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kenyan_cheena · 02-20-2007, 08:50 PM

IBL'S FLORIDA TRIALS FINALLY GET STARTED

Monday 24 June 2002

Following a four day delay, the International Boxing League's Florida selection trials will kick off today at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. IBL Chief Director James Molk and his selection team jetted into South Florida on Saturday night having assisted during the league's busy Atlantic City trials, which are still to reach their conclusion.

"It's good to finally get here," said Molk, smiling. "We're looking forward to the coming week and we're hoping that we can find some future World Champions here in Miami."

It's been a long road for Molk and his IBL team since the start of their selection trials back on May the 6th, but by this time next week they'll be done and dusted.

"Yeah, just one week to go," said Molk. "It'll be something of a landmark moment, I guess. But it's really just the beginning for us and we're going to keep working hard towards our goal of making the IBL the most successful sports competition in the world."

Molk isn't entirely sure what his team will find in Florida, although the publicity surrounding James Ray, the cousin of HBF competitors Elmer Ray and Terone Haynes has him looking forward to seeing the Welterweight hopeful in action.

"If he's anywhere near as good as Elmer or Terone, we'll definitely have a contender on our hands," said Molk. "I'd also be surprised if we don't see a good turnout of Cuban nationals here. They were quite a presence at our Puerto Rican trials, so I'd expect to see the same here in Miami."

PROMISING FINDS IN TORONTO AND SANTO DOMINGO

While the Florida trials were delayed by half a week, the IBL has found no such problems in Canada and the Dominican Republic. Selection trials in both nations have been in progress since Thursday and have succeeded in unearthing a number of promising and talented boxers.

***

The coming week will be a big one for boxing in Canada. Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens have been playing host to the International Boxing League since Thursday while, starting today, Montreal's Molson Centre will be accomodating the Heavyweight Boxing Federation qualifying league auditions for the next week.

At the Toronto selection trials, a 17 year-old Welterweight named Jimmy McLarnin has had heads turning with his aggressive style and punching power. Born in Belfast, Ireland, McLarnin's family moved to Canada when he was three years old, settling in Vancouver.

"He started fighting as an amateur about fourteen months ago," said the IBL's Malcolm North. "The kid has something of a temper, and his fists had gotten him in trouble on more than a few occasions. He'd never thought of being a boxer before then, though, but he told me that he watched the Olympics and saw George Dixon win that silver medal. That really pushed him to take the step."

McLarnin definitely looks capable of giving the IBL's Welterweight tournament an almighty shake but there's another trialist in the same division who has also impressed during these past four days. Toronto born and raised, 18 year-old Leroy Jackson possesses lightning fists, Houdini-like defensive skills and a sharp tongue. This last was something that a number of trialists discovered while Jackson either peppered them with his piston-like left jab or contorted to evade their attempts at landing a shot on him.

"That kid has some serious talent and he ain't shy about letting his opponents know it," said IBL scout George Hadley. "His ring movement along with the quickness and crispness of his punches, it's all first class. He's gonna be a handful, no doubt."

***

(to be continued)

02-20-2007, 08:50 PM	#132 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,423	IBL'S FLORIDA TRIALS FINALLY GET STARTED Monday 24 June 2002 Following a four day delay, the International Boxing League's Florida selection trials will kick off today at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. IBL Chief Director James Molk and his selection team jetted into South Florida on Saturday night having assisted during the league's busy Atlantic City trials, which are still to reach their conclusion. "It's good to finally get here," said Molk, smiling. "We're looking forward to the coming week and we're hoping that we can find some future World Champions here in Miami." It's been a long road for Molk and his IBL team since the start of their selection trials back on May the 6th, but by this time next week they'll be done and dusted. "Yeah, just one week to go," said Molk. "It'll be something of a landmark moment, I guess. But it's really just the beginning for us and we're going to keep working hard towards our goal of making the IBL the most successful sports competition in the world." Molk isn't entirely sure what his team will find in Florida, although the publicity surrounding James Ray, the cousin of HBF competitors Elmer Ray and Terone Haynes has him looking forward to seeing the Welterweight hopeful in action. "If he's anywhere near as good as Elmer or Terone, we'll definitely have a contender on our hands," said Molk. "I'd also be surprised if we don't see a good turnout of Cuban nationals here. They were quite a presence at our Puerto Rican trials, so I'd expect to see the same here in Miami." PROMISING FINDS IN TORONTO AND SANTO DOMINGO While the Florida trials were delayed by half a week, the IBL has found no such problems in Canada and the Dominican Republic. Selection trials in both nations have been in progress since Thursday and have succeeded in unearthing a number of promising and talented boxers. * The coming week will be a big one for boxing in Canada. Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens have been playing host to the International Boxing League since Thursday while, starting today, Montreal's Molson Centre will be accomodating the Heavyweight Boxing Federation qualifying league auditions for the next week. At the Toronto selection trials, a 17 year-old Welterweight named Jimmy McLarnin has had heads turning with his aggressive style and punching power. Born in Belfast, Ireland, McLarnin's family moved to Canada when he was three years old, settling in Vancouver. "He started fighting as an amateur about fourteen months ago," said the IBL's Malcolm North. "The kid has something of a temper, and his fists had gotten him in trouble on more than a few occasions. He'd never thought of being a boxer before then, though, but he told me that he watched the Olympics and saw George Dixon win that silver medal. That really pushed him to take the step." McLarnin definitely looks capable of giving the IBL's Welterweight tournament an almighty shake but there's another trialist in the same division who has also impressed during these past four days. Toronto born and raised, 18 year-old Leroy Jackson possesses lightning fists, Houdini-like defensive skills and a sharp tongue. This last was something that a number of trialists discovered while Jackson either peppered them with his piston-like left jab or contorted to evade their attempts at landing a shot on him. "That kid has some serious talent and he ain't shy about letting his opponents know it," said IBL scout George Hadley. "His ring movement along with the quickness and crispness of his punches, it's all first class. He's gonna be a handful, no doubt." * (to be continued) __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond... Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 02-22-2007 at 02:43 AM.