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kenyan_cheena · 06-24-2006, 01:18 AM

(continuation of post #45)

***

There was an atmosphere akin to that of a rock concert in Osaka today as the Japanese selection trials commenced. It had been reported last Friday that some 300 people were already camped out in front of the Osaka Dome in anticipation of the trials and the number of people on hand today was more than triple that amount.

A bronze medallist in the Middleweight division at the Sydney Olympics, Tokyo's Koichi Wajima caused quite a stir amongst the crowd when he made an appearance early in the day. He addressed the large audience, wishing them all the best of luck.

"I hope that as many Japanese boxers as possible qualify for the IBL's roster," Wajima said. "The world knows how much we love this sport as spectators, but I'd love it if they saw how much we can excel in it as competitors."

A number of other well-known amateur fighters were in attendance, including Featherweights Mitsonuri Seki and Kazuo Takayama and Lightweight Jaguar Kakizawa.

"We knew that this would be one of the most popular trials, but just seeing how many people are here today is astonishing," said International Boxing League Chief Director Raymond Bell. "It's actually beyond what we were expecting. Who knows? Perhaps one of the IBL's first World Champions is out amongst this huge crowd."

Indeed, who knows? With the level of excitement for the sport in Japan, it would not be a great surprise to see one of the nation's countrymen crowned as an inaugural International Boxing League World Champion...

***

The IBL's South American selection trials kicked off at the Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where a healthy turnout was expected.

The locals lived up to those expectations, with the enthusiasm that the Heavyweight Boxing Federation has stirred for the sport in the country benefitting the IBL.

It's a given that South America is a region that will produce many of the league's finest fighters, especially in the lower weight divisions. One such fighter, Olympic Featherweight bronze medallist Sergio Palma was present and he made a passionate speech to his fellow Argentinians.

"We've all seen the achievements of Oscar Bonavena and Gregorio Peralta," said the 21 year-old Palma. "But we also know that they are just the start of what our great nation can achieve in this sport. I am so proud that I'll have the chance to represent Argentina in the boxing ring. I want to wish each and every one of you the best of luck for the coming week."

One of the men Palma mentioned, HBF World Championship tournament 18th seed Oscar Bonavena actually sent a letter of encouragement for all those in attendance at the trials. He said he would have loved to be there, but training for his vital upcoming 17 May fight against Tony Alongi prevented him from doing so. When the letter was read out, it elicited applause from the gathered audience...

***

To say that the first day of Britain's IBL selection trials was eventful would be something of an understatement. The MEN Arena in Manchester, England is the venue for the trials and based on today's happenings, it could be a heated week.

Amongst the many in attendance were two men who had a history prior to today. Both hailing from London, 24 year-old Nigel Benn (a Middleweight) and Jamaican-born Welterweight Lloyd Honeyghan (21 years old) have trained at the same gym for the last two years and its been said that during that time a bitter animosity has grown and festered between the two.

Apparently, when Honeyghan started training at the gym back in 2000, Benn did not take kindly to his presence. Both men are talented boxers, and the Middleweight felt that his status as the gym's top dog was being threatened by the brash, admired youngster who many had started calling the "Ragamuffin Man".

This has led to Benn making a number of attempts to drive the Jamaican out of the gym, all to no avail. Honeyghan has taken Benn's invective in his stride, his easy-going island attitude serving to only amplify Benn's disdain.

Today, both fighters showed up at the Arena accompanied by dozen-strong entourages. Their paths did not cross during the morning's medical and fitness check-ups, but once the two camps came across each other in the afternoon, it wasn't long before fireworks ensued.

The wild brawl that took place was, of course, instigated by a member of Benn's entourage, who spotted one of Honeyghan's dreadlocked companions. It's fortunate that none of those involved were armed, or the incident could have had a deadly outcome. As it was, the two camps gave each other a pretty severe beating. Ironically, the two fighters themselves were not involved in the melee, as they were preparing to take part in the first series of sparring sessions.

Even so, this news will not please IBL Chief Director James Molk. It's only three weeks since Mexican fighters (and bitter enemies) Salvador Sanchez and Vicente Saldivar were involved in a similar brawl at a Mexico City nightclub. These continual incidents will surely have a negative impact on the public's perception of the International Boxing League...

06-24-2006, 01:18 AM	#48 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,178	(continuation of post #45) * There was an atmosphere akin to that of a rock concert in Osaka today as the Japanese selection trials commenced. It had been reported last Friday that some 300 people were already camped out in front of the Osaka Dome in anticipation of the trials and the number of people on hand today was more than triple that amount. A bronze medallist in the Middleweight division at the Sydney Olympics, Tokyo's Koichi Wajima caused quite a stir amongst the crowd when he made an appearance early in the day. He addressed the large audience, wishing them all the best of luck. "I hope that as many Japanese boxers as possible qualify for the IBL's roster," Wajima said. "The world knows how much we love this sport as spectators, but I'd love it if they saw how much we can excel in it as competitors." A number of other well-known amateur fighters were in attendance, including Featherweights Mitsonuri Seki and Kazuo Takayama and Lightweight Jaguar Kakizawa. "We knew that this would be one of the most popular trials, but just seeing how many people are here today is astonishing," said International Boxing League Chief Director Raymond Bell. "It's actually beyond what we were expecting. Who knows? Perhaps one of the IBL's first World Champions is out amongst this huge crowd." Indeed, who knows? With the level of excitement for the sport in Japan, it would not be a great surprise to see one of the nation's countrymen crowned as an inaugural International Boxing League World Champion... * The IBL's South American selection trials kicked off at the Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where a healthy turnout was expected. The locals lived up to those expectations, with the enthusiasm that the Heavyweight Boxing Federation has stirred for the sport in the country benefitting the IBL. It's a given that South America is a region that will produce many of the league's finest fighters, especially in the lower weight divisions. One such fighter, Olympic Featherweight bronze medallist Sergio Palma was present and he made a passionate speech to his fellow Argentinians. "We've all seen the achievements of Oscar Bonavena and Gregorio Peralta," said the 21 year-old Palma. "But we also know that they are just the start of what our great nation can achieve in this sport. I am so proud that I'll have the chance to represent Argentina in the boxing ring. I want to wish each and every one of you the best of luck for the coming week." One of the men Palma mentioned, HBF World Championship tournament 18th seed Oscar Bonavena actually sent a letter of encouragement for all those in attendance at the trials. He said he would have loved to be there, but training for his vital upcoming 17 May fight against Tony Alongi prevented him from doing so. When the letter was read out, it elicited applause from the gathered audience... * To say that the first day of Britain's IBL selection trials was eventful would be something of an understatement. The MEN Arena in Manchester, England is the venue for the trials and based on today's happenings, it could be a heated week. Amongst the many in attendance were two men who had a history prior to today. Both hailing from London, 24 year-old Nigel Benn (a Middleweight) and Jamaican-born Welterweight Lloyd Honeyghan (21 years old) have trained at the same gym for the last two years and its been said that during that time a bitter animosity has grown and festered between the two. Apparently, when Honeyghan started training at the gym back in 2000, Benn did not take kindly to his presence. Both men are talented boxers, and the Middleweight felt that his status as the gym's top dog was being threatened by the brash, admired youngster who many had started calling the "Ragamuffin Man". This has led to Benn making a number of attempts to drive the Jamaican out of the gym, all to no avail. Honeyghan has taken Benn's invective in his stride, his easy-going island attitude serving to only amplify Benn's disdain. Today, both fighters showed up at the Arena accompanied by dozen-strong entourages. Their paths did not cross during the morning's medical and fitness check-ups, but once the two camps came across each other in the afternoon, it wasn't long before fireworks ensued. The wild brawl that took place was, of course, instigated by a member of Benn's entourage, who spotted one of Honeyghan's dreadlocked companions. It's fortunate that none of those involved were armed, or the incident could have had a deadly outcome. As it was, the two camps gave each other a pretty severe beating. Ironically, the two fighters themselves were not involved in the melee, as they were preparing to take part in the first series of sparring sessions. Even so, this news will not please IBL Chief Director James Molk. It's only three weeks since Mexican fighters (and bitter enemies) Salvador Sanchez and Vicente Saldivar were involved in a similar brawl at a Mexico City nightclub. These continual incidents will surely have a negative impact on the public's perception of the International Boxing League... __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond...** Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 07-27-2006 at 11:43 PM.