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kenyan_cheena · 02-03-2006, 12:22 AM

HBF COMPETITORS SUPPORTIVE
OF NEW BOXING LEAGUE

Sunday 7 April 2002

A number of Heavyweight Boxing Federation fighters have voiced their strong support for the newly-formed International Boxing League during the past couple of days, including World Championship tournament contenders Gene Tunney, Joe Jeannette, and Elmer Ray.

"I know that there are some problems between President Vincennes and Mr. Molk over this issue," said Tunney. "But really, I think the most important thing is that it will be great for boxing. Whether the IBL has copied the HBF or not is irrelevant. The end result will be that boxing will just become an even stronger, more popular sport. That's what everyone wants."

Speaking this afternoon from the neighbourhood gym he trains at in his hometown of North Bergen, New Jersey, Joe Jeannette described the effect that James Molk's IBL announcement has had locally.

"It's just incredible how this place has changed, only since Thursday," Jeannette said. "You know, we've got a good number of local guys who come in here, week-in, week-out. Featherweights, Middleweights, from every division. They're trainin' their butts off, man. But out of all the regular fellas here, I'm the only one fightin' professionally. Some of the other Jersey HBF guys have stopped by. Steve Hamas from Passaic trained here last month and Harry Carter from over in Lindon's sparred with me a couple of times. But those guys, they ain't regulars. Just the attitude of the regular fellas here, it's imporved 100% since Thursday. They know that they're workin' towards something now. There's gotta be at least a half dozen guys here who the IBL'll give serious consideration to. That's exciting, for Jersey and for boxing."

The sentiments of Florida's Elmer Ray were quite similar to Jeannette's.

"Jus' great news, y'all," said Ray. "Said it back when this all start blowin' up, man. Terone and me got a cuz, Jimmy Ray, my Uncle Marlon's son, he jus' dynamite, y'all. He gon' try out at Welter, gonna scare hell outta Ray Leonard. Whole Alliance be there to support our cuz when it happen, man."

Elmer laughed. "But, you know y'all, ain't jus' our fam'ly that' this is good fo', no way. This IBL, jus' gonna make boxin' thee sport 'round the globe, see? Can't wait to see that, man. All this nonsense 'bout Molk and Vincennes, they gotta cut that s%$t out, y'all. This is boxin', ain't no room f' politics. The Pres' gotta know it's good for the sport, y'all. I ain't know much 'bout this Molk dude, but if he got boxin's best int'res' at heart, he fine with me."

One must wonder what impact the words of Tunney, Jeannette and Ray (amongst others) will have on the HBF President. Vincennes made it clear in his speech yesterday that he's not impressed with James Molk or his new organisation. How will he react to his own competitors (and employees) putting their support behind it? They've shown that they aren't afraid to speak up for the good of their sport, something which will give fans of boxing and the future competitors of the International Boxing League a lot of encouragement, even if it does end up ruffling the HBF President's feathers...

02-03-2006, 12:22 AM	#11 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,178	HBF COMPETITORS SUPPORTIVE OF NEW BOXING LEAGUE Sunday 7 April 2002 A number of Heavyweight Boxing Federation fighters have voiced their strong support for the newly-formed International Boxing League during the past couple of days, including World Championship tournament contenders Gene Tunney, Joe Jeannette, and Elmer Ray. "I know that there are some problems between President Vincennes and Mr. Molk over this issue," said Tunney. "But really, I think the most important thing is that it will be great for boxing. Whether the IBL has copied the HBF or not is irrelevant. The end result will be that boxing will just become an even stronger, more popular sport. That's what everyone wants." Speaking this afternoon from the neighbourhood gym he trains at in his hometown of North Bergen, New Jersey, Joe Jeannette described the effect that James Molk's IBL announcement has had locally. "It's just incredible how this place has changed, only since Thursday," Jeannette said. "You know, we've got a good number of local guys who come in here, week-in, week-out. Featherweights, Middleweights, from every division. They're trainin' their butts off, man. But out of all the regular fellas here, I'm the only one fightin' professionally. Some of the other Jersey HBF guys have stopped by. Steve Hamas from Passaic trained here last month and Harry Carter from over in Lindon's sparred with me a couple of times. But those guys, they ain't regulars. Just the attitude of the regular fellas here, it's imporved 100% since Thursday. They know that they're workin' towards something now. There's gotta be at least a half dozen guys here who the IBL'll give serious consideration to. That's exciting, for Jersey and for boxing." The sentiments of Florida's Elmer Ray were quite similar to Jeannette's. "Jus' great news, y'all," said Ray. "Said it back when this all start blowin' up, man. Terone and me got a cuz, Jimmy Ray, my Uncle Marlon's son, he jus' dynamite, y'all. He gon' try out at Welter, gonna scare hell outta Ray Leonard. Whole Alliance be there to support our cuz when it happen, man." Elmer laughed. "But, you know y'all, ain't jus' our fam'ly that' this is good fo', no way. This IBL, jus' gonna make boxin' thee sport 'round the globe, see? Can't wait to see that, man. All this nonsense 'bout Molk and Vincennes, they gotta cut that s%$t out, y'all. This is boxin', ain't no room f' politics. The Pres' gotta know it's good for the sport, y'all. I ain't know much 'bout this Molk dude, but if he got boxin's best int'res' at heart, he fine with me." One must wonder what impact the words of Tunney, Jeannette and Ray (amongst others) will have on the HBF President. Vincennes made it clear in his speech yesterday that he's not impressed with James Molk or his new organisation. How will he react to his own competitors (and employees) putting their support behind it? They've shown that they aren't afraid to speak up for the good of their sport, something which will give fans of boxing and the future competitors of the International Boxing League a lot of encouragement, even if it does end up ruffling the HBF President's feathers... __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond...