Danny Green retires!!!
Katsidis rues costly lapse
Vale _ Joe Bridges
Mayweather set to drop his uncle
Briggs set to get back in ring
Pretty Boy Floyd to take on Hatton
Junior Witter downs Harris
Bohol Stable leading charge
The Fist lauches new updated Web Site
Mayweather leads 'Dancing With the Stars' list
Cuba boycotts world championships
Danny Green Retires!!
PERTH, March 25 AAP - Tearfully ending his professional boxing career today, world light heavyweight champion Danny Green said no amount of money could tempt him to reverse a decision to quit made after an early-morning Easter Sunday "epiphany".
In a move which will cost Green millions of dollars, the 35 year-old emotionally quit the ring saying his future as a husband, father and grandfather was more important than defending the WBA title he won last December.
And while Green said he felt fitter and sharper than at any time in his 16-year career, he also believed he was making the decision of a wise man to walk out of the sport at his peak.
"I woke up at 1am Sunday morning with my stomach churning, and it was telling me to hang up my gloves basically," Green said.
"You can imagine I have struggled with the decision as I believe I am at the top of my game and the peak of my career as a professional fighter.
"I have never gone against my gut feelings and I am not about to start doing that now.
"There is going to be questions about whether there is anything wrong with me physically, the answer is categorically no.
"It was almost like I had a premonition, an epiphany - I am not religious by any stretch of the imagination - but I do listen to my stomach and that is what it has told me.
"I have clarity, it was weird but that is the way it is. I leave with my dignity and my health intact."
Green was in preparation for his mandatory defence against Argentinian Hugo Garay at Challenge Stadium on April 27, having abandoned plans to train in Perth in favour for his usual Sydney surroundings.
But after wrestling with his decision for hours, he said he was happy and content.
"You won't see me come back. I am turning down millions and millions of dollars," Green said.
"My decision is not financially based, it is based on myself, my family and friends and what I have to offer the community in the future.
"A lot of people will think I am crazy, but a lot of fighters stay in the game too long and that is not going to be me."
With the Garay fight off, the much talked about rematch with Anthony Mundine - which would have brought both men monster paydays - also won't eventuate.
"It would have been nice to go out in front of 20,000 fans at Burswood with a massive rematch but it is not to be," Green said.
"All I would say to Choc is keep your chin down and look after your health because it is a very tough sport ... and thanks for a great rivalry, because you have made the sport so much more exciting."
Mundine's manager Khoder Nasser said Green's retirement would be a loss to boxing, and he hoped he would reconsider.
"Danny is a gentleman who was part of the greatest fight in Australian history, he fought back from adversity to become a world champion again and his retirement is a massive loss to boxing," Nasser told Radio SEN.
"Every man is entitled to change his mind and we certainly hope he does so he can fight Anthony again."
But watched by a large group of family and friends, including his wife Nina and two children Chloe and Archie, Green said he would now be pursuing other business interests, as well as staying involved in boxing in an official - and possibly unofficial - capacity.
"Boxing is always going to be part of my life, but instead of dealing with the sharks of the sport out there, I will be dealing with ... any prospective boyfriends (for Chloe)," Green said.
"That is why I want to make sure my health is intact, because when I am 60 years old and there are boys knocking on the door I still want to be able to go the knuckle if I have to."
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Katsidis rues costly lapse
CABAZON, California, March 22 AAP - Australia's Michael Katsidis suffered a dramatic knockout loss to great Cuban lightweight Joel Casamayor in California today.
Katsidis was knocked out in the 10th round.
It was a brutal contest, with both boxers hitting the canvas during the bout, but it was the veteran Casamayor who survived.
It was Katsidis' first loss in 24 fights.
The 27-year-old from Toowoomba, Queensland, was knocked down twice in the first minute of round one, but he came back to knock Casamayor through the ropes in the sixth round.
Katsidis and Casamayor were fighting for the World Boxing Organisation interim lightweight world-title belt and boxing bible, Ring Magazine's, designated lightweight champion.
Katsidis went into the fight the overwhelming favourite with Las Vegas and Australian bookmakers, with Casamayor, 36, thought to be past his prime.
Casamayor, a boxing gold medal winner at the 1992 Olympics, is considered one of the best lightweight boxers of the past decade.
The fight was held at the Morongo Casino, located in the desert about two hours east of Los Angeles.
There was controversy earlier in the night when another promising Australian, Sydney featherweight Billy Dib, won a split decision over US-based Mexican Edgar Fabian Vargas in their 10 round clash.
Dib, 22, appeared to dominate every round, but one of the three judges gave the fight to Vargas.
Dib's victory puts him on track for a world-title fight against Venezuela's World Boxing Council champ Jorge Linares in Los Angeles in May.
Read more in the next edition of The Fist Boxing Magazine, due out on April 1st at all good newsagencies.
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Vale _ Joe Bridges
Long time boxing legend Joe Bridges passed away this Easter at the home of his daughter following heart surgery. The Fist and the boxing family extend their condolences to Joe's family.
Joe's son Geoff said his father's funeral would likely be held later this week, around Friday and for people to check the Adelaide Advertiser for details.
Joe was recovering from heart surgery and had just been released from hospital.
Geoff has asked if any of the readers have any photos or stories of dad, could they send them to hvbridges@bigpond.com along with any condolences which he would pass onto the rest of the family.
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Mayweather set to drop his uncle
ORLANDO, Florida, - Undefeated welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather will drop Roger Mayweather as his trainer for a rematch with Oscar de la Hoya in September if his uncle continues to train Steve Forbes.
The World Boxing Council champion said today that he asked his uncle not to train Forbes for a May 3 bout against de la Hoya, whose planned rematch with Mayweather would be scuttled by a loss.
"If it's not done within a couple weeks, I'm going to get a new trainer," Mayweather said. "If he continues to train Steve (he's out). I told him on numerous occasions not to train Steve Forbes and he's training him at my gym."
Mayweather said he last saw his uncle at a February 25 party but did not speak about the conflict there.
"We didn't have a falling out. We never have a falling out. It's just right is right and wrong is wrong," Mayweather said. "He must realise that him training Steve Forbes, he's taking a ton of money out of his own mouth.
Mayweather's split-decision victory over Oscar de la Hoya last May was the richest bout in boxing history, pulling in $US120 million ($A131.7 million), and a September rematch could exceed those totals, provided Forbes does not beat de la Hoya.
"He wants to train Steve Forbes then he wants to come over and train me," Mayweather said. "He wants Steve to beat de la Hoya but if he beats him, everything around me goes down the drain.
"That's taking money out of my pocket. I'm going to have to go get another trainer. I may have to pay my dad more."
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Briggs ready to get back in ring
Former light heavyweight boxing contender Paul Briggs is set to end a 16 month absence from the ring in June and will campaign at super middleweight with Anthony Mundine in his radar.
Briggs, 32, hasn't fought since last February because of problems with his adrenal and nervous systems.
However, he has declared himself healthy and has nominated June 27 as the date of his comeback fight.
His manager Stuart Duncan said former Mundine victim Antwun Echols and his American compatriot Yusaf Mack were among the opponents being considered for that date.
"We want a warm-up against a credible opponent and we'll take another fight in America, hopefully in September or October on a Don King promotion," Duncan said.
"Both Echols and Mack are credible opponents where Paul can get rid of the rest, as both are capable of going the full distance.
"We have already spoken with the Mundine camp as this is a fight Paul would like."
Back on the Gold Coast, after training with Johnny Lewis in Sydney, Briggs was confident he could secure a world title opportunity this year.
Sydneysider Mundine is set to make his next WBA super middleweight title defence against fellow Australian Sam Soliman in Melbourne in May.
"I want the best and if Mundine thinks he's the best, than bring it on," said Briggs, who has a professional record of 26 wins (18 KOs) and three losses.
"I'm happy and prepared to travel to his backyard, however if it's a fight in the USA he wants, then (my American promoter) Don King would be only too happy to arrange this.
"I'm not about to trash talk or attempt or belittle "Choc", just a single message, `put up or shut up'."
Briggs twice lost close points decisions to Poland's Tomasz Adamek in bouts for the WBC light heavyweight title.
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Bohol Stable forging ahead in Australia
With Tony Pritchard-Nobbs
After many lean years, the Bohol Stable based out of Green Valley in
Sydney's West, have emerged as one of the more prominent teams on the local
fight scene. With twelve boxers, all but one a Filipino, the Bohol Stable
have gone from being regarded as some what "easy beats" to an established
group of fighters that deserve to be taken seriously by any opponent they
face. Having two of my own boxers, Frankie De Milo and Ryan Langham, have
to get off the deck to win majority decisions over Bohol young guns
Rolando Gerongco and Robert Oyan, I can attest to that! With a few of the
stable now featuring in the Australian top 5 and "The Aussie Destroyer"
Ranee Ganoy confirming himself as one of the most dangerous imports in
recent memory, being rated 15 by the IBF, the confidence in 53 year old
manager Dido Bohol is high as he sets his sights on international fights
for the rampaging Ranee.
It's a pretty unanimous vote that Australian boxing would be poorer if not
for the Bohol's. The Fist spoke to Dido, who hails from Cebu, and asked him
about his past experiences, the present and future plans.
The Fist: Dido, how did you get interested in boxing?
Dido Bohol: From a very young age, watching fights on television from the
USA. I start training myself every day but unfortunately not successful
because I had an injury to my arm. So then I start to help training other
boxers and learn all the time. We have many great champions in The
Philippines and boxing is very popular there.
TF: Did you fight yourself?
DB: I had only five amateur fights on small shows. I never fight pro.
TF: When did you come to Australia and when did you begin looking after
fighters here?
DB: I immigrated to Australia in 1989 and I start doing this in 1991.
TF: Tell us about your early days as a trainer - agent in Australia
TF: My first boxer was Teofilo Tunaco. He was good but unfortunately some
decisions go against him. He fight some good Australian fighters. Then
because we not get decisions I have a break for two years, then I try again
but same thing. He win fights but not get decisions, but we keep going, I
then I get other boxers too.
TF: You have done very well recently, scoring a few upsets
DB: It has been very bad, the decisions. Now we have promoters putting our
boys on and looking after us better. Still, sometimes decisions are not
good. So we train for a knockout all the time. Why? We are not strangers
here now, we want to bring a world title to Australia, just like Lovemore
Ndou, Gairy St Claire, Vic Darchinyan, we are a part of boxing here. Our
boxers are proud to fight for Australian titles. We are very proud of our
boxers. They come to Australia to FIGHT! We spend our own money bringing
them here, we get them jobs, a place to stay. When (bad) decisions go
against us, it hurts us. I feel very bad for my boxer when this happens.
After I get many phone calls from people saying we win the fight especially
when it's on Friday Night Fights, it's plain to see.
TF: Who are your main trainers?
DB: My sons Jeffrey and Hermie. They are becoming recognized now and are
getting good results. They put a lot of time into their jobs as trainers,
training the boxers twice a day.
TF: What gym do you train out of?
DB: The STEVE JEZ GYM in Liverpool. We are very thankful to Steve for all
of his help.
TF: Ranee Ganoy is going great. What have you got lined up for him?
DB: We are looking for fights but it's very difficult to get Australian
boxers to fight him so we look to get international fights. We have no
doubt he can win a world title.
TF: He had a great win over Robbie Peden (TKO 8) in March. Tell us about
that fight.
DB: We trained very hard for the fight. We got Ranee very fit, sparring
hard, we came to score knockout because that is only way to make sure we
win. Robbie Peden is a very good fighter, very experienced, a former world
champion, we had to be at our best.
TF: Thanks Dido.
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The Fist launches new, updated Website
By Damien Shields - Editor
The Fist Boxing Magazine has launched its new revamped Website to help enhance boxing in Australia
The Fist Online will change on a daily and weekly basis, with not only the lastest boxing news from around the world, but indepth articles and stories sourced from the amazing wealth of stories in The Fist Magazine's 18 years of archives.
Not only will there be a State by State breakdown, complete with relevant boxing authorities contact details and links, but historical articles relevant to each State.
This will allow readers and advertisers to read stories relevant to them.
The Fist Online readers will also be able to see what are the latest stories in The Fist Magazine, Australia's leading national and international boxing magazine.
There will also be an expanded Shot of The Day, and lengthy feature stories.
With the great range of Fist contributors from around Australia and the world, The Fist Online will lead the way for boxing in Australia and continue to support and enhance Australia's leading boxing magazine, The Fist!
Send your feedback and suggestions to Damien Shields at thefist@ozemail.com.au as the Fist Online continues to evolve and grow boxing in Australia.
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Mayweather leads 'Dancing With the Stars' list
NEW YORK - WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. won't be
leaving his day job while he participates in the ABC series "Dancing
With the Stars."
Mayweather will continue to train for his match against Ricky
Hatton in Las Vegas on Dec. 10. The TV show will run from Sept. 24 to
Nov. 26. If Mayweather makes it to the finals, it will be two weeks
before he steps into the ring at the MGM Grand against the undefeated
140-pound champ from Manchester, England.
"Can you imagine Emmitt Smith, who won on the show, doing it and
playing in the Super Bowl?" said Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's
adviser. "What Floyd is doing, preparing for a fight and doing the
show simultaneously, is unheard of. And Floyd doesn't know a thing
about ballroom dancing."
Mayweather, 30, is the third boxer to appear on the show. Evander
Holyfield appeared in the first season and Laila Ali was on last
season, making it to the final round.
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Cuba boycotts world championships
HAVANA, Aug 29 AFP - Cuban leader Fidel Castro has pulled the country's boxing team out of the world championship in Chicago in October to prevent fighters defecting.
The Cuban boxing federation (FBC) confirmed that in line with the wishes of Castro none of their team will be attending the event.
The October 18-November 3 tournament is a qualifying event for the 2008 Olympics.
In 2004, Cuba won the majority of its Olympic gold medals in the sport.
But Castro insisted earlier this month that Cuba would not sacrifice its honour for Olympic gold medals.
And the boxing federation said in a statement: "We will not expose the Cuban boxing team once again to the abuses and provocations that, in this case, will take place in Chicago, an ideal place to give free reign to dealers and traffickers with the collusion of US authorities."
Last month, two Cuban boxers abandoned their team at an event in Brazil.
Guillermo Rigondeaux, a double Olympic champion, and Erislandy Lara, world welterweight champion, were deported from Brazil to Cuba after their apparent attempt to defect during the Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro.
After they returned to Cuba, both men were banned from ever representing Cuba again.
Their attempted defection followed last December's loss of Olympic champions Odlanier Solis, Yan Barthelemi and Yuriorquis Gamboa who quit the team while training in Venezuela for the Pan-American Games.
They were signed to German promoters Arena Box Promotion, an organisation likened to the mafia by Castro.
"The leader of the revolution has analysed in detail the abuses of the group who, behind the facade, serve one of many vile interests of the United States and some of its allies, the theft of athletes," added the statement.
"It is not absurd to think of an alliance between the German mafia and the Americans in this dirty deal."
Despite the boycott of the world championships, the Cubans insist that their fighters will still attempt to qualify for the Olympics through two tournaments to be held after Chicago.
Cuba is one of Olympic boxing's superpowers with 32 gold medals.
In Athens four years ago, they took gold in five of nine divisions, helping the country to 11th place on the medals table.
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