Friday, August 25, 2006

YORI BOY CAMPAS READY TO TEST YET ANOTHER EMERGING MIDDLEWEIGHT STAR

Respected Mexican warrior faces charismatic emerging star John Duddy at The Garden on September 29

New York, NY (August 23, 2006) – Luis Ramon “Yori Boy” Campas (88-8, 72 KO’s) is known and respected for his valiant, toe to toe fighting style and for fearlessly challenging some of the best middleweight fighters of the last two decades including two living legends.

While some of us in the news media opine and offer up our assessments about the best middleweight fighters of recent times, Yori Boy can attest to their brilliance by vividly remembering the severe beatings he has suffered by their hands. Yori Boy gallantly and bravely lost to “Golden Boy” Oscar de la Hoya (TKO, 7th Rd, 2003), Oba Carr (TKO, 8th Rd, 2000), Fernando “El Feroz” Vargas (Rtd, 8th Rd, 1998), Jose Luis “El Maestrito” Lopez (Rtd, 5th Rd, 1996) and Felix “Tito” Trinidad (TKO, 4th Rd, 1994).



Interestingly, Yori Boy said that of all the terrific and hard-punching stars listed above, “El Maestrito” Lopez “has the hardest punching power by far. I feel he is the best fighter I have ever faced.” Yori Boy’s remark is surprising given the brutal power that former Puerto Rican champion, Felix “Tito” Trinidad possessed at his prime when he defeated Yori Boy, and given the overall superior boxing skills displayed by De la Hoya.

Well, now Yori Boy is ready to test yet another middleweight emerging star, Ireland’s John Duddy, a charismatic middleweight born in Derry, Ireland but residing in New York City since 2002. Duddy’s well balanced boxing skills, with an aggressive style and a remarkable left jab are some of the reasons he has been able to garner an impressive 17-0 record with 15 KO’s.

Beyond his boxing skills, Duddy has movie star looks, a warm personality, plus a deep allegiance to his Irish roots. This package make him a bankable star not only among Irish and Irish-American fans but also crosses over to other boxing fans, including women who appreciate his manly allure (think of him as a potential Irish version of Oscar de la Hoya).

Defeating Yori Boy would add shine and credibility to Duddy’s career.

That makes for an attractive card at New York City’s “Boxing Mecca,” Madison Square Garden, on September 29. Tickets are available at the Garden Office or through Ticketmaster by calling 212-307-7171 or at www.ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com.

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Monday, July 17, 2006

“El Feroz” puts together a weak performance in second loss to Shane Mosley












LAS VEGAS (July 15, 2006) – Fernando Vargas’ second loss to Shane Mosley in a devastating technical knockout most likely ended his professional career. The crushing loss certainly corroborated the notion that he is a shot fighter never able to recover from the brutal punishment he absorbed in previous losses to hard-punching Felix Trinidad and boxing extraordinaire Oscar de la Hoya.

Vargas lost to Mosley, in front of 9,722 fans at the MGM Grand and an HBO pay-per-view audience, in part because he was weak as a result of his struggle to make the 154 pound weight category having to shed pounds quickly from his natural 175 pound body weight.

Beyond his weight challenges, Vargas never showed his trademark ferocious fight style and never put pressure on Mosley. Unlike their previous fight, this time Vargas was thoroughly dominated and lost all rounds before the fight was stopped at 2:36 of the sixth round.

Vargas, a Mexican-American from Oxnard, Calif., did not mention the word retirement, instead he said he intends to move up to 160 pounds. "Never again will you see me at 154," a weight he has struggled to stay at the last 10 years.

"Congratulations to Shane," said Vargas, 29. "He caught me with a good shot. I can't take anything away from his performance. It was his night."

A replay of Mosley's rematch victory against Vargas will be shown at 10 p.m. ET Saturday on HBO.


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Saturday, July 15, 2006

“El Feroz” gets first chance to avenge a loss courtesy of “Sugar” Shane Mosley

LAS VEGAS — Fernando Vargas’ 9-year professional boxing career is relatively short and he is only 29 years old. In boxing years and given his numerous high profile bouts, he is a seasoned veteran who has absorbed severe punishment. The general consensus is that he may be a shot fighter after brutal losses to Felix “Tito” Trinidad and Oscar de la Hoya.



One thing is certain. After defeats to those two superstars, “El Feroz” (26-3, 22 KOs) is not the same fighter. He demonstrated some of his old luster against Shane Mosley (42-2, 36 KOs) in their bout back in February --which Mosley won by TKO when the fight was stopped in the 10th round because of a huge swelling around Vargas’ left eye. As customary, Vargas started slowly, losing the early rounds and getting his left eye inflated like a balloon. “El Feroz” fared better in the latter rounds and was gaining momentum backing off Mosley and putting him on the defensive until referee Joe Cortez ended the bout.

The rematch clash will take place on July 15 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas (9 p.m., HBO PPV, $49.95).

This will be the first rematch of Vargas' career. A two-time world champion, he never got the chance to avenge previous TKO losses to De La Hoya in 2002 and Trinidad in 2000.

At only 29 years of age, Vargas has more at stake and appears to be the hungrier fighter. Losing twice to the talented but soft-punching Mosley would almost guarantee the end of his career and would certainly reinforce the notion that is a shot boxer.

A win on the other hand, would spring up opportunities such as a blockbuster fight with Jermain Taylor or Bernard Hopkins as he moves from the 154 to the 160 pounds division.

Vargas is confident and is convinced that he was on his way to winning their first bout until the fight was stopped. “I understand if he was punishing me on the rope, then I would say, OK, he was the better man,” Vargas said. “It was his fight and respect to him. I was putting pressure and he thought that I was going to tire and fade out, but he was the one that was fading out.”

Mosley’s father, Jack, returns as his trainer for this fight.



Fernando Vargas is a box office hit. His fans helped generate over 400,000 PPV buys for the first bout against Mosley. Latino fans are among the broad array of boxing aficionados that love Vargas' fearless, toe-to-toe boxing style.

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Monday, July 10, 2006

Maxi is the maximum Latino star at the World Cup!

With the 2006 World Cup now on the record books, it is time to ask what happened to the Latin Americans?

LACK OF CONVICTION IN THE YOUTH

In a way, both South American powerhouses Brazil and Argentina did not win because history and soil were not in their favor:

- Only once in history has a South American nation won the World Cup tournament in European soil. Brazil won its first title back in 1958 in Sweden.
- Individual rivalries weigh heavily and Brazil was coming off a loss against France in the final of 1998 World Cup while Argentina had a dead even all-time record of 2 wins and 2 losses against Germany.

Beyond history and soil, Brazil never reached the level of play the world expected starting with Ronaldinho who never seemed to get into "The Zone" and produce the magic we all have witnessed both with the national team and Barcelona.

In addition, unlike old as fine wine veteran Zinedine Zidane, Brazil's "Golden Oldies" Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Emerson underdelivered and showed they are burned out. Cafu in particular played mechanically and aimlessly. Head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira could not bring himself to select the new generation of exciting, dynamic and creative defenders in the lineup such as Cicinho, Gilberto and Luisao over the tested but depleted familiar names.

As well as Ronaldo played, it was hard to see lethal striker Adriano in the bench as head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira decided that both players could not play together. True, Ronaldo displayed moments of brilliance but he also disappeared from several matches.

Ronaldo did make history scoring 3 goals that bolted him to the top of the World Cup's all-time scorer list with 15 goals surpassing the mark of Gerd Muller of Germany.

Argentina did well but it perished as a result of several factors, but chief among them was the the absence of true conviction and faith in their two young phenoms Carlos "El Apache" Tevez and Lionel Messi. Head coach Jose Pekerman leaned too heavily on Hernan Crespo, Javier Saviola and most disturbingly on Julio Cruz over his two younger phenoms.


Crespo and Saviola did well, but Cruz and not primed for prome time youngster, Rodrigo Palacio, were non factors.

Hard to accept defeat when the top players don't get top minutes.

On the bright side, Maxi Rodriguez (pictured above), provided fireworks scoring the best goal of the tournament: a wildly accurate and powerful left-footed volley struck after a masterful reception of the ball with his chest that led to a victory for Argentina over Mexico in the quarterfinals.

Maxi matched Ronaldo and fellow Argentinean teammate Hernan Crespo as the leading Latin American scorers in the tournament with 3 goals each (Crespo was awarded a questionable goal against Mexico that replays show was an own-goal).

Unforgettable moments for the Albicelestes include their 6-0 trashing of Serbia-Montenegro with a festival world class goals, including a creative passing gem finished of by Esteban Cambiasso.

Ecuador did fine in relation to their expectations. They got out their group and battled England in the quarterfinals gallantly falling by a one goal margin. The team shined in group play highlighted by their impressive win over Poland, 2-0 and crushing of Costa Rica, 3-0. Not surprisingly, they got crushed by Germany, 0-3 in their last group match.

Mexico advanced to the quarterfinals and mildly disappointed falling to the Argentineans in extra time and as a result of a once in a lifetime goal scored by Rodriguez. The "Aztecas" were solid but unspectacular and never really looked as legitimate contenders for the title.

Paraguay played like Paraguay: hard-working, plodding, determined, with limited imagination, creativity and pizzaz. Paraguay is the "Latin American construction worker soccer team." Give them a few bricks and they will build a house. Effective but hardly worth watching. With their dogged determination the "Guarani" team managed one two narrow one-goal losses against England and Sweden and a late meaningless win over Trinidad & Tobago.

Costa Rica is the complete opposite of Paraguay. Costa Rica is the "Latin American floral designer soccer team." Give them a few flowers and they will put together a beautiful bouquet. Unfortunately, their bouquet always gets properly stomped on by a team with a more reasonable balance between beauty and efficiency, between artistry and pragmatism. This time all their opponents crushed their bouquets no matter how artistically and creatively they had been put together. The "Ticos" lost all three of their matches.

Zinedine Zidane rightly earned the FIFA Golden Ball award as best overall player in the tournament. Moreover, only two Latino players were selected to the Mastercard All Star Team, the "Dream Team" as determined by the FIFA Technical Study Group.

The Mastercard All Star Team is as follows:

Goalkeepers
Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Jens Lehmann (Germany), Ricardo (Portugal)

Defenders
Roberto Ayala (Argentina), John Terry (England), Lilian Thuram (France), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy), Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal)

Midfielders
Ze Roberto (Brazil), Patrick Vieira (France), Zinedine Zidane (France), Michael Ballack (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Gennaro Gattuso (Italy), Francesco Totti (Italy), Luis Figo (Portugal), Maniche (Portugal)

Forwards
Hernan Crespo (Argentina), Thierry Henry (France), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Luca Toni (Italy)

- CGG -
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Friday, June 23, 2006

Hire Gus


MEMO TO SUNIL GULATI: HIRE GUS HIDDINK

Granted, the continued growth of the men's U.S. national team program requires a comprehensive approach that touches several fronts, player development, grassroots coaching development, raising the level of play the national professional league...

But leadership from the top is vital. That is why it is important to invest in the man on top: the men's U.S. national team coach. This man should be more than a coach, he should be a leader with unquestioned international soccer credibility and authority, a man with a strong personality and passion, not afraid to request, demand changes, as part of a long-term vision to get things right.

For this an other reasons listed below, the ideal man to replace Bruce Arena as U.S. national team coach is Gus Hiddink.

Did I mention his strong personality? Or as we Americans say it, his well placed cojones to make things happen, to whatever it takes to get the desired result: to win.

Back in April, 2006, Dutch coach Gus Hiddink, found himself with not one, or two, but three jobs at the same time. He was coach of the Australian national team, club PSV Eindhoven of Holland and had recently inked a fresh contract as coach of the Russian national team immediately following the conclusion of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Hiddink's services are highly sought after, and for good reason: he brings a rather unique set of professional international coaching experience, magnetic and charismatic personality, in-depth technical and tactical knowledge, and worldly manners and resources like the fact that he speaks five languages Dutch, English, French, German and Spanish. He also speaks basic Italian.

Another important aspect is the fact that Hiddink has a strong connection to U.S. soccer having played in the North American Soccer League with the Washington Diplomats and San Jose Earthquakes in the late 70s. He knows the U.S. soccer community and the huge promise of its soccer market.

Hiddink has all the credentials of a world class coach and then some.

Former coach of the national teams of the Netherlands, South Korea, Australia and set to coach Russia. At the club level, he has led Real Madrid, Valencia and Real Betis, all of Spain, plus PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands), Fenerbahce (Turkey) and De Grassfschap (Netherlands).

His biggest accomplishments:

Led South Korea to a fourth place finish in 2002 World Cup, also leading the Netherlands to the same position at the 1998 World Cup. Multiple league championships with PSV plus strong performances in the European championships.

Hiddink would not come cheap. In addition to his undisclosed annual salary rumored to be in excess of $2 million, Hiddink will receive a $1.4 million bonus for leading Australia to the second round, according to the Australian press.

But with the right contract, one that ensures that Hiddink would dedicate himself fully to U.S. soccer, American soccer would greatly benefit. In top of his knowledge and experience, Hiddink is a media friendly personality sure to produce unprecedented news coverage for the program. He is not shy about speaking his mind. He would surely say his peace and generate headlines in the process raising the visibility of the team and the program.



American soccer needs the leadership of world class coaches and world class soccer leaders to lead them to the next level. A coach like Hiddink, or a select few other world class coaches such as Argentina's Carlos Bianchi or even the return talented but a bit too low-key Carlos Queiroz of Portugal would also be a step in the right direction. Queiroz (pictured here with David Beckham during his short stint as head coach of Real Madrid), is a former coach of the NY/NJ MetroStars (Red Bulls) and a former advisor to the USSF.

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Saturday, June 17, 2006



EJECTIONS OF USA PLAYERS SHOWS USA’S SOCCER CULTURAL DISCONNECT

Kaiserslautern, Germany (June 17, 2006) - The USA barely survived an ejection filled match against historical and current soccer powerhouse Italy holding on for a 1-1 tie with 9 men on the field. After two American players were correctly ejected, incredulous USA coach Bruce Arena whined and complained on the sidelines at the referee, throwing up his arms in disgust, meanwhile American commentators on the ABC broadcast were also disgusted saying the ejections were wrong and even implying the match referee may have been bribed.

ABC soccer analyst Eric Wynalda: “Its clear that the (Pablo Mastroeni) ejection was done in retribution” (for the previous ejection of an Italian player for throwing an elbow at American forward Brian McBride).

ABC soccer analyst Alexi Lalas: “This was just another common tackle. The referee was too harsh.”

Referee Jorge Larrionda of Uruguay was simply following FIFA’s mandate to protect the integrity of talented players, reward technique and finesse over physical strength, rough and dangerous play and sheer slick cheating such as pulling jerseys, shoving and tripping. Most American players playing in MLS are used to playing under refereeing that protects the latter, but not the former.

ABC sports anchor Brent Musberger attacked the referee implying he may have been bribed or influenced saying that Larrionda was suspended back in 2002 by the Uruguayan Football Association for unspecified “irregularities.” That statement, true or false, has nothing to do with his calls during the game. Larrionda was right on protecting skilled, technical, and fair play.


MLS ALLOWS AND IMPLICITLY ENCOURAGES HARD PHYSICAL PLAY

The sad ejections of two American players that play in Major League Soccer, is the result of having a professional league that thrives on rough, physical play, where shoving, vicious tackles, shirt-pulling, muscling-up and overall frequent contact is allowed by the referees, condoned by coaches and ultimately indirectly endorsed by League officials.

Instead of bringing in players, coaches and soccer leaders from countries known for producing creative, technically gifted players and winning soccer philosophies and strategies, such as Brazil, Argentina, France, Holland and Portugal, MLS is a League dominated by American college players and coaches plus a handful of mediocre European soccer coaches and and third tier players from countries with soccer philosophies that have historically emphacized hard-nosed, physical play and power.



The result: boring, predictable, physical soccer. It is all about tackling and tackling hard, then tackle a bit harder. How about an elbow to the face, a bloody eye, now that is good, hard American sports action according to Commissioner Don Garber and his deputy Ivan Gazidis.

That is what MLS leaders think. That is what they think the American mainstream sports community: Good, manly, physical soccer that will surely dissipate the mainstream American sports community notion that soccer is “A game for girls.”

Want more proof?

For years, MLS has produced TV promo spots highlighting the MLS “Brand of Soccer” and inevitably one finds images of two players crashing hard and flying out into the sidelines, or a goalkeeper crashing against the post, a player with a bloody nose and a defender executing a vicious tackle against a forward.

Mr. Garber thinks those images can “sell soccer” to the mainstream American sports fan, that is to say, to “Joe NFL,” and “Mike Baseball.”

SOCCER SPECIFIC STADIUMS AND INTERNATIONAL STAFF AND VALUES

Soccer-specific stadiums are indeed very important, but they are not the cure-all magic pill that will lead to business and sporting success. Sure, there are obvious advantages to League/club owned soccer stadiums, but at the end of the day it is all about the product on the field, respect for what the game means internationally, traditional values of the sport, true knowledge and understanding about what the game represents and of course, passion. That, combined with the solid business, logistics, technological and organizational resources the League already has in place, is a recipe for success.

Are Mr. Garber and Mr. Gazidis going to wait until each and every single MLS team has its own soccer-specific stadium before they decide to fix the product on the field?

Boy, that is a long, long time to wait.


MLS should stand for: Multicultural League of Soccer. MLS should support a multicultural, World Cup like atmosphere from head to toe, diversity in coaching, players, in-stadium collateral entertainment (music, food, visuals), and diversity in soccer playing styles.

Where is the magic? Where is the creativity?

Things are changing but today, in MLS circles, coaches and American soccer “experts” (college players and coaches and retired MLS players) talk about players’ “work rate”, athleticism, strength and speed. They do not talk about creativity, vision, character, personality, and class, elements that international world class coaches and savvy lovers of the game focus on.

It is a cultural disconnect.

There are international soccer maxims that are revered and respected by soccer nations like Brazil, such as the notion of: "Play and let play." Based on this principle, Brazilians allow the opponents to move the ball, to cross the midfield line and create plays putting pressure only when its necessary to defend themselves. This playing philosophy makes for a smooth, flowing game, where both teams have a chance to show their talents and provide a more entertainment and showmanship. MLS plays under an entirely different philosophy: "Whack and let whack." Now there is a place for that and a name for that: boxing, wrestling or Mr. Garber's former employer, the NFL, but surely not professional soccer.

By taking corrective action, MLS would not only capture the interest of America's fastest growing commmunity, U.S. Latinos and other soccer-loving minority communities like European expats, Portuguese-Americans, immigrants from Korea, and many other non-Latino countries, but also their primary target audience: the suburban soccer community (plus a significant number of curious crossover mainstream fans from baseball, the NFL and basketball curious to see what is causing so much excitement).

TAB RAMOS SHOULD BE MLS COMMISSIONER

Name a commissioner with soccer credibility and international standing and multilingual and multicultural skills like Tab Ramos, Marcelo Balboa or Teofilo Cubillas, or former U.S. national team coach Steve Sampson. The commissioner is the voice of the League and Mr. Garber's voice is the voice of marketing jargon, of robotic responses about "expansion" and "TV ratings aspirations" and about "ticket sales."

Bring in more foreign players and coaches from places where creative soccer is played: Brazil, Argentina, France, Holland, Portugal, Africa.

Expand number of foreign player slots to 5 per team, with no limit on players from the CONCACAF area.

Mr. Garber: Your job is NOT to serve as a feeder for the U.S. national team hoping and praying they win the World Cup and magically bring instant credibility and success for MLS.

No, Sir.

Your job is to make MLS one of the most exciting, world class leagues in the world. Sure, you must and should develop American players, but not at the expense of the entertainment value for the fans or prospective fans.

You can still develop a fair number of American players if you increase the number of foreign player slots to 5 and add world class foreign coaches. It is not a contradiction, quite the opposite, by adding more world class players and coaches, the American players will develop faster.

MLS SHOULD BRING “THE WORLD’S GAME” TO AMERICA NOT ATTEMPT TO “AMERICANIZE” AND NEUTER IT

Bring multiculture to the stadiums, celebrate it, encourage it. Remember soccer is the "world's game". MLS should be about bringing the World's Game to America. Not about Americanizing the world's game neutering it and making it dull and clinical and sterile, or as former MLS player Luis Hernandez of Mexico, said: "MLS soccer is like eating a potato without salt."

MLS needs tons of salt and tons of spice and color.

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Monday, December 05, 2005

Promoter with "Hands of Stone"

Roberto Duran, pictured here during his heyday after one of his many victories, is now a promoter publicizing a boxing card in The Bronx this Friday. http://www.latinoboxing.com



"My sweetest and most bitter moments in my career were my victory and then my defeat against 'Sugar' Ray Leonard." Roberto Duran.

Roberto Duran is promoting a boxing card in the Bronx this Friday.

Legendary by any boxing standards, and certainly legendary in his own mind, Roberto "Hands of Stone" Duran was the ultimate tough man, rugged, with superb instincts, able to absorb and dish out punishment and with an unmatched bravado and dogged, unrelenting will to fight. On the ring he spoke loudly and powerfully with his fists, and off the ring, he never hesitated to "hablar la verdad," on his own terms of course.

Who is the best Latin boxer of all-time? Alexis Arguello, Julio Cesar Chavez?

"Julio Cesar Chavez does not reach my ankles," asserted Duran during an exclusive interview with the Latino Sports Journal (December 2, 2005). The Panamenian legend is quick to point out that he won 6 championship belts in 6 divisions competing against some of the best figheters of all time including Marvin Hagler and "Sugar" Ray Leonard, just to name a few.

"Chavez fought against a bunch of dead men walking" growls the hard-punching Duran, who's greatest victory was winning a 15-round decision over Leonard.

Fine. So who is the best overall boxing of all times regardless of ethnicity or weight category? Is it Sugar Ray Robinson, is it Muhammed Ali?

"Roberto Duran," says the still immensely self-confident former champion. The 54 year-old boxing luminary's pride is well placed given that his brilliance lied not only in the way he won, but also in the way he lost. Despite his losses, yes losses, to other boxing greats like Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Wilfredo Benitez and Leonard in the infamous "no mas" bout, Duran earned the admiration and respect of boxing fans around the globe. His no non-sense "mano a mano" combat style, enourmous talent and overpowering presence and personality guaranteed great boxing action every time he stepped in the ring.

That is why the name Roberto Duran is, was, and will always associated with boxing greatness.

Duran is now in business with the likes of South Afrian promoter Cedrid Kushner and neoyorican sports marketer Ralph Paniagua. They are promoting a boxing card at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx this Saturday that will feature up and coming Latino prizefighters and some hot reggaeton beats.

Duran's coached fighter, fellow Panamenian, Richard Gutiérrez (19-0), will not be in the card.

The main attraction features Dominican former champ, Victoriano Sosa, who will square off against el Colombiano Jaime Rangel.

Other pugilistic action includes Chicano Mike Anchondo (25-1) of Los Angeles, CA vs. Antonio Ramirez (28-7) of the Dominican Republic; Julio Cesar ( Baby Face) Garcia (33-2) of Mexico vs. Moises Pedroza (25-6) of Colombia; and Jose Nieves (13-0) of Puerto Rico, vs. Angel Priolo (33-3) of Colombia.

The varied mix of boxeo with reggaeton music and lovely “Boxeo Caliente” Dancers promises superb value for your entertainment dollars.

The card will be delayed broadcast on FOX Sports en Espanol on December 23, 11 PM/ET. Tickets, ranging from $100 down to $25, are available through TicketMaster, at the Paradise Box Office and at Joyeria PePe and Rincon Musical locations. For more information please call 1- 800-353-8040 or visit http://www.latinoboxing.com.

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