Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini International Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2015 inductee

TORONTO/NEW YORK CITY (Dec. 4, 2014) - The International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) today announced its newest class of inductees, including former world lightweight champion Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini. Also being inducted into the IBHOF are Class of 2015 Living inductees  heavyweight champion Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe and featherweight champion "Prince" Naseem Hamed in the Modern category; light flyweight champion Yoko Gushikenin the Old-Timer category; booking agent / manager Rafael Mendoza and referee Steve Smoger in the Non-Participant category; and editor / journalist Nigel Collins and broadcaster Jim Lampley in the Observer category.   Mancini, fighting out of Youngstown, Ohio, captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight championship in 1982, stopping Arturo Frias in the 15th round, and successfully defended his WBA title four times against Ernesto Frias (TKO1), Deuk-Koo Kim (KO14), Orlando Romero (KO9) and Hall-of-Famer Bobby Chacon (TKO3). Mancini said the following when informed of his IBHOF election: "Wow. I'm humbled and I'm honored. To be in the International Boxing Hall of Fame with so many of my friends and heroes is overwhelming." Today, among several business ventures, Mancini is a consultant and fight analyst for Fight Network, a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for boxing, mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films. "We are thrilled for our friend and Fight Network family member Ray Mancini," Fight Network president Len Asper commented. He  is deserving because of his unquestioned boxing success but also for his great ambassadorship for the sport of boxing and his contributions to the boxing world in general.    The 2015 Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 11-14th in Canastota, NY. Over 10 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, parade and autograph card show, are planned. An impressive celebrity lineup of boxing greats of yesterday and today will attend this year's Induction Weekend. The highlight of the weekend will be the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 14th to welcome the newest members. The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees: Masao Ohba andKen Overlin in the Old-Timer Category; and publicist John F.X. Condon in the Non Participant Category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians. For more information on the events planned for the 2015 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095, visit online atwww.ibhof.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InternationalBoxingHallofFameand on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoxingHall.

STEVE SMOGER'S POPULAR REFEREE CLINIC HEATING UP PANAMA MAY 26

Panama's former World WBA Champion Chanttall "La Fiera" Martinez is shown here at Rockers Gym with Steve Smoger TORONTO (April 24, 2014) -- Steve Smoger's popular and informational Referee Clinic, recently conducted in St. Maarten, Delaware and Toronto, Ontario, Canada, will next be held May 26 at the historic Colonial Hotel and Casino in the heart of Panama City, Panama. With respect to the Toronto clinic, Executive Director of Boxing Ontario, Matthew Kennedy, commented as follows: "What a pleasure it was for me and our team. Besides the boxers, no one is more scrutinized than the official and, more specifically, that third man in the ring. That position requires its own brand of poise, courage, confidence, integrity, and elegance. With two combatants in the ring, opinionated observers feel the referee is wrong at least half the time; but, with Steve Smoger, even the most hardened critic sees Steve being right all the time. With such pedigree and distinctive accomplishments at the highest level, it was our great pleasure and benefit to have him share that knowledge and experience." "It was truly my honor and pleasure," Smoger spoke about the Toronto clinic. "The enthusiasm shown by the group of Canadian officials was refreshing and stimulating. There was excellent participation by attendees and questions were on point and made for a stimulating and educational clinic for all of us. It also made my role as the presenter easier. I was very impressed with the great city of Toronto. I enjoyed everyone I met and look forward to having the opportunity to return in the near future. A special thanks goes to the host facility, the Marquis of Granby Pub & Restaurant/Banquet facility as the location host of the event, Boxing Ontario and Matthew Kennedy, of course, and the event coordinator, Jensen Strauss Agency Limitée, who helped put together a seamless and enjoyable visit. It was also a thrill to attend a post-event get together viewing party of Pacquiao vs. Bradley, hosted by Cornerstone Courier, in the presence of legendary George Chuvalo. "I look forward to returning to the beautiful country of Panama, where people have exhibited such warmth and hospitality to me in the past, and a country that is truly, in a boxing historical context, the Cradle of Champions." Recognized as one of boxing's most prolific referees, Smoger's 30-year career includes refereeing more than 850 bouts, averaging 27+ boxing matches refereed per year, and highlighted by more than 165 world title fights. A New Jersey and Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Smoger is also this year's Ring 10 Arthur Mercante Award winner as the referee who exemplifies honesty and integrity in the sport of boxing and who attempts to do the best of their ability to keep the sport safe and at the same time entertaining.

Boxing Referee Steve Smoger Will Be Our Featured Guest For This Week's FNU Combat Sports Radio Show

Recognized as one of boxing's most prolific referees, Steve Smoger's 30-year career includes refereeing more than 850 bouts, averaging 27+ boxing matches refereed per year, and highlighted by more than 165 world title fights.A New Jersey and Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Smoger is also this year's Ring 10 Arthur Mercante Award winner as a referee who exemplifies honesty and integrity in the sport of boxing. 

Smoger joins Tony, Rich, and Tom on tonight's FNU Combat Sports Radio Show to talk about some of his greatest memories and his plans for the future. Most recently, Smoger was the referee for a Philadelphia main event featuring Steve Cunningham vs. Amir Mansour. Tom, Tony, and Rich will also discuss other combat sports news and events during the rest of the show. We will also discuss the recent death of The Ultimate Fighter just days after he entered the WWE Hall of Fame. Tune in tonight at 8:00 to 10:00 PM EST to catch the live broadcast or visit the link above at anytime to listen later.

Referee Steve Smoger Conducting Clinic Apr. 12 in Toronto at Marquis of Granby Pub & Restaurant/Banquet Facility

(L-R) - Steve Smoger with living legend Roberto "Hands of Steel" Duran TORONTO, Canada (April 2, 2014) - Internationally respected official Steve Smoger will conduct an informational referee clinic April 12, 9:30 a. m. ET-12:30 p.m. ET, at the Marquis of Granby Pub/Restaurant Banquet Facility in Toronto, centrally located at 418 Church St. (416.599.0418), only minutes away from historic Maple Leaf Gardens. Recognized as one of boxing's most prolific referees, Steve Smoger's 30-year career includes refereeing more than 850 bouts, averaging 27+ boxing matches refereed per year, and highlighted by more than 165 world title fights.    (L-R) - Cabbagetown, Toronto's Champion, retired professional boxer and Canadian Olympian, Johnny Kalbhenn, with referee Steve Smoger A New Jersey and Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Smoger is also this year's Ring 10 Arthur Mercante Award winner as a referee who exemplifies honesty and integrity in the sport of boxing and who attempts to the best of their ability to keep the sport safe and at the same time entertaining. He has recently provided similar referee clinics in St. Maarten, and Delaware on behalf of an ABC clinic. "I am honored to address my fellow brother and sister officials of Canada by way of my referee clinic," Smoger said.  "I have found in the past that these clinics have been both beneficial to the attendees and myself.  I am delighted during the clinic, as part of the finishing question and answer part of the clinic, to discuss various aspects of officiating and refereeing with real life examples through some of the memorable title fights with boxers that I have had the privilege of sharing the ring with in my capacity as referee." The clinic is being held in conjunction with "Boxing Ontario," which is the only governing body for amateur boxing in Ontario, and is affiliated with the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association.  Founded in the fall of 1972, Boxing Ontario has seen a steady growth during the last 30 years, currently encompassing more than 80 boxing clubs in five regions with 900 competitors and approximately 12,000 recreational members.    The Marquis of Granby will be hosting a meet-and-greet with Mr. Smoger on Friday evening, Apr. 11 and the following night (Sat., Apr. 12), the Marquis of Granby will also be showing the Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley fight.    (L-R) -- Steve Smoger with knockout specialist, WBC World Champion Luis 'El Nica' Concepcion, and his trainer of multiple World Champions, Francisco Arroyo, at the 'Rockers' Gym Panama.

Undefeated Super Middleweight Edwin Rodriguez Targets World Champions & Top Contenders

WBO champ Arthur Abraham No. 1 on Dominican's Hit List Win No. 22 for Edwin Rodriguez (L) as referee Steve Smoger is shown stopping the fight against Jason Escalera.  (Photo by Edward Diller)  WORCESTER, MA (October 4, 2012) - Fresh off his thorough destruction of previously unbeaten Jason Escalera last Saturday night on HBO Boxing After Dark, undefeated Dominican dandy Edwin "La Bomba" Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) is targeting world champions and top 10 contenders in the super middleweight division. The only problem for Rodriguez last Saturday evening was getting glitter from Escalera's trunks off his face. "I'm ready to fight the best at 168-pounds," Rodriguez said. "I wanted to make a major statement in my last fight and did. I've feel that I've earned a world title shot. I trust my promoter, Lou DiBella, and manager, Larry Army, to get my world title shot as soon as possible. I'll fight anybody they put in the ring with me, whether it's a world champion, or a top contender. My time is now." Having gained invaluable experience sparring with the likes of past and present world champions such as Carl Froch, Chad Dawson, Daniel Geale, and Jean Pascal, the 27-year-old Rodriguez has developed into a complete fighter in the past year working with head coach Ronnie Shields in his last four fights. The super middleweight division is still somewhat muddled. World Boxing Council (WBC)/World Boxing Association (WBA) World champion Andre Ward is clearly the contemporary King who has options to pick-and-choose his next opponent. However, if the WBC strips him for also being the WBA champion, something that governing body has threatened to do, Rodriguez could be involved in a box-off as the No. 3 contender along with relatively unknown Nikola Sjekloca ranked No. 1, one spot ahead of veteran Sakio Bika. International Boxing Federation (IBF) title-holder Froch has his dance card full with a title defense November 17 vs. Yusaf Mack, followed by a contractually required rematch in the spring with the former champion he defeated for the crown, Lucian Bute, and later next year a mandatory against the winner of the October 12th IBF title eliminator between Adonis Stevenson and Donovan George. (Rodriguez defeated George this past March by 10-round unanimous decision for the United States Boxing Association championship.) Therefore, the most likely title shot opportunity for Rodriguez, at least in the immediate future, is December 15 against World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Arthur Abraham in Germany. "We're confident in traveling to Germany to fight Abraham," Rodriguez' manager Larry Army remarked, "as long as it's broadcast in America in case there's questionable judging. We believe Edwin is ready right now to face any of the world champions. If we're unable to secure a world title shot, we want to fight the best available top 10 contender like Jermain Taylor or Kelly Pavlik, and even Andy Lee would make for a good fight. "Edwin has fought three B+ fighters in his last three fights - (Will) Rosinsky, George and Escalera. Edwin is always looking to challenge himself and he's approaching his peak. He is ready to make his mark in the super middleweight division." Rodriguez is rapidly building a strong following, too. He's also rated No. 4 by the IBF and No. 8 by the WBA, as well as No. 9 by The Ring Magazine, in addition to fighting seven times on national television: twice on HBO (headlining Boxing After Dark once vs. Escalera), three times on Showtime (twice in the ShoBox main event), and twice on ESPN Friday Night Fights. His last six opponents had an accumulative record of 96-7-3 when they stepped into the ring to face Rodriguez. What's missing from his boxing resume is a world title and/or victory against a top 10 contender. Rodriguez represents the future of the super middleweight division. If he's offered the Dec. 15 title fight against Abraham, the future could come sooner rather than later. Follow Edwin Rodriguez on Twitter @labombaboxing.