Saturday, November 16, 2013

Tyrell Biggs Documentary One Week Left In Kickstarter Campaign




Press Release: November 16, 2013 By LunchBox Communications-  While Kickstarter has given the film more national and International press than we imagined, including this week's feature coverage on WHYY Newsworks, we are far away from our $35,000 campaign goal for any comfort since Kickstarter is an all or nothing crowd funding platform. 

It takes a village... or in this case, sports fans, boxing enthusiasts, after school program supporters, production crew and anyone standing next to you with a credit card... to complete this documentary that not only presents a compelling biopic of the first Super Heavyweight Champion of the world but highlights the struggling community in West Philadelphia that is giving the champion-- and the sport of boxing--a hopeful comeback.  

This is such an important project -- not just for those of us who have dedicated ourselves to it, but for the many that can be helped and inspired by this incredible story.

Don't wait! Be a champion for this project and back our Kickstarter campaign. Share the links with your social networks, your good friends and colleagues.  

For more information on “Whatever Happened to Tyrell Biggs?” please visit: 







Material Courtesy of: LunchBox Communications Used with permission.


The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved. 

Friday, November 15, 2013

David Tua Attempting To Reemerge In The Heavyweight Mix Against Alexander Ustinov




When the subject of the most devastating punchers in Heavyweight Boxing history is discussed along with names like Tyson, Foreman, Frazier, among others it is hard while in such discussion to not include David Tua. Tua, known for his ability to end fights with one punch burst on the Boxing scene after winning a bronze medal in the 1992 Olympic games. As a professional, Tua after compiling twenty-two straight wins, Tua faced future Heavyweight champion John Ruiz on March 15, 1996 Atlantic City, New Jersey.


It is not often that one can say that a fighter can become a legitimate star of the sport in one fight. Tua however, did become a star that night against Ruiz. After unleashing what may arguably be the most devastating left hook ever thrown in Boxing history, Tua knocked out Ruiz in nineteen seconds. From that moment on David Tua was a force in the Heavyweight division.


Tua continued to defeat contenders, some of whom would go on to become world champions. For the contender from Samoa however, it would not be a clear-cut path to the Heavyweight championship of the world. Tua would suffer the first loss of his career in 1997, losing a hard-fought twelve round unanimous decision to then contender Ike Ibeabuchi in a fight where the two Heavyweights set the all-time record for most punches thrown in a Heavyweight fight at the time.


Despite suffering the first loss of his career, it did not really have all that much affect in Tua’s standing among the best Heavyweights in the world. Tua went on to win ten straight fights, scoring knockouts in nine of those ten culminating in his challenge of then unified Heavyweight world champion Lennox Lewis in November of 2000.


Although having a great deal momentum prior to that fight, the 5’10 Tua could not successfully get on the inside of the 6’5 Lewis and was dominated for twelve rounds in route to losing a unanimous decision.  Tua would also go on to lose a unanimous decision to former Heavyweight champion Chris Byrd in 2001.


Despite not getting the opportunity to again challenge for a World Heavyweight Championship, Tua remained a player in the division for several years. Most will remember Tua’s most recent battles with former longtime contender Monte Barrett.  In their first fight in 2010 Tua and Barrett engaged in a grueling back and forth battle that saw Tua suffering the first knockdown of his career in the final round of that fight by a Barrett left and right hook. Some including this observer felt that Barrett had done enough to earn the decision in what was to be the final contest of his career. The judges however, scored the fight a majority draw. The two would meet again in August of 2011. This time Barrett’s greater activity and ability to keep Tua at distance was enough to earn him the fight in his favor by a lopsided margin in the eyes of most observers. Tua however, did provide drama in the final round of the rematch knocking Barrett down and nearly scoring a come from behind knockout.


Now after a two-year hiatus David Tua prepares to return to the ring against Heavyweight contender Alexander Ustinov on November 16th in Hamilton, New Zealand. The current landscape of the Heavyweight division one may argue lacks marquee value outside of the Klitschko brothers who continue to rule over the division. It will be interesting to see what Tua, who will turn forty-one years old on November 21st will have to offer after being out of the ring for two years.


In comparison to another fighter in the division that is on the comeback trail, Oleg Maskaev who was knocked out by Tua in eleven rounds back in 1997, Maskaev the former WBC Heavyweight world champion now forty-four years old has taken a gradual approach in his comeback thus far facing three fighters Owen Beck, Jason Gavern, and most recently Danny Williams. Three fighters who are known to most Boxing aficionados, but fighters who most would consider not present contenders. Tua meanwhile, will face what some will consider a stern test when he faces Alexander Ustinov.


Ustinov, a winner of twenty-eight out of twenty-nine professional fights comes into this fight ranked number twelve in the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Heavyweight ratings. The lone defeat for Ustinov came in September of last year when he was knocked out in eleven rounds by undefeated current International Boxing Federation (IBF) number one contender Kubrat Pulev.


The story of this fight seems clear. Can Tua find a way to get on the inside of the 6’7 Ustinov? Can Ustinov keep Tua at distance for a full twelve rounds? The fight which was originally scheduled for August 31st was postponed by a calf injury suffered by Tua. 


When this fight was originally announced I had several thoughts. The natural question that ran through my mind was how would David Tua look after being out of the ring for two years? It was also somewhat curious in my eyes to see Tua elect to face someone who is a top twenty contender right out of the gate in his comeback. On one hand, one could say Tua’s choice in facing Ustinov is a sign of confidence, perhaps wanting to test himself against a legitimate contender right away rather than facing an opponent who most would not recognize. Perhaps Tua’s choice is motivated by wanting to see what he has left right away and more specifically attempting to reenter the Heavyweight championship picture as quickly as possible. On the other hand, one may say that Tua might have benefited by having a couple of fights against lesser-known opposition, or taking a more measured approach in his comeback as Oleg Maskaev has.


It will be interesting to see in this fight whether or not Ustinov establishes the pace from the outset. Will Ustinov adapt a similar strategy against Tua that worked so well for fighters like Lennox Lewis and Monte Barrett?


The key to this fight in my eyes is whether or not David Tua will fight in a more aggressive manner from the outset than he did in his rematch with Monte Barrett. In addition to dealing with the height differential, Tua will also have to contend with being outweighed by fifty-six pounds by Ustinov who weighed in at the official weigh-in at 292lbs to Tua’s 236lbs. 


As this fight approaches many may be tempted to say that not only based on a two-year layoff, but also the height and weight disadvantage that David Tua should be viewed as a considerable underdog in this fight. In all truth and honesty it is hard to argue against such an opinion. It is worth remembering however, that David Tua built his career on a reputation of being able to get an opponent out of there with one punch at any given time. It is not out of the realm of possibility that Ustinov could find himself in control of this fight for the majority of rounds and then suddenly see the fight turned in Tua’s favor. Tua has shown the ability to turn a fight around suddenly specifically in his first fight with Hasim Rahman, and in his 2002 fight with Fres Oquendo. 


David Tua will always be known as one of most devastating punchers in Heavyweight history compiling a near 75% career knockout ratio. Tua’s status as a knockout artist will not be affected regardless of what happens in this fight. If however, Tua still possesses the punching power that made him a major player in the division for many years, if he can find a way to execute his offense more than occasionally, this could be the beginning of yet another good comeback story that the sport of Boxing tends to be captivated by.


Does David Tua have enough of the fighter he was in his prime left in him? We will have to wait and see.


“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”


The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.


Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

A look at the comeback of Oleg Maskaev




One of the most common themes in the sport of Boxing are stories of fighters attempting to make a comeback after a period of hiatus. Many great fighters for one reason or another have left the ring only to attempt to make a comeback. Many will argue that two of the most memorable and successful comebacks in the history of Boxing were achieved by Sugar Ray Leonard and George Foreman. Both of whom were able to beat long odds to regain their status at the top of the sport.


In the case of Leonard, his achievement in coming back after a three-year retirement to defeat Marvelous Marvin Hagler for the WBC Middleweight world championship in 1987 was in many ways astonishing. There are many who consider Leonard’s accomplishment to be the greatest comeback in Boxing history. After all, Leonard came back to fight Hagler for the Middleweight championship of the world straight out of retirement without fighting anyone else in between. Along with defeating a dominant Middleweight champion in Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Leonard was able to defeat ring rust and father time. Leonard’s accomplishment however, is more of the exception than it is the rule.


In the case of former WBC Heavyweight world champion Oleg Maskaev, his comeback which began in 2012 after a three-year hiatus following a first round knockout loss to Heavyweight contender Nagy Aguilera in 2009, seems to be taking a more measured approach. Maskaev, who has fought many top fighters of the division during the 1990s and 2000s won the Heavyweight championship in 2006 by scoring his second knockout win over Hasim Rahman.


Maskaev may be best known for his first knockout of Rahman in November of 1999 in a fight where Maskaev knocked Rahman out with a solid right hand that sent him through the ropes and out of the ring to the floor. A knockout which has been featured in many highlight reels in the years since.


Maskaev would go on to lose the WBC title to Sam Peter in 2008. In that fight Peter’s power was too much for Maskaev and he was stopped in six rounds. Following the loss to Nagy Aguilera in 2009, some assumed that Maskaev was at the end of his career.  Maskaev returned to the ring in December of 2012 scoring a third round knockout of former world title challenger Owen Beck.


The second fight on the comeback trail came in May of this year scoring a ten round unanimous decision over veteran contender Jason Gavern. Although Maskaev did suffer a knockdown at the hands of Gavern in the ninth round of that fight, it was the first time that Maskaev had gone ten rounds since defeating Okello Peter by twelve round unanimous decision in defense of his Heavyweight title in 2006. Despite the opinions of some contending that Gavern should have won that fight, it was nevertheless an important step for the former champion in terms of working off ring rust.


The most recent outing for Maskaev came on November 4th in Russia against veteran Danny Williams. Williams, best known for scoring an upset knockout victory over former Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in 2004 came in as a substitution for journeyman contender Corey Sanders who defeated Maskaev in 2002 by eighth round knockout.


The former British and Commonwealth Heavyweight champion Williams came into this fight having lost his last eight fights, losing four by knockout. Truth be told, I was not expecting to see two Heavyweights at their peak squaring off against one another in this fight. Instead, I was looking forward to seeing how the forty-four-year-old Maskaev would look in only his third fight since resuming his career. For the forty-year-old Williams this fight was a chance to revitalize his career against another former world champion.


Although the fight often resembled a sparring session rather than a contest, Maskaev did what he had to do and earned a workman like unanimous decision. Some may be tempted to criticize this fight, but one should view this fight in the sense of Maskaev continuing to build his comeback.


As I watched this fight some thoughts came to mind. Thoughts of hearing some criticism about this fight and the lack of excitement. It is important to remember however, that not all comebacks begin on a marquee stage. George Foreman after all came back after a ten-year retirement in 1987 and fought several fighters that most would not recognize. As Foreman continued to stay active however, those fights at the beginning stages of his comeback against lesser known opposition really served as the building blocks that eventually led to Foreman becoming a major player once again in the Heavyweight division culminating with his come from behind knockout victory over Michael Moorer in 1994 to regain the Heavyweight championship.


Maskaev’s victory over Danny Williams probably will not do much in the short-term for him. In the long-term however, if Maskaev continues to fight and continues to win the early fights in his comeback could very well lead to something down the line.


It is also worth remembering that the Heavyweight division does not have as much marquee value as it did when Foreman was at the beginning stages of his comeback. The division continues to be ruled by two brothers who this observer has often referred to as “The Two Headed Heavyweight Championship Monster” known as the Klitschko brothers. Although there appears to be no signs of either of the brothers diminishing in terms of their Boxing skills, the division always looks for fighters with name recognition value and the Heavyweight division could be heading toward a period of transition of sorts as Vitali Klitschko seems to be nearing retirement as he sets his sights on running for the Presidency of Ukraine.


Some will debate over just how much name recognition value Oleg Maskaev has in the current landscape of the Heavyweight division. Maskaev is however, a former world champion and one should never rule out the possibility of a potential title shot if Maskaev continues to stay active and more specifically continues to win. Will Oleg Maskaev reenter in the Heavyweight championship picture? Only time will tell.


“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”


The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.


Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Sundown Entertainment Has Successful First Show in Colorado Springs



Press Release:November 9, 2013 By Sundown Entertainment - Boxing enthusiasts in Colorado Springs, Colo., have more to be proud of, and more boxing to look forward to as Professional Boxing: Friday Night Fights kicked off at the Colorado Springs Event Center. The solid crowd of fans and curious on-lookers were entertained with a card featuring talented boxers from the Rocky Mountain Region. In nearly every bout Colorado Springs boxing fans were treated to a fight featuring a hometown fighter.  


With the Air Force Academy featuring a successful boxing program and the United States Olympic Training Center located in Colorado Springs, the fight scene just became busier with the addition of Sundown Entertainment, a new boxing promotion company which promises to return to the Colorado Springs area with more shows.


“We hope to add to the already rich culture of amateur and professional boxing here in Colorado,” said Sundown Entertainment promoter, Brandon Ortega. “The area has a multitude of talented fighters, and we hope to continue to give them a venue to showcase their abilities.”


The night was bookend with two outstanding bouts beginning with Denver’s Donovan ‘Slick’ Estrella using his counter-punching to dominate the aggressive style of Helario Medina (1-1). Estrella (2-0) continues to prove why he is one the state’s most highly touted fighters, showing flashes of brilliance with his quick jabs, while avoiding his opponents’ moves—hence earning the nickname “slick.”


In the cruiserweight main event, hometown fighter Mike Montoya, Jr., finished the night in dramatic fashion pummeling his opponent Isaiah Barela into submission. Montoya improves his record to 5-2-1, while Barela evens his record to 4-4.


Results:
Donovan Estrella (2-0) Unanimous Decision (UD) victory over Helario Medina (1-1)

Ruben Jacoby (2-4) Technical Knock Out round 1 (TKO 1) over Orville Hodge (0-8)

Marcus Dawkins (3-1) Unanimous Decision (UD) victory over Angel Smith Torres (0-3)

Maurice Louishomme( 7-0-1) Unanimous Decision (UD) victory over Ayodeji Fadeyi (10-10-1)

Mike Montoya Jr. (5-2-1) Technical Knock Out round 1 (TKO 1) Isiah Barela (4-4)


Sundown Entertainment is a limited liability company which was started in 2013. The company’s headquarters is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.


 For more information about Sundown Entertainment please visit: www.sundownentertainmentllc.com.


 Material Courtesy of: Sundown Entertainment Used with permission.


The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.



Thursday, November 7, 2013

What's Next For Gennady Golovkin?




When a fighter comes along and emerges on the Boxing scene with an exciting and aggressive style which produces several knockouts in a devastating manner, questions tend to be asked about their stamina as a fight progresses and more specifically who may be able to stand up to their power. Those questions were asked by some leading up to undefeated unified WBA/IBO Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin’s title defense against top contender Curtis Stevens on November 2nd at Madison Square Garden.


Although Stevens in his own right had scored knockouts in three of his last four fights heading into his fight with Golovkin, there were some who did not believe Stevens had much of a chance of derailing the champion. This belief was of course influenced by Golovkin’s knockout streak of fourteen consecutive knockouts and a 100% knockout ratio in Middleweight championship fights and a nearly 90% career knockout ratio overall. Statistics that are hard to ignore and are likely to be viewed as intimidating for any would be opponents in the eyes of most observers.


Stevens however, was not intimidated by those statistics or Golovkin’s recent knockouts. It was clear that the challenger had come to fight when the contest got underway. Stevens was able to establish head movement and was able to land punches using his speed. Stevens’ speed did seem to cause the champion problems periodically. Some of the other questions that are often asked of knockout punchers in addition to how their stamina will be affected as a fight progresses are how will they deal with fighters who are quick handed and what psychological effect if any will they go through if they are able to land their best punches yet the opponents continue to come forward.


To a certain extent in this fight those questions were asked of Golovkin. Not only did the challenger display hand speed in this fight, but also showed his mettle as well. Golovkin was able to drop Stevens to the canvas in the second round by landing two left hooks that appeared to shock the challenger. In circumstances where fighters can crumble after feeling the power of a devastating puncher, Stevens continued to attempt to bring the fight to the champion. The most memorable moment in this fight for the challenger came in the final minute of round four when he was able to fight off the ropes and back the champion up landing punches with both hands.


The consistent pressure and attack of the champion however, began to take a toll on Stevens. The effects of the punishment dished out by Golovkin gradually broke Stevens down. It was not only Golovkin’s ability to get off first consistently, but mainly the difference in punching power that was the difference in this fight. The bout was stopped at the end of the eighth round by Stevens’ uncle and trainer Andre Rozier. Gennady Golovkin had scored his fifteenth consecutive knockout and successfully defended his Middleweight championship for the ninth time.


In the opinion of this observer the stoppage of this fight by Andre Rozier was the appropriate decision. It is important to remember that the safety of a fighter should always come first and foremost. On the undercard of Golovkin-Stevens an exciting Heavyweight bout took place between undefeated contenders Mike Perez and Magomed Abdusalamov. In a grueling back and forth battle, Perez was able to earn a ten round unanimous decision in what could be considered one of the better Heavyweight fights in recent memory in the eyes of many observers. 


As exciting as that fight was however, it is important for all observers to remember the physical toll that fighters can suffer. During that fight Abdusalamov sustained several injuries including sustaining an injury to his brain which required surgery to remove a blood clot and also the removal of part of his skull to reduce swelling. Abdusalamov also suffered a stroke while being in a medically induced coma in the days following the fight.  The “Game” Heavyweight contender Abdusalamov remains in a medically induced coma as of this writing.  My thoughts and prayers go out to Abdusalamov and his family.


Although part of the appeal of the sport of Boxing is the anticipation of seeing an action packed fight between two warriors, the fighters’ safety should always be the main priority above all. Curtis Stevens gave everything he had against Gennady Golovkin and deserves all the credit for the valiant effort he put forth. Stevens however, did take a lot of punishment throughout this fight and his uncle Andre Rozier should be applauded for making the appropriate call in stopping the fight when he did. You never want to see a fighter take one punch too many. Stevens has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of coming out of this fight and could very well remain in the Middleweight championship picture off of this performance.


As for Gennady Golovkin, it is likely to assume that many would want to see him in a unification bout with current WBC champion Sergio Martinez sometime in 2014. There are however, other options on the table for Golovkin if a fight with Martinez does not come to fruition. The obvious two options are either a unification fight with WBO champion Peter Quillin, or the winner of the upcoming IBF championship fight between champion Darren Barker and former longtime Middleweight champion Felix Sturm. Fights however, with top contenders Martin Murray, who lost a close decision to Sergio Martinez earlier this year and former IBF Middleweight champion Daniel Geale could also be considered. Both Murray and Geale are currently ranked number one and two respectively in the WBA’s Middleweight ratings. It is certainly not out of the realm of possibility that the WBA might mandate Golovkin to face either Murray or Geale down the line.


No matter what route Gennady Golovkin chooses to take next, one thing is clear. With fifteen consecutive knockouts, nine successful title defenses, and four victories in 2013, Gennady Golovkin has emerged as a legitimate star of the sport of Boxing. As his star continues to rise Golovkin will continue to garner attention. No matter who he fights next the Boxing world will surely be watching.


“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”



The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.


Follow Beau Denison on Twitter:www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison