Joe Calzaghe's promoter thinks that victory over former super-middleweight champion Charles Brewer would earn him recognition in America. Calzaghe is keen to break into the American market and Frank Warren believes a comprehensive showing will make his name.
"This is possibly Joe's hardest fight since he beat Chris Eubank for the title," said Warren. "Brewer is respected in America and this will be a defining fight as far as the market over there is concerned." Calzaghe added, "Brewer is a big puncher, definitely one of the three or four best super-middleweights in the world. "He's a typical American and he's been shooting his mouth off about what he's going to do to me. "We can both punch, but I've got a good chin and I've never been down. "Brewer's been on the floor several times, so when we trade he'll get knocked out." Calzaghe hopes to cross over into the American market, to set up possible showdowms with others such as David Reid, Eric Lucas, Byron Mitchell, and Omar Shieka
Governor Davis - "DC can have Tyson!"
By: Gabe Tellez
California Governor Gray Davis has no problem with Lennox Lewis defending his heavyweight championship against Mike Tyson in Washington, D.C. Davis just doesn't want Tyson fighting in his state. "If it were up to me, it's a mistake," Davis said in a statement issued Wednesday from his Sacramento office. "I don't think we should grant Mike Tyson a permit, certainly not now. I think he needs to get treatment and get help. And I would be opposed to it." A hearing is scheduled for March 12 for the DC commission to vote on whether or not Tyson shall be granted a license. Among the Tyson -vs- Lewis contestnants were California, Texas, Michigan, Georgia, England, Denmark and the Netherlands. So why is all the Tyson bashing going on? It's not that these stae officials really care, but what they really want to do is get their name out in the public. It all comes down to who can bash Tyson the most, and who can get their name mentioned the most within the media.
Harrison Upset After Brodie Pulls Out
By: Gabe Tellez
Scott Harrison's management team have accused Michael Brodie of "going back on his words". A contest between British and Commonwealth featherweight champion Harrison and Brodie had been ordered by the EBU for the vacant European title. But shortly before Wednesday's 5pm deadline for purse bids, Brodie pulled out. "Brodie said that he would fight anybody and especially wanted Harrison, but he's now going back on his words," claimed promoter Frank Warren. "Even when the EBU orders the fight, he pulls out. It's obvious who is the best in the country and that's Harrison." Harrison said, "I'm really frustrated. I want to prove I am the best featherweight in the division and that I will fight anybody to achieve that aim. "When I heard that Brodie was shouting out to fight me, I was desperate to get him in the ring. "The fight for the European title would have been a fantastic scrap for the fans and for British boxing and now they have been denied that opportunity." Harrison defends his Commonwealth title against Australian Tony Wehbee at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow on March 11.
Maloney Denies Hamed!
By: David Moya
Frank Maloney has been all over the boxing scene today, as he turns up in two major news issues. First, earlier he made it known to the public that he believes Mike Tyson can school his former client in under five rounds. As Scott Harrison's manager Maloney has denied receiving a million dollar offer from the representatives of Naseem Hamed to fight the British Commonwealth champion. Maloney, who promotes Harrison exclusively, has also denied having any contact with Riath Hamed over a possible fight. "I have not spoken or dealt with Riath since Paul Ingle fought Naseem nearly three years ago," said Maloney. "If he wants to offer million dollars fights for Scott to face Hamed, then as Scott's manager I would have to seriously consider it. "I would be happy for the fight as I know Scott would beat Hamed at the end of the day - both physically and mentally." Harrison will defend his Commonwealth featherweight title against Australian Tony Wehbee at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow on Monday March 11.
Maloney Backs Tyson!
By: Judy Moya
Frank Maloney thinks Lennox Lewis' showdown with Mike Tyson on June 8 in Washington will happen. Maloney feels the potential economic windfall for the city will ensure the fight is given the go ahead. And Lewis' former manager says Tyson will wipe the floor with Lewis inside five rounds. Maloney said, "Washington has the full backing of the city and the boxing commission, so looks more promising than other venues that have come forward. It seems a more credible set-up. "I believe Mike Tyson will stop Lennox Lewis and win. I feel Tyson will win within the first five rounds; although if Lennox gets past five rounds, he might have a chance. "I'm convinced Tyson will win because of what I know of the two fighters. "I think Lewis has been phased as his body language indicates he doesn't want the fight as much as Tyson does. "If Lennox 100 per cent wanted it, he would have turned up in Las Vegas (at the hearing that rejected Tyson's Nevada licence) and spoken for Tyson. That would have given him the opportunity to take care of business in the ring." Tyson is currently under investigation for an alleged assault, but Maloney does not believe the threat of charges would distract the boxer in the ring. "I don't think it will affect Tyson," he added. "He is a product of the street and isn't bothered about things like that."
Mayor Positive About Tyson
By: Gabe Tellez
The mayor of Washington DC will not prevent the controversial heavyweight showdown between Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis taking place in his city. Washington looks set to be confirmed as the venue for Lewis' long-awaited date with Tyson within the next two weeks.
Tuesday's decision by the Washington Boxing and Wrestling Commission to hand Tyson a licence opens the door for a June 8 fight at the MCI Center. Mayor Anthony Williams will not attempt to block the efforts of those wanting his city to host the event, even though he is being put under pressure to do so by women's groups. "I think he is doing what he should do," the mayor's spokesman, Tony Bullock, said. "That decision should be left to those people who are authorised and empowered and commissioned to make that decision, and that is not the elected officials of the state or the city. "He understands his role. He doesn't relish Mike Tyson or idolise Mike Tyson. He doesn't plan to give Iron Mike the keys to the city or to laud him in any way. What he is saying is, if the proper authorities give him the clearances to box here, he will not oppose it." Bullock believes it would be unfair of Washington DC to single Tyson out, saying, "If you take this concept to its extreme you would then have to evaluate the moral conduct and behavior and convictions of every professional athlete who wants to play a game in the city of Washington. "We can't sit here and say well I'm sorry we won't allow this athlete to play in this city." Martha Burke, of the National Council of Women's Organisations, said she was appalled and insulted by the decision to allow Tyson to box in DC. "I'm not very impressed and I'm not very happy. The notion that we would bring a convicted rapist and open the keys to the city, the world capital, is appalling to me. "This is an individual sport where an individual is glorified, welcomed and, in fact, lauded in the world capital. We do not think this is appropriate."
Leonard Signs Mesi!
By: David Moya
Sugar Ray Leonard has reached a deal to promote undefeated heavyweight Joe Mesi. Leonard was expected to fly to Buffalo to meet with Mesi on Tuesday evening, and scheduled a news conference for Wednesday to announce the deal. Leonard, 45, was a world champion in five weight classes during a career that flourished in the 1980s. Leonard formed his own promotion company, SRL Boxing, in 2000. Mesi, 28, previously fought as an independent, and is managed by his father Jack Mesi. He has a 21-0 record with 19 knockouts, including a first-round KO of Derrick Banks last November. Mesi also considered a deal with Don King, before electing to go with Leonard. "It's like a weight off our shoulders,'' Mesi said. ``We needed a promoter to get bigger fights, bigger exposure and bigger money."
Lewis To Follow Tyson?
By: David Moya
Lennox Lewis should find out within two weeks whether his planned fight with Mike Tyson will take place in Washington D.C. in June. Tyson has been granted a licence to box in the capital by the three-man Washington Boxing and Wrestling Commission. The move opens the door for a June 8 fight at the MCI Center, home of the city's NBA basketball team. Lewis' United States promoters Main Events confirmed they were in negotiations to hold the bout in Washington, but said a final decision had yet to be made. Main Events spokesman Donald Tremblay revealed the process of approving the fight in the United States capital only began after Tyson was granted his licence Tremblay said, "The process is just beginning. What we are going to be doing is looking into the feasibility of it. We expect it to be concluded in a couple of weeks. "We are looking at the MCI Center which is the home of the Washington Wizards. "Right now there may be other venues in the frame but I am not aware of them."
Main Events' chief operating officer Gary Shaw added, "Now that the District of Columbia has given Mike Tyson a license to box, Main Events will start working on the feasibility of promoting a bout in Washington DC."
Tyson Looks D.C. Bound
By: David Moya
Mike Tyson has been granted a boxing licence by the Washington DC Boxing and Wrestling Commission. The move sets the stage for a possible fight against Lennox Lewis at the MCI Center in June. The three-member commission approved the licence by a 3-0 vote. "To say we are not concerned about his past would be disingenuous," vice-chairman Michael Brown said. "But we looked at the application on its face." Tyson has been looking for a boxing body that would permit him to fight WBC and IBF heavyweight champion Lewis. The bout was originally scheduled for April 6 in Las Vegas, but Nevada officials denied Tyson a licence after his scuffle with Lewis at a news conference in which Lewis claimed Tyson bit him on the thigh. Washington Mayor Anthony Williams has said he would not object to Tyson's fighting in the district if the commission gave its approval. Both Williams and Brown cited the economic impact the fight would have. "September 11 has changed a lot of things," Brown said. "A lot of hotel and restaurant people are out of work, and this fight would be helpful to the city."
Question & Answer
Moorer Conference Transcript
Joe Calzaghe's promoter thinks that victory over former super-middleweight champion Charles Brewer would earn him recognition in America. Calzaghe is keen to break into the American market and Frank Warren believes a comprehensive showing will make his name.
"This is possibly Joe's hardest fight since he beat Chris Eubank for the title," said Warren. "Brewer is respected in America and this will be a defining fight as far as the market over there is concerned." Calzaghe added, "Brewer is a big puncher, definitely one of the three or four best super-middleweights in the world. "He's a typical American and he's been shooting his mouth off about what he's going to do to me. "We can both punch, but I've got a good chin and I've never been down. "Brewer's been on the floor several times, so when we trade he'll get knocked out." Calzaghe hopes to cross over into the American market, to set up possible showdowms with others such as David Reid, Eric Lucas, Byron Mitchell, and Omar Shieka
Sugar Ray Leonard has reached a deal to promote undefeated heavyweight Joe Mesi. Leonard was expected to fly to Buffalo to meet with Mesi on Tuesday evening, and scheduled a news conference for Wednesday to announce the deal. Leonard, 45, was a world champion in five weight classes during a career that flourished in the 1980s. Leonard formed his own promotion company, SRL Boxing, in 2000. Mesi, 28, previously fought as an independent, and is managed by his father Jack Mesi. He has a 21-0 record with 19 knockouts, including a first-round KO of Derrick Banks last November. Mesi also considered a deal with Don King, before electing to go with Leonard. "It's like a weight off our shoulders,'' Mesi said. ``We needed a promoter to get bigger fights, bigger exposure and bigger money."
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