Team Andrade to Canelo, "Put up or shut up"

Philadelphia (September 10, 2014)-- In recent weeks, Former Jr. Middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KO's) and his team at Golden Boy Promotions have been going over potential opponents for Canelo's expected return to the ring this fall. Three names that are allegedly on a short list include undefeated current WBO Jr. Middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade (21-0, 14 KO's), former Welterweight champion Joshua Clottey and James Kirkland. But according to Andrade's father and trainer Paul Andrade, no formal talks have ever taken place and Andrade went on to say he feels that inclusion of Demetrius name is only to bolster Canelo. "I was totally surprised when I saw the article mentioning Demetrius as a possible opponent,"said Paul Andrade. "I saw (Alvarez promoter) Oscar De La Hoya at the Shawn Porter - Kell Brook weigh-in and he shook my hand.  I asked him about a fight with Canelo and Demetrius .  He said he we would have to wait in line for about 2 years.  He then gave me a story that when he was in High School that if a girl was interested in him, that they would have to wait two years to date him." Andrade then thought the fight was a dead issue until he saw some reports on the internet that Demetrius was one of the fighters in line to face Canelo. "Three weeks later, I read that we are on the short list.  I never realized that two years went by that quick.  Judging by the list, I feel the only reason we are included is that it makes Canelo look good.  Three weeks earlier, Oscar said that they had no intention to fight us." "Undefeated world champions do not go on a short list." Andrade went on to wonder how his son got on that list as he has not heard of any negotiations between the two camps. "I understand that they have negotiated with both Clottey and Kirkland but they have not negotiated with us.  That proves that he does not want to fight us right now." "I would appreciate if does not mention our name unless he is ready to say that I will fight Andrade." "It's time for him to put up or shut up.  By mentioning us, Oscar is trying to develop Canelo's next opponent but it seems like they are going back to their old ways by fighting blown up Welterweights.  I have a lot of respect for Clottey and Kirkland but Oscar can't just throw our name in the mix so Canelo can look good. Demetrius is an undefeated titleholder.  Canelo claims he wants to fight the best, well we are undefeated and the best Jr. Middleweight in the world." "The fans aren't stupid.  I wish Oscar should let them pick Canelo's next opponent. Unfortunately Oscar isn't stupid because he knows Demetrius would be too much for Canelo and our fans would agree with us. "     Andrade is promoted by Banner Promotions and Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing.

50 Cent moves from James Kirkland's Awesome performance to 'Big Apple Boxing' Dec. 20 at Resorts World Casino NYC

Presents

NEW YORK (December 10, 2013) - Boxing promoter/rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson intends to parlay the tremendous excitement from James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland's awesome performance this past weekend into a memorable evening of entertaining boxing on Friday night, December 20 as his company, SMS Promotions, presents "Big Apple Boxing" at Resorts World Casino NYC in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Kirkland (32-1, 28 KOs), who is the most recent boxer signed by 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, destroyed previously unbeaten and world-rated Glen "Jersey Boy" Tapia (20-1, 12 KOs), live on HBO last Saturday night from Atlantic City (NJ).  Fighting for the first time since March 24, 2012, when he defeated current International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior middleweight champion Carlos Molina, Kirkland's SMS Promotions debut stole the entire show in an thrilling, all-out war that mercifully ended in the sixth round as referee Steve Smoger halted the action with Kirkland unloaded powerful shots on an overmatched Tapia. Now, 50 Cent has shifted his focus to "Big Apple Boxing," featuring seven of the best under-25 boxing prospects in the world. "The prospects on this card are well prepared and highly motivated," 50 Cent said. "We saw a lot of action this weekend in Atlantic City and will continue the excitement at our next installment of Big Apple Boxing." Unbeaten junior lightweight prospects Joel Diaz, Jr. (13-0, 11 KOs) and Wanzell Ellison (9-0-1, 5 KOs) headline "Big Apple Boxing" in a 10-round bout.  The 21-year-old Diaz, fighting out of Palmdale, California, faces his toughest test to date in Newark's (NJ) 24-year-old Ellison. A 10/12-round junior welterweight match between 23-year-old undefeated Amir "Young Master" Imam (11-0, 10 KOs), of Albany (NJ), and cagey Mexican veteran Sergio "Sirenito" Perez (28-15, 9 KOs) has been added to the card as the co-feature. Arizona junior welterweight "Magic Man" Luis Olivares (6-0, 4 KOs), 21, puts his undefeated record on the line against Tony "Sugar Boy" Walker (5-3-1, 3 KOs) in one of five six-round fights.  The others include undefeated Puerto Rican junior middleweight Emmanuel "Pirata" De Jesus (8-0, 5 KOs), 20, vs. Antonio Fernandez-Chaves (4-13-2), from Brockton, Massachusetts by way of the American Virgin Islands; Washington D.C. super bantamweight Thomas "KO" Snow (16-1, 10 KOs) vs. Hartford's Nate Green (4-0, 1 KO), and 23-year-old Cincinnati welterweight Donte Strayhorn (3-1) vs. New York's Sam Moura (0-2). Scheduled to fight in four-round matches are former U.S. amateur star, 20-year-old Tennessean Ryan "Blue-Chip" Martin (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Las Vegas lightweight Eric Jamar Goodall (1-2), and pro-debuting Brooklyn bantamweight Mafato Kamogawa vs. native New Yorker Michelle Cook (0-0-1). All fights and fighters are subject to change. Tickets, priced at $350.00, $125.00, $85.00 and $35.00, are available to purchase by calling Resorts World Casino NYC at (718) 215-2828, or visitingwww.etix.com/ticket/online/venueSearch.jsp?venue_id=9244.  The $350.00 ticket holders will also receive a pair of autographed SMS Street by 50 Cent on ear headphones. Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

50-Cent's SMS Promotions Signs James Kirkland

For Immediate Release Returns to ring Dec. 7 on HBO vs. Glen Tapia   James Kirkland NEW YORK (October 16, 2013) -- Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's SMS Promotions officially announced its signing of world light middleweight contender James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland (31-1, 27 KOs) to an exclusive promotional contract. "James concentrates on conditioning and building strength,"50 Cent said.  "He brings the fight to you and is aggressive in the ring. The crowd loves the action and I'm excited to make him a part of our team." "I had a relationship with 50-Cent before he came into the boxing business," Kirkland explained.  "We already had a friendship when he got this group together.  He can do what no other promoters can do.  He's a different type of promoter who can make things happen in and out of the ring for me.  It's clear to me that I made the right decision." Due to problems outside of the ring, the 29-year-old southpaw from Austin, Texas has been inactive since stopping Carlos Molina in the 10th round of their March 24, 2012 fight in Houston. Kirkland successfully defended his World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas 154-pound title belt, originally captured November 5, 2011 when the knockout artist registered an impressive sixth-round technical knockout of Alfredo Angulo (20-1) in Mexico. Molina is now the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) World light middleweight champion, while the WBA No. 5-rated Angulo recently lost a World Boxing Association (WBA) Interim championship fight. Kirkland returns to the ring December 7 as part of an HBO tripleheader, headlined by Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Joseph Agbeko, also featuring Mathew Macklin vs. Willie Nelson, from Adrian Phillips Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In the third HBO fight, Kirkland faces undefeated prospect and North American Boxing Organization (NABO) light middleweight champion, Glen "Jersey Boy" Tapia (23 KOs), from nearby Passaic (NJ).  Rated No. 10 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), as well as No. 14 by the IBF, the 23-year-old Tapia is a rising star who had a 130-4 amateur record and gained invaluable experience as Manny Pacquiao's former sparring partner. "I had this great opportunity come along with Glen Tapia," Kirkland spoke about his upcoming fight.  "He just doesn't have what comes with knowledge in boxing, but he will know that December 7th.  There are different levels of fighting, as they say in the street, and he hasn't fought anybody at my level in his 20 fights.  I don't talk too much before a fight but, he doesn't have to worry about being 21-0, because I'm going to knock his ass out December 7th. "The proof is in the pudding.  All I have to do is put in extra work and that's what I've been doing.  I'm not overlooking him.  This is his 'Mayweather' fight.  He wants to win and be an exciting fighter on HBO.....that's not going to happen!  It all comes down to me boxing at my best; I can beat anybody at 154 pounds or 160, name anybody. Who does what I do?  There are a couple of cats at 160 who can put on a great performance but, right now, I'm concentrating on Glen Tapia.  Congratulations for him getting this fight but we are at different levels."     In addition to his aforementioned victories over Molina and Angulo, Kirkland's other notable wins have been against Brian Vera (TKO8), who just lost a controversial decision to Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., Joel Julio (TKO6) and Eromosele Albert (TKO1). Although Kirkland will have been inactive 20 1/2 months when he fights Tapia, the explosive Texan doesn't feel ring rust will be a problem at all for him.  "A lot of people know that I haven't been on a long layoff," Kirkland concluded.  "I've been working hard since the beginning of my lawsuit. Now that things are in motion, I'm jumping right into the mix.  My sparring sessions are like fights for other guys." Fans may follow 50-Cent on Twitter @50cent and friend Kirkland athttps://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Kirkland/736672159693254. SMS Promotions' growing stable of fighters also includes two-time world featherweight and reigning Interim WBA lightweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight titlist Billy Dib, former world super middleweight title challenger Andre Dirrell, undefeated lightweight prospect Mark Davis, light welterweight Luis Olivares and junior welterweight Donte Strayhorn.

Super Freak Willie Nelson plays waiting game

ST. LOUIS (October 22, 2012) - Standing 6' 4" with an incredible 81" reach and six-percent body fat, newly crowned North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Super Welterweight champion Willie "The Great" Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) is a physical freak in the 154-pound decision. Prospect killer Nelson earned his boxing bones, so to speak, with impressive back-to-back victories by 10-round decisions over previously unbeaten fighters, two-time Cuban National champion Yudel Jhonson (12-1) on ShoBox, and World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth champion John "Dah Rock" Jackson (13-1, 12 KOs), for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight title, on the September 15th Sergio Martinez-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. HBO Pay-Per-View event. "I still have a lot of growing to become a complete fighter," a humble Nelson said. "I'm working hard with (head trainer) Jack (Loew) to stand behind my jab, use my reach and length, and take less shots. I need to knock-off a few more top fighters to get a world title shot. I just fight and leave who I fight up to my coaches, promoters and manager. I would like to fight next for the vacant WBC Silver title, which would put me in good position for a world title fight against (WBC champion (Saul) 'Canelo' Alvarez. He makes a lot of mistakes and, even though he's only 22, he's at his peak because he had so many fights, so early. I've improved a lot since Jack has been training me.  I'm only 25 and know that I will continue to improve, but I'm ready to fight the best 154-pounders in the world right now." The gifted fighter from Cleveland, who is trained by Loew in Youngstown, Ohio, is now rated No. 6 in the world by the WBC, ranked behind, in order, Erislandy Lara (Cuba), Vanes Martirosyan (Armenia), Damion Jonack (Poland), Emanuele Della Rosa (Italy) and Sergey Rabchenko (Bellarussia). "If Lara and Martirosyan are fighting in the WBC final eliminator," Loew noted, "there is no doubt in my mind that Willie is right there. He's one of the two or three best American 154-pounders and top 5 or 6 in the world. He deserves his No. 6 ranking in the WBC. No more last minute fights for Willie. He took the Jhonson fight on two week's notice and his opponent changed for his last fight. But I know it's a waiting game; I've been there with Kelly (Pavlik). We waited until he got (Edison) Miranda. We have to be ready when Willie's Miranda comes up. I can't wait to see how Willie does when they throw a big dog in front of him. I'd love to see him fight (Alfredo) Angulo or (James) Kirkland to see what we really have in Willie. They're punchers but that's all they do. "Alvarez will think Willie can't take his punch because he's been down a few times, but Willie has a good chin and he's gotten up to control fights. Against (Vincent) Arroyo (2011 in Nelson's only loss as a pro), Willie was down twice but he got up and came back to lose a majority decision. Willie took one of the most vicious punches I've ever seen against Jhonson. I thought it was all over but Willie got up and controlled the rest of the fight. Any other 154-pounder would have been knocked out. Willie caught Jhonson later and almost knocked him out." Steve Smith (Rumble Time), who co-promotes Nelson with Lou DiBella, believes Nelson is changing the scene in the super welterweight division. "We're not looking to stay at No. 6," he offered. "We are open to all of the top rated WBC 154-pounders on our way to a world title fight with Alvarez. Some of the fighters rated ahead of Willie are overrated and protected. We're confident that Willie can beat the best in the world. He went into his last two fights as an opponent but now he's the NABF champion. Willie has had enough of being the opponent fighting top prospects. He deserves a big fight. I'd like to thank Joe Dwyer, Claude Jackson, Sam Macias and Lee Peters for giving us an opportunity to fight for the NABF title and believing in Willie Nelson." A highly decorated U.S. amateur boxer who had nearly 250 matches, Nelson captured several titles, including the PAL Nationals twice and Under-19 Tournament, while suffering only 22 losses. He has been favorably compared to a right-handed Paul Williams, or a young Tommy Hearns, because of his freakish size. "Willie has all the tools because of his amateur background," Loew noted. "He does everything well and has a great jab. Willie uses his long reach but he can punch, too. Willie has so much heart and determination. He wants it so bad and for all the right reasons, not jewelry or cars, but for his children. "He has a world of talent and reminds me so much of Paul Williams, even facially, and Willie's upper body is starting to look like Tommy Hearns' with that V-shape. Those aren't bad comparisons." "We have demanded a lot from Willie since moving him to Youngstown, under Jack Loew's tutelage, following Willie's only professional loss," Nelson's advisor Sam Shapiro added. "Willie has become a real pro. We demand that he pays attention to his diet and improve his strength and conditioning. "Willie has always been a boxing gym rat, but now he has further dedicated himself to strength and conditioning, working full-time with his extraordinary physical fitness trainer, Mike Bartos. The Nelson camp is convinced that we have a winning formula and we could not be more pleased about how enthusiastically Willie has adopted this professional lifestyle. Willie knows that Jack has been to the top and Willie is doing everything asked of him to become World Champion." Go online to www.RumbleTimePromotions.com for more information about Nelson or any of his Rumble Time Promotions stable-mates. -RTP-

Strongman Ortuz Looking for a Challenge on Saturday

Undefeated Chicago cruiserweight fighter Dimar "Strongman" Ortuz had all but forgotten his boxing career. Since winning the Chicago Golden Gloves in 2002, Ortuz been away from the game for eight years, ballooned to 260 lbs, successfully battled a drinking problem and become a hard-working father of three. "Pops, why don't you fight again?" Ortuz recalls one of his children asking in November 2010, while looking at old pictures. "I said ok, let me try one fight.'" Two years later, Ortuz has lost 60 pounds and gone on to turn professional, scoring four victories, three by knockout. "It's addictive," he explains. Ortuz will take a voluntary major step up in competition when he faces former highly decorated amateur and fellow undefeated fighter Donta Woods (8-0, 7 KOs) from Atlanta, Georgia, in a six-round cruiserweight battle. The pair will meet in one of the featured bouts of Hitz Boxing's latest "Fight Night at the Horseshoe" instalment, this Saturday, August 18 at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana. "It's time for me to step up. I'm 31 and if I keep on fighting too easy competition, it'll take me longer than I want to get where I want. If I hand-pick my opponents. I'll be 20-0 in no time, but I want better competition to challenge myself." Ortuz says he's aware that Woods won several national championships and competed internationally for the United States. "He had a pretty good amateur career and I heard he's pretty good and fast, but nothing intimidating for me. I've sparred over 300 rounds with the best guys in the city. I helped Andrzej Fonfara get ready for Glen Johnson. I helped Carlos Molina get ready for James Kirkland. I just finished helping Donovan George get ready for his fight Friday. I figure it's time to step up my competition a little bit and see where I'm at." "We offered Dimar opponents who were less of a challenge and he wouldn't hear of it," said promoter Bobby Hitz. "He was determined to take on Woods and for that, you have to take your hat off to the guy. More fighters should take a page from his book. I'm impressed and I would definitely buy a ticket for this fight." Ortuz is due some credit. In an age of paper champions and manufactured reputations, he is not looking for any easy roads. Perhaps he can attribute that to his tough upbringing on the streets of Chicago in the gang-infested neighborhood of Humboldt Park. "I had a lot of close calls living there. It's a real big Latin King neighborhood. A lot of people get stuck there in the gangs and with their friends and never leave. Boxing took me out of that. Sam Colonna (Ortuz's trainer to this day) took me out of that when I was young. I was hanging out and doing bad stuff.  I started travelling with Sam and fighting around and he showed me that there's a bigger world out there than just the neighborhood." Ortuz says if all goes well, he' planning to relocate to New York, where boxing happens more often and even more high-quality sparring can be found. "It's never too late. The ultimate goal is to drop down to light heavyweight and try to get myself in there with a few bigger names and give it all I can. I want what everybody wants: that belt around my waist. I just want to put my mind at rest that I did everything I could. That's the reason I took this tough fight." ### In the main event, Chicago's WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight Champion and WBA #14 rated "Fast" Fres Oquendo (34-7, 22 KOs) will face Philadelphia veteran Robert "Big Philly" Hawkins (23-19, 7 KOs). The main supporting bout will feature an all-Chicago six-round super middleweight matchup between Mike "Kujo" Kurzeja (5-0-1, 4 KOs) and capable puncher Gerald Taylor (5-3-2, 2 KOs). The winner of this fight will be awarded with the inaugural WSBC "Over 40" trophy. Welterweight KO artist Abdullai Amidu (19-0, 17 KOs) of Accra, Ghana, will finally make his Horseshoe Casino debut against Chicago's Jermaine "Too Sweet" White (17-5, 9 KOs) in a six-rounder. Undefeated heavyweight power puncher David Martin III (6-0, 5 KOs) of Hobart, Indiana, will face Kentucky's Joshua Clark (1-1, 1 KO) in a six-rounder. Former world-title challenger Johnny "Bad Boy" Lewus (26-4-1, 21 KOs) of Chicago is scheduled for a six-round welterweight scrap vs. Veracruz, Mexico's Hugo "Guapo" Guarneros (3-10-1, 2 KOs). After a 12-year layoff, wildly popular Bridgeport native Frankie "Time Bomb" Scalise (3-1, 3 KOs) returns to the ring in a four-round lightweight bout against rugged veteran Randy Ronchi of Wisconsin. And in a surprisingly tough six-round super middleweight bout, popular crowd-pleaser Paul Littleton (4-0, 4 KOs) of Chicago will take on Lafayette, Indiana's Darnell Wilson (9-1-2, 7 KOs). Littleton will have his work cut out for him. Wilson's only career loss came against current light heavyweight world champion Chad Dawson. Other scheduled action includes former world kickboxing and Golden Gloves boxing champion Simon "The Punisher" Buettner (1-0, 1 KO) of Carpentersville, Illinois, in a light heavyweight four-rounder against Mukwonago, Wisconsin's Mike Reiter (0-2). The high-class atmosphere and luxurious surroundings the Horseshoe has to offer make their boxing shows a Las Vegas-style night of boxing that Chicago-area fans don't have to get on a plane to enjoy.  The Horseshoe Casino has an intimate, comfortable venue with luxurious seats, a spectacular gaming area, free parking, exquisite food and all the amenities -- and is just 20 minutes from Downtown Chicago. Tickets are priced at $90 Ringside & $40 Orchestra and available at all Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com. All bouts are subject to change. On fight night, doors open 6:30 pm and the action starts at 7:30.

OSSIE DURAN LOOKING FOR BIG FIGHTS

NEWARK, NJ (June 18, 2012)— Middleweight contender Ossie Duran is looking for a breakthrough fight and has his eye set on a potential rematch with Fernando Guerrero.

Duran and Guerrero met on October 10, 2009 that ended up with Guerrero winning a majority decision in his hometown in Salisbury, Maryland.

In that fight, Duran scored a knockdown in the tenth and final round for which there was controversy.

“He was knocked down and he had to be helped back in the ring” with seconds left, said Duran’s advisor Vinny LaManna.

“Look at the scores and you can tell who really won that fight”, continued LaManna when referring to the tallies that read 97-93, 96-94 and 95-95 in favor of Guerrero.

“its definitely a fight we want at this point”

Duran of Paterson, New Jersey via Accra, Ghana has maybe the most deceiving record in the sports as he is 26-10-2 with ten knockouts.

He has fought some of the best in Guerrero, James Kirkland, Eromesele Albert, and Brandon Gonzales. In his last bout he lost yet another controversial decision to Avtandil Khurtsidze in Russia for the WBC Silver Championship.

“Some of the bouts he clearly won and got screwed on the decision. He clearly beat Gonzales on SHOBOX and he fought great in Russia. Now we are back to the drawing board and weather it’s a Guerrero or someone like Kelly Pavlik or Lucian Bute, Ossie will be ready for the challenge and perform at a high level”.

Molina to Canelo: Fight the Rightful #1 Contender. Me!

Now that James Kirkland is injured an unable to face WBC junior middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez on September 15 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the world's uncrowned #1 junior middleweight contender, Carlos Molina, would like the fight. "Hell yeah I want that fight!" said Molina (19-5-2, 6 KOs) from his home in Chicago. "Every time I fight somebody, it seems like they get to fight Canelo after that. Kirkland was the second time it was going to happen. First time was with Kermit Cintron, whom I beat. Now they're talking about giving the fight to Erislandy Lara that I had a controversial draw with... What can I do?" Molina says he's ready, willing and able to step in, should anyone on Team Canelo come up with the novel idea of fighting the rightful #1 contender. "I'm in the gym training. I'm ready for anyone, Canelo, anybody. I want to fight anybody in the top ten. I want hard fights, the toughest guys out there. This is the best division in boxing and that's where I want to be." Molina says he would be up to his usual spoiler ways should he end up in a ring with Canelo. "I think he's a good strong, young kid, but I see lots of openings to exploit on him. He's good for a young guy, but how good? Let's find out."

Carlos Molina Interview After Kirkland Fight

Team Molina's Official Position on Travesty in Texas

"Texas Commission Has No Choice But to Reverse DQ and Rule a No Contest."

The representatives of junior middleweight Carlos Molina have the following official response to his improper disqualification Saturday night against James Kirkland in a WBC Light Middleweight Semi-Final Elimination fight at the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas.

"Referee Jon Schorle was in error of Texas rules last night when he disqualified Carlos Molina and therefore the fight must be changed to a No Contest ruling," asserts Leon Margules, promoter of Chicago-based junior middleweight "King" Carlos Molina.

Schorle, with assistance from Texas Commission officials and others at ringside, disqualified Molina, saying that his cornerman entered the ring while the round was ongoing because he was still delivering his standing eight count for the questionable flash knockdown Molina suffered at the end of round 10.

If a cornerman enters the ring during a round, a disqualification is possible, however, Margules correctly points to Texas Commission Rule 61.41(K)(6), which states:

When a round ends before a contestant who was knocked down rises, the bell shall not ring, and the count shall continue. If the contestant rises before the count of ten, the bell shall ring ending the round.

"By issuing a standing eight count after the knockdown, Referee Schorle was in violation of his own commission's rule," explains Margules. "The moment Carlos Molina got to his feet, the round was over. In Texas, and as far as I know everywhere else in the United States, there is no standing eight count in the case of a knockdown at the end of a round. Once the fighter stands up, the round is over. Therefore, Carlos' cornerman was correct to enter the ring after his fighter stood up because the bell had already rung, and it was Referee Schorle who was incorrect to issue an eight count. The Texas Commission should have no choice but to change this to a No Contest. It was their referee who didn't know their own rules. There was no foul. Under Texas rules, the cornerman did not enter the ring until after the round ended."

Margules says it was an unfortunate conclusion to what could have been a cliff hanger over the final two rounds. "Even if there hadn't been a rule violation necessitating a No Contest... even if the disqualification had been technically justifiable, it was a tragic ending to a fight between two young fighters who trained extremely hard and fought extremely hard to get where they are. The fans will never know what would have happened in those last two rounds. We think Carlos would have gotten back up and continued dominating the fight, but I'm sure their side thinks James was starting to turn it on and would have completed the miracle comeback. Now none of us will ever know and that's a shame."

Schorle's mishandling of Texas rules wasn't the only impropriety Margules makes note of from Saturday night.

"Gale Van Hoy's scorecard is a pretty clear indication that he's not physically capable of judging fights anymore. Gale has served boxing honorably for many years, but his declining health has obviously robbed him of his ability to accurately judge a fight."

Unbelievably, Judge Van Hoy had Kirkland winning the fight 86-85 at the time of the DQ, while the vast majority of observers feel that Molina had established a dominant lead. Judges Dave Moretti (88-83) and David Sutherland (87-84) agreed, having Molina winning by five and three points respectively.

Margules says in addition to the inevitable No Contest ruling he will oversee, he will petition the WBC for an immediate rematch.

Luis DeCubas, Molina's advisor further stated, "I'm sure Golden Boy Promotions (Kirkland's promoter) will agree with me that an immediate rematch is warranted. I remember their great concern for the improper actions of ringsiders after Amir Khan lost to Lamont Peterson, so watching the tape and seeing the obvious influence on the situation exerted by their matchmaker Eric Gomez, who was standing behind the ringside officials shouting at them to disqualify Molina... they must be mortified by his actions and in search of an immediate rectification."

PAUL WILLIAMS & NOBUHIRO ISHIDA, TAVORIS CLOUD & GABRIEL CAMPILLO, CHRIS ARRELOA & ERIC MOLINA, PROMOTERS DAN GOOSSEN & DON KING

Final Press Conference Quotes & Photos

From American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi, Texas

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (Feb. 16, 2012) – A packed crowd attended the final press conference on Thursday at American Bank Center Arena to witness the jarring between promoters Don King and Dan Goossen and the fighters participating in Saturday’s SHOWTIME Championship Boxing event, live onSHOWTIME^® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). 

In the main event, former world champion Paul Williams (40-2, 27 KOs), of Aiken, S.C., will face Nobuhiro Ishida (24-6-2, 9 KOs) of Osaka, Japan. Ishida has won his last two bouts via first-round stoppage, including an upset over then-undefeated James Kirkland in April of 2011, while Williams owns victories over Sergio Martinez and Antonio Margarito. 

In the co-feature, undefeated Tavoris Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs), of Tallahassee, Fla., will risk his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight title for a third time when he faces former world champ Gabriel Campillo (21-3-1, 8 KOs) of Madrid, Spain.

For the first time in network history, preliminary boxing bouts will be televised LIVE on SHOWTIME EXTREMEat 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).  American heavyweight contenders Chris Arreola and Eric Molina will square off with hopes that a victory will move the winner one step closer to a shot at a world title.  In another heavyweight matchup on SHOWTIME EXTREME, Malik Scott will take Kendrick Releford in an eight-round bout. 

While Williams, Ishida, Cloud and Campillo kept the proceedings mostly respectable and calm, Arreola, Molina, King and Goossen had plenty to say about who they think will be the last man standing on Saturday night.

DAN GOOSSEN:

“From top to bottom, it’s going to be all action.  Paul Williams is nothing but action.  Saturday we’re going to have a special treat in the Triple Threat.  And we’re happy to showcase some other guys on SHOWTIME EXTREME, which is available in more than 99 percent of homes that subscribe to SHOWTIME.

“One thing I don’t have to worry about with Chris is that he’s a fighter - he was born to fight.  He’s exciting.  He likes to go for the knockout by breaking you down.  And that’s what Chris is going to do on Saturday night.  Break Molina down and knock him out. 

“Paul has consistently gone out there and took on any challenger.  No one wants to fight this guy.  Paul is all excitement – he throws punches and he doesn’t stop. 

DON KING:

“It’s going to be super sensational on Saturday night.  In the glory of the Alamo, Eric Molina has come here to persevere and knockout out Chris Arreola.  In the spirit of Texas, this young man will rise to the occasion.  The underdog will come and knock out Arreola.  Eric has the heart, he has the desire, he has the will to win.  And he has that Texas spirit. 

“Everybody avoids Cloud.  He is the embodiment of the sport of boxing.  This cloud is coming in with devastation.  He’s coming out to seek and destroy. 

PAUL WILLIAMS:

“I’m going to go out there and do what I do best, get the job done and put on a hell of a show.  To Ishida, a win over me would mean everything.  It’s all or nothing for him.  If you want it, you got to go through hell to get it.  Whatever he throws I’m going to throw five times more.  I’m going to show him how American boys do it.”

NOBUHIRO ISHIDA:

“I know Paul is one of the best fighters in the world but I’m going to put on a great show on Saturday night.  This is a great opportunity and I’m here in Corpus Christi to win.  I didn’t come here to for second place.”

ERIC GOMEZ, Vice President and Matchmaker - Golden Boy Promotions

“This is going to be a great event - it’s going to be very exciting.  We want to thank Dan and Paul Williams for giving us an opportunity.  After he knocked out James Kirkland people were asking, ‘What’s next?’  We’re happy to take on a fighter like Paul Williams.”   

TAVORIS CLOUD:

“I’ve been in camp for a long time.  I didn’t take my opponent lightly and come Saturday night there’s going to be a lot of excitement in the ring.  Gabriel is a good fighter, but I just don’t think he can take my title.  But we’ll see on Saturday night.”

 GABRIEL CAMPILLO:

“I’m very happy to represent my country of Spain and win a title on Saturday night.  This is a great opportunity and I plan on giving Tavoris Cloud his first loss.  I was a champion before and I’ll be a champion again.”

SAMPSON LEWKOWICZ, Campillo’s Promoter

“Campillo is the underdog.  But the underdog will thrive and be the new champion.  He will surprise everyone with an upset and a victory.”

CHRIS ARREOLA:

“I never disrespect anyone but my job is to take those dreams away from Molina, those dreams of beating me and moving on to a world title. 

“Don King has been talking trash and it’s going to be a great honor to shut his (Don King’s) mouth on Saturday.”

ERIC MOLINA: 

“I feel so close to home.  This is the best camp we’ve put together and I feel more confident that I ever have.  I love being the underdog.  I’ve had 18 wins in a row since losing my first fight in the first round.  After that loss I dreamt of getting a chance like this. It took a lot of work to get here after that loss and all that work is going to pay off against Arreola on Saturday.”

The event is presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions.  The Williams-Ishida bout will be promoted in association with Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions.  The Cloud vs. Campillo bout will be promoted by Don King Productions in association with Sampson Boxing, LLC.

Tickets for the event are priced at $25, $35, $50, $75, $100 and are available at the American Bank Center box office and on Ticketmaster.com. VIP packages are also available by calling (817) 296-4546.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please visit the website at http://sports.SHO.com.