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kenyan_cheena · 04-26-2006, 11:26 PM

JACKSONVILLE GUARANTEES WE WON'T SEE
"THE MANCHESTER INCIDENT PART 2"

Sunday 28 April 2002

On Wednesday night the city of Jacksonville, Florida will host its first Heavyweight Boxing Federation fight card. But it's not just any fight card, as this one features hometown hero and 21st seed in the HBF's World Championship tournament, Ray Mercer. Also fighting on the card will be Tampa's undefeated 53rd seed Tommy Gomez, a member of the quartet known as the Florida Alliance that also includes Elmer Ray, Oliver McCall and Terone Haynes.

Now, if you've been following the eventful first four months of the HBF's life, dear readers, you'll know that Mercer and the Florida Alliance engaged in a spiteful brawl five weeks ago at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England following Mercer's victory over Tommy Jackson. You'll also know that all those involved were fined afterwards by the HBF for their actions.

Well, with the fued between the two camps unresolved and with the possibility of another clash during Wednesday's card, the management at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena announced today (with the HBF's blessing) that the Florida Alliance will be banned from sitting ringside (or amongst the audience) during Ray Mercer's bout.

"There's no way that we will even allow the possibility of a reoccurence of what happened in Manchester," said the Arena's director Geoff Howard. "They're free to come out with Tommy Gomez for the first prelim, but when it's time for Mr. Mercer's fight, no. They won't be allowed into the main arena."

For both Gomez and Mercer, this Wednesday's bouts are of huge importance. At 3-0(1), Gomez currently sits in equal 1st place in Group Twelve of the World Championship tournament while Mercer is 3rd with a record of 2-0-1(1). The two men will fight each other in what is already a hugely anticipated bout during the tournament's fifth series, so anything less than a win on Wednesday night could be disasterous for their chances of progressing to the tournament's second stage.

"I know exactly what I have to do," said Mercer, who will take on the winless Californian Reuben Vargas. "My preparation for this bout was hampered by the injury I suffered in Manchester, but we've done the best we can. I'm confident that we'll get a win on Wednesday and I'm confident that the crowd will be right behind us."

(to be continued)

04-26-2006, 11:26 PM	#551 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,631	JACKSONVILLE GUARANTEES WE WON'T SEE "THE MANCHESTER INCIDENT PART 2" Sunday 28 April 2002 On Wednesday night the city of Jacksonville, Florida will host its first Heavyweight Boxing Federation fight card. But it's not just any fight card, as this one features hometown hero and 21st seed in the HBF's World Championship tournament, Ray Mercer. Also fighting on the card will be Tampa's undefeated 53rd seed Tommy Gomez, a member of the quartet known as the Florida Alliance that also includes Elmer Ray, Oliver McCall and Terone Haynes. Now, if you've been following the eventful first four months of the HBF's life, dear readers, you'll know that Mercer and the Florida Alliance engaged in a spiteful brawl five weeks ago at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England following Mercer's victory over Tommy Jackson. You'll also know that all those involved were fined afterwards by the HBF for their actions. Well, with the fued between the two camps unresolved and with the possibility of another clash during Wednesday's card, the management at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena announced today (with the HBF's blessing) that the Florida Alliance will be banned from sitting ringside (or amongst the audience) during Ray Mercer's bout. "There's no way that we will even allow the possibility of a reoccurence of what happened in Manchester," said the Arena's director Geoff Howard. "They're free to come out with Tommy Gomez for the first prelim, but when it's time for Mr. Mercer's fight, no. They won't be allowed into the main arena." For both Gomez and Mercer, this Wednesday's bouts are of huge importance. At 3-0(1), Gomez currently sits in equal 1st place in Group Twelve of the World Championship tournament while Mercer is 3rd with a record of 2-0-1(1). The two men will fight each other in what is already a hugely anticipated bout during the tournament's fifth series, so anything less than a win on Wednesday night could be disasterous for their chances of progressing to the tournament's second stage. "I know exactly what I have to do," said Mercer, who will take on the winless Californian Reuben Vargas. "My preparation for this bout was hampered by the injury I suffered in Manchester, but we've done the best we can. I'm confident that we'll get a win on Wednesday and I'm confident that the crowd will be right behind us." (to be continued) __________________ MLB: 1958 and Beyond... The Greatest Prize in Sports Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 07-21-2006 at 09:55 PM.