FORMER WORLD CHAMPION BOXERS GABRIEL AND RAFAEL RUELAS TO BE HONORED JUNE 23

Studio City, CA (June 11) Imagine coming to America at age seven, having never worn, let alone owned a pair of shoes in your life.  That is only one of many hardships overcome by brothers Rafael and Gabriel Ruelas on their way to simultaneously becoming World Champions and adored by their fans and the world of boxing.

Having worked the entirety of their young lives in Mexico instead of going to school, it seemed natural for the boys to sell candy door to door after school when they emigrated to Southern California.  Gabriel had stopped to make a sale at the "neighborhood" gym of boxing trainer Joe Goossen, and upon seeing the ring and bags, asked Goossen to teach him the sport.

"I was reluctant at first, because here you have a 13-year-old kid asking for help and I was training professionals so I tried to send him away," said Joe Goossen of young Gabriel.

Alonzo Strongbow, the #1 Flyweight in the World was there and persuaded Joe to give Gabriel a shot because he 'saw something in his eyes.'  

Gabriel asked several times if he could bring younger brother Rafael into the gym too.  Joe denied the request on multiple occasions until he realized that he needed someone to spar with Gabriel, so he conceded and the next day Rafael put down his box of candy and came in to the gym.  

"The very first day Rafael joined his brother, we put the gloves and headgear on him and threw him in the ring with Gabriel who gave his little brother a beating, until Rafael just used his natural ability and was able to slip away from several of the punches his brother was throwing," Joe Goossen reflects.  "I remember Frankie Duarte (top world contender) and I were watching this and nudging each other.  We both knew what incredible talent we had in our gym, and now we had two of them!

"At the time I may not have known it, but I've certainly come to realize that this was a very special, once in a lifetime relationship between a trainer and a fighter.  Then to have actually been successful with it, and turn these young kids into two World Champions was extraordinary and I'm quite proud of them.  It's a team effort on something like this and their dedication and desire to perfect what they were doing was unparalleled." 

Goossen Tutor Promotions is bringing a prominent reoccurring boxing series, titled "Live at the Lodge" back to the San Fernando Valley reflective of their "Country Club Series" in the 80s which enabled Gabriel and Rafael and many others to hone their skills in becoming World Champions.  The first of these shows will be held June 23 at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, Calif. and will be broadcast live on Telefutura's hit series "Solo Boxeo Tecate."

Dan and Joe Goossen will be honoring the "Candy Kids" at the inaugural event for their contribution to the sport of boxing and the incredibly inspiring success story of the two World Champion boxers, and their rise from selling candy upon their arrival in America to success in and out of the ring. 

"Little did I know twenty some odd years ago we would be honoring Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas for their achievements in the sport of boxing," Dan Goossen said fondly. "They were literally selling candy door-to-door in the neighborhood as 11 and 12 year-olds and stumbled across my brother's gym.  They told my brother Joe they wanted to become boxers and the next thing I know they each became  World Champions.  They have been the benchmark for hard-work, dedication, heart and loyalty for every fighter we've signed since.  Even today, I find that the Ruelas brothers are fondly remembered by boxing fans."

"It's a great honor to receive this recognition, especially in the valley where we grew up and had so many fights right here at the Reseda Country Club," said Rafael Ruelas.  "I try not to get too close to boxing and reflect back on my career too often because it brings back a lot of great memories.  I miss the sport tremendously and I'm just very grateful to be receiving an honor like this."

His brother Gabriel modestly stated, "It is very special to be receiving any kind of award in boxing, especially with so many World Champions who could be on the receiving end.  I think what we had was a special scenario that was so unique because the Goossen's really took us in.  I didn't look at them as a trainer and a promoter, they were family.  That kind of loyalty is hard to come by anywhere, let alone in boxing."

The event will be broadcast on TeleFutura's hit series "Solo Boxeo Tecate" and promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions. 

Tickets priced at $103.50 VIP, $52.50 Ringside & $32.50 are on sale at www.GoossenTutor.com/schedule or by calling the Goossen Tutor office at (818) 817-8001.  Tickets will also be available the day of the event at the Lodge.

MAURICE HARRIS JOINS BETFAIR PRIZEFIGHTER INTERNATIONAL II

June 7, 2012 - Heavyweight contender Maurice "Sugar Moe" Harris (25-16-2, 11 KOs), ranked No. 13 by the IBF, has joined the 8-man Betfair Prizefighter International Heavyweights II line-up set to take place on Wednesday, June 20, at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, live on Sky Sports.

Harris will compete against fellow contestants Albert Sosnowski (48-4-2, 28 KOs), Marcelo Luiz Nascimento (16-3, 14 KOs), Noureddine Meddoune (5-1, 4 KOs), Tom Dallas (15-2, 11 KOs), Tom Little (3-0), Kevin Johnson (26-1 12 KOs) and Tor Hamer (15-1, 10 KOs).

After a questionable loss against local favorite Edmund Gerber (20-0, 13 KOs) in his native land of Germany last month, Harris, who felt he was robbed, promises to give it his all once again when he travels overseas to fight.

"When I got robbed last month in Germany, I was upset and wanted to get back in the ring as soon as possible," Harris said. "I want to thank my promoter Mario Yagobi of Boxing 360 for getting me this opportunity. Ten years ago, I fought in the Thunderbox Tournament and won it all, which is what I plan to do in this one."

"June 20 promises to be a real tear-up at York Hall with eight huge hitters gunning for the big prize," show promoter Eddie Hearn said. "Johnson, Sosnowski and Harris bring plenty of calibre to the table and for Dallas it's a big chance to crash the British heavyweight party. As for Tom Little - what a night for a 24-year-old with just three fights on his CV. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain and I'm sure he will come out all guns blazing."

Tickets for the Betfair Prizefighter International Heavyweights at York Hall, Bethnal Green are on sale and priced at $40 (unreserved) $60 (ringside) and $120 (VIP). Tickets are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com.

Joel Diaz, Jr. Improves to 10-0, 9 KOs

Tacoma, WA (June 3, 2012) - Junior Lightweight sensation Joel Diaz Jr. kept his perfect record in tact following an impressive fifth round stoppage of title contender Emmanuel "The Butcher" Lucero Saturday evening at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA.

Topping Halquist Productions' "Battle at the Boat 87," Diaz was in complete control throughout the contest. The aggressive 20-year-old Palmdale, CA native decked Lucero in the third round and dominated the fourth, giving spectators a preview of what was on tap. In the fifth, Diaz came out like a man possessed and decked Lucero twice, forcing the referee to mercifully halt the bout at 1:37.

"I knew Lucero was going to be a tough opponent," said Diaz. "My goal was to box the first few rounds and feel him out. Once I started to figure him out, I turned up the heat and got him out of there. I'm going to get right back in the gym and await my next fight from my promoter Mario Yagobi of Boxing360."

Diaz improves to (10-0, 9 KOs). Lucero, a Scranton, PA native from Mexico City, slips to (23-11-1, 14 KOs).

"I'm extremely impressed," promoter Brian Halquist said of the performance. "Diaz is an excellent young fighter who prides himself on entertaining the crowd. The fans here loved him and we hope to have him fighting on one of our cards again in the near future."

"The Ghost" Leaves To Training Camp

June 4, 2012 - Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero (29-1-1, 18 KOs) heads out to South Lake Tahoe today for training camp in preparation for his upcoming bout with Selcuk "Mini Tyson" Aydin (23-0, 17 KOs). On the line will be the WBC Interim Welterweight World Title, with the winner being the mandatory challenger to face pound for pound king, Floyd Mayweather (43-0, 26 KOs).

On July 28, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will air live for the first time from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., where fans will have the opportunity to watch history in the making. Robert Guerrero will be looking to be the only Mexican-American fighter, other than Oscar De La Hoya, to have won a world championship in four divisions across six weight classes.

"This is my big opportunity to show the world that I belong with the elite fighters in boxing," Guerrero said. "Everyone says it can't be done, but I'm going to show the world skipping super lightweight and going straight to welterweight with no tune up to challenge the No. 1 contender and beating Selcuk Aydin can be done!

"I'm here to face the toughest challenges and put myself in a position to get mega-fights. It's not going to be easy beating a full-fledged welterweight. That's why my team and I will get the proper training, sparring and diet when I leave to camp. The mountains of Tahoe are set at high elevations which will make for a great training camp."

"I look forward to making history for the Bay Area and all my fans across the world."

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the United States. At a surface elevation of 6,225 ft (1,897 m), it is located along the border between California and Nevada, west of Carson City. This will be Robert's first time training in the Tahoe area and he looks forward to having a tremendous camp. Guerrero will be doing something unprecedented as he will be jumping up two weight classes from lightweight to welterweight and fighting for the championship.

Said manager Bob Santos, "Team Guerrero would like to thank SHOWTIME and Golden Boy for putting this event on at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. When you speak of a fighter who has competed in six different weight classes from 122 to 147 as Guerrero is doing, it's something special. I believe the only other active fighters that have done it are Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Guerrero is a five-time world champion in three divisions and has all the makings of superstar."

ANTONIO TARVER AND LATEEF KAYODE FIGHT TO DRAW ON EXCITING QUADRUPLEHEADER ON SHOWTIME®

Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Telecast Will Replay Tuesday, June 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME® Available On Demand from Sunday, June 3, through July 1
CARSON, Calif. , (June 3, 2012) – The age-old question of who wins out – experience or youth – was only half answered Saturday night on a compelling night of fights on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIPS BOXING.

Former Light Heavyweight World Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (29-6-1, 20 KO’s), age 43, and unbeaten 29-year-old Lateef Kayode (18-0-1, 14 KO’s) fought to a 12-round draw while 28-year-old Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (27-0, 20 KOs) took out 40-year-old former undisputed 154-pound champion Winky Wright (51-6-1, 25 KOs) by unanimous 10-round decision in the final two of four televised fights from The Home Depot Center.

Austin “No Doubt” Trout” (25-0, 14 KOs) and Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (20-0-1, 11 KOs ) both registered impressive unanimous victories in the first two televised fights.

Kayode, who had graduated from ShoBox to the big stage and was fighting in his first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING bout, controlled the fight early on leaving Tarver to rally in the latter rounds. Tarver and Kayode each took a 115-113 score from different judges, with the third calling it 114-114.

“From the sixth round on I showed I still had it,” said Tarver, who resides in Tampa , Fla. “I put my punches together and I won down the stretch. We are going to stay busy and take a week off, but then get back in the gym.”

SHOWTIME expert analyst and noted boxing historian Steve Farhood was impressed with Kayode and his technical style. “It was a close fight and Antonio clearly controlled the second half of the bout but gave away a lot of the early rounds,” Farhood said after the fight. ”Kayode fought better technically than he has in a lot of his ShoBox fights.”

“Everyone knows I won this fight,” said Kayode, of Hollywood , Calif. , by way of Nigeria . “I’m better than him.”

In a middleweight featured attraction, Quillin took out Wright by unanimous 10-round decision, 98-91 twice and 97-92.

Quillin, from New York City , just proved too quick and elusive for Wright, of St. Petersburg , Fla. , who was fighting for the first time in three years and two months. Wright was knocked down by an impressive and powerful right hand to the head in the fifth round.

“I prepared for a 21-year-old Winky Wright and at times he fought like that,” Quillin said. “You can see from my face that I didn’t take a lot of punishment tonight.”

Said Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein during the telecast, “I agree with Steve Farhood - Wright might have been better off taking an easier tune-up fight in his comeback before taking on Kid Chocolate.”

Trout, from Las Cruces , N.M. , successfully defended his 154-pound WBA world title with a unanimous decision victory over Delvin Rodriguez of Danbury, Conn., (26-6-3, 14 KOs ). The judges scored the fight 117-111, 118-110, 120-108 with Trout outworking Rodriguez and landing 22 percent of his 699 punches in the 12-round battle.

“I did what I had to do to get the win," Trout, 27, told SHOWTIME reporter Jim Gray after the fight.

In the opening bout of the telecast, bantamweight Santa Cruz captured the vacant IBF belt with a unanimous 12-round decision over the IBF No. 1 contender Vusi Malinga (20-4, 12 KO’s), of Johannesburg, South Africa. The 23-year-old Mexican-born Santa Cruz, of Lincoln Heights, Calif., dominated the fight and won by scores of 120-108 twice and 119-109 while throwing an amazingly high 1,350 punches on the night.

Boxers Victor Ortiz, Canelo Alvarez, Sugar Shane Mosley, Abner Mares, Devon Alexander and more took in the rare four-fight telecast ringside. Other notables spotted in the crowd on the night were Los Angeles Lakers star Metta World Peace and rapper 50 Cent.

***

In an exciting bout aired live on SHOWTIME EXTREME between top super middleweights, Sakio Bika (30-5-2, 20 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, stopped Dyah Davis (21-3-1, 9 KOs), from Coconut Creek, Fla., in the final round (at 1:40) of a scheduled 10-round fight.

In another undercard bout featuring a ShoBox alum, unbeaten lightweight contender Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (23-0, 15 KOs) from Las Vegas by way of Uganda , registered a technical knock out over Manuel Leyva (21-6, 12 KOs) from nearby Downey , Calif. , in the second round (0:38) of a scheduled 10-round bout.

The night of fights will air on replay on SHOWTIME EXTREME Tuesday, June 5, at 10 p.m. ET / PT and will be available On Demand from Sunday, June 3 through July 1.

Gus Johnson called the action on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING with Al Bernstein serving as expert analysts. Barry Tompkins and Steve Farhood announced the fights on SHOWTIME EXTREME. Jim Gray served as ringside reporter. David Dinkins Jr. was the Executive Producer with Ray Smaltz producing and Bob Dunphy directing.

The Bourne Identity: Aaron Cross meets Pacman

Jeremy Renner (The Town), who plays 'Aaron Cross' in the upcoming movie The Bourne Legacy, part of which was shot in the Philippines a while back, visits Manny Pacquiao at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, CA.

"Four Warned" Final Press Conference and Photos

CARSON, Calif. (May 31, 2012) – All eight fighters participating in Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING “Four Warned” event and the SHOWTIME EXTREME fighters participated in a final press conference on Thursday, just two days before the highly anticipated June 2 Quadrupleheader which will be telecast live on SHOWTIME® (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

“Four Warned,” a rare four-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast, features former Light Heavyweight World Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s) facing unbeaten Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KO’s) in a 12-round cruiserweight fight, former undisputed junior middleweight kingpin Winky Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO’s) returning to the ring to meet undefeated Peter Quillin (26-0, 20 KO’s) in a middleweight bout, Austin Trout (24-0, 14 KO’s) risking his perfect record and WBA Super Welterweight belt against Delvin Rodriguez (26-5-3, 14 KO’s) and IBF number one rated bantamweight contender Vusi Malinga (20-3, 12 KO’s) facing IBF number five rated bantamweight contender Leo Santa Cruz (19-0-1, 11 KO’s) for the vacant IBF bantamweight title. All four bouts are set for Saturday, June 2, airing live on SHOWTIME (9:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Home Depot Center in Carson , Calif. “Four Warned” is presented by A.T. Entertainment, Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions with Trout vs. Rodriguez being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Malinga vs. Santa Cruz being presented in association with Branco Sports Productions. The event is sponsored by Corona and AT&T.

Headlining the SHOWTIME EXTREME preliminary fight telecast will be a 10-round battle for the NABF and vacant WBO Inter-Continental Super Middleweight titles between talented up-and-comer Dyah Davis (21-2-1, 9 KO’s) and perennial contender Sakio Bika (29-5-2, 20 KO’s), beginning live at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Also featured on the SHOWTIME EXTREMEM telecast (time permitting) will be highlights from the showdown between unbeaten lightweight rising star Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (22-0, 14 KO’s) and crafty southpaw Manuel Leyva (21-5, 12 KO’s).

Tickets for “Four Warned” are available for as low as $25, with VIP floor seats priced at $200. Other tickets in the 8,000-seat outdoor stadium at The Home Depot Center are available at $50 and $100. Fans can purchase tickets at AXS.com or by phone at 1-888-9-AXS-TIX (1-888-929-7849), as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available for purchase by calling 1-877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 1-877-234-8425.

Here’s what the fighters had to say on Thursday:

TARVER:
 
“Sometimes when you sign for a fight you never know how it will turn out, but this event took a life of its own. It wasn’t until the kickoff (press conference) when I realized what I was really in for. Everything had to take a back seat to my training. The passion and love for the sport still lives inside.
“Age is nothing but a number. I know this is the fight that will bring the best out of me because I know he will press hard all night long looking for that lightning in the bottle that I know won’t come. You’ll see on Saturday.”

“They (SHOWTIME) wanted to mic me up for the bout [to commentate and fight simultaneously], but I know I have my hands full with Lateef.

“I guess Lateef took offense to how I critiqued his fighting – he was used to the compliments. It’s different to look in the mirror and say I need to do this and that. We need training camp to become better, well-rounded fighters. I was trying to help him and he thought I was disrespectful.

“It’s going to be an interesting fight. Trust me, I’m in good shape. I haven’t taken him lightly. I know he has potential, I know he has the power to end the fight in one punch and that’s why I went back and trained hard for this.”

KAYODE:
 
“I’m ready for this fight. This is the happiest I’ve ever been. I stay in the gym, I work hard and I listen to my trainer.

“I’ve never fought anyone like this. For me to fight this man I’ll need to dig deep into my soul.

“I will knock you down. I’m sorry to say this to my brother, but on June 2, you will have to go down.

“He said I was too aggressive when I was fighting, but I’m going to show him aggressive on Saturday.”

WRIGHT:
 
“I’m so excited to be back in the ring – it’s been three years. Boxing got real boring for me and and no one wanted to fight me.

“Now that I’m back, I needed a great challenge. I’m coming back because I want to be champion. Peter is a great fighter, he’s coming to fight and I’m coming to fight. You’re going to see on Saturday. I wouldn’t come back if I wasn’t ready. I’m back to be the champ.

“To be the best, you got to fight the best, and Peter is a step in that direction.”

QUILLIN:
 
“I know this is a tough fight and a great opportunity for me. I trained harder than ever for my time in the spotlight.

“There are a bunch of inspiring stories on this card and I’m glad to be part of it.

“Hard work means easy work. I believe that I’m a future superstar of this sport.

“My dad came here 32 years ago on Saturday to this country for opportunity and now I’m fighting here for opportunity. I came from the floor to the big stage.”

TROUT:
 
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to fight alongside these guys. All excitement aside, I have my eye on the prize. I’m ready to make a statement.

“I want to be the pound-for-pound champ and I feel like Delvin is the gatekeeper to bigger and better things. I’m excited to get in there and put my stamp on the game. Win or lose, I’m going to give it all.”

RODRIGUEZ:
 
“This fight speaks for itself. The fans know it’s going to be exciting.

“Austin must be doing something right to be in the position he is now as an undefeated fighter, so we have a lot of respect for him.

“I’ve been training hard for this opportunity and this shot at the world title. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs so to get this opportunity is a blessing. We trained for seven weeks and now the fight is finally here. It’s going to be a great night of boxing.”

MALINGA:
 
“I’m happy to stand next to these legends. I’m prepared and have been training very hard. I’m hoping to take the title to Africa and on Saturday. I’m going to win.”

SANTA CRUZ:
 
“This is my first time fighting for a title. This is what I’ve been training for. I know Malinga will come ready because he wants the title, but Mexicans are warriors, too.

“I trained harder than ever because I want this title and I want it to stay in California. I can’t wait to get in there and win it.”

DAVIS:
 
“There’s a lot of history here and I’m happy to be part of it. I’m ready and it’s my time to shine. I’ll let my fists do the talking.”

BIKA: 
 
“I’ve trained very hard and I’m happy to be on the undercard of these legends. I’ll bring my best Saturday because I know everyone will be watching.”

BOGERE:
 
“We’re coming to fight. I’m the lion. I’m happy to be put on with these legends of boxing. This is like a dream come true and I can’t wait for my time to shine.”