sportsworld Present IBA Continental Jr. Middleweight Champion Carlos Bojorquez and Grady Brewer.  A win for the World rated Borjorquez could land him a shot against former IBA World Champion Fernando Vargas later this year.   

Fight Night Brings D.C. Spotlight, Not Crowds
By Clarence Williams -Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, January 6, 2003; Page B01
Championship boxing returned to the Washington area Saturday night with a D.C. Armory crowd that was smaller than promoters had hoped for but big on enthusiasm for the hometown contests. Copyrighted Story on Washington Post

Peñalosa retires from boxing
By Ding T. Marcelo - January 6, 2003
GERRY PEÑALOSA, whose three unsuccessful attempts to regain his World Boxing Council super flyweight championship made him the heartbreak kid of Philippine boxing, announced his retirement yesterday, saying his body could not take the toll of another title campaign.
Copyrighted Story - MB.com 

Thai boxing proves a hit in camp
Anucha Charoenpo - January 6, 2003
Lauris Jaquet, 15, a boy scout from New Caledonia comes almost every day to the muay thai boxing centre at the 20th World Scout Jamboree.
Copyrighted Story on bangkokpost.com 

Borovski is little threat to Sinclair
By Sports editor of Belfast Telegraph.co.uk
(JAN 6)MANAGER John Breen today confirmed that Neil Sinclair will face Vladimir Borovski for the vacant WBU welterweight title on February 1 at the Odyssey Arena.
Copyrighted Story on Belfast Telegraph

TALKIN BOXIN 
by Howie Reed -January 5, 2003
"So ya missed me?" ONE of the joys of doing this column weekly as my many critics point out correctly, is that sometimes someone actually agrees with me. In the business that is called "reader feedback."  When someone actually agrees with something that I’ve written, stolen or just flat found----It’s called