Gba

[Ian Lord]

Dates - June 2006.

3rd - Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez

HW: Carlos DeLeon v James 'Bonecrusher' Smith [10 x 3]
MW: Carlos Santos v Michael Nunn [10 x 3]
HW: John Tate v Marvin Camel [8x3]
MW: Julian Jackson v Roggerrio Cacciatore [8x3]
LW: Claude Noel v Jorge Monzon [8 x 3]
HW: Ossie Occasio v Gary Winmon [6 x 3]

10th - New York, NY
Madison Square Garden

LW: Edwin Rosario v Livingstone Bramble [12 x 3]
Lightweight elimination tournament, semi-final
LW: Roberto Duran v Charlie Brown [10 x 3]
MW: Iran Barkley v Anthony Bartinelli [8 x 3]
MW: John David Jackson v Chris Walsh [8 x 3]
LW: Ernesto Espana v Lee Cargle [8 x 3]
MW: Tadeshi Mihara v Leonard Townsend [8 x 3]

17th - London, England
London Arena

HW: Lennox Lewis v James 'Buster' Douglas [10 x 3]
LW: Jim Watt v Sammy Serrano [10 x 3]
LW: Cornelius Boza-Edwards v Sean O'Grady [10 x 3]
HW: Gerrie Coetzee v Tony Tucker [8 x 3]
MW: Vito Antuofermo v Larry Banks [8 x 3]
LW: Rolando Navarette v Viktor Baranov [8 x 3]

24th - Las Vegas, NV
Caesars Palace

HW: Mike Tyson v Evander Holyfield [10 x 3]
MW: Bernard Hopkins v Keith Holmes [10 x 3]
HW: Greg Page v Bruce Seldon [10 x 3]
HW: Tim Witherspoon v Mike Weaver [8 x 3]
LW: Yatsune Uehara v Art Frias [8 x 3]
HW: George Foreman v Jody Ballard [4 x 3]

[Ian Lord]

3rd - Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Boxing returned to the Puerto Rico, in what has become a regular event, in front of a packed out and knowledgeable crowd, at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez. Local favourite, Carlos 'Sugar' DeLeon topped the bill against heavyweight contender James 'Bonecrusher' Smith. The first round was a quiet, feeling out process, but 'Bonecrusher' came out for the second landing heavy shots which DeLeon had no answer to. DeLeon got into his stride in the third, peppering Smith with shots down and up. Smith took control againand won the next two sessions, with the sixth and seventh being even heats. DeLeon, sensing the fight was close and not wanting to let his fans down, took the next two rounds, the ninth big. Coming out for the last round, Smitth, knowing the fight was close and that he was in his opponents back yard, came out looking for the knockout. He didn't get it but he dominated the round with some hurtful blows, causing DeLeon's left eye to balloon up in the process.
It went to the scorecards and a split decision was announced. Smith got the first vote by 97-95. DeLeon got the second judges card by 97-95, with Smith getting the all important third judges card, and the fight, by 97-95. Smith, who now improves to 11-8 [4], stated that he now wants to challenge for the world title. DeLeon dropped to 4-3-1.

The chief support saw unbeaten Puerto Rican middleweight prospect, Carlos Santos, step up in class and meet unbeaten contender Michael 'Second To' Nunn. It was a clash of the undefeated and Santos started of good, winning the first three rounds comfortably, with Nunn's usually accurate punching way of the mark. However, after some stern words from his corner, Nunn showed why he is a serious threat for world title honours and took the next three rounds with his sound boxing skills, opening up a gash over Santos' left eye in the process. With it seemingly all level going into the seventh, Nunn, not usually known for his knockout power, knocked Santos out cold at the 1.01 mark after a barrage of hurtful punches. Santos was thanfully alright and came round a few moments later, to the cold realisation that he'd lost the fight and his unbeaten record. He drops to 5-1 [3] and after paying homage to Michael Nunn, stated that he will be back and that he still dreams of becoming world champion. Nunn, who now moves to 9-0 [4], looks a strong bet to become champ.

Heavyweight 'Big' John Tate made short work of Marvin Camel, stopping him at the 2.55 mark of the opening stanza after Camel had been down twice. Camel was holding onto the ropes for support when the referee mercifully halted it. Tate improves to 9-7 [7], Camel drops to 2-8.

Middleweight prospect, Julian 'The Hawk' Jackson improved to 4-0 [2] when he disposed of Roggerrio Cacciatore in the second round. The end came at 2.52 when Cacciatore, who had already been down in the round failed to beat the count. Cacciatore drops to 0-9.

Claude Noel knocked out Jorge Monzon at 1.00 of the sixth, after putting him down at the beginning of the round. Monzon was also down in the third. Noel improves to 2-2 [2], whilst Monzon drops to 0-2.

In the opener, Puerto Rican heavyweight Ossie 'Jaws' Occassio lost a six round split decision to Gary 'The Bull' Winmon. The scores were 58-57, 58-56 Winmon, and 58-57 Ocassio in this uneventful fight. The winner got his first pro win and moves to 1-7, whilst Ocassio drops to 1-2. All three Puerto Rican fighters lost on this card, but the crowd loved it.

[Ian Lord]

10th - New York, NY

Boxing was again at the flagship venue of the GBA, New York's Madison Square Garden. Topping the bill was the semi-final matchup in the lightweight elimination tournament between Edwin Rosario and Livingstone Bramble. The winner would get to fight for the vacant world title.
The opener was all square, with Rosario's pressure fighting too much for Bramble in the second, who finished the worse for wear with a gash under his left eye and his reight one beginning to swell. Rosario took the third as well, but then Bramble started to come into the fight more, picking of Rosario as he came in and taking the fourth and fifth, splitting Rosario's left eye in the process. The sixth was the same, Rosario coming forward, Bramble picking him off and landing a solid comination of punches down and up at one point to send Rosario to the deck for a six count. Rosario's lip was also split open in what was turning into a bloodbath. The non-stop action continued in the next round, with Bramble taking it but also suffering a split lip to add to the crimson. Rosario narrowly edged the eighth, with both men tiring. Bramble took the ninth, with the tenth and eleventh rounds equal. It was a close bout with both men knowing whoever took the last round could well take the fight. Rosario continued coming forward, but with less vigour than in the previous rounds, whilst Bramble landed with shots as he came in and took the round.
It went to the cards, with the scores being 115-114, and 116-113 twice, all for Livingstone Bramble, who will now fight for the vacant world lightweight title against....

...Roberto Duran, who fought on the undercard against Charlie 'Choo Choo' Brown. It was a one-horse race, with Duran laying on one of the most brutal beatings in a boxing ring. It was painful to watch for the four rounds it lasted, with Brown never in the fight and shipping some terrible punishment. Brown was kayoed at the 2.39 mark of round four, in a fight that should have been stopped before it got to this. Duran was laying in with all manner of punches before Brown slumped to the canvas. The count was a formality. Duran, now 4-0 [3], will meet Bramble for the vacant world lightweight title, and hopefully it will be a more competitive match-up than this one. Brown drops to 3-2 [1].

House fighter Iran 'The Blade' Barkley scored a unanimous decision over Anthony Bartinelli. Scores were 78-73, and 77-74 twice, with Bartinelli down in the second. Barkley improves to 10-5 [4], whilst Bartinelli has lost nine out of nine.

Middleweight John David Jackson managed to eke out a majority decision win over 'Irish' Chris Walsh, in an eight round snoozefest. Scores were 78-76, 78-77 for Jackson, and 77-77. Jackson's record moves to 6-5 [1], whilst Walsh dropped to a dismal 0-9.

In a bloody eight round scrap at lightweight, Ernesto Espana won a unanimous decision over Lee Cargle with scores of 78-76 twice, and 79-75, to improve to 2-1- [1]. There were no knockdowns but both men went at it for eight rounds, leaving the ring looking like a vampire's bloodbath. Cargle dropped to 0-2-1.

The opening bout between Tadeshi Mihara and Leonard Townsend at middleweight was exciting while it lasted. Townsend came charging out at the opening bell, and nearly finished Mihara of in the first. Mihara, showing excellent recuperative powers, came charging out for the second and knocked Townsend out at the 1.22 mark with a left hook to improve to 5-4 [3]. Townsend dropped to 0-8.

[Ian Lord]

17th - London, England

In the main event at the 'Big Smokes' London Arena, reigning Commonwealth heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis, met Ohio's James 'Buster' Douglas, who was coming in off an outstanding knockout victory over Tony Tubbs last month. Lewis, however, hadn't fought since February when he knocked out South Africa's Gerrie Coetzee in a mandatory defense of his title. There was a feeling that he may show a little ring rust. He didn't. He stamped his authority right from the opening bell, dropping Douglas for a count of six. Lewis took the second and third rounds, the third one big.
Douglas came into the fight in the fourth, narrowly taking the round, with Lewis edging the fifth, and a dead heat in the sixth. Lewis regained control in the seventh, winning it comfortably, then came out for the eighth and rattled Douglas at the beginning of the round with a heavy right. Douglas never regained his composure and the end was nigh. He was sent crashing to the canvas from a cross to the head, and was groggily up at eight. Lewis resumed the onslaught, with Douglas trying to cling on for dear life. Lewis, getting frustrated with his opponents clinging tactics, threw him to the canvas. Douglas gained a brief respite, but Lewis was sonn laying into him again, finally putting him away with an unanswered salvo of hurtful punches at the 2.53 mark. It was one of the most one sided rounds in GBA history. Lewis improved to 16-1 [11], and a world title fight is now surely just around the corner, whilst Douglas, who incidentally is the mandatory contender for Larry Holmes' North American title, dropped to 7-5-1 [2].

Chief support saw Scottish lightweight Jim Watt win every round bar the fifth and last in this ten rounder over the previously undefeated Sammy Serrano. Scores were 98-88, 97-91, and 98-90. Watt was the busier of the two and landed the cleaner punches. He also dropped Serrano, 1-1-2, in the seventh round and twice in the ninth. Watt improves to 4-1 [2].

Ugandan lightweight Cornelius Boza-Edwards, after an impressive opening round, was dropped for the count at 2.27 of the second following a crippling bodyshot from Sean O'Grady. O'Grady moves to 4-1 [2], whilst Boza-Edwards suffered his first defeat in a 1-1-3 [1] ledger.

Former world title challenger Tony 'TNT' Tucker came into the ring 20 pounds heavier than his previous bout and looking a bit soft round the middle for his bout against South Africa's Gerrie Coetzee. Many people felt this could affect his performance. It didn't. Tucker came swarming out at the opening bell and was all over Coetzee. Coetzee got a brief respite when he was warned for a low blow, but Tucker was soon back on him again and finished him off at the 1.43 mark following a hook to the head. Tucker improves to 6-9 [3] and says he still has ambitions of fighting for the world title again, and this time winning it. Coetzee dropped to 9-10 [3].

Italy's Vito Antuofermo scored a unanimous eight round decision over Larry Banks, 0-13-1. Scores were 79-72 on all judges cards. Antuofermo was in control from the opening bell and was never in trouble. He improves to 5-5 [3].

Russian lightweight Viktor Baranov won an eight round split decision over Filipino Rolando Navarette. The scores were 77-76 twice to Baranov, and 78-76 Navarette in this opening bout that never really got going. Baranov improves to 2-1 [1], whilst Navarette drops to 2-1-1.

[CONN CHRIS]

Another win for O'Grady! When will Holmes be fighting Douglas Ian?

[Ian Lord]

Hi Chris. Your man O'Grady is on a fine run, winning four on the trot. Larry Holmes meets Riddick Bowe in a world title re-match in August. If Holmes wins he will vacate the North American title, leaving it open or Douglas to contest the next ranked contender for the vacant title probably in September]. If Holmes loses he will have to defend against Douglas before the end of the year.

[mh2365]

I'm a bit surprised by Boza-Edwards record. Also Vito being only 5-5.

[Ian Lord]

Hi Mike. I've also been surprised by Boza-Edwards career start. Three draws in five fights!!! As for Antuofermo, all his losses have been to good fighters. Here is his record [starting with the earliest].

Maurice Hope WTKO6
James Toney L10
Roggerrio Cacciatore KO2
Frank Tate L10
Maurice Hope L12 [vacant European middleweight title]
Mark Medal W10
Alan Minter L10
Iran Barkley L10
Juan Carlos Barretto KO8
Larry Banks W8

[Ian Lord]

24th - Las Vegas, NV

Caesars Palace, on the Vegas strip, played host to an excellent night of boxing. Main event was the heavyweight clash between former world champ 'Iron' Mike Tyson, and Evander 'The Real Deal' Holyfield. These two met a couple of years ago, with Tyson stopping Holyfield in the seventh. Going into the fight Tyson was the only defeat on Holyfields pro ledger that he hadn't reversed, which made it personal for Holyfield. Add to the fact that there was bad blood between these two going into the fight, it made it personal for both of them, which promised fireworks.
At the opening bell, Holyfield came out strong and was punching Tyson round the ring. Tyson was throwing punches but they were wild and off target. Tyson was also wobbled a few times. The round went to Holyfield - big.
Tyson's trainer Kevin Rooney, who didn't like what he saw, had strong words with his charge between rounds. They worked, as Tyson came out for the second looking like his old self, hitting Holyfield to body and head, and comfortably taking the round. However, the crowd were on their feet in the next round when Holyfield dropped Tyson for a count of eight following a combination to the head. Holyfield also took the fourth, with Tyson still looking groggy. Then came round five, which has to be a candidate for round of the year, with both men going toe to toe and throwing some heavy leather. Tyson landed heavier shots, and landed more of them, thus taking the round and causing Holyfield's right eye to swell in the process. Boy, what a round. However Holyfield came out looking the fresher man for the sixth, with Tyson holding his hands low. This cost him as Holyfield put him down for six after trapping him in the corner and landing with a flush uppercut to his jaw. Tyson looked onqueer street for the rest of the round, but nevertheless survived it. His left eye also puffed up.
However, the former champ wasn't finished. He took the next two rounds, albeit narrowly, but was out of gas by the ninth. Holyfield capitalised on this, flooring the champ with a solid combination of punches. Tyson barely beat the count, and looked out on his feet. Both eyes had swelled up by now. Holyfield knew all he had to do was survive the last round to win the fight, and this he did, picking Tyson of with shots as Tyson slowly followed him around the ring. The scorecards were a formality, with Holyfield, now 9-4 [8], winning a unanimous decision with scores of 96-91, 95-92, and 97-91. A beaten up Tyson, who dropped to 11-4 [10], acknowledged that he was beaten by the better man on the night. When asked if he wanted a rubber match with the victor, he just shrugged his shoulders and said "we'll see," before heading back to the changing room.
Holyfield said he now wants to challenge for the world title after reversing all of his defeats, but if Tyson decides he wants a decider, then he may be swayed in that direction. Incidentally, this was the first Holyfield fight to go the distance.

Chief support saw Philadelphian middleweight Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins meet Washington's Keith Holmes. For six rounds this was one for the connosuers, with both boxers fighting cautiously. Hopkins took the majority of the rounds, then in the seventh he put Holmes awy with a combination to the head and body, to improve to 5-4 [3]. The end came at the 2.14 mark. Holmes dropped to 6-6 [2].

Erractic heavyweight Greg Page met fringe contender Bruce Seldon. Page, who looks like a world beater on some nights, then looks absolutely awful on others, unfortunatley had one of the latter here tonight. All credit to Seldon, he came out and took the fight to Page. He was over Page from the opening bell, and didn't let him off the hook until he stopped him at 2.31 of the third after putting his foe down. Page, now 11-6 [8], wasn't fighting back after regaining his feet and Seldon, 5-2 [3], motioned for referee Richard Steele to stop the fight. This he did.

One of the best fights of the night was the draw between heavyweights 'Terrible' Tim Witherspoon and Mike 'Hercules' Weaver. Scores were 78-74 Weaver, and 77-77 on the other two cards. Both men came to fight and this they did, with any fine boxing skills taking a back seat. The crowd loved it. Witherspoon moves to 7-9-1 [4], Weaver to 7-10-1 [5].

Lightweights Yatsune Uehara and Art Frias put on an entertaing eight rounder, with the Japanese winning by scores of 76-75 twice, and 77-74. There was never a lull in the action, with the people in the front row wishing they had worn raincoats due to the ammount of blood spilled. Frias suffered a flash knockdown in the last round. Uehara improves to 1-2-1, whilst Frias drops to 0-4.

The opener saw heavyweight debutant 'Big' George Foreman, from Humble, Texas meet perrenial loser Jody Ballard. Ballard was no match for the big Texan and went down in the second, but made it to the final bell. The loser drops to 2-11 [1].

[Ian Lord]

Results - June, 2006

Heavyweight

Lennox Lewis KO8 James 'Buster' Douglas
Evander Holyfield W10 Mike Tyson
Bruce Seldon TKO3 Greg Page
James 'Bonecrusher' Smith W10 Carlos DeLeon
John Tate TKO1 Marvin Camel
Tony Tucker KO1 Gerrie Coetzee
Mike Weaver D8 Tim Witherspoon
Gary Winmon W6 Ossie Occassio
George Foreman W4 Jody Ballard

Middleweight

Bernard Hopkins KO7 Keith Holmes
Michael Nunn KO7 Carlos Santos
Iran Barkley W8 Anthony Bartinelli
John David Jackson W8 Chris Walsh
Vito Antuofermo W8 Larry Banks
Tadeshi Mihara KO2 Leonard Townsend
Julian Jackson KO2 Roggerrio Cacciatore

Lightweight

Livingstone Bramble W12 Edwin Rosario
Roberto Duran KO4 Charlie Brown
Jim Watt W10 Sammy Serrano
Sean O'Grady KO2 Cornelius Boza-Edwards
Ernesto Espana W8 Lee Cargle
Yatsune Uehara W8 Art Frias
Claude Noel KO6 Jorge Monzon
Viktor Baranov W8 Rolando Navarette

[Ian Lord]

Rankings - June, 2006

Heavyweight

World Champion:
Riddick Bowe 8-1- [4]

1. Larry Holmes 11-1-1 [7] North American champ.
2. Lennox Lewis 15-1 [10] Commonwealth champ.
3. Evander Holyfield 9-4 [8]
4. Mike Tyson 11-4 [10]
5. Oliver McCall 10-2 [3]
6. James 'Buster' Douglas 7-5-1 [2]
7. Tony Tubbs 8-6-1 [2]
8. James 'Bonecrusher' Smith 11-8 [4]
9. Pinklon Thoams 8-7 [7]
10.Bruce Seldon 5-2 [3]

Middleweight

World Champion:
Gerald McClellan 10-1 [8]

1. Marvin Hagler 6-1 [4]
2. Mike McCallum 6-2 [2]
3. James Toney 5-1 [1] North American champ.
4. Sumbu Kalambay 11-0 [6] African champ.
5. Bernard Hopkins 5-4 [4]
6. Ayub Kalule 5-3-1 [3] Commonwealth champ.
7. Maurice Hope 3-3 [1] European and British champ.
8. Michael Nunn 9-0 [3]
9. Alan Minter 4-6 [2]
10.Frank Tate 7-5-2 [1]

Lightweight

World Champion:
Title Vacant

1. Livingstone Bramble 3-0 [1]
2. Roberto Duran 4-0 [3]
3. Edwin Rosario 2-1 [2]
4. Charlie Brown 3-2 [1]
5. Bazooka Limon 1-2 [1]
6. Jim Watt 4-1 [2]
7. Sammy Serrano 1-1-2
8. Ray Mancini 1-2 [1]
9. Sean O'Grady 4-1 [2]
10.Cornelius Boza-Edwards 1-1-3 [1]

[Ian Lord]

News...

Middleweight Sumbu Kalamabay has relinquished his African title. He now has Italian citizenship and challenges Maurice Hope for the European title in August.

Scottish lightweight Jim Watt will meet Russia's Viktor Baranov for the vacant European title. The match is slated to take place in October.

[Ian Lord]

More news...

Jamaican middleweight, Mike 'The Bodysnatcher' Mccallum, will challenge Commonwealth champ Ayub Kalule in August. It will be Kalule's first defense of the title.

[Ian Lord]

Dates - July, 2006.

1st - Houston, TX
Reliant Park Pavilion

HW: George Foreman v Marvin Sharkey [6 x 3]
MW: Vito Antuofermo v Anthony Bartinelli [8 x 3]
MW: Julian Jackson v Chris Walsh [8 x 3]
HW: Trevor Berbick v Derrick Banks [8 x 3]
HW: Michael Dokes v Gary Winmon [8 x 3]
HW: Ossie Occasio v RT Davis [8 x 3]

8th - Atlantic City, NJ
Boardwalk Hall

NORTH AMERICAN MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE
James Toney [champ.] v Davey Moore [12 x 3]

HW: Oliver McCall v Carlos DeLeon [10 x 3]
MW: Michael Nunn v Iran Barkley [10 x 3]
LW: Sammy Serranno v Sean O'Grady [10 x 3]
HW: John Tate v Jody Ballard [8 x 3]
HW: Tony Tucker v Derek Amos [8 x 3]

22nd - Tokyo, Japan
Ryogoku Sumo Arena

HW: Lennox Lewis v Tony Tubbs [10 x 3]
MW: Tadeshi Mihara v Alan Minter [10 x 3]
MW: Shinji Takehara v Larry Banks [8 x 3]
LW: Yatsune Uehara v Harry Arroyo [8 x 3]
LW: Rolando Navarrette v Lee Cargle [8 x 3]
LW: Claude Noel v Tirso Albia [8 x 3]

29th - Las Vegas, NV
Caesar's Palace

HW: Evander Holyfield v Mike Tyson [10 x 3]
MW: Bernard Hopkins v John David Jackson [10 x 3]
HW: Tim Witherspoon v Mike Weaver [8 x 3]
LW: Bazooka Limon v Ernesto Espana [10 x 3]
MW: Frank Tate v Mark Medal [10 x 3]
LW: Hilmer Kenty v Art Frias [8 x 3]

[CONN CHRIS]

I just noticed that O'Grady cracked the top ten Ian. I love checking this out with two of my favorite all-time boxers in the mix. Bring Starling into the ranks and you may not be able to get rid of me.

Christopher

[Ian Lord]

I'm glad you're enjoying it Chris. O'Grady has now won four on the trot since losing his debut.
I'm bringing the welterweights division into it next year [game time], which Starling will definately feature in at some point.
Who is your other favourite?

[Ian Lord]

1st - Houston, TX

Main event at the Reliant Park Pavilion, in Houston, Texas, saw two Texan heavies go up against each other. Humble's 'Big' George Foreman met San Antonio's Marvin 'The Shark' Sharkey, who was making his pro debut. His debut, however, didn't last long. He came out flicking tentative jabs at Foreman, which were way of the mark. Foreman stalked his opponent across the ring, and landed a hurtful right which had Sharkey in trouble. Sharkey's legs turned to jelly which resulted in him walking onto a solid cross and going down. He didn't beat the count. The time was 1.27 of the opening round. Foreman improves to 2-0 [1].

Chief support saw Italian middleweight Vito Antuofermo take every round bar the fourth, which was even, in scoring a unanimous points win over Anthony Bartinelli. Scores were 78-75, 79-75, and 80-73. Antuofermo improves to 6-5 [3], whilst Bartinelli has now lost ten out of ten.

'Irish' Chris Walsh put on a tremendous display of heart, if nothing else, by sticking around to the final bell of his eight rounder against middleweight prospect Julian 'The Hawk' Jackson. The scores, all for Jackson, of 80-67, and 80-66 twice, shown just how one sided this fight was, with Walsh, now 0-10, hitting the canvas five times. Jackson improves to 5-0 [2], and shook his head in disbelief that his foe was still standing at the end of the bout, before embracing him.

Jamaican heavyweight Trevor Berbick won by scores of 76-73, and 77-72 twice over journeyman Derrick Banks to improve to6-9-1 [3]. Banks dropped to 3-10-3 [1]. Banks was dropped in the fifth, then twice in the sixth before roaring back with a vengeance in one of the best rounds ever seen in a GBA ring.

Former cocaine addict, Michael 'Dynamite' Dokes returned to the ring, knocking out Gary 'The Bull' Winmon at 1.46 of the sixth. Winmon was down just after the opening bell, and Dokes, now 5-12-1 [2], was in control throughout. Winmon is now 1-8.

The show opener saw eight, boring rounds, of mauling and clinching between heavyweights Ossie 'Jaws' Occasio and debutant R.T. Davis, who was a local boy. Occasio was cut over the left eye and dropped in the seventh round en route to losing an eight round unanimous verdict with scores of 79-74, 78-75, and 77-76. Occasio drops to 1-3. Both men stunk the place out.

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by Ian Lord

I'm bringing the welterweights division into it next year [game time], which Starling will definately feature in at some point.
Who is your other favourite?

Though he certainly was not a favorite of mine, you sort of need the hump Starling could never get over in Donald Curry.

Another big favorite growing up was Tex Cobb, though not for his skill. I also am a huge fan of Larry Boardman and Willie Pepp through my Dad and Grandfather. Pepp, I have been fortunate enough to meet on several occations but not Boardman.

I also am a bit of a fan of the Oceania fighters though I can't quite say why - Fuliliani, Tua, Martin Beni Sakaria Ve, Johnny Aba, Jimmy Thunder and so on. (I likely butchered a few spellings there.)

[SAL]

Good stuff Ian.
What's the status of the Mancini. Pay the man and get him back in action.

[Ian Lord]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Chris, Curry will definatelty feature. In fact I think him and Starling will be in the opening tournament. We'll have to wait and see As for Tex Cobb, I love the guy as well, and, like yourself, not for his boxing. What a character.

Sal, as regards the Mancini situation I'll let you into a little secret. I've been using Lee's excellent event charts and so far that is the only event to have come up, so you'll have to wait and see how it pans out and what happens

Again, thanks for the comments guys.