Bolo Punch Boxing Hour News

CHICAGO, IL (June 15, 2008) World ranked lightweight contender Almazbek Raiymkulov aka KID DIAMOND has been added to the action packed FEARLESS professional boxing event, presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, set for this Friday night, June 20th at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom.

Raiymkulov will battle THE LION, Leo Martinez over eight rounds as part of the outstanding fifty round/seven bout card of world class professional boxing.

Tickets for FEARLESS are on sale now through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster) and the 8 Count Production offices at 312-226-5800. The Aragon Ballroom is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.

Riding a five bout winning streak Raiymkulov brings a record of 25-1-1 with fourteen knockouts to his Chicago debut. He is coming off a twelve round split decision victory over Miguel Huerta on June 14, 2007 in Rochester , New York .

A member of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games representing his native Kyrgyzstan , now living in Las Vegas , Nevada , Raiymkulov’s seven year professional career includes a draw with world champion Joel Casamayor and notable wins over Lamar Murphy (TKO-5), Koba Gogaladze (TKO-6), Jairo Ramirez (TKO-7) and Emanuel Augustus (UD-10). His only loss was to world champion Nate Campbell (TKO-10) on October 1, 2005.

Riaymkulov is currently world ranked #10 by ESPN, #9 by the WBO and # 13 by the IBF.

CHICAGO, IL (JUNE 7, 2008) The highly anticipated showdown between unbeaten light heavyweight Tavoris Cloud and former world champion Julio Gonzalez will take place on Friday, August 8th at Chicago ’s Aragon Ballroom and will be broadcast on ESPN2, announced Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, who will promote the event along with Chicago- based A TEAM Management.

The Cloud/Gonzalez twelve round bout is an IBF title eliminator to fight Champion Antonio Tarver.

Said Pesoli, “Tavoris has thrilled the fight fans in Chicago over the last couple of years with his skills and bone crushing KO’s and has become somewhat of a Youtube legend as we’ve posted his fights there. We’re very happy to work with ESPN2 on his televised debut to show the world what we believe; Tavoris Cloud is a future world champion.

This bout has “Fight of the Year” written all over it. Gonzalez is a very tough Mexican warrior who has been in numerous world class battles over his career. He’s a former world champion who has beaten the likes of other champions including Glen Johnson and Dariusz Michalczewski.”

Continued Pesoli, “I remember Gonzalez’s war with the late Julian Letterlough in 2001 that was also broadcast on ESPN2. It was an outstanding back and forth battle in which they each were knocked down a couple of times. At that end of the year, many of the boxing writers named it their “Fight of the Year”—we anticipate this fight to be a similar type of war given their styles.”

Neither Cloud nor Gonzalez will have to look far for each other—their both true all action fighters and the fans should see a world class battle from the opening bell,” added Pesoli.  

The 26 year old Cloud of Tallahassee, Florida, brings an unbeaten record of 18-0 with seventeen knockouts into the battle with Gonzalez. Most recently he destroyed Mike Wood in the first round on March 28, 2008 in front of a packed Aragon Ballroom. In his most explosive outing which took place on August 24, 2007, Cloud, cut badly from a head butt in the fourth round, devastatingly knocked out Jose Luis Herrera in the fifth round at Chicago’s Congress Theater.

With explosive power in both hands, world class skills, a granite chin, his no nonsense attitude in the ring and his “close the show style”, Cloud has become a must see for Chicago fight fans over the last two years. He has knocked out all nine of his opponents over this period, typically in breath taking fashion.  

A native of Guerrero Negro, Mexico , now residing in Huntington Beach , California , the 31 year old Gonzalez sports a record of 41-5 with 25 knockouts. He is coming off a very close split decision loss to former world champion Reggie Johnson on February 23, 2008 in Lake Charles , Louisiana . Along with battles with Johnson and Michalczewski, he has also fought world champions Roy Jones Jr., Clinton Woods (twice), Montell Griffin, and Zsolt Erdei.

This will be Gonzalez’s second Chicago appearance having knocked out Kenny Bowman in the third round on April 11, 2003 at the DePaul Athletic Center .

Ticket information for this fight along with a full undercard will be announced in the very near future, said Pesoli.

Bernie Bahrmasel

Publicist/8 Count Productions

www.8countproductions.com

bbahrmasel@aol.com

Tonight, exclusively on Bolo Punch Boxing Hour, our special LIVE guest will be the Unified Lightweight Champion of the World, “The Galaaxy Warrior” NATE CAMPBELL!! 

 Hot off his latest win over formerly undefeated champion Juan Diaz, Nate Campbell will discuss his earliest beginnings in the sport, his inspirations, his amateur and professional career, and of course, his crowning achievement of beating Diaz for the titles. 

Questions submitted to tjpatersoninc@yahoo.com before 8PM Central time will be considered and possibly asked to Mr. Campbell. 

The International Boxing Hall of Fame’s annual Induction Weekend had its share of memorable quotes and quips from boxing’s biggest stars, both past and present.  The following are just a few of the lines that will be forever remembered as the IBHOF honored their newest class of 2008. 

Ed “Too Tall Jones on boxing: “I would trade in all 15 years and all 3 Super Bowl rings. . . to strap on one of those championship belts.  That’s how much I wanted my short boxing career to work.”

Ernie Terrell, former heavyweight champion:  “No one hit me harder than Cleveland Williams.  That man was an animal.”

Nate “Galaaxy Warrior” Campbell, on betting odds:  “I’m living proof that boxing has nothing to do with the odds.  Buster Douglas can tell you the same thing.”

Hector “Macho Man” Camacho on his split personalities:  “I’m really two men.  I’m Macho Camacho, who’s a professional boxer who works hard and excels at his sport, and I’m Macho Man, who makes waves and can be difficult.  I needed them both, though, to become the champion I am.”

Joe Koizumi, (Class of ‘08) noted promoter and writer:  “I’m standing here today, being inducted to the Hall of Fame, because Nat Fleischer (of the RING magazine) believed in me.”

Chazz “the Gentleman” Witherspoon, on what boxing is to him:  “Boxing is pain management.  No other sport puts you through the things boxing puts you through.  It’s the greatest sport, and I love it.”

Larry Holmes, on a variety of topics:  “They say behind every good man is a good woman.  Well, I don’t know if I’m a good man, but I’ve got one good-ass woman.”

“You say you hate ‘em.  But you need these promoters.  King, Arum, Palle. . . without them, you’d have no fights.”

“No one wanted my boxing career (in those early days), but one man did.  That man was Don King.”

“I told everyone that I’d be champ one day, and they all said ‘No, you can’t’.  I said ‘Yes, I can’.  They said ‘Out there, there’s Ali, Norton, and Frazier.  You can’t’.  I said ‘Yes, I can.’  And I did.”

“I even beat up that fool ButterBean. . . just because I wanted that 75th fight.”

“I want to clear something up about something I said 15 years ago, about Marciano can’t carry my jock strap.  Why would he want to?  No man is better than another man.  God blesses some of us more.  But we all put on our pants the same way.  I didn’t say that about Marciano to put him down.  You might say he was the best.  Fine, but don’t get mad when I say I’m the best.  We are all entitled to our opinions.” 

“George Foreman doesn’t like people, unless you’re buying his grill.  Then he loves you. . . Everyone knows that man is crazy.  He talks about ’knocking out the fat’ on that machine of his.  I ask you. . . do you want a dry burger?  I want my burgers and steaks juicy!” 

“Muhammad Ali says he’s the Greatest.  That’s his opinion.”

Sunday afternoon, along with several other boxing celebrities and dignitaries, former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY in front of a capacity crowd.  Bolo Punch, as usual, was in attendance, conducting numerous interviews and videotaping speeches.  Easily the most stirring speech of the weekend was given by Holmes, as he thanked his family and friends, explained his infamous comment about “Marciano couldn’t carry my jock strap“, questions Muhammad Ali’s place in history as “the Greatest”, praises controversial promoter Don King, and finally, shreds fellow Hall of Famer George Foreman. 

This soon-to-be-famous speech can be easily viewed off of the following moekeg link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlekwjcVJKw

***Video footage by Chris Guzman from IBHOF, Canastota, NY.

Yes, yes, yes. . .it is time for our annual pilgrimage to Canastota, NY for the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s Induction Weekend.  During this four-day event, over thirty former and current boxing champions, contenders, and dignitaries will flood the tiny village just east of Syracuse on I-90.  This year denotes a truly special induction, since former heavyweight champion of the world LARRY HOLMES will be in attendance for his entrance ceremony to the Hall.  Also, Chicago lightweight Eddie Perkins will go in, as well as several other boxing promoters, writers, and posthumous inductions.  Along with a golf outing, ringside lectures by boxing celebrities, a Night of Rising Stars event, the memorablila show at Canastota High School, VIP Reception, Banquet of Champions, and the Induction Ceremony. . . there are also lots of book signings, hand-cast ceremonies, and interview tents designed to make lifetime memories for all involved. 

 The Brophy family really knows how to throw a party.  They, along with countless employees and volunteers, construct a truly unique fan experience for anyone who marvels at the sport’s long, rich history.  This year is exceptional, not only because of Holmes being in attendance, but because Madison Square Garden has donated their one-of-a-kind boxing ring that had been used for nearly a century of historical fights.  Such fighters as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Willie Pep, Carmen Basilio, Gene Fullmer, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, and Roberto Duran have all fought in this ring, and it will be on display for all to enjoy. 

All in all, this is simply a weekend not to be missed.  Personally, I haven’t missed a weekend since 1997, which means I have an entire decade “in the bag”.  Shake a champ’s hand, get a photo, maybe an autograph or two.  I promise you.  After you go once. . . you’ll look forward to the first full weekend in June as impatiently as I do. . . every year. 

***The Bolo Punch Boxing Hour’s own Chris Guzman, Emil “Soda Popinski” Kegebein, and Jimmy “Fighting School Teacher” Holmes will be broadcasting LIVE from Graziano’s Pizza (right across the street from the HOF) Thursday night.  Come on by and say hi, grab a mike, and be heard across the world as we tackle a pile of boxing topics.  Also, you never know WHO will walk in at any given time. . . . it’s a great place to “celebrity watch”.  Anyone who strolls through that door is a potential Bolo Punch interview, making it the most difficult show to plan for all year. . . but also the most fun.  Lots of boxing memorabilia giveaways, trivia questions, and boxing talk. . . not to mention the best italian sausage pizza this side of anywhere!!  See you there, and save us a ringside seat!!!

6/4/08 (ESPN2), Yusef Mack vs Daniel Judah, light heavyweight, 10 rd

6/6/08 (ESPN2), Hermann Ngoudjo vs Soulaymane M’Baye, jr welterweight, 12 rds – IBF eliminator

6/6/08 (Telefutura), Urbano Antillon vs Jose Leonardo Cruz, lightweight, 10 rds

6/7/08 (HBO), Kelly Pavlik vs Gary Lockett, middleweight, 12 rds – WBC/WBO

6/7/08 (SHO), Vernon Forrest vs Sergio Mora, jr middleweight, 12 rds – WBC

6/11/08 (ESPN2), Sechew Powell vs Deandre Latimore, super welterweight, 10 rds

6/13/08 (ESPN2), Francisco Palacios vs Ola Afolabi, cruiserweight, 10 rds

6/13/08 (Telefutura), David Lopez vs Michael Walker, middleweight, 10 rds

6/20/08 (SHO), Andre Ward vs Jerson Ravelo, welterweight, 10 rds

6/20/08 (ESPN2), Alonzo Butler vs Friday Ahunanya, heavyweight, 10 rds

6/20/08 (Telefutura), Miguel Angel Huerta vs Fernando Trejo, lightweight, 10 rds

6/21/08 (HBO), Chris Arreola vs Chazz Witherspoon, heavyweight, 10 rds

6/21/08 (SHO), Arthur Abraham vs Edison Miranda, 166-mid/super middleweight, 12 rds

6/25/08 (ESPN2), Julio Diaz vs Rolando Reyes, lightweight, 10 rds

6/27/08 (ESPN2), Yuriorkis Gamboa vs Jose Rojas, super featherweight, 10 rds

6/27/08 (Telefutura), Jorge Rodrigo Barrios vs Martin Honorio, super featherweight, 10 rds

6/28/08 (PPV by HBO), David Diaz vs Manny Pacquiao, lightweight, 12 rds – WBC