Monday, November 19, 2007

Arthur to restore Scottish Pride

Alex Arthur says he'll put a smile back on the faces of Scottish sports fans next month - and break English hearts. Arthur tackles Steve Foster Jnr on December 15 at the Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, in the first defence of his Interim WBO World Super-Featherweight title. The 29-year-old Scotsman took time out over the weekend to watch the nation's football team fall just short against Italy in a vital European Championship qualifier. And with the entire country on a low following the nail-biting defeat, Arthur has vowed to give his fellow Scots something to cheer about. "England always seem to get one over on us when it comes to football," said Arthur. "While Scotland were losing to Italy, England got a massive slice of luck with Israel beating Russia, and I've had plenty of texts from my pals south of the border rubbing it in. "But I've got a great chance of reversing Scotland's fortunes when I fight Steve Foster Jnr. "There'd be a fantastic atmosphere if England and Scotland played tiddlywinks, so imagine what it's going to be like when I take on Foster. "I'm backing my army of fans to really get behind me in this Battle of Britain and cheer me to victory. After all, it's always nice to get one over on the Auld Enemy. "We're both heavy handed and like to go to war, so I think the fans will be in for a treat. The footballers may have come agonizingly close to winning, but I plan to make no mistake against Foster." A former WBU World Featherweight champion and decorated amateur, 27-year-old Foster, says he his hitting much harder having stepped up to super-featherweight, a division where he feels much more comfortable. Arthur, who has previously held British, Commonwealth and European titles, is looking to establish himself as a world class talent, and not only wants to win the full WBO title in 2008, but unify the 9'4 division.

Top Dollar in Dubai

The European Tour and Leisurecorp, the company developing Dubai’s leading residential golf community at Jumeirah Golf Estates, today announced a wide-ranging partnership which will create The Dubai World Championship, the world’s richest golf tournament with a US$10,000,000 prize fund. The partnership will run initially for five years, with an option to extend for a further five years, and will include the creation of the end-of-season Dubai World Championship; an additional annual US$10,000,000 Bonus Pool; significant support for selected European Tour events; funding of The European Tour’s Physio Truck; the construction of a new International Headquarters for The European Tour at Jumeirah Golf Estates; and the creation of a global property company, in a joint initiative with Leisurecorp, to develop new tournament venues around the world. The inaugural Dubai World Championship will take place from 19-22 November, 2009, on either the Fire or Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, UAE, with the winner earning US$1,666,660 from the US$10,000,000 prize fund. The Dubai World Championship will provide a thrilling crescendo for spectators as it brings together the players numbered from 1 to 60 from The Race to Dubai – formerly The European Tour Order of Merit – comprising all events on The European Tour International Schedule. The Race to Dubai, which for The Dubai World Championship 2009 will start in November 2008, will provide an annual Bonus Pool starting in 2009 at US$10,000,000. The Number One player will receive US$2,000,000, the runner-up US$ 1,500,000 and the third-placed player US$1,000,000, with prizes down to the 15th player, who will earn US $250,000. From 2010 it is anticipated that The Race to Dubai will commence in January and The Dubai World Championship will complete the season in November. The first five years of the partnership between the two organisations – which will officially start in January 2008 – will see the relationship being further cemented by the creation of a new International Headquarters for The European Tour. The purpose-built facility at Jumeirah Golf Estates will include a “Centre of Excellence”, providing a unique base for European Tour Members to practice and train at any time of the year. The state-of-the-art fitness centre at The European Tour International Headquarters will also reflect Leisurecorp’s sponsorship of The European Tour Physio Truck, which will provide Tour Members with outstanding facilities on The Race to Dubai. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, the parent company of Leisurecorp, said: “At Jumeirah Golf Estates we are creating the world’s leading residential golf community based around four of the world’s leading courses. It is absolutely fitting therefore that we should welcome the world’s leading tournament. “This deal is yet another step in Dubai’s evolution as one of the most important golf centres anywhere in the world. From golf tourism to world-beating golf communities to world-class tournaments we can claim to offer it all. “It also marks an important step forward in extending the Leisurecorp brand across the globe. Leisurecorp already has assets around the world, and it will become an ever more important name in the golf and wider leisure industries in the coming years.” George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “This is so much more than a tournament sponsorship. It is a long term partnership which will see The European Tour and Dubai joining together to significantly enhance the game world-wide and take golf to a new level for spectators everywhere. “The scale of this agreement is testament to the vision of Dubai and its ruler His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who has recognised the dynamic role golf can play in developing the global profile of this amazing city. It is also testament to Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, who has been instrumental in turning that vision into reality. “The Race to Dubai will bring a new dimension to The European Tour, creating great drama and theatre throughout the year as all the best players in the world are given the opportunity to compete in the world’s richest tournament – The Dubai World Championship. With the combined prize funds of The Dubai World Championship and The Race to Dubai we have the prospect of a player standing over a putt for US$3,666,660. “Moreover as The European Tour has become ever-more global in its outlook, it has become increasingly important to us to have an international base in a strategically placed location. Dubai is a massively important and growing hub, with outstanding air links to all our locations, and the perfect place for us to offer a tailor-made service to all our Members through the “Centre of Excellence” at The European Tour International Headquarters. Furthermore, it provides a central meeting place for sponsors and promoters from all tournaments on The European Tour International Schedule.” David Spencer, Chief Executive of Leisurecorp, said: “The partnership agreement we have reached with The European Tour is great news for Leisurecorp, it’s great news for Dubai – and it’s also great news for The European Tour. We look forward to extending this relationship well into the future.” Jumeirah Golf Estates has brought together the world’s leading golf and course design superstars to create Dubai’s premier residential golf community. Greg Norman, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and the “father of modern golf course design” Pete Dye are working on creating one of the world’s most distinctive golf developments. Four courses – Fire, Earth, Water and Wind – will pay tribute to the power of nature, each employing the distinctive characteristics of their own surroundings to deliver their own unique challenges. They will be surrounded by the most desirable residential communities in Dubai with luxury homes distinguishable by their beauty and space both inside and out.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Liverpool Plan New Stadium

Liverpool has been given the go-ahead to build its redesigned £400 million stadium in Stanley Park. The city council's planning committee granted permission on Tuesday to move the few yards from Anfield to a new home with a potential capacity of 76,000 - making it as large as Manchester United's Old Trafford. The new ground will initially hold 60,000 fans but further applications to add seats may be made. The turf will be sunk 26ft into the ground allowing room for more supporters to be accommodated around the pitch. Liverpool won permission for a 60,000-seat stadium in March 2006, but the club's new American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett sent the designers back to the drawing board.The new stadium will hold 114 executive boxes - twice the number in the original design - and will regenerate neglected Stanley Park. Work on the new stadium will begin in spring and it is hoped it will be ready in 2011. Up to £10 million of government funding will be used to redevelop the old Anfield site. Plans include a new park, sports centre and hotel. The club's Anfield home, which has a capacity of 45,400, was originally built in 1884 for Merseyside rival Everton. Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry told the club's website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: "We want a great team and a great stadium. The message for the fans is it will give us the revenues to make sure we continue to compete on the pitch."Meanwhile Premier League rival Tottenham Hotspur has remained tight-lipped over the latest speculation about plans to redevelop its White Hart Lane ground or move to a new stadium. One suggestion is that Tottenham will shut down its traditional home for two seasons while it is upgraded to a 52,000-capacity arena and ground-share with rival West Ham United at Upton Park until the work is completed. Another idea is for Tottenham to play high-profile matches at the new Wembley Stadium. Tottenham said in a statement: "As outlined in the chairman's statement that accompanied the financial results published last month, the club is currently reviewing its options, a process which is ongoing and will see us commit to one option in the first half of 2008."

Brook Targets Thompson in Bolton

The next British boxing star in waiting Kell Brook will take on Mark Thompson in a Final eliminator for the British Welterweight title. Undefeated Brook from Sheffield faces Thompson at the Bolton Arena on Saturday 8th December after Sports Network won the purse bids to stage the contest. Main event on the show features Amir Khan's Commonwealth lightweight title defence against Graham Earl. Brook is in for a hard night against the tough Lancashire boxer but is motivated by the thought of challenging new champion Kevin McIntyre for the British title. He said, "My dream has always been to challenge for the prestigious Lonsdale belt and I'm so close to achieving that now. Thompson is in my way and he is hard kid but I've got the skills to beat him. I've seen a few of Thompson's fights and know what to expect from him. This is a golden opportunity for me and I'm not going to blow it."

Arthur The Pride of Scotland

Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond may want to get his hands on the North Sea oil reserves - but top Scottish boxer Alex Arthur says he's a ready-made national treasure. The interim WBO World Super-Featherweight champion insists he's worth millions to the economy north of the border, and will prove it by unifying the 9'4 division. "Don't worry about the oil and gas, Scotland's struck gold with me!" said the Edinburgh hot-shot. "Some fantastic fighters have come out of Scotland over the years, but I want to be the best of the lot. "Super-featherweight is a quality division, with the likes of Joan Guzman, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez all operating at 9'4, and there's some big money fights to be made for me down the line. "Joe Calzaghe fought in front of 50,000 fans the other week, and there's no reason why I can't be doing that in a few years time. Just imagine how much money will pour into Glasgow and Edinburgh as I try and become the best in the world. "I've already said I should have been on the back of the new £20 note instead of Adam Smith - if I unify the super-featherweight division, may be I should be on the front as well as 'King Arthur'!" Arthur says he will be keeping a close eye on this weekend's WBO super-featherweight title clash between Guzman and Humberto Soto - because he wants the winner. And the 29-year-old Scotsman also says he is determined to build on the success of his fellow British world champions when he fights on December 15. Arthur is involved in a Battle of Britain with Steve Foster Jnr at Edinburgh's Meadowbank Stadium, the first defence of the title he won by defeating Koba Gogoladze in Cardiff in July. "I watched my close friend Joe unify the super-middleweight division in Cardiff, and it was an inspirational performance," said Arthur. "It made me want to go out there and do the same. "British boxing is on a high at the moment and I can't believe the buzz surrounding the sport. "Winning the interim WBO title is just the start of things for me. I'd love to add the WBC, WBA and IBF titles to my collection - as well as the full WBO crown - and with my promoter Frank Warren right behind me, I don't see why I can't achieve that." Guzman and Soto meet in Atlantic City at the weekend, with unbeaten Guzman the firm favourite. "I'd love to fight Guzman next," stormed Arthur. "He's one of the best fighters in the world, but to be the best you've got to beat the best, so I'd have no qualms about facing him. "I'm not sure how long he is going to stay at super-featherweight, but hopefully it will be long enough so I can hand him his first defeat. "Guzman-Soto is a massive fight in the States, and if I meet the winner, it will be a huge boost for my profile." Meanwhile Arthur could have his hands full against Salford's Steve Foster Jnr just before Christmas, his first fight in Edinburgh in more than a year. "Steve's a quality fighter, and there's no way I'm underestimating him," said Arthur. "He struggled to make featherweight, and I believe he will be far more dangerous at super-featherweight. But I'm confident I'll have too much for him."

Calzaghe Tackles Hopkins Jibe

Undisputed super-middleweight king Joe Calzaghe has told Bernard Hopkins to get a career as a chat show host because all he is good for is talking. Calzaghe has chased a showdown with Hopkins for the last few years but the elusive American has always talked his way out of a fight against the unbeaten Welshman who is now regarded as one of the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Hopkins has been very vocal recently calling out Calzaghe after watching him dethrone Mikkel Kessler; adding the WBC/WBA crowns to the WBO title that he has held for the last 10 years. The Philadelphian did famously agree to fight Calzaghe in 2002 for $3 million only to come back the next day and demand double the figure. The Pride of Wales said, "I'll give it to Ol' Popkins he's the king of talk. He's boxings version of Oprah Winfrey and they should give him his own TV show because he loves the sound of his own voice. The guy can talk for ever but that's all he can do. How about putting a little bit of fighting behind those words. I guarantee that I will make him have a fight against me and not a stinker like the one against Winky Wright. He says he wants to fight me but does he really want to get an ass kicking from me? Because that is what the man is going to get plain and simple. All I want is his name on my unblemished record with nice big W KO 6 next to it." He added, "I think that this time he won't be able to talk his way out of fighting me. TV want it, the public want it and the media want it. The only person who can stop it happening is Hopkins. I've told him I'll fight him anywhere, anytime, and I gladly accept his offer of a free facelift if I come to America. The only thing is, I will leave the ring as I enter it - the same good looking kid!"

Earl's Homing in on Khan

Aye Carumba! Graham Earl says Commonwealth lightweight champion Amir Khan reminds him of Bart Simpson - and needs to respect his elders. The pair meet at the Bolton Arena on December 8, where Khan will make a second defence of his Commonwealth title on the day he celebrates his 21st birthday. Tension has been mounting between the two ever since the fight was announced, with the pair clashing at press conferences held in Bolton and London last week. And now former British, Commonwealth and WBU champion Earl, who has also challenged for an interim WBO world title, has gone on the offensive, branding Khan a "spoilt brat" who needs to be taught a lesson. "My kids were watching the Simpsons the other day, and it dawned on me that Amir Khan is just like Bart," said Earl. "He's always thinks he's got a smart answer to everything I say, but his mouth won't get him anywhere when he gets in the ring with me. "I prefer to let my fists do the talking, and believe me they'll be shutting him up in Bolton. "Willie Limond couldn't punch his way out of a wet paper bag and he had Khan doing a funny dance, so imagine what will happen when I hit him on the chin. "By the time I've finished with Amir he is going to be more like Lisa Simpson than Bart Simpson." Earl, 29, has entered a spartan training camp ahead of the fight, and says defeat against Michael Katsidis in a WBO interim world title fight in February is all the inspiration he needs to beat Khan. "Memories of that defeat are so painful, and there's no way I'm prepared to lose again," stormed Earl, who boasts a 25-2 record. "I'm going to give Khan a boxing lesson - and remind him he should respect his elders. "To me, he's just a spoilt brat who needs to be taught a lesson, and what a lesson I'll teach him on December 8. "Nothing will give me greater pleasure than going into Khan's backyard and giving him a spanking on his 21st birthday."

Froch Gets His Shot

Carl Froch has been given a final eliminator for the WBC super-middleweight title against Denis Inkin after being confirmed by the world governing body he is number one in their ratings. The unbeaten British champion, who won his 22nd fight by forcing former world champion Robin Reid into retirement on Friday, will face Inkin (31-0, Russia) for the right to fight Joe Calzaghe (Wales), the WBC champion. From Monday the boxers’ promoters have 30 days to reach a deal before a purse bid. The winner of Froch-Inkin will then fight Calzaghe. Froch hopes Calzaghe will still be fighting at super-middleweight by the time he beats Inkin in the final eliminator. “I’m one fight away from the ultimate aim and the biggest prize in boxing, the WBC title,” said Carl.“It’s nice to be confirmed as number one by the WBC as well because I’m up against some stiff competition like Inkin and Juergen Braehmer.“I would like to think Joe Calzaghe will still be there when I get past Inkin, but he’s talking about fighting Bernard Hopkins up at light-heavyweight now. But for the moment, I want to keep that dream fight alive.“Inkin is a decent fighter who is cool and skilful. I boxed him as an amateur in 1999 when he beat me on points but I put him down in the last round with an uppercut that really hurt him. This will be revenge.” Froch’s promoter Mick Hennessy is delighted the WBC has granted his fighter the final eliminator he deserves. “This is a fight we have wanted for a while and it’s a massive one for the right to fight Calzaghe,” said Mick. “I know that Carl is going to go on and prove me right and become the best super-middleweight on the planet with or without Joe Calzaghe in the division.“I hope Joe hangs around for this one because as far as we are concerned, he has got unfinished business.”

Chelsea Target American Fan Base

Chelsea Football Club is launching a groundbreaking website for fans in the United States. As the club continues its push into the US market, the innovative new venture represents the first time a European club has created a dedicated membership site for its fans in America. The move comes after the club’s highly successful US pre-season tour earlier this year and the announcement of a partnership with Disney World Wide of Sport. The site will offer content designed, delivered and implemented specifically for soccer fans in North America, including an interactive social networking ‘members map’ facility that will allow supporters to search and communicate with one another. There will also be the opportunity for fans to upload their own photos and chat online with one another. The pioneering bespoke service is designed to provide current fans with the latest news from the club as well as generating new fans as Chelsea look to increase their commitment to US football. The club has visited the US four summers in a row and will be returning again in 2009. Chelsea has secured a number of high-profile columnists, including Arash Markazi of Sports Illustrated.com and Jack Bell of the New York Times, to provide US-specific content. This will include a selection of daily podcasts and videos supplying up-to-date news on the club. Peter Kenyon, Chief Executive at Chelsea Football Club, said: “I am delighted that Chelsea is again breaking new ground, this time by engaging with our fans in the United States in a way that no other football club currently does. We have visited the US for the last four summers and each time the interest in us has grown significantly. This latest project is a chance for fans to become more intimately involved with the club on a members site that has been built for and caters directly for them. “Fan engagement is important to Chelsea on all levels and we recognize the cultural differences between UK and US fans so content from grass roots to elite level will be delivered in a way that the American fan will relate to more. And along with our other partnerships in the US, such as with the Disney Wide World of Sport,chelseafc.com/america will also be crucial in building the Chelsea brand and business in North America.” As well as news, player profiles, club history and kids fun zone, the site will also incorporate a dedicated coaching section with hints, tips and videos from Chelsea coaching staff. The aim is to provide parents who coach junior sides in the US with valuable insight into training drills used by professional teams.

Woosie Returns to the Seniors Tour

Ian Woosnam has confirmed he will launch his senior golf career next March at the DGM Barbados Open – the tournament which once again opens European Seniors Tour season – at Royal Westmoreland. For the ninth consecutive year, the cream of Europe’s senior golfing talent will get their new campaigns underway in Barbados and Woosnam is ready to take his spot among the elite field of 48 players competing at the WSM Sponsorship promoted tournament.The Welshman turns 50 on March 2, 2008, just two days before the inaugural senior event of the year, which runs from March 4-7, and becomes eligible to begin the next chapter in his outstanding golf career. The 1991 Masters Tournament champion and the winning 2006 European Ryder Cup Captain is excited about making his senior debut and said: "50 is a significant milestone in anyone's life but for me as a golfer, to now be eligible to play on this great Seniors circuit among some world class players really is an honour." Woosnam went on to say: “Being a resident in Barbados for some of the year means that I have the opportunity to play the Royal Westmoreland fairly regularly, so it will be great to make my European Seniors Tour debut there.” European Seniors Tour Managing Director Andy Stubbs said: “After a superb 2007 for our Tour, we are delighted to start the 2008 season in such a wonderful setting and look forward to returning to Barbados for another thrilling tournament. “These are very exciting times for the European Seniors Tour with a golf legend like Ian Woosnam eligible for Membership and his European Senior Tour debut. “It is fantastic that what promises to be such a great year will begin in Barbados at a tournament that continues to grow in stature, and one where record prize money of $300,000 is available for our Members. We are very grateful to WSM Sponsorship for their support and our developing relationship with them, and we look forward to making forthcoming announcements about further WSM involvement with the European Seniors Tour.” WSM Sponsorship has previously supported European Seniors Tour events held in Barcelona, Egypt, Jersey, Sweden, Tunisia, Tobago, as well as the UK, in a staging and sales capacity, and were also instrumental in helping assist the fine relationship between Aberdeen Asset Management and The Senior Open Championship. Andrew White, Chief Executive of WSM Sponsorship, said: “WSM have been involved in Seniors Golf for over a decade and we are one of the leading European Seniors Tour promoters, something we are very proud of. “The 2008 schedule is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated to date with the various new names emerging on the European Seniors Tour. We are delighted that Ian Woosnam has chosen our event to make his seniors debut. The longevity of the DGM Barbados Open is testament to the fact that we are committed to seniors golf and in turn demonstrates our longstanding relationship with sponsors and clients alike.” The DGM Barbados Open has been staged at Royal Westmoreland since 2000 and has been blessed with a new winner on each occasion. In 2007, England’s Gordon J Brand emerged triumphant and will return to defend his title.

India's Crown Jewel of Golf

Delhi, India; Tuesday, 13 November, 2007; Adam Scott, the Australian superstar, ranked six in the World and winner of the 2005 Johnnie Walker Classic in Beijing, China, together with European Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter and Colin Montgomerie, have confirmed they will play in the prestigious JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC at the DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurgaon, Delhi, February 28 to March 2, 2008. The trio of top international players will join Vijay Singh, the world number nine, when Asia’s premier luxury golf event makes its debut in India since its establishment 17 years ago during which time it has been held in seven different countries in Asia Pacific. “JOHNNIE WALKER always puts on a great tournament, both on and off the course, so I am looking forward to playing the event,” commented Scott, currently considered one of golf’s most talented young players. “I have heard so much about India and how golf is growing there but I’ve never been there, so it will be exciting to be in Delhi for the JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC next year.” In a relatively short career, Scott now 27 has already established himself as a truly international player with wins around the world. In 2004, at just 23 years old, he became the youngest winner of The Players’ Championship on the US PGA Tour, an event considered by many to be the games fifth ‘major’. Born in Adelaide, Scott enjoyed a good start to 2007 with a second-place finish at the Mercedes-Benz Championship and a win at the Shell Houston Classic on the US Tour, giving him a total of 13 victories worldwide. Englishman Poulter is one of golf’s most flamboyant characters which he proved at the 2006 JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC in Australia when he played the tournament in four different coloured outfits that represented the four blends of JOHNNIE WALKER; Gold Label, Blue Label, Green Label and Black Label. Whilst renowned for his extravagant dress sense, Poulter has also gained recognition for his achievements on The European Tour where he has won five times since turning pro in 1994. Though he has not secured a victory in 2007, a second place in the British Masters and a number of solid performances on the US Tour, where he has spent a good part of the year, has seen the 31-year-old rise to 29 in the world ranking. Montgomerie, a stalwart of numerous JOHNNIE WALKER events, is Scotland’s most successful golfer. In a prolific career spanning 20 years, Glasgow-born Monty has topped The European Tour Order of Merit a record eight times and won 40 tournaments around the world. This year he secured the European Open at the K Club in Ireland, his first win since the UBS Hong Kong Open in December 2005 and came the week after he finished third in the French Open. “In keeping with the tradition and heritage of the JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC, the confirmation of Singh and now Scott, Poulter and Montgomerie means that we are building up yet another stellar field for Asia Pacific’s premier luxury golf event,” said Ben Anderson, Global Brand Director for JOHNNIE WALKER. “All four players have participated in the tournament on numerous occasions – in fact Vijay competed at the inaugural JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC in Hong Kong – so it’s fantastic to be able welcome them back to the event as old friends.“I am confident that the JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC will boast the strongest field ever seen at a golf tournament in India and that JOHNNIE WALKER’s reputation for putting on fabulous entertainment both on and off the course will be further enhanced against the richness and colour of India.” First played in Hong Kong in 1990, the JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC broke new ground by not only being the first tournament to be jointly sanctioned by the European, Asian and Australasian golf Tours, but also by being unique in that the event has been played in seven countries and at 12 golf clubs over the past 17 years. The 2008 JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC has also gained the all-important support of the PGTI, the Professional Golfers Tour India. The JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC, presented by the world's number-one selling Scotch whisky, offers prize money of £1.25m (US$2.5m), and will be televised live around the world. Past winners include a host of golfing legends such as Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Ian Woosnam, Retief Goosen and Scott.

Mayorga and Vargas Get It On

Boxing fans that have purchased over $1 million in tickets to see two-time world champion “El Feroz” Fernando Vargas (26-4, 22 KOs) and three-time world champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga (27-6-1, 22 KOs) in what is anticipated to be a street-style brawl at STAPLES Center will get their chance when the two meet on the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, Nov. 23. Back in July, the combatants barely made it through their promoters’ announcement of their match, which was to have taken place in September, before taunting erupted into a dais-clearing fight with punches being thrown and landed—and some blood from a cut under Mayorga’s right eye. Just two weeks before their scheduled meeting, Vargas was forced to re-schedule the match to Nov. 23 after doctors learned he was suffering from an iron deficiency. “Mayorga can disrespect me all he wants but not my queens [his mother, wife and daughter],” Vargas said. “This will be my last fight for one reason only, for pride. We should have sold tickets to the press conference after the fireworks we had. There will definitely be fireworks in the ring at Staples Center.”The notorious trash-talker Mayorga has shown no signs of turning a new leaf during this promotion.“I’m going to give Vargas the chance to cash his last paycheck. I said publicly that ‘fatty’ [Vargas] has always feared me. I conceded to take this fight at 162 pounds because fatty couldn’t lose any more weight. I told the press he is a fat ass like the Mexican singer Paquita la del Barrio. I agreed to move the weight up to 166 pounds after the postponement so he can eat all the tacos and burritos with cheese and chili like Mexicans do, but only if he agrees to come and fight me toe to toe like a Mexican on Nov. 23.” I will do Vargas a favor by retiring him in this fight so his family doesn’t have to suffer every time he steps in the ring. I’m going to do his wife a favor and not let her cry anymore.” Leaders from two of the most successful boxing promotional firms in history—Don King from Don King Productions and Kathy Duva from Main Events—have joined to promote the event in association with AEG & STAPLES Center & VEP. The event will also be televised live beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT domestically at a suggested retail price of $44.95, which is being distributed by SHOWTIME® PPV. Also featured on the domestic pay-per-view telecast will be International Boxing Federation welterweight champion Kermit Cintron (28-1, 26 KOs), from Reading, Pa., making the second defense of his title against Jesse Feliciano (15-5-3, 9 KOs), from Los Angeles, and former IBF 154-pound champion Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin (35-2-1, 22 KOs), from St. Petersburg, Russia, now fighting out of Los Angeles, taking on former two-time World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Alejandro “Terra” Garcia (25-2, 24 KOs), from Tijuana, Mexico, for the WBA intercontinental championship. Vargas won his world titles at junior middleweight and is best known for his indomitable will and courageous heart as evidenced by the fact he knocked out his first 17 opponents—including former world champion Raul Marquez. He also won decisions over former (and future) junior middleweight champion Winky Wright and former welterweight world titlist Ike “Bazooka” Quartey. The native of Oxnard, Calif., now 29, became the youngest junior middleweight world champion in boxing history at just 21 years and 5 days when he dethroned “Yory Boy” Campas to win the International Boxing Federation title on Dec. 12, 1998. He is best remembered for two epic clashes: a slugfest featuring six knockdowns with then-undefeated Felix “Tito” Trinidad on Dec. 2, 2000, which won Fight of the Year from the Boxing Writers Association of America and a spirited contest against “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya on Sept. 14, 2002. Mayorga has captured the hearts and imaginations of boxing fans around the globe due to his full-tilt boxing style and penchant for mixing beer and cigarettes with his training regimen—not to mention the withering verbal assaults opponents endure during the weeks leading up to his matches. Mayorga, 33, hails from Managua, Nicaragua. He burst upon the boxing world in 2002 in his first world title shot against then-World Boxing Association welterweight champion Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis. A virtual unknown at the time, Mayorga taunted his opponent by allowing him to punch him in the face repeatedly with his hands at his waist before sending the champion to the canvas with a thunderous assault in round five that left Lewis unfit to continue in the match. Few could have predicted at the time that Mayorga would shock the world again when he took on BWAA 2002 Fighter of the Year Vernon “The Viper” Forrest, who held the World Boxing Council welterweight title when they met. Forrest appeared to be as perplexed as Lewis when the Nicaraguan bomber smothered him with a barrage of combinations that sent him to the canvas in the first round. Forrest lasted until just the third round before the referee waved off the beating. Mayorga proved he was no fluke by agreeing to an immediate rematch with Forrest where he notched a majority-decision win. Mayorga shares the common opponents of Trinidad and De La Hoya with Vargas.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Dougherty Rises to the Top

Nick Dougherty’s exhilarating victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship saw him pip off a host of outstanding candidates to The European Tour Golfer of the Month award for October. The Englishman’s outstanding performance over the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns saw him post a winning score of 18 under par 270 to defeat a world class field which included Open Champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland, England’s Justin Rose – who finished second to Dougherty – and World Number Four Ernie Els of South Africa, who finished the week in sixth place. As he prepared for the 20th Volvo Masters at Valderrama, Dougherty received his award from George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, and Mel Pyatt, the retiring President and CEO of Volvo Event Management. He commented: “Winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship was huge, especially in view of the field with the likes of Justin Rose, Ernie Els, Paul Lawrie and Steve Webster, who all challenged me on the Sunday. It was great to come out on top and it is nice to be rewarded with The European Tour Golfer of the Month award. “It took a lot of belief and confidence to go forward and that win was just what I needed because it had been a frustrating year to that point. To go out and finish things off was a huge bonus. I am proud of what I’ve done but obviously I still have to keep moving forward.” Els was one of three other outstanding candidates for October’s Golfer of the Month award following his magnificent seventh success at the HSBC World Match Play Championship, where he defeated US Open Champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina in a thrilling Final over his home turf, the West Course at Wentworth Club. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was another serious contender for the October award after the 18 year old’s inspirational performances in finishing third at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and then fourth at the Open de Madrid Valle Romano just seven days later to secure his playing privileges for The 2008 European Tour in the space of four tournaments. Like Els and McIlroy, Englishman Steve Webster was also in contention for the award following his emotional two shot victory over Sweden’s Robert Karlsson at the inaugural Portuguese Masters at the Oceânico Victoria Clube de Golfe. Dougherty, though, was considered the worthy winner and joins 2007’s Golfer of the month roll of honour alongside: Retief Goosen of South Africa (January), Sweden’s Henrik Stenson (February), South Africa’s Anton Haig (March), Austria’s Markus Brier (April), Harrington (May and July), Cabrera (June), Scotland’s Marc Warren (August) and Lee Westwood of England (September). The European Tour’s Golfer of the Year will be selected at the end of the 2007 season.

World Cup Beckons for Monty and Warren

Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren will head to the Omega Mission Hills World Cup with more expectation than hope of going one better than their second place finish at the event in 2006. It was just a year ago that the Scots pair missed out on World Cup glory after a sudden-death play-off with Germany’s Bernhard Langer and Marcel Siem, but, after a season that has seen both players record victories on The European Tour, as well as teaming up in Great Britain and Ireland’s recent Seve Trophy victory, the patriotic pair believe victory over the Olazábal Course at Mission Hills Golf Club in China from November 22-25 is a real possibility. Montgomerie, whose win at the 2007 Smurfit Kappa European Open was his 31st European Tour success, said: “I felt we played well through the week in Barbados last year. I missed the green at the last hole and unfortunately that was that. We lost the play-off, so we’ll be hoping to go one better this year. “We have a great opportunity. Marc’s obviously playing well and I’m getting the ball round, so we could have a good time this year. We’re both going there as winners. I’ve won this year in Ireland and Marc won at Gleneagles - a great victory for him - and I think we’ll go to China as one of the favourites.” Warren, who secured his second European Tour career victory at the 2007 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, said: “We were so close to winning it last year. It was a shame to lose in the play-off, but Colin and I performed great together, so hopefully it’ll be the same again this year. “He’s said a lot of very flattering things about my game and golf. I cannot believe some of the things he has said. To hear things like that from such a great player like Monty is very flattering. I’m just there as his back-up! We have a great chance if we play well and it would be an honour to win the World Cup for Scotland.”

Cobra Calls Out Calzaghe

Carl Froch is calling on Joe Calzaghe to fight him after his world title bout with Mikkel Kessler on Saturday.'The Cobra' defends his British Super-Middleweight Title for the fourth time against former world champion Reid Reid at the Nottingham Arena on a Hennessy Sports show with title partners GoldenPalace.net on November 9. Sky Sports will televise live.Undefeated Froch wants to face the winner of the fight for Calzaghe's WBO Title and Kessler's WBA and WBC Titles.Froch is aiming to show the boxing world who the real number one in the super-middleweight division is the weekend after world champions Calzaghe and Kessler box in Cardiff, Wales."I've been a big Joe Calzaghe fan over the years but have not been impressed by the way he doesn't want to fight me," said Froch."I think Joe Calzaghe should fight me really. He has had a couple of really soft voluntary defences rather than fighting me and I've got the hump with him over it."Okay, Kessler is a good fight, but he says he wants only big fights now and fighting me would be just that. There would be huge interest in Britain for it."I want Joe to win, and I think he will. But it's probably better for me that Kessler wins, because then I'm more likely to get a world title fight quicker."I've been ranked in the WBC top three for the last year now and am due a shot at the title. But Joe has not wanted to fight me yet and is now talking about stepping up a division."If Joe loses and I fight Kessler and beat him, I can say I beat the man who beat the man. People won't be able to say Joe would have beaten me then."Froch tips Calzaghe to out-point Kessler, although the 'Cobra' sees it as a risky fight for his fellow British super-middleweight."It's a difficult fight to call," said Froch. "Joe can be caught because he is getting vulnerable. Anything can happen, but when Joe is under pressure he rises to the occasion."I think Joe will do what he has to do to win on points. But if he gets knocked out, he will probably have to retire. He is talking about big fights in America, but he will not get any of those if he gets stopped by Kessler. You have to give Joe respect for taking the fight - it's no formality."

Big Bucks for Mayorga against Vargas

Boxing fans that have purchased over $1 million in tickets to see two-time world champion “El Feroz” Fernando Vargas (26-4, 22 KOs) and three-time world champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga (27-6-1, 22 KOs) in what is anticipated to be a street-style brawl at STAPLES Center will get their chance when the two meet on the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, Nov. 23. Back in July, the combatants barely made it through their promoters’ announcement of their match, which was to have taken place in September, before taunting erupted into a dais-clearing fight with punches being thrown and landed—and some blood from a cut under Mayorga’s right eye.Just two weeks before their scheduled meeting, Vargas was forced to re-schedule the match to Nov. 23 after doctors learned he was suffering from an iron deficiency. “Mayorga can disrespect me all he wants but not my queens [his mother, wife and daughter],” Vargas said. “This will be my last fight for one reason only, for pride. We should have sold tickets to the press conference after the fireworks we had. There will definitely be fireworks in the ring at Staples Center.” The notorious trash-talker Mayorga has shown no signs of turning a new leaf during this promotion.“I’m going to give Vargas the chance to cash his last paycheck. I said publicly that ‘fatty’ [Vargas] has always feared me. I conceded to take this fight at 162 pounds because fatty couldn’t lose any more weight. I told the press he is a fat ass like the Mexican singer Paquita la del Barrio. I agreed to move the weight up to 166 pounds after the postponement so he can eat all the tacos and burritos with cheese and chili like Mexicans do, but only if he agrees to come and fight me toe to toe like a Mexican on Nov. 23.” I will do Vargas a favor by retiring him in this fight so his family doesn’t have to suffer every time he steps in the ring. I’m going to do his wife a favor and not let her cry anymore.” Leaders from two of the most successful boxing promotional firms in history—Don King from Don King Productions and Kathy Duva from Main Events—have joined to promote the event in association with AEG & STAPLES Center & VEP. The event will also be televised live beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT domestically at a suggested retail price of $44.95, which is being distributed by SHOWTIME® PPV. Also featured on the domestic pay-per-view telecast will be International Boxing Federation welterweight champion Kermit Cintron (28-1, 26 KOs), from Reading, Pa., making the second defense of his title against Jesse Feliciano (15-5-3, 9 KOs), from Los Angeles, and former IBF 154-pound champion Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin (35-2-1, 22 KOs), from St. Petersburg, Russia, now fighting out of Los Angeles, taking on former two-time World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Alejandro “Terra” Garcia (25-2, 24 KOs), from Tijuana, Mexico, for the WBA intercontinental championship. Vargas won his world titles at junior middleweight and is best known for his indomitable will and courageous heart as evidenced by the fact he knocked out his first 17 opponents—including former world champion Raul Marquez. He also won decisions over former (and future) junior middleweight champion Winky Wright and former welterweight world titlist Ike “Bazooka” Quartey. The native of Oxnard, Calif., now 29, became the youngest junior middleweight world champion in boxing history at just 21 years and 5 days when he dethroned “Yory Boy” Campas to win the International Boxing Federation title on Dec. 12, 1998. He is best remembered for two epic clashes: a slugfest featuring six knockdowns with then-undefeated Felix “Tito” Trinidad on Dec. 2, 2000, which won Fight of the Year from the Boxing Writers Association of America and a spirited contest against “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya on Sept. 14, 2002. Mayorga has captured the hearts and imaginations of boxing fans around the globe due to his full-tilt boxing style and penchant for mixing beer and cigarettes with his training regimen—not to mention the withering verbal assaults opponents endure during the weeks leading up to his matches. Mayorga, 33, hails from Managua, Nicaragua. He burst upon the boxing world in 2002 in his first world title shot against then-World Boxing Association welterweight champion Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis. A virtual unknown at the time, Mayorga taunted his opponent by allowing him to punch him in the face repeatedly with his hands at his waist before sending the champion to the canvas with a thunderous assault in round five that left Lewis unfit to continue in the match. Few could have predicted at the time that Mayorga would shock the world again when he took on BWAA 2002 Fighter of the Year Vernon “The Viper” Forrest, who held the World Boxing Council welterweight title when they met. Forrest appeared to be as perplexed as Lewis when the Nicaraguan bomber smothered him with a barrage of combinations that sent him to the canvas in the first round. Forrest lasted until just the third round before the referee waved off the beating. Mayorga proved he was no fluke by agreeing to an immediate rematch with Forrest where he notched a majority-decision win. Mayorga shares the common opponents of Trinidad and De La Hoya with Vargas.