The Heavyweight Boxing Federation

[kenyan_cheena]

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION FIGHT CARD
SATURDAY 27 JULY 2002
LUNA PARK, BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA


OPENING BOUT

HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Two
4(31) Peter Maher UD6 3(23) Johnny Williams

PRELIMINARY 1

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Two
8(127) Nick Barone SD6 7(111) Phil Scott

PRELIMINARY 2

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Two
6(95) Alejandro Lavorante UD6 5(79) Harold Carter

SUPPORT BOUT

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Two
4(63) Lou Nova UD6 3(47) Charley Retzlaff

CO-FEATURE

HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Two
1(2) James Jeffries UD6 2(15) Marvin Hart

MAIN EVENT

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Two
1(2) Sonny Liston TKO6 2(31) Michael Dokes

[kenyan_cheena]

Okay, with series six of the WC and 1D tournaments now complete, here's a look at how the stage two groupings would pan out based on the current standings:

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT - STAGE TWO

GROUP ONE

1(1) GENE TUNNEY (USA), 6-0-0(2)
2(8) SAM MCVEY (USA), 6-0-0(1)
3(12) GEORGE CHUVALO (CANADA), 5-1-0
4(20) DONOVAN RUDDOCK (CANADA), 4-0-2(1)
5(45) HARRY THOMAS (USA), 5-1-0
6(16) JIMMY YOUNG (USA), 4-0-2
7(40) ALEX STEWART (ENGLAND), 4-1-1
8(108) SANTE AMONTI (ITALY) 4-1-1

Series One matchups would be:

Tunney vs Amonti
McVey vs Stewart
Chuvalo vs Young
Ruddock vs Thomas

GROUP TWO

1(2) SONNY LISTON (USA), 6-0-0(5)
2(11) JOE JEANNETTE (USA), 6-0-0(2)
3(14) ERNIE TERRELL (USA), 6-0-0
4(7) YOUNG STRIBLING (USA), 5-1-0
5(39) STEVE HAMAS (USA), 6-0-0
6(27) JACK GARDNER (ENGLAND), 5-1-0
7(30) CLEVELAND WILLIAMS (USA), 4-1-1(1)
8(18) OSCAR BONAVENA (ARGENTINA), 4-2-0

Series One matchups would be:

Liston vs Bonavena
Jeannette vs Williams
Terrell vs Gardner
Stribling vs Hamas

GROUP THREE

1(6) PETER JACKSON (AUSTRALIA), 6-0-0(1)
2(23) FRANK MORAN (USA), 6-0-0(2)
3(3) JACK JOHNSON (USA), 5-1-0(2)
4(66) GARY MASON (ENGLAND), 5-1-0(1)
5(19) JIMMY ELLIS (USA), 5-1-0(1)
6(63) LOU NOVA (USA), 5-1-0(1)
7(42) FRANK BRUNO (ENGLAND), 4-0-2(1)
8(22) JOHNNY SUMMERLIN (USA), 4-2-0

Series One matchups would be:

Jackson vs Summerlin
Moran vs Bruno
Johnson vs Nova
Mason vs Ellis

GROUP FOUR

1(4) LARRY HOLMES (USA), 6-0-0(2)
2(5) RIDDICK BOWE (USA), 6-0-0(3)
3(9) SAM LANGFORD (CANADA), 6-0-0(1)
4(33) ELMER RAY (USA), 5-1-0(2)
5(32) EARNIE SHAVERS (USA), 5-1-0(4)
6(13) KEN NORTON (USA), 4-1-1(2)
7(21) RAY MERCER (USA), 4-1-1(1)
8(25) TONY TUCKER (USA), 4-2-0(1)

Series One matchups would be:

Holmes vs Tucker
Bowe vs Mercer
Langford vs Norton
Ray vs Shavers

In the semi-finals, the winner of Group One will fight the winner of Group Four and the winner of Group Two will fight the winner of Group Three.

1ST DEFENSE TOURNAMENT - STAGE TWO

GROUP ONE

1(1) ROCKY MARCIANO (USA), 6-0-0(5)
2(4) TREVOR BERBICK (JAMAICA), 6-0-0(2)
3(7) DOUG JONES (USA), 6-0-0
4(11) MIKE WEAVER (USA), 5-1-0(2)
5(30) TOMMY MORRISON (USA), 5-1-0(1)
6(20) CESAR BRION (ARGENTINA), 4-1-1(1)
7(31) PETER MAHER (IRELAND), 4-2-0
8(17) BOB DEVERE (IRELAND), 3-2-1(1)

Series one matchups would be:

Marciano vs Devere
Berbick vs Maher
Jones vs Brion
Weaver vs Morrison

GROUP TWO

1(3) OLIVER MCCALL (USA) 5-0-1(1)
2(2) JAMES JEFFRIES (USA), 5-1-0(2)
3(12) CARL MORRIS (USA), 5-1-0(1)
4(8) HERBIE HIDE (ENGLAND), 4-1-1(3)
5(48) FRANK SLAVIN (AUSTRALIA), 5-1-0(2)
6(10) NATIE BROWN (USA), 4-1-1
7(29) BERNIE REYNOLDS (USA), 4-1-1(2)
8(35) JOHN LESTER JOHNSON (USA), 4-1-1

Series One matchups would be:

McCall vs Johnson
Jeffries vs Reynolds
Morris vs Brown
Hide vs Slavin

The top two fighters in each group will compete in the semi-finals. #1 from Group One will fight #2 from Group Two and #1 from Group Two will fight #2 from Group One.

***

That's enough for me for today. I'm very happy to have reached the end of series six and almost the end of July in the HBF/IBL. More to come tomorrow!

[Romdawg88]

Top to bottom Group Four of the WC tournament looks like the best right now. I hope that it turns out that way cause it looks like it'll be fun times.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Top to bottom Group Four of the WC tournament looks like the best right now. I hope that it turns out that way cause it looks like it'll be fun times.

Yep, especially seeing as it will give us an Elmer Ray vs Ray Mercer bout...

[kenyan_cheena]

#1 SEEDS' CLASS ON SHOW DURING SERIES SIX

Sunday 28 July 2002

Going into the all-important sixth series of stage one in the HBF's World Championship tournament, there were a considerable amount of experts who predicted the possibility of a number of upsets in the matchups between the #1 and #2 seeds. They felt that the #2s had shown enough through the first five series to indicate that they'd be able to really compete and challenge the #1 seeds, some even stating that it could be an 8-8 split in results.

Well, series six ended yesterday in Argentina and those same "experts" clearly have egg on their faces today, as the results below show:

1(8) Sam McVey UD6 2(25) Tony Tucker
1(9) Sam Langford UD6 2(24) Tom Sharkey
1(16) Jimmy Young D6 2(17) Floyd Patterson
1(1) Gene Tunney UD6 2(32) Earnie Shavers
1(5) Riddick Bowe UD6 2(28) Joe Bugner
1(12) George Chuvalo UD6 2(21) Ray Mercer
2(20) Donovan Ruddock UD6 1(13) Ken Norton
1(4) Larry Holmes TKO4 2(29) Bill Brennan
1(6) Peter Jackson UD6 2(27) Jack Gardner
1(11) Joe Jeannette UD6 2(22) Johnny Summerlin
1(14) Ernie Terrell UD6 2(19) Jimmy Ellis
1(3) Jack Johnson UD6 2(30) Cleveland Williams
1(7) Young Stribling UD6 2(26) Roland LaStarza
2(23) Frank Moran TKO4 1(10) Max Schmeling
1(15) Jack Sharkey UD6 2(18) Oscar Bonavena
1(2) Sonny Liston TKO6 2(31) Michael Dokes

Combined record of #1 seeds vs #2 seeds: 13-2-1(2)
Combined record of #2 seeds vs #1 seeds: 2-13-1(1)

An 8-8 split? Hardly. The #2 seeds only managed a grand total of two victories, plus a draw. Every win for the #1 seeds was either a unanimous decision or TKO.

So what does this prove? Well, for one thing it shows that the federation's scouts really are great judges of talent. They selected these sixteen individuals to occupy the top sixteen positions in their World Championship tournament and against what should have been their biggest test to date, they've come through with flying colours. It will be interesting to see how the #2 seeds come back from this, but even more intriguing is the fact that a number of them will most likely qualify for stage two. Once there, they won't be going up against just one #1 seed. It's possible that they'll have to face as many as four and considering the domination that occured in series six, they'll really have to lift their game...

Combined records of #1 seeds following series six: 84-8-4(23)
Combined records of #2 seeds following series six: 64-21-11(17)

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM...

With only four individual bouts set to be staged, the coming week of action will be the most quiet one for the Heavyweight Boxing Federation since competition commenced in their feeder leagues back in February. They've been running at least twelve bouts each week since then so these next seven days certainly have something of a novelty value about them.

There may be only four bouts, but they are each vitally important to those involved. The fights will be the semi-finals in both the U.S. Atlantic Coast Boxing League and the South-East Asian Boxing League. The winners will be one step closer to securing a birth in the upcoming World Ranking tournament while the losers will be placed in the 96-man Qualifying League tournament.

Considering the small amount of fights, the federation has come up with an enterprising way of staging the contests. The Atlantic League semis will be held at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night as a curtain raiser to the much anticipated MLB interleague matchup between the Bronx Bombers and the Brooklyn Dodgers. An open ring will be set up on the infield behind 2nd base. The first semi is scheduled to start at 5.30pm with the game following the bouts at seven o'clock. Those who are attending the game only need to show their ticket and they can take in the two fights at no extra cost. Meanwhile, the Asian League semis will be part of a night of boxing at the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel in Cholburi, Thailand. There will be six Muay Thai boxing fights held during the evening with the two HBF bouts to be the featured events.

It all looks like being quite an exciting week but will be just a prelude to what shapes up as a fantastic series seven of action in both the World Championship and 1st Defense tournaments. The HBF's premier competitors will be back in action on Monday the 5th of August in Japan with the key bout on that night being Tony Tucker's clash with Zora Folley. The winner will join Sam McVey in stage two of the World Championship tournament and it's sure to be an exciting contest...

HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION
FIGHT CARD SCHEDULE
MONDAY 29/07/2002 - SATURDAY 03/08/2002

TUESDAY 30/07/2002 - YANKEE STADIUM, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA
THE U.S. ATLANTIC COAST BOXING LEAGUE
TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINALS

(2) BOB PASTOR vs (12) SONNY BANKS
(1) HARRY WILLS vs (6) JOE ALEXANDER

THURSDAY 01/08/2002 - AMBASSADOR CITY JOMTIEN HOTEL, CHOLBURI, THAILAND
THE SOUTH-EAST ASIAN BOXING LEAGUE
TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINALS

(2) TOM HEENEY vs (8) ALLAN HORACE
(1) TERONE HAYNES vs (6) JACK BECKERMAN

[kenyan_cheena]

With the lack of fight cards during the coming week of universe time, I'll be starting out on my ambition to inject some more life and personality into the TBCB community created fighters in the HBF/IBL. Be sure to look out for some interesting articles in the next couple of weeks...

[kenyan_cheena]

IRISH EYES ARE SMILING

Monday 29 July 2002

Story by Liam O'Malley for the Dublin Daily

At 5am the sleeping town of Cabra is cold and still, with a darkness that even the streetlights have difficulty penetrating. There's a layer of wet on everything: a slick, bubbling dew that adds a bite to the icy air. Into this early morning chill comes Kent Ares, his rapid strides carrying him along St. Attracta Road and beyond through the neighbourhood. The distinctive squeaking of his sneakers on the asphalt is the only sound that intrudes upon the otherwise prevailing silence, explosions of fog coming from his mouth with each exhale.

This morning run is a ritual the American-born 24 year-old has observed ever since it was announced in early May that the Heavyweight Boxing Federation would be holding new auditions, one that he's built upon in the weeks since his acceptance into the organisation's Qualifying League. It's only an appetiser, though, simply the start of what is more often than not a day dominated by his determination to push his body beyond any pre-conceived limitations.

On Thursday the 22nd of August Ares will make his professional debut in Lagos, Nigeria when he steps in the ring against Egypt's Grantham Abdul-Kafar in the opening series of the Qualifying League. It's a date that he has written in large print and pinned on the bedroom wall in his modest apartment, a constant reminder of what he has said will be "the most important day of my life".

Yes, Ares is American-born but his roots run deep and long in this Dublin town. His Irish grandfather moved to New York from here as a young man in 1951, settling in the borough of Staten Island. He married and raised a family, with Kent's father the first of five children, born in '58. Kent would be the first of his six children, coming into the world in '78. Raised as an American, Kent felt what he called a "spiritual longing" for his grandfather's country during his mid-teens and to the surprise of his family, he made the decision to move to Ireland at the age of 17.

"It just felt right," he said reflectively as we spoke at the neighbourhood gym he frequents. "I know that I was born and raised in the USA but there is something about Ireland and about Dublin in particular that feels more like home than anywhere else."

Shortly after settling in Ireland Ares developed an interest in boxing and started taking part in the local amateur tournaments, fighting at Light-Heavyweight. At first, he was referred to as "The American kid" but soon became something of a Dublin celebrity, thanks mainly to his aggressive style and killer instinct. These were attributes that enamoured him greatly to the locals and they soon accepted him entirely as one of their own. When the HBF first made the call for auditions and entries into their World Championship tournament last September, Ares was hesitant to audition and eventually didn't.

"Just as right as moving here felt, the thought of going to those auditions felt just as wrong," he said. "I'm sure that I would have shown them enough to be picked, but there was something about going back to New York that didn't sit right with me. Even now, ten months later, I'm not really sure what it was. I don't regret it because I feel that the way it's all transpired will be to my benefit."

Kent followed the early months of the federation's contests keenly and, like the rest of Ireland, gave particular interest to the exploits of the World Championship tournament's 24th seed Tom Sharkey. When, on May 10, HBF President Michael Vincennes announced the federation's intention to hold new auditions and that one of them would be in London, England, Ares knew that the time was right for him.

(to be continued)

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

"I've thought quite a lot on my ambitions," said Ares. "Both personally and for this sport in Ireland. Just for myself, I'm hoping that in fifty years from now people will consider me to be the greatest Irish Heavyweight boxer to ever have stepped into the ring. I know that I'll have to have a pretty special career for that to happen but I'm determined to achieve it. I also want the world to regard Ireland as a boxing powerhouse. I want people to see that there's more to the UK than just England and Wales. What we've done so far in the HBF has been impressive, with Tom close to stage two and guys like Maher and Devere challenging for spots in the 1st Defense tournament. It's a bit of a shame that we aren't really represented in the IBL, though, I have to admit. There's a tough Featherweight named McGuigan who I think has a good chance and then there's my buddy Steve Collins. He trains right here with me and we've been helping each other a lot with our preparation. He's a Light-Heavyweight and I'm really hoping that he'll be able to go far in the tournament."

It's true that Ireland might not have a huge representation in the sport right now, but Ares hopes that time will change that.

"Every great success starts out small," he said. "The fellows who are in there now, we'll just have to do our best to inspire the kids who are coming up. When I eventually hang my gloves up, that won't signal the end of my time with this sport. It's in my veins, it's in my blood. I'm not going to give up on that ambition of what I see for this country."

On Wednesday the 7th of August, Tom Sharkey will face off against the Englishman Alex Stewart with a birth in stage two of the World Championship tournament on the line. The card will be held at Munster's Walsh Park and Ares is hoping to see a capacity crowd at the 17,000 seat venue.

"I'll be behind Tom 100%," he said. "There's nothing I'd love to see more right now than for him to make it to the second stage and I'm hoping as many Irishman as possible show up to cheer him on."

Without a doubt, Kent Ares is a man dedicated to his sport and his adopted homeland. His is a career that will be fascinating to follow in the years to come...

[kenyan_cheena]

BRONX VICTORY:
WILLS AND PASTOR SET TO CLASH
IN ATLANTIC FINAL SHOWDOWN

Tuesday 30 July 2002

Fighting in front of a crowd of some 60,000 at Yankee Stadium, top seeds Harry Wills and Bob Pastor each scored unanimous decision victories to progress to the final of the U.S. Atlantic Coast Boxing League tournament. The bouts were held as a lead-in to the opening game of the anticipated Dodgers-Yankees MLB interleague series and HBF President Michael Vincennes would surely be happy that so many came to watch the boxing before the evening's main event.

Going up against Detroit's Sonny Banks, Pastor started strongly but received a rude shock when he was floored by a flush left hook late in the opening round. The bell saved him from having to beat the count and the knockdown would prove to be the only highlight of the contest for the overachieving 12th-seeded Banks. Pastor dominated the remaining rounds, cutting Banks twice in the process and taking a 58-55, 57-56, 58-55 verdict to the enjoyment of his hometown fans.

Pastor landed an impressive 222 of 446 punches (49.8%), Banks just 44 of 74 (59.5%). They were totals that clearly indicated the Michigan native was more than overmatched and the knockdown he scored was a piece of luck if ever there was one. Pastor remains undefeated, improving to 5-0-1 while Banks, who will now be placed in the HBF's Qualifying League, fell to 3-3, ending an admirable run in the tournament.

Wills faced an opponent who was expected to present a bigger test than Banks did to Pastor but when the fight was all over the New Orleans slugger had scored a convincing unanimous decision win (59-55 on all three cards) against local favourite Joe Alexander. Having kept Pastor to a draw earlier during the tournament and scoring an upset win over Clarence Burman in his last bout to make the semi-finals, Alexander ran out of answers tonight and with the exception of a spirited effort in round four, he was badly beaten by a red-hot Harry Wills.

The league's top seed won over the crowd with his aggression and awesome power punching, connecting with 183 of 296 shots (61.8%) to Alexander's 88/271 (32.5%). Wills came close to knocking Alexander out in round five, with only the bell saving him from that fate.

Like Banks, Alexander will now be allocated a spot in the QL, tonight's loss being the first of his career. His record is now 3-1-2(1).

"It's nice to make it to the final," said Wills afterwards. "You know, I'm the top seed so it was expected but even so, it's a nice achievement. But I won't be satisified with just making it 'cause I've got my eyes set on that World Ranking tournament, you know? I have to qualify for that to make everything I've done during these last six months mean anything."

Wills and Pastor will take identical 5-0-1 records into the September 3rd league final, which, unlike the preliminaries and tonight's semi-finals, will be an eight round contest. It will most likely be held in Atlantic City and is certain to be an exciting clash, especially when what's on the line is taken into account...

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION FIGHT CARD
TUESDAY 30 JULY 2002
YANKEE STADIUM, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA

THE U.S. ATLANTIC COAST BOXING LEAGUE
TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINALS


CO-FEATURE - SEMI-FINAL #1

(2) Bob Pastor UD6 (12) Sonny Banks

MAIN EVENT - SEMI-FINAL #2

(1) Harry Wills UD6 (6) Joe Alexander

[kenyan_cheena]

BACK HOME ... BUT NOT FOR LONG

Wednesday 31 July 2002

It's been three years since Scott Mundt made what he himself has called "probably the most impulsive decision" of his life and moved to the hometown of his grandfather, Zeitz in Germany. Today, Mundt was back in the place of his birth for the first time since, flying into Connecticut. But the Heavyweight Boxing Federation competitor hasn't had second thoughts about his European relocation. No, he's back in America because in just thirteen days from now he'll make his professional debut when action in the HBF's Qualifying League kicks off in Las Vegas.

"I just thought it would be a good opportunity to visit my brothers and sisters," said Mundt. "We've been told that the fight cards are going to be held all over the world and I'm not sure about the schedule for the rest of the tournament so I don't know when I'll be coming back to the States again. I'm happy living in Germany and I'll be going straight back home after the fight but I must admit that I've missed seeing my family these last three years. It'll be nice to talk to them face to face."

Mundt's was one of the more interesting stories from the federation's Qualifying League auditions. Having boxed as a teenager the 30 year-old gave up on the sport when he entered college, where he played lacrosse and studied accounting. He carved out a successful career as a CPA but back in '99 made that surprising decision to "start again", leaving his American life behind and moving to Germany. When the HBF started up last year his passion for boxing was rekindled and he attended their June auditions in Berlin, earning a birth in the QL.

He's been training "like a man obsessed" during the seven weeks since then and is confident of victory in his debut. His opponent is the Samoan Kalolo Umaga, who was one of the competitors in the South-East Asian Boxing League where he accumulated a 2-3 record and, in a brave showing, almost went the distance against "The Hastings Hammer" Terone Haynes.

"He's a powerful puncher," said Mundt. "So I'll have to be weary. But from the films I've watched of him, it looks like his stamina is a problem so that's something we should be able to exploit."

Looking trim and muscular in a skin tight black t-shirt, Mundt was an impressive sight and it wouldn't surprise this reporter in the least if he passes his opening test with flying colours come August 13...

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Looking trim and muscular in a skin tight black t-shirt, Mundt was an impressive sight ...

I can't recall the last time that those words may have been used in that particular order.

[mh2365]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

I can't recall the last time that those words may have been used in that particular order.

Maybe about the Mrs.?

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

I can't recall the last time that those words may have been used in that particular order.

I thought you'd enjoy that line. Even as I was typing it, I had a smile on my face.

[mh2365]

I get lost sometimes Kenya .. which one am I in? The HBF?

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by mh2365

I get lost sometimes Kenya .. which one am I in? The HBF?

Yep, HBF. Your guy threw the gauntlet down to Romy in post 1246 on page 63, proclaiming that Alvarez is the first name on his "hit list".

You, Romy and Chris will all make your HBF debuts on the same card on August 13.

[mh2365]

Yeah I remember reading that but I couldn't remember if it was here or the other one ... thanks

[kenyan_cheena]

HAMMER TIME:
HAYNES CRUSHES BECKERMAN,
QUALIFIES FOR TOURNAMENT FINAL

Thursday 1 August 2002

Terone Haynes has kicked off what will be a hugely important month for the Florida Alliance with a 4th round TKO victory over Australia's Jack Beckerman in the semi-finals of the South-East Asian Boxing League.

Fighting at Thailand's Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel, Haynes was in a destructive mood and opened the bout by flooring Beckerman twice in the opening round. The first came at the 2:10 mark when a crippling body shot had Beckerman down on one knee. He was up surprisingly quickly, rising at three before a smashing right hand put him on his back thirteen seconds from the bell.

To the Australian's credit he showed some promise during rounds two and three, trading some heavy leather with Haynes in the second and being a clear winner of the third behind an effective jab. But "The Hastings Hammer" snuffed out any chance of an upset with a devastating fourth round. He hurt Beckerman early, keeping him on the back foot before a left hook felled him a minute in. Beckerman struggled to his feet at the count of seven but was down again midway through the round from an even more damaging, flush left hook. Bravely making it to his feet for a fourth time, Beckerman stumbled forward on unsteady feet, right into the arms of referee James Harris who promptly called the fight over at the 1:45 mark.

Haynes landed 108 of 187 punches (57.8%) while the courageous Aussie connected with 62 of 109 (56.9%).

His opponent in the tournament final will be the 2nd-seeded New Zealander Tom Heeney, who toughed out a majority decision win over Beckerman's fellow Australian Allan Horace (58-56, 57-57, 59-55) in the Co-Feature. Heeney was in control for most of the fight, outworking Horace and coming close to dropping him during a punishing second round. Horace finished the fight strongly over the final two rounds but Heeney had done more than enough in the bout's opening half to secure the victory. He found the mark with 183 of 420 punches (43.6%) while Horace landed 124 of 216 shots (57.4%).

In a contented mood afterwards, Haynes spoke of his anticipation for the final.

"Gonna be nice to be in a eight rounder," he said. "Be a nice challenge for both o' us, y'all. He shown that he a tough SOB so I'm gonna have t' give the dude respec'. Big fight for me and I'm lookin' forward to it, no doubt."

Like Tuesday night's losing fighters Sonny Banks and Joe Alexander, the two Australians will be placed into the HBF's Qualifying League. Beckerman will take a 3-1-2 record with him while Horace is now 3-2-1 after his second consecutive defeat.

"It's a huge challenge for me," said Heeney when asked about the tournament final. "I don't fancy my chances of knocking the guy out so I'm going to have to fight smartly and keep him at a distance, wear him down I guess."

Haynes vs Heeney will take place on the 5th of September in Japan and, like in the Atlantic League, it will be a fitting matchup of #1 v #2 to bring the league to a conclusion with...

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION FIGHT CARD
THURSDAY 1 AUGUST 2002
AMBASSADOR CITY JOMTIEN HOTEL, CHOLBURI, THAILAND

THE SOUTH-EAST ASIAN BOXING LEAGUE
TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINALS


CO-FEATURE - SEMI-FINAL #1

(2) Tom Heeney MD6 (8) Allan Horace

MAIN EVENT - SEMI-FINAL #2

(1) Terone Haynes TKO4 (6) Jack Beckerman

[kenyan_cheena]

SCHMELING BOMBSHELL:
"I WON'T BE ENTERING EUROPEAN TOURNAMENT"

Thursday 1 August 2002

Following his official elimination from the HBF's World Championship tournament last week, Germany's premier boxer Max Schmeling has made the shock announcement today that he won't be competing in the federation's European Championship tournament when it starts in October.

"My ambition has always been to bring the World Heavyweight Championship to Germany," said Schmeling. "I mean no offense by this comment, but I have no desire to pursue the European title. I'll be making a request to the HBF to be placed in the World Ranking tournament after my participation in the World Championship tournament is over."

Schmeling was sensationally TKO'd by Pittsburgh's Frank Moran last week in Japan, his second consecutive loss dropping his record to 4-2 and eliminating him from any chance of progression to stage two of the World Championship tournament. Having been touted as Germany's "next Michael Schumacher" in the weeks before his January debut, Schmeling returned home on Sunday to claims that he had "disgraced' and "embarrassed" the nation as a sporting power.

Despite the criticism it was assumed that he'd take part in the European tournament, most likely as its top seed. Under the HBF's rules, regional champions who are able to successfully defend their title five times will be rewarded with a shot at the World Championship and it's this path that most believed Schmeling would take. But today's announcement has thrown serious doubt on that.

"I expected to qualify for stage two," said Schmeling. "Missing out was not part of my plans but it's happened and there's nothing I can do about it. However, that doesn't mean I'll allow myself to take an easier path to the World Championship. No, I will work my way up the rankings and earn a shot at the title in the way I always intended to."

Some might say that Schmeling's dismissal of the European Championship stinks of arrogance in that he's assuming that if he entered the tournament, he'd win it and then have little trouble defending the belt. To be frank, every other European fighter would be entitled to take his words as a slap in the face.

HBF President Michael Vincennes was not available to comment but it will be interesting to hear how he reacts. The situation has the potential to make a farce of the federation's regional championships and Vincennes' handling of it could prove to be quite the litmus test...