The Heavyweight Boxing Federation

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

"He gave Sonny a tougher time than any of the other guys," said Liston's trainer Willie Reddish. "But I don't think he would have lasted much longer, even without the cut. Sonny landed some big shots in the fourth round, so it would have only been a matter of time, really. Not a great fight for us, but it didn't hurt us, either. You could see that Sonny is pretty disappointed, 'cause he's been looking forward to this so much. But you know, the crowd seems happy enough."

Despite what must be called an average performance, Sonny Liston remains amongst the favourites for the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's inaugural World Championship. Liston and Rocky Marciano are the only fighters in the federation to have scored four stoppage victories and it will be interesting to see how long both of them will be able to sustain their KO streaks.

***

JEFFRIES OBLITERATES WEPNER, STAYS PERFECT

Sporting a new, meaner look with a cleanly shaven pate, San Francisco's James Jeffries made another strong statement in his march towards the final of the federation's 1st Defense tournament with a brutal 2nd round TKO of New Jersey's Chuck Wepner.

Making his way to the ring decked out in a solid black robe, trunks and boots, the #2 seed wore an angry countenance as he stalked the square circle in the moments before the opening bell. It was reported on the day that he flew to Scotland that the 22 year-old Californian has grown tired of the adoration heaped upon the 1st Defense tournament's #1 seed Rocky Marciano, and was planning "something special" for tonight's Co-Feature.

"I don't have a problem with Rocky at all," Jeffries was quoted as saying. "He's first class, through and through. I respect and admire the guy for who he is and how he carries himself with so much modesty. What I have a problem with is the way you media guys have written about him like he's the second coming. It's really become ridiculous, the way you've put him up on such a pedestal."

Jeffries' opponent Chuck Wepner had been one of the most unlucky fighters in the HBF through the first three series, losing a close majority decision to Peter Maher on debut and then holding both Johnny Williams and Marvin Hart to draws. However, he was never in the contest tonight, as Jeffries followed a dominant opening round with a second round massacre, flooring the New Jersey native with a single left hook a minute into the round and then unleashing a merciless barrage that ended only when referee Mills Lane saved Wepner from further harm, stopping the contest nine seconds from the bell.

The Californian strongman continued to show an aggitated disposition afterwards, leaning through the ropes and talking to some of the American journalists at ringside in an animated fashion.

"Maybe I'll get a bit of respect now," said Jeffries. "This tournament ain't a one-horse race. I think I showed that just now, so maybe these guys will stop writing about it like it is. Anyone who thinks that me or any of the other guys in the 1st Defense tournament are just going to roll over and surrender because some "experts" think that Rocky Marciano is unbeatable are kidding themselves."

The Braehead Arena audience clearly appreciated the awesome nature of Jeffries' dismantling of Wepner, enthusiastically applauding him as he made his way back to the dressing room.

Whether Jeffries is capable of defeating Marciano or not is clearly up for debate, but there is one thing that's certain. The prospect of such a bout is fascinating and exciting and if it were to happen, would clearly be a worthy conclusion to the 1st Defense tournament...

(Coming up: All the action from The Braehead Arena undercard)

[kenyan_cheena]

THE GLASGOW UNDERCARD

Opening Bout

Kentucky's Marvin Hart was rarely troubled on the way to a unanimous decision victory (59-55, 60-54, 59-55) over the Dutchmen Wim Snoek. Not only did Hart improve his record to 3-0-1, he also capitalised on the losses suffered last night by group rivals Johnny Williams and Peter Maher, consolidating his hold on at least 2nd place in the 1st Defense tournament's Group Two standings.

Next up for Hart is a meeting with the 31st seed Maher. A win in that bout will all but secure the Kentuckyan's passage to stage two of the tournament.

Preliminary 1

Undefeated World Championship tournament 63rd seed Lou Nova met some tough resistance in the form of the winless Chicago native Phil Scott but was able to prevail, taking a close unanimous decision verdict (58-57, 59-56, 58-57).

It was a bout that was much more entertaining than it appeared on paper, with Scott really pushing his Oakland-born opponent, especially during rounds one, three and four. A look at the scorecards afterwards revealed that Scott was actually leading by a single point on two of them going into round five, but Nova was able to finish strongly for the victory and a 4-0(1) record.

Preliminary 2

Minnesota's Charley Retzlaff officially fell flat on his face as he suffered a shock unanimous decision loss to the World Championship tournament's 127th seed, Nick Barone.

Retzlaff had benefited from a pair of questionable decisions in his first two professional bouts but looked impressive in defeating Phil Scott last month in St. Louis. Tonight, he continued with that good form, at least for the opening round.

This truly was an extraordinary bout because it looked to be all over after the first round, with Retzlaff using Barone as target practice. But the native of Syracuse, New York fought his way back into the contest, digging his heels in and taking the fight up to Retzlaff during the second round and then a thrilling third. Barone worked harder in a more sedate round four, and so going into the fifth the inconceivable now appeared entirely possible.

Despite a concerted effort by Retzlaff, Barone was still standing and still punching strongly as the bell sounded to end the sixth and final round. Minutes later, it was confirmed that the New Yorker had become the lowest seed in the World Championship tournament to win a bout, taking a 58-56, 58-57, 58-56 unanimous verdict and in the process striking a damaging blow to the Minnesota native's chances of progressing to the tournament's second stage.

Support Bout

Immediately following the surprise of Retzlaff's defeat by Barone came another, as 31st seed Michael Dokes was held winless for a second consecutive bout. But it wasn't for lack of trying.

TKO'd inside of one round by Harold Carter five weeks ago, Dokes was held to a draw tonight by winless Argentinian Alejandro Lavorante in a contest where the momentum swung like a sailboat on rough seas.

After a strong start to the opening round by Dokes, Lavorante finished it strongly, winging Dokes with a right hook that stunned the Ohio native and then hurting him with a solid cross as the final seconds ticked away. But Dokes was in control in round two, landing some clubbing head shots from in close, uppercuts and hooks that jolted Lavorante and had him hanging on.

But just as quickly as Dokes claimed the upperhand, it was gone in round three. The Argentinian staggered his afro-haired opponent with a trio of combinations in the bottom half of the round and then continued his good work in round four, almost dropping Dokes with a crushing uppercut at the mid point. The 31st seed walked back to his corner on heavy legs, appearing as if the fight had gone out of him.

Those who believed that believed too soon, though, as Dokes found his second wind and rallied, taking the final two rounds convincingly. When the bout was over the audience came to their feet, applauding both combatants for a fantastic effort and a thrilling show. When the verdict was revealed, few could complain. One judge had given it to Lavorante 58-56, but the other two could not split them, showing scores of 57-57, making the verdict a draw.

Dokes had landed 144 of 374 punches (38.5%), the busier Lavorante 133 of 449 (29.6%).

Before the WC tournament started, Dokes was a solid bet to qualify for its second stage but his 2-1-1(1) record will see him sitting in 4th place in Group Two. No one would be able to question the desire he displayed in tonight's bout, but it was unfortunate that he came up against an opponent who was in an inspired frame of mind.

For the Ohio-born 31st seed, it really becomes sudden death from this point on as his next bout will see him clash with the 4-0 Californian Lou Nova. Anything short of a win in that bout will see Dokes' chances of progressing kaput with still two first stage bouts to come afterwards...

[kenyan_cheena]

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION FIGHT CARD
SATURDAY 18 MAY 2002
BRAEHEAD ARENA, GLASGOW, LANARKSHIRE, SCOTLAND


OPENING BOUT

HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Two
2(15) Marvin Hart UD6 6(47) Wim Snoek

PRELIMINARY 1

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Two
4(63) Lou Nova UD6 7(111) Phil Scott

PRELIMINARY 2

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Two
8(127) Nick Barone UD6 3(47) Charley Retzlaff

SUPPORT BOUT

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Two
2(31) Michael Dokes D6 6(95) Alejandro Lavorante

CO-FEATURE

HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Two
1(2) James Jeffries TKO2 5(39) Chuck Wepner

MAIN EVENT

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Two
1(2) Sonny Liston TKO4 5(79) Harold Carter

[kenyan_cheena]

Okay, folks. That concludes the fourth series of bouts in the WC and 1D tournaments, which means we are just one week of universe time away from the period that I, and I'm sure all of you following along, have been really looking forward to: the 5th series of bouts, where the top four seeds in each group will square off against each other for the first time.

As is always the case the week after one of the series finishes, there's only two fight cards next week, so I'll try to get through the week as quickly as possible, summarising the cards and putting in a few news stories hyping up the 5th series. I'll also have to update the group standings and make some posts about the IBL selection trials, but I will try to get through the coming week quickly.

Thanks to everyone who continues to follow my universe.

k_c

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Okay, folks. That concludes the fourth series of bouts in the WC and 1D tournaments, which means we are just one week of universe time away from the period that I, and I'm sure all of you following along, have been really looking forward to: the 5th series of bouts, where the top four seeds in each group will square off against each other for the first time.

As is always the case the week after one of the series finishes, there's only two fight cards next week, so I'll try to get through the week as quickly as possible, summarising the cards and putting in a few news stories hyping up the 5th series. I'll also have to update the group standings and make some posts about the IBL selection trials, but I will try to get through the coming week quickly.

Thanks to everyone who continues to follow my universe.

k_c

Sweetness, now the real fun times start. Jeez, only two rounds why from the second stage heck yeah now things should really start picking up.

[Non Compos Mentis]

The only fight I've seen Dokes in was the slugfest against Holyfield. Wow, that was quite awhile ago. I believe I was still in junior high, possibly a sophomore in high school.

I'm rooting for him in this universe mainly because of the heart he showed against Holyfield even though he lost.

Anyone have a pic of Dokes with an afro? I remember him having corn rows when he fought Holyfield (though I may be mistaken) and I'm having a difficult time imagining him with an afro.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Non Compos Mentis

The only fight I've seen Dokes in was the slugfest against Holyfield. Wow, that was quite awhile ago. I believe I was still in junior high, possibly a sophomore in high school.

I'm rooting for him in this universe mainly because of the heart he showed against Holyfield even though he lost.

Anyone have a pic of Dokes with an afro? I remember him having corn rows when he fought Holyfield (though I may be mistaken) and I'm having a difficult time imagining him with an afro.

In the photo from cornerwork, he has a kind-of afro, with his hair sticking up. Don't worry, though. He'll start with the cornrows eventually.

As for his chances in my uni, they don't look so good as far as progression to the WC tournament's second stage is concerned. It's quite likely that he'll end up in the upcoming Continental Americas Championship tournament.

[Non Compos Mentis]

I should redownload those photos from cornerwork and take a look. And I don't know why but I've always liked fighters who were victorious in defeat, if that makes any sense. Underdogs who were on the cusp, and while they ultimately failed they gave it their all. I guess I find their force of will to be inspiring.

[kenyan_cheena]

Sunday 19 May 2002

HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION
FIGHT CARD SCHEDULE
MONDAY 20/05/2002 - SATURDAY 25/05/2002 INCLUSIVE

TUESDAY 21/05/02 - A.J. PALUMBO CENTER, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, USA
THE U.S. ATLANTIC COAST BOXING LEAGUE

(8) RANDY BAEZ VS (9) DAN HODGE
(7) JACK O'HALLORAN VS (10) BRUCE CRICKETT
(6) JOE ALEXANDER VS (11) RAY IMPELLETIERE
(5) TIM CARLISLE VS (12) SONNY BANKS
(2) BOB PASTOR VS (3) CLARENCE BURMAN
(1) HARRY WILLS VS (4) ERNIE SCHAAF

THURSDAY 23/05/02 - RIZAL ARENA, MANILA, PHILIPPINES
THE SOUTH-EAST ASIAN BOXING LEAGUE

(8) ALLAN HORACE VS (9) ROBERT ADO
(7) JIM CHANG KAI VS (10) OUPA MAOTO
(6) JACK BECKERMAN VS (11) UOLA MALAFO
(5) KALOLO UMAGA VS (12) THOMAS BIOBAKU
(2) TOM HEENEY VS (3) REX LAYNE
(1) TERONE HAYNES VS (4) FRED FULTON

[kenyan_cheena]

ALL HYPE AND NO HEART:
BOSTON IS UNITED IN
CRITICISM OF SHARKEY

Sunday 19 May 2002

Way back in November when the Heavyweight Boxing Federation announced the entrants for their World Championship and 1st Defense tournaments, the city of Boston, Massachusetts had reason for excitement and optimism. One of their own, 22 year-old Jack Sharkey, had been named as the #15 seed in a field of 128 in the WC tournament, a clear indication that the HBF felt he was talented enough to make a serious challenge for the title. Sharkey became an instant celebrity and was more than willing to bask in the glory and benefits that came with it.

...

Fast forward seven months and Boston is a city that feels cheated. The hype and adoration that was heaped on Sharkey back then has vanished, replaced in the last 48 hours by anger and ridicule. And what is the reason? Well, nothing else but Sharkey's disasterous defeat this past Friday night at the hands of England's Gary Mason. Now, if this had been the young man's first professional loss, it might have been forgiven. But it isn't. On Friday night, Jack Sharkey became the first of the top 16 seeds in the World Championship tournaments to lose two bouts. The fact that only two of those other top seeds have lost a bout makes Sharkey's pair of failures even more glaring, as Larry Brewer of the Boston Express pointed out yesterday.

"Back when he lost against Pelkey in his debut, we were pretty disappointed," said Brewer. "He fought a dumb, thoughtless bout and paid the price. But then he rebounded and won his next two and so we all assumed he'd be okay, at least until the second stage. But what he did on Friday night has just taken all our faith away. None of us can conceive that the guy could make the same mistake twice, but he's done it. He came out like a lunatic looking for a first round knockout and by the third round, he had nothing left. It's just incredible and unthinkable, realising that his next bout is do or die. If he losses to Seldon, that's it. Game over."

***

Sharkey's defeat was the second suffered by a top seed during the fourth series of WC tournament bouts, meaning that it was the worst series for the top seeds to date.

Combined record of #1 seeds during fourth series: 14-2-0(4)

1(8) Sam McVey UD6 5(73) Lem Franklin
1(9) Sam Langford MD6 5(72) Joe Goddard
1(16) Jimmy Young UD6 5(65) Tom McMahon
1(1) Gene Tunney UD6 5(80) Tyrell Biggs

1(5) Riddick Bowe KO3 5(76) Gerry Cooney
5(69) Tommy Jackson MD6 1(12) George Chuvalo
1(13) Ken Norton UD6 5(68) Leroy Jones
1(4) Larry Holmes TKO5 5(77) Henry Clark

1(6) Peter Jackson UD6 5(75) Johnny DuPlooy
1(11) Joe Jeannette SD6 5(70) Charles Horn
1(14) Ernie Terrell UD6 5(67) Amos Lincoln
1(3) Jack Johnson KO4 5(78) Franco Cavicchi

1(7) Young Stribling UD6 5(74) Mac Foster
1(10) Max Schmeling UD6 5(71) Joe Grim
5(66) Gary Mason UD6 1(15) Jack Sharkey
1(2) Sonny Liston TKO4 5(79) Harold Carter

Combined record of #1 seeds after fourth series: 59-4-1(18)

As those results show, the #1 seeds have continued to find some stern opposition, with all but four of their bouts lasting the distance. It will be fascinating to see how they perform against the 3rd seeds in the fifth series. The possibility is there for a number of upsets, especially in the case of the Jimmy Young-Elmer Ray bout.

As for the 2nd seeds, their poor form from the end of the third series continued into the beginning of the fourth, with Floyd Patterson being knocked out in the opening round by Buddy Baer while Tom Sharkey and Donovan Ruddock were both held to draws. The 2nd seeds were on an eight fight winning streak before Michael Dokes' draw with Lavorante last night. They will contest the 4th seeds in series five and will be hoping to get some consistency, as following that is series six where they'll clash with the big boys: the #1 seeds.

Combined record of #2 seeds during fourth series: 12-1-3(1)

2(25) Tony Tucker UD6 6(89) Roger Rischer
2(24) Tom Sharkey D6 6(88) Jim Savage
6(81) Buddy Baer KO1 2(17) Floyd Patterson
2(32) Earnie Shavers UD6 6(96) Boone Kirkman

2(28) Joe Bugner SD6 6(92) Alex Miteff
2(21) Ray Mercer MD6 6(85) Reuben Vargas
2(20) Donovan Ruddock D6 6(84) Coley Wallace
2(29) Bill Brennan UD6 6(93) Al McCoy

2(27) Jack Gardner UD6 6(91) Heinz Neuhaus
2(22) Johnny Summerlin UD6 6(86) Ron Stander
2(19) Jimmy Ellis UD6 6(83) Bert Whitehurst
2(30) Cleveland Williams KO4 6(94) Pedro Lovell

2(23) Frank Moran UD6 6(87) Thad Spencer
2(26) Roland LaStarza UD6 6(90) Jack Renault
2(18) Oscar Bonavena UD6 6(82) Tony Alongi
2(31) Michael Dokes D6 6(95) Alejandro Lavorante

Combined record of #2 seeds after fourth series: 51-5-8(13)

[kenyan_cheena]

JOHNSON "STILL IN CUBA",
ACCORDING TO TRAINER

Monday 20 May 2002

It's been nine days since Jack Johnson knocked out Franco Cavicchi in the main event of the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's Gran Stadium fight card, but his trainer Louis Miles today confirmed that the World Championship tournament's #3 seed is yet to return to his home in Galveston, Texas.

"He was completely taken by the place leading up to the fight," said Miles. "And he just wanted to spend some more time there. He's having a little holiday, I guess."

It was reported on the day of the fight card that Johnson had been romancing a popular Havana TV personality named Mayra Santamaria. Miles gave a simple reply when asked if Johnson's extended stay in Cuba might have something to do with her.

"I'd call that a pretty good guess," he said, smiling.

Johnson garnered himself a reputation as a ladies man and a party animal in the weeks leading up to his shock debut loss to Joe Beckett and it looks like - following something of a sedate period for him - he has returned to those ways in full force. His nocturnal activities did no harm to his fitness or stamina during the Cavicchi bout, but it remains to be seen whether his outgoing lifestyle will be Johnson's undoing when he steps into the ring on June 15 against Renaldo Snipes. Boasting the same 3-1 record as Johnson, the New Yorker will present a much more solid resistance than Cavicchi and "The Galveston Giant" might do well to return home and begin his preparations now rather than later...

[kenyan_cheena]

Anybody who is wondering who Johnson's virtual girlfriend Mayra Santamaria resembles from real life, google "Vida Guerra" and you pretty much have your answer.

[Romdawg88]

Ha, well it's nice to see that Johnson has developed a taste for the motherland. he's got some good taste in women as well.

[kenyan_cheena]

PITTSBURGH PUMMELING

Tuesday 21 May 2002

Having both been held to draws in their last bouts, the U.S. Atlantic Coast Boxing League's top two seeds re-established command tonight with decisive wins against the league's 3rd and 4th seeds.

Fighting in the evening's Co-Feature, New York's #2 seed Bob Pastor pitched a near shutout of formerly undefeated Baltimore native Clarence Burman, landing twice as many punches (200-97) on the way to a 59-55, 60-54, 59-55 unanimous decision win. Burman had moved into 1st place in Group B of the league following last month's Florida card, but Pastor's dominant victory has put him back on top and it's now more than likely that he'll qualify for the tournament semi-finals.

In the Main Event, hard-hitting New Orleans native Harry Wills found similar success against 4th seed Ernie Schaaf. He was never seriously troubled during the bout and was awarded a 59-55, 58-56, 59-55 unanimous decision victory. Wills outworked his Massachusetts-born opponent, landing 168 of 345 punches compared to Schaaf's 87 of 281. The #4 seed showed little through the first four rounds, only holding his own in the fifth and sixth when a win was already out of his reach.

"It's nice to get back in the winner's circle," said Wills afterwards. "I really disappointed myself last time out, so this was a good recovery. But the people here in Pittsburgh gave us some really solid support, an' I appreciate that. You know, just one more bout and then we at the semi-finals, so I have t' make sure I keep this solid form goin'. Gonna be a big setback if I don't win the tournament, so that's my focus. Nothin' but that."

(Coming up: the Pittsburgh undercard)

[kenyan_cheena]

THE PITTSBURGH UNDERCARD

Opening Bout

8th-seeded Kansas native Randy Baez saw any chance he had of inclusion in the tournament semi-finals vanish as he was defeated by fellow Kansas-born slugger Dan Hodge. After Baez held the advantage through two rounds, Hodge fought back strongly and each judge scored the fight in an identical round-by-round fashion: they gave Baez (#9 seed) those first two rounds before Hodge swept the last four, leading to a 58-56 verdict on each card.

Both men are now 1-2-1.

Preliminary 1

After a tough opening trio of bouts in which he had a draw and then lost by split and majority decision, San Francisco's 10th seed Bruce Crickett finally scored his first victory, knocking out New Jersey's Jack O'Halloran thirty seconds from the end of the final round. It was a close bout going into the sixth, with Crickett leading on two of the cards and O'Halloran on one, all by a single point. But a powerful three punch combination, punctuated by a flush right hand put O'Halloran on the canvas and he did not attempt to beat the count.

Neither man is in the semi-final picture, with Crickett now 1-2-1(1) and the 7th-seeded O'Halloran falling to 1-3.

Preliminary 2

New York's Joe Alexander kept his chances of a semi-final berth alive with a 5th round KO of winless Ray Impelletiere. Alexander is the league's #6 seed and improved his record to 2-0-2(1), dominating throughout before finishing his Cold Springs-born opponent with a single right hand late in the 5th. Impelletiere was counted out at the 2:24 mark and with a win in his next bout against 3rd seed Clarence Burman, Alexander will find himself in the semi-finals.

Support Bout

Despite being knocked out 1:09 into the 2nd round, Detroit's Sonny Banks still has a good chance of taking a place in the league's semi-finals. After a hard-fought opening round, formerly winless New Yorker Tim Carlisle had Banks out cold with single right cross and the 12th seed did not move for the duration of the count.

Carlisle has improved to 1-1-2(1) while Banks falls to 2-2 but is still sitting in 2nd place in Group A following tonight's event as the only two fighters who could have passed him, Ernie Schaaf and Randy Baez, both lost also. Banks had beaten both of them in his previous two bouts so it was somewhat ironic that, with a possible chance to move ahead of him on offer, both men faltered.


SUMMARY OF RESULTS
HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION FIGHT CARD
TUESDAY 21 MAY 2002
A.J. PALUMBO CENTER, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, USA

THE U.S. ATLANTIC COAST BOXING LEAGUE


OPENING BOUT

(9) Dan Hodge UD6 (8) Randy Baez

PRELIMINARY 1

(10) Bruce Crickett KO6 (7) Jack O'Halloran

PRELIMINARY 2

(6) Joe Alexander KO5 (11) Ray Impelletiere

SUPPORT BOUT

(5) Tim Carlisle KO2 (12) Sonny Banks

CO-FEATURE

(2) Bob Pastor UD6 (3) Clarence Burman

MAIN EVENT

(1) Harry Wills UD6 (4) Ernie Schaaf

[kenyan_cheena]

BACK HOME IN BROOKLYN

Wednesday 22 May 2002

It was reported on Monday that the HBF's World Championship tournament #3 seed Jack Johnson was still in Cuba following his bout there on May the 11th. Today came more travel-related news, as another top contender in the tournament, 5th seed Riddick Bowe and his family arrived back in New York following an extended stay in Australia.

Bowe KO'd Gerry Cooney back on 29 April at the Sydney Entertainment Centre but has spent the three weeks since taking his family on a trip around the Great Southern Land.

"We had a great vacation," Bowe said. "Just incredible. Australia is such a beautiful country and the people are so laid back and friendly. There were times during our stay there when I was just amazed, 'cause growing up in Brooklyn I never thought that one day I'd be in a position to have a vacation like that."

Bowe was asked if he thought he had hampered his own preparation for his June 3 bout against Otto Von Porat.

"Don't worry 'bout that, man," he replied, smiling. "I'll be ready. I may have been on vacation, but that don't mean I didn't train. You'll see, I'll be ready."

One reporter asked if Bowe had kept track of the happenings in the federation during his stay Down Under.

"Absolutely not," he answered with a laugh. "I've got a bit of catching up to do, I guess. But that's cool. Like I said, we had a great time in Australia, but it feels great being back home. I'm lookin' forward to getting back to the neighbourhood."

LET THE HYPE BEGIN

With just five days to go until the commencement of the vital fifth series of bouts in the federation's World Championship and 1st Defense tournaments, HBF President Michael Vincennes was out on the promotional trail today, talking up some of the exciting bouts that will take place.

(to be continued)

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

"Looking back on what's passed, it's been an incredible five months," said Vincennes, speaking on this evening's SportsCenter. "An eventful five months. But next week, it just goes to an entirely new level and I know that our fans have been looking forward to this time with great anticipation. Some of the matchups in this first week of the series are just huge, starting with Sam McVey and Zora Folley on Monday night. The amazing thing about that bout is that Folley is undefeated, but if he losses it will almost certainly destroy his chances of progressing to the World Championship tournament's second stage, so everything is on the line for him. Then on Wednesday night we've got a battle for top spot in Group Nine with Sammy Langford and Alex Stewart, both undefeated guys who have provided some great highlights in their previous bouts. I don't think it will be any different when they step in the ring against each other."

"And of course, everyone's waiting to see Elmer Ray and Jimmy Young get it on," interjected the show's host Stuart Scott.

Vincennes nodded and smiled. "That's undoubtedly the most anticipated fight of the week," he said. "The bad blood between these guys from earlier on in the year has turned to what could be called mutual respect. They'll be going at each other for the group lead and I think we'll see a real war."

This fifth series of bouts in both the World Championship and 1st Defense tournaments will go a long way to separating the pretenders from the contenders, as the fighters who have cruised to this point will be tested like never before. Like Vincennes said, it will go to "an entirely new level", one that will provide thrilling entertainment, without a doubt...