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kenyan_cheena · 03-11-2007, 08:34 PM

CURTAIN COMES DOWN ON IBL SELECTION TRIALS

Saturday 29 June 2002

Almost eight weeks after they started, the International Boxing League's selection trials reached their conclusion today. The event in Miami, Florida brought down the curtain on what IBL Chief Director James Molk called an "amazing two months".

"It's hard to believe that it's over," said Molk. "It's a significant moment for our organisation. I guess you could call it the end of part one, really."

During the next couple of weeks, the league's team of scouts and selection officials will complete the ultimate task of dividing 600 fighters from five different weight divisions into regional groups for the upcoming World Championship qualifiers and Future Contender series.

"We've made some good progress already," said Molk. "But there's still a lot of work to do. A lot of discussions ahead of us and decisions to be made."

This week's Florida trials were highlighted by the appearance of the fleet-footed Welterweight James Ray, a cousin of Heavyweight Boxing Federation competitors Elmer Ray and Terone Haynes. There was considerable hype surrounding the 19 year-old as a result of the success his cousins have enjoyed in the federation and Molk confirmed that Ray has lived up to it.

"Oh, yeah," said the IBL Chief Director. "He's a special talent, no doubt about that. The kid has speed to burn, you know? Those fists are like lightning and the way he moves around the ring is something to see. Very humble character, which I guess is a bit of a contrast to his cousin Elmer. I'm not afraid to say that James Ray is going to be a star in the IBL."

With his cousins having been down in Japan (and soon to be in Australia) for the last couple of weeks, James has relied mainly on his uncle Jerome (father of Terone) for assistance during the trials. But he's also found some welcomed support from a surprising and unexpected source: a fellow Florida boxer named Romy Alvarez, who will be competing as a Heavyweight in the federation's Qualifying League.

"That's my boy, right there," said Ray. "Hadn't even met the cat before this week, but we buddies now, y'all. A lot of folks is out for theyselves here, man. Romy jus' come up to me on Tuesday, introduce hisself. We start talkin' and weren't long before he was helpin' me train: holdin' on to the heavy bag, spottin' my weights and even sparrin' with me. We talk about my cousins, 'bout how we have similar backgrounds: both poor, both tryin' to overcome that. He a selfless dude and when my cuz back home, we be invitin' him to come up to Hastings and train with us, no doubt."

Some news reports may have made it seem like James Ray was the only fighter trialing in Florida. Of course, that hasn't been the case. These Miami trials have been a great success and in addition to Ray, a trio of talented fighters have really stood out during the past week.

* Joe Knight (Light-Heavyweight): A tough 19 year-old from Cairo, Georgia, Knight possesses an impressive offensive arsenal. His left hook and right cross have stood out as particularly effective and he can take a punch just as well as give one.

* Luis Rodriguez (Welterweight): This Cuban speedster is going to be a handful for whoever steps in the ring against him. Blessed with fast hands, a granite chin and an excellent defense, the 20 year-old must be considered a great chance of bringing a World Championship to Cuba.

* Holman Williams (Middleweight): Hailing from Pensacola in Florida's north-west, Williams is another slick boxer. He has an excellent jab and knows how to stay out of trouble in the ring. He showed up to these trials in excellent shape, displaying a ripped, muscular torso which he has continued to work on through some tough training sessions.

"It's been an amazing two months," said Molk. "A period that I'm sure our staff will look back on fondly in days to come. I know I will. But we won't be letting up at all. We'll be back in Vegas tomorrow, where we'll be spending most of our time during the coming weeks. It will be nice to be back home, but we've got a lot of work ahead of us still."

Indeed, Molk and his team will have to log some long hours in order to have the alignment of their league finalised by the night of 22 July, when all will be revealed at the MGM Grand Casino, an event that will be the official birth of the International Boxing League...

03-11-2007, 08:34 PM	#141 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,390	CURTAIN COMES DOWN ON IBL SELECTION TRIALS Saturday 29 June 2002 Almost eight weeks after they started, the International Boxing League's selection trials reached their conclusion today. The event in Miami, Florida brought down the curtain on what IBL Chief Director James Molk called an "amazing two months". "It's hard to believe that it's over," said Molk. "It's a significant moment for our organisation. I guess you could call it the end of part one, really." During the next couple of weeks, the league's team of scouts and selection officials will complete the ultimate task of dividing 600 fighters from five different weight divisions into regional groups for the upcoming World Championship qualifiers and Future Contender series. "We've made some good progress already," said Molk. "But there's still a lot of work to do. A lot of discussions ahead of us and decisions to be made." This week's Florida trials were highlighted by the appearance of the fleet-footed Welterweight James Ray, a cousin of Heavyweight Boxing Federation competitors Elmer Ray and Terone Haynes. There was considerable hype surrounding the 19 year-old as a result of the success his cousins have enjoyed in the federation and Molk confirmed that Ray has lived up to it. "Oh, yeah," said the IBL Chief Director. "He's a special talent, no doubt about that. The kid has speed to burn, you know? Those fists are like lightning and the way he moves around the ring is something to see. Very humble character, which I guess is a bit of a contrast to his cousin Elmer. I'm not afraid to say that James Ray is going to be a star in the IBL." With his cousins having been down in Japan (and soon to be in Australia) for the last couple of weeks, James has relied mainly on his uncle Jerome (father of Terone) for assistance during the trials. But he's also found some welcomed support from a surprising and unexpected source: a fellow Florida boxer named Romy Alvarez, who will be competing as a Heavyweight in the federation's Qualifying League. "That's my boy, right there," said Ray. "Hadn't even met the cat before this week, but we buddies now, y'all. A lot of folks is out for theyselves here, man. Romy jus' come up to me on Tuesday, introduce hisself. We start talkin' and weren't long before he was helpin' me train: holdin' on to the heavy bag, spottin' my weights and even sparrin' with me. We talk about my cousins, 'bout how we have similar backgrounds: both poor, both tryin' to overcome that. He a selfless dude and when my cuz back home, we be invitin' him to come up to Hastings and train with us, no doubt." Some news reports may have made it seem like James Ray was the only fighter trialing in Florida. Of course, that hasn't been the case. These Miami trials have been a great success and in addition to Ray, a trio of talented fighters have really stood out during the past week. * Joe Knight (Light-Heavyweight): A tough 19 year-old from Cairo, Georgia, Knight possesses an impressive offensive arsenal. His left hook and right cross have stood out as particularly effective and he can take a punch just as well as give one. * Luis Rodriguez (Welterweight): This Cuban speedster is going to be a handful for whoever steps in the ring against him. Blessed with fast hands, a granite chin and an excellent defense, the 20 year-old must be considered a great chance of bringing a World Championship to Cuba. * Holman Williams (Middleweight): Hailing from Pensacola in Florida's north-west, Williams is another slick boxer. He has an excellent jab and knows how to stay out of trouble in the ring. He showed up to these trials in excellent shape, displaying a ripped, muscular torso which he has continued to work on through some tough training sessions. "It's been an amazing two months," said Molk. "A period that I'm sure our staff will look back on fondly in days to come. I know I will. But we won't be letting up at all. We'll be back in Vegas tomorrow, where we'll be spending most of our time during the coming weeks. It will be nice to be back home, but we've got a lot of work ahead of us still." Indeed, Molk and his team will have to log some long hours in order to have the alignment of their league finalised by the night of 22 July, when all will be revealed at the MGM Grand Casino, an event that will be the official birth of the International Boxing League... __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond...