Pacquiao & Margarito’s Beverly Hills Blitz!

Fighting for the WBC Super Welterweight Belt

The big blitz is on!

For all you MyBoxingFans readers, here’s a quick look at today’s news conference announcing the mega fight between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito taking place on November 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Held at the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel, the fighters were flanked by their promoter, trainers and managers and surrounded by a huge turnout that came out to welcome the boxers on this very first stop of their media tour.

Promoted by Top Rank, along with Cowboys stadium and MP Promotions, the upcoming clash is already building steam at an extremely rapid pace. I could already feel the buzz and excitement that this match has created from media and fans alike at today’s luncheon. It’s a good thing that HBO will be doing their “24/7″ series on the two since the next ten and a half weeks will be filled with non-stop Pacman-Tijuana Tornado talk–24/7!

“Kassim the Dream” Airs TONIGHT!

Ouma’s story is one worth watching

At an age when most children are starting first grade and playing with crayons, boxer Kassim Ouma was forced to become a child soldier and shoot real guns. Not exactly “child’s play.”

I have seen the riveting film “Kassim the Dream” a couple times now and I encourage you to catch the cable broadcast TONIGHT on the Sundance Channel at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), also airing Tuesday 1:50 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Kidnapped at age six by the NRA rebel army, this is Ouma’s intense and heartbreaking true life story. The middleweight, by way of East Africa and Florida, is now living and training in Southern California. Stay tuned for a future column as I caught up with the Ugandan-born fighter who has managed to leave this tragic life behind him while he continues to fight in the boxing ring–not in the war zone.

Thompson Boxing Heats Up!

Up-To-Date with Promoter Ken Thompson

With the dwindling days of summer upon us, there’s nothing better than watching live pro boxing at an outdoor venue. Last Friday night, SoCal boxing fans were treated to plenty of entertaining matches at Thompson Boxing Promotions’ “Path to Glory” series with headliner Mauricio Herrera taking on Hector Alatorre. Check out these candid shots from last weekend’s show where sluggers Alfredo Angulo, Kassim Ouma, Kaliesha West, Bobby Chacon, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Paula Cortez, trainer Jack Mosley and other familiar faces took in all the action at ringside.

Here in the Southland, the temperatures have exceeded 100 degrees–and things are also red hot with Thompson Boxing. They just had their summer shows (July 31 Doubletree Hotel in Ontario and August 20 at Omega Products International in Corona) and are already gearing up for their next card on September 17 back at the Doubletree. Their boxing event series of “Path to Glory,” “New Blood,” and “Locked ‘N Loaded” are always popular sell outs.

Announcing Jim FitzGerald!

Interview with a familiar emcee of the ring

It can often be a lonely place inside that squared circle. For the boxers going mano y mano, those three minutes can feel like a lifetime. But what about the other individuals upon which the hot glare of the spotlight is also focused on?

A pro fight just wouldn’t be the same without a ring announcer introducing the boxers, revealing the scorecard tallies and so much more. These people who choose announcing as their profession make it look easy. But beneath their calm exterior is an efficient tactician rehearsing everything in their head.

Meet one of the most recognizable announcers in the sport, Jim FitzGerald, otherwise known as “Fitz.” The Los Angeles-based emcee is frequently seen in the center of the ring cueing the timekeeper and the ringing of the bell, calling up celebrity guests into the ring, working with the promoter to assess their needs, and adjusting to any last-minute changes in the schedule.

Antonio Margarito’s Next Fight?

Special Report from CA License Hearing

YES, in these photos from Wednesday, Antonio Margarito and the “Tijuana Tornado” team are all smiling.

But NO, as you’ve heard by now the former champ did not receive a new license to box in the State of California.

The exclusive pics were taken during the first break of the special California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) meeting in which the beleaguered boxer was petitioning for a license to fight again. There were smiles at the time, as they were understandably still cautiously optimistic in hoping to be granted a new license.

In this report, you’ll hear what the day was like as the fighter (38-6, 27 KOs) met with the commission to request that new license.

Erik “El Terrible” Morales in L.A.!

Fighter back in action on September 11

 

I gotta say it was a terrible day in L.A. yesterday.

With over 90 degree temps in the city, the sweaty tourists that packed the narrow rows of crammed vendors in the historic Olvera Street plaza had a terrible time staying cool right in the midst of hot and humid downtown Los Angeles. Most were having a terrible time trying to make their way through the throngs of people that clogged the venerable landmark.

And for us in the boxing community, it was truly a “terrible” day indeed as the L.A. fight crowd gave a terrific welcome to “El Terrible” himself–Erik Morales, who was in town to talk about his upcoming bout versus Willie Limond on September 11 in Mexico City. And judging from the big turnout at the El Paseo Inn at Olvera Street, the former WBC and IBF champion still draws a huge interest from the fight fraternity and fans.

Scene at the Arreola-Quezada Fight

“The Nightmare” gets the win in Ontario

Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola scored a victory over his tough foe Manuel “El Toro” Quezada in ESPN2′s “Friday Night Fights” card held last night at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. Promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, the SoCal fans came out to cheer on their Riverside favorites fighting in their own backyard.

Mexican-American heavyweight Arreola had a lot to prove in this pivotal fight in his career. Just 29, the brawler wanted to show everyone he’s still in the game as one of the top contenders in his division. Did he answer his most hardened critics? His opponent was knocked down in both the ninth and twelfth rounds, but Quezada also got some attention from the crowd with his heart and sheer durability as Chris could not pull the trigger in getting that knockout that everyone was expecting and waiting for.

Meet Amateur’s Zimmie Dickinson

Talented teen from the DC scene!

Zimmie Dickinson’s already got a catchy name that you just can’t forget.

And with his sharp skills in the ring, he’s already been noticed in tons of unforgettable amateur battles too.

He may be only 13 years old and hangin’ tough in the 90 pound division, but this young boxer has quickly built a prominent standing in the U.S. amateur scene. Fighting out of Waldorf, Maryland, the DC youngster has really become a jet setter as he travels across the country to compete in various cities including Kansas City, Denver, Pittsburgh, North Carolina and back to Kansas City once again…in just this year alone.

The traveling and meeting other kids during boxing tournaments is what Zimmie’s loves most about being a pugilist. “My favorite part about being a boxer is that you get to go to more places than most!” he tells me. “Most people don’t get to travel like that.”

Team Arreola Speaks!

Heavyweight fights THIS Friday

“What does Chris weigh?” I wonder how many times Team Nightmare gets asked that question. Probably enough times by now for it to get old real fast.

But when those in boxing circles talk about Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (28-2, 25 KOs) that weighty issue of poundage usually pops up first, with the topic of his training discipline a close second. Not too far behind would be the whispers questioning Arreola’s choice of trainers in regards to his coach–and amigo–Henry Ramirez.

Team Arreola isn’t stupid. They are well aware of the trash talking, put downs, smackdowns and more that people say behind their back.

At a recent fight, I had a chance to catch up with the heavyweight and his camp after they were in the corner with up-and-comer Jonathan Arellano at the Thompson Boxing card in Ontario. After Arellanos’ victory, I spoke to both Chris and Henry about their upcoming bout this Friday versus Manuel Quezada (29-5, 18 KOs).

Here’s the “Nice” Mike Tyson!

Heavyweight visits young British boxers

That’s right, “Chatter Box” readers, take a gander at this nice and friendly Mike Tyson. That sure sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? But yes, here he is with innocent young children (gasp!). And not only is he bringing huge grins to their faces but the infamous ex-boxer looks like he’s behaving himself at this surprise meet and greet held in England. No ear biting, no arrests, no lawsuits, no problemo. Just plenty of mile-wide smiles from these lucky kiddos at the gym.

In these exclusive pics for our U.S. readers, my boxing associates from across the pond graciously shared these photos with me from “Iron Mike’s” recent visit to the U.K. From Merseyside, England, Mersey Gloves covers the Liverpool boxing scene and has flourished with their own magazine, website and T-shirts too. They were also privy to this gathering with the 44-year-old power puncher.

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