Soto and Warren speak before Bellator 27

Tonight on Fox Sports Net, Bellator Fighting Championships will have it’s first major title bout as Featherweight Champion Joe Soto faces off against Season 2 Featherweight Tournament winner Joe Warren at Bellator 27 from the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, TX. Both fighters spoke out about this historic fight as Soto and Warren are looking to finish each other.

Bellator Featherweight Champion Joe Soto:

“I don’t think it’s going to be the pace that determines this, I think it’s going to be all the positions that we get into. Warren ’s going to get into a lot of unfamiliar places that he’s not going to be comfortable with. I think I’m a lot better rounded that he is. This isn’t a wrestling, this is MMA. We don’t know whose wrestling is going to be better until we get in there. I’m more well rounded – I’m going to kick his ass.”

“It’s going to take a different opponent for me to lose this belt – not Joe Warren and it would suck to lose to him; I never want to lose to a dirt bag like that. All he does better than me is talk s***. Talking is the only thing he does better. He keeps a good pace , but I don’t see anything in the cage he does better than me. He’s got weak punches when he’s on top, nothing I’m scared of.”

“I want to be not only the best 145 pounder in the world, but one of the best fighters ever. The pound for pound best ever. That’s my goal. I want to be a legend. My overall game will give him problems. I’m an MMA veteran, and he should be worried about my game. Warren likes to do a lot of talking, and is doing a nice job of selling the fight, but he definitely has some holes I feel like I can exploit. As always, I’m prepared for any situation.”

Bellator Season 2 Tournament Champion Joe Warren:

“I’m a born Champion. It doesn’t matter if it’s wrestling or MMA. I want to do this to get some credibility. Once I win the championships people will know that I am an all around fighting professional. Winning the belt is going to mean that I’ve met a goal and I can set goals and reach them. This is really important for me and my family.”

“No one can handle my pace. I can’t even handle it. I’m going to push even harder than I ever have before. I don’t plan on leaving without that belt. As far as my potential, I’m about 20 percent of where I can be. I’ve got 80 more percent coming. Any competitor should be scared as hell. Just because I’m older doesn’t mean I’m not nasty.”

“I’m so happy this fight is here. This fight been a real long time coming, and I just don’t want to let this opportunity pass me by. Every fight I had in Season 2 was the biggest of my career, and now the chance to win the belt is here. This is what I do for a living, so it’s time to get busy.”

“I’ve just got to stay focused on the core fundamentals of MMA, push hard and stay mentally tough. In my fight with Pitbull, things weren’t going my way after that first round. During every fight there is a time when you decide if you want to win or lose the fight, and after that first round, I decided I wanted it more. It was a battle, but I stayed mentally tough, and ended up winning the fight.”

“If the fight turns into a straight wrestling match, it’s going to get really interesting because flat out, I’m the better wrestler. Either way, neither of us want to lose, so the fans are in for a great match.”

Margarito reacts to Pacquaio saying he knew wraps were loaded; Pacquiao belives Margarito deserves fight

What a crazy day this past Tuesday in Beverly Hills. It seemed the whole world converged at the Beverly Hills Hotel as the best boxer on the planet, Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito talked to the media to promote their upcoming November 13th fight at Cowboys Stadium in Texas. There has been a lot of negativity regarding Antonio Margarito as an opponent for Manny Pacquiao, with many saying he does not deserve the right to fight Pacquiao after he was caught with illegal hand wraps prior to his fight with Shane Mosley.

Margarito still vehemently claims that he was not aware of his loaded wraps and blames then trainer Javier Capetillo for what has transpired after. It really is a hot subject and we reached out to many of our fans and supporters on Facebook for the types of questions they would like answered in regards to interviewing Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquiao. Marcos, our head video interviewer asked those very questions all you expressed to us online.

Though he mentioned to us that it was quite hectic at times, he was able to squeeze off some very good questions one on one with both Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito.

“Do you think Antonio Margarito even deserves to be in the ring with you?”

“Do you think you can ever get the support of the boxing community back with you?”

“What do you personally think of Antonio Margarito?”

We also caught on camera, Antonio Margarito’s reaction as a reporter notified him that Manny Pacquiao believes that Margarito had to of known what were going into his wraps..

let there be video!

Lesnar coach “Brock needs sparring partners that can kick box and grapple for Cain”

Erik Paulson is one of those guys that is known to many mma insiders but is a virtually unknown to those casual fans of the sport. Universally known to be able to choke you out 20 ways in literally one single position has kept busy since retiring from active competition. In particular he serves as head coach to WEC fighter Javier Vazquez, Josh Barnett and is in the corner of current UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

The man that calls CSW training center (combat submission wrestling) home in Fullerton, CA is also a multiple time Shooto Champion. For those of you reading this and do not know what that means, go do your homework rookie!

For the rest of you, if your in the area you have to check out his gym and speak with Paulson and get ready for him to display and show you the submissions that have made the man famous and one of the most respected trainers in the business.

As usual, Marcos spoke to Mr. Paulson and asked him what happened in between rounds during Lesnar’s fight with Shane Carwin, what happened after the fight and what type of a match us fans should expect when Lesnar takes on Cain Velasquez at UFC 121 in Anaheim, CA.

Limond seeks to do what Pacquiao did to Morales

Scotsman Willie “Hands of Steel” Limond, WBU Lightweight Champion, will be a plaid matador to Mexican bull — 5-time world champion in three different weight classes, Erik “Terrible” Morales — in their September 11 showdown that headlines the “Mexican Fiesta” Pay-Per-View show live from Mexico City.

“”I know this is going to be a hard fight,” Limond said, “but I’m hoping to take the bull by the horns and put on a great performance for the fans in Mexico, USA and my Scottish fans back home.”

Limond (33-2, 8 KOs) will be fighting for the first time outside of the United Kingdom against living legend Morales (49-6, 34 KOs), rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Council, in an outdoor bull ring, Plazo de Toros, which is being set-up to seat 54,000 for “Mexican Fiesta.” Morales, who is the last man to defeat Manny Pacquiao, will be shooting for his 50th career win in the 12-round main event.

“Fighting Morales anywhere is a hard fight but to fight him on Mexican Independence Day makes it even harder,” Limond noted. “The man is one of my heroes. It will be an honor to share the ring with him and I’m hoping I can spoil the party.

“He has tons of experience, more knockouts than I have fights, and he is still a very dangerous fighter. If I were to win this fight it would be the highlight of my career and I think it could open major doors for big fights.”

“Mexican Fiesta,” presented by Grupo Empresarial Matiz, is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

Limond nearly had his breakthrough fight in 2007, when he floored Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan, but Willie was unable to continue the fight after eight rounds, in which Khan took Limond’s British Empire belt. Limond has won his last five fights since losing to Khan.

“I have quite a fan-base in Scotland,” he added, “so a victory would be a massive thing for the Scots. I think it would go down in Scottish history as a great win for a Scottish fighter.”

Former WBC Light Flyweight Champion Edgar Sosa (39-6, 23 KOs) challenges WBC International Flyweight Champion Ryan Bito (18-6-3, 6 KOs), representing the Philapines, in the 12-round co-feature on the “Mexican Fiesta” PPV card..

In a female super flyweight battle of champions, WBC titlist Ann Marie “La Guerrera” Torres (21-3-2, 13 KOs), of Mexico, defends her belt against WIBF and GBU champion Alesia “The Tigress” Graf (25-1, 9 KOs), of Germany, in a 10-round title bout.

Bellator 27: Soto vs. Warren; All fighters make weight

Bellator 27 will be live from the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas as Bellator Featherweight champion Joe Soto will face the Bellator season two Featherweight tournament winner Joe Warren. All fighters made weight as Bellator 27 will be aired live, this Thursday on Fox Sports Net. Below are the official weights:

Bellator Featherweight Championship
(Champion) Joe “The Hammer” Soto (144.8 lbs) vs. Joe Warren (143.6 lbs)

Undercard:
Bryan Goldsby (135.8 lbs) vs.  Ed West (135 lbs)
Nick Mamalis (135.8 lbs) vs. Zach Makovsky (134.4 lbs)
Travis Reddinger (135 lbs) vs. Uylsses Gomez (135.2 lbs)
Andrew Craig (184 lbs) vs. Rodrigo Pinheiro (185)
Aaron Barringer(154.4 lbs) vs. Gilbert Jimenez( 154.2)
Dale Mitchell(264.2 lbs) vs. Richard Odoms(260.4 lbs)
Steven Peterson (145.5 lbs) vs. Ernest De La Cruz (144.4 lbs)
Joe Christopher (170.6 lbs) vs. Andrew Chappelle (169.6 lbs)
John Kirk (205 lbs) vs. Shane Faulkner (204.6 lbs)

Boxing News Flash: Goossen Tudor Signs Michael Ruiz Jr.

Goossen Tudor Promotions announced today that it has signed undefeated bantamweight prospect Michael Ruiz Jr.

Ruiz is a amateur silver medal winner at the 2009 Golden Gloves tournament as well as a bronze medalist at the U.S. Men’s Open National Championship. He holds a record of 5-0 and made his pro-debut on a Goossen Tutor fight card at Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino earlier this year.

Ruiz stated that now it is the time to make a step up in his boxing career and Goossen Tudor is the promotion company that will get him into title contention.

Ruiz is scheduled to fight at Tachi Palace in Lemoore, a few short miles from his hometown of Fresno, CA on Oct. 7.

The Big Apple welcomes “Boxing 360″ series

press release:

“The Boxing 360 Series,” presented by Bob Duffy’s Ring Promotions and sponsored by Boxing 360, will include three New York City-based shows in 2010, starting September 24 at Plattduetsche Park Restaurant in Franklin Square. Other series dates are tentatively set for November 4 and December 10.

“We want to keep the fighters in our stable busy and take the company to the next level,” Boxing 360 Director of Boxing Bob Duffy explained. “We’re committed to fighters we’ve signed and are looking to sign more talent. There are a lot of talented boxers in New York City but not enough shows. Not all of the fighters on our shows will be with Boxing 360. We’re open to working with other promoters to keep fighters fighting.”

The inaugural series show will be headlined by undefeated Boxing 360 super middleweight Lennox “2 Sharpe” Allen (12-0-1, 7 KOs), the Guyanese champion now living in Brooklyn. Allen will be fighting Nick Brinson (7-0-1, 5 KOs), of Geneva (NY), in the 8-round main event for the vacant New York State title.

Unbeaten N.Y. State Light Heavyweight Champion Ronson Frank (15-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Rosedale (NY) by way of Guyana, takes on Tony Ferrante (9-1, 4 KOs), of N. Philadelphia, in the 8-round co-feature. Ronson is the younger brother of former world NBA super middleweight champion, Steven Frank, and former world title challenger, Raul Frank.

“Ronson is a perfect example of what we’re trying to do with other promoters,” Duffy noted. “He is promoted by O’Shea Brothers Promotions and Brian O’Shea is a good friend. We’re very happy that he has placed Ronson on this card and we hope to partner with other promoters for our series.”

Also scheduled to fight on the card is unbeaten Harlem light middleweight — by way of Burkina Faso — Issouf Kinda (8-0, 5 KOs) vs. TBA in an 6/8-round bout; popular Plainview (NY) welterweight Tommy “The Razor” Rainone (13-4, 4 KOs) vs. TBA in a 6/8-round match; Providence cruiserweight Joshua Harris (6-3-1, 5 KOs) vs. Kamareh Pasley (5-4, 2 KOs) in a 6-rounder; former New York Golden Gloves and Empire State amateur champion, undefeated Brooklyn featherweight Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (6-0-1, 3 KOs) vs. former Dominican Republic super flyweight titlist Liliana Martinez (8-11-2, 4 KOs) in another 6-round fight. Georgia junior welterweight Arthur Bridges (1-0, 1 KO) will be in action against an opponent to be determined in a 4-round bout. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $175.00 (includes cocktails and dinner party), $75.00 (ringside) and $50.00 (general admission), are available by calling 516.313.2304 or Plattduetsche Park Restaurant, or at Boxing 360 (183 Bleeker St.).

Doors open at 7:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:45 PM. For more information got to www.Boxing360.com.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito Press Conference Highlights

Fight Hub TV was in Beverly Hills CA, chasing down both Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquiao as Top Rank held a media press conference for their scheduled fight November 13th, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington Texas. Of course we got exclusive interviews with both fighter we are going to release soon, but here are a few things we got away from the press conference.

Every time you are around Manny Pacquiao it is like you are following an “A-List” celebrity. Not only do you get throngs of media people from media outlets you have never heard from, you also get everybody and their great great grandma of philipino desecent at any type of Manny Pacquiao showing. It’s freaking crazy.

Manny Pacquiao admitted that he personally believes that Antonio Margarito knew he had his hands loaded for his match against Sugar Shane Mosley. “He is the one who wraps his hands and he doesn’t know what’s in there? Of course he knows. What do you think? My belief is he knows that. He is just making some kind of alibi,” said Pacquiao.

Antonio Margarito believes he has done more than enough to deserve this fight, and feels that a win over Pacquiao would redeem himself to those fallen fans and the boxing public.

When pressed about giving a rematch to Miguel Cotto or Shane Mosley, margarito stayed mum, stating that when the time comes after this November fight he would be able to elaborate more.

Bob Arum went to law school….who would of knew..

If you ever get a chance to become a media person and attend these press conferences, attend anything to Top Rank. They give you exquisite food and really take care of you.

Oh yea, really, really hot pinay girls go out to anything Manny Pacquiao related. You looking for a cute girl, just mob over to these press conferences and spit yo best game, you sure to pick up at the very least a digit.

Enjoy our highlight clips while we upload our exclusive one on ones!

Fight Hub TV Local MMA fighter Spotlight: Sam Quele vs. Kevin Silva

In our local mma spotlight feature, Sam Quele and Kevin Silva go toe-2-toe as this fight ends in quick KO fashion!

Local Fighter Spotlight: Delbert Grace vs. Bradley Arakaki

In this local fighter spotlight Delbert Grace from Hawaii puts his knees into use as he takes on Bradley Arakaki at their Up-n-Up 8 fight in the big island of Hawaii. Ken Yates, our friendly neighborhood correspondent from the land of paradise was on hand as he filmed the action.

So if your in the mood for watching a little violence, or think a good ol fashion butt whooping will pump you up to lay the smack down on your nagging supervisor, feel free to watch!

Bob Arum gives us a update on Manny Pacquiao

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum was kind enough to speak to the hardest working man in the video interview business, Marcos about how Manny Pacquiao was doing before his scheduled media tour for his fight with Antonio Margarito due to start this Tues in LA. Arum, lets us know what Manny has been doing and how difficult it could be to handle the duties of being a congressman and a full time fighter!

Pacquiao vs. Margarito Press Conference Open To Public in New York

This Wednesday September 1st, Top Rank will be holding a press conference open to the public publicizing the fight between Congressman Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito. Both the fighters and their respective trainers (Freddie Roach, Robert Garcia) will be present. The news conference, which is open to the public, will be held at the Chelsea Piers – Pier 60 (23rd St. & The Hudson River, New York, NY 10011) at 11:30 am ET.

The planned media tour for the fight will begin in Los Angeles on Tuesday, will conclude on Friday with a news conference, open to the public, at Cowboys Stadium-East End Zone Platform, beginning at 11:30 a.m.CT. Pacquiao and Margarito are also scheduled to attend Thursday night’s preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins at Cowboys Stadium.

With Antonio Margarito being granted a license to box in Texas the fight will now take place at Cowboys Stadium on November 13 in Arlington, TX.

Eddie Alvarez vs. Roger Huerta official for Bellator 33

Now this is a match fans have been waiting to see from Bellator for some time now. The Chicago based company announced today that top ranked pound-4-pound lightweight Eddie Alvarez (20-2) will take on Roger “El Matador” Huerta (24-4-1) at the promotions debut in Pennsylvania at  the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia at Bellator 33 on October 21st.

Alvarez, who is a Philadelphia native is particularly excited to be fighting in his hometown,”Roger Huerta, Philadelphia, October 21st… this is a dream fight for me,” said Alvarez. “I’ve never even lost a fight here in the United States, so I’m definitely not going to start in my hometown of Philadelphia with all of my people there. That’s not going to happen. Not a chance. I’m not going to be happy unless I completely control and dominate Roger in this fight. It’s important for me to go in there and dominate this fight and prove that I’m one of the best lightweights in the world.”

Huerta of course has had a disappointing start in Bellator. He came in as a top favorite for the promotions season 2 lightweight tournament but soon gave up a decision win to Pat Curran, who would eventually win the tournament for a shot at Alavarez. Huerta, likes the fact that he is fighting in Alvarez’s hometown, ” The pressure is on him fighting in his hometown. He’s going to bring the best out of me. The best. It’s going to be scary.”

Huerta has high expectations for this fight as he expects it to be a “potential fight of the year,” but ultimately feels he will finish Sanchez.

The Liacouras Center is located on the campus of Temple University, in the heart of Philadelphia. Tickets for “Bellator 33: Alvarez vs. Huerta” are priced at $150, $85, $65, $45, and $25, and go on sale Monday, August 30^th at www.ComcastTix.com

Beibut Shumenov looking to be the next star in boxing

press release

WBA and IBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Beibut Shumenov, a native of Kazakhstan took the fast track to become world champion, establishing a weight-class record along the way. With a unanimous decision win over Viacheslav Uzelkov on ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights he now wants to accelerate his road to stardom.

Shumenov is set on a mission to unify the titles starting with his next bout, hopefully before the year is out.

“I want a unification fight next,” Shumenov said. “I’m ready to fight any of the other champions now. (Jean) Pascal and (Tavoris) Cloud are both good champions and I’d love to fight either one. Throw in world champion Jurgen Brahmer, too. My goal is to unify the titles. I have a lot of respect for all of the other champions but I want their titles.”

“It’s unheard of, a fighter that wants one challenge after another so early in their career,” said Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor Promotions. “But this is what boxing needs, the most competitive and biggest fights that can be made. The networks should ONLY be looking at these young champions to be facing off with one another. Beibut wants to give the fans want they want to see.”

Shumenov (10-1, 6 KOs) who now lives in Las Vegas, wasn’t looking to pad his record from the day he turned pro 2 ½ years ago, after he represented Kazakhstan in the 2004 Olympics.

In his third pro fight, he took on 70-fight veteran Shannon Miller, who was put to sleep in the fourth round of their fight in Memphis, followed only three weeks later in Kazakhstan by a second-round knockout of former WBC Continental Americas champion Donnell Wiggins (24-10-4) for the WBC Asian Boxing Council and Interim PABA light heavyweight belts.

Next up for Shumenov were successful title defenses of the aforementioned crowns, in addition to capturing the vacant WBO Asia Pacific belt against Lavell Finger (26-2) who didn’t make it out of the opening round. Fighting at home for the third straight fight, Shumenov stepped-up to face his stiffest test, former WBC and WBA light heavyweight champion, Montell Griffin (49-7), who sported wins against world champions James Toney (twice) and Roy Jones, Jr. Shumenov pitched a complete, 12-round shutout, winning the unanimous decision by scores of 120-108, 120-108, 120-107.

Back in the U.S., Shumenov squared-off against world title challenger Epifanio Mendoza (28-6-1), who had lost to Chad Dawson in their 2007 world title fight and a year later by a controversial decision to former world champion Jeff Lacy. Beibut defeated Mendoza in Bellevue, Washington by 10-round unanimous decision (100-90, 98-92, 97-93).

From that point on it’s been all world championship fights for Shumenov, who captured the IBA crown last year in Kazakhstan, stopping 2-time world super middleweight champion Byron Mitchell (27-4-1) in the fourth round. In his ninth pro fight, Shumenov unsuccessfully challenged WBA titlist Gabriel Campillo in Kazakhstan, losing a hotly contested, questionable 12-round majority decision.

Beibut bounced back strong in another back-and-forth rematch this past January, winning a 12-round decision against Campillo for the WBA belt in only his 10th pro fight. Shumenov shattered the previous world record for fewest professional fights to capture a major World light heavyweight title, 15, set by Jeff “Hit Man” Harding in 1989.

In his first WBA title defense (July 23) on ESPN Friday Night Fights, Shumenov showed the valuable lessons learned from the prior two Campillo bouts, to totally dominate mandatory challenger and previously unbeaten Vyacheslav Uzelkov (22-0, 13 KOs), displaying speed, aggressiveness and fearlessness right through the closing seconds en route to an overwhelming unanimous decision (118-108, 118-108, 117-109).

His impressive fight against the Ukrainian was only his second with head trainer, Kevin Barry, and first fighting for Goossen Tutor Promotions. The classy Kazakh showed tremendous ability and fought his way side-by-side with the other 175-pound champions. “I have the best trainer in the world, Kevin, and I was 100-percent dedicated to training and completely focused on Uzelkov alone because I signed with Goossen Tutor,” Beibut explained.

Shumenov joined featherweight Aratoly Alexandrov, heavyweight, Oleg “Big O’ Maskaev and cruiserweight Vassily “The Tiger” Jirov as the only Kazakh-born professional world boxing champions.

On the fast track outside of the ring, too, Beibut has a law degree, speaks five languages (Russian, Kazakh, English, Turkish and Uzbek), and along with his brother, Chingis, own a full-service boxing promotional company based in Las Vegas, NV. KZ Event Productions fighters include unbeaten, WBA #9-rated light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov (15-0-1, 10 KOs) and undefeated welterweight, WBA #14 Ravshan Hudaynazrov.

UFC 118 Results

Frankie Edgar def B.J. Penn via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Randy Couture def James Toney via arm-triangle choke in R1 (3:19)
Demian Maia def Mario Miranda via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Gray Maynard def Kenny Florian via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Nate Diaz def. Marcus Davis via guillotine choke in R3 (4:02)
Joe Lauzon def. Gabe Ruediger via armbar in R1 (2:01)
Nik Lentz def Andre Winner via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Dan Miller def John Salter via anaconda choke in R2 (1:53)
Greg Soto def Nick Osipczak via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Mike Pierce def Amilcar Alves via armbar in R3 (3:11)

UFC 118 weigh in results

Main Event
UFC Lightweight title fight:
Champion Frankie Edgar (154) vs. B.J. Penn (154)

Co-Main Event:
Randy Couture (220) vs. James Toney (237)

Undercard:
Kenny Florian (156) vs. Gray Maynard (156)
Marcus Davis (170) vs. Nate Diaz (171)
Demian Maia (184) vs. Mario Miranda (185)
Joe Lauzon (156) vs. Gabe Ruediger (155)
Nik Lentz (155) vs. Andre Winner (154)
Dan Miller (185) vs. John Salter (185)
Nick Osipczak (171) vs. Greg Soto (170)
Amilcar Alves (171) vs. Mike Pierce (171)

Kimbo Slice confirms move to boxing, Fight Hub TV first to get exclusive!

Last week, we brought you a world exclusive as our fight correspondent Marcos, found out from Gary Shaw that backyard brawler turned overnight sensation Kimbo Slice would be making his boxing debut. Today a official announcement was made by Gary Shaw Promotions. For Kimbo, the move to boxing proves to be a fresh start after a frustrating career in mma which saw him compile a record of 4-2. Slice, whose real name is Kevin Ferguson told ESPN that “he feels like a baby again,” and that he will be coming into the boxing heavyweight division to “break some ribs and jaws.”

Current plans are to have Slice debut in October or November as he has teamed up with boxing trainer Clemente Medina. See our worldwide exclusive interview with Gary Shaw confirming Kimbo’s move to mma.