Michael Amakor
Administrator
Brian Bizzack
Deputy Administrator
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REIGNING CHAMPIONS
MORMECK
VIRGIL HILL
VALERY BRUDOVV
FIGHTKING CRUISERWEIGHTS
Dedicated to Cruiserweight Only
DANGER ZONE FOR NONE 175 - 200 POUNDERS
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"Too Smooth” Godfrey heads to
Germany for March 8th WBC Title Eliminator versus Kraj
“I’ve been training for this fight since Christmas,” the 27-year-old NABF champion Godfrey explained, “but I really started training camp around the first week of September for a fight (versus Jeremy Williams) that fell out right before Thanksgiving. So, I’m ready for this fight, and I want to go in and let everybody see what all of this hard work and training has done for me. People are going to see the Matt Godfrey who was so explosive against (Shaun) George and (Felix) Cora (Jr), in addition to seeing some different stuff that comes from new conditioning training that allows me to do a lot more in the ring. Click on the results of March 8 and see Godfrey as the decisive victor.”
The winner of Godfrey-Kraj not only will become the WBC’s mandatory challenger, it also has additional implications because WBC/WBA title-holder David Haye fights WBO champion Enzo Maccarinelli on March 8 in London. A Haye victory reportedly will send him up to heavyweight, leaving the cruiserweight division wide open, and the Godfrey-Kraj winner possibly the new WBC champion or interim title-holder. More
“We had the DVD player going every day and we’ve noticed some different things about Kraj that we’ve worked on,” Godfrey spoke about his 2000 Olympic silver medal winning opponent, Kraj. “He’s a solid opponent with good strength and size. He’s the real deal and it’s going to be a great fight.
“I’m not concerned about fighting him in Germany. We’re going over there early to get acclimated to the weather and time. We’ll have ample time to adjust. The winner could be the new world champion or interim title holder. The worst that can happen is the winner is the mandatory contender, and that’s why I’m looking at this as a world title fight, whether it is or isn’t.”
Matt, second heavyweight alternate on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, had a 194-23 amateur record, capturing six national championships -- four open tournaments including the 2004 Everlast U.S. Championships, plus two in the Junior Olympics – as well as a Bronze medal at the 2001 Pan-American Games, Silver in all four of that year’s national major tournaments (National Golden Gloves, PAL (Police Athletic League), U.S. Championships and U.S. Challenge) and six-time New England Golden Gloves champion.
The highly decorated U.S. amateur defeated many boxers who today are outstanding professionals such as WBA middleweight title challenger Randy “The Gentleman Griffin (24-1-3, 12 KOs), unbeaten heavyweight prospect Chazz “Mensa With Muscles” Witherspoon (21-0, 14 KOs), Devin Vargas (14-0, 6 KOs), Corey “Black Ice” Cummings (15-2, 12 KOs), Leonard “Haitian Sensation” Pierre (18-3, 13 KOs) and John Johnson (12-1, 10 KOs).
Godfrey Punches Way to Germany For
WBC Title Eliminator versus Kraj on March 8
“Kraj won a Silver Medal in the 2000 Olympics and going overseas to fight him will be a big test,” the 27-year-old Godfrey said. “He’s very good. Kraj is a typical Eastern European fighter who does some things very well. The winner of this fight is going to be set-up nice in the WBC. I’m looking at it as a title fight.”
The WBC title eliminator potentially has additional implications because Haye, who also holds the WBA title belt, fights the same night as Godfrey-Kraj in a unification bout versus WBO champion Enzo Maccarinelli. A win by Haye reportedly will send him up to heavyweight, leaving the cruiserweight division wide open, and the Godfrey-Kraj winner possibly the new WBC champion or Interim title-holder. More
“I’ve fought in Europe as an amateur but never in Germany,” Godfrey noted. “I’ve watched the surge of boxing in Europe and always knew that my title run would go through Europe, especially with cruiserweights like Haye, Enzo and Jean-Marc Mormeck. I’ve prepared mentally and I believe that I’m a world class fighter who is ready for this.”
Godfrey has been training almost non-stop since the middle of August. First, his bout against Jeremy Williams in November was cancelled when the show fell apart, and the Kraj fight was originally slated for February. He will head to Germany with his head trainer, former world light heavyweight title challenger “Iceman” John Scully, 10-14 days in advance of the show in order to get acclimated and arrange sparring.
Matt, second heavyweight alternate on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, had a 194-23 amateur record, capturing six national championships -- four open tournaments including the 2004 Everlast U.S. Championships, plus two in the Junior Olympics – as well as a Bronze medal at the 2001 Pan-American Games, Silver in all four of that year’s national major tournaments (National Golden Gloves, PAL (Police Athletic League), U.S. Championships and U.S. Challenge) and six-time New England Golden Gloves champion.
The highly decorated U.S. amateur defeated many boxers who today are outstanding professionals such as WBA middleweight title challenger Randy “The Gentleman Griffin (24-1-3, 12 KOs), unbeaten heavyweight prospect Chazz “Mensa With Muscles” Witherspoon (21-0, 14 KOs), Devin Vargas (14-0, 6 KOs), Corey “Black Ice” Cummings (15-2, 12 KOs), Leonard “Haitian Sensation” Pierre (18-3, 13 KOs) and John Johnson (12-1, 10 KOs).
David Haye KO's Jean-Marc Mormeck To Win WBC, WBA Titles
Pictures by Jane Warburton
11/11/07 - David Haye has skyrocketed to the top of the cruiserweight division by knocking out Jean-Marc Mormeck in seven rounds tonight on a Don King Promotion at Palais des Sport Marcel Cerdan in Paris, France to forcefully annex the WBC and WBA world titles.
The 27 year old Londoner started off fast, working behind a heavy jab to launch a bruising body attack but the champion closed the distance and shook Haye with a cracking combination at the end of the second.
Haye regained control in the third behind the jab but was down in the fourth when Mormeck connected with a bracing combination of hooks. Haye beat the count and managed to land a few power shots on the oncoming champion to prevent Mormeck from running roughshod.
The champion continued to dictate the action in the fifth, pounding Haye at times with a powerful inside attack that the challenger managed to survive by using good movement and a stiff jab.
Haye regained his composure in the sixth frame, making Mormeck miss repeatedly while countering with accurate jab, right hand salvos but in the seventh, the challenger finally managed to nail Mormeck flush with a startling uppercut, left hook, overhand right combination.
Mormeck went down hard and while he beat the referee's count, the Frenchman was in no condition to continue and the Frank Maloney promoted David Haye was declared the new WBC and WBA champion.
On the undercard, French WBC Light Welter Youth Champion Ali Cheba, 23-0 (17), stopped Brazil's Wellington DeJesus, 11-1 (7), in the third and former WBA Light Welter titlist Souleymane M'baye, 36-2-1 (21), stopped Ameth Diaz, 23-7 (17), in the fourth in a WBC title eliminator.
The stoppages continued as European Union titlist Christophe Canclaux, 35-2 (21), finished ex-IBO boss Steve Conway, 34-9 (7), in three and cruiser Francisco Palacios, 13-0 (7), saw off Andrey Zaitsev, 4-8 (3), in four.
Light welter Olivier Bonine, 8-1-1 (1), outpointed Nuno Cruz, 4-7 (1), over six rounds.
Mormeck vs. Haye Showdown This Saturday In Paris
WBC number one challenger David Haye has left true carnage in his wake on the climb to the top of the cruiserweight heap but the London slugger must now bring his vaunted power punching to bear upon the true world champion of the division, WBC and WBA Champion Jean-Marc Mormeck as the two clash this Saturday, November 10 on a Don King Productions promotion at Palais des Sport Marcel Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, Paris, France.
Mormeck, 33-3 (21), has savagely defended his position with wins over a superb list of challengers including Virgil Hill, Wayne Braithwaite, Dale Brown and Alexander Gurov while avenging the only loss on his record in the last ten years by defeating O'Neill Bell in a rematch this past March.
But Haye, 19-1 (18), has the firepower as evidenced by a first round destruction in April over 231 pound Polish heavyweight Tomasz Bonin, who came into the fight with Haye at 37-1 and having gone nine rounds with former Olympic Gold Medallist Audley Harrison.
Once the bell rings to start the first round, there will be no quarter given as both men have stated their only intention is to leave the other a twisted wreck upon the canvas in this winner take all world cruiserweight title bout that has "Fight of The Year" written all over it.
A high quality undercard supports the main event as Ali Cheba, 22-0 (16), meets Efren Guerrero, 16-6-3 (12), for the WBC Youth light welterweight crown.
Also on the bill, former WBA light welter champ Souleymane M'baye meets Ameth Diaz, EU light middleweight titlist Christophe Canclaux squares off with ex-IBO king Steve Conway and light welter Olivier Bonine faces Eric Patrac.
Don King Productions presents Jean Marc-Mormeck vs. David Haye for the WBC and WBA Cruiserweight Championship of the world on Saturday, November 10 at Palais des Sport Marcel Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, Paris, France.
Tickets are €190 Ringside VIP, €130 Ringside, €90 Platform and €50 General Admission and can be purchased from FNAC, Carrefour, Printemps and Bon Marche.
Matt Godfrey defends NABF title against Jeremy Williams
on “Pinnacle FiteNite: The Heat’s On In Hartford”
Nov. 24 at the Connecticut Convention Center
HARTFORD (November 1, 2007) – Unbeaten cruiserweight Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey defends his NABF title against former WBO heavyweight title challenger Jeremy “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” Williams, headlining “Pinnacle FiteNite: The Heat’s On In Hartford,” on November 24 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
“Pinnacle FiteNite: The Heat’s On In Hartford,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment, Inc. (CES), in association with Sports Entertainment & Media, Inc., will be taped live and aired at dates and times to be determined across the country on numerous Comcast regional stations and the American One Network, as well as internationally by KOTV. Pinnacle FiteNite is produced by 21 Lakes and distributed by Integrated Sports.
Providence native Godfrey (16-0, 9 KOs), rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Council, takes on Williams (42-5-1, 35 KOs), fighting out of Long Beach (CA), in the 12-round main event. Godfrey also is rated No. 4 by the International Boxing Federation and No. 6 by the World Boxing Association.
Williams, who was a trainer for the first two seasons on The Contender television reality series, campaigned as a relatively small heavyweight throughout his pro career until fighting this past August 18 as a cruiserweight, earning a win by eight-round decision against veteran Gary Gomez in Utah.
“I lobbied to bring this show to Hartford because of its rich boxing tradition,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said, “starting with the great Willie Pep and continuing with Marlon Starling and so many others. We’re thrilled that these fights and fighters are going to be shown worldwide on Pinnacle FiteNite. Matt Godfrey is No. 2 in the world and he’s going to be fighting his most dangerous opponent, Jeremy Williams. We declined to fight in Germany for the mandatory No. 1 position in the WBC to take this fight.”
Undefeated Las Vegas cruiserweight prospect Aaron Williams (15-0-1, 11 KOs), former nine-time United States amateur champion, is scheduled to fight in the eight-round co-feature. On the undercard in separate bouts are WBC rated No. 23 super middleweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina (20-1-1, 15 KOs), of Providence; Jackie Kallen-managed Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (11-0, 7 KOs), of Manchester (CT), the former WBC Youth super featherweight champion; cruiserweight Marc “The Defender” Saggese (3-0, 3 KOs), the high-profile defense attorney from Las Vegas known as the toughest pound-for-pound lawyer; Hartford junior welterweight Addy Irizarry (2-1, 2 KOs). Additional fights will soon be announced. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
“We at Pinnacle FiteNite are excited to work with an experienced, respected promoter like Jimmy Burchfield,” Pinnacle FiteNite executive producer Ritch Danner commented. “We look forward to taking our television series to the East Coast and working with CES to showcase the talents from both companies – Matt Godfrey, Jeremy Williams, Aaron Williams and others. We plan on working with CES on future shows to feature other fighters with compelling stories like Marc Saggese, who’s fighting on this show, Shawn Hawk and Chuck Mussachio, to name a few.”
Tickets are priced at $35.00 (Bronze), $50.00 (VIP Silver), $100.00 (VIP Gold), and $150.00 (limited Jimmy’s Platinum Club). Group discounts are available. Discount tickets are available for members of the Connecticut police and fire departments, men and women active in the U.S. military, and students. VIP Presidential Tables (total of 10 tables, 8 per table) are available by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254. Call CES at 401.724.2253/2254, the Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.6000), Manchester PAL (860.645.6261) and Connecticut Restoration (860.528.6800), or go on line at www.cesboxing.com, to order tickets or for more information. Doors will open at 5:30 PM/ET, first bout at 6:45 PM/ET.
HARTFORD PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Matt Godfrey: “The other night at the gym I was telling John (Godfrey’s new head trainer, John Scully) that I was surprised somebody like Jeremy Williams with 15 years as a pro, longer than I’ve been boxing (in his entire life), with all of his accomplishments, called me out after only 16 fights. It says a lot about me. I’m going to blow Jeremy Williams’ mind and everybody else’s with my ring generalship and skills. I’m not going to be a nice guy. I wish he was still on the phone but he hung up. He got under my skin a little bit, shooting his mouth off. He can’t fight. I’m going to hurt him, humiliate him. I’m the wrong guy to make an example of. Nobody fights the same. I expect him to bring his A game and I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t. It’s going to be great seeing him swing at air and getting hit. Beware of what you wish for, Jeremy, I’m not the guy to make an example of.”
Jeremy Williams (by phone): “I’m not terribly impressed with Matt ‘Too Smooth’ Godfrey. I saw his last three fights; he’s okay. It’s inconsequential what ESPN says about him. He has a good record but I have more knockouts that he has fights. I’m bringing the heat. I have Rico Hoye in camp.
(Godfrey interrupts: “Ha, ha, ha. I’m the wrong guy to reckon with. You’re making a big mistake. Nobody cares about you. You’re what, 37, and have been knocked out five times. You’re the one gunning for me and I’ve only had 16 pro fights. You’re going to see a big difference in styles. You’re ever seen anyone like me. You’re going to get hit more in 6-7 rounds than you’ve ever been hit in a 12-round fight.”)
Williams continues: “The most scared puppy does the most barking. There’s no easy win to become champion -- if there is, somebody outline it and email it to me. Matt Godfrey is in my way, so be it. This isn’t going to be easy, but it won’t be the hardest fight I’ve been in. I’m glad he’s up to the challenge. I’ve had 35 knockouts in the heavyweight division. I’m ready to put myself on the line to become the Cruiserweight Champion of the World. This is a step towards that but all I’m focused on right now is beating Godfrey.”
Matt Remillard: “I’m excited to be on another big card in Hartford, headlined again by Matt Godfrey. I’ve had an amazing training camp with Paul (his trainer, Paul Cichon), a long one. I had an issue with my wrist and I’m ready to resume my career and have a big 2008. Addy and I are the two local fighters and we’re going to do our best. I love fighting here, where I won my title (WBC Youth super featherweight), and I hope to fight here a lot more. I expect a good show on November 24.”
Addy Irizarry: “I’m really looking forward to fighting in my hometown of Hartford. You won’t be sorry; we have some excellent fighters on this card.”
Darnell Wilson Victory
Sudden Lightening on Staten Island
By Ted Sares
On June 29,
Nigerian slugger Emmanuel Nwodo met streaking Darnell “Ding-A-Ling Man”
Wilson in 12-round USBA Cruiserweight Championship bout at the St. George
Theater in Staten Island on the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. Nwodo (21-3, 17
KO’s) is ranked eighth by the WBO, and had won 10 straight victories.
Wilson, a winner of three in a row, was 21-5-2 coming in, including 18
wins by way of KO.
Nwodo had won the vacant USBA Cruiserweight Title a year ago by stopping
Chris “Cold Steel” Thomas in three, but prior to that, he greatly
impressed by icing tough Imamu Mayfield in one.
This was a battle of knockout artists and promised to be a “don’t blink”
type of fight, but it proved to be something more.
In a classic ebb and flow war and with blood flowing from the eyes of each
fighter due to butts, the Nigerian went down early from a sweeping left
hook. However, he came back to win the middle rounds and grab the lead
going down the stretch. He did it primarily with good foot movement and in
and out punching and seemed in control going into the championship rounds.
However, Wilson was never really hurt and seemed to have a much better
chin; this would soon prove to be important.
In the tenth and with the suddenness of a lightening strike, Nwodo made
the mistake of throwing a right from too far away and was countered by a
short straight right and follow-up left which sent him to the canvas. The
right did most of the damage.
Still not fully recovered going into the eleventh round, the game Nwodo
came out willing and winging, but once again was staggered by the heavy
handed Wilson who hits like he has embalming fluid in each fist. The
Nigerian champion quickly found himself the prey in a track and execute
type of situation. The tracking ended on the ropes as the “Ding-A-Ling
Man” trapped Nwodo and missed with a whistling right but followed up with
as savage a left hook as you will ever see. The punch landed with full
force, leverage and impact knocking Nwodo cold. Without a doubt, it will
be the Knockout of the Year. Heck, I would dread witnessing anything
worse.
Emmanuel remained on the canvas for several scary minutes and there was a
palpable sense of relief when he finally was able to stand. Fortunately,
New Jersey has a competent commission and all necessary precautionary
measures were in place in the event of just such a situation.
This was one Friday night fight I will not soon forget. These two guys
came to rumble in the non-theatrical sense. It just doesn’t get any
better.
Thanks for the memories.
EMMANUEL NWODO TRAINING CAMP NOTES
HE MAKES HIS FIRST USBA CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE DEFENSE
CLICK HERE TO VIEW TRAINING VIDEO
Baltimore MD, (June 27, 2006) Right in the middle of inner city Baltimore lies the graffiti like painted and spacious Mack Lewis boxing gym opened with much fanfare in 2002 and named after the owner who once trained former middleweight champion Vincent Pettaway and Reggie Gross. Adorning its walls are posters of long forgotten fights of local legends, ocassionally Baltimore’s best boxing pugilists like former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman and others have found their way into its confines to train.
The reputation of the gym added to my determination to go there and interview the newly crowned and almost unknown USBA cruiserweight champion Emmanuel Nwodo, a new name making waves in the DC metro area and currently ranked number 10 by the International Boxing Federation IBF. That in itself was something but he is now scheduled for a metro area clear the decks showdown against hewn from granite boxing celebrity Darnell Wilson the recent conqueror of former champion Kelvin Davis in an ESPN covered fight at the St. George Theater, in Staten Island, New York USA.
Inside the gym I found Nwodo trainers already going over the game plan for the final preparation of the champion before his trip to New York for this fight, their biggest and most highly publicized fight so far. Both trainers had a combination of twelve year of experience. There was some light chatter and whispers about certain sparring partners complaining of the punishment they were receiving from Nwodo.
With knockout dreams on his mind the champion stormed into the gym and straight into the dressing room only to appear a few seconds later, there was laughter in the air when he was conversationally informed about his sparring partners complaints, a brief training outline delivered by... (More)
Jirov risks potential world
title fight headlining “
Thriller On The River”
“Pinnacle FiteNite” series launches July 14 at 4 Bears Casino in North Dakota
NEW TOWN, North Dakota (June 26, 2007) – Former IBF champion Vassiliy “The Tiger” Jirov puts his potential world title fight against WBA title-holder Vigil “Quicksilver” Hill, or any of the other cruiserweight kings, on the line July 14 when he headlines “Thriller On The River,” launching the “Pinnacle FiteNite” pro boxing series, at 4 Bears Casino and Lodge in New Town, North Dakota.
Jirov (36-3-1, 30 KOs), 1996 Olympic gold medal winner and Outstanding Boxer, was born in Kazakhstan and now fights out of Scottsdale, Arizona. The rugged southpaw, presently ranked No. 14 by the WBA, captured the IBF cruiserweight title in 1999 by seventh-round stoppage of “King” Arthur Williams. Jirov successfully defended his title belt six times against Dale Brown (KO10), Saul Montana (TKO9), Alex Gonzales (KO1), Terry McGroom (KO1), Julian Letterlough (TKO8) and Jorge Fernando Castro (DEC12).
Jirov’s opponent in the 10-round main event on July 14 is veteran Kenny “The Raven” Craven (28-18, 23 KOs). The battle-tested Craven, who has been in with world champions such as Michael Nunn, Vaughn Bean, Oliver McCall and Henry Akinwande, as well as leading contenders Calvin Brock, Timor Ibragomov and Clifford Etienne, won two of four fights with fabled Eric “Butterbean” Esch.
“This is the fight to put me back in line for a world title fight,” Jirov said. “People will know I’m back after this fight. It’s a new stage in my life. Past is past; now is kind of going from zero to a new beginning. I’m excited about this fight and I will be bringing my best to prove that I’m still one of the top cruiserweights in the world.”
“Thriller On The River,” presented by 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in association with Sports and Entertainment Media, Inc., which launches the “Pinnacle FiteNite” monthly series to be broadcast from a wide variety of venues, will air worldwide on a taped delay basis for free.