Anthony Joshua to front hard-hitting activity campaign

 
Johnson said inspiring a more active nation is a
 mission close to his heart

Champion heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has been announced as the latest high-profile athlete to front a forthcoming campaign to encourage the nation to become more active.
Joshua, who stopped Dominic Breazeale on Saturday night to extend his perfect record to 17 knockouts in 17 wins, will be the face of forthcoming Lucozade Sport campaigns to promote physical activity. The signing of the Olympic gold medallist comes just weeks after Spurs striker Harry Kane was also named as an ambassador.

Johnson revealed he was eager to support the campaign as inspiring a more active nation is a mission close to his heart.

“Everything I have achieved originates from a strong foundation of fitness and I pride myself on working hard in and out of the ring,” said Johnson.

"There’s so much more to it than boxing training and I’m excited to have the opportunity to share with others how to get the most out of their bodies.”

Health Club Management understands that a more developed campaign with additional ways to encourage activity will be unveiled shortly. 

CREDIT TO:http://www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk/detail.cfm?pagetype=detail&subject=news&codeID=325181 

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Rutherglen's Durie's BC make history after winning two golds in Hull

SHAHZMAN Parnez, 11, and James Sweeney, 13, helped their club become the first Scottish duo from the same team to win gold medals at the Hull Box Cup.Coaches Archie Durie and Jimmy Stewart with Shahzman Parnez and James Sweeney at the Hull Box Cup

Durie’s Boxing Club made history last weekend when it became the first Scottish club to have two winners at the Hull Box Cup.

Shahzman Parnez and James Sweeney battled bravely to take home gold medals from the competition.

Eleven-year-old Shahzman was paired with Shay Johnson from High Fells ABC of Manchester in his semi-final at the Hull Boxing Centre where 400 competitors attended from around Europe.

He won by unanimous decision after using his lead jab to great effect and forcing an eight count on the English boy.

Shahzman then came up against Marshal Stevens of Downend Police ABC from Nottingham in the final and boxed superbly with quick one-two jabs before dropping a body shot that impressed the judges.

The St Columbkille’s Primary School pupil took gold by another unanimous decision to secure his second title of the season.

Coach Archie Durie, who runs the gym on Cambuslang Road in Rutherglen , was ring-side.

He said: “Shahz did brilliant in the semi-final and started well. He was just a bit too much for the English boy.

“He’s very tall for his age and won the final as well with his quick one-two jabs.

“He’s got a big left jab and dropped a body shot against him to win gold.”

James, received a bye into his final on Sunday and was pushed to the limit by Leeds fighter Billy Hughes of Laisterdyke ABC.

The Trinity High pupil used his quick feet to avoid punches and won by split decision in front of a large crowd.

With a big support behind the English boxer, coach Archie thought they might sway the judges’ decision: “I thought the massive crowd might influence them but they gave it to James.

“Both him and Shahz are flying high and that’s James’ second title win.

“They created Scottish history with those gold medal wins.

“They’re the first boys from the same Scottish club to win at the Hull Box Cup.

“There was a good calibre of boxers down in Hull.

“There were over 400 from Ireland, Poland, Germany and England. It’s a very difficult competition and both Durie’s boys will get stronger and stronger with events like this. The two of them were superb.”

Four Scottish club’s made the trip south which, including Cambuslang’s O’Neils BC.

Chloe Borthwick was awarded a win due to her opponent pulling out of the fight, while Shaun McDonald lost on points in his bout.

CREDIT TO:http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/boxing-rutherglens-duries-bc-make-8307224#fE0iQeZhQ7joz5xK.97

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Keith Thurman Comes Into His Own, Yaqui Lopez, Sanctioning Bodies, Ray Liotta, My Pal Al, & The Chutzpah Award Posthumously Goes to Debbie Edwards

Oy Vay are you going to hear it today… Hello RSR readers. I have been gone for a little while for some much needed R/R with my beloved bagel breaker Sadie. My batteries are recharged and expect lots more from me in the upcoming weeks. Bradley, get your Publisher/Editing hat out, I am going to be putting you to work over there in Oklahoma boychick. Let’s get right into it…

Keith Thurman… I was not sold on this young man, but knew he was skilled. Well, this past Saturday, what a war he staged with tough Shawn Porter. I had him winning the fight, but very close. I would love a rematch and also, agree, Danny Garcia needs to fight him.

Yaqui Lopez… Was he ever in a bad fight? My collection has many of his wars and I can watch them anytime.

Sanctioning Bodies… Bradley, I am taking a word out of your lexicon… FUGGEDABOUTIT! They are all crap today.

Ray Liotta… Love this guy and wish he did more movies. Here are my top five movies by him.

5. Blow
4. Something Wild
3. Dominick and Eugene
2. Field of Dreams
1. Goodfellas

My Pal Al (“Bad” Brad’s Father)… This Saturday, July 2nd, marks the 18th anniversary Al left us and there is not a day I don’t think of him. Bradley has done a wonderful job of keeping his memory alive. I don’t want this to be a somber part of my column because Al left his mark on this world and in the final analysis, that is worth more than any amount of money.

Al story… In 1977, a funny hockey movie came out named Slapshot starring Paul Newman. Well, Al loved movies and we went many times. This time, he also took Bradley with us. The movie was rated R. If there were nude scenes, Al would always cup his hands over Bradley’s eyes which was always funny even back then to see. As we were standing at the concession stand, the manager came over to Al and was a Holy Roller. He said, “Sir do you realize there are curse words in this movie?” Without missing a beat, Al replied, “Pal, let me tell you something, there is not a Fucking word in this movie I’ve not called him already (Bradley)… Holy Roller steamed off and once again, Al gave me one of the funniest memories that to this day, I remember. I miss and love you Al. I’ll be talking to Bradley this Saturday, as we always do on your anniversary and trading more stories with him. Sleep well champ until we meet again. I can’t wait…

The Chutzpah Award… The Chutzpah Award goes to Debbie Edwards. Why I didn’t give it to you before sweetheart I don’t know. I watch all of The “Bad” Brad Berkwitt Shows on the RSR YouTube Channel and the banter between you and Bradley has Sadie and I crying. The love and loyalty you have for our beloved Bradley, is greatly appreciated and his father would have loved you to pieces. Bradley told me “Quick” Tillis’ wife Vanessa, nicknamed you guys “Burns and Allen”. She was spot on. Keep up the great work and see you soon on your trip to Florida with Bradley. Hugs and Kisses…

CREDIT TO:http://ringsidereport.com/?p=61251&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ringsidereport%2FhdlS+%28RSR%29

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Knockout CP Freshmart takes WBA belt from Byron Rojas

 

Wednesday afternoon at City Hall Ground in Khon Kaen, Thailand, WBA World interim minimumweight champion Knockout CP Freshmart (13-0, 6 KOs), from Surin, Thailand, decisioned reigning and defending WBA World minimumweight world champion Byron “El Gallito” Rojas (17-3-3, 8 KOs), from Matagalpa, Nicaragua, to claim the title.

The fight was close. The judges had it 115-113 in favor of Freshmart. It was hard to score. There was a lot of holding, hugging and wrestling, which seemed favor neither fighter.

Rojas was riding high after defeating longtime WBA champion Hekkie Budler three months earlier. He drew first blood in the second round with an accidental clash of heads, at which point the fight turned ugly.

Both men can box. Both men landed clean punches at various points in the fight. But the grappling continued. The referee, Mark Nelson, issued several warnings but deducted no points. It appeared the fighters agreed to look good in their next fight.

In this fight, the object was to win.

CREDIT TO:http://www.worldboxingnews.net/2016/06/30/news/knockout-cp-freshmart-takes-wba-belt-from-byron-rojas

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"Bleed for This" trailer features Miles Teller as fames boxer Vinny Pazienza

The first trailer for upcoming Vinny Pazienza's biopic "Bleed for This" has arrived online for viewing pleasure, AceShowbiz reports. Vinny a.k.a. The Pazmanian Devil was on top of the boxing world after winning the junior middleweight title in 1991. He was then forced to relinquish the title due to a serious car crash.

The trailer, released by Sports Illustrated, opens with a scene showing Vinny (Miles Teller) riding on a bicycle while his body is wrapped with plastic. He later strips down to his leopard panties while his weight is being revealed prior to the boxing match.

Vinny suffers a broken neck after a car accident and a doctor tells him that he might never walk again and would certainly never fight again. He has to wear a medical device called Halo, a circular metal brace screwed into the skull in four spots and propped up with four metal rods, to keep his neck in place.

"With this severe of an injury, one bump, one fall, any kind of movement, and your spinal cord could sever," the doctor says.

Vinny's trainer Kevin Rooney (Aaron Eckhart) tells him, "We're not done yet, Vinny." Vinny replies, "I'm getting pretty sick of people talking to me like I'm dead. Kev, I'm going to fight again."

Vinny begins working out again despite his condition. "I know exactly how to give up. It's easy," he tells Kevin, "I'm not done. I got more in me."

Directed by Ben Younger and executive produced by Martin Scorsese, "Bleed for This" is coming to U.S. theaters on November 4. 

CREDIT TO:http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/215915/

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Rob Hunt looks forward to Walsall Town Hall return

Stafford’s Rob Hunt is back in the gym and chasing titles in 2016.

The 30 year-old fulfilled a boxing ambition last year when he was crowned Midlands Area Welterweight Champion. It was a belt he picked up in April 2015 with a career-best performance against Nuneaton’s Sullivan Mason at Walsall Town Hall.

Sadly for Hunt, the belt changed hands in his maiden defence when he was caught cold by big punching Brummie, Karl Wiggins, at the Barclay Card Arena just six months later.

 

Hunt returned to the ring in March this year to record a points win over Exeter’s Faheem Khan and now, back in the gym and deep in camp ahead of his latest outing, has his eyes on the prize once again.

“I want to get back in amongst it,” Hunt told www.uko-boxing.com. “I’d like another crack at the Midlands title or look for something bigger like the English (title).

“I’ve held the belt I always set myself the target of achieving and now I’d like to kick on again.

“It will be nice to get back in there and blow away a few cobwebs. I had a few niggling injuries after the Khan fight but I’m fully fit and fully focused now.

“I won the title in Walsall and the Town Hall is my favourite venue. I’m looking forward to getting in there now.”

Hunt features on Black Country Boxing's Summer Scorcher - sponsored by Grosvenor Casino Walsall - alongside a host of local fighters including Halesowen’s Lennox Clarke, Ludlow’s Craig Morris and Birmingham’s Jordan Clayton, ‘Tipton Slasher’, Lee Glover, Coventry’s James ‘The Full Monty’ Montgomery, West Bromwich’s Luke Heron and Jack Summers, and Wolverhampton’s Joshua Burke

Tickets for the show on 9th July are priced at £30 (general admission) and £60 (VIP Ringside), and can be purchased by calling 0845 111 2900 or directly from any boxer on the bill.
The weigh-in and aftershow (over 18’s only) take place at Grosvenor Casino Walsall, Bentley Mill Way, Walsall WS2 0LE (just off junction 10 of the M6). GC Walsall will have a presence at the Town Hall on the evening and have linked up with local taxi firm, Yellow Taxi’s, to supply a number of free taxi’s to take guests from the Town Hall to the casino post-fight.
CREDIT TO:http://www.worldboxingnews.net/2016/06/30/news/rob-hunt-looks-forward-to-walsall-town-hall-return

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Chris Eubank Jnr vs Gennady Golovkin "very close" as Eddie Hearn lines up September bout

Eubank Jnr has set his sights on the unbeaten Kazakh and promoter Hearn has revealed talks over the fight have progressed well 

Getty/Rex

Eubank Jnr and Golovkin both want to face off later this year

Chris Eubank Jnr is close to agreeing a blockbuster deal to fight Gennady Golovkin in September.

Eubank Jnr stopped Tom Doran in four rounds on Saturday night in his first defence of the British middleweight title.

Golovkin immediately called him out on social media with the Brit warning he 'wasn't ready for what's coming'.

The pair's camps have been locked in negotiations over the past week with Eubank Jnr set to pocket around £3m from the fight.

A September showdown with the unbeaten Kazkh at the O2 Arena is possible, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.

PA

Eubank Jnr floors Tom Doran last weekend

PA

The Brit connects with a body shot

PA

Eubank Jnr celebrates beating Doran at the O2 Arena

"It is very close to being made. We had a positive meeting with Sky and the major details are nearly all agreed," he told the Mail.

"We still have stuff to discuss but I expect both sides to sign by the end of this weekend.

"We have been negotiating and each camp is up for it and September is in my mind at the O2 in London. But we are nearly at the point where each side needs to put up or shut up.

Harry How/Getty

Golovkin has won all 35 of his fights, 32 by knockout

Andrew Couldridge

Hearn is confident the fight will happen

Golovkin would be the big favourite for the fight, having won 32 of his 35 matches by knockout.

Hearn admits he didn't think the Eubank family were serious about fighting the "most feared boxer on the planet."

Eubank Jnr's victory over Doran last weekend was his first bout since his controversial victory over Nick Blackwell.

CREDIT TO:http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/chris-eubank-jnr-vs-gennady-8314591

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The story behind the gym that found Joseph Parker

Joseph Parker poses in his training gym. Photo / Getty

Somehow, Grant Arkell's Papatoetoe boxing gym manages to be both timeless and a time capsule.

The very walls tell the story of boxing's glorious history. Champions and challengers, victors and the vanquished, global icons and Kiwi battlers rub shoulders, looking staunch or snarling down from promotional posters that compete for space on every nook, cranny and concrete pillar.

A pair of red leather gloves from a bygone era dangle from a corner post; two tattered armchairs provide a perfect view from ringside.

Perhaps this is where the veteran coach plants himself when his young charges are mastering the art of hitting while not getting hit?

"No," chuckles Arkell. "They are for the parents."

Of course. Parents. They start em young at the Papatoetoe Boxing Club. Joseph Parker was just 10 when he laced them up for the first time in this building 15 years ago.

The No 1 ranked heavyweight contender is just one of countless talented fighters to have studied pugilism under Arkell.

Parker's amateur rival Junior Fa (the pair split their four amateur contests 2-2), rising NZ national team star Patrick Mialata and NZ middleweight champ Mose Auimatagi are just some of the fighters Arkell has trained in recent times.

There's no shortage of talent in this country, he says. Parker's ascension underscores that point. But times are still tough. In boxing, that tends to be the way.

When Parker was 19, Arkell chipped in $4000 so his promising charge could attend the world junior championships in Azerbaijan. Arkell was supposed to attend as Parker's coach, but a lack of funding meant only Parker would be on the plane.

 

"All the people we approached for funding turned us down," says Arkell. "So my fare went on him. He flew there all the way on his own. He rang me from Bahrain and Baku, he was ringing me morning and night. Nobody spoke English and he had nobody in his corner."

Arkell arranged for the Australian team's coach to man Parker's corner.

"He came back with a silver medal."

Triumph over adversity is standard operating procedure in New Zealand boxing.

"We've got an enormous amount of talent but we haven't got the backing," says Arkell.

"All of the gyms I know are all struggling to keep their boys going, to keep their gyms going. We get very little help."

Parker's success, though, could prove a breakthrough for more than just one South Auckland kid. Boxing is consistently back in the headlines for the first time since David Tua's battered his way to a world title shot in 2000.

On Friday night, TV3 will screen the Big Bash V card live to a prime time free-to-air audience. The main event sees Arkell's softly spoken, big punching prospect Auimatagi take on Tauranga veteran Gunnar Jackson for the NZPBA middleweight title. Jackson has fought Anthony Mundine and Olympic gold medallist Ryota Morata and has a good following among dedicated boxing fans, but he's hardly a household name.

That could be about to change. TV3 - which screened most of Tua's major fights as well as the likes of Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield in their pomp - has long held an interest in boxing.

With sports broadcasting trending towards more local content in recent times, hopes in boxing circles are high that TV3's return to the ring proves more than just a flirtation.

Regular exposure to a large TV audience would be huge for the country's fighters and the sport in general, says Jackson.

"It's awesome to be on free to air TV. We don't just want to box well; we want to make a statement - let people know that we are here."

BIG BASH V screens live from Auckland's ASN Stadium on TV3 from 9.30pm on Friday. Live streaming via tv3.co.nz/bigbashboxing from 7.45pm.
Tickets from Eventfinda.

CREDIT TO:http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11666410

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Mario Barrios – Devis Boschiero HEATS UP!

Undefeated super featherweight contender Mario Barrios (15-0, 8 KOs) is deep into training camp for his world title eliminator against former title challenger Devis Boschiero (39-4-1, 21 KOs) Saturday, July 9 in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and ESPN Deportes from Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, New Jersey.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $75, $55, $39 and $24, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased HERE, at the Sun National Bank Center box office or by calling 609-656-3234

Barrios will be taking on the most accomplished opponent of his career as he looks to put himself in the number two position for Jose Pedraza’s 130-pound title. For this training camp, Barrios has moved part of his training camp from San Antonio to Las Vegas where he has sparred at the UNLV Gym and at the gym of former world champion Robert Guerrero.

Here is what Barrios had to say about his fight, training camp and more:

On fighting in his first 12-round main event…
“This is what I’ve worked my whole life for, to be fighting in main events on national television. I’m confident that I’ll be able to the full 12-rounds if need be. My goal is to get the knockout though. I really want to make a statement in this fight.

On his matchup with Devis Boschiero…
“All I know about Boschiero is that he’s got a lot of fights and he’s a top contender. I know he’s hungry so I’m not taking him lightly. I’ve seen some tape on him and I know he likes to come forward. Everyone can expect to see a lot of had punches being thrown by both of us. I’m expecting a war.”

On the landscape of the super featherweight division…
“It’s a very tough division loaded with a lot of great fighters. I would say Lomachenko, Pedraza and Vargas are the top dogs for now. Salido is also up there. It’s one of the toughest divisions in boxing. I’m hoping I can become a champion in this division. A victory against Boschiero puts me right there to challenge for the title. I’m a hungry fighter and everyone will see that on July 9.”

On hosting training camp in Las Vegas for the first time…
“Training in Las Vegas has been incredible. Running in high elevation is something new for me. I had to get used to it when I first got out here. It’s been a tough camp but I know all the hard word will pay off.”

On fighting on ESPN during primetime on Saturday night…
“I’m very happy to be fighting on ESPN during primetime on Saturday night. I have a lot of family, friends and fans back home who’ll be tuning in. I just want to go out there and shine. I feel my style is explosive for television and I hope everyone enjoys what I bring to the table. Everyone will see a determined fighter in myself, who’s going to leave everything in the ring.

CREDIT TO:http://ringsidereport.com/?p=61246&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ringsidereport%2FhdlS+%28RSR%29

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Breaking: Heavyweight Headliner for M-1 Challenge 69 Denis Smoldarev Vs Kenny Garner

M-1 Global has announced heavyweights Denis Smoldarev and American MMA veteran Kenny “Deuce” Garner will square off in the M-1 Challenge 69 main event, Saturday night, July 16, in Ingushetia, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 69 will be streamed live from Ingushetia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.

Known as the “Brock Lesnar of Estonia,” Smoldarev (11-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0) is a combat sambo specialist and two-time M-1 Challenge heavyweight title challenger. In his last fight this past February at M-1 Challenge 64, Smoldarev lost by third-round submission via a choke to Alexander Volkov for the vacant M-1 Challenge heavyweight championship.

Smoldarev (black trunks) drives a knee into his opponent

Garner (16-9-0, M-1: 9-7-0), fighting out of Port St. Lucie, Florida, was the M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion four years ago. In 2011 at M-1 Challenge 27, Garner submitted Maxin Grishin in the fifth round by strikes to become Interim M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion. After successfully defending his Interim title versus Magomed Malikov (KO3 – strikes) at M-1 Challenge 32, the stage was set for Garner to challenge “regular” M-1 Challenge heavyweight title-holder Guran Gugenishvilli in a rematch to avenge an earlier loss.

Garner graduated from Interim to “regular” M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion June 21, 2012 with a victory over Gugenishvilli via doctor’s stoppage in the third round. Six months later in their “rubber match,”, Garner stopped Gugenishvilli on punches in the fourth round to retain his title belt.

At M-1 Challenge 44 in November 2013, Garner lost his crown to Polish challenger Damian Grabowski by third-round submission (choke). In his last fight at M-1 Challenge 59, Garner was punched out in the opening round by Russian great Sergei Kharitonov one year ago in Kazakhstan.

One other fight has been announced for M-1 Challenge 69 as Croatian featherweight Antun “Killer” Racic (18-7-0, M-1: 3-4-0) takes on undefeated Russian prospect Movsar Evloev (5-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0).

Racic, who is coming off a split decision loss to Vitali Branchuk last February at M-1 Challenge 64, is a submission master, while Evloev is a strong striker who stopped Alexander Krupenkin in the opening round at M-1 Challenge 66 in his most recent action.

CREDIT TO:http://ringsidereport.com/?p=61242&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ringsidereport%2FhdlS+%28RSR%29

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Edner Cherry Tops Lydell Rhodes in Controversial Decision

Former title challenger Edner Cherry (35-7-2, 19 KOs) defeated contender Lydell Rhodes (23-2-1, 11 KOs) by unanimous decision (98-92, 97-93 X 2) in a 10-round super featherweight main event of Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.

Cherry, of Wauchula, Fla. who trains out of St. Pete Boxing Club with welterweight champion Keith Thurman, got off to an early lead in the second round, landing a left that stumbled Rhodes briefly.

A former football standout and wrestler in high school, who has competed in both boxing and mixed martial arts professionally, Oklahoma City’s Rhodes made the fight physical and ugly early.

Rhodes said, “He held and a lot which made it tough to get in a rhythm.”

“He was slick,” answered Cherry. “So I held because I didn’t want him to get in those quick shots.”

A sloppy round five saw both fighters slip to the canvas, but neither was ruled a knockdown. What became a wrestling match continued rounds six through 10, with clinching and grappling throughout.

Moments before the final bell, Cherry stunned Rhodes, cementing what would become his unanimous victory.

Cherry said, “I thought it was a great fight. I was in a tough fight tonight and I am glad to come out with the victory.”

A discontented Rhodes expressed, “It was a heck of a fight. I wanted to back him up in the later rounds but he was strong. It was an ugly fight, but I believe I won. I don’t agree with the decision. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Cherry concluded, “Training and sparring with Keith (Thurman) was great. He’s so strong and it helped me in this fight. We were both training for big fights at the same time and it helped me increase my strength and pick up this win tonight, without a doubt.”

Televised coverage kicked off with unbeaten Omar “Super O” Douglas (17-0, 12 KOs) stopping Cuban Alexei “The Hurricane” Collado (19-2, 17 KOs) in the seventh round of their scheduled 10-round super featherweight bout.

A fast-rising star out of Wilmington, Delaware, Douglas jumped out to an early lead, controlling the action in the first frame. Douglas continued moving Collado around the ring in round two, forcing a frustrated Collado to clinch, which resulted in both fighters awkwardly stumbling to the canvas.

The Miami native Collado came out aggressive in rounds three and four, outworking Douglas and winning him the pair of rounds on all three judges’ scorecards.

However, Douglas settled in throughout rounds five and six. His jabs to the body proving an effective deterrent to Collado’s aggression and furious pace he displayed in the earlier rounds.

The end came in the seventh round as Douglas landed a left hook to Collado’s head that stumbled Collado, forcing him to take a knee and never get back up.

“I noticed that he has his head in the middle and that is unusual for a tall guy,” said Douglas. “So I was focusing on the right hand up the middle. I was able to finish him with a hard right, left, right combination.”

Collado acknowledged, “He hit me with a good left hook and that broke my nose. I feel it was a close fight though, and I was in the fight up until he got me, but he is a good fighter.”

Douglas agreed with Collado’s assessment of the competition adding, “It was a tough fight, but I had a great camp and that showed tonight. I think I need one or two more of these kinds of fights and I will be ready for a title shot.”

The second televised bout showcased unbeaten prospect Antonio Russell (7-0, 5 KOs) securing a unanimous decision (60-54, 59-55 X 2) victory over Jamaica’s Rudolph Hedge (10-4-3, 4 KOs) in a six-round super bantamweight showdown.

CREDIT TO:http://ringsidereport.com/?p=61239&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ringsidereport%2FhdlS+%28RSR%29

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Adam Lopez Returns to the Ring

The popular, prospect-orientated boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation celebrates its 15th anniversary with a quadrupleheader on Friday, July 22, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

In the 10-round main event, undefeated top 10-ranked Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez (15-0, 7 KOs) of Phoenix faces Roman Ruben Reynoso (18-1-1, 7 KOs) of Argentina in a bantamweight bout. Super middleweights Ronald Ellis (12-0-1, 10 KOs) of Lynn., Mass., and Julius Jackson (19-1, 15 KOs) of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, will collide in the eight-round co-feature.

Two eight-rounders will round out the four-fight telecast. O’Shaquie Foster (10-1, 7 KOs), of Orange, Texas, meets Rolando Chinea (12-1-1, 6 KOs), of Lancaster, Penn., in a featherweight scrap and undefeated Khiary Gray-Pitts (13-0, 10 KOs), of Worcester, Mass., will be opposed by fellow unbeaten Ismael Garcia (10-0, 4 KOs), of Vineland, N.J., by way of Pahokee, Fla., in the super welterweight opener.

Tickets for the GH3 Promotions event are priced at $45, $75 and $150 and can be purchased by phone from the Foxwoods Resort Casino at 800.200.2882 or online at www.foxwoods.com.

Since its premiere on July 21, 2001, 67 boxers who’ve appeared on ShoBox went on to become world champions; the most recent, Rau’Shee Warren. An additional 75 fighters who appeared on ShoBox have fought for a world title.

Testament to the ShoBox mission statement and to the competitiveness of the fights – prospects are matched against their toughest opposition to date – 150 fighters have suffered their first loss on the developmental series.

Lopez, Ellis and Foster fought on GH3’s Feb. 19 ShoBox at Atlantic City. Lopez and Foster triumphed; Ellis boxed a draw.

Adam Lopez vs. Roman Ruben Reynoso: 10-round bantamweight bout
The steadily improving Lopez, now trained by Houston-based Ronnie Shields, will be making his fourth ShoBox start since March 2015. In his first three, he defeated previously unbeaten prospects (combined record: 44-0-2) on each occasion.

Last Feb. 19, the 5-foot-7, 25-year-old Lopez captured a career-best, highly competitive 10-round decision over Mario Muñoz (16-0-1) of Mexico. Lopez survived a nasty cut over his right eye to win by the scores of 98-92 twice and 97-93. In his other fights on ShoBox, Lopez won a (then personal-best) 10-round majority decision over Dominican Eliecer Aquino (17-0-1) on July 17, 2015, and by second-round knockout over Pablo Cruz (11-0) on March 13, 2015.

Regarding his upcoming fight against Reynoso, Lopez said, “Everything is good. I’m starting to turn up my sparring. I have switched trainers to Ronnie Shields in Houston. I see a lot of improvement since my last fight.

“Reynoso is a good fighter from Argentina. He is in Canada now, so I am sure he is getting good sparring there. He is kind of wild, but guys like that are hard to fight because you don’t know where the punches are coming from, but we will be prepared for anything.”

Born in Phoenix and raised in Los Angeles, Lopez moved to San Antonio at 15. He went 125-23 in the amateurs and won six national championships before turning pro at 21 in February 2012.

The 25-year-old Reynoso brings a 10-fight winning streak into his United States and ShoBox debut. A five-year pro, the South American lightweight champion fought his initial 18 fights in Buenos Aires before winning his last fight and lone start this year on a decision over Cristian Arrazola last May 20 in Canada. Reynoso’s lone defeat came in his fourth fight.

“Everything is going well in training camp,” Reynoso said. “We know that Lopez is tall for 122 pounds and he has good hand speed. He has a good name and we will try to learn more in the next few weeks.

“This is a big opportunity for us and we will do our best. This is a big fight and we know we have to win. With a win, we would hope to get a world title opportunity.”

Ronald Ellis vs. Julius Jackson: Eight-round middleweight bout
Ellis gets an immediate opportunity to regain his winning ways after taking a sizeable jump up in class and boxing an eight-round draw with hard-hitting Jerry Odom in his Feb. 19 ShoBox debut. A spirited, close contest throughout was scored 78-74 for Ellis and 76-76 apiece. The draw snapped a four-fight-knockout streak for Ellis, who’s won all 10 of his knockouts inside two rounds (eight in the first) since turning pro in 2011.

“This is going to be another coming out party for me,” the 5-foot-11, 25-year-old Ellis said. “The last fight was a draw. I had some problems with my hand, but I’m back and this is a step for me. Hopefully he comes to fight. I hope he brings it 100 percent because I am bringing 200 percent.

“I am glad to be on ShoBox again. I showed the fans a little bit in my last fight. They can expect the same thing but a little bit more on July 22.”

Jackson is making his second ShoBox start. In his debut – and initial go in the U.S. – the older brother of John and son of former two-division world champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson registered two knockdowns en-route to a ninth-round TKO over Jonathan Nelson (19-2, 10 KOs) on Dec. 20, 2014.

Much like Ellis, Jackson is also getting a quick-fix chance to redeem himself and get back on the winning track. But, unlike Ellis, Jackson lost his most recent fight. His perfect record and 19-fight winning streak ended when he lost by second-round TKO to now top-rated super middleweight contender Jose Uzcategui last Oct. 6.

“I’m looking to redeem myself and come out with a win,” said the 6-foot-2 Jackson, who turns 29 on Aug. 1. “This is my second ShoBox fight and I’m excited to get back to let the world see my talent. I’m getting better, my training has been good. I expect to be in with another really good fighter. It should be a great fight.”

A 2008 Olympian for the Virgin Islands and a pro since January 2009, Jackson is fighting for the third time in a row in the U.S.

O’Shaquie Foster vs. Rolando Chinea: Eight-round featherweight bout
O’Shaquie (pronounced “oh-SHACK-ee”) Foster is making his third appearance on ShoBox. Last Feb. 19, he began to live up to expectations when he rebounded from a sub-standard performance in his ShoBox debut (an eight-round decision loss to Samuel Teah in November 2015) to register a seventh-round TKO over previously undefeated Lavisas Williams (8-0-1).

Foster, 22, dropped southpaw Williams four times – in the second, third, fourth and seventh rounds. Three of the knockdowns appeared to result from a push, but Williams’ gloves touched the canvas each time so they went into the books as knockdowns. After the final knockdown in the seventh, the fight was stopped at 52 seconds into the round.

“Everything is going good,” Foster said. “I’ve been doing a lot of conditioning. I am in the best shape of my life. Chinea has a good jab and I know he will be in a good shape.

“Ever since I moved to Virginia to train, my conditioning, mentality and confidence has gone way up and that was the difference from my first fight to my last fight on ShoBox. On July 22, I will be even that much better.”

A highly decorated amateur standout, the 5-foot-8½ inch Foster advanced to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials where he lost to unbeaten pro prospect, Joseph “Jo-Jo” Diaz. Before that, Foster was a 2010 PAL National Champion, a five-time Ringside National Champion and two-time National Junior Golden Gloves Champion.

Chinea, a 5-foot-8, 25-year-old, is making his ShoBox debut. After going pro in November 2011, he went 10-0-1 before losing an eight-round decision to Ismail Muwendo in April 2015. He’s won two straight since, including a six-round decision over previously undefeated Ladarius Miller (then 9-0) in his last fight on Feb. 16.

“I treat every opponent the same,” Chinea. “I give everything I got and I leave it all in the ring. I know Foster was a good amateur. I know he can box and I know he has some pop.

“This is the moment I’ve dreamed about since I started boxing at 14. My main goal is to tune out the crowd and win. I want to be a main event fighter on SHOWTIME and this is the first step.”

Khiary Gray-Pitts vs. Ismael Garcia: Eight-round super welterweight bout
Gray-Pitts, 23, will be boxing on ShoBox for the first time. Ambidextrous with quick hands and feet, Gray-Pitts turned pro in June 2014. He fought three times that year, eight times in 2015 (8-0, 8 KOs, seven in the first, one in the second) and this will be his third fight in 2016.

“I’m very excited,” Gray-Pitts said. “Now I get to showcase my skillset to the whole world. It’s something I’ve been waiting for. There’s still more that people haven’t seen yet when it comes to me. Now I get to see what I have the ability to do. I’m able to block [the crowd] out.

“The more pressure there is, the more relaxed I am. I don’t know a lot about my opponent, but it doesn’t matter as long as I go in there and get done what I need to get done.”

The 5-foot-9 Gray-Pitts is coming off a second-round knockout over Quinton Willis last May 13. In his outing before last, the previous Feb. 19, won a 10-round decision over Eduardo Flores.

Garcia, 29, has fought sporadically since turning pro in March 2010, although he’s been more active in the last 14 months. He fought in May and October in 2015 and won his one start this year on a six-round split decision over Carlos Garcia last March 18. Garcia’s initial seven fights took place in Atlantic City, the last three in Philadelphia.

“It is my television debut, and everything we have been working on in my first 10 fights we will put together for this fight,” Garcia said. “This is SHOWTIME. Being on ShoBox is a long time coming for me. It’s what I’ve dreamed about since I started boxing. It’s his TV debut as well so I know he will be on top of his game. We will be preparing 100 percent for that and then some.

“I have seen a little of Gray-Pitts on tape. This will be my toughest test, as I will be his toughest test. When you have 13-0 fighting 10-0, it will be a good fight.”

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez will serve as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

CREDIT TO:http://ringsidereport.com/?p=61235&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ringsidereport%2FhdlS+%28RSR%29

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Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete Looks to Remain Undefeated

Undefeated Colombian Bantamweight, Golden Boy prospect Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete,14-0, 5 KO’s of Los Angeles, California by way of Tierra Alta, Columbia returns to the ring this Friday in the LA Fight Club Series at the Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Negrete takes on Jose “Flash” Bustos, 11-6-3, 7 KO’s of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The always tough Bustos has won three in a row since his last loss in 2015 to undefeated Lamont Roach, JR.

Negrete is managed by Cesar Garcia and trains at the Who’s Next Boxing Academy in Industry, California. Oscar has been working with WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz and his father, trainer Jose Santa Cruz, along with assistant trainer and Leo’s brother Antonio Santa Cruz. Negrete had his biggest year to date in 2015, going 5-0 and has been a regular face at LA Fight Club, fighting his last five fights there, all which were victories including a stunning knockout of Ernesto Guerrero in the third round on the December 4th card and a unanimous decision victory against Neftali Campos on March 4, 2016. Now Negrete looks to add another victory to his record when he headlines LA Fight Club for the first time in his career against the tough Jose Bustos Friday night.

I spoke to Oscar and he told me he finished his sparring last week. Oscar stated he sparred with Leo Santa Cruz, prospect Jose “El Gallo” Gomez and former world champion Giovanni Segura plus several others including Danny Roman at the Who’s Next Boxing Academy. “I feel good and I’m ready to give fans an exciting show” stated Negrete. Oscar also hopes that after this victory he’ll be involved in a eliminator tournament at 118 and looks for a showdown with champion Lee Haskins in 2017. For those that haven’t watched Negrete fight, he’s an all action come forward style fighter that stays busy and likes to put on a show for his fans. “The night of the fight you will see my style, I have prepared for a great fight, a great victory, hopefully I’ll get the knockout.”

For the undercard Golden Boy Promotions brings Los Angeles fight fans a stacked amateur bout for a good cause featuring LAPD and NYPD. The classic West Coast versus East Coast showdown spectacle will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. In the Co-main undefeated super bantamweight prospect Emilio Sanchez, 12-0, 9 KO’s of Los Angeles is set to face Hugo “Olímpico” Partida, 21-7-2, 9 KO’s of Mexico City in an eight-round co-main event. Miami’s Niko “Baby Face” Valdes, 1-0, 1 KO will open the televised portion in a four-round super middleweight match against a soon-to-be-named opponent. In honor of the evening’s theme, Valdes will also donate his entire purse to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

In the non-televised action airing live on RingTVLive.com, Daniel Rosales of the LAPD’s Southwest Division will be participating in a three-round middleweight match against NYPD officer Nelson Cordero. Carlos Rosas of the LAPD’s Newton Division will also be fighting a three-round middleweight fight against an opponent soon to be announced.

In the light heavyweight division, Brian Petrella of the Pasadena Police Department (PPD) will be going for a scheduled three rounds against NYPD officer Alex Cintron. Coming from the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) division of the Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD), Dustin Rodriguez will take on NYPD officer Billy Ramirez in a scheduled three round middleweight fight.

LAPD’s own Eriverto Montano will go up against NYPD’s Jonathan Alvarez in a three round middleweight match. Dedrie Fonseca from LAPD’s Northeast Division is scheduled for a three-round super bantamweight fight. Finally opening up the night, LAPD officer John Byun will face Dennis Burgess from the NYPD in a three round light heavyweight brawl. Opponents will be announced shortly.

LA Fight Club Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bout begins at 5:15 p.m. The Estrella TV Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air live on Friday, July 1 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT and will stream live simultaneously on estrellaTV.com and on YouTube via Fenomeno Studios: youtube.com/FenomenoStudios. The Ring TV live stream will begin at approximately 5:15 p.m. PT through 7:00 p.m. 

CREDIT TO:http://ringsidereport.com/?p=61224&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ringsidereport%2FhdlS+%28RSR%29

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Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring Back in Action Against Denis Shafikov on July 2nd in Reading, PA

Unbeaten lightweight contender and 2012 U.S. Olympian Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring 15-0, 8 KO’s will take on former title challenger Denis Shafikov, 36-2-1, 19 KO’s in the 10-round main event this coming Saturday, July 2 from Santander Arena in Reading, Pa. The 30-year-old Herring is a former 2012 Olympic boxer, who represented the United States after winning the U.S. National Amateur title the same year. Originally from Coram, New York, Herring now fights out of Cincinnati, OH. He picked up four victories in 2015 including a dominant triumph over Yakubu Amidu in October. A former member of the U.S. Marine Corps, Herring started 2016 with a dominant victory over Luis Eduardo Flores in February.

Having fought in eight countries throughout his pro career, the 31-year-old Shafikov will bring a sleuth of experience into the ring this Saturday, as the Russian-born fighter has fought in eight different countries and has previously fought for a world title. He had won three fights in a row over Rustam Nugaev, Miguel Mendoza and Roy Mukhlis before dropping a world title fight against Rances Barthelemy.

Other bouts scheduled on the card include undefeated 23-year old prospect Patrick Szymanski, 15-0, 9 KO’s Vs Wilky Campfort, 21-2, 12 KO’s in a 10 round junior middleweight contest. Szymanski will look to build on his perfect resume this Saturday. The Polish-born fighter picked up three victories in 2015 with a second round TKO over Yoryi Estrella, a first-round stoppage over Maurice Louishomme and a decision victory over Richard Gutierrez.

Former IBF Welterweight champion Kermit Cintron, 35-5-2, 28 KO’s will also be on the card taking on Carlos Garcia, 10-15-1,8 KO’s in an 8 round junior middleweight contest. 

http://ringsidereport.com/?p=61219&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ringsidereport%2FhdlS+%28RSR%29CREDIT TO:

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Happy Birthday Mike Tyson

Tris Dixon profiles the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’, Mike Tyson

ONCE known universally as “The Baddest Man on the Planet”, Mike Tyson captured the imagination of sports fans around the world when he burst onto the scene in the mid-late 1980s.

A troubled youth, saved from the streets by a caring mentor – his trainer and manager Cus D’Amato – Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at the age of 20, when he numbed Trevor Berbick with a stunning left hook in Las Vegas in November 1986.
It was an astonishing achievement and as he terrorised the remainder of the division he instilled fear into just about every heavyweight he faced. Whether it was Frank Bruno crossing himself umpteen times on his way in the ring, Michael Spinks freezing like a deer in the headlights or Larry Holmes trying to be too tough for his own good, no one could match Tyson in his prime. It was not about who he was beating but how he was decimating them. As a result many Tyson fans think the fighter who was so devastating then would have matched up favourably to the best heavyweights in history. 

 

We will, of course, never know and distractions out of the ring saw his prime cut terribly short.

Troubles with women, managers and promoters culminated in him being stunned in arguably the biggest heavyweight upset of all time when James “Buster” Douglas left a bewildered Tyson clawing away at the canvas for a lost mouthpiece and although he tried to get back on track with wins over old amateur rival Henry Tillman (ko 1), Alex Stewart (rsf 1) and Donovan “Razor” Ruddock (w rsf 7 and w pts 12) he was imprisoned for raping a beauty queen in 1992, losing three years of what was left of his prime.

Once out of Indianapolis jail, the punch and the powers of intimidation remained but the ambition, hunger and dedication were long gone.
He regained the WBC and WBA belts from poor Bruno and a scared witless Bruce Seldon but then ran into a foe who could take his punch and was not afraid; God-fearing Evander Holyfield just had Tyson’s number. He stopped him in 11 rounds in 1996 and then seven months later an out-of-ideas Mike twice bit Holyfield’s ears.

A ban and a conviction for an assault on two elderly motorists saw him lose a couple more years but controversy was never far away.

He returned to starch Frans Botha with a devastating right hand but later admitted trying to break the South African’s arm in a clinch. He then fought to a No Contest with Orlin Norris, whom he knocked out after the bell, and twice visited the UK for quick wins over Julius Francis and Lou Savarese. Another No Contest followed, when a drug test revealed he’d been smoking marijuana prior to a fight with Andrew Golota but, in 2002, came the long-awaited clash with old sparring partner Lennox Lewis. Tyson, whose peak was 15 years earlier, took a frightful battering over eight rounds and limped into retirement following upset losses to British enigma Danny Williams and limited Irishman Kevin McBride. But what a wild ride it had been. 

CREDIT TO:http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/on-this-day-mike-tyson-was-born/

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Floyd Mayweather Sends IRS Form 1099 To Strip Club For $20K. How To Punish By Tax Form?

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a wealthy world champion boxer, well known for being business savvy, apparently even at strip clubs. The boxer sent an IRS Form 1099 to a strip club to report that he dropped $20,000. The Daily Mail reports that Mayweather Promotions LLC sent the form to the Hustler Club for $20,000 spent on strippers. The money was mostly cash tips for dancers, so the club claims it didn’t see the money paid to the ‘independent contractors.’ Still, the club must report it.

More than a few observers are probably wondering how they too can start issuing IRS Forms 1099 to turn the tax tables on someone. Issuing a Form 1099 is something businesses do to verify that payment was made, and to help support tax deductions. Of course, by issuing a Form 1099, you are generally also sticking the recipient with paying taxes on the item. In that sense, some IRS Forms 1099 may conceivably be issued with a kind of punitive intent.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

 

Forms 1099 are critical to tax returns, and you are almost guaranteed an audit or tax notice if you fail to report one. Each Form 1099 is matched to your Social Security number, so the IRS can easily spew out a tax bill if you fail to report one. It matters a lot, especially now that the IRS has six years to audit, not three.

Forms 1099 are supposed to be mailed out by January 31st, though some companies issue the forms throughout the year when they issue checks. Although the initial deadline is January 31, issuers of the forms are not required to file copies of all Forms 1099 with the IRS until the end of February.

That one month delay is important. It may be sufficient time to address errors if you receive a Form 1099 you think is wrong. So contact the issuer if you receive one you believe is in error. There may be time to catch it before the error goes to the IRS.

 

Forms 1099 are controlled by your Social Security number, so even if an issuer has your old address, the information will be reported to the IRS (and your state tax authority) based on your Social Security number. If you don’t include the reported item on your tax return, the IRS issues a notice.

In contrast to Forms W-2, you don’t file Forms 1099 with your return. Forms 1099 remind you that you earned interest, received a consulting fee, or were paid some other kind of income. There are many varieties, including 1099-INT for interest, 1099-DIV for dividends, 1099-G for tax refunds, 1099-R for pensions and 1099-MISC for miscellaneous income. These forms are sent by payors to you and the IRS.

The most common is Form 1099-MISC, which can cover just about any kind of income. Consulting income, or non-employee compensation is a big category for 1099-MISC. In fact, apart from wages, whatever you were paid, is likely to be reported on a Form 1099. Companies big and small churn them out. If you’re in business–even as a sole proprietor–you also may need to issue them.

If you don’t receive a Form 1099, you may not want to ask for it. If you don’t receive a Form 1099 you expect, just report the income. Reporting extra income that doesn’t match a Form 1099 is not a problem. The IRS does not consider that a mismatch. Only the reverse is a problem.

If you call or write the payor asking for a Form 1099, the payor may issue it incorrectly. Alternatively, you may end up with two, one issued in the ordinary course (even if you never received it), and one issued because you asked for it. The IRS computer may think you had twice the income you really did.

For example, if you settled a lawsuit, don’t ask for a Form 1099. Just report it, if it is income. Generally, everything is income, including money for settling a lawsuit. One of the few exceptions is lawsuit recoveries for physical injuries. Damages for physical injuries are tax-free under Section 104 of the tax code. Yet only physical injuries and physical sickness qualify, one of 10 things to know about taxes on legal settlements.

CREDIT TO:http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2016/06/30/floyd-mayweather-sends-irs-form-1099-to-strip-club-for-20k-how-to-punish-by-tax-form/#5592f4491501

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Battalions battle it out in the ring at Meadowbank

Command performance: Lieutenant Colonel Graeme Wearmouth and RSM Martin Gallagher watch Fusiliers Robert Tembo and Craig Hamilton training. Picture: Neil Hanna

Meadowbank is gearing itself up for a ten-bout boxing feast tomorrow night as four battalions go head-to-head in the Royal Regiment of Scotland Tenth Anniversary Boxing Night.

Captain Drew Tait, who is also an official and delegate of Leith Victoria Amateur Boxing Club, says he is relishing the opportunity to see those who have spent the past three weeks in full-time training step into the ring.

“Tomorrow night will be the second time we’ve run the regimental boxing event at Meadowbank but it’s really special as it’s the tenth anniversary,” Tait said. “Boxing is one of our main sports that the guys love to do in their spare time so we’re expecting a really good show as all of them are really up for it.

“This particular show will allow novice boxers the chance to show what they can do. They’ve done the training for it and they are coming from each of the four regular battalions (1 SCOTS, 2 SCOTS, 3 SCOTS, 4SCOTS). We’re expecting around 1600 of a crowd so it’s going to be a great atmosphere.

“Each of the boxers will be piped into the ring and they’re boxing for their battalions in front of their battalions. We’ve got Alex Arthur coming along to show his support and we’re also hoping that some of the coaches from Edinburgh’s boxing clubs will come down as well.”

Sean Eng, who has been running the rule over the 2 SCOTS team and is based at the Glencorse Barracks just outside Penicuik, says there has been a real camaraderie among the troops in the run up to tomorrow night’s show.

“They’ve had three weeks off to train for this event so they been training full time with three or four sessions each day,” the 26-year-old explained. “It was maybe a bit of a shock to the system at first but they’re really on the ball now. They’ve really enjoyed it. It will be good to see them in the ring and seeing exactly what they’ve learned.

“I boxed myself in the Army Championships a couple of weeks ago but lost in the semi final. I used to box at Lochend and I still train down there when I have the time.”

CREDIT TO:http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/boxing/battalions-battle-it-out-in-the-ring-at-meadowbank-1-4165147

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Abu Sayyaf may have plotted to kidnap Manny Pacquiao, says President Aquino

"They allegedly even hatched plots to kidnap Manny Pacquiao or one of his children, as well as my sister Kris or one of her children, with the plan to use them in bargaining for the release of their cohorts," said President Aquino.  

THE Philippine president said on Wednesday that Abu Sayyaf militants may have plotted to kill him and kidnap boxing star Manny Pacquiao, disclosing previously unknown details about an extremist group blamed for the beheading of a Canadian hostage.

President Benigno Aquino III said the Muslim militants also wanted to explode bombs in metropolitan Manila to try to get funding from the Islamic State group but the plans were uncovered and troops have reduced the Abu Sayyaf's ability to inflict harm.

Aquino, whose six-year term ends in June, vowed "to devote all my energies" to ensure that the extremists would be "at the very least ... a very seriously degraded problem" for his successor.

While he has forged a peace pact with a larger Muslim rebel group, Aquino said there is no possibility of engaging in talks with the brutal Abu Sayyaf, which is accused of beheading Canadian John Ridsdel on Monday in southern Sulu province.

 

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"We have always believed in the power of dialogue, development and positive engagement over arms,"
Aquino said. But he said of the Abu Sayyaf, "You have chosen only the language of force and we will speak to you only in that language."

Ridsdel, 68, was beheaded after the Abu Sayyaf did not receive a large ransom it had demanded by a Monday deadline. A fellow Canadian, a Norwegian and a Filipino woman who were kidnapped with Ridsdel from a southern marina in September are still being held by the militants, along with about 20 other foreign hostages.

Police have recovered Ridsdel's head, which was dumped by the militants in Sulu's Jolo town. A headless body of a Caucasian man was also found by villagers in a mountain clearing in Sulu and police forensic experts were checking Wednesday if it was that of the former mining executive.

Aquino said he sent a letter expressing condolences to Ridsdel's family, describing his death as appalling.

In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he spoke with Aquino about possible actions against the kidnappers.

"The discussions I had with President Aquino and are continuing to have with our allies in the Philippines is the need to bring these criminals to justice and to do whatever we can to express that we are very concerned about security of Canadians," Trudeau said.

The Canadian leader stressed that "we will not pay a ransom."

A sizeable Abu Sayyaf force, led by militant commander Radulan Sahiron, is surrounding the remaining captives, Aquino said. While that is a delicate situation, "it is also an opportunity because smashing these forces is within our grasp," he said.

"Casualties are to be expected," he said, but he added that troops were adequately trained and well-armed.

Aquino said the Abu Sayyaf militants have posed as Islamic freedom fighters, but "have behaved as criminals focused on enriching themselves by taking hostages for ransom."

"They allegedly even hatched plots to kidnap Manny Pacquiao or one of his children, as well as my sister Kris or one of her children, with the plan to use them in bargaining for the release of their cohorts," he said, referring to his younger sister, who is a famous actress.

"Threats against my own life have been investigated," he said, without elaborating.

The Abu Sayyaf began a series of large-scale abductions after it emerged in the early 1990s as an offshoot of a separatist rebellion by minority Muslims in the southern Philippines.

It has been weakened by more than a decade of government offensives, but has endured largely as a result of ransom and extortion earnings.

CREDIT TO:http://www.spin.ph/boxing/manny-pacquiao/news/manny-pacquiao-kidnap-abu-sayyaf-militants-noynoy-aquino-philippine-president#EiQCahLEZfImrDLl.01

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