Prize Fight Promoters Proud Recipients of the

2010 NABO Special Recognition Award

For the highest number of Championship Fights Promoted in 2010!

Prize Fight Boxing promoters (from left) Nate Yoder, Brian Young and Russ Young have spent 11 years building their sport in the area, eight years in DeSoto County.

Stan Carroll The Commercial Appeal

Little Tyson Victorious at the Fitz!

From Fightnews.com (1/30/12) – Poland’s Kamil “Little Tyson” Laszczyk (7-0, 5 KO) won the Mid-South featherweight belt during the main event in Tunica, Mississippi, winning 60-54 on the scorecards after a hard battle in every round against seasoned Texas champion Samuel Sanchez (7-3, 3 KO). “It was a lot tougher fight that I expected. Sanchez came to fight, had two months to prepare and never backed down. I liked this challenge but it was a real test versus a fighter with a lot more experience in American-style boxing that I had. At least until this night,” said 21-year-old Laszczyk, a Polish national champion fighting now for Global Boxing in North Bergen, New Jersey. continued at Fightnews.com

TITLE FIGHT FEATURED AT

"FIGHTS AT THE FITZ"

MEMPHIS, TN - Prize Fight makes a triumphant return on October 1st as it presents the latest installment of "Fights at the Fitz" from the Grand Ballroom at Fitzgerald's Hotel & Casino in Tunica, MS. There have been many first class line ups featuring many world class boxers during the impressive seven year run of the "Fights at the Fitz" series, but the October 1st show may showcase the best match-up ever during this record breaking series. Boxing fans are in for an amazing fight as undefeated rising prospect Karim "Hard Hitta" Mayfield 14-0-1 (9 KO's) meets former two-time Venezuelan Olympian Patrick Lopez 20-4 (12 KO's) for the vacant NABO Jr. Welterweight Championship. Mayfield, 30, rose to prominence in the boxing world as he stopped former World Champion Steve Forbes by way of tenth round TKO in front of a live viewing audience on ESPN Friday Night Fights this past June in Austin, TX. The Forbes fight was considered by many boxing insiders to be a risky fight and a big step up in competition level for Karim Mayfield, but Mayfield showcased himself to the boxing community as a contender to be reckoned with by stopping Forbes. Mayfield's TKO stoppage of Forbes was the first time in forty-five professional bouts that Forbes has been stopped short of the scheduled distance. Standing in Mayfield's way on October 1st at the Fitz will be the formidable Patrick Lopez. Lopez represented his country of Venezuela in both the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and also the 2004 Olympic games in Athens. The southpaw Lopez is no stranger to up and coming prospects as he has fought the likes Hank Lundy, Tim Coleman and Prenice Brewer to name a few. In August of 2010 Lopez entered the ring as an underdog against the undefeated Prenice Brewer and shocked many as he demolished Brewer on way to third round TKO. The Main Event between Karim Mayfield and Patrick Lopez is scheduled for ten rounds.

As if the stellar main event wasn't worth the price of admission alone, Prize is set to deliver a star studded seven bout undercard. One of the fights featured on this undercard is the return to the ring of middleweight Mean Joe Greene 22-1 (14 KO's). The southpaw Greene was on the rise to stardom when he met another undefeated prospect in Vanes Martirosyan on June 5, 2010 in Yankee Stadium. Joe Greene lost the fight to Martirosyan by unanimous decision in a bout that was filled with low blows from each side and tenth round knockdown of Greene. After the loss to Martirosyan, Greene has taken some time away from the ring and is now ready to return against Pete Johnson of Sardis, MS in a six round middleweight bout.

Another intriguing match-up on the card is a six round cruiserweight clash between Joell Godfrey 11-4-1 (5 KO's) and Calvin Rooks 2-2-1. Godfrey, a former star of the reality series "The Contender", looks to get his career back on track again the upset minded Rooks of Memphis, TN. Rooks was in the same situation when he faced the favored Sharif Kemp this past July at the Fitz. Rooks shined in that fight as he won an action packed four round unanimous decision over Kemp.

Rounding out the exciting night of fights will be an exciting female bout between Stacy Pollock and Lucretia Meacham in the lightweight division, local favorite Marlon Lewis goes up against Erik Hernandez-Perez in a four round lightweight clash, Gary Jones 21-2 (8 KO's) of Washington D.C. is slated to do battle with veteran Chad Greenleaf in a six round middleweight affair and Polish featherweight sensation Kamil Laszczyk 3-0 (3 KO's) will meet local Memphis Terrance Roy in a four round match.

Tickets for this exciting 8 bout card can be purchased by calling the Fitz Casino Gift Shop at (800)-766-LUCK(5825), by calling ticketmaster at (901)-525-1515, or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. The doors for this event will open at 6:30 PM and the first fight will start at 7:30 PM.

KARIM "HARD HITTA" MAYFIELD
TO FIGHT FOR VACANT NABO JR. WELTERWEIGHT TITLE

San Francisco California, September 8, 2011 - San Francisco's undefeated Jr. Welterweight slugger, Karim "Hard Hitta" Mayfield (14-0-1, 9 KO's) has officially signed a contract to fight Patrick Lopez (20-4, 12 KO's) who hails from Cojedes, Venezuela. The ten round bout, promoted by Prize Fight and Mo Betta Entertainment, takes place at "Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel" in Tunica, Mississippi on October 1, 2011 . On the line will be the vacant NABO Jr. Welterweight title.

Mayfield, who recently defeated former world champion Steve Forbes on ESPN this summer, went on to say, "This is a great opportunity to showcase my skills against a live opponent. I've fought my whole career at Welterweight but feel this is the right move for me. Fighting at Jr. Welterweight I'll have a distinct advantage because I know I'll be stronger than any other fighter in the division. Fighting for a regional title is the first step toward my goal of becoming a world champion. I'm going to bring the fight to Lopez and look for the knockout"

"Karim shocked a lot of people in boxing circles by stopping Steve Forbes at welterweight," said Prize Fight promoter Brian Young. "I expect to him to be even faster and more powerful at 140 lbs. He has the potential to give anyone problems between Jr. Welterweight and Welterweight."

Sports South, a Fox Affiliate will air the fight on a one week tape delay for Dish Network and Direct TV subscribers. For more information please visit www.prizefightboxing.org.

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

BoxingScene.com talks with Javontae Starks...

click here

Prize Fight inks Javontae Starks to an Exclusive Promotional Contract

Memphis, TN - Prize Fight is proud to announce the signing of undefeated welterweight sensation Javontae Starks 4-0 (4 KO's) to an exclusive promotional contract. Starks, a former amateur standout from Minneapolis, MN will join the Prize Fight stable which is headlined by undefeated and world ranked fighters Fernando Guerrero and Shawn Porter. Starks is eager to get his career moving again had this to say about his signing with Prize Fight, "I am just ready to get some fights and eventually fight for titles. I know Prize Fight has a reputation of building fighters faster and better than anyone so I am eager to work with them." Javontae is tentatively scheduled to make his Prize Fight debut on May 14th in Little Rock, AR.

Prize Fight, who successfully promoted and built the careers of Lamont and Anthony Peterson, Fernando Guerrero, Shawn Porter, Dominic Wade and many others is eager to work with someone as talented as Starks. "Javontae has intangibles that you can not teach. He has great length for a welterweight and has power in both hands. Further, he is a great boxer with a strong amateur pedigree. I am very pleased to welcome Javontae to our team and look forward to great things from him", said Prize Fight partner Russ Young.

To follow Javontae Stark's career or to learn more about Prize Fight Boxing please go to www.prizefightboxing.org.

Contact: Nate Yoder (618) 979-6735

Lubash Tops Sanders to Remain Undefeated

FIGHTS AT THE FITZ

Weights From Tunica...

BOUTS SCHEDULED FOR
SATURDAY - MARCH 19, 2011
FITZ CASINO - TUNICA, MS

8-Rounds/Welterweights
Jesse Lubash 148 lbs
Germaine Sanders 148 lbs

6-Rounds/Jr. Welterweights
Tyrone Chatman 139.5 lbs
Dedrick Bell 138.5 lbs

6-Rounds/Middleweights
Grover Young 170 lbs
Nathan Bedwell 170 lbs

4-Rounds/Heavyweights
Jonathan Perry 210 lbs
Jaden Booth 215.5 lbs

4-Rounds/Jr. Middleweights
Julian Williams 154 lbs
Marteze Logan 149 lbs

Fitz Report–Wade Scores TKO With Seconds to Go

By Tracy Morin at ringside, Photos by JD Meredith

On January 29, Fights at the Fitz rang in the new year with six competitive bouts at the Fitz Hotel and Casino in Tunica, Mississippi. Some of the fighters, meanwhile, got their own bells rung, as half of the fights didn’t go the distance.

The middleweight main event featured Dominic Wade (9-0, 7 KOs), named one of the top prospects for 2011 on ESPN’s “Super 25” list. Wade was already gearing up for an appearance on Friday Night Fights on February 18, but first he’d have to get past the more experienced Brian Norman (17-10, 5 KOs).

Wade began the fight briskly, and quickly found a home for left hands to Norman’s body, dominating the round, though Norman was able to land a quick combination just before the bell. Wade’s corner, sensing his early control of the fight, urged him between rounds, “Take your time!”

Read More About All the Fights From January 29....

FIGHTS AT THE FITZ, JANUARY 29, 2011
FITZ CASINO - TUNICA, MS

Weights From Tunica

6 - ROUNDS - SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
DOMINIC WADE 167 lbs
BRIAN NORMAN 167 lbs

4 - ROUNDS - SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
MORGAN FITCH 168 lbs
NATHAN BEDWELL 168 lbs

4 - ROUNDS - FEMALE WELTERWEIGHTS
APRIL WARD 150 lbs
LISA BOLIN 148 lbs

4 - ROUNDS - HEAVYWEIGHTS
JONATHAN PERRY 210 lbs
GLENN HAYES 209 lbs

4 - ROUNDS - JR. MIDDLEWEIGHTS
ORLANDO UTSEY 152 lbs
MARQUIS JACKSON 150 lbs

4 - ROUNDS - JR. MIDDLEWEIGHTS
DEDRICK BELL 149 lbs
JOSH WILLIAMS 151 lbs

PROMOTER: PRIZE FIGHT
VENUE: FITZ
TICKETS: www.ticketmaster.com

3 TIME HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION MICHAEL MOORER TO JOIN SPORTSOUTH BROADCAST TEAM

MEMPHIS, TN - Sportsouth has made a huge addition to the broadcast team for it's monthly "Fight Night" series as 3-Time Heavyweight Champion Of The World Michael Moorer has signed on to be the analyst beginning with it's November 13th broadcast. Moorer will join blow by blow host Nate Yoder in calling the shows on Sportsouth. Moorer is eager to bring his knowledge of the fight game to boxing fans, "This is an area of the sport I always wanted to be involved in and I am eager to embark on a new journey." The shows of the Sportsouth series are all promoted by Prize Fight who has a long history and relationship with Moorer. "I have been friends and have worked with Michael for years. He is like a brother to me and I am excited to have him back in the family. I have always thought that Michael would be one of the best analyst in the business if ever given a consistent opportunity and I am prepared to give him just that", stated Prize Fight President Brian Young.

The Sportsouth series is promoted by Prize Fight in association with Global Boxing and Tecate. It is a grounbreaking series that features some the brightest up and coming prospects in boxing today. Sportsouth broadcast into nearly 10 million homes throughout the southeastern United States via tape delay. The November 13th broadcast will be fought live at The Fitz Hotel & Casino in Tunica, MS on Saturday, November 6th.

Prize Fight (662) 349-6263

Pittsburgh, PA - Professional Boxing makes a festive return to the Pittsburgh area as Prize Fight and The Empire Sports & Entertainment introduce "SEASON'S BEATINGS", a star studded 7 bout card of boxing from the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, PA. The line up for the night will feature some of the most talented and recognizable names in the Pittsburgh boxing scene. The main event of the evening will feature undefeated welterweight sensation Jesse "The Future" Lubash 13-0 (8 KO's) of Pittsburgh. Lubash will be squared off against the Bronx, NY's Harrison Cuello 20-13-3 (15 KO's) in an 8 round welterweight clash. Lubash will be entering the ring after a fourteen month lay off but better be sharp from the opening bell because Cuello is no stranger to tough fights and looks to bring the action from the opening bell. Lubash will try to solve Cuello's southpaw jinx and give the fans the frenzied style of fight he is known to bringing to Pittsburgh boxing fans.

The feature bout of the evening will be a 4 round clash in the welterweight division between rising prospects Hastings "Sting" Bwayla 4-0 (3 KO's) from Lusaka, Zambia and Stephan Scott 5-1 from Brooklyn, NY. The power punching phenom, Bwayla a 2008 member of the Zambian Olympic Team, enters this match undefeated as he has mowed down his previous foes with a combination of blazing hand speed and brutal power that has people in boxing circles speaking highly of his future. Scott is a skilled stylist that looks to play matador to Sting's bull as he will put on display his fine tuned boxing tools and attempt to make the undefeated prospect fight his style of fight. The match up of the puncher and the boxer is always intriguing and entertaining for boxing fans.

The under-card features well known names in Pittsburgh. First, Pittsburgh favorite Rayco "War" Saunders 20-12-2 (8 KO's) will put it all on the line versus Berry Butler 24-13-1 (9 KO's) of Greenville, SC in an 8 round light heavyweight slug fest. Pittsburgh's Saunders has fought and pleased his home fans many times and comes into this match riding a four fight winning streak that has launched him back into the mix of possible title challengers. Butler is also no stranger to big fights and comes into his bout with Saunders a winner in eleven out of his last thirteen matches. Also showcased on the card will be Pittsburgh's favorite heavyweight Lee McGinnis 3-0 (3 KO's). McGinnis will go toe to toe with big James Rankin hailing from Youngstown, OH in a four round heavyweight duel. Top ranked heavyweight contender Travis Kaufman 20-1 (16 KO's) from Reading, PA will also be on the card in a six round heavyweight match against an opponent to be named.

"SEASON'S BEATINGS" will be broadcast nationally by FSN via tape delay. Doors open for this exciting night of boxing at 6:30 PM and the action will start shortly thereafter. Tickets start at just $25 and are available at all ticketmaster locations, on the web at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.



WHERE: Monroeville Convention Center
209 Mall Boulevard
Monroeville, PA 15146
(412) 373-7300

Contact: Nate Yoder, Prize Fight, (618) 979-6735 yoder.nate@gmail.com

Guerrero Captures NABF Middle Crown!
Porter Decisions Robinson after Battle!
By: Michael Sheffield, Photos: JD Meredith / Memphisboxing.com

The DeSoto Civic Center played host to its first nationally televised boxing event with Showdown on Showtime, which featured rising stars and local favorites Fernando Guerrero , Shawn Porter and Lanard Lane taking on their toughest challenges to date against Ishe Smith, Ray and Mike Dallas Jr. on the televised card.

The main event of Showdown on Showtime would prove to be one of the two most entertaining fights of the entire card. Unfortunately, by the time middleweights Fernando Guerrero and Ishe Smith made their way to the ring for their 10 round NABF Middleweight Championship fight, more than half the crowd of 2,700 had already left DeSoto Civic Center, most likely due to the fact the main event begn around the eleventh hour.

The fans that remained were treated to a methodical and skillful performance from Guerrero (18-0, 15 KOs), who would start the fight slowly and gradually employ the power and speed he’s known for in Mississippi boxing circles. However, Smith (21-4, 9 KOs) would put forth his best effort and end up making the fight a lot closer than the end result would have the casual fan believe.

Both fighters started the 1st and 2nd rounds feeling each other out before Guerrero would open up his tool box in the 3rd. Smith would openly complain in the 3rd round about Guerrero throwing low blows, despite landing a few questionable shots himself.

However, Smith would open up his own array of skills in the later rounds, backing up Guerrero on occasion and landing a quick, flush jab that would knock Guerrero down, ever so briefly, but for the first time in his career to close the 8th round.

Smith would sense opportunities in the 9th and 10th round, arguably winning one, if not both rounds before losing a unanimous decision 96-93, 95-93, 97-91.

Welterweights Shawn Porter (15-0, 12 KOs) and Ray Robinson (11-1, 4 KOs) would be
responsible for the most entertaining fight of the night with both fighters trading hard, fierce shots in their 10 round bout.

Robinson, who easily a height advantage of at least six inches on Porter, couldn’t utilize that advantage to prevent Porter from constantly invading the inside and landing hard head and body combinations over the course of the first five and a half rounds, before knocking Robinson down in the 6th round. Robinson would beat referee Randy Phillips’ count and survive the round. He would then literally run during the entire 7th round to regain his wits.

Robinson would finish the fight with just enough activity to keep Porter honest, but the outcome of the fight was never in doubt. Porter would take a unanimous decision, 99-89, 97-92, 98-91.

Junior Welterweights Lanard Lane (12-0) and Mike Dallas Jr. would also go the distance in an 8 round match up that was short on action until the later rounds.

Dallas would do enough early to maintain a lead on the scorecards, which led Lane to turn up the heat in the final two rounds, but it would be too late, as Dallas would win a unanimous decision, 78-74 on all three judges’ scorecards.

The first (and best) and preliminary bought of the night would feature promising middleweight Dennis Douglin (9-0 5 KOs) taking on journeyman Marteze Logan (26-43 2 KOs) in a scheduled 8 round contest.

Douglin would impress early, cutting off the ring and dominating the first two rounds, while the always-tough Logan would rely on his defense and chin before it became obvious Douglin was the more skilled fighter.

After opening the 3rd round with a right jab that sent Logan into the ropes, Douglin would move in to finish his opponent, but couldn’t pull it off. Logan would actually end the round with an impressive flurry that may have scored points, but didn’t hurt Douglin.

The next two rounds would feature Logan taunting Douglin by lowering his hands and
offering up his chin. He would also resort to turning his back on Douglin, which appeared to frustrate referee Randy Phillips. Early in the 5th round, Phillips stopped the fight, appearantly not seeing enough from Logan, and award Douglin a TKO within the first 46 seconds of
the round.

Junior Middleweight Bobby Bryant (4-0, 3 KOs) would continue his string of impressive performances against Andrew Hartley (2-16, 2KOs), who would have been better off anywhere but in the same ring as Bryant. Bryant, who always puts on a technical and powerful fight eliminated Hartley within the first 1:39 of the first round, knocking him down with a left hook before finishing Hartley by TKO in his own corner with a series of combinations that left his opponent seated on the ropes in the corner.

The evening’s next bout featured Memphis Jr. Welterweight Marlon Lewis (3-1) against John Willoughby (1-3, 1 KO) in a 4-round fight that would go the distance and provide the first surprise of the evening.

While Lewis has been able to pad his record with two unimpressive decisions against Chris Gray, Willoughby would not only prove to be a tough out, but would come alive in the final three rounds to dominate the soft-punching and poorly conditioned Lewis.

Willoughby would win over the crowd mid-way through the 3rd round by punishing Lewis against the ropes and almost knocking him down before the bell ended the round.

The 4th round would be more of the same, with Willoughby winning the round, despite wearing himself out. However, the judges had seen enough to award him a unanimous decision (37-39 on all three judges’ scorecards).

The remaining preliminary bouts would feature professional debuts from two heavyweights that showcased skills better fit for a tough man competition. Heavyweights Curtis Tate and Jonathan Perry needed little skill to score immediate knockouts of their opponents, Jason Harbin and Ozell Caldwell, respectively.

Brawler Dedrick Bell (1-2, 1 KO), would employ his wild tactics to dispatch Tim Reynolds (0-3) immediately in a bout that actually took less time than Bell’s entrance.

Guerrero gets by Smith!
Porter, Dallas Jr. also victorious

From Fightnews.com, photo By JD Meredith

Top middleweight prospect Fernando Guerrero (19-0, 15 KOs) pounded out a close ten round unanimous decision over tough veteran Ishe Smith (21-5, 9 KOs) on Friday night at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi. Guerrero scored the biggest win of his career and had to work for it every minute. Smith scored a knockdown in round eight to get back a point deducted in round six for a low blow. Scores were 96-93, 95-93, 97-91.

In a very good fight, unbeaten jr middleweight knockout artist Shawn Porter (16-0, 12 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Ray Robinson (11-2, 4 KOs). Porter broke open a close fight by dropping Robinson in round six and punishing him for the balance of the round. Robinson was on his bicycle in the seventh as Porter stalked him. But, after that Robinson battled gamely until the end. Scores were 99-89, 97-92, 98-91.

In a clash of undefeated welterweight prospects, Mike Dallas, Jr. (15-0-1, 5 KOs) kept his ’0' intact with an eight round unanimous decision over Lanard Lane (12-1, 7 KOs). Scores were 78-74 on all cards.

No Room to Hide!
Thompson/Beck Heavyweight Clash held in 20' Ring ESPN2 FNF at the New Daisy Friday, April 16!

Memphis, TN – Fight supporters and media gathered Thursday afternoon (4/8) at a press conference/lunchoen for the ESPN2 "Friday Night Fights - The Proving Grounds" from the historic New Daisy Theatre on Beale Street. The bout on Friday April 16, will mark the fourth consecutive year ESPN and Prize Fight Boxing have teamed up to bring a nationally broadcast boxing to Beale Street and Memphis.

JD Meridith

...(click here to read full article)

Sparring Partner No More: Showtime For Shawn Porter
Posted by: Jake Donovan on 12-16-2009.

It’s often said that it’s not what you know, but who you know.

For the past couple of months, Shawn “Showtime” Porter knew and shared ring space with the sport’s pound-for-pound king, brought in to help Manny Pacquiao prepare for last month’s destruction of Miguel Cotto.

The mere mention of Pacquiao’s name instantly generates hundreds of thousands of hits, which means that much more attention paid to anyone and anything associated with said news entry.

Simply put, more attention was paid to Porter’s every move during his time in Pacquiao’s camp than any other point in his life, at least to date.

Who he knew helped give a career boost not often seen for a 22-year old in just his second year as a pro and with minimal television exposure.

But in boxing, who you know rarely if ever is of any service in the ring. Once the bell ring...(click here to read full article)

Guerrero headlines Friday
Last live ShoBox telecast of 2009

Top middleweight prospect Fernando Guerrero will put his unbeaten record on the line against Jesse Nicklow in a 10-round middleweight bout in the main event of the final ShoBox: The New Generation telecast of the year on Friday, Dec. 18 LIVE on SHOWTIME ® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). Two exciting co-features will showcase four undefeated prospects in their toughest challenges to date. Knockout artist Lanard Lane (9-0, 6 KOs) will take on Said El Harrack (8-0, 3 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight bout. Hard-hitting Shawn Porter (11-0, 9 KOs) will face the dangerous Jamar Patterson (8-0, 4 KOs) in an eight round jr. middleweight bout. The fights will originate from Grand Casino Hinckley in Hinckley, Minn.

Showtime’s Banner Year Gets To End With A Bang
Posted by: Jake Donovan on 12-09-2009.

It’s been a long overdue revival for the men and women part of the entity that refers to themselves as “America’s #1 Boxing Network.”

This past year for Showtime was no longer about keeping pace with HBO and having to play second fiddle in the industry’s pecking order. It was a year in which they made all of the right moves, gave the fans the fights they wanted to see, and broke new ground with its critically acclaimed Super Six World Boxing Classic.

And unlike last year, they get to end this one with a bang.

Of course, it’s never Showtime’s intention to simply go out with a whimper. There’s always a Plan A in place, only to sometimes have those visions compromised for the sake of staying on schedule and not leaving its target audience empty-handed.

It was 52 weeks ago when the network planned to end its 2008 run with a rubber match to one of the wildest rivalries in recent time. Kendall Holt and Ricardo Torres were prepared to meet for the third time in 15 months, with the plan for a conclusive ending to finally come of a wild series that has seen both fighters score controversial knockouts.

Those plans were shot to sunshine when Torres pulled up lame late in training camp, leaving Holt without a dance partner late in the game. Demetrius Hopkins was brought in as a pinch hitter, which meant an anticipated shootout was replaced by a bout that turned out to be more entertaining than expected, though not particularly memorable in the grand scheme of things.

What it certainly was not was the ideal way to end the year.

Barring injury or any other crazy reason to disrupt what’s currently in place, this weekend’s doubleheader, which airs from the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, Calif. (Saturday, 9PM ET/PT), is far more befitting of the strong 2009 campaign Showtime has enjoyed, as well as the perfect springboard to shape up its 2010 calendar.

For the second straight year, the network’s final championship fight of the season comes in the super lightweight division. This time around, it carries major implications in the shape of a division that has a leader not exactly accessible to the masses.

Until the day comes when Manny Pacquiao decides it’s financially worth dropping back down to 140 to defend his lineal championship, it can easily be argued that Tim Bradley is the best active super lightweight on the planet.

Amidst a title reign already that will run five fights deep come Saturday, Bradley (24-0, 11KO) continues to take on the best of the rest of the 140 lb. division. It began with his title win more than 18 months ago, when he traveled out of the United States – in fact, out of his home state of California – for the first time in his career to defeat Junior Witter, traveling to the Brit’s homeland to deliver what at the time served as his career best performance.

It may still rate as his best, though the fact that such a thing can be debated speaks volumes of how far the muscular Californian has come in such a short time. Some turn to his twice climbing off the canvas to outlast Kendall Holt in their alphabet unification earlier this year.

Others will argue that his best performance to date was a fight where he didn’t even wind up with the win. It’s certainly how he left the Agua Caliente Casino this past August, when former lightweight titlist Nate Campbell was forced to retire on his stool after three rounds due to a cut suffered over his eye and his vision being compromised earlier in the round.

At the time, referee David Mendoza ruled that while he saw a headbutt (in fact, several) he didn’t see blood until a punch landed, which was his defense for declaring the bout a technical stoppage in favor of Bradley, fighting 20 minutes from his hometown of Palm Springs, Calif.

The beleaguered California State Athletic Commission would get one right for a change, overruling the official verdict and determining that Campbell’s cut was in fact caused by a butt, and declaring the fight a no-contest.

What doesn’t change is the fact that Bradley was enjoying perhaps the best three rounds of his career to that point - or as he described afterwards, making Campbell look “older and older throughout the fight.”

There’s nothing old about his next challenge. If anything, there isn’t a category on paper in which Lamont Peterson doesn’t enjoy a statistical advantage, save of course for experience at the highest level.

But then, it mattered little when Bradley graduated overnight from untested prospect to undefeated champion before and after the Witter showdown. Not to mention the fact that Peterson (27-0, 13KO) doesn’t come into this weekend’s fight with the same cloud of mystery surrounding his background.

The story of Lamont and his younger brother Anthony Peterson is well-documented by now. The boxing brother act was forced overcome homelessness and the lack of a credible role model as kids growing up in the far less showcased side of our nation’s capital. Their lives changed for the better when Barry Hunter came into the picture, serving as their surrogate father and boxing trainer.

Like so many before them, boxing became means to escape from the ghetto. Both served as gifted amateurs, though their dreams of joining the 2004 U.S. Olympic boxing squad ended with at the Olympic Trials in Tunica, Mississippi earlier that year.

The location became significant as it is serves as the operating base for another pair of boxing brothers – Russ and Brian Young, who run Prize Fight Boxing. Lamont and Anthony signed with the leading mid-South promotional group, becoming regional draws in Memphis, which serves as their home away from home.

Both could box like a dream, but if there was a question mark surrounding Lamont’s career, it was his desire to close the show – or lack thereof. Often showcased with his younger brother, it was noted that Anthony was better suited for TV, while Lamont’s style suggested win today, look good the next time. Only it reached a point where networks were beginning to wonder when exactly “next time” would come.

The past seven or so fights have shown a different side of Peterson – one that wants to return to television the moment his fight ends, and one that’s not always content with fights going to the scorecards or leaving any doubt as to who won once the contest ends. Though boasting a modest knockout to win ratio, five of his past seven bouts have ended inside the distance.

One way or another, that figures to change this weekend. Few, if anyone expect anything short of a distance fight, though one that never disappoints.

Bradley rarely if ever knocks you out, but never for a lack of trying. Peterson has learned to sit down more on his punches, though not without completely abandoning his stellar skill set, particularly his ability to avoid getting hit without having to travel very far.

If the main event provides the anticipated mix of entertainment and skill level, then the night figures to have most likely been a rousing success. Even if a pure boxing match breaks out in the evening’s top bill, anything short of a shootout in the televised co-feature will be among the year’s biggest upsets.

More so than getting back into the win column, this weekend’s fight for Vic Darchinyan is about reestablishing his dominance in the super flyweight division, as he defends his lineal crown against fringe contender Tomas Rojas.

The brash Armenian, based out of Sydney, Australia, returns after a failed title bid three pounds north earlier this summer. Then-bantamweight titlist Joseph Agbeko proved to be a little too much for Darchinyan to handle, falling short in a fight where he reverted back to old form, ignoring the advice doled out in his corner and forgetting what led to this opportunity in the first place.

Prior to the loss to Agbeko, Darchinyan was enjoying by far the best run of his nine-year career, and that includes a lengthy stay as a flyweight champion. Two fights removed from a devastating knockout loss to Nonito Donaire to end his days as an undefeated titlist, Darchinyan (32-2-1, 26KO) ran roughshod over the super flyweight division in 2008.

That it began with a controversial draw on the road against Z Gorres speaks volumes of what he went on to accomplish, scoring violent one-sided knockout wins over Dmitry Kirillov and Cristian Mijares to score major divisional hardware, three belts in all as well as lineal claim.

The momentum carried over into 2009, which began with his third straight lopsided ass-kicking of a top 10 super flyweight. The victory was double sweet, as the 11th round stoppage came against longtime bitter rival Jorge Arce. Given their back and forth trash talking through the year, the fight was perhaps two years too late, but savored all the same by Darchinyan, who never eased off of the gas before forcing the Mexican to quit on his stool after 11 rounds.

Not quite as much motivation surrounds this weekend’s fight, other than the need to return to the win column. Rojas (32-11-1, 22KO) appears to be the perfect opponent on paper for Darchinyan to accomplish that mission, though nowhere is it written that it comes easy.

The Mexican southpaw has only been stopped once in his 13-year career. That moment came via one-punch body shot knockout two years against Jorge Arce in a terrific action fight in which he was more than holding his own against the former champion.

He hasn’t lost since then, riding a seven fight unbeaten streak (6-0-1, 4KO) into this weekend.

Aside from two fights that should prove to entertain, what’s most rewarding for Showtime is the fact that they’ve had a tremendous hand in developing three of the four featured fighters on this weekend’s telecast. Bradley and Peterson cut their teeth on the Shobox circuit, while Darchinyan appears on the network for the 10th time in his past 12 fights.

All appear on this weekend’s telecast facing must-win scenarios if they are to carry onward in 2010 and beyond as leaders of their respective divisions. Such results should translate to Showtime’s already stellar year, ending with a bang.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com and an award-winning member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Contact Jake at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com .

Prize Fight Promotions doing their thing in Mississippi

December 3, 2009 , Mississippi Fight Sports Examiner , Brad Cooney

There are a lot of boxing promoters in the country, but none of them can move a fighter from prospect to contender better than Prize Fight Promotions.  Owned by brothers Brian and Russ Young, the company has been selling out shows for literally years now.  Known for promoting the biggest PPV in history, (Mike Tyson vs Lennox Lewis), Prize Fights current stable is very impressive.

The company took both Lamont and Anthony Peterson from nothing to the cusp of world titles within a few years. Currently they are moving another future world champion in Shawn Porter.  Recently Porter was picked by famed fight trainer Freddie Roach to fly to the Philippines to spar with the great Manny Pacquiao. Porter an undefeated Jr middleweight...(read the full article)