las vegas boxing news and fight reports

6.30.04

UNDISPUTED WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION CORY SPINKS TO FACE FORMER WORLD CHAMPION MIGUEL ANGEL GONZALEZ; WBO HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION LAMON BREWSTER TO BATTLE HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER KALI MEEHANFROM MANDALAY BAY RESORT & CASINO IN LAS VEGAS

ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

LAS VEGAS (June 29, 2004) - Undisputed Welterweight Champion Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks will defend his titles against former world champion and World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 1 contender Miguel Angel Gonzalez on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4. In the co-featured bout World Boxing Organization (WBO) Heavyweight Champion “Relentless” Lamon Brewster will take on Asian Pacific and Pan Pacific Heavyweight Champion Kali “Checkmate” Meehan of Australia.

Read the Press Release

6.28.04

Results from Guilty Boxing at the Orleans

Wes Ferguson overwhelms Stanley Mendez – UD
Alex Velardez KO’s Arthur Medina – Rnd 4
Leopaldo Gonzales whips Ray Martinez – UD
George Walton KO’s Jesus Mendoza – Rnd 4
Mohammad Said clobbers Rene Arostequi – UD
Jamar Nolan beats Monroe Brooks - UD

Read the Main Event Report by Steven Robinson

Read the Co-Main Event Report by Steven Robinson

Results from Star Boxing at the Silverton

Robert Wiggins beats Derek Bryant – UD
Andrey Tsurkan KO’s Joshua Smith – Rnd3
Monica Nunez squeaks by Shelly Burton – MD
Marvin Eastman KO’s Willie Broadie – Rnd 4
Elena Reed meets Vaia Zaganas in exhibition

Read the Main Event Report by Lawrence Hidaka

Read the Undercard Report by Steven Robinson

6.22.04

Fights at the Silverton Casino!

STAR BOXING
6/26/2004
Silverton Hotel

Robert Wiggins 18-3-1 (11 KO's) vs Derek Bryant 17-2 (14 KO's)
Andrey Tsurkan 20-2 (12 KO's) vs Rashard Sanders 4-3 (2 KO's)
Monica Nunez 8-1 (4 KO's) vs Shelly Burton 4-0 (1 KO)
Marvin Eastman (0-0) vs Willie Broadie 2-7

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES WBO LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION ACELINO “POPO” FREITAS, WBO 130-POUND CHAMPION DIEGO “CHICO” CORRALES

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will turn up the heat in August when it features two of boxing’s finest pound-for-pound champions battling it out for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) 135-pound title. In one of the most eagerly anticipated match-ups of 2004, Acelino “Popo” Freitas (35-0, 31 KOs) will put his undefeated record and WBO lightweight crown on the line against WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Diego Corrales (38-2, 31 KOs) Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on West Coast) on SHOWTIME. Banner Promotions will present the event from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

ACELINO FREITAS

“This is going to be a very difficult, emotional, exciting fight, and I am more than ready. Corrales is an excellent fighter and hard puncher, but I am prepared for anything that he brings and am confident that I will win. His style is good for me. He is a clever boxer and an excellent counter-puncher, but I am even a better counter-puncher and much quicker. If and when I hit him flush, the fight will be over.

“Corrales is taller than me, but that is not a concern because I have defeated tall opponents before. I did not study any tapes of him. I hardly ever watch tapes because fighters change from fight to fight. Corrales fought Joel Casamayor, and Casamayor is a dirty fighter and a southpaw, so it would not do me any good to watch that fight over and over. This is the most important fight of my career. If I win, I can turn my focus to getting a fight with Floyd Mayweather, whom I have been calling out for three years. ‘’

DIEGO CORRALES

“Freitas is a class act, a gentleman and an awesome, explosive fighter, but we both want the same thing. There is no way this fight can end in anything but a knockout. Look at our records and our knockout percentages. How can it go the distance? I can see us maybe boxing a little at the beginning, but, at some point, it will be an all-out fight. I expect he will bring along his “A” game, and I will bring mine. I really feel it is going to be the fight of the year. I love these kinds of matchups. I love these kinds of fights.

“I know is that I have to pay attention all the time because of Corrales’ punching power. Going up five pounds in weight is not a big deal for me at all. I am 6-feet tall so, if anything, it should make me stronger. Freitas says he has fought a lot of “name” fighters, but has he fought more “name’’ guys than me? I have fought them all, and am willing to fight anybody. It is hard to say exactly what kind of chin Freitas has, but we are going to find out for sure on Aug. 7.’’

6.21.04

Las Vegas Local Frank Mir becomes UFC Heavyweight Champ!

Frank did it with amazing speed and broke Tim Sylvia's arm in a gross way - watch the video clip here..

6.21.04

Tyson to fight Britain's Danny Williams: report

LOUISVILLE, United States (AFP) - American Mike Tyson will fight Britain's Danny Williams and not Kevin McBride when he returns to the boxing ring on July 30, Maxboxing.com reported.

Tyson, who turns 38 on June 30, was scheduled to meet McBride but he reportedly asked for too much money to fight the aging former heavyweight champ.

"It was a money issue," Tyson's advisor Shelly Finkel told Maxboxing.com.

"I think he's (Williams) a better opponent. He's a former European champion; he's brings English TV, and larger revenue."

The 30-year-old Williams has 31 wins and three losses, including a defeat to Julius Francis, who Tyson easily beat a couple of years ago.

Tyson has not fought since beating heavyweight Clifford Etienne in February of last year.

6.15.04

ANTONIO TARVER READY TO STEP UP FOR THE WBC

A Boxingtalk.net Exclusive Interview
By G. Leon, June 15, 2004.

In an unprecedented move, WBC Light-Heavyweight Champion Antonio Tarver is willing to put his goals and aspirations to the side and give Graciano Rocchigiani, who is claiming that this isn't about the money, a shot at the title he so covets.

Read the Full Article

6.12.04

WBC asks: Can you spare some change?

"It is with great sadness that the World Boxing Council announces that, on June 14, 2004, it will instruct its counsel to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation proceedings.

"The WBC was forced into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2003 after a New York jury awarded Graciano Rocchigiani $31 million dollars based on his allegation that the WBC stripped him of his world title. The WBC had hoped to persuade the Court and the jury that it was not liable and not responsible for the harm Mr. Rocchigiani alleged. Sadly, and despite a vigorous defense, the WBC did not prevail.

Read the Full Article

6.11.04

RAFAEL MARQUEZ, 'IRON BOY' CALDERON
WILL MAKE WORLD TITLE DEFENSES
ON 'UNIFICATION' HBO PPV JULY 31!

World bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez and light flyweight king Ivan 'Iron Boy' Calderon will each make world title defenses on Top Rank's 'Unification' championship fight card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, July 31.

Erik 'El Terrible' Morales and Carlos 'Famoso' Hernandez will battle in the main event, which will be live on HBO Pay-Per-View.

Today, Bob Arum of Top Rank released details for the entire July 31 title card:

+IBF bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez will defend vs. top-rated Heriberto Ruiz
+WBO light flyweight champion Ivan Calderon will defend vs. #6 rated Roberto Leyva.

Calderon vs. Leyva will open the HBO PPV telecast.

Marquez, coming off an explosive performance vs. Pete Frisina, will then defend vs. Ruiz who just won an IBF eliminator, beating 36-9-3 Ricardo Vargas in Florida. Ruiz is 12-1-0 in his last 13 fights.

//Top Rank will soon announce a "special attraction" who will also go onto the telecast.

6.9.04

DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT PROSPECTS
STEP UP TO SHOBOX

Unbeaten New Yorkers Paul Malignaggi and Sechew Powell
To Battle it Out in Separate Bouts on June 17

NEW YORK, June 9 - They've conquered the New York area with a diverse mix of speed, power and personality. On June 17, junior welterweight Paul Malignaggi and junior middleweight Sechew Powell travel to Harrah's Casino in Laughlin, Nevada to show the rest of the country what all the talk is about when they make their Showtime debuts on the hit series "ShoBox - The New Generation".

Read the Full Article

6.6.04

No Surprises at the MGM

De La Hoya and Hopkins emerge victorious, but not spectacular.

Read the main event report by Steven Robinson

Read the Co-main event report by Lawrence Hidaka

6.4.04

Pre DLH/Hopkins Fight Night!

Two Fights get Vegas warmed up for June 5th

At the Orleans:

***View the Photo Gallery***

Fight Report by Lawrence Hidaka

From the Plaza Hotel:

Top Rank Boxing at the Plaza:

Miguel Angel Huerta beats Rolando Reyes – SD
Norberto Bravo Vs Omar Bernal – Draw
Victor Ortiz KO’s Raul Montes – Rnd 1
Gustavo Tapia outpoints Richard Best – UD
Masakazu Satake KO’s Ubaldo Hernandez – Rnd 6
John Lewis KO’s Miguel Rocha – Rnd 1

Read the Fight Report by Steven Robinson

6.2.04

Press Conference 6/2/2004

By Steve Robinson

MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

Oscar DeLa Hoya on a “Collision Course” with Bernard Hopkins

Top Rank Boxing, HBO Pay-Per-View, Golden Boy Promotions and the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino held a press conference to introduce the fighters in this Saturday’s “Collision Course”.
The event televised on HBO PPV starting at 6:00 pm PT will consist of three title bouts:
Juan Lazcano(33-2-1) Vs. Jose Luis Castillo (49-6-1) for the WBC Lightweight Title, Bernard Hopkins (43-2-1) Vs. Robert Allen (36-4) for the WBC, WBA &IBF World Middleweight Title and Oscar De La Hoya (36-3) Vs. Felix Sturm (20-0) for the WBO World Middleweight Title.

De La Hoya stated that he is fighting to be the only boxer to hold titles in six (6) weight divisions. Hopkins is fighting for his 18th consecutive title defense. If they both with they are scheduled to fight each other later this year.

Posted odds at MGM Grand Casino as of 2:00 pm today were as follows:
Sturm +900
De La Hoya -1400

Allen +800
Hopkins -1300

Castillo EVEN
Lazcano -130

6.1.04

WBO Lightweight Champion Acelino “Popo’’ Freitas

vs. WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Diego “Chico’’ Corrales

Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, At 9 PM ET/PT*

From Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut

NEW YORK (June 1, 2004) - SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will turn up the heat in August when it features two of boxing’s finest pound-for-pound champions battling it out for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) 135-pound title.

In one of the most eagerly anticipated match-ups of 2004, Acelino “Popo” Freitas (35-0, 31 KOs) will put his undefeated record and WBO lightweight crown on the line against WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Diego Corrales (38-2, 31 KOs) Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, at 9 p.m. ET/PT* on SHOWTIME. Banner Promotions will present the event from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. A second televised bout will be announced soon.

Read the Press Release

5.29.04

Soto Shines at the Orleans!

view the photo gallery

Humberto Soto KO's Wilson Alcorro - Rnd 6
Omar Salado defeats Frankie Soto - UD
Gilberto Sanchez Leon beats Alex "Tito" Ramirez - MD
Melinda Cooper KO's Lina Ramirez - Rnd 3
Rodrigo Aranda upsets Michael Lozado - UD
Tomas Barragan over Ramon Montano - UD

Read the Main Event Report by Lawrence Hidaka
Read the Undercard Report by Stven Robinson

5.27.04

From Top Rank: JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ
OK WITH PACQUIAO REMATCH!!!

World featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico City is anxious to get the People's Champion Manny Pacquiao back into the ring.

"Marquez is ready, we're ready - we're waiting for the first available date HBO can give us," said Bob Arum of Top Rank.

On May 8, Marquez -- on the deck three times and badly hurt in the first round -- rallied and put together an all-out courageous effort in a 12-round draw against Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

One card was 113-113; another had Marquez ahead 115-110 and a third had Pacquiao ahead 115-110.

Marquez is the IBF, WBA world featherweight champion. Pacquiao, who jolted Marco Antonio Barrera in his previous fight, calls himself the People's Champ.

5.26.04

Hasim "The Rock" Returns!

HASIM “THE ROCK” RAHMAN vs ROB CALLOWAY

GLEN BURNIE, MD (May 26, 2004) – “BALLROOM BOXING,” the greatest boxing club show in the U.S., finishes its 10th season in grand style with an action-packed card headlined by former world heavyweight champion and Baltimore native HASIM “THE ROCK” RAHMAN, the WBA’s top-rated contender, against WBF Intercontinental heavyweight champion Rob Calloway, “The All-American Fighter,” Thursday, June 17, at Michael’s Eighth Avenue, in Glen Burnie, MD.

Read the Full Article

5.21.04

Ouma vs Philips!

NEW YORK (May 12, 2004) – In a rematch of an electrifying slugfest which had the fans on the edge of their seats from the opening bell, International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 1 contender Kassim “The Dream’’ Ouma will take on IBF No. 2 contender Verno Phillips for the vacant IBF junior middleweight championship Saturday, June 5, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT*.

Read the Full Article

5.18.04

CKP Fight Night at Ballys!

***View the Entire Photo Gallery***

Tonight at Ballys:

Samuel Peter defeats Charles Shufford by UD

Read the Main Event Report by Lawrence Hidaka
Read the Undercard Report by Steven Robinson

5.16.04

Jones Floored in Round 2!

In other action:

Antonio Tarver KTFO Roy Jones, Jr. R2
Rico Hoye over Richard Hall by KO R4
Zab Judah beats Rafael Pineda by SD
Gerald “The Jedi” Nobels clobbers Bruce Seldon by KO R9
Victor Burgos defeats Fahlan Sakkreerin by KO R6
Roman Karmazin / Jason Papillion ND
Larry Donald over Sedrick Fields by UD
Rob Dula beats Eric Howard by UD
Mario Preskar / Marcelino Novaes Draw
Owen Beck beats Byron Polley by TKO R1
Vaughn Alexander over Jesus Mesa by KO R1

Fights just seem to keep getting better and better this year. How could anything follow the Pacquiao - Marquez fight? Tonight's fighter weren't quite to that level, but they didn't leave anyone disappointed.

Roy Jones Jr. vs. Anthony Tarver

Odds started at 5 ½ to 1 against Tarver, which seems a little strange since Tarver did a fairly good job taking the fight to Jones in their last meeting. In their last encounter, Jones backed up against the ropes and attempted to counter as Tarver attacked. This time, Jones came out on the offensive, and was looking really good with some amazingly quick punches that were catching Tarver off guard. In round two, Jones again took the offensive, and then out of nowhere, Tarver through a beautiful counter left as Jones threw a straight right.

Jones was floored.

La la land.

He got up after a counter of nine, but Referee Jay Nady looked into his eyes and called the fight off. Everyone, including us, went nuts. It was an incredible knockout, and the first real defeat of a man who seemed undefeatable. Tarver moves from an underdog into the realm of superstardom.

For his 1 and a half minutes of work, Jones receives $6,325,000 dollars. Tarver receives $2,750,000, but he’s set up beautifully for a big payday on his next fight.

Wow. How absolutely incredible.

Read the Rest of the Main Event Report by Gregory Robinson
Read the Undercard Report by Steven Robinson

5.15.04

May 14, 2004

JONES – TARVER II “IT’S MORE THAN PERSONAL”

Weigh-In – Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

Reported by Steve Robinson

Three-Time World Champion Roy Jones Jr and No.1 Contender & Former WBC Champion Antonio Tarver both weighed in at 175# at the official weigh-in at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino today for their much anticipated rematch of their Nov 8, 2003 fight. This match is for the WBC Light Heavyweight Championship. Jones won their first meeting by way of a majority decision.

The five fight card commences at 2:30 pm with the HBO Pay-Per-View telecast starting at 6:00 pm. Odds today at Mandalay Bay Sports Book showed Jones a favorite at -500 vs.
Tarver at +350.

The Undercard features Zab “Super” Judah (30-2, 22 KO’s) for the WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Championship fight vs. Columbia’s Rafael Pineda (38-5, 31 KO’s). Two other minor championship bouts and a heavyweight match precede.

Tickets for Jones – Tarver II range from $100 to $800 at ringside and are still available.

5.14.04

CMX Champions of Boxing!

Manuel Medina &Maria Phillipe

Reported by Steve Robinson

CMX Sports and Guilty Boxing today announced their new weekly boxing series CMX Champions of Boxing ( CMX Boxeo de Campeones). Beginning May 24, 2004 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino the first weekly boxing series to be webcast live will commence. Two of the monthly fights will take place in Las Vegas alternating between The Orleans and Gold Coast Hotel and Casino while other bouts will take place in various locations. For those who cannot attend or to watch the out of town matches the live webcast is available by subscription for $4.95 per month at www.cmxsports.com.

Read the Full Report

5.13.04

Barrera vs Ayala

Marco Antonio Barrera and Paulie Ayala will be in Los Angeles on Thursday to officially announce their compelling matchup on Saturday, June 19.

Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank are co-promoting the 12-round bout featherweight bout which will be staged in an outdoor arena at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

It's a "must win" fight for both as Barrera is coming off a totally unexpected loss to Manny Pacquiao while Ayala needs a big win to re-fire his career.

Barrera vs. Ayala will be televised by HBO. Jermain Taylor, the undefeated middleweight from Little Rock, will open the HBO telecast. He takes on former world champ Raul Marquez of Houston.

5.11.04

TWO LAS VEGANS--UNBEATEN PETER AND SHUFFORD--IN MAIN, NO. 8 RATED HEAVY AUSTIN IN SEMI-MAIN,
PERFECT 10 WOMEN BOXERS
ON CEDRIC KUSHNER PROMOTIONS’ ‘HEAVYWEIGHT HEROES’ CARD
AT BALLY’S MONDAY, MAY 17

Two Las Vegans–undefeated slugger Samuel Peter and stylish boxer Charles Shufford-- clash in the 10-round heavyweight main event on Cedric Kushner Promotions= nationally and internationally televised AHeavyweight Heroes@ card Monday, May 17, at Bally’s in Las Vegas, Nev.
World-ranked heavyweight Ray Austin of Cleveland faces an opponent to be determined in one semi-main event while Talmadge Griffis of Colorado Springs, Colo., meets Kelvin Hale of New York City in the other heavyweight semi-main event.

Read the Full Article

5.08.04

Marquez does the impossible and comes back after a 10-6 round!

Fight so inspirational, terminally ill patients everywhere vow to never give up.

Manny Pacquiao / Juan Manuel Marquez - Draw!
Miguel Cotto over Lovemore N’Dou by D
Antwun Echols over Ross Thompson
Hassan Al defeats Qunadry Rovertson TKO 6
Johhny Nolasco beats Arturo Qunitero by KO R6
Juan Ramon Cruz / Adam Gonzoles stopped R3/ND

Read the main event report by Lawrence Hidaka

Read about the co-main event by Gregory Robinson

5.7.04

Fight of the Year Candidate?

Manny Pacquiao (38-2-1) weighs in for his fight against Juan Manuel Marquez (42-2)

Weigh ins:

JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ, 42-2, 33 KOs, Mexico City : 125 lbs
Vs.
MANNY PACQUIAO, 38-2-1, 29 KOs, General Santos City, Philippines: 125 lbs
Champion MIGUEL COTTO, 19-0, 16 KOs, Caguas, Puerto Rico: 140 lbs
Vs.
LOVEMORE N’DOU, 38-6-1, 24 KOs, Sydney, New South Whales: 138 lbs
ANTWUN ECHOLS, 29-5-1, 26 KOs, Dade City, Fla.: 161 lbs
Vs.
ROSS THOMPSON, 26-8-2, 17 KOs, Buffalo, N.Y: 165 lbs
(Thompson was given three hours to make the contract weight of 162)
HASSAN ALI, 29-1-3, Denmark: 155 lbs
Vs.
QUANDRY ‘CANDY’ ROBERTSON, 14-7, 10 KOs, Salem, Or: 155 1/2 lbs
ARTURO QUINTERO, 10-0, 6 KOs, Michoacan, Mexico:130 lbs
Vs.
JOHNNY NOLASCO, 11-3-3, 4 KOs, Phoenix: 129 1/2 lbs
JUAN RAMON CRUZ, 9-1-1, 6 KOs, San Juan, Puerto Rico: 130 lbs
Vs.
ADAM GONZALEZ, 10-10, 5 KOs, Long Beach, Calif.: 133 lbs

New Weekly Latin Boxing Show
CMXsports and Guilty Boxing Announce New Weekly Friday Night Boxing Show

LAS VEGAS, NV (May 6th, 2004) – Committed to revitalizing boxing as a weekly broadcast event, CMXsports and Guilty Boxing announced today a new Latin Boxing Show. The agreement calls for 48 two-hour shows a year over a three-year period.

The Friday night show, called “CMX Boxeo de Campeones” (CMX Champions of Boxing) is scheduled to begin May 28th, 2004 at one of its principal venues, The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. It will showcase the very best in action-packed fights, as well as, an extensive amount of high-quality features on boxing. With a focus on Latin Boxers the show targets one of the fastest growing and most active boxing audiences.

Read the Full Article

5.5.04

ARE YOU "THE NEXT GREAT CHAMP"?

OPEN CASTING CALL FOR LAS VEGAS
OSCAR DA LA HOYA'S NEW REALITY TV SHOW ON FOX
FRIDAY, MAY 7 AT RICHARD STEELE BOXING GYM / LAS VEGAS, NV
9:00AM-6:00PM

LOS ANGELES, May 5 - If you think you've got what it takes to be boxing's next superstar, Oscar De La Hoya wants you for his new TV show, "The Next
Great Champ", which will hold an open casting call on Friday, May 7 at Richard Steele's Boxing Gym in Las Vegas from 9am to 6pm. Call backs only - May 8.

Boxing's first reality show, "The Next Great Champ" will air on FOX television, and is produced by television powerhouse Endemol USA. Approximately 12 aspiring prizefighters will be chosen to participate, and their daily trials and tribulations will be taped as they battle their way on the road to fistic stardom. At stake is a large cash prize, a possible title fight, and a promotional contract with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.

Open auditions are being held across the United States during April and May. To be eligible for the show, contestants must meet the following requirements:

* MUST BE AT LEAST 18
* MUST BE A U.S. RESIDENT
* MUST WEIGH BETWEEN 130-185 POUNDS
* MUST BE AMATEURS IN THE OPEN DIVISION OR PROS WHO HAVE FOUGHT IN FOUR ROUND FIGHTS OR LESS
* MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR A SECOND DAY IF SELECTED, WHERE THEY ARE REQUIRED TO
BRING MEMBERS OF THEIR SUPPORT TEAM (Friend, Co-worker, Family member or Loved one)
* LOCATION: Richard Steele's Boxing Gym / 1405 A Street / Las Vegas, NV / 9:00AM-6:00PM / May 7 / Call backs only - May 8

5.4.04

OSCAR DE LA HOYA'S
"THE NEXT GREAT CHAMP"
CASTING CALL STARTS OFF WITH BIG SUCCESS IN
LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK , PHILADELPHIA & MIAMI
FINAL WEEK OF CASTING SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK
DETROIT, KANSAS CITY, LAS VEGAS & LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles, May 3- Last month, Oscar De La Hoya and FOX put out the call for "The Next Great Champ", and America has responded, filling up gyms from coast to coast with hopefuls vying for the opportunity to participate in the new reality show that will search for boxing's next superstar. "We are very pleased with the turnouts that we've had so far," said Casting Director Billy Kemp of the open casting calls held in Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, and New York last week. "There were a number of Golden Gloves winners that participated in our casting calls and some very interesting personalities with a lot of boxing skills. Los Angeles was so successful that we are going back for a second casting call."

That's the good news for aspiring boxers who were unable to compete last week, as the final week of casting calls will be held on Friday, May 7 in Detroit, Kansas City, Las Vegas, and once again in Los Angeles. "We are anticipating huge turnouts for the remaining cities," said Kemp. Check times and locations for the May 7 casting calls below, as well as the requirements for participation.

5.1.04

Watch Monte Barett on "The Price is Right."

New York, May 3- Monte Barrett (30-3, 16 KOs), coming off a win over then unbeaten Dominic Guinn (24-1, 17 KOs) on March 27, scored big again on the television game show “The Price Is Right” which will air on Monday, May, 3 at 11:00 AM/ET on WCBS Channel 2 in New York (check listings in all other regions). The Queens, NY resident won a two-week all-paid vacation to China after playing the game “Pick Two out of Five.” Choosing from five household products, Barrett correctly selected shampoo and house cleaner as the two items that shared the same retail value ($3.99).

Legendary host Bob Barker informed the non-fight fans in the audience that Barrett was a world class professional boxers.

Barrett was last seen on television out slugging Guinn on HBO’s Boxing After Dark series. Prio to that and also on HBO, he fought valiantly against unbeaten heavyweight Joe Mesi (29-0, 25 KOs) at Madison Square Garden on December 6 but lost a controversial majority decision. The DiBella Entertainment star is ranked as high as seven in world rankings (IBF).