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kenyan_cheena · 09-30-2005, 07:41 PM

PRESIDENT VINCENNES SPEAKS,
LIVE FROM PITTSBURGH

Wednesday 6 March 2002

HBF President Michael Vincennes was a guest tonight on ESPN's Wednesday Night Boxing, which was broadcast live from the site of this evening's federation's fight card, the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

President Vincennes, along with a number of federation officials and boxers, arrived back in the United States on Sunday morning following a two-and-a-half week stay in Johannesburg, South Africa, during which the HBF staged two fight cards. David Nunn, the host of Wednesday Night Boxing, had quite a lengthy discussion with Vincennes, covering a number of topics. These included, amongst other things:

* The level of competitiveness in the federation's tournaments and feeder leagues. Vincennes stated how happy he was that a number of lower seeded fighters, such as Frank Slavin, Bert Whitehurst and Ron Stander, had made such successful starts to their HBF careers.

"It just confirms what I said back in November," Vincennes said. "It's become obvious that on any night, upsets can happen. The guys at the top, they really have to keep their wits about them. There really is no such thing as a guaranteed victory."

* The success of the federation's South African visit, and future plans for the African Boxing League.

"It was beyond our greatest expectations," said the federation president. "We've set into action a sporting league that will lead to hundereds of young men striving for an opportunity to succeed in boxing. Now, as for the future fight cards in the ABL, I would say it's about 75% certain that Johannesburg will host the second card. We are more than happy with that, but we will be seeking to hold talks with officials in other African nations, such as Nigeria."

* The Sonny Liston interview.

"Yes, we just heard the news of that this morning, actually. I think it's a really positive thing that he has opened up a bit, revealed some of himself to the public. And I think that some of our media back here in the States really should take some of his words to heart. The fact that he felt more comfortable in Scotland than in his own homeland is unfortunate."

* James Reynolds and the expansion of boxing.

"To be perfectly honest, I've barely thought about that topic since you and I spoke two weeks ago," said Vincennes. "James Reynolds stated on SportsCenter that these businessmen that approached me had planned another meeting with me. He said that, what ... almost three weeks ago? I've heard nothing from them. I've put it out of my mind. I'm only concerned with the HBF and making it the finest sporting competition the world over."

"Some people have speculated about why you didn't accept the offer for the HBF to go into a partnership with these businessmen," said Nunn. "Can you confirm for us why?"

Vincennes smiled. "There's a very simple answer to that question, Dave," he said. "You just called what they were offering a partnership. Now, way back on the 13th of February, when Mr. Reynolds published his story, I stated that certain aspects of what these businessmen were proposing were unacceptable. Now that I think about it, I was probably being a bit too kind to them. What they proposed was not a partnership. It was a takeover."

"So there's absolutely no chance that the federation will enter into an agreement with these businessmen?"

Vincennes laughed. "Not while I'm in charge."

* The last topic they spoke on was the popularity of Florida boxer Terone Haynes.

"When I heard that tickets to the Melbourne fight card had sold out in three hours, that just stunned me," Vincennes said. "This young man Terone Haynes, he's going to be a bigger star than even I envisioned, probably even bigger than his cousin Elmer Ray, and that's saying something."

"You don't think that you're looking a bit too far ahead with those sentiments, Mr. Vincennes?" said Nunn.

"No, I don't. These two young men, along with a number of other federation boxers, have already shown me enough to have me convinced that their futures will be nothing but bright."

***

Soon after, Vincennes excused himself, making his way to his front row seat, joining his wife there, ready to enjoy a night of exciting boxing...

09-30-2005, 07:41 PM	#265 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,412	PRESIDENT VINCENNES SPEAKS, LIVE FROM PITTSBURGH Wednesday 6 March 2002 HBF President Michael Vincennes was a guest tonight on ESPN's Wednesday Night Boxing, which was broadcast live from the site of this evening's federation's fight card, the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. President Vincennes, along with a number of federation officials and boxers, arrived back in the United States on Sunday morning following a two-and-a-half week stay in Johannesburg, South Africa, during which the HBF staged two fight cards. David Nunn, the host of Wednesday Night Boxing, had quite a lengthy discussion with Vincennes, covering a number of topics. These included, amongst other things: * The level of competitiveness in the federation's tournaments and feeder leagues. Vincennes stated how happy he was that a number of lower seeded fighters, such as Frank Slavin, Bert Whitehurst and Ron Stander, had made such successful starts to their HBF careers. "It just confirms what I said back in November," Vincennes said. "It's become obvious that on any night, upsets can happen. The guys at the top, they really have to keep their wits about them. There really is no such thing as a guaranteed victory." * The success of the federation's South African visit, and future plans for the African Boxing League. "It was beyond our greatest expectations," said the federation president. "We've set into action a sporting league that will lead to hundereds of young men striving for an opportunity to succeed in boxing. Now, as for the future fight cards in the ABL, I would say it's about 75% certain that Johannesburg will host the second card. We are more than happy with that, but we will be seeking to hold talks with officials in other African nations, such as Nigeria." * The Sonny Liston interview. "Yes, we just heard the news of that this morning, actually. I think it's a really positive thing that he has opened up a bit, revealed some of himself to the public. And I think that some of our media back here in the States really should take some of his words to heart. The fact that he felt more comfortable in Scotland than in his own homeland is unfortunate." * James Reynolds and the expansion of boxing. "To be perfectly honest, I've barely thought about that topic since you and I spoke two weeks ago," said Vincennes. "James Reynolds stated on SportsCenter that these businessmen that approached me had planned another meeting with me. He said that, what ... almost three weeks ago? I've heard nothing from them. I've put it out of my mind. I'm only concerned with the HBF and making it the finest sporting competition the world over." "Some people have speculated about why you didn't accept the offer for the HBF to go into a partnership with these businessmen," said Nunn. "Can you confirm for us why?" Vincennes smiled. "There's a very simple answer to that question, Dave," he said. "You just called what they were offering a partnership. Now, way back on the 13th of February, when Mr. Reynolds published his story, I stated that certain aspects of what these businessmen were proposing were unacceptable. Now that I think about it, I was probably being a bit too kind to them. What they proposed was not a partnership. It was a takeover." "So there's absolutely no chance that the federation will enter into an agreement with these businessmen?" Vincennes laughed. "Not while I'm in charge." * The last topic they spoke on was the popularity of Florida boxer Terone Haynes. "When I heard that tickets to the Melbourne fight card had sold out in three hours, that just stunned me," Vincennes said. "This young man Terone Haynes, he's going to be a bigger star than even I envisioned, probably even bigger than his cousin Elmer Ray, and that's saying something." "You don't think that you're looking a bit too far ahead with those sentiments, Mr. Vincennes?" said Nunn. "No, I don't. These two young men, along with a number of other federation boxers, have already shown me enough to have me convinced that their futures will be nothing but bright." * Soon after, Vincennes excused himself, making his way to his front row seat, joining his wife there, ready to enjoy a night of exciting boxing... __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond...** Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 01-04-2006 at 06:55 PM.