Keeppunching with Kerry Daigle

Champions of the World: The New Orleans Saints

They weren’t supposed to win. After all, the New Orleans Saints were a 5 point underdog (or more…depending on who you spoke to).  The media had latched on to what they claimed was the greatest quarterback of all time in Peyton Manning, a New Orleans native playing for the Indianapolis Colts. The problem was the media forgot that ‘Super Bowls’ are won by teams and not by one person. New Orleans had the better team.

“Oh, wait a minute, you might say, the better team was the Colts.” Or at least that’s what the media said. So, you bought the story. A lesson to learn is that teams win championships, not just one person.

“Build for your team a feeling of oneness, of dependence upon one another, and of strength to be derived from unity.”  VINCE LOMBARDI

Someone once said that winning is not as important as ‘playing the game’ and having fun. Sure, having fun is one thing but winning is everything. Especially in this case. MORE

Happy 50th To Glen Johnson

“The Road Warrior” Hits Half-Century Mark In Wins, Looks Forward To 2010 Title Shot

It’s one of modern boxing’s most coveted milestones, and on Friday, February 5th, former world light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson his 50 wins in spectacular fashion, stopping fellow contender Yusaf Mack in six rounds at the NSU Arena in Fort Lauderdale to improve to 50-13-2 with 34 knockouts as a professional.

“This is a great moment for me and it came with a lot of hard work and dedication,” said Johnson. “What made it even better for me was that I was able to get this win in front of my family and friends in South Florida, the people who have been in my corner all these years." MORE

Introducing Ismayl Sillak
"He's got a very smooth boxing style, but he can knock you out with either hand."

Undefeated light heavyweight Ismayl Silakh (10-0, 9 KOs), who hails from the Zaporozhye, Ukraine, but lives in California, already has one important believer in his quest for a world championship - manager Ivaylo Gotzev.

Renowned for his ability to spot young talent, Gotzev says Sillakh is already a threat to any of the world light heavyweight champions. "The phenomenal thing about him is he is blessed with amazing talent," he explains. "He's got a very smooth boxing style, but he can knock you out with either hand. He has enormous punching power. He's shared the gym with some champions and top contenders and when they watch him spar he sends chills down their spines. They won't spar with him." MORE

Fuselier: Boxer of the Year!
Brent Milam, Man of the Year!

2009 was a sensational year for heavyweight boxer, Wilfred "Wil the Thrill"Fuselier, Jr., and he was rewarded at the sold out Ragin' Cajun Amateur Boxing Club's annual awards banquet with the Boxer of the Year trophy. The standing room crowd at Alesi's Italian Restaurant gave Fuselier, who won the Louisiana Golden Gloves, USA Boxing Southern Association Tournament and the Louisiana Governors Games in 2009 a huge ovation. "Our club had a great year in 2009 and I am surprised and honored to win this trophy. All the hard work and sacrifice over the years paid off and I hope to bring home a national championship for our club", said a smiling Fuselier. MORE

Don “Da’ Bomb” George: Continues
Super-Middleweight Climb,
Destroys Williams in 3!

Last Friday night at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago , Illinois , fight fans were treated to another great night of boxing as Chicago ’s native son, Cestus Management Fighter Donovan George, scored another jaw dropping win.  “DA BOMB” (19-0-0 w/17 Kos ) completely dominated and destroyed Phil “The Drill” Williams knocking him out in 2:43 of the 3rd round.  In the 3 rounds that the fight lasted George showed that he is starting to evolve into a formidable fighter as his speed, boxing aptitude and shocking power all came together as he executed the big punching Williams with brutal efficiency.  “DA BOMB’s” sharp jab, power combination's and balanced footwork were just too much for “The Drill” to handle. MORE

Brinkley Defeats Stevens on ESPN

On Friday night, in front of a sold out arena at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, NV, Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Let's Get It On Promotions put together an action packed card on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" headlined by Curtis "Showtime" Stevens, taking on Jesse Brinkley in an Official IBF eliminator for the number two ranking in the super middleweight division.

Both fighters prior to the fight promised fireworks, and that's exactly what the audience got, as Stevens came out fast and hard in the first, landing vicious left hooks that immediately caught the attention of Brinkley. A left hook near the end of the first caught Brinkley flush on the cheek and created a nasty welt under his right eye. MORE

Quotes From Stevens-Brinkley
Final Press Conference

The final press conference for the upcoming showdown between Curtis "Showtime" Stevens (21-2, 15KO) and Jesse Brinkley (34-5, 22KO) was held today at the Extreme Sports Bar in the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada. The fight, taking place Friday night, is promoted by Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Let's Get It On Promotions. The bout, scheduled for twelve rounds in the super middleweight division, is an Official IBF super middleweight eliminator for the number two ranking, and will also be for Brinkley's USNBC super middleweight belt. ESPN's popular "Friday Night Fight" series will broadcast the event live, Friday January 29th, starting at 10PM ET.

Kicking off the press conference was Terry Lane of Let's Get It On Promotions, who thanked everyone for coming and showing their support for what has shaped up to be a huge fight. "We are very excited we were able to put this fight together," stated Terry. "This is a huge fight for Jesse, a huge fight for Reno, and a huge fight for boxing. This is going to be exciting fight. You have two big punchers, who are going to come forward and leave everything they have in the ring come Friday night."
Next to the podium was Terry's brother Tommy. "We have been trying to put this fight together for a few years now and finally it's here," said Tommy. "This is a very intriguing fight because both of these guys are the gatekeepers to each other's future. The winner of this fight will be in line for a world title opportunity, while the loser will have to take a hard look at their future in the sport of boxing. With both Jesse and Curtis' power you just know there is going to be fireworks come the 29th." MORE

Battle In The Ballroom Kicks Off
26th Season With New Wrinkle
Great Boxing Action With
A Punch From Mixed Martial Arts

Opening Night Is Wednesday, February 10 Irvine Marriott

Tickets go on sale today for Opening Night of the 26th season of Battle In The Ballroom shows at the Irvine Marriott, so make plans now to be at the Marriott on Wednesday, February 10th for a great night of boxing with a little mixed martial arts thrown in. Besides the over 800 season seat holders who have renewed for 2010, and the three new sponsors who have come on board this season, join the tens of thousands of sports fans who know that in Orange County on six nights a year, the Battle In The Ballroom fights are the most unique and exciting place to entertain clients and friends!

The large crowd expected for the Wednesday, February 10th will not be disappointed. Undefeated heavyweight 10-0 Joe Hanks returns to continue his climb into the heavyweight rankings, meeting 16-4 Shannon Miller in his toughest test to date. After a Ballroom battle that saw over $200 tossed into the ring, Chika Nakamura returns to meet Jennifer Barber in a female fight that is as evenly matched as possible. Nakamura is 8-1 and Barber is 9-1, and fans should not miss this fight. Santa Ana’s Jimmy Garcia returns to the ring facing 2-0 Manuel Delcid. Plus, another heavyweight match up see’s Hollywood’s Chris Davis meeting Kourtney Boden out of Henderson, NV. MORE

Notes from Jason Estrada Training Camp

As he prepares for his February 6 showdown in Newark against former world light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada’s nose is out of place and it doesn’t have anything to do with sparring sessions gone wrong.

Estrada (15-2, 3 KOs) feels disrespected by Team Adamek but not, surprisingly, for   Adamek looking past him to a reported April 24 fight against Chris Arreola, rather their apparent belief that Adamek (39-1, 27 KOs) has faster hands than Estrada, whose lightning-like hand speed for a 240-pound heavyweight has been his calling card.

“Looking past me towards Arreola doesn’t really bother me,” Estrada said. “I think it’s silly and they’ll hear about it after the fight. I never talk too much but I’m going to talk like never before after this fight. I hope they keep thinking about fighting somebody else. I’m keeping track of everything and got names of people to talk about after I beat Adamek. I’m going to shutdown his plans. MORE

World Boxing Foundation Newsletter

Hammond, Indiana’s Horseshoe Casino hosts  the WBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title on February 20th when “Fast” Fres Oquendo (31-5,20KO) steps into the ring with Lance Whitaker (34-6, 28KO). “Mount” Whitaker returns after a controversial decision lose to Oliver McCall in October and Oquendo has two wins since his split decision loss in 2008 at the hands of James Toney.

“Superman” Bronco McKart (51-9-1, 31KO) faces “Bam Bam” Jose Rodriquez Berrio (20-3, 12KO) Feb.27, for the WBF Intercontinental Middleweight Title in Monroe, Michigan. McKart returns to action with an eye towards rejuvenating a career that put him in possession of several titles in both the light middleweight and middleweight divisions. Berrio solidly stands in the way of that journey with the Columbian native packing destructive knockout power.

Rising Gold Coast boxing star Les “Lock & Load” Sherrington (25-5, 16 knockouts) makes the first defense of his WBF interim world super middleweight championship when he defends against former time IBF and WBA world title challenger Antwun “Kid Dynamite” Echols (34-12-4, 29 KO) from the United States. Venue for this much anticipated shootout is the Convention Center, Broadbeach, Australia . Saturday night March 6th.

Former Contender star Sam Soliman (37-11, 15KO) battles  Shannon McMahon (16-5, 6KO) on 13th March for the WBF World Middleweight Title in Racecourse Reception Center, Moonee Valley, Victoria, Australia

In All-America’s Light Heavyweight title action on January 22, in Pittsburg Pennsylvania at the Hilton Hotel, Rayco Saunders goes to war with Demetrius Davis.

Stevens Has Sights on Super Middleweight Crown

"It might be your city, but don't be mistaken this is my coming out party."

Those were the harsh words of wisdom Curtis "Showtime" Stevens had for Jesse Brinkley when asked about their upcoming showdown on Friday January 29th at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, NV. The bout, scheduled for 12 rounds, is IBF Super Middleweight Eliminator for the #2 ranking (Stevens is currently rated #10, while Brinkley is rated #6) and will be shown live as the main event on that evening's ESPN "Friday Night Fights" telecast.

The 24-year-old Stevens (21-2, 15KO) is currently riding a four bout streak since joining Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing stable of promoted fighters, including a career best victory in his last bout when he scored a third round TKO over previously unbeaten Piotr Wilczewski (22-0) in July of 2009. Coincidently, the fight against Wilczewski, which was on the undercard of fellow Polish native Tomaz Adamek defending his cruiserweight championship, also saw Stevens; as he will do against the Nevada native Brinkley, enter into very hostile territory. MORE

FPU VII Session Announced
Will Also Offer First Ever FPU
Netcast to The World

With the next Fight Promoter University less than three months away, FPU founder Roy Englebrecht announced the date for FPU VII. It is set to begin Tuesday, March 30th and run thru Friday, April 2nd at the Irvine Marriott Hotel in Irvine, California.  Englebrecht also announced that the entire four day FPU VII session will be made available live on the internet with the first ever FPU Netcast. FPU VII will be held in conjunction with the April 1st Battle In The Ballroom boxing and mixed martial arts show, now in its 26th year at the Irvine Marriott.

"We have a great line up of guest speakers for FPU VII," said Englebrecht, "and now being able to make all FPU sessions available to anyone in the world thru our live streaming netcast, will open a future as a fight promoter to an unlimited audience. We are partnering with Pathfinder Digital TV to insure the most state-of-the-art production and quality netcast possible." MORE

Southeast Texas Regional Golden Gloves

Texas’s top amateur boxers are currently preparing for the 74th annual Houston area Southeast Texas Regional Golden Gloves competition held at the Denver Harbor Multi Service Center, 6402 Market St., Houston, Texas 77020, January 27th thru January 31st, 2010 and will attract an array of spectators, some of Houston elite professional boxers and boxing promoters keeping tabs on the next crop of upcoming talent.

There will be two boxing rings used and approximately 25 bouts in each ring per night. The unique event provides an opportunity for male, female and junior boxers as young as 8 to compete in one tournament. The 2010 event is on track to boast one of the largest turnouts in the history of the event with over 400 boxers currently pre-registered for the tournament.

The Southeast Texas Region has won the team title six consecutive years at the Texas state tournament. Returning champions in this year’s field will include Eric Fowler (Lightweight from Cardio Boxing Gym in Spring) seeking his fourth title, Mercedes Manriquez (Featherweight fighting Unattached) going for his fifth title. Daniel Ybarra (Flyweight from Elite Boxing Club in East Houston), Juan Leija (Flyweight from Santa Fe Boxing Club), Damazo Tello (Middleweight from Savannah’s Boxing Club in SW Houston) and Zavier Combs (Light Welterweight also from Savannah’s Boxing Club) will be seeking their second titles. MORE

Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Inductees Announced

The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame has announced the class of 2010 inductees.  Living inductees include: former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, former top contenders Gomeo Brennan, and Frankie Otero, women’s pioneer Barbara Buttrick, trainer/managers Dan Birmingham and Al Bonanni, promoters Phil Alessi and Don King, historian Enrique Encinosa, commissioner Don Hazelton, and in the non-participant category, Bob Alexander, and James “Smitty” Smith. The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame also released the names of the posthumous inductees: world champion Willie Pep, contenders Yama Bahama, Bobby Dykes, Tommy Gomez, and Elmer Ray, and 1932 Olympic Gold medallist Eddie Flynn, and  in the non-participant category, Jay Edson and Lou Viscusi.

The induction weekend is set for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 25, 26, 27, 2010, in Tampa.  All living inductees are expected to be in attendance, along with the inductees from the Class of 2009, as well as Ramiro Ortiz and Steve Yerrid, who will be receiving special awards.  A special award will also be given in honor of the late Mike Birmingham.  Living Inductees will receive a Hall of Fame Ring, Certificate, and Plaque, and be on hand to participate in the many weekend activities with the public. MORE

The Maxwell Football Club Honors The Best Professional Football Player With The 51st Annual Bert Bell Award

This year's winner is quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints  

Here are some updates on the NFL's top performances from Wild Card Weekend and a look ahead at this week's Divisional Playoff Round.
 
Who's Hot:
 
High Desert Drama. 51-45, no not the score of a high school or college basketball game, but the result of the Arizona Cardinals defeating the Green Bay Packers in overtime of a NFC wild card game for the ages.  The combined 96 points and 1,024 total net yards are both NFL post season records.  Kurt Warner, who is contemplating retirement after the season, completed 29 of 33 passes for 379 yards and five touchdowns. A triumvirate of receivers had outstanding performances for the Cardinals.  Early Doucet had six receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns, Larry Fitzgerald hauled in six passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns and Steve Breaston caught seven passes for 125 yards and a score. Green Bay was no less prolific through the air. The Packers' Aaron Rodgers connected on 28 of 42 passes for 422 yards and four touchdowns. Tight end Jermichael Finley caught six passes for 159 yards, while receiver Greg Jennings latched on to eight throws for 130 yards and a one handed touchdown catch that is bound for postseason highlight films for the next ten years. Ironically, the end of the game came as a result of the defense when Cardinals defensive back Michael Adams stripped Rodgers of the ball.  The pigskin caromed off Rodgers' foot and into the waiting arms of linebacker Karlos Dansby who ran 17 yards into the end zone before being mobbed by his teammates. MORE

Star Boxing – 2009 in Review

In what can only be termed as a wildly crazy, unpredictable and sometimes disappointing year, 2009 will surely not be soon forgotten by Star Boxing Founder and CEO Joe DeGuardia.

Notable Events/Fighter Highlights

Star Boxing promoted and was in association with numerous successful events throughout the year, starting in February at New York City's Roseland Ballroom.

Robinson Shines On Friday Night Fights

The show, which was held on Friday the 13th and broadcast on the ever popular ESNP2 "Friday Night Fight" series, saw Star Boxing's jr. welterweight prospect, "The New" Ray Robinson pick up his most impressive victory to date. In his first nationally televised co-feature, Robinson stopped fellow previously undefeated prospect Darnell Jiles (8-0-1, 3KO) in the third round of their scheduled six round contest. In a very impressive showing, Robinson continuously beat Jiles to the punch and was in command throughout until Jiles failed to answer the bell to start the fourth. The victory improved Robinson's record to 10- 0, 4KO.

Star Fighters Pick Up A Clean Sweep On FNF

On March 6 at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, CT, Star Boxing packed the house, and picked up a clean sweep with Delvin Rodriguez, Raymond Serrano and Demetrius Andrade all scoring impressive victories. The card, which again was part of ESPN's "Friday Night Fight" series, was headlined by Rodriguez taking on fellow Star Boxing stable-mate Shamone Alvarez in an official IBF Welterweight Title Eliminator.

In what was a very close and highly entertaining battle, that brought the fans in attendance to a standing ovation multiple times throughout the twelve round contest, Rodriguez overcame an injured right hand and rallied down the stretch, dropping Alvarez in the 11th, to go on to win a unanimous decision. MORE

“Candyman” Prevost Makes
Compost of McNabb!

Blake Prevost , Lafayette, Louisiana (182 lbs), was sensational last night in Texarkana, Arkansas, scoring a devastating KO over hometown hopeful, Danny McNabb (184 lbs). Blake dropped the aggressive McNabb with a straight left, high on the head after about 45 seconds. Danny arose from the mandatory eight count, determined to get even. Prevost used his ring skills to evade McNabb's charge and then landed a right hook from his southpaw stance that left McNabb in heap on the canvas, unable to beat the 10 count. One minute and twelve seconds (1:12) of round one and the bout was over!

After a hand injury in 2006 Prevost was inactive for nearly a year. About two weeks after receiving medical clearance to resume training Blake broke his ankle. This forced him out of the ring until June of 2009. Two winning bouts in 2009 and a terrific start to 2010 for Prevost. This former Louisiana Golden Gloves and U.S. Marine champion is on the right track and his trainer (former Undisputed Women's Featherweight Champion), Deirdre Gogarty sees great things in Blake's future. Manager Kerry Daigle of Keeppunching Promotions (www.keeppunching.com) has Prevost on track for 4 more quick bouts including a main event against a notable contender. MORE