The Heavyweight Boxing Federation - Page 41

kenyan_cheena · 10-06-2006, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Well damn, I was really hoping for Elmer to pull it out or get the draw but Jimmy did a heck of a job and deserves the win. Can't wait for the rematch when it goes down.

I agree with you, Romy. I think Elmer might have felt a bit hollow if he had been given the win. He may be loud and brash and a bit egotistical, but he's also very fair. I think he knew in his heart that he didn't deserve to win the fight.

As for a rematch, that would only happen in the short term if the two of them qualify for the second stage and then both manage to make the semi-finals. And even then it would be late 2003 in the universe timeline. So any possibility of one is a long way down the track.

Some of you might be wondering about the sequence I'm using for the bouts between the top four seeds.

See, series five, six and seven are like this:

Five

1v3
2v4

Six

1v2
3v4

Seven

1v4
2v3

Why have I done it this way? Because two fighters from each group qualify for stage two. With that in mind, it doesn't make much sense to save 1v2 for series seven, as both of them might have already qualified by then, making it almost a meaningless bout.

Putting the 1v2 matchup in series six makes it a live bout and if the results go according to seeding, seeds 2 and 3 SHOULD be placed 2nd and 3rd going into their final bout in series seven, making that a live bout also.

This will change in stage two of the WC tournament, as only one fighter from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. In stage two, series five, six and seven will be:

Five

1v3
2v4

Six

1v4
2v3

Seven

1v2
3v4

I'm gonna take a little rest from the HBF/IBL for the next few days, as producing that Jimmy Young/Elmer Ray bout was a little bit overwhelming.

I need a little break from the story, plus I haven't worked on my MLB thread for a month either. I also need to finish off week five of my NFL dynasty in Off Topic.

I hope everyone enjoyed Jimmy Young vs Elmer Ray as much as I did writing it.

k_c

Romdawg88 · 10-06-2006, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

I hope everyone enjoyed Jimmy Young vs Elmer Ray as much as I did writing it.

k_c

It was great stuff man, I really enjoyed reading it and you've earned your break from the HBF/IBF. Look forward to the story continuing in a few days.

kenyan_cheena · 10-10-2006, 08:24 PM

CONFIRMED BY ESPN:
YOUNG VS RAY MOST WATCHED
HBF FIGHT CARD TO DATE

Saturday 1 June 2002

Cable network ESPN revealed today that last night's telecast of the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's Hammond, Indiana fight card was the most watched of all the HBF events staged to date.

ESPN is the exclusive broadcaster of all HBF fight cards and last night's event, which featured the blockbuster grudge match between Jimmy Young and Elmer Ray in the Main Event, was apparently watched by some 15.6 million boxing fans in the United States alone, eclipsing the 15.2 million that tuned in for the Jacksonville card on May the 1st. Based on previous fight cards, the number of international viewers for last night's Hammond Civic Center event could have been as many as 40 million.

"It's great news," said ESPN's Dave Gillett. "We knew that there was a good chance that it would break the record, but even so, it's great news for us and the HBF. The sport's popularity just continues to grow."

Preparing to fly to Miami for the federation's auditions, HBF President Michael Vincennes was happy when told of the viewer numbers this afternoon.

"It was a fantastic fight, just as everyone hoped it would be," said Vincennes. "But the whole card was a quality event, as far as I'm concerned. There was only one bout that wasn't either a draw or a split decision win, which just shows what a competitive night we had."

For Elmer Ray, the split decision loss to Jimmy Young saw him drop from 1st to 3rd in Group Sixteen of the federation's World Championship tournament. It ended what has been a difficult and some would say unlucky month for his "Florida Alliance", who were a combined 1-2-1 during May after being perfect at the end of April. However, things could have been quite different for the quartet if a round here and there had been scored differently. Like Ray, Tampa's Tommy Gomez also lost his bout by a close split decision. However, Elmer Ray didn't want to focus on the what-ifs or if-onlys during an interview this morning.

"Ain't do us no good to dwell on that," said Ray. "We jus' leave it behind and look forward. Tommy got a big fight against Ray Mercer on Wednesday, y'all. We jus' focus on helpin' him be ready for that, man."

Ray himself will be back in the ring on the 5th of July, when he'll clash with Connecticut's Nathan Mann. It's a bout that the 33rd seed in the World Championship tournament should win, but he won't be taking Mann easy.

"No chance o' that, y'all," said Ray. "I have to win that fight. I have to. Ain't no other option if I wanna make it to stage two. So I be preparin' for it jus' like we did for Jimmy. Gonna break my body down and build it up, man. Gonna put myself through hell to be as ready as possible."

Ray's conqueror Jimmy Young will face another big challenge on the same night when he fights Floyd Patterson in a bout which, like Young vs Ray, will be for leadership of Group Sixteen. It promises to be another exciting night of boxing...

Current standings in Group Sixteen of the World
Championship tournament

1st: 1(16) Jimmy Young 4-0-1
2nd: 2(17) Floyd Patterson 4-1-0

3rd: 3(33) Elmer Ray 4-1-0(2)

kenyan_cheena · 10-11-2006, 05:42 AM

TUNNEY AND SHAVERS WILL TAKE
PERFECT RECORDS INTO JULY 6 CLASH

Saturday 1 June 2002

Heavyweight Boxing Federation rivals Gene Tunney and Earnie Shavers have maintained their perfect pro records during competiton at the Osaka Dome in Japan today.

Fighting in the Main Event, New York-born Tunney was pitching a shutout through three rounds before his bout against Baltimore's Larry Middleton was stopped with thirty seconds left in round four due to a nasty cut over Middleton's left eye. The World Championship tournament's #1 seed had shown more aggression against Middleton than in his previous bouts, landing a higher volume of power punches than usual. Although he failed to floor the durable Maryland native, he hurt him a number of times, in particular during the bottom half of round three when a left-right-left-right salvo turned Middleton's legs to jelly.

Tunney's win concluded a perfect 4-0 start to series five for the #1 seeds in the tournament, following wins to Sam McVey, Sam Langford and Jimmy Young earlier in the week.

Shavers was in absolutely devastating form against Germany's Karl Mildenberger. Making his way to the ring with a look of pure fury showing on his countenance, the Ohio native sent his undefeated opponent crashing to the canvas twice in the opening round. The first came midway through the round courtesy of a single, flush right cross. Mildenberger was on his feet by seven, but Shavers poured on the pressure. He unloaded a crushing uppercut and a winging right hand before another right cross had Mildenberger on the canvas just as the bell sounded to end the round. Shouting as he marched back to his corner, Shavers argued with referee William Conners during the intermission, telling him that the fight should be stopped "before I kill the guy."

Well, the fight wasn't stopped and Shavers continued to unleash a world of hurt on Mildenberger during the next two rounds, especially in round three when a right cross, a sledgehammer left hook and a big uppercut all wobbled the German during the final forty seconds of the round. Again, Shavers pleaded with the referee to stop the contest, shaking his head incredulously.

It appeared that Shavers deliberately took the fourth round off, his workrate lowering drastically. It was almost certainly a protest over Conners' refusal to stop the bout and it allowed Mildenberger to win the round, not that Shavers seemed to care.

Round five was where it ended, with the angry Ohio slugger showing no mercy, pounding the German's head and body before a left hook had him on the canvas for the third time in the fight, 1:36 into the round. Somehow, Mildenberger beat the count, making it to his feet at eight. But that just allowed Shavers to continue the onslaught, which he did with great enthusiasm. A jolting uppercut snapped Mildenberger's head back before a clubbing left-right combo had him clinging onto Shavers desperately. He was able to delay the end briefly, but when the World Championship tournament's 32nd seed connected with another crunching uppercut thirty seconds from the bell, followed by three unanswered, undefended power shots, Conners had finally seen enough and called off the massacre at the 2:45 mark of round five.

Both men were in a talkative mood after their victories, with Shavers boasting that what he did to Mildenberger was simply a preview for what he had in store for Tunney.

"Everyone's sayin' the guy's gonna embarass me, that I ain't got no shot," said Shavers. "I wanna hear what they have to say the first time Tunney eats my right hand. I really wanna hear that, you know? I'm lookin' forward to it. Earnie Shavers is gonna shock everyone, 'specially Gene Tunney."

Having heard Shavers' words while preparing for his own bout, Tunney also spoke of how he's looking forward to the contest.

"I try not to make it personal when I'm in the ring," he said. "But as everyone knows, Earnie Shavers made this thing between us personal without any help from me. I'm confident in my ability to handle him, regardless of his power. And, when I think of some of the things he's said these last couple of months, it will be a win that I'll savour a little bit more than usual."

Tunney vs Shavers is scheduled to take place on July the 6th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. While the build-up to Jimmy Young vs Elmer Ray was exciting, it's likely to pale in comparison to what these next five weeks will bring. Unlike Young and Ray, which was a feud that had all but spluttered out before they stepped in the ring, there is a genuine dislike that exists between Tunney and Shavers, a dislike that will certainly be burning just as strong when July 6 rolls around...

***

In the evening's Co-Feature, 1st Defense tournament 8th seed Herbie Hide was lucky to escape with a unanimous decision win over Ireland's Bob Devere.

Everything seemed to be going to plan for the Nigerian-born Englishman going into round three. He had started nicely and then put his foot down in round two, rattling Devere's cage with a series of punishing power punches. But the contest took a drastic momentum swing in round three, as the Irishman showed more aggression and hurt Hide before dropping him to the canvas as the round came to an end with a crippling rib shot. It was the first time in his pro career that Hide had been floored and the effects - both physical and psychological - had a big impact on his performance in round four where he threw less than twenty punches.

Devere was right in the fight but then Hide showed that he is made of pretty stern stuff, depositing the Irishman on his backside with a flush uppercut two minutes into the fifth. Devere just beat the count and barely survived the round. He offered little in the final stanza, that killer uppercut taking all the fight out of him and allowing Hide to cruise to the end and take a 57-55, 56-55, 57-54 verdict.

For Devere, it could not have been a more costly defeat. Sitting in 2nd place in Group Eight of the 1st Defense tournament coming into the evening, 25th seed Billy Walker had been absolutely pummelled by Embrell Davidson in the evening's opening bout, leaving the door open for Devere to not only move into the top two with a win over Hide, but move right into 1st place. He could not have been in a more perfect position to do that as the fifth round had commenced, and he must have known it.

He'll just have to settle for looking on the bright side, which is that he'll be fighting Walker in five weeks with 2nd place on the line. But how much better would things be for him if he had followed through tonight?...

(To come: The Osaka Arena Undercard)

kenyan_cheena · 10-11-2006, 08:01 AM

THE OSAKA DOME UNDERCARD

Opening Bout

As was previously mentioned, Detroit's Embrell Davidson scored a dominant victory over England's Billy Walker to start off the evening.

Despite the fact that Davidson is the 1st Defense tournament's #9 seed and Walker #25, it was considered quite an upset as Davidson had been perhaps the most disappointing fighter in the tournament through the first four series. He had managed just a single win, which had been on debut, while Walker was sitting pretty in 2nd place in Group Eight with a 3-1 record.

But none of that mattered, because Davidson finally showed why he was installed as the 9th seed by the HBF back in November. He was in control from the outset and had swept all three judge's cards through four rounds before the fight was stopped late in round five with Walker close to collapse in a neutral corner.

The quality of this performance will, on one hand, give Davidson and his supporters a lot of encouragement for his future while on the other hand, lead them to ponder what could have been if he had been in such inspired form in his earlier bouts. His chances of qualifying for stage two of the tournament are slim, despite the fact that he now sits just one win out of second place. Setting his sites on a successful Continental Americas campaign might be a more realistic and attainable goal.

Preliminary 1

In a bout between two fighters with 0-4 records, it was Spain's Jose Urtain who claimed his first victory. The 128th and last seed in the World Championship tournament dropped an underdone Boone Kirkman with a shot to the belly just 33 seconds into the fight, but it didn't signal the end of the bout. The momentum shifted throughout and by the time the final bell had sounded, it had become quite an entertaining contest.

Urtain won by majority decision, 57-56, 57-57, 58-56.

Preliminary 2

Philadelphia's Tyrell Biggs was far too good for fellow Pennslyvanian Garvin Sawyer, scoring a unanimous decision victory (60-54, 60-55, 60-54) to improve his record to 2-2-1.

Having been slughtered by Earnie Shavers and then dominated by Gene Tunney in his last two bouts, Biggs was happy to be back in the winner's circle.

Like Embrell Davidson in the 1st Defense tournament, Biggs is another competitor whose chances for short-term success lie in the upcoming Continental Americas tournament.

***

As a result of their victories during tonight's event, Gene Tunney and Earnie Shavers have already qualified for stage two of the World Championship tournament. There's still two series left in stage one, but the man sitting in 3rd place in Group One, Germany's Karl Mildenberger, has a record of 2-1-2(1) and therefore has no chance of catching them, even if he was to win his last two bouts (one of which is against Tunney)...

Romdawg88 · 10-11-2006, 12:48 PM

In comparison with Ray/Young I'm not really all that exitced about Shavers/Tunney probably because with Elmer and Jimmy I knew it would be a close hard fought match while in Earnie case is only shot seems to be to land a hail mary punch and KO Tunney which I don't think will happen. Heck, I think Tunney has a fair shot at shuting out Shavers.

kenyan_cheena · 10-11-2006, 10:03 PM

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION FIGHT CARD
SATURDAY 1 JUNE 2002
OSAKA DOME, OSAKA, JAPAN

OPENING BOUT

HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Eight
2(9) Embrell Davidson TKO5 4(25) Billy Walker

PRELIMINARY 1

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group One
8(128) Jose Urtain MD6 6(96) Boone Kirkman

PRELIMINARY 2

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group One
5(80) Tyrell Biggs UD6 7(112) Garvin Sawyer

SUPPORT BOUT

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group One
2(32) Earnie Shavers TKO5 4(64) Karl Mildenberger

CO-FEATURE

HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Eight
1(8) Herbie Hide UD6 3(17) Bob Devere

MAIN EVENT

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group One
1(1) Gene Tunney TKO4 3(48) Larry Middleton

kenyan_cheena · 10-11-2006, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

In comparison with Ray/Young I'm not really all that exitced about Shavers/Tunney probably because with Elmer and Jimmy I knew it would be a close hard fought match while in Earnie case is only shot seems to be to land a hail mary punch and KO Tunney which I don't think will happen. Heck, I think Tunney has a fair shot at shuting out Shavers.

I tend to agree with you, Romy. But the anticipation of seeing what happens if Shavers can connect with one of those big right hands fascinates me and makes the fight intriguing.

kenyan_cheena · 10-12-2006, 02:30 AM

MOLK WELCOMES HBF'S PLANS
FOR JUNIOR-HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

Sunday 2 June 2002

Back on Friday night, HBF President Michael Vincennes made an announcement that has, somewhat surprisingly, attracted little discussion in the time since. The excitement of the Jimmy Young-Elmer Ray bout that followed it is most likely the major reason for this but even considering that, the announcement was quite an important one and should have garnered more attention than it has.

Vincennes revealed that once the federation's preliminary tournaments have come to a conclusion (sometime in the first half of 2004), they will be raising the minimum weight for the Heavyweight division to 190 pounds and establishing a "Junior-Heavyweight" division, which will cover the weight ranges from 175 to 190 pounds.

Those who followed the whole HBF vs IBL drama will remember Vincennes' words when he said that the only request he put to IBL Chief Director James Molk was to "stay below 180 pounds." Molk did better than that in keeping his Light-Heavyweight division at 175 pounds, as it is in the amateur ranks. It's a move that has allowed Vincennes to reveal the planned Junior-Heavyweight division but one that the HBF President believes was also deliberate, taking into account Molk's desire for one single organisation to run the sport of boxing.

"I won't deny it," said Molk today, while in transit to Ghana for next week's IBL selection trials. "I've never hidden my intentions and creating a Junior-Heavyweight division is one of the first things I would have proposed when the time inevitably came where our two organisations joined together. Mr. Vincennes has taken that option out of my hands, but I welcome his announcement. As he said himself, it makes sense. It brings more balance to the structure of the divisions as far as the weight ranges are concerned. I'm happy that the HBF have taken this step."

Molk went on to speak about what a talented division Junior-Heavyweight could be, naming a number of current Heavyweights who could find a home there.

"Guys like Langford and McVey and Tom Sharkey would be perfect for it," Molk said. "Even their number one seed Gene Tunney has been regularly weighing in below 190, so who knows? Maybe he'll even end up there. There's no doubt that it will be competitive."

The IBL Chief Director was not as enthusiastic when it was suggested that some of his own Light-Heavyweights could make the leap to Junior-Heavyweight and end up fighting under the HBF banner down the track.

"That's a possibility, I guess," he said, laughing. "We'll have to see how events play themselves out."

Molk also talked in an animated fashion about the Jimmy Young-Elmer Ray bout, saying that he felt the decision was a fair one.

"Elmer lost it in the middle rounds," said the son of the late Los Angeles Dragons founder and owner Kelvin Molk. "He said it himself. I would have been satisifed whichever way the decision went, 'cause it was a great fight. But as far as creating excitement for the upcoming group bouts, it was a good result. If Elmer had won, he would have all but stitched up a birth in stage two, but as it is, the three of them - Floyd, Jimmy and Elmer - are all there, each with as good a chance as the others. It's going to be a mighty exciting finish."

kenyan_cheena · 10-12-2006, 02:31 AM

Wasn't sure which thread to put that last post in, as it straddles both organisations. But it's more relevant to the HBF, so it's gonna live here.

kenyan_cheena · 10-12-2006, 10:43 PM

THE EXTROVERT AND THE RECLUSE

Sunday 2 June 2002

They are as different as night and day, chalk and cheese, left and right. One loves to be seen, while the other is perfectly happy being invisible. They're two of the top contenders in the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's World Championship tournament and, if results go as expected, they'll be going head-to-head some fifteen months from now for a spot in the tournament's semi-finals. They'll also both be in action during next week's HBF fight cards.

Riddick Bowe and Larry Holmes might be polar opposites in regards to personalities, but their quest is identical. It's probably the one thing they have in common. A look at the path they've each travelled in the five weeks since their last bout gives an indication of their nature and the way they are tackling the task at hand.

The #5 seed in the World Championship tournament, Bowe improved his record to 4-0 back on April 29 with a 3rd round KO of Gerry Cooney down in Australia. What did he do afterwards? He took his family on a three week holiday around the country before finally arriving back home in Brooklyn eleven days ago. The outgoing 22 year-old father-of-three has always been one to "take life by the horns", so to speak. His extroverted, bragadocious personality has made him one of the most talked-about and visible competitors in the federation, even leading to him throwing out the ceremonial opening pitch (along with federation president and fellow Brooklyn native Michael Vincennes) during the home opener of his beloved Brooklyn Dodgers back on April the 1st.

By comparison, Holmes has been nothing short of reclusive since his 5th round TKO of Henry Clark on the 4th of May. Called "boring" by some, the tournament's 4th seed was in electrifying form on that night, decimating Clark with an impressive offensive arsenal and speaking his mind on some of those who have been critical of him.

"Come on, man," he had said. "Do you really think that I'm gonna change my style because a couple of people who know nothing about the sport say that I'm boring? Give me some credit. I know the type of fighter I am and I ain't gonna change for anyone. I'm not a braggart. So what? That ain't my way either. I do my talking in the ring, man."

A resident of Easton, Pennsylvania, the 25 year-old has been hard to spot since. Only yesterday did his trainer Saoul Mamby reveal that Holmes was back in training just 48 hours after his victory against Clark. He's done little else since.

"Some of you guys really burn my ass with your attitude," said Mamby, incredulous. "You are constantly ragging on Larry because he doesn't go out dancing all night long, doesn't talk himself up. He is no different to Marciano, but you don't seem to have any problem with him, do you? Why is that? I don't expect you to answer, but I'll give you some simple advice. Just wait and see who finishes this thing at the top of the mountain. It won't be the guys who go out partying all night, mark my words."

Bowe will step in the ring against the struggling Norwegian Otto Von Porat (2-2-0(2)) tomorrow night in California while Holmes faces a sterner test when he clashes with undefeated 45th seed Harry Thomas of Minnesota on Saturday night. Both men will bring 4-0 records into the contest, so it promises to be an exciting bout...

kenyan_cheena · 10-13-2006, 01:52 AM

Hey, all.

Just a note to let you know I've had a change of mind in regards to the feeder/qualifying leagues in the HBF. I've decided that after the initial tournaments are over, they will all be abolished and a single qualifying league will be formed, called the HBF Qualifying League.

Why have I decided this?

1) Having all the fighters in a single group will simplify the process of scheduling their bouts.

2) With the way it was going to be set-up, I would have quickly run into problems with fighters from one region having to be placed into another region when they moved from the World Rankings to the QL. There's a large amount of US fighters in the HBF, so the chances of one of them having to be placed in a league other than the two proposed North American ones would have been high.

This decision will have no effect on the upcoming auditions. After the initial tournaments in the leagues are finished, I'll select 96 fighters (including every one of you who's signed up for the HBF) and run a 10-fight Qualifying League tournament, which will establish the rankings of the league. Like the WC/1D tourneys, there will be two stages, with 16 groups of 6 in each one. The top performers in the first stage will be grouped together in the second stage and the top 12 at the end of the tournament will each earn a shot at a World Ranking.

There are a few posts I'll have to edit to include this change in the storyline. I will do that when I get home from work this evening.

k_c

Jeff1787 · 10-13-2006, 01:52 AM

Good reading.....

Romdawg88 · 10-13-2006, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Hey, all.

Just a note to let you know I've had a change of mind in regards to the feeder/qualifying leagues in the HBF. I've decided that after the initial tournaments are over, they will all be abolished and a single qualifying league will be formed, called the HBF Qualifying League.

Why have I decided this?

1) Having all the fighters in a single group will simplify the process of scheduling their bouts.

2) With the way it was going to be set-up, I would have quickly run into problems with fighters from one region having to be placed into another region when they moved from the World Rankings to the QL. There's a large amount of US fighters in the HBF, so the chances of one of them having to be placed in a league other than the two proposed North American ones would have been high.

This decision will have no effect on the upcoming auditions. After the initial tournaments in the leagues are finished, I'll select 96 fighters (including every one of you who's signed up for the HBF) and run a 10-fight Qualifying League tournament, which will establish the rankings of the league. Like the WC/1D tourneys, there will be two stages, with 16 groups of 6 in each one. The top performers in the first stage will be grouped together in the second stage and the top 12 at the end of the tournament will each earn a shot at a World Ranking.

There are a few posts I'll have to edit to include this change in the storyline. I will do that when I get home from work this evening.

k_c

Cool, that sounds interesting and it must cut down on some of the work you've got to do with this league. Of course, I'm a huge mark for tournments so the more and larger the better as far as I'm concerned. So if I'm reading that correctly twleve of us will get a World Ranking, thats cool raises my guy's chances of landing one a whole lot.

kenyan_cheena · 10-13-2006, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Cool, that sounds interesting and it must cut down on some of the work you've got to do with this league. Of course, I'm a huge mark for tournments so the more and larger the better as far as I'm concerned. So if I'm reading that correctly twleve of us will get a World Ranking, thats cool raises my guy's chances of landing one a whole lot.

Yeah, it will make it easier. I'll go into more detail on the tournament when it gets closer, but it will be structured so that the top two guys in each group in stage one go through to the top four groups in stage two. They'll fight off against each other for those 12 shots at a world ranking. Stage two will actually be 12 groups of 8, not 16 of 6 as I said in the last post. So that means stage one will be five fights and stage two seven, for a total of 12.

kenyan_cheena · 10-13-2006, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff1787

Good reading.....

Thanks, Jeff. Glad you're enjoying it.

Romdawg88 · 10-13-2006, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Yeah, it will make it easier. I'll go into more detail on the tournament when it gets closer, but it will be structured so that the top two guys in each group in stage one go through to the top four groups in stage two. They'll fight off against each other for those 12 shots at a world ranking. Stage two will actually be 12 groups of 8, not 16 of 6 as I said in the last post. So that means stage one will be five fights and stage two seven, for a total of 12.

I got a question so what kind of World Ranking are we talking about here, like Top 20 for winner and lower for the rest or what?

10-10-2006, 08:24 PM	#803 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,430	CONFIRMED BY ESPN: YOUNG VS RAY MOST WATCHED HBF FIGHT CARD TO DATE Saturday 1 June 2002 Cable network ESPN revealed today that last night's telecast of the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's Hammond, Indiana fight card was the most watched of all the HBF events staged to date. ESPN is the exclusive broadcaster of all HBF fight cards and last night's event, which featured the blockbuster grudge match between Jimmy Young and Elmer Ray in the Main Event, was apparently watched by some 15.6 million boxing fans in the United States alone, eclipsing the 15.2 million that tuned in for the Jacksonville card on May the 1st. Based on previous fight cards, the number of international viewers for last night's Hammond Civic Center event could have been as many as 40 million. "It's great news," said ESPN's Dave Gillett. "We knew that there was a good chance that it would break the record, but even so, it's great news for us and the HBF. The sport's popularity just continues to grow." Preparing to fly to Miami for the federation's auditions, HBF President Michael Vincennes was happy when told of the viewer numbers this afternoon. "It was a fantastic fight, just as everyone hoped it would be," said Vincennes. "But the whole card was a quality event, as far as I'm concerned. There was only one bout that wasn't either a draw or a split decision win, which just shows what a competitive night we had." For Elmer Ray, the split decision loss to Jimmy Young saw him drop from 1st to 3rd in Group Sixteen of the federation's World Championship tournament. It ended what has been a difficult and some would say unlucky month for his "Florida Alliance", who were a combined 1-2-1 during May after being perfect at the end of April. However, things could have been quite different for the quartet if a round here and there had been scored differently. Like Ray, Tampa's Tommy Gomez also lost his bout by a close split decision. However, Elmer Ray didn't want to focus on the what-ifs or if-onlys during an interview this morning. "Ain't do us no good to dwell on that," said Ray. "We jus' leave it behind and look forward. Tommy got a big fight against Ray Mercer on Wednesday, y'all. We jus' focus on helpin' him be ready for that, man." Ray himself will be back in the ring on the 5th of July, when he'll clash with Connecticut's Nathan Mann. It's a bout that the 33rd seed in the World Championship tournament should win, but he won't be taking Mann easy. "No chance o' that, y'all," said Ray. "I have to win that fight. I have to. Ain't no other option if I wanna make it to stage two. So I be preparin' for it jus' like we did for Jimmy. Gonna break my body down and build it up, man. Gonna put myself through hell to be as ready as possible." Ray's conqueror Jimmy Young will face another big challenge on the same night when he fights Floyd Patterson in a bout which, like Young vs Ray, will be for leadership of Group Sixteen. It promises to be another exciting night of boxing... *Current standings in Group Sixteen of the World* *Championship tournament* 1st: 1(16) Jimmy Young 4-0-1 2nd: 2(17) Floyd Patterson 4-1-0 3rd: 3(33) Elmer Ray 4-1-0(2) __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond...

10-11-2006, 05:42 AM	#804 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,430	TUNNEY AND SHAVERS WILL TAKE PERFECT RECORDS INTO JULY 6 CLASH Saturday 1 June 2002 Heavyweight Boxing Federation rivals Gene Tunney and Earnie Shavers have maintained their perfect pro records during competiton at the Osaka Dome in Japan today. Fighting in the Main Event, New York-born Tunney was pitching a shutout through three rounds before his bout against Baltimore's Larry Middleton was stopped with thirty seconds left in round four due to a nasty cut over Middleton's left eye. The World Championship tournament's #1 seed had shown more aggression against Middleton than in his previous bouts, landing a higher volume of power punches than usual. Although he failed to floor the durable Maryland native, he hurt him a number of times, in particular during the bottom half of round three when a left-right-left-right salvo turned Middleton's legs to jelly. Tunney's win concluded a perfect 4-0 start to series five for the #1 seeds in the tournament, following wins to Sam McVey, Sam Langford and Jimmy Young earlier in the week. Shavers was in absolutely devastating form against Germany's Karl Mildenberger. Making his way to the ring with a look of pure fury showing on his countenance, the Ohio native sent his undefeated opponent crashing to the canvas twice in the opening round. The first came midway through the round courtesy of a single, flush right cross. Mildenberger was on his feet by seven, but Shavers poured on the pressure. He unloaded a crushing uppercut and a winging right hand before another right cross had Mildenberger on the canvas just as the bell sounded to end the round. Shouting as he marched back to his corner, Shavers argued with referee William Conners during the intermission, telling him that the fight should be stopped "before I kill the guy." Well, the fight wasn't stopped and Shavers continued to unleash a world of hurt on Mildenberger during the next two rounds, especially in round three when a right cross, a sledgehammer left hook and a big uppercut all wobbled the German during the final forty seconds of the round. Again, Shavers pleaded with the referee to stop the contest, shaking his head incredulously. It appeared that Shavers deliberately took the fourth round off, his workrate lowering drastically. It was almost certainly a protest over Conners' refusal to stop the bout and it allowed Mildenberger to win the round, not that Shavers seemed to care. Round five was where it ended, with the angry Ohio slugger showing no mercy, pounding the German's head and body before a left hook had him on the canvas for the third time in the fight, 1:36 into the round. Somehow, Mildenberger beat the count, making it to his feet at eight. But that just allowed Shavers to continue the onslaught, which he did with great enthusiasm. A jolting uppercut snapped Mildenberger's head back before a clubbing left-right combo had him clinging onto Shavers desperately. He was able to delay the end briefly, but when the World Championship tournament's 32nd seed connected with another crunching uppercut thirty seconds from the bell, followed by three unanswered, undefended power shots, Conners had finally seen enough and called off the massacre at the 2:45 mark of round five. Both men were in a talkative mood after their victories, with Shavers boasting that what he did to Mildenberger was simply a preview for what he had in store for Tunney. "Everyone's sayin' the guy's gonna embarass me, that I ain't got no shot," said Shavers. "I wanna hear what they have to say the first time Tunney eats my right hand. I really wanna hear that, you know? I'm lookin' forward to it. Earnie Shavers is gonna shock everyone, 'specially Gene Tunney." Having heard Shavers' words while preparing for his own bout, Tunney also spoke of how he's looking forward to the contest. "I try not to make it personal when I'm in the ring," he said. "But as everyone knows, Earnie Shavers made this thing between us personal without any help from me. I'm confident in my ability to handle him, regardless of his power. And, when I think of some of the things he's said these last couple of months, it will be a win that I'll savour a little bit more than usual." Tunney vs Shavers is scheduled to take place on July the 6th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. While the build-up to Jimmy Young vs Elmer Ray was exciting, it's likely to pale in comparison to what these next five weeks will bring. Unlike Young and Ray, which was a feud that had all but spluttered out before they stepped in the ring, there is a genuine dislike that exists between Tunney and Shavers, a dislike that will certainly be burning just as strong when July 6 rolls around... * In the evening's Co-Feature, 1st Defense tournament 8th seed Herbie Hide was lucky to escape with a unanimous decision win over Ireland's Bob Devere. Everything seemed to be going to plan for the Nigerian-born Englishman going into round three. He had started nicely and then put his foot down in round two, rattling Devere's cage with a series of punishing power punches. But the contest took a drastic momentum swing in round three, as the Irishman showed more aggression and hurt Hide before dropping him to the canvas as the round came to an end with a crippling rib shot. It was the first time in his pro career that Hide had been floored and the effects - both physical and psychological - had a big impact on his performance in round four where he threw less than twenty punches. Devere was right in the fight but then Hide showed that he is made of pretty stern stuff, depositing the Irishman on his backside with a flush uppercut two minutes into the fifth. Devere just beat the count and barely survived the round. He offered little in the final stanza, that killer uppercut taking all the fight out of him and allowing Hide to cruise to the end and take a 57-55, 56-55, 57-54 verdict. For Devere, it could not have been a more costly defeat. Sitting in 2nd place in Group Eight of the 1st Defense tournament coming into the evening, 25th seed Billy Walker had been absolutely pummelled by Embrell Davidson in the evening's opening bout, leaving the door open for Devere to not only move into the top two with a win over Hide, but move right into 1st place. He could not have been in a more perfect position to do that as the fifth round had commenced, and he must have known it. He'll just have to settle for looking on the bright side, which is that he'll be fighting Walker in five weeks with 2nd place on the line. But how much better would things be for him if he had followed through tonight?... (To come: The Osaka Arena Undercard) __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond...**

10-11-2006, 08:01 AM	#805 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,430	THE OSAKA DOME UNDERCARD *Opening Bout* As was previously mentioned, Detroit's Embrell Davidson scored a dominant victory over England's Billy Walker to start off the evening. Despite the fact that Davidson is the 1st Defense tournament's #9 seed and Walker #25, it was considered quite an upset as Davidson had been perhaps the most disappointing fighter in the tournament through the first four series. He had managed just a single win, which had been on debut, while Walker was sitting pretty in 2nd place in Group Eight with a 3-1 record. But none of that mattered, because Davidson finally showed why he was installed as the 9th seed by the HBF back in November. He was in control from the outset and had swept all three judge's cards through four rounds before the fight was stopped late in round five with Walker close to collapse in a neutral corner. The quality of this performance will, on one hand, give Davidson and his supporters a lot of encouragement for his future while on the other hand, lead them to ponder what could have been if he had been in such inspired form in his earlier bouts. His chances of qualifying for stage two of the tournament are slim, despite the fact that he now sits just one win out of second place. Setting his sites on a successful Continental Americas campaign might be a more realistic and attainable goal. *Preliminary 1* In a bout between two fighters with 0-4 records, it was Spain's Jose Urtain who claimed his first victory. The 128th and last seed in the World Championship tournament dropped an underdone Boone Kirkman with a shot to the belly just 33 seconds into the fight, but it didn't signal the end of the bout. The momentum shifted throughout and by the time the final bell had sounded, it had become quite an entertaining contest. Urtain won by majority decision, 57-56, 57-57, 58-56. *Preliminary 2* Philadelphia's Tyrell Biggs was far too good for fellow Pennslyvanian Garvin Sawyer, scoring a unanimous decision victory (60-54, 60-55, 60-54) to improve his record to 2-2-1. Having been slughtered by Earnie Shavers and then dominated by Gene Tunney in his last two bouts, Biggs was happy to be back in the winner's circle. Like Embrell Davidson in the 1st Defense tournament, Biggs is another competitor whose chances for short-term success lie in the upcoming Continental Americas tournament. *** As a result of their victories during tonight's event, Gene Tunney and Earnie Shavers have already qualified for stage two of the World Championship tournament. There's still two series left in stage one, but the man sitting in 3rd place in Group One, Germany's Karl Mildenberger, has a record of 2-1-2(1) and therefore has no chance of catching them, even if he was to win his last two bouts (one of which is against Tunney)... __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond... Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 03-31-2007 at 02:15 AM.

10-11-2006, 12:48 PM	#806 (permalink)
Romdawg88 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 3,649	In comparison with Ray/Young I'm not really all that exitced about Shavers/Tunney probably because with Elmer and Jimmy I knew it would be a close hard fought match while in Earnie case is only shot seems to be to land a hail mary punch and KO Tunney which I don't think will happen. Heck, I think Tunney has a fair shot at shuting out Shavers. __________________ Romy "Iceman" Alvarez First TBCB Forum Tournament Champion, 10-6 (5). HBF: 3-0 (1) UTBA-II: Muckboys 1-2 last place, Mendoza Division. 39-54-3 127.5 points. Fighter of the Week Nobody gets fighter of the week until the whole team stops sucking.

10-11-2006, 10:03 PM	#807 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,430	SUMMARY OF RESULTS HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION FIGHT CARD SATURDAY 1 JUNE 2002 OSAKA DOME, OSAKA, JAPAN OPENING BOUT HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Eight 2(9) Embrell Davidson TKO5 4(25) Billy Walker PRELIMINARY 1 HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group One 8(128) Jose Urtain MD6 6(96) Boone Kirkman PRELIMINARY 2 HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group One 5(80) Tyrell Biggs UD6 7(112) Garvin Sawyer SUPPORT BOUT HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group One 2(32) Earnie Shavers TKO5 4(64) Karl Mildenberger CO-FEATURE HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Eight 1(8) Herbie Hide UD6 3(17) Bob Devere MAIN EVENT HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group One 1(1) Gene Tunney TKO4 3(48) Larry Middleton __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond...

10-12-2006, 02:30 AM	#809 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,430	MOLK WELCOMES HBF'S PLANS FOR JUNIOR-HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION Sunday 2 June 2002 Back on Friday night, HBF President Michael Vincennes made an announcement that has, somewhat surprisingly, attracted little discussion in the time since. The excitement of the Jimmy Young-Elmer Ray bout that followed it is most likely the major reason for this but even considering that, the announcement was quite an important one and should have garnered more attention than it has. Vincennes revealed that once the federation's preliminary tournaments have come to a conclusion (sometime in the first half of 2004), they will be raising the minimum weight for the Heavyweight division to 190 pounds and establishing a "Junior-Heavyweight" division, which will cover the weight ranges from 175 to 190 pounds. Those who followed the whole HBF vs IBL drama will remember Vincennes' words when he said that the only request he put to IBL Chief Director James Molk was to "stay below 180 pounds." Molk did better than that in keeping his Light-Heavyweight division at 175 pounds, as it is in the amateur ranks. It's a move that has allowed Vincennes to reveal the planned Junior-Heavyweight division but one that the HBF President believes was also deliberate, taking into account Molk's desire for one single organisation to run the sport of boxing. "I won't deny it," said Molk today, while in transit to Ghana for next week's IBL selection trials. "I've never hidden my intentions and creating a Junior-Heavyweight division is one of the first things I would have proposed when the time inevitably came where our two organisations joined together. Mr. Vincennes has taken that option out of my hands, but I welcome his announcement. As he said himself, it makes sense. It brings more balance to the structure of the divisions as far as the weight ranges are concerned. I'm happy that the HBF have taken this step." Molk went on to speak about what a talented division Junior-Heavyweight could be, naming a number of current Heavyweights who could find a home there. "Guys like Langford and McVey and Tom Sharkey would be perfect for it," Molk said. "Even their number one seed Gene Tunney has been regularly weighing in below 190, so who knows? Maybe he'll even end up there. There's no doubt that it will be competitive." The IBL Chief Director was not as enthusiastic when it was suggested that some of his own Light-Heavyweights could make the leap to Junior-Heavyweight and end up fighting under the HBF banner down the track. "That's a possibility, I guess," he said, laughing. "We'll have to see how events play themselves out." Molk also talked in an animated fashion about the Jimmy Young-Elmer Ray bout, saying that he felt the decision was a fair one. "Elmer lost it in the middle rounds," said the son of the late Los Angeles Dragons founder and owner Kelvin Molk. "He said it himself. I would have been satisifed whichever way the decision went, 'cause it was a great fight. But as far as creating excitement for the upcoming group bouts, it was a good result. If Elmer had won, he would have all but stitched up a birth in stage two, but as it is, the three of them - Floyd, Jimmy and Elmer - are all there, each with as good a chance as the others. It's going to be a mighty exciting finish." __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond... Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 01-11-2007 at 09:11 PM.

10-12-2006, 02:31 AM	#810 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,430	Wasn't sure which thread to put that last post in, as it straddles both organisations. But it's more relevant to the HBF, so it's gonna live here. __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond...

10-12-2006, 10:43 PM	#811 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,430	THE EXTROVERT AND THE RECLUSE Sunday 2 June 2002 They are as different as night and day, chalk and cheese, left and right. One loves to be seen, while the other is perfectly happy being invisible. They're two of the top contenders in the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's World Championship tournament and, if results go as expected, they'll be going head-to-head some fifteen months from now for a spot in the tournament's semi-finals. They'll also both be in action during next week's HBF fight cards. Riddick Bowe and Larry Holmes might be polar opposites in regards to personalities, but their quest is identical. It's probably the one thing they have in common. A look at the path they've each travelled in the five weeks since their last bout gives an indication of their nature and the way they are tackling the task at hand. The #5 seed in the World Championship tournament, Bowe improved his record to 4-0 back on April 29 with a 3rd round KO of Gerry Cooney down in Australia. What did he do afterwards? He took his family on a three week holiday around the country before finally arriving back home in Brooklyn eleven days ago. The outgoing 22 year-old father-of-three has always been one to "take life by the horns", so to speak. His extroverted, bragadocious personality has made him one of the most talked-about and visible competitors in the federation, even leading to him throwing out the ceremonial opening pitch (along with federation president and fellow Brooklyn native Michael Vincennes) during the home opener of his beloved Brooklyn Dodgers back on April the 1st. By comparison, Holmes has been nothing short of reclusive since his 5th round TKO of Henry Clark on the 4th of May. Called "boring" by some, the tournament's 4th seed was in electrifying form on that night, decimating Clark with an impressive offensive arsenal and speaking his mind on some of those who have been critical of him. "Come on, man," he had said. "Do you really think that I'm gonna change my style because a couple of people who know nothing about the sport say that I'm boring? Give me some credit. I know the type of fighter I am and I ain't gonna change for anyone. I'm not a braggart. So what? That ain't my way either. I do my talking in the ring, man." A resident of Easton, Pennsylvania, the 25 year-old has been hard to spot since. Only yesterday did his trainer Saoul Mamby reveal that Holmes was back in training just 48 hours after his victory against Clark. He's done little else since. "Some of you guys really burn my ass with your attitude," said Mamby, incredulous. "You are constantly ragging on Larry because he doesn't go out dancing all night long, doesn't talk himself up. He is no different to Marciano, but you don't seem to have any problem with him, do you? Why is that? I don't expect you to answer, but I'll give you some simple advice. Just wait and see who finishes this thing at the top of the mountain. It won't be the guys who go out partying all night, mark my words." Bowe will step in the ring against the struggling Norwegian Otto Von Porat (2-2-0(2)) tomorrow night in California while Holmes faces a sterner test when he clashes with undefeated 45th seed Harry Thomas of Minnesota on Saturday night. Both men will bring 4-0 records into the contest, so it promises to be an exciting bout... __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond... Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 11-15-2006 at 05:58 AM.

10-13-2006, 01:52 AM	#812 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,430	Hey, all. Just a note to let you know I've had a change of mind in regards to the feeder/qualifying leagues in the HBF. I've decided that after the initial tournaments are over, they will all be abolished and a single qualifying league will be formed, called the HBF Qualifying League. Why have I decided this? 1) Having all the fighters in a single group will simplify the process of scheduling their bouts. 2) With the way it was going to be set-up, I would have quickly run into problems with fighters from one region having to be placed into another region when they moved from the World Rankings to the QL. There's a large amount of US fighters in the HBF, so the chances of one of them having to be placed in a league other than the two proposed North American ones would have been high. This decision will have no effect on the upcoming auditions. After the initial tournaments in the leagues are finished, I'll select 96 fighters (including every one of you who's signed up for the HBF) and run a 10-fight Qualifying League tournament, which will establish the rankings of the league. Like the WC/1D tourneys, there will be two stages, with 16 groups of 6 in each one. The top performers in the first stage will be grouped together in the second stage and the top 12 at the end of the tournament will each earn a shot at a World Ranking. There are a few posts I'll have to edit to include this change in the storyline. I will do that when I get home from work this evening. k_c __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond... Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 10-13-2006 at 01:53 AM.

10-13-2006, 01:52 AM	#813 (permalink)
Jeff1787 All Star Reserve Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Doghouse Posts: 708	Good reading..... __________________ MLB Replay starting in 1901 Gangs of New York