NO TICKETS FOR HURRICANE IKE AT BEAU RIVAGE; BILOXI MOVES OUT OF 'CONE OF UNCERTAINTY'
NO TICKETS FOR HURRICANE IKE AT BEAU RIVAGE; BILOXI MOVES OUT OF 'CONE OF UNCERTAINTY' BILOXI, Miss.- As Biloxi moved out of the "cone of uncertainty" for Hurricane Ike earlier this week, boxers participating in Don King's world championship fight card will move into their own danger zone on Saturday, clashing in nine scheduled bouts at the Beau Rivage Theatre. Flashy boxer Nate "The Galaxxy Warrior" Campbell will make the first defense of his International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association lightweight titles against undefeated two-division world champion Joan "Sycuan Warrior" Guzman. In a second world championship, undefeated World Boxing Council super lightweight champion Timothy "Desert Storm" Bradley (22-0, 11 KOs), from Palm Springs, Calif., will make the first defense of his title against Edner "Cherry Bomb" Cherry (24-5-2, 12 KOs), a native of the Bahamas now residing in Wauchula, Fla. The event is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Beau Rivage. The Campbell vs. Guzman main event will be presented in association with One Punch Productions and Sycuan Ringside Promotions and will also be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT/8 p.m. CT (delayed on the West Coast). Ticket prices are $39.95, $69.95, $89.95 and $299.95 plus tax and service charge and can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Box Office or by calling 888.566.7469 (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily).. Beau Rivage room reservations can be made by calling 888.567.6667 or visiting www.beaurivage.com. A World Boxing Council featherweight championship elimination bout will also be showcased with No. 1-ranked Hector Velasquez (50-11-2, 35 KOs), from Tijuana, Mexico, against No. 2-ranked Elio "The Kid" Rojas (19-1, 13 KOs), from the Dominican Republic, now fighting out of Brooklyn, N.Y. The winner becomes the WBC featherweight mandatory challenger, guaranteeing a title shot. Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KOs), from Jacksonville, Fla., picked up his titles in a tremendous upset over previously undefeated unified lightweight champion Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz. Campbell outgunned and battered the previously unbeaten Diaz in his most recent appearance on March 8 in Cancun, Mexico. He won the fight by split decision but clearly dominated his opponent, leaving him battered and bloody. At age 36, Campbell finds himself in possession of three world titles and great interest from the likes of the never-before-beaten Guzman—already a champion at the 122- and 130-pound limits, who would like to take away what Campbell has recently won at the 135-pound limit. Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs), from the Dominican Republic now residing in Brooklyn, N.Y., was scheduled to defend his WBO junior lightweight crown against Alex Arthur on May 3 in Arthur's home country of Scotland. When Arthur insisted on a later date, Guzman opted to move up to lightweight to challenge Campbell. (Guzman also previously held the WBO junior featherweight championship.) The clash pits Campbell's relentless and punishing style against the savvy, agile and rabbit-quick Guzman. Campbell is known for having some of the heaviest hands in the division, while Guzman is a defensive wizard who rarely gets hit and can also dish out serious punishment. As if three world titles being on the line were not enough intrigue for one match, a personal rivalry has been brewing with a war of words has developed between the two. "After all the things that Guzman and his people have said, somebody is going to have to pay for that and I guess it's going to have to be Guzman," Campbell said. "I'm going to give him something to shut his mouth on Saturday here in Biloxi. "I have said all I need to say. My talking is done. Now it's time to fight." After arriving in Biloxi, the undefeated challenger looked and sounded confident. "Nate is a good, experienced and smart boxer but I am faster and more hungry than he is," Guzman said. "That will be the difference on Saturday night. Sycuan Ringside Promotions represents Guzman, and Don King represents Campbell. "Nate Campbell is the rare boxer who can back up his talk," King said. "That's why I love him. He comes straight at you, tells you what he's going to do, and then he executes his game plan. He's truly one of the most exciting fighters we have in boxing today, and Beau Rivage should be commended for stepping up to host one of the bigger fights of the year." Beau Rivage is delighted to bring such a big card to the Gulf Coast. "We are pleased to host this major boxing event in Biloxi and to be partnering with the legendary Don King, whose name is synonymous with championship boxing," said George P. Corchis, Jr., president and chief operating officer of MGM MIRAGE's Mississippi resorts, which includes Beau Rivage in Biloxi, and Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica. "We look forward to having the Mississippi Gulf Coast serve as a backdrop for such an important fight where three world titles are on the line." Workout Quotes Dixon's Dungeon Gym - Biloxi, Miss. - Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008
Nate Campbell: "After all the things that Guzman and his people have said, somebody is going to have to pay for that and I guess it's going to have to be Guzman. I'm going to give him something to shut his mouth on Saturday here in Biloxi. I have said all I need to say. My talking is done. Now it's time to fight."
"Nate is a good, experienced and smart boxer but I am faster and more hungry than he is. That will be the difference on Saturday night." Floyd Mayweather Sr. (Joan Guzman's trainer): "Joan Guzman is the man to meet if you want to go to sleep. "I like the match up. If everything is right, Guzman will win the fight. Guzman is no Juan Diaz, a one-dimensional fighter that just comes right at you. Guzman gives you a lot of different angles—slipping and sliding. "No matter what, it should be a great fight. I look for my man to prevail—taking nothing away from Nate Campbell, who is an awesome fighter. As a matter of fact, I called Nate about three weeks ago because I'd been hearing some things being said. I let him know that people are saying many things and I can only own up to what I have said. Nate and me are good." Return to Top Photo Gallery Agbeko Fight Cancelled ELIO ROJAS Yahoo! Sports Press Conference ResultsNovember 7, 2008 - GOLOTA vs AUSTIN November 7, 2008 - GOLOTA vs AUSTIN Photo GalleryNate Campbell and Joan Guzman work out for the media Dixon’s Dungeon Gym – Biloxi, Miss. – Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008Nate Campbell
Joan GuzmanReturn to Top Photo Gallery Agbeko Fight Cancelled ELIO ROJAS Yahoo! Sports Press Conference ResultsAt Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss. IBF Bantamweight Champion Joseph King Kong Agbeko Falls Ill; Two World Championships, a Championship Eliminator and Undercard Matches Will Be Presented As Scheduled
International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Joseph King Kong Agbeko (25-1, 22 KOs), from Accra, Ghana, was to have made his first title defense against his mandatory challenger, IBF No. 1-ranked William “Chirizo” Gonzalez (21-2, 19 KOs), from Managua, Nicaragua, in a domestically non-televised title bout, but Agbeko contracted Malaria in August while training in Africa. He arrived at Holy Trinity Hospital in Accra with symptoms including fever on Aug. 14, was treated and was released. Although he contracted a mild form of the disease, responded well to medication and was later deemed to be non-contagious, Agbeko admitted he’s not fit to box on Saturday. “I wanted to fight but I’m just not strong enough to enter a world championship boxing match,” an obviously disappointed Agbeko said. “I tried my best to recover in time to fight my mandatory challenger William Gonzalez in Biloxi, but I now agree with the doctors that I can’t be ready by then.” Agbeko saw Florida Boxing Commission Chief Physician and Vice President of the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians Dr. Allan Fields in South Florida on Friday (Sept. 5). “He appears to be regaining his strength,” Fields said of Agbeko. “He should complete his treatment and be able to resume training in two to three weeks. If all goes well, he could be able to participate in a match by October.” Agbeko added, “I look forward to being back in the ring defending my title. I want my fans to know I’m doing fine and will have a beautiful performance for them to see very soon. Saturday’s event will go on as scheduled in the Beau Rivage Theatre with Nate “The Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell making the first defense of his IBF, World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association lightweight titles against undefeated two-division world champion Joan “Sycuan Warrior” Guzman. In a world championship co-feature, undefeated World Boxing Council super lightweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (22-0, 11 KOs), from Palm Springs, Calif., will defend his title for the first time against Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry (24-5-2, 12 KOs), a native of the Bahamas now residing in Wauchula, Fla. A domestically non-televised WBC featherweight championship elimination bout will also be showcased with No. 1-ranked Hector Velasquez (50-11-2, 35 KOs), from Tijuana, Mexico, against No. 2-ranked Elio “The Kid” Rojas (19-1, 13 KOs), from the Dominican Republic, now fighting out of Brooklyn, N.Y. The winner becomes the WBC featherweight mandatory challenger, guaranteeing a title shot. Return to Top Photo Gallery Agbeko Fight Cancelled ELIO ROJAS Yahoo! Sports Press Conference Results
ELIO "THE KID" ROJAS EASILY MAKES WBC 30-DAY WEIGH-IN FOR BILOXI BATTLE ON SEPT. 13
Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KOs), from Jacksonville, Fla., picked up his titles in a tremendous upset over previously undefeated unified lightweight champion Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz. Campbell outgunned and battered the previously unbeaten Diaz in his most recent appearance on March 8 in Cancun, Mexico. He won the fight by split decision but clearly dominated his opponent. Ticket prices and an on-sale date will be announced soon. The event is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Beau Rivage. The Campbell vs. Guzman main event will be presented in association with One Punch Productions and will also be televised on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) and 8 p.m. CT. A World Boxing Council featherweight elimination bout has already been added to the card showcasing No. 1-ranked Hector Velasquez (50-11-2, 35 KOs), from Tijuana, Mexico, against No. 2-ranked Elio "The Kid" Rojas (19-1, 13 KOs), from the Dominican Republic, now fighting out of Brooklyn, N.Y. The winner becomes the WBC featherweight mandatory challenger, guaranteeing a title shot. At age 36, Campbell finds himself in possession of three world titles and great interest from the likes of the never-before-beaten Guzman—already a champion at the 122- and 130-pound limits, who would like to take away what Campbell has recently won at the 135-pound limit. Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs), from the Dominican Republic now residing in Brooklyn, N.Y., was scheduled to defend his WBO junior lightweight crown against Alex Arthur on May 3 in Arthur's home country of Scotland. When Arthur insisted on a later date, Guzman opted to move up to lightweight to challenge Campbell. (Guzman also previously held the WBO junior featherweight championship.) The clash pits Campbell's relentless and punishing style against the savvy, agile and rabbit-quick Guzman. Campbell is known for having some of the heaviest hands in the division, while Guzman is a defensive wizard who rarely gets hit and can also dish out serious punishment. As if three world titles being on the line were not enough intrigue for one match, a personal rivalry has been brewing with a war of words between the two spilling into the press. The firestorm started after Guzman castigated Campbell after photos of his recent wedding began to appear on boxing Web sites. "Everyone has seen the picture of Nate and his wife in their cute, white wedding outfits," Guzman said. "I hope they're enjoying their honeymoon because Nate's honeymoon at the top of the lightweight division is going to end once he fights me." "I think he's afraid of me. I'll make Nate look so bad that he'll retire after I wipe the floor with him. I guess I can understand why Nate doesn't want to fight me. Twenty-eight boxers have tried to beat me and none of them came close to succeeding." The equally loquacious Campbell wasted little time in responding to Guzman. "This clown (Guzman) reminds me of one of those yapping little rat dogs," Campbell said. "[They] yip, yip, yip at your ankles." With pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao moving up in weight to dethrone David Diaz to claim the remaining major world championship at lightweight on June 28, both Campbell and Guzman would love nothing more than to emerge victorious in the hopes of possibly luring the "Pac Man" into a match to determine the undisputed lightweight champion. "Nate Campbell is the rare boxer who can back up his talk," promoter Don King said. "That's why I love him. He comes straight at you, tells you what he's going to do, and then he executes his game plan. He's truly one of the most exciting fighters we have in boxing today, and Beau Rivage should be commended for stepping up to host one of the bigger fights of the year." Beau Rivage is delighted to be bringing such a big card to the Gulf Coast.Return to Top Photo Gallery Agbeko Fight Cancelled ELIO ROJAS Yahoo! Sports Press Conference Results
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BILOXI, Miss.—One of the three world championship matches set for Saturday’s Don King Productions fight card in Biloxi, Miss., has been scratched after one of the boxers became ill.
BILOXI, Miss.—Flashy boxer Nate "The Galaxxy Warrior" Campbell will make the first defense of his International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association lightweight titles against undefeated two-division world champion Joan "Sycuan Warrior" Guzman on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Beau Rivage Theatre in Biloxi, Miss.
