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Our man Euan Taylor is currently sitting in on the EliteXC conference call which is on-going.
The first bit of news is that EliteXC has reworked its weight classes. They are as follows:
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According to Sam Caplan the UFC will be holding a press conference tomorrow at 4:00 PM ET where Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White will address the statements made by Randy Couture in his press conference last week. You'll be able to watch the press conference at UFC.com
I was tempted to use the above song quote, or some lyrics from the circle of life in the title. Either would have been oddly appropriate.
I'll let you know when the Couture camp schedules its rebuttal press conference. How could one not be coming at this point?
I have a solution, I will offer Randy Couture and the UFC a chance to engage in a Lincoln-Douglas debate using official LD rules. I will be the judge because I've got several years worth of LD Debate experience and was quite good in my day. We'll settle this like gentlemen!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Interview With: The Sandman Interview By:
Andy Steven
of
www.PWMania.com
Date: October 29, 2007
Recently released World Wrestling Entertainment superstar, The Sandman, has spoken out for the first time since his WWE release with
www.PWMania.com
. He spoke on his release from WWE and gave the real reason to his release, the original plan for him in WWE/ECW. The different atmosphere’s backstage in
RAW, SmackDown & ECW, the possibility of a TNA return and much more. The complete interview is below:
Andy Steven: Thanks for taking this time out once again to take part in this interview for
www.PWMania.com
. Online reports suggest that you were released after an incident during WWE's South Africa tour with Ricky Steamboat and you later asked for your release,
can you explain the situation a little more and your thoughts on it?
The Sandman: Well actually the reason I am no longer with WWE is because I wanted to be able to spend more time with my family. I got tired of the road
schedule.
Andy Steven: You were with WWE for over a year and had a huge involvement in the ECW return, what were WWE's original plans for ECW and you?
The Sandman: Well I am not sure what Vince McMahon’s plans for ECW were but the plans for me were to come in kick ass then leave that’s why you never saw
me in full matches and when you did they were basically beatdowns.
Andy Steven: Did you enjoy your time working with WWE?
The Sandman: Yes it was great got to see allot of my old friends.
Andy Steven: Were there any differences of the atmosphere backstage between the live RAW shows and the ECW/SmackDown tapings?
The Sandman: Some what not too much though. ECW was different because we had a bunch of the originals so it was like home. When I entered RAW it was allot
different.
Andy Steven: Have you been contacted by TNA or if asked to return to TNA would you consider it?
The Sandman: I would go over to TNA if offered the right amount of money.
Andy Steven: Who did you most enjoying working with during your time in WWE?
The Sandman: There was not really a certain person.
Andy Steven: Are you still in contact with anyone in WWE, if so who?
The Sandman: I am still in contact with some of the people but I barely use my phone so I barely talk to them.
Andy Steven: Who's idea was it to trade you to RAW, when did you find out about it and did you enjoy it more than ECW on Sci Fi and why?
The Sandman: It was the creative team’s idea to trade me. I found out about it last minute before the trade happened. I enjoyed ECW more then RAW because
my friends were on ECW
Andy Steven: Do you have any plans for the near future?
The Sandman: Basically I am going to spend allot of time with my family. I will still take bookings but want time for my family. If anybody wants to book
me they can do so by contacting Tod Gordon at
www.myspace.com/pwuczar.
Andy Steven: I would like to thank you very much once again for taking this time to take part in this interview for
www.PWMania.com
, I wish you the best of luck in the future, do you have any messages to say to your fans?
The Sandman: I would like to thank you all for your support. Make sure to checkout the new official Sandman website at
www.hardcoreiconsandman.com
it just launched on the 25th.
INTERVIEW URL:
http://www.pwmania.com/interviews.php?page=sandman2
Kind Regards,Andy Stevenandy@pwmania.com
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ProElite.com has the full video of Randy Couture’s Personal and Revealing Press Conference
I understand that some of you were unable to view the live stream of Randy Couture’s press conference today. I apologize for any technical difficulties and assure you we’ll figure out what the issues were and get them cleaned up for next time. Thanks for bearing with us.
We just posted an unedited version of the press conference in its entirety on ProElite.com so that you can see it immediately. And we’ll be posting the edited version (better sound and no lag time at the beginning) later tonight.
Please check it out at your leisure and thanks again for your support!
http://www.proelite.com/live/15/?source=31114
--Kelly Perdew
President, ProElite.com
http://kellyperdew.proelite.com
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On top of Randy Couture's press conference on HDNet and ProElite.com the UFC will be holding one as well streaming on Yahoo at 4PM EST/1PM PST featuring Dana White, Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva and Brock Lesnar.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PROELITE.COM TO PROVIDE
EXCLUSIVE WORLD-WIDE LIVE STREAM
OF RANDY COUTURE’S PRESS CONFERENCE
THURSDAY AT 1:30 P.M. PT/4:30 P.M. ET
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 24, 2007) – So, what were the real reasons why he left Ultimate Fighting Championships? Is the Mixed Martial Arts legend really retired? What is his opinion of his former boss, Dana White, and his reaction to the UFC president bolding proclaiming he “owned him’’?
Was his intention to resign to put pressure on White to let him out of his contract so he can get a much-desired fight against Fedor? Was he making, as reported, millions of dollars per fight? What are his plans for the future?
Those questions and many more will be answered by legendary, three-time heavyweight champion Randy Couture during what figures to be a lively and emotional, no-holds-barred national press conference Thursday in Las Vegas that will be aired live and in its entirety on ProElite.com.
“We at Xtreme Couture feel that it is important for Randy’s side of the story to be heard,’’ said Xtreme Couture Public Relations Director Sean O’Heir. “We are glad to work with the Pro Elite team to help deliver his message directly to his fans, unadulterated and unfiltered as he says it. Pro Elite has done a marvelous job streaming live broadcasts of MMA events around the world. We are excited that they will bring their attention to detail and expertise to Randy's Press Conference.’’
The exclusive world-wide live stream will begin at 1:30 p.m. PT/4:30 p.m. ET and originate from the celebrated and world-renown fighter’s gym, Xtreme Couture, in Las Vegas. Register early at www.proelite.com to see this historic press conference!
ProElite.com’s wall-to-wall coverage will include a live forum chat from Xtreme Couture. Interviews will include fighters and other dignitaries in attendance. It will begin at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET.
For those who miss it the first time around, or merely want to view it again, the press conference will be recorded and put up on ProElite.com later in the day. Check out this thread in the Forums for more details (http://www.proelite.com/forums/12345/topics/36913).
About Pro Elite, Inc.
ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of mixed martial arts enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM
Contacts:
EliteXC (Brener Zwikel & Associates, Inc.)
Dan Clavadetscher / John Beyrooty
(818) 462-5602 / (818) 462-5601
DanC@bzapr.com / Johnnybey@aol.com
ProElite, Inc.
PondelWilkinson Inc. EliteXC
Evan Pondel/David Stankunas Patrick Freitas
(310) 279-5980 (808) 232-3481
epondel@pondel.com/ Superbrawl21@yahoo.com
dstankunas@pondel.com
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Courtesy of RoadLoans:
DOVER, Del., Sept. 22 -- The RoadLoans.com 200 NASCAR Busch Series race will take its starting command from a wrestling icon. Ric Flair, WWE wrestler and former champion will deliver the four most famous words in NASCAR -- "Gentlemen, start your engines." As a guest of RoadLoans, a leading direct-to-consumer auto finance company, Flair will be Saturday's Honorary Starter for the Busch race.
Debuting in 1972, Flair influenced the world of wrestling and brought swagger and charisma to the sport. Flair's impact on the profession can be compared to that of Michael Jordan to basketball and Babe Ruth to baseball. Still today fans recognize Flair as the "Nature Boy."
Still involved in wrestling, Flair has established a finance business offering consumers a four-step process in identifying lending partners who specialize in car and home loans. His online application process allows consumers to shop for the best lender without the hassle of dealing with large banking institutions.
NASCAR Busch racing returns to Dover International Speedway on Saturday, September 22 for the RoadLoans.com 200 NASCAR Busch Series race. Tickets are still available for the entire Sept. 21 - 23 race weekend and can be purchased by calling 800-441-RACE or online at DoverSpeedway.com
About RoadLoans
RoadLoans is a leading direct-to-consumer auto finance company specializing in new and used vehicle loans, consumer-to-consumer purchases and opportunities to refinance existing loans for customers with all types of credit and especially proud of its history of assisting those with less than perfect credit. Through its online application process, RoadLoans streamlines the financing of a new or used vehicle. The company's focus on customer service has earned it the Lending Tree Customer Service Excellence Award every year since the award was first presented in 2002. Launched in June 2000, RoadLoans is focused on empowering and educating people through the auto buying process and has helped tens of thousands of consumers purchase or refinance a car. RoadLoans is located in North Richland Hills, Texas. For more information, visit http://www.roadloans.com or call (888) 276-7202.
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With their respective belts placed in front of them, EliteXC middleweight champ Murilo "Ninja" Rua (left) and ICON Sport middleweight titlist Robbie Lawler square off after Thursday's press conference at Blaisdell Arena in Oahu, Hawaii. Rua and Lawler tangle in Saturday's eagerly anticipated main event on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
Gina Carano (left) and Tonya Evinger pose after the press conference. Evinger had the quote of the week when she said, "I'd like to make out with Gina, but I'm here to knock her out. Either way she wants it, though, is fine with me.''
The 10 boxers appearing on the telecast (left-to-right): Carano, Nick Diaz, Joey Villasenor, Rua, "Charuto" Verissimo, EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw, Jake Shields (in back), Lawler, Riki Fukuda, Mike Aina and Evinger.
Six of the fighters who will appear following the SHOWTIME telecast in undercard fights streamed live on the Internet at ProElite.com pose after the press conference. Left-to-right: Mark Curano, Mark Oshiro, Justin Buchholz, Shaw, Jose Diaz, Jeff Cox and Chad Klingensmith.
“UPRISING’’ FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES:
RUA-LAWLER, DIAZ-AINA, SHIELDS-CHARUTO, CARANO-EVINGER, FUKUDA-VILLASENOR & MORE
Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007,
Blaisdell Arena, Oahu, Hawaii
ProElite's respected live fight division, EliteXC, led by Gary Shaw, in association with Hawaii-based promoters ICON Sport and ROTR (Rumble On The Rock), and SHOWTIME, will present “Uprising’’ – the biggest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event in the history of Hawaii ---Saturday, Sept. 15, on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
In a tremendous, five, 5-minute round pick 'em main event at Blaisdell Arena, talented and exciting Murilo “Ninja” Rua will make his initial EliteXC title defense against power-punching, always-dangerous ICON Sport titleholder, “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler.
Other televised fights at Blaisdell Arena include: Nick Diaz vs. Mike Aina, Jake Shields vs. against Renato “Charuto” Verissimo, Gina Carano vs. Tonya Evinger and Joey Villasenor vs. Riki Fukuda.
Immediately following the SHOWTIME telecast, four additional undercard bouts will be streamed live at ProElite.com.
(Selected Quotes from Thursday’s press conference at Blaisdell Arena:
“NINJA’’ RUA
“I feel great and I am ready to fight. This is going to be a good fight. Lawler is a tough guy. But I feel the longer the fight goes, the better it will be for me.
“Lawler is going to be very dangerous, especially early, but he gets careless and leaves himself open at times.
“The ground and his conditioning are his weaknesses.’’
“RUTHLESS’’ ROBBIE LAWLER
“Everything is right on schedule for me and I am ready for a great fight.
“I am prepared to go to the ground, but I don’t think I will. If I do go down, I am going to get right up, or might end up on top.
“The rules may be different than I am accustomed to, but a fight is a fight and I am ready to fight under any rules. I can adapt to whatever I need to.
“Mentally and emotionally, I am set. This is going to be a great fight and I am totally prepared.’’
NICK DIAZ
“I’m happy to be fighting for EliteXC. They’ve really treated me well and very professionally. Everything they’ve said they were going to do, they’ve done. They truly seem to have the athlete’s best interests at heart and put the athletes first. That they care means a lot to me.
“I really can’t do anything about the way people think. Some may think I’m a bad guy, but I really am not. I am definitely not the monster some think I am. I don’t want to say I’m misunderstood -- all I am is a fighter who loves MMA and tries to keep it real.
“I say some things that might throw some people off – like stressing that people should watch what they eat and eat only healthy foods, but all I am doing is being me and telling the truth. If you want me to be the bad guy, I can, but that’s not really me.
“I don’t have a specific game plan for Aina on Saturday but I am looking forward to a tough fight and putting on a great show for EliteXC and SHOWTIME.’’
IRON’’ MIKE AINA
“This is a chance of a lifetime for me. Nick Diaz is a great fighter. This is my opportunity to show I’m a great fighter, too. I’m looking forward to a really good fight.’’
GINA CARANO
“I can’t believe Tonya says what she says sometimes, but she speaks her mind and that is good.
“I am really looking forward to returning to the cage, but I expect this to be a tough fight. It is going to be a tough fight. I seem a little more anxious before a fight than I have in the past. We’ll see after Saturday’s fight if that was good or bad.
“I thank God and my family and EliteXC for putting me on this great show. We’ve got the ball rolling. I don’t want it to stop here.’’
TONYA EVINGER
“I’d like to make out with Gina, but I am here to knock her out. Either way she wants it, though, is fine with me.
“Fighting Gina on SHOWTIME is an awesome opportunity. Of course, I want to kick her butt. I want to kick everybody’s butt. Style-wise, it never matters who I fight.
“But I can’t say anything bad about her. Gina is a good girl. I just want this to be a great fight and I will win. I have worked really hard and am going to try my best. I know putting forth a great performance will help me get fights later than I may not have been able to get.
“I am confident but I am always worried before a fight that I will not execute my game plan. That’s what happened to me last time and I lost. Seems the bell sounds, and I tend to forget everything and I just want fight.’’
RIKI FUKUDA
“I am not anxious to reveal my game plan but, like always, I am going to fight hard and do my very best to represent my country (Japan) and my team. I am a little sad that my coach of the last two years (Kid Yamamoto) will not be here, but he has got be prepared.
“I have had more preparation for this fight than ever before and have really been working on my ground game. I want to get more well-rounded.
“I want to thank everybody involved for this opportunity. I am not going to let it pass by. I feel great and am ready to go.’’
JOEY VILLASENOR
“This fight is all about me being victorious, getting back on track and proving to myself that I deserve to be mentioned with the top middleweights in the world. Fukuda is definitely a tough opponent, but I am confident if I fight like I know I can, it will be all good.
“I know I can compete at the top level; I’m not sure Fukuda has. This is a great honor and a great opportunity for me to fight on SHOWTIME again. I am ready to go.’’
JAKE SHIELDS
“I feel great and am looking forward to fighting again in Hawaii and on SHOWTIME. I can’t say I have been mobbed while walking down the street but I have received a lot more recognition since my first fight on SHOWTIME. I have a lot of people coming up to me on the street to talk.
“My next fight is always the most important one, but I really have a lot of respect for Charuto, who definitely is a great fighter and someone I have to take very seriously.
“I want to fight the best and so does he, and he knows the quickest way for him get back into the picture in a major way is to beat me.
“Ultimately, I fight for myself and being ranked in the top 10 or whatever is nice, but it is nothing to be satisfied with. I want to be No. 1. That is every fighter’s goal.’’
RENATO “CHARUTO’’ VERISSIMO
“We were supposed to earlier this year but the event didn’t happen and the fight was postponed. I have had a couple fights since because I had to stay busy.
“I am committed again to MMA and am looking forward to this fight. I lost two straight last year because I wasn’t focused. I was working as a plumber and training, but I wasn’t training or working out like now. Mentally, I wasn’t there. But now I’m back and in full training.’’
BRANDON WOLFF (INTERNET)
“I am very happy to be fighting on an EliteXC show, and I hope to be fighting on many more. This will be a great experience for me and getting the extra exposure is fantastic. I am fighting for Hawaii in this one.
“I know the guy I am fighting is undefeated, and he is going to be tough. They didn’t fly him over for nothing. But that’s what I want. I am ready to do whatever it takes to win but I also want to see what I am made of. This is a great opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to it.
“I think he may have some advantages on the ground. I’ll have advantages standing up.’’
CHAD KLINGENSMITH (INTERNET)
“I’m fighting a hometown guy but it makes no difference.’’
KALA KOLOHE HOSE (INTERNET)
“This is a big opportunity for me to get recognized. The people in Hawaii understand MMA probably better than anywhere so I know they will be pulling for all the hometown fighters.
“The only thing I know about my opponent is that he is 6-feet-2’’
MARK OSHIRO (INTERNET)
“I like to hurt people, but not out of anger. I want to be the best I can be. I hate to lose and will fight any way I can to win.
“This is my first time in a cage and I don’t know what to expect. I’m a little nervous. But I want to prove to the world and myself that I belong where I am. There are a lot of good 135-pound fighters. I can’t show any fear.’’
NUI WHEELER (INTERNET)
“I grew up in a touch neighborhood and guys picked on me because I was small. I used to fight big guys on the street, so why not in the cage?
“I fight for my family and not for myself. The most dangerous fighters are those with nothing to lose, and I have nothing to lose. The pressure is all on him.’’
About Pro Elite, Inc.
ProElite Inc. delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of mixed martial arts enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME® TOO™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE® and TMC XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD™, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND™ and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME® PPV.
Contacts:
Showtime Networks Inc. EliteXC (Brener Zwikel & Associates, Inc.)
Chris DeBlasio / Ivy Moon Dan Clavadetscher / John Beyrooty
(212) 708-1633 / (212) 708-7319 (818) 462-5602 / (818) 462-5601
Chris.DeBlasio@Showtime.net DanC@bzapr.com / Johnybey@aol.com
Ivy.Moon@Showtime.net
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(Note from Casey: thanks to the individual who sent this to me.)
CONFERENCE CALL QUOTES
KERMIT CINTRON AND JESSE FELICIANO
ROMAN KARMAZIN AND LUCA MESSA,
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 15, 2007
Kermit Cintron will defend his IBF welterweight title against Jesse Feliciano in one of three 12-round fights Saturday, Sept. 8, at STAPLES Center in
Los Angeles , Calif. , on SHOWTIME PPV. In another, Roman Karmazin faces Luca Messi for the WBA super welterweight Intercontinental crown.
In the highly anticipated Sept. 8 main event, two-time world champion Fernando Vargas faces three-time world champion Ricardo Mayorga at a catch weight
of 162 pounds.
Tickets priced at $300, $150, $100 and $50 are on sale online at Ticketmaster.com, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (213) 480-3232 or (714)
740-2000 and at Ticketmaster ticket centers including Wherehouse Music, Robinsons-May, Tower Records and Ritmo Latino locations. Tickets are also available
at STAPLES Center box office and the box office at TEAM LA at Universal CityWalk.
Opening Comments
Karmazin: I've been training very hard, and I'm taking this fight extra seriously, not only because I have a tough opponent in front of me, but
also because my trainer, Boris Zykanov, recently passed away. I’ve dedicated my next fight, this fight, and my title run for a new title to my late trainer.
I'm training very hard and very seriously to make him proud.
Messi: I trained in Italy for two months. I've been in Miami , or I will be in Miami , for about five weeks in total, for sparring.
I'm happy. I feel very good, and the heat is making me get acclimated to the hot weather.
Question: Roman, what do you know about of Luca Messi?
Karmazin: I haven't had a chance to study some film yet. I plan on studying him. I've just been working more on getting ready for the fight
and sparring a bit. But I don't take him for granted. I heard he's a very good fighter with a good pedigree. On this level, fighting for what we're
fighting for, I don't expect him to be anything but world‑class.
Question: Luca, it’s been a little over a year since you fought and lost to (Michelle) Piccirillo. What have you been doing to stay sharp?
Messi: I continue to train. I have my own gym in Miami and have my own trainer. I had problems with my promoter. I was with him and then
with Don King. Now I'm back with Don King Promotions. So I had some legal problems. That’s why I didn't fight.
Question: Luca, will you make a prediction on the fight?
Messi: The only thing I'm going to say is I am coming to win and I'm going to win. That's enough.
Question: Roman, what is your prediction?
Karmazin: The results of the fight; only God knows what the results are going to be, but anything can happen in boxing. But I only come out to
win and that is my plan. I intend to win.
Question: Luca, what is your background?
Messi: This is only my second fight in America . I was an Italian 154‑pound champion. I came over as somewhat of an unknown on Aug.13,
2005 and fought Alejandro Garcia, who was like 24‑1 and had 22 knockouts and it went to decision. I surprised everybody. I was tenacious and did a nice
job. That was my only title shot. And the rest of it is explanatory on my record.
Question: Roman, if triumphant, would you like a rematch with Cory Spinks, who dethroned you two fights ago?
Karmazin: I would very much like a rematch with Spinks; that's actually all I want right now.
Question: Luca, despite your inactivity the last few years, do you think a victory over Karmazin can make you a major player in the 154‑pound
division?
Messi: Exactly, which is why I'm fighting a tough fighter like him. I know he's classified and very highly regarded and I want to show (what
I can do). I know that when I win it will place me in the highest possible position for a title fight.
Question: Luca, even if you lose, are you going to get back into the ring again?
Messi: I am sure, absolutely sure, that Don King will put me back in the ring for a title because I came to America because I was promised this by
Don King, and I'm here for that reason. Don and I are very good friends. It was my Italian friends and I who invited Don over and facilitated the visit
where you saw Don meeting and shaking hands with the Pope.
My brother is a priest and my good friend, a parish priest, sings in the choir in the Vatican . It was through my brother and Don Gilberto that got
us in to see the Pope.
I'm from Bergemo , Italy . That's why I'm known as the “Bergemo Bomber.’’ I want to change my name from the Bergemo Bomber to Miami Made in Paradise
(Laughter).
Question: Luca, so you got Don hooked up with the Pope?
Messi: Yes. I've got the Victoria Gym, a youth program there. It's a huge gym. It has a swimming pool and everything. And the priests are
always invited free there. All the priests, the monsignor, the bishop, they come and work out; they swim in the wintertime because it's cold where I
come from. It was easy for me through my brother and Don Gilberto, the monsignor, and the bishop to hook it up because of that.
Question: Roman, how has the loss of your trainer impacted the atmosphere of your training camp?
Karmazin: Losing Boris is a very big loss to me on many levels. But right now I've been working with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym ( Hollywood
, Calif. ). That's where I trained before with Boris. I'm in the same atmosphere I have been in the past.
Question: Freddie’s now in the Philippines , is he going to be coming back Sept. 8 to work your corner?
Karmazin: Yes, absolutely, he assured me he'd be there.
Question: Luca, what is it about Miami that you like in terms of being able to train down there?
Messi: Because of all the beautiful women. (Laughter) I like it because of the sparring partners. I have terrific sparring partners. I
don't have that in Italy . Sparring partners are too easy in Italy . Here they are tougher; also my trainer is here. I love and hate him so much.
Question: What part of Italy are you from?
Messi: I'm Neapolitan. My mother is from Naples . But I was raised in Bergemo , Italy , which is near Milano, a very wealthy suburb
of Milano.
Question: Luca, is your family all very religious; and if so, how did you end up fighting ‑‑ were you an altar boy to begin with?
Messi: It's very interesting, my family is not that religious. But it's really strange, my brother became a priest and I became a boxer.
I'm the first boxer in my family. My brother, Alejandro, is the first priest.
Question: Was your family against you fighting?
Messi: I grew up poor. Even though we're from the south, from Naples , which is poor, I worked at 13 and 14 years old in the foundry area
where they make the steel and stuff like that. It's very dangerous and very hard work, so they didn't care if I was boxing or working with hot metal.
It's very dangerous. So they never gave a second thought about me being a fighter.
Question: Is your brother, the priest, younger or older?
Messi: He's older.
Question: Luca, is it important for you to win this fight or do you need to win it impressively?
Messi: I feel it's important to win, and I don't care how I win.
Question: Roman, you said Cory Spinks is a top priority to fight again. But being this is for a WBA Intercontinental title, would you turn down
a fight for the WBA title, right?
Karmazin: No, of course I wouldn't turn it down. I would take that fight.
Opening comments
Cintron: First of all, I want to thank Main Events and Don King and also SHOWTIME for giving me the opportunity to be able to defend my title
one more time. Feliciano is a great fighter. Seems strong from the fights I've seen of him. He comes to fight. He never backs up. Always forward.
He's a fighter that tries to win his fights. And I'm getting ready for the fight and I'll be ready for Sept. 8 to defend my title one more time successfully.
Feliciano: My thoughts are, man, I can't believe I got this shot. I've been waiting for this all my life. And now that I have it, I'm going
to give it all I've got. I am a true warrior. And I'd like to thank Kermit Cintron for letting me get this shot and Main Events and Don King and Star
Boxing. It’s going to be a tremendous show. Cintron is there to defend his title and he comes to fight as well. Once we put our gloves together,
it's going to be a major war. It's not going to be a Mayweather fight. It's going to be the real deal.
Question: What was your initial reaction when you found out that you had the opportunity?
Feliciano: I was very excited. I didn't think I would get this shot so soon. I thought maybe next year. But I'll take it however I can get it.
I'm ready. I've got nothing to lose. I am going all out.
Question: Kermit, what do you know about this guy? Is there any chance you might overlook him to move on to bigger and better names?
Cintron: No, not at all. I take my fights seriously. They're putting Jesse Feliciano in front of me for a reason.
They're giving him the opportunity to fight me for my title. And like I said, he's a fighter that comes to fight and I know he has three good wins under
his belt. So I'm not taking this fight lightly. Just going to go in there and do what I do best.
Question: Kermit, how tough was it to get over your knockout loss to Antonio Margarito?
Cintron: It was a fight I wasn't well prepared for. Just a loss, it just happened. And not being well prepared for that fight, only having four
weeks of training and only two weeks of being able to hit with my right hand, I just wasn't well prepared for the fight. But I took the fight like a
warrior. The loss did me good -- I think that it got me stronger mentally, physically and emotionally.
Question: Why were you only able to train four weeks and what was the matter with your hand?
Cintron: I just had a ruptured tendon. Took cartilage and had no blood flow going to my middle knuckle so my bone was dying. I had to get
that fixed, and finally they got it fixed and it's been 100 percent since.
Question: Were you surprised you were able to recover that quickly from that first loss? A few fights later, you we're fighting for a championship.
How exciting was that for you to be able to be right back in the thick of things?
Cintron: Definitely not surprised. I knew I could do it. It was just the fact of having the proper training and the proper trainers around
me. I was not surprised at all. I decided to go back in there and fight, win fights. I knew that eventually I was going to get my title shot again.
Question: The welterweight division is pretty awesome right now. What kind of a mark would you like to be able to leave on this division in the
next few years?
Cintron: Just want to definitely be myself in and outside the ring. And I definitely want to unify the titles. One of my biggest goals is to
being able to win all titles and be the undisputed welterweight champion of the world.
Question: Would you want to fight Margarito again, only this time if you were healthy and with a two‑month training camp?
Cintron: Yes, I definitely would love to fight Margarito again, to avenge that loss, and move on to better things.
Question: Kermit, can you talk about your last fight and how, after a couple fights not using it, you have been able to utilize the jab? Do you
just think you're just a better, more well‑rounded fighter now?
Cintron: I think that I definitely am. I just needed the proper training and having the proper trainer. I've been improved a lot ever since
I've been with Emanuel (Steward), and it's going to continue. I'm going to continue to look better and better as fights goes on.
Question: Everyone seems to have made a big deal of how you were working the pads before your last fight. Was that a factor?
Cintron: The pads, just in general, I had a perfect training camp in Austria , getting ready for the Walter Matthysse fight. I had no
complaints at all. I had no injuries. I was 100 percent. I was ready to go. I was focused mentally, physically and emotionally, I was ready.
Question: Kermit, coming off such an impressive knockout, do you feel the need to ‑‑ is it possible for you to top that performance?
Cintron: It was a great performance. Like I said, Emanuel and I have been working hard together. I'm still young in the sport, still learning.
I've been boxing seven years. I know I'm going to be better. And as fights, as time goes on, as fights go on, you're going to see that Kermit Cintron
will improve more and more.
Question: Jesse, obviously fighting for the title is big and obviously is what you fight for. But Kermit is a much different fighter than, say,
Delvin Rodriguez and even Alfonso Gomez. Do you approach it differently, or do you just do what you normally do?
Feliciano: A little bit of both. Like he said, he's not just any regular fighter or any other fighter at that. He's at a whole other level,
a whole other stage. I can't go in there like I did in other fights all big-headed. I have to maintain and focus and mentally be ready as well as physical.
Question: Jesse, what do you credit for your resurgence in the sport?
Feliciano: I credit my father. He's been there for me. He's my boxing manager, baby‑sitter/caretaker. He's been everything, taking care of
me and helping me. And also credit goes to my son, Jesse James. If it wasn't for my son, I would never have been in this game still. I won that USBA
title for my son, rest in peace. He died on June 11th. I dedicate my life to my son.
Question: What happened to your son?
Feliciano: The veins in his lungs were obstructed and his heart only had three chambers instead of four. So he didn't have a good chance of making
it. He was alive for about 13 hours. I got to hold him and bathe him before he passed away.
Question: Kermit, didn't your arm turn black in the Margarito fight?
Cintron: My knuckle was turning black.
Question: Did doctors say you would never fight again?
Cintron: The doctor did say that if what they did wasn't going to work, then that would have been it for me.
Question: Kermit, what do you think about (WBO welterweight champion) Paul Williams?
Cintron: I'll fight Paul Williams any day. Everybody keeps saying I'm avoiding Williams. I'm not avoiding him. I think Paul Williams is avoiding
me. I think the fight with Paul Williams; it would be a perfect match for me and a great win for me.
Question: Kermit, how important is it to get your revenge against Margarito as opposed to getting a shot at unifying the title against the other
champions?
Cintron: Both. I want to fight everybody. I want to fight Margarito. I want to fight every other champion out there in the welterweight division.
Question: Kermit, what has been the reaction following your last fight?
Cintron: A lot of people have been calling. A lot of people have been impressed about it, the way I look, the way I stopped him. Everybody's
been impressed. It's a good feeling that a lot of people are opening their eyes and seeing that the fight against Margarito was a difference Kermit Cintron.
Question: Kermit, how do you see this fight playing out?
Cintron: I'm just going to go in well prepared. Feliciano is a fighter that comes to fight and never backs down.
I see it a win for me.
Question: Prediction?
Cintron: I don't have any. As long as I win the fight, that's all that matters.
Question: Kermit, last few fights you've been training in Europe and over the place. Where will you concentrate your training camp for this
fight?
Cintron: I'm in the Poconos. I'm here with Jermain Taylor.
Question: You've been talking about unifying the titles. Will you wait and see what happens in the next (Miguel) Cotto fight?
Cintron: I think that any possibility I can get to unify the titles I'll take. I'm here. The plan is to keep me busy. That's what we're doing.
Eventually by 2008, we'll be unifying the titles.
Question: Specifically what things do you need to learn in order to continue to be successful?
Cintron: I think in boxing you never stop learning. Emanuel Stewart knows every trick in the book about boxing and little by little we've been
going one‑on‑one with it and learning.
Question: Kermit, it seems as though regardless to what you've done since the loss to Margarito, you still get questions regarding that fight.
Does it bother you?
Cintron: No, it doesn't bother me at all. It's a fight that I looked bad in. I lost a fight. And who cares. I moved on. Everybody's still,
I guess, still on that date back in '04. I moved on with my career. I'm a world champion now.
Question: Why would you come back to fight a guy like Jesse Feliciano, who is on such a roll in these last few fights?
Cintron: This is a fight that Main Events and SHOWTIME gave me. It's just through a fight to keep me busy with what I do. I think the busier
I am the better I get.
Question: Can you motivate yourself to fight a guy moving up in weight after the tough fights you’ve had?
Cintron: I don't take any fight lightly. Every fighter that steps in there is trying to hurt me. They're trying to win against me of course
they want to get the title away from me. That's not going to happen. I train hard for every fight, if not harder, and you will see Sept. 8.
Question: This is the biggest fight of your career, Jesse. Can you continue your level of success?
Feliciano: I'm raising the bar, as you can see. I'm on a whole other level. I'm on a winning streak; I'm not losing. But I think it's going
to last. Good things are going to happen to me.
Question: Kermit, what are your thoughts on fighting Floyd Mayweather?
Cintron: It's a fight that every fighter in the welterweight division wants. That's a fight I would love to have, but that's his decision. With
my style, Mayweather would be a great fight for me.
Question: Your style is going to pose problems for all the other champs; do you think it's going to be a stumbling block in regards to you unifying?
Cintron: It's up to the other champions. If I don't get the opportunities I will continue to defend my title successfully until I get a chance
to fight for the other titles. I think that there are champions they'll fight me.
Question: Were you sparring with Wladimir Klitschko?
Cintron: Yes.
Question: How did it go?
Cintron: It was a totally different experience but it was a great experience for me.
Question: Fighting somebody that tall is getting you ready for Paul Williams, right?
Cintron: Yeah.
Question: Jesse, some regard you as a stay-busy fighter, someone that others fight to stay busy?
What do you think about that?
Feliciano: I think it motivates me more to do a better job.
Question: Kermit, you're fighting less than two months after knocking out Matthysse. Is there added pressure to come back so quickly?
Cintron: Not at all, no pressure at all. These are the things I like. I like to stay busy. The sooner I get back into the ring, the better
it is. The more fights I get, the better I get.
Question: Jesse, why do you think you have the advantage in this fight especially after the spectacular knockout that Kermit had in his last fight
in July?
Feliciano: Everybody thinks I'm the underdog. Everybody wants to fight me because they think it will be an easy fight. I’ll be ready. I'm training
hard. This fight is the real deal and we're both coming to fight and we're probably going to steal the show.
Question: What specifically did you see in the fight that Kermit won against Matthysse that you think you can take advantage of?
Feliciano: I'm not really too sure if I can answer that question. But all I saw was a good, pinpoint sharp-shooting assassin right there. He
just took that guy out. I don't know, man. It's going to be all‑out war is all I can say. I'm not going to go down in the second round.
Question: Kermit, have you gained more respect since the Matthysse fight?
Cintron: People are still talking about my loss against Margarito, but I've moved on. That was the past. I'm in a better position than I ever
was back then. But I do get some props as well.
Question: Did you feel when you first started working with Emmanuel that you had to prove yourself to him?
Cintron: Yeah, definitely and I did prove myself sparring with a kid named Dominic Dawson, who is an extremely fast, good boxer, who is going
to be probably making the Olympic team. That's who I've actually been sparring with right now. But, yeah, I definitely felt that I needed to prove myself.
Question: Are you disappointed a guy you called out, Shane Mosley, is fighting Cotto instead?
Cintron: I wasn't disappointed. I just see how fighters are. They try to avoid big punchers. They see what I did to Matthysse and they see
and saw that Kermit Cintron is no joke. He's a totally different fighter than he was against Margarito. There are always fights out there -- big fights
against other fighters willing to fight me. As long as I stay busy I'll be fine. I'll get that big fight.
Question: What is it that makes you confident you can beat Paul Williams?
Cintron: People keep saying I'm avoiding Williams. I've never avoided anybody. I never backed down, never said no to a fight. Williams is
just another fighter. He's more an amateur than a pro, a fighter that throws a lot of punches but with no power. It's a fight that I definitely want.
People think I'm avoiding him but I'm not.
Question: So you would love to fight Cotto?
Cintron: I think that the fight would definitely be a fight I would love to have. It would definitely be a great fight.
Question: Will you knock him out?
Cintron: It will be definitely a tough, rough fight. And I know if I connect him with my hard shots that, yes, I think he will go down. And
the record for ticket sales at Madison Square would be broken. It will definitely be a big fight.
Question: Jesse, do you see anything in Kermit, any weaknesses, that you can capitalize on?
Feliciano: I don't really see any weakness, especially in his last fight. The Margarito fight is the past. This is a new Kermit Cintron. He's
dangerous and nobody to take lightly.
Question: Kermit, what do you think if you never get the fight with Margarito. What is it going to take for you to get rid of that in everybody's
mind? Do you think a good fight with Williams would erase that from everybody?
Cintron: I think getting a win over Paul Williams would definitely erase the Margarito fight. But everybody keeps asking me that question.
I've moved on from that loss. You can never go back to that. There are a lot better things in the near future for my career.
Closing Comments
Cintron: I want to say thanks to Main Events, Don King and SHOWTIME and Pay Per View for giving me an opportunity to get in a fight and defend
my title successfully. I'm looking forward to Sept. 8.
Feliciano: I'd like to thank Star Boxing most of all and everybody for putting this fight together, SHOWTIME and Pay Per View and all the fans
out there. You're very greatly appreciated, and thank you for sticking around and here we go for the fight. Thank you.
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