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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 (JAN 31) 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. Food and material goods were scarce. Prospects were dim. So he did the only thing he knew he could do to make money: He turned professional. He made $10 for his first fight, $20 for his second. He fought more than a dozen times before he made more than $100, and it took him 30 fights to make $1,000.
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

In the 10 round heavyweight main event, Jeremy Williams, 36-4, 32 KO’s (232 lbs), of Long Beach, CA, fought to a majority draw with Al "Ice" Cole, 32-11, 16 KO’s ( 231 lbs), of Newark, New Jersey. One judge called it 96-94 for Williams, the other two saw it as 95-95. Full Story with Photo Gallery!

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. Trampler, one of the most astute men in boxing, clearly recognizes Cotto's vast talents. But Trampler also understands what happens to 22-year-olds 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)

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

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, MA.

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

Fight Night at the Rose Garden III January 21, 2003

(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.

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, it emerged yesterday.
Brothers Frank and Eugene Maloney and former professional Jim McDonnell have been summoned to appear before a disciplinary panel of the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC).The board's Southern Area Council has called the meeting in London next month to discuss allegations that the trio may have been breached the terms of their trainers' licences for helping in The Fight.
Copyrighted on ICNetwork.co.uk

Former Canadian boxing champion Berbick turns himself in to Jamaican Police
(JAN 20)  Jamaica Former heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick turned himself in to police and was arrested for breaking into a neighbor's home and stealing several items. Berbick, charged with breaking and entering and theft, surrendered in eastern Port Antonio on Saturday, officer Glenford Miller said Sunday. Police issued an arrest warrant for Berbick on Tuesday, after a search of his home turned up items that were reported stolen by a neighbor _ including an electric drill, a pickax and some clothes. 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.

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!

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.

Mosley Prepares for Junior Middleweight Debut (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.

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. 

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

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 

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 – (JAN 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 

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)

Team Mesi cuts its ties with Sugar Ray
By Bob Discesare - (JAN 10) 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 

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   

Kingfish Productions boxing card in doubt at Cajundome   (JAN 9) 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 - (JAN 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 

Madrigal to fight Former Olympian Jose Navarro  (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.

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.   

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 

Talkin Boxin - by Howie Reed 
(JAN 5) "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 validation. Consider me validated on at least a couple of subjects. Editorial

John Whisler: Boxing headed for year to remember (JAN 5) Every year in boxing brings surprises. This year promises to be no different. Here is a look at what we're likely to see in 2003: Mike Tyson vs. John Ruiz: After fight ends in draw, Don King reveals his hair is actually Tyson's pet porcupine that answers to the name of "Thpike." Copyrighted Story  on MyAntonio.com 

Kostya has brilliant power: Leija
(JAN 4) James Leija, a soft-spoken family man known for his boxing ability, spoke to Peter Mitchell about his upcoming fight with Kostya Tszyu.  Bookmakers say "Jesse" James Leija doesn't have a chance against Kostya Tszyu when the pair fight for three super-lightweight titles next Sunday week. Boxing experts agree with the bookies.

NBC, Main Event eye boxing series
(JAN 3) NEW YORK -- NBC Sports is in talks with Main Event Prods. to launch a weekend boxing series this year, both companies confirmed. "It's all speculation," a Main Events spokesman said, referring to a report Thursday on Bloomberg News about a possible imminent deal. Copyrighted story on Hollywoodreporter.com