After shaking off the expected nerves “The Irish Bomber” showed the maturity needed as a pro. Taking his time using a wicked jab to walk down the bigger Brown, Smith measured then caught him with a tracer type jab stunning and lining him up for a straight right hand bomb that detonated on contact dropping Brown into the ropes like he just got hit with the “blarney stone” itself. Then the young pro showed his killer instinct immediately banging the defenseless Brown with both hands forcing the referee Danny Schiavone to pull him off stopping it at 2:35 of round one bringing the large Smith following and most of the Mohegun Sun boxing fans to there feet. Brown was overheard passing press row tell his handler “the kid can f**king punch.

Team Smith is managed by Phil Capobianco and trained by his brother Gerry.   The Capobianco brothers both former fighters come from a boxing family as their father John was an accomplished light heavyweight fighting from 1973-1982 and should give Smith a solid base. The managerial guidance and training from brothers Capobianco together with Smith’s raw two handed punching power and developing boxing skills has had him compared to the likes of Kelly Pavlik and Irish Bob Murphy. Having had the pleasure to watch his career advance I can guarantee he has what its takes and a must see. He will give the Irish boxing loyal something to be proud of and surely give John Duddy a run for his 'airgead'.

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X-Cel Worldwide/Top Rank Partner Up
for Heavyweight Heavy Hitters

Former Heavyweight Champion Hasim "The Rock" Rahman Headlines; "Big" Michael Grant in main supporting bout. Local Favorites Kenny Abril, Russell Jordan and Darnell Jiles Jr. also make appearances.
The promoter leading a revival of Western New York boxing, Nick Garone of X-Cel Worldwide, is announcing yet another eye-catching world-class event.

On December 3 at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York, Garone will present "Night of the Heavy Hitters" (in association with Bob Arum's Top "Rank) featuring former undisputed and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim "The Rock" Rahman (45-7-2, 36 KOs) in the main event, with former #1 heavyweight contender and world title challenger "Big" Michael Grant (45-3, 33 KOs) in the chief supporting bout

"It's going to be a great night for boxing fans in the Rochester area," said an excited Garone. "We're doing this in conjunction with another elite organization in Bob Arum's Top Rank, so you know it's going to be a top-quality show. Besides the two big heavyweight battles, we've also got local kids Kenny Abril and Darnell Jiles Jr. in separate bouts."

Grant, who fights under the X-Cel promotional banner, says he's excited about the opportunity this fight will present. "I'm looking to hit the ground running for a big fight in 2010," he explained. Grant is riding a seven-fight winning streak. He won the NABA-US Heavyweight Championship with a hard-fought win over Paul Marinaccio in his last bout.

"Michael is looking sharp and ready to get back into title contention," said Grant's promoter Garone. "He's been feeling so good in the gym he told me he'd like it if he was the one facing Rahman that night. This is a great area for boxing, so who knows? Maybe when people see the size of these two guys and how strong they are, they'll demand we set up a showdown between them in the future."

Longtime top contender Rahman (45-7-2, 36 KOs) will be making his first appearance since losing a world title challenge to Wladimir Klitschko last December.

Rochester-based fighters are also well represented on this show, as super lightweights Kenny Abril and Darnell Jiles Jr., as well as super welterweight Russell Jordan are all slated for action. Undefeated Albany, New York, heavyweight Kimdo Bethel is also scheduled to appear.

Tickets are available at the Blue Cross Arena, Ticketmaster, the Mt. Hope Family Diner and all Chester Check Cashing locations. They are priced at $25, $35, $50 and $100 ringside.

Contact: Big Media Buzz, 519-253-4290, info@bigmediabuzz.com

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If it Ain’t Rough it Ain’t Right Spadafora Wins Again!

By: Bill Ethan                                                                                              September 30th, the Heinz Field-VIP Tent Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Former IBF Lightweight Champion Paul “The Pittsburgh Kid” Spadafora, 43-0-1, 17Ko's secured his fifth victory since being released from State prison in April 2006 winning a one sided unanimous decision over Las Vegas, Nevada’s awkward, clowning Jermaine “Too Sweet” White, 17-4, 9Ko’s who seemed more interested in auditioning for a side ring in the Ring Ling Brothers road show.

White acted as the aggressor in the opening round rushing Spadafora and grabbing on then flailing with both hands. A move designed more for survival than a strategy to win. White began his taunting antics early playing to the packed crowd raising his arms as if he just won a stuffed animal at the local carnival. White a slick veteran engaged in a whole array of clowning acts that only opened up the “The Pittsburgh Kid’s” own bag of tricks.

Obviously annoyed with White’s antics Spadafora gave him some jail house type justice landing several low blows then cut White over his left eye with a big right hand over the top.

The third round was much of the same with White again rushing Spadafora then tying him up and clowning only earning him a Pittsburgh cold shoulder.

In the fourth round Spadafora began to land his straight left hand regularly confirmed by a clowning head nod from White.

In rounds five and six Spadafora mixed it up body and head and the gagster began to look more the fool.

White landed his best punch in the seventh only earning him a return right hook reminding the former champion what a good boxer he is. “The Pittsburgh Kid” began to move countering the rushing White totally flustering the clown.

In the eighth and final round Spadafora used some rabbit punches and a heavy right hook before throwing “Bozo” to the canvas. The former champion was deducted a point for an intentional head butt but it wouldn‘t the carnival bound White as the judges scored it 78-73, 78-73, 79-72 all for Spadafora.

Spadafora and his trainer Pernell “Sweat Pea” Whitaker chalked it up to just another step back to a title fight and plan to remain active returning to the ring in November.

On the undercard:
Pittsburgh’s welterweight Jesse Lubash, 12-0, 7Ko’s survived a cut over his left eye from an accidental clash of heads and an injured right hand staying behind a ripping left scoring a score a unanimous decision over Savannah, Tennessee’s Jessie Davis, 11-15, 8Ko’s.

Bunola, Pennsylvania’s Jr. welterweight “Lightning” Rod Salka, 9-0, 2Ko’s shut out Orlando, Florida’s southpaw Devarise Crayton 60-54 times three dropping him to 6-7-1, 2Ko’s.

West Deer, Pennsylvania heavyweight Paul Zalus remained undefeated making Elkhart, Indiana’s Ryan “The Gatekeeper” St. Germain, 2-5, 2Ko’s a very comfortable on the canvas before referee Rick Steigerwald called it at 0:53 of the fourth round.

Jackson, Michigan’s Jr. lightweight Risool Shakoor, 2-6-1, 1Ko won a competitive four round unanimous decision over Decatur, Michigan’s Ricky Benavides.

Elkhart, Indiana welterweight Sam Gipson, 2-4-2, 2Ko’s and Columbus, Ohio’s Mike Siano, 3-0-1, 2Ko’s battled with the judges scoring it a four-round draw.

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WBC World Boxing Cares & Athletes 4 Hope

WBC World Boxing Cares and Athletes For Hope in conjunction with the NYC Board of Education come together for “Boxing Day” aboard the Intrepid Air Sea and Space Museum.
Expected attnedence: 200+ NYC Teens!.
Please let me know if you'll attend so I can put you on the list.

Please Join us for the last event of the year!
What: Power of One Series, "Boxing Day"
When: Thursday, October 22nd, 10:30 AM - 1 PM
Where: Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum, 46th & 12th Ave, NYC (Pier), www.intrepidmuseum.org/
Who: NYC Board of Education, WBC World Boxing Cares, Athletes for Hope

Starring:
Joe Dwyer --NABF President
Melvina Lathem - Commissioner of Boxing
Lou DiBella - DiBella Entertainment, Promoter
Matt Godfrey-NABF cruiserweight champion

Jason Estrada-heavyweight contender
Sadam Ali-2008 Olympian
Michael Olajide-former middleweight contender
Sherry Walkun - Ringside Physician
Sparkle Lee - Referee
Jill Diamond - Chair Female Divisions, NABF, WBC
David Diamante - Ring Announcer
Brian Adams - TV Boxing Commentator
Grant Phillips - Grant Gear
Ricky Ray Taylor – Trainer
Francisco Mendez-Traineer

Fighters: Tor Hamer, Ann Saccurato, Jill Emery, Suszannah Warner

Pablo Santiago - Pound4Pound - video
Shraddha Borawake - Photographer

Jill Diamond
World Boxing Cares
World Boxing Council
North American Boxing Federation
www.WorldBoxingCares.com _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero and His Quest for Dominance

By Mike Juhas ~ FightHype.com
As we begin to transition out of the Oscar De La Hoya era, boxing will look to fill his enormous shoes with another Mexican-American superstar. Robert Guerrero hopes to occupy this void with the combination of his crowd-pleasing fighting style and stellar personality. As he continues his climb to the top, Guerrero has set his sights on achieving what would surely be Hall of Fame credentials. Continue Reading... (click here)

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:
ROBERT "THE GHOST" GUERRERO
I was recently afforded the opportunity to have a nice chat with the newly crowned IBF super featherweight champion Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero. Here is what he had to say:

Q: First off, congratulations on becoming the IBF super featherweight champion of the world. You had a very impressive effort in winning the title against Malcolm Klassen a couple of weeks ago. Can you tell us a little bit about your strategy going into that fight and how you were able to execute your plan inside the ring? Continue Reading... (click here)

                       Listen to "The Ghost" On The Ropes Radio Show
                                        TEXT "GHOST" TO 35620
                               TO ACCESS ROBERT'S MOBILE SITE

Mario Serrano, Publicist ~ Team Guerrero, boxingpublicist@aol.com,(408) 607-5756

                   Robert Guerrero Gives Inspiring Speech At The
                 Portraits of Success Hispanic Development Program
                             2009 Youth Leadership Conference

SANTOS MANAGEMENT, Santosboxing@sbcglobal.net, (408) 655-4949

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Godfrey Over Simms Now a Split Decision

Saturday Sept 12th, Red Lion Hotel in Sacramento, CA: Providence, Rhode Island’s top ranked cruiserweight Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, 20-1, 10Ko’s picked himself up off the canvas in the first round to go on and eek out a ten round majority decision over Sacramento, California’s “Famous” Michael Simms,  20-12-2, 13Ko’s. 

Godfrey was floored by a Simms right hand midway through the opening round  but was out worked down the line. Godrey won the the final round securing him a 96-93, 95-93 and 94-94 majority decision.

Upon review of the scorecards by the California Boxing Commission it was announced Godfrey won by a split decision not a majority decision. AtCom inspector Mike Guzman reported the correct scores were 96-93 and 95-94 for Godfrey and 95-94 for Simms. There was no reason given for the incorrect scoring.

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Guerrero Stops Archer, Porter finishes Harris,
Wilson Big in Pro Debut!

August 29th, Fitzgerald's Casino & Hotel, Tunica, Mississippi: In the main event
undefeated super middleweight star Fernando Guerrero, 15-0, 13Ko’s destroyed Chris “On Target” Archer, 11-9, 7Ko’s. From the opening bell until 2:15 of round three Guerrero’s punches landed “on target” pounding Archer to the head and body until down twice referee Randy Phillips called it.

In the first of two co-features heavyweight “Gentleman” Chazz Witherspoon,     26-1, 18Ko’s floored Clarksdale, Mississippi’s Willie Perryman, 10-20, 7Ko’s twice before the action was called at 2:09 of round two.

The second co-feature Akron, Ohio’s unbeaten jr. middleweight Shawn Porter,  10-0, 8Ko’s made quick work of Saint Louis, Missouri’s Lamar “The Prince of Pain” Harris, 6-3, 4Ko’s flooring him three times before the referee stopped at the beat down at 2:18 of round one.

Largo, Maryland unbeaten middleweight Dominic Wade 4-0, 4Ko’s jumped Memphis, Tennessee’s Tyrone Dowdy, 4-20, 3Ko’s with an unanswered volley of power shots prompting Dowdy’s corner to throw in the towel stopping the fight at 2:25 of round one of the scheduled four rounder.

Former two-time amateur super heavyweight champion Mike Wilson made his long awaited pro debut demolishing “Marvelous” Marvin Hunt, 12-24-1, 5Ko’s stopping him with a thunderous right hand at 1:59 of round one. ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Henry Shocks George as Godfrey Soars Past Hawk!

By: Carol Whiting                                                                                            June 10th, Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 28-year old cruiserweight Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey 19-1, 10 Ko’s retained his NABF cruiserweight title with an easy but lackluster win over Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s Shawn “The Sioux Warrior” Hawk 18-2, 16 Ko’s. Godfrey who was in control from the start confused, outscored and easily outworked a lethargic Hawk who only punched to prove he wasn’t sleep walking. The slick Godfrey was a little “Too Smooth” but he continues to climb the rankings but needs to find a battle, a test maybe even a punch. The judges scored the fight at 99-91, 97-93, 98-92 Godfrey we had it a shutout. Time

In the semi main event Houston, Texas, “Hard Hittin” light heavyweight Chris Henry 24-2, 19 Ko’s took all Brooklyn’s Shaun George 18-3-2, 9 Ko’s would offer turning it around to score a sixth round TKO. Henry attacked early with George landing clean counter rights finally backing the tough Texan up. Henry who showed early he could take Georges shots went back on the attack eating numerous heavy right hands but George could not finish the job.

The turning point was the third round when George took a breather and Henry began to use his jab setting up a good right rocking George to close the round. In round four Henry pressed loading up his shots and had George defensive and was rocked again on the ropes closing the round.

In round six Henry seemed focused and scored with another big right hand this time on the button. Clearly hurt George fell into another right dropping him to the deck where referee Steve Smoger known to let the fight did so as George beat the count. Henry surveyed for his spot and scored with two heavy rights dropping George for the second time forcing Smoger to put a halt to the action at1:08 of round six.

The win opens many doors for Henry and possible a big money or title fight down the road if the “Hard Hittin” Texan can back this win up. On the other hand it opens questions to Georges upset win over a dehydrated Chris Byrd May 2008 with his only win after a Tko of hand fed Jaffa Ballogou.