Unbeaten Featherweight “Sharp Shooter”
Matt Remillard Targets Major Bout!

MANCHESTER, Conn. (Feb. 12, 2010) – WBC rated No. 10 featherweight contender, unbeaten NABF champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard, is getting closer and closer to a major fight.

In his last bout (Jan. 29), Remillard destroyed Rafael “The Dominican Man” Lora (11-2, 5 KOs) for the second time in a row, defending for the first time the NABF belt he won September 19 by way of a fourth-round technical knockout. Lora’s team complained that the original fight was unjustly halted, but they soon discovered that sometimes you should watch out for what you wish.

At Mohegan Sun in the rematch, Remillard unleashed pure, unadulterated fury on and all over Lora, who was unable to answer the bell for the fourth round. Rumors after the fight circulated that Lora broke two or three ribs and possibly suffered a fractured jaw.

“I just wanted to get the fight over with and move on with my career,” the 23-year-old Remillard explained. “They petitioned the NABF after our first fight. We gave them a rematch because we didn’t want anything hurting us. It was nice to have my first title defense at home, too. I was able to showcase some of the things we had been working on.”

Now the WBC’s No. 1 ranked American featherweight, Remillard is almost there in terms of his ultimate goal of fighting for a world title. “A big fight is right around the corner,” Matt remarked. “It’s starting to hit me and came on fast. My team has done a great job getting me here. My division is full of talented fighters. I’d like to fight anybody in the top 15, top 10. There are a lot of good fights out there for me and a few of us are trying to get from prospect to contender.”

WBA featherweight champion Elio “The Kid” Rojas (21-1, 13 KOs) defends his belt Feb. 20 in Mexico against No. 3 rated Guty Spades, Jr. (45-7, 28 KOs), while No. 1 contender Israel “Magnifico” Vazquez (44-4, 32 KOs) faces rival Rafael Marquez for the fourth time May 22 in Los Angeles. The other top rated WBC featherweight contenders are, in order, No. 2 Juan Carlos “Miniburgos” Burgos (24-0, 17 KOs), No. 4 Jhonny Gonzalez (42-7, 30 KOs), No. 5 Cholatarn O. Piriyapinyo (33-0, 19 KOs), No. 6 “Doctor” Oleg Yefimovych (17-1, 1 KOs), No. 7 Rafael “Chocho” Guzman (24-1, 17 KOs), No. 8 Justin “Le Malin” Savi (23-0, 15 KOs), No. 9 Cyril Thomas (36-3-4, 10 KOs), and No. 10 Remillard.

“Maybe a fight against another unbeaten prospect is next,” Remillard offered. “We’re all waiting in line along with a few guys who have one loss. Whatever my promoter and manager want to do is good by me. One way of moving up the list, though, is to takeout each other. Last year at this time, I remember thinking about being where we are right now. One great fight for me can lead to a TV network picking up a world title fight. That’s what I’m aiming for.”

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

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U.S. Olympian Sadam “World Kid” Ali Keeps Perfect Record! 

BROOKLYN (Feb. 11, 2010) – The beat rolls on for 2008 U.S. Olympian Sadam “World Kid” Ali, who kept his perfect pro record intact last Saturday night in Newark, winning a unanimous 4-round decision against fellow Brooklyn welterweight Jason Thompson (5-5-1, 4 KOs).

Ali (5-0, 2 KOs) “pitched a shutout” against Thompson, winning by scores of 40-36 on all three judges’ scorecards. “Everything went okay,” the 21-year-old Ali reported. “I clearly won every round. I wasn’t expecting a sleeping opponent; he took punches and gave some back. It’s all part of the learning process. The plan is to learn something every fight and continue to improve. I was in the swing bout and had to wait a long time but that was alright because my fans were still there. All I wanted is for the people who support me to still be there and they were.” 
 
Ali, the first Arab-American member of the U.S. Olympic Team, as well as the first New York City based member of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team in 20 years, is next scheduled to fight March 12 against an opponent to be determined at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

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Maurice Harris Going back to the Future!

NEW YORK (Feb. 5, 2010) – Veteran heavyweight Maurice “Sugar Moe” Harris, inactive for the previous 26 months, recently returned to the ring (Jan. 29) in Albuquerque, impressively winning a 6-round unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 58-56) against battle-tested Billy “The Kid” Zumbrun.

The 33-year-old Harris (21-14-2, 10 KOs), winner of the “2002 Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament,” had fought only four times in the past seven years due to his promotional/managerial problems. His comeback is under the banner of his new promoter, Boxing 360.

“I had a lot of rust to work off,” New Jersey native Harris said. “I did what I had to do to win, getting in the rounds and not looking for the knock out. He’s a strong guy with a hard head. I shook him a couple of times, but he kept his left hand high, and it was tough to hit him solid.

“I needed the work. I’m going to stay busy because that’s the philosophy of my promoter, Boxing 360. We’re taking it slow; no rush getting to the top. Being with Boxing 360 is like night and day compared to my old promoters.”

In 2002, Harris knocked out previously unbeaten and future world title-holder Sergey Lyakhovich (16-0) in the ninth round, earning Harris a slot in that November’s “Thunderbox” tournament, in which he captured the $100,000 winner’s purse by out-pointing Gerald Nobles, Israel Garcia and Anthony Thompson, respectively, in 3-round matches during the same night of boxing.

Maurice’s up-and-down career includes victories against David Izon, Jimmy Thunder and Jeremy Williams, as well as Harris going the distance with world champions Larry Holmes and Chris Byrd.

“It felt good getting in the ring again,” Maurice concluded. “I felt good, considering the jet lag and high altitude, but overall I’m happy with my performance. Watch-out heavyweights, I’m coming.”

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

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Rigondeaux Donating Friday Night’s Purse
to the Children of Haiti Fund

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 4, 2010) – Two-time Olympic champion Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux, arguably the greatest amateur boxer of all-time, is showing more of his personal side with an announcement that he is donating his entire purse from this Friday night’s fight to the Children of Haiti Fund.

Rigondeaux (4-0, 3 KOs), fighting as a super bantamweight, now lives in Los Angeles after defecting from Cuba, where he was a 7-time national champion. The 28-year-old southpaw also won multiple World Championships titles, as well as a gold medal at the 2003 Pan-Am Games, during his incredible 243-4 amateur career.

“Rigo,” who is trained by Freddie Roach and managed by Gary Hyde, faces Adolfo Landeros (20-12-1) in an 8-round bout on ESPN Friday Night Fights, live from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“Guillermo’s gentle, caring heart will be full of fire Friday night for his fifth pro fight,” Irishman Hyde said. “He really wants to win impressively on ESPN. He definitely hasn’t let fame and all of the attention he’s received to go his head. ‘Rigo’ hasn’t forgotten the poverty he comes from. Hopefully, his thoughtful donation will encourage others to follow suit.”

No stranger to poverty and hard times in his native Cuba, Rigondeaux was deeply saddened by all of the devastation and heartache caused by the recent earthquake in Haiti. “Rigo” was banned from boxing in Cuba when he failed to defect the first time while competing in the 2007 Pan-American Games in Brazil. His low but essential monthly stipend was taken from him for more than two years. He managed to escape from Cuba in February, 2009.

Rigondeaux trains at Roach’s famed Wildcard Gym in Los Angles, under the watchful eyes of his celebrated coach, who calls Guillermo the Picasso of Boxing and one of the most technically sound boxers he has ever seen. “This kid is the master of the noble art,” Roach commented. “He combines his skills with unbelievable power, which isn’t the case very often in smaller weight classes. I have no doubt that he will win at least one world title by the end of this year. Once he cleans-up the 122-pound division, we will move him up to the 126-pound division, where there are some very interesting fights.”

“Rigo” told Hyde that he wanted to donate his purse to the children of Haiti. “I was touched by his sincerity,” Gary explained, “so I contacted Dr. Mick Molloy, a member of the Professional Boxing Union of Ireland, who went to Haiti this past Tuesday to offer his medical services to the victims of the earthquake. Dr. Molloy flew from Miami to Turks and Caico Islands, and then with the U.S. Navy to Haiti. He thanked us for the donation and suggested we do it through the Boston Children’s Foundation (www.BostonCF.org).”

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

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Harris Returns Friday Night Against Zumbrun!

NEW YORK (Jan. 27, 2010) – Dangerous Maurice “Sugar Moe” Harris, returns to the ring Friday night in Albuquerque against veteran Billy “The Kid” Zumbrun.

The 33-year-old Harris (20-14-2, 10 KOs), winner of the 2002 ‘Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament,” has been inactive for more than two years due to promotional problems. His fight against battled-tested Zumbrun marks Harris’ debut as a member of the new Boxing 360 stable.

In 2002, Harris knocked out previously unbeaten and future world title-holder Sergey Lyakhovich (16-0) in the ninth round. Harris earned a spot in that November’s “Thunderbox” tournament, eventually capturing the $100,000 winner’s purse by out-pointing Gerald Nobles, Israel Garcia and Anthony Thompson, respectively, in 3-round matches in the same evening.

During the course of his up-and-down career, Maurice has also defeated David Izon, Jimmy Thunder and Jeremy Williams.

Harris fought only four times in the last six years and he’s anxious to get back into the heavyweight picture. “I’m ready and feel great,” Harris said. “I’m older, wiser and my experience is my greatest advantage. I’m going to really crack this guy and show people some new things that they haven’t seen from me. Look out heavyweights!”

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

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Integrated Sports Media Distributing Two Live
World Championship Fights on Feb. 27 PPV Show

HOBOKEN, N.J. (Jan. 25, 2010) -- Integrated Sports Media, North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events, delivers the best of two live championship shows, featuring a pair of world title fights, Saturday night, Feb. 27 from Puerto Rico and Mexico.

The action starts at 9 PM/ET live from Reben Rodriquez Coliseum in Baymon, Puerto Rico. Hometown hero Wilfredo “WV2” Vasquez, Jr. battles former WBO Super Flyweight champion “Marvelous” Martin Sonsona for the vacant WBO junior featherweight belt. Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Carlos Negron (7-0, 6 KOs), 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian, supports in a 6-round bout against an opponent to be determined.

The spotlight will then shift to El Poloforim Benito Juarez in Cancun, Mexico, where former WBA light heavyweight champion Hugo Hernan “Pigu” Garay takes on highly world rated “Hard Hittin’” Chris Henry for the WBA Interim light heavyweight title. Former WBA & WBC super flyweight title-holder Cristian Mijares drops back down to his natural weight class versus TBA.

“We’re excited to provide live coverage of world championship matches like Vasquez-Sonsona and Garay-Henry to boxing fans in North America,” Integrated Sports Media president Doug Jacobs said. “It’s rare to bring the best of Philippine, Puerto Rican, Mexican and American boxing to fans on one live card. Integrated Sports Media is committed to bringing world-class boxing to North American fans and this great show kicks-off our PPV season.”

“Asalto Doble” is presented by PR Best Boxing Promotions in Puerto Rico, in association with All Star Boxing and Sampson Boxing LLC, and KO Entertainment in Cancun, Mexico. The unique, double-barrelled broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

There’s no love lost between Vasquez (17-0-1, 14 KOs), the proud son of former world champion Wilfredo Vasquez (56-9-2, 41 KOs – WBA bantamweight champ 1987-88, WNA super bantamweight champ 1992-95), and the fighter being billed in the Philippines as the next Manny Pacquaio, 19-year-old Sonsona (14-0-1, 12 KOs).
Vasquez, rated No. 2 by the WBO, and WBO No. 3 ranked Sonsona are fighting for the WBO junior featherweight crown relinquished by Juan Manuel Lopez. Vasquez is the reigning WBO Latino junior featherweight, while Sonsona lost his WBO super flyweight belt on the scales in his last fight – Nov. 21 in a 12-round draw versus Aejandro Hernandez – when he failed to make the contracted weight of 115 pounds.

Garay (32-4, 17 KOs), rated No. 2 by the WBA, defeated Yuri Barashian by decision for the WBA light heavyweight title in 2008, successfully defended against present WBO Interim champion Juergen Braehmer by decision, and the popular Argentinean lost his belt by decision last June to Gabriel Campillo.

WBA No. 6-ranked Henry, fighting out of Houston, is coming off of an explosive win by sixth-round technical knockout of Shaun George last July on ESPN. Henry has been the NABF, NABA, IBA Inter-Continental and USNBC light heavyweight champion during the past four years.

Mexican boxer Mijares, rated No. 5 by the WBA and No. 14 by the IBF, was one of the world’s top pound-for-pound boxers after winning a decision against Alexander Munoz in their 2008 WBC/WBA super flyweight unification match. He unsuccessfully moved up to fight as a bantamweight and has dropped back to super flyweight.

Integrated Sports Media: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton, Christian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Kahn, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports Media distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA, as well as World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.

CONTACTS:
Doug Jacobs, Integrated Sports Media, 201.610.1500, doug@integratedsportsnet.com
Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfc@hotmail.com
Jennifer Marin, PR Best Boxing, 787.502.3636, marin@ppvcpr.com
Ivan Rivera, PR Best Boxing, 787.645.1132, irivera@prbestboxing.net
Tuto Zabala, All Star Boxing, 786.271.4855, tutozab@aol.com

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Sherif Younan, Jr. Boxing’s Next Phenom!

BROOKLYN (Jan. 20, 2010) – Born with boxing flowing through his veins, 14-year-old prodigy Sherif “Sugar Boy” Younan, Jr. could turnout to be the struggling sports savior in a few more years, based on his increased dominance in the amateurs, where he has captured too many championship belts (15), trophies (15) and medals (30) to fit into one room.

Younan recently captured top honors in the 165-pound division of the Northeast Regional Silver Gloves Tournament, qualifying for his fourth straight trip to The Nationals (Feb. 3-6 in Independence, Missouri), where he’s been a 3-time winner in three different weight classes. It’s been difficult enough keeping track of how many national and regional tournaments he’s won as a junior boxer.

His father, Sherif, has been his coach since The Phenom first entered a gym to celebrate his second birthday. His cake was in the shape of boxing gloves and another New York City trainer, Colin Morgan, gave the youngster a baby heavy bag as a gift.

Despite his youth, the Utrechet High freshman (in Brooklyn) is far from a boy among men at the Coney Island Gym, where he regularly trains and often spars with established professionals such as former IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi, who Sherif’s father now serves as head trainer, Danny Jacobs, Jr., Curtis Stevens, Joe Greene, 2008 U.S. Olympian Sadam Ali, and Gary Starks, Jr., among the more notables.

“My son has been blessed by God,” the elder Sherif attributed his son’s skills. “We saw it, star quality as a boxer, when he was just a baby. He loved boxing from the first day in the gym. He started boxing competitively when he was only 8 years old in the 80-85 pound class. Last year, he fought at 139 pounds in The Nationals and now he’s at 165. He keeps winning as he grows. Someday, I think he’ll be a champion light heavyweight, if not a heavyweight.

“I think Sherif is like a young Roy Jones, Jr. – quick hands, great footwork and more power as he ages. He’s kind of a cross between a young Roy and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. His defense is real good and he throws a lot of punches. We have a great team and one guy who has really helped is Mario Boxing 360), a good friend and advisor who has shown a lot of support and love for my son. We don’t know exactly where we’re going, yet, but Mario will be one of the key guys guiding my son’s career. He’s going all of the way with us and we want to thank him for being in our corner.”

Sherif, unfortunately, falls one month shy of being old enough to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, which leaves Team Younan with what can only be described as a great problem – wait for the 2016 Olympics or turn pro at 17.

“I love boxing,” the man-child remarked between training sessions. “I’ve learned so much being around pros in the gym -- Paulie everyday, Curtis a lot, and Sadam is like my big brother. I never get tired of winning and I’m always in a rush to get my next belt. An Olympic gold medal has always been my dream, but I’ll leave that (waiting for 2016 or turning pro) to my father and Mario (Boxing 360).

“Being trained by my father has been great. Mario (Boxing 360) is family; I gave him my winning medal from last year’s National PAL Tournament in appreciation for what he’s done for me.

“You know, if I were fighting myself, I’d run. My best punch is a left hook to the body; nobody can take it. I do throw a lot of punches, all precision punches – I hit ‘em right and don’t waste any.”

Sherif’s father/coach isn’t concerned with the decision he and his team will have to eventually make in a couple of years, regarding the Olympics or turning pro. No real concern right now because they have another tournament to dominate later this month at the 2010 National Silver Gloves.

“I just know that my son is going to be a real star in boxing,” the Egyptian native concluded. “He’ll only be 19 for the 2016 Olympics, but, then again, a lot of the Cuban and Russian (amateur) fighters are in their thirties. A lot of top pros didn’t box in the Olympics – Mike Tyson, Zab Judah and others. Winning an Olympic gold medal has always been my son’s dream, but turning pro at 17 instead of waiting around for 2016 is going to be tempting. It is what it is. We’ll see.”

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

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Michael Oliveira, Brazilian Athlete of the Year Candidate!

MIAMI (Jan. 15, 2010) – Unbeaten middleweight sensation, “Chairman of the Board” Michael Oliveira (11-0, 9 KOs), is an official candidate for the Brazilian International Press Award’s 2009 Athlete of the Year Award.

The 19-year-old Oliveira, living in Miami and attending Miami Dade Community College, is the heir apparent to retired Acelino “Popo” Freitas in Brazilian boxing circles. Oliveira is one of only 10 Brazilian Athlete of the Year candidates, along with the likes of Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves, as well as NBA players Nene Hilario and Anderson Varejao.

“I’m honored to be a candidate for this prestigious award with nine other great athletes,” Oliveira said. “Hopefully, my fans will support me by voting. More importantly, though, my last fight was in Haiti and I met a lot of the Brazilian peace-keeping troops stationed there. I am dedicating my next fight to the Brazilian solders that lost their lives in the recent earthquake in Haiti. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.

The hard-punching teenager, who is the reigning UNBC Latin champion, won each of his eight fights last year, including his last December 18, when he stopped Eduardo Mercedes (5-2) in the second round of their bout in Haiti.

Go to www.MichaelOliveira.com to vote for Oliveira via a link located on the bottom, right-hand side of the home page. Oliveira’s valued sponsors include The Confianca Moving, The Beira – Mar and Pro 1 from Sao Paulo, Dumonde Travel (Michael’s official travel agency) and the multi-national fuel company, Shell.

Contacts: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, (978) 664-4482, bobtfc@hotmail.com
Maria Fulfaro, Team Oliveira, 954.298.1508, PR@MichaelOliveira.com

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Richie Boy’s Top Prospects
Terry & Rudd Closed Out 2009 in Style!

NORTH MIAMI BEACH (Dec. 28, 2009) – Richie Boy Promotions’ top prospects, IBF No. 15 rated junior lightweight Ira Terry and 2008 Ringside World Championships winner Chris Rudd, both closed out 2009 in style with knockout victories.

Richie Boy Promotions also promotes undefeated IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud (20-0, 18 KOs).

The 22-year-old Terry (24-2, 14 KOs), fighting out of Memphis, stopped Terrance “T-Brick” Roy in the sixth round of their Dec. 15th fight in Kentucky. Terry also is ranked No. 5 by the USBA.

Rudd (10-0, 7 KOs) was an outstanding U.S. amateur before turning pro in 2007, rather than pursue a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. On Dec. 19 in his native Tennessee, 25-year-old Rudd put Rodney Freeman to sleep in the second round to keep his perfect professional record intact.

“We’re very high on Terry and Rudd and expect big things from both of them in 2010,” Richie Boy Promotions director of boxing operations Al Bonanni said. “We hope that both will capture their first titles as pros next year.”

Contacts: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, (978) 664-4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

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Gary Hyde Wins Judgment to Manage
2-Time Olympic Champion Guillermo Rigondeaux!

MIAMI (Dec. 16, 2009) – Irish boxing manager Gary Hyde yesterday won a legal judgment in Miami to manage 2-time Olympic champion Guillermo Rigondeaux.

Rigondeaux (3-0, 3 KOs), fighting as a bantamweight, now lives in Los Angeles after defecting from Cuba, where he was a 7-time national champion. The 28-year-old southpaw also won multiple World Championships titles, as well as a gold medal at the 2003 Pan-Am Games, during his incredible 243-4 amateur career. “Rigo” is scheduled to fight tonight (Wed., Dec. 16) in New York City.

“I hope this judgment will deter anybody from contemplating interference with any of my fighters,” Hyde said en route from Ireland to New York City. “When I signed Rigondeaux in 2007, my plan was to bring him to Ireland for a couple of fights and then take ‘Rigo’ and heavyweight sensation Mike Perez to the United States. This plan was hindered by ‘Rigo’s’ failed attempt to defect from the Cuban National Team in Rio De Janeiro in August, 2007. I kept close contact with him when he was sent back to Cuba. After he was banned from boxing on the Cuban National Team, preventing him from winning his third gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, I became increasingly worried that my marketing plan and golden opportunity to manage the greatest amateur boxer of all-time was in jeopardy. I never gave up hope, however, and continued to support ‘Rigo’ and his family as we plotted together his escape from Cuba.

“When the plan was put together for ‘Rigo’ to leave Cuba, he boarded a speed boat bound (Feb., 2009) for Cancun (Mexico), but instead of joining me there, he went to Miami and was pounced on by others. According to ‘Rigo,’ he told those who contacted him that he had signed a contract with me. I was successfully managing three Cuban stars at that stage. When I heard about ‘Rigo’s’ change of heart and decision to go to Miami, I immediately contacted leading Miami-based lawyer William J. Brown. We then sought an injunction preventing ‘Rigo’ from fighting for any other manager.”

Atty. Brown was supported by Atty. Pat English, arguably the foremost lawyer in boxing, as well as boxing expert Tom Moran. Former circuit court judge Michael Chavies ruled yesterday that Hyde’s international management contract should be recognized by the Miami State Courts:

Arbitrator’s Conclusion
1. The permanent injunction shall be granted;
2. Guillermo Rigondeaux Ortiz shall be prohibited from engaging in any boxing match under the management of any person or entity other than Gary Hyde until March 19, 2012.
3. Rigondeaux, however, is free to terminate or breach the Hyde Agreement and then submit himself to liability for damages, as there can be no specific performance ordered for a contract for personal services.
4. If Rigondeaux continues to participate in the boxing industry, he will only be able to work under the management of Gary Hyde, pursuant to his management agreement. If he chooses to not work for Hyde, he will be unable to work for another person or entity, as irreparable harm, no adequate remedy at law, and a clear legal right to the relief requested has been demonstrated.

Hyde also manages three other Cuban boxers who defected and are now fighting as professionals out of Ireland – heavyweight Mike “The Rebel” Perez (8-0, 6 KOs), winner of the World Junior Championships; bantamweight Alexei “The Hurricane” Acosta (9-0, 9 KOs) and super middleweight Luis “El Leon” Garcia (5-0, 4 KOs), both World Junior Championships champion in 2006 – as well as Irish brothers, super middleweights JJ “Slick” (2-0, 2 KOs) and Paddy McDonagh (2-0).

“I whole heartedly put my fighters first and foremost in every decision developing them into the best fighters they can possibly be,” an ecstatic Hyde remarked. “I’m driven by success and internationally recognized as being the manager of the hottest young stable of fighters on the planet. Any managers thinking about stealing my fighters should find their own talent and stay away from mine at all costs.

Contacts: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, (978) 664-4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

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The Perfect Storm Tavoris Cloud

NORTH MIAMI BEACH (Dec. 14, 2009) – Undefeated IBF light heavyweight champion Tarvoris Cloud (20-0, 18 KOs) has become the Rodney Dangerfield of boxing – he can’t get any respect, especially from “Bad” Chad Dawson, allegedly the top dog in the 175-pound division.

“Chad Dawson won’t be able to run 12 rounds against me,” Cloud said. “My pressure will be unbelievable and I hit hard with both hands. He’ll have to stand and fight and that will be his ultimate demise. We’re totally different. If I went around saying I could beat the No. 1 contender, like Chad did when I was the No. 1, I’d fight him to prove it.

“I’m baffled, I guess, more than frustrated. All my life watching boxing, I thought the champion had to fight the next available, most deserving challenger, or unify the title. I was the No. 1 contender and he was the champ, but that’s when all the politics of boxing came in – extensions and exceptions – and his promoter lobbied to duck this hungry fighter. I understand the promoter building a fighter and arranging puff fights for more money. At some point, though, a real fighter has to fight the best. You can’t be great just fighting hand-picked, over-the-hill guys.”

Cloud, fighting out of Tallahassee (FL), has beaten everybody put in the ring against him during his perfect 4 1/2–years pro career. He’s fresh, entertaining and throws nearly 100 punches a round, something practically unheard of from a light heavyweight. The Ring magazine has him rated No. 6 but he still hasn’t been able to get Dawson into a fight because, reportedly, Tavoris isn’t well enough known by fans to justify a fight against Dawson on HBO.

What’s Cloud have to do?

His last four opponents – Clinton Woods (DEC12), Julio Cesar Gonzalez (TKO10), Mike Wood (KO1) and Jacob Rodriguez (RTD3) – have either officially retired or simply haven’t fought since being ‘rained on’ by Cloud.

After stopping Wood in the first round of their March 28, 2008 fight in Chicago for the USBA and NABA titles, Cloud became the No. 1 IBF contender and he then took out former WBO titlist Gonzalez in the 11th round of their Aug. 8, 2008 IBF Title Eliminator to become the mandatory challenger for the then reigning Dawson.

Dawson was first supposed to defend his IBF strap against Cloud by January 8, 2009, but Dawson was granted an exception to fight Antonio Tarver in a rematch last March. Dawson won and the IBF mandated that he fight Cloud by May 1, 2009 or be stripped of his title. Rather than take on Cloud, Dawson relinquished his IBF title belt after Tavoris refused to fight a non-title bout against another opponent, not Dawson, on an HBO show. Cloud’s promoter, Richie Boy Promotions, declined the offer and promoted a fight for the then vacant IBF crown between Cloud and former IBF champion, Clinton Woods, who Tavoris impressively defeated by unanimous 12-round decision (116-112 scoring by all three judges).

After defeating Woods, HBO offered Cloud a spot on its network against Dawson or in the co-feature on a show headlined by Dawson, whose promoter, Gary Shaw, once again, refused to fight Tavoris or even allow Chad to fight on the same HBO card.

Team Cloud believes there’s another reason why Dawson won’t fight Cloud and it doesn’t have anything to do with purse structures or name recognition. “Back in 2001,” Cloud’s head trainer Al Bonanni explained, “Dawson and Cloud were both outstanding amateurs. They sparred in 2001 at the U.S. Olympic training camp. Tavoris floored Dawson and hurt his eye. After that, Dawson was moved down to 168 pounds, instead of competing with Cloud at 175. Dawson still fears Tavoris Cloud and that’s why he won’t get in the ring with him. We’re willing to fight Dawson or any of the top light heavyweights in the world.”

Cloud hopes to defend his IBF title in the first-quarter of 2010 against WBC champion Jean Pascal in a unification bout, or, there’s always the possibility of fighting one of the over 40 greats such as Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones, Jr., Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver.

If Dawson ever mans-up, that deal can still be made but, like Dangerfield, right now Cloud ‘can’t get no respect!’

“I think Dawson will fight me in the not too distant future,” Cloud added. “As long as I keep winning impressively in exciting fights, fans will call for it. I don’t understand his logic (for not fighting Tavoris) because I’m not that type of fighter. I want to fight the best and it doesn’t matter if they’re boxers, punchers or southpaws. That’s the way to be great. One world title belt isn’t enough for me; I want more.”