The first lesson to be learned is that the Mixed Martial Arts are filled with good athletes who can fight. The question that many boxing pundits and fans have asked, what would happened if an elite boxer fought an elite mixed martial artist and the question have been answered in part. Toney is one of the premier boxers over the past generation and while he is 42, he is not that far removed from his active career. Randy Couture is 47 and while there was a time that Couture was one of the mixed martial art elites, he too was past his prime but still an active fighter. We saw two former elite fighters at similar point in their careers and with the boxer using 4 ounce gloves, the advantages laid with the boxer who often uses 8 and 10 ounce gloves.

What we witnessed was an easy victory for Couture and this showed that the Mixed Martial arts can stand on their own as a sporting event. The final bottom line is that while boxers are good athletes and if you put Toney in the ring with Couture using just hands, Toney wins hands down but this was not about using just hands but one’s entire arsenal. Toney showed that even an elite boxer with nine months of training may not be a match for a martial artist who has worked at his craft for a lifetime. This would be equivalent of an elite basketball player deciding in mid-career to play professional baseball. The basketball player will find himself learning a sport that many of baseball contemporaries have spent a lifetime perfecting. (In case you are wondering if an elite basketball player actually decided to attempt this, think Michael Jordan, who failed to make it to the big leagues after trying for two years. He went back to basketball and led the Bulls to three more NBA titles.)

There is more to the martial arts than just the use of hands, feet and submission holds but the ability to put all of these skills together and most boxers can’t handle the ground game. The mixed martial artists come from martial arts and wrestling background, so many MMA stars have multiple of skills to learn before becoming stars. Many wrestlers must learn to use their hands and many karate specialists and boxers must learn ground skills. Toney has the hand skills but not the ground game and that was obvious almost immediately. Toney also learned that nine months is not enough time to learn the ground game that will allow him to compete at the highest levels.

The first lesson to be learned what one learns in the square ring does not translate to the octagon. The second lesson to learn is that UFC is the master when it comes to marketing when compared to boxing. While there are many different mixed martial arts organization but in MMA; there is one organization that every Mixed Martial Artists understand is the highest levels, the UFC.

In boxing, there are way too many boxing organizations that run the sport and run it badly, so many causal sport fans are confuse, who is the true champ or what organization is the premier organization. In Mixed Martial Arts, there is no question of which division is the premier leader. While some have decided to use Ring Magazine as the official boxing ratings, this has not yet taken hold as being practical. Name me one sport in which a magazine determines the champions or the rules of the sport. Can you imagine if Sports Illustrated determine who was the NFL champion? Yet, that is what is happening in boxing where you have literally five organizations speaking for the sport and most of them not trusted by fans or even fighters themselves to be the care taker of the sport.

Until boxing decides that there is a premier division that is recognize by promoters, fans and even the athletes themselves then boxing will continue to fall behind the Mixed Martial Arts.

The Toney-Couture fight was a milestone for both boxing and Mixed Martial Arts. MMA and the UFC showed that it is the premier combat sport in both popularity and reality. For many sport fans, it is not about who is the best boxer or best karate specialist but who is the best fighter. This fight was the wake up call for boxing as far as marketing is concern. Full crowds accompany Mixed Martial Arts and popularity of the sport continues to grow. Boxing needs to learn the right lessons, including promotion. The first important step in promotion is for boxing promoters to push for one boxing division and start treating the other divisions as secondary markets or minor leagues. Until that happens, boxing will continue to decline vis a vis the Mixed

Pacquiao and Margarito boast a combined record of 89-9-2 (65 KOs) — a winning percentage of 89% and a victory by knockout ratio of 73%.

Jerry Jones and Bob Arum, owner of the Dallas Cowboys and chairman of Top Rank, respectively, announced today that Cowboys Stadium would be the site of MANNY PACQUIAO vs. ANTONIO MARGARITO, World Super Welterweight Championship. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Cowboys Stadium, and MP Promotions, Pacquiao vs. Margarito will take place Saturday, November 13 and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at

9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Tickets to Pacquiao vs. Margarito, priced at $700, $500, $300, $200, $100, and $50, go on sale Saturday, September 18 and can be purchased in-person at the Cowboys Stadium ticket office in Arlington, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

This marks Pacquiao’s second world championship headlining appearance at Cowboys Stadium. On March 13, professional boxing made its debut at Cowboys Stadium where close to 51,000 fans watched Pacquiao successfully defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against former world champion Joshua Clottey. Call it Mannyfist Destiny, Pacquiao, no stranger to making history, will not only be looking to expand his trophy case by winning an unprecedented eighth world title in as many different weight divisions, but he will also be the first elected official to fight for a world championship, much less headline a major international pay-per-view promotion. He won a seat in his country’s Congress, winning the lone seat from the province of Sarangani, in a landslide in the May 10 election.

“It was an honor to fight in the first world championship held at Cowboys Stadium. Jerry Jones was a wonderful host,” said Pacquiao. “I look forward to returning to Cowboys Stadium and fighting before the wonderful fans in North Texas. I know Antonio Margarito poses great challenges for me but Freddie Roach and I will train our hardest to win. I am fighting for more than pride or history. I am fighting for the glory of the Philippines.”

For Margarito, a three-time world welterweight champion, this will be his second attempt at a world super welterweight title. Margarito’s resume includes victories over six former or current world champions. Known as the “Tijuana Tornado,” the hard-hitting Margarito is the WBC’s International super welterweight champion and its No. 1 super welterweight contender.

“I look forward to this fight with Manny Pacquiao to prove once again that I am one of the best fighters in the world,” said Margarito. “Pacquiao has stopped some of the best Mexican fighters in the world, but he won’t be able to stop this Mexican.”

“Cowboys Stadium was built for Super Bowls and super fights. Pacquiao vs. Margarito combines the best elements of both,” said Jones. “The fans of North Texas embraced Manny Pacquiao as boxing’s No. 1 pound for pound attraction when he fought here in March and we cannot wait to extend our hospitality to him again and to

fellow world champion Antonio Margarito. This is a great fight, and it is one we can showcase to the fullest in Cowboys Stadium.”

Cowboys Stadium will be configured for over 50,000 fans for Pacquiao vs. Margarito, with elevated floor seating similar to NBA games.

“Jerry Jones has ushered in a new era in boxing as 51,000 fans witnessed at Cowboys Stadium last March when Manny defended his welterweight title,” said Arum.

“Jerry knows exactly how to present an event of this magnitude which is why it is so easy to work together again. Manny and Antonio have never backed away from a challenge. They don’t go around obstacles they meet them head-on, which is exactly what they will do on November 13 when they face each other in the ring for the world title. It’s going to be a night to remember for the fans in North Texas and those watching on pay-per-view around the world.

“Manny Pacquiao is a boxing superstar and a world figure,” said Mark Taffet of HBO Pay-Per-View. “Cowboy Stadium is a world-class venue. We look forward to bringing sports fans another big night with the Pacquiao-Margarito telecast on November 13.”

Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, returns to the ring after successfully defending his WBO welterweight title via a dominant unanimous decision over former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion Clottey. Pacquiao captured the WBO welterweight title last November with a brilliant 12th round knockout of four-time world champion Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao’s victory made him the first man to win seven titles in as many different weight divisions, with his last three world championships coming by way of knockout. The consensus Fighter of the Year for the third time in the past four years and the Boxing Writers Association of America’s “Fighter of the Decade,” Pacquiao’s resume features victories over future Hall of Famers, including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez and Cotto. His knockout victories over Cotto and Hatton made him the 2009 pay-per-view king, exceeding two million buys combined, while no boxer has sold more live tickets than Pacquiao in 2010.

Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs), a native of Tijuana, México, captured his first world title in 2002, winning the vacant WBO welterweight title with a tenth-round TKO of Antonio Diaz. He reigned as WBO champion for five years, successfully defending his title seven times – five by knockout – including victories over world champions Kermit

Cintron, Andrew Lewis and Clottey. After losing the title to Paul Williams in 2007, Margarito dethroned IBF welterweight champion Cintron in a rematch, knocking him out in their 2008 fight. Margarito claimed his third welterweight title when he stopped undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Miguel Cotto in the eleventh round of their July 2008 battle, arguably the fight of the year.

The Pacquiao vs. Margarito pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET /

6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive

HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Margarito fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com or www.toprank.com .

“We played basketball in Ohio. We talked about the game, life, about my amateur background. He said I started boxing as a professional at a great time. You’re not burnt out. As an amateur you got 40 fights, you’re in a good place, you can grow, keep learning on the job but you don’t have time to BS. So his whole thing was don’t waste not time BSing. If you want to take it for real, for real. One other thing I remember he said Don King was the best promoter in the world [smiles]. I know he’d take those words back in a minute.”

“He said to me also I remember, The only thing a man does to you is what you allow him to do. So it was good, we played basketball in Ohio at King’s camp. We just relaxed, he had probably four or five Bentleys and Mercedes in the camp in the driveway. You know, he had all that money coming home.”

Does Tyson have any skills in basketball?

“Hell no. He was throwing bricks. But dents in the backboard. We had a really good time though. Then I saw him again when King went to court with Chavez. Then we all had dinner, talked BS.”

“Then we saw each other at Jimmy Glenn’s, we had a great conversation. We talked, I told him how I thought he did a great job on Oprah’s show. And I really looked up to him. I told him I was on the edge of my seat crying. I said he spoke value for a lot of fighters on just an emotional level of what we go through. He gave me a big hug and shook my hand. I really love that brother and I appreciate it. He said, In boxing when you cut off all the layers, you show who you are truly and be sincere, always be sincere for yourself.”

“And I told him, Thank you for what you did for the sport of boxing. He brought a lot to the sport of boxing. But we had a good conversation.”

Do you think Tyson is different now than when you first met him in the 90′s?

“Yeah, he was more cocky, arrogant then. Now he’s more humble. He’s been through his journey. So when you go through a journey, you gain a lot of wisdom. So I think he’s in a better state now and his temperment is very good. And he seemed to be good, you know? He’s doing is (Animal Planet) show for the pigeons. He seemed to be in a good state and I’m happy for him.”

“I first met him in ’92 or ’91, before he went to jail. I met him in Brooklyn – I used to live in a place called Linder projects. He used to have a good friend who would always be there. So he used to come with the Jaguars and all that stuff. That’s when I first originally met him. But he’s good people.”

Two-time heavyweight title challenger Monte Barrett is weighing options about resuming his heavyweight boxing career, including a pay-per-view rematch vs. David Tua.

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This is a big day. Samuel peter has been training for weeks in Big Bear for the opportunity for fight Wladimir Klitschko in Frankfurt. Germany. He is here with his long time manager Ivaylo Gotsev, his trainer Abel Sanchez and Tom Loeffler from K2 Promotions who will tell us about the September event in Germany.

Todd duBoef: Welcome, this is a wonderful opportunity for Top Rank to work with K2 Promotions again and I will let Tom speak about the event.

Tom Loeffler: We are really excited about the event as well, hosting another Klitschko fight and heavyweight championship fight in Germany. This one will be at the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt. It will be scaled for 45,00 people and will be live in Germany on RTL as well as over 100 other countries and in the US it will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and re-broadcast on Sunday on ESPN1. We are looking forward to having a lot of viewers for this rematch. The fight came about when Povetkin cancelled after we won the purse bid for that and we are really happy we could work out this fight. Samuel is a true warrior and there was really no hesitation at all for him wanting to get back in the ring with Wladimir. In fact, ever since the first fight, Ivaylo has told me he wanted a rematch and now it is coming to fruition on September 11.

Todd duBoef: Before we were involved with Sam Peter, I was fortunate enough to be at that first fight, Miguel Cotto was the co-feature on the card, and it was an incredible fight. When people think of great heavyweight fights, to have anyone down three times in a fight and not get the decision, something spectacular must have happened. Sam and Ivaylo have clawed there way back to where they are and I give them a lot of credit for their determination. Ivaylo I think is a government spy…he had Sam training early on thinking the Povetkin fight was not going to happen, so I think the US government will be interviewing him soon about knowledge behind the scenes in the eastern European part of the world and maybe help world diplomacy. Now I would like to introduce the man with the foresight to see this fight coming.

Ivaylo Gotsev: It’s been about 10 years since the day I laid eyes on Sam Peter at the Olympic games in Sydney. Way back then I saw something special about Sam, he had certain tools and I knew he was destined to be world champion. Four years before that I saw Klitschko and had my eyes on him and I knew he was going to be a great champion. Now our roads have collided on two occasions and Sam will provide the biggest challenge to the Klitschkos in the last five years. You have seen the first fight and you will see a great fight on September 11.

Sam Peter: I have a lot to prove. I have a chance to redeem myself from the 2005 fight. It is going to be a great fight. I am getting another chance to prove that I am the best heavyweight champion in all. The loss was a bad mistake. This time I am going to prove that I can become a champion again. For sure, on September 11 in Germany it is going to be a great fight. I don’t have much to say because I know that my gloves will speak for me in the ring.

Abel Sanchez: I have been with Sam now since last May. The dedication has been the big difference I have seen in Sam. I have been able to keep him in the gym six or seven days a week. We have been in camp for eight weeks and we are looking forward to a great heavyweight fight because I think he has put in the work this time. I think in the past he has allowed outside sources to distract him and he had a lack of commitment but I think his time, to me, it has changed. The first one was exciting and this is going to be just as much.

Did you feel the Chambers loss was bottom for you?

Sam Peter: Yes, and I will be looking for that boy again after this fight. I don’t know how that boy did what he did but after this fight I will take care of him.

Everything at time was frustrating at that time. I had lost the championship and the promotion was so bad. I am OK now and everything is straight up. I have the best promoter in the world and the best coach in the world, I have the best manager in the world and I am going to be the best.

Everything in Big Bear is great. It is a great place to train. It is very peaceful. I didn’t know about Big Bear for all these years but it is a great place to train. Abel brought me up here and he doesn’t take my nonsense. He doesn’t take “No” for an answer. He wants to see working. I am happy about being here.

How important is it to you to be champion once again?

Sam Peter: Very, very important, that is why you see me in Big Bear. This time around I am taking this fight very seriously. It is important for me to leave my home to be in camp. It wasn’t easy to leave home.

Can you learn anything from the first fight?

Sam Peter: That has already been taken care of. On September 11, he will be down and will not stand up again.

Abel, what do you see in Sam that makes you think he can beat Klitschko?

Abel Sanchez: When I first started with Sam in May of last year, I told him next summer we would be talking about Klitschko and in 12 or 14 months we would be fighting Klitschko and we would have to prepare for him from that day. He has been progressing. Everybody has looked at Sam as a big brawler and a big puncher but we have been trying to get him some boxing skills that he had put aside. We have been developing them again. You can’t just come in the ring with a single plan against Klitschko; you have to come in with an A, B and a C plan and to be able to use them at different times. He has been working on that and has improved a lot on the boxing end of it, not just the brawling end of it.

Do you feel your experience between 2005 and now will help you in this rematch?

Sam Peter: I have been a professional now for 10 years and have been fighting the best. Everything has changed a lot for me and September 11 is going to be a great show. Everybody is going t see me in a different way than 2005.

How is the way you closed the fight against Aguilera going to help you?

Sam Peter: That fight was a fight for me to move on. I don’t really want to talk about that fight. I just wanted to make a statement and I made it and now I am here.

Ivaylo Gotsev: For those of you who have followed Sam’s career, one thing he always brings to the table is his punching power and that’s what has been a missing ingredient in this heavyweight business. Another missing ingredient is the willingness to throw those punches and take the risks. Although everybody regards Klitschko as a big puncher, he is not a risk-taker. Samuel is a risk-taker and a big puncher and that’s what makes him so exciting. He is a pure puncher and that’s what you are going to see on September 11.

I think his jab has looked better also…

Sam Peter: You’ll see the jab on September 11th.

Todd duBoef: We talk about the career of Sam Peter…he is young. He is a young guy who has fought everybody and excelled with tremendous ability early on coming out of the Olympics. Where he is today, he is so primed and ready. Time is on his side because he doesn’t have a lot of wear and tear and he isn’t at the latter part of his career. James Toney is over 40, now we have someone who is very seasoned at a young age ready to capture the title back.

Tom Loeffler: In Germany, this is one of the most anticipated fights as the Klitschkos go. Sam is perceived as a very dangerous opponent. He had Klitschko down three times and has tremendous punching power. Sam has 27 KOs and Wladimir has 48 KOs and that’s 75 KOs between the two of them. They are both really big hitters and in the first fight Sam was a favorite to beat him. Tickets sales in the weeks leading up to the fight have been really strong.

Do you think you can get a decision in Germany?

Sam Peter: The victory and my judges I have in my right hand and the judge is my left hook. There will not be a decision this time around. This time he will not get up from my left hook. I am ready and I am prepared and I will not need a referee or a judge.

Klitschko has improved also since the first fight…

Sam Peter: He has not improved. He is still right, right, left, right. Jab, left hook. He doesn’t improve. This time it will be different.

Do you think he will be taking you lightly?

Sam Peter: I don’t know. But I will be bringing my own judge and referee to Germany on September 11.

How will it be different when you get him down this time?

Sam Peter: This time around anyone I touch will not be standing up. I don’t think Wladimir will be able to stand me after four rounds.

What has been the motivation to get back to this level?

Sam Peter: Before I rushed myself in everything I did, but now I don’t rush. I take everything the way it comes. I am taking this very seriously and September 11 is going to be a great fight. There is going to be a lot to watch and a lot to remember.

Klitschko is still the same person I fought five years ago. Nothing has changed. Both Klitschkos are still the same fighters they have always been.

Todd duBoef: This fight is showing global appeal of the sport. Great heavyweight fights create a lot of interest. It has always been that way and it always will be that way. Everyone always asks us who is going to be the next great heavyweight. Well, on September 11, we feel it will be Sam Peter’s shining moment so tune in because it is going to be exciting.

I believe Wladimir Klitschko is still 100% motivated and focused on boxing and he is about fully matured and experienced and at his phyiscal prime right now. This all means Wladimir is going to dominate and destroy Samuel Peter by a ten-count knockout on September 11, 2010 in Germany.

Ouma has one of the most unbelievable stories in professional sports. He was kidnapped by the National Resistance Army at the age of six in his home country of Uganda and forced to be a child soldier. After years of being ordered to do unthinkable things, Ouma found boxing. While on a trip with the Ugandan National Boxing Team, Ouma entered the United States and did not leave. He turned pro in 1998, eventually wining the IBF Jr. Middleweight world title. While boxing in the US, Ouma learned that his father was beaten to death in Uganda, possibly due to his leaving the country. He did not escape violence once in the United States. In December of 2002, Ouma was shot twice as an innocent bystander during a drive by shooting in Florida. He was back in the ring the following May.

Many think that Ouma has lost a step and may be past his prime. He is only 31 years old, but he has lived the struggles of ten lifetimes. Ouma is coming off of a unanimous decision loss to current NABO and NABF Jr. middleweight champion Vanes Martirosyan. Ouma has been eager to get back in the ring to earn another world title shot. From poverty and war, to world champion glory, Ouma continues to fight.

“I can’t wait to get back into the ring in Reno.” Says Ouma. “I am thankful for this opportunity. Boxing is my life and my passion.”

Ouma’s dance partner is Reno, NV’s own, Joey Gilbert. A once top-ten ranked middleweight, Gilbert has an opportunity to position himself for a world title shot again. He has won three fights in a row, two by knockout.

Gilbert has been in the ring with a couple of the best middle and super-middleweights in the world. His first defeat came against current IBO middleweight champion, Peter Manfredo Jr. That fight ended prematurely as a result of an accidental headbutt, and Manfredo’s hand was raised by way of technical decision. In February of 2008, Gilbert went twelve hard rounds with super-middleweight world title challenger, Jesse Brinkley, and lost a decision. Now back at middleweight, the 34 year old Gilbert realizes the opportunity that is in front of him.

“It is an honor to fight Kassim Ouma.” Says Gilbert. “This is my shot, however, and I am committed to winning. A lot is on the line in this fight.”

The winner of Gilbert vs. Ouma will earn a top 15 world ranking by the WBA, and will be eligible for an optional title defense by the champion, Germany’s Felix Sturm. Ticket information will be announced soon.

ABOUT LET’S GET IT ON PROMOTIONS:

Reno, Nevada based “Let’s Get It On Promotions” was founded in 2000 by legendary boxing referee Mills Lane. In early 2005 he was joined by sons Terry and Tommy in the operations of the company. Along with super-middleweight world title challenger Jesse Brinkley, Let’s Get It On Promotions also promotes light-heavyweight contender Otis Griffin, middleweight prospects Brandon Gonzales, and Derek Hinkey, and lightweight prospect Bayan Jargal. For more information, please visit www.letsgetitonboxing.com.

About Grand Sierra Resort and Casino:

Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (GSR) is in the heart of Reno/Tahoe. GSR is northern Nevada’s most complete resort destination with nearly 2,000 guest rooms and suites. The property offers a wide variety of accommodations for the everyday business traveler to the complete family vacation with amenities that include 200,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, branded retail shopping, headliner entertainment, a cinema, a 50-lane championship bowling center, outdoor thrill rides, aqua golf driving range, an 85,000 square foot casino with 24 hours of heart-pounding action plus so much more. GSR is a proud member of Summit Hotels and Resorts, a prestigious brand of Preferred Hotel Group. For more information, please visit www.grandsierraresort.com or to make reservations call 800-648-5080.

Status: Boxing attorney/advisor.

DOB: October 13, 1973 In: Bronx, NY

First boxing memory: The first fight I remember vividly was when I was 9 or 10. I watched Larry Holmes vs. Randall “Tex” Cobb on television with my dad. I had seen other fights before this, but this one stands out for some reason. Cobb had taken such a beating and kept coming forward, I remember at the time thinking Cobb should have been declared the winner. Of course, the fight was a shutout and could have been stopped in the 9th round.

Last boxing book read: A screenplay called The Great Fight by Ken Del Vecchio. Next book: Heavyweight Armageddon, for sure.

Hobbies/interests: I love to play poker. I started close to 15 years ago in Law School, before the poker boom. Since then, I have become a decent player.

Favorite movies: There are certain movies I watch any time they are on television, so I guess they would qualify as my favorites, even though they may not necessarily be considered artistic masterpieces. Trading Places, The Jerk, Revenge of the Nerds, Bachelor Party, Brewster’s Millions, Caddyshack, Back To School. I am stuck in the 80’s.

Musical tastes: Pop, Hip Hop, R&B.

First job: Local movie-theater selling tickets. I was maybe 14-15 years old.

Current car: 2006 Honda Odyssey. What can I say, I’m a family guy!

First famous boxer you ever met/encountered: I was at a shopping mall in Wayne, NJ. I was maybe 12 years old. My dad pointed to the jewelry counter and said, ‘Look, its Bobby Czyz.’ He was wearing a fur coat and had all these diamonds on and was escorted by a buxom blonde. Bobby turned out to be nice and gave me my first boxing autograph.

Greatest career moment: I was involved with manager Scott Hirsch and Shannon Briggs. On November 4, 2006 Shannon scored an incredible come-from-behind, last-second knockout over WBO heavyweight champion Sergei Liakhovich. The dramatic and unexpected way that Shannon came back and won the championship made the night that much more memorable.

Most painful moment: January 20, 2007. Jameel McCline was boxing WBA Heavyweight Champion Nikolay Valuev. Jameel has come within a hair of winning the heavyweight championship on a number of occasions, but somehow this loss seemed the worst. He was in the best shape of his life and I was 100% confident that he would win. At the end of the third round his knee blew out. We spent the entire night in the hospital in Switzerland. Jameel worked hard his entire career and deserved a break, I wish he would have picked up a major title. Boxing is a very unforgiving sport.

Funny boxing memory: I walked into Don King’s suite at the Michelangelo in New York. We were in the middle of a dispute at the time and I was trying to settle the matter with him. Anyway, As soon as I walk in the room, Don starts in with the worst verbal assault on me that you have ever heard. My friends Scott Hirsch and former Showtime executive Roy Langbord present, along with a few others. A minute or two into the tirade, I think to myself, ‘this is embarrassing, you have to do something.’ I stood up and pounded the table and shouted as angrily as I could, ‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANY MORE. IF YOU CURSE ME OUT FIFTY OR A HUNDRED MORE TIMES, I MAY WALK OUT OF HERE!’ Don paused for a brief moment, the room erupted in laughter, and then that unmistakable DK laugh followed. We settled. It was a very funny moment.

Embarrassing boxing memory: In my teens I participated in some “Tough-man” bouts. By that I generally mean unsanctioned bouts in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, etc. Most of the time there was a makeshift ring in someone’s back yard. Fights were one, two, and three minute rounds, depending on the proprietor’s preference. Sometimes we wore head gear, and sometimes we didn’t. The fights were incredibly entertaining. I liked to fight. Long story short, on one particular night a little pipsqueak who couldn’t have been 175lbs soaking wet – I was a muscular 220 lbs – gave me a hellacious beating in front of all my friends and my girlfriend. I am talking broken nose, black eye, the whole enchilada. It was so embarrassing, I didn’t want to show my face for a month. My girlfriend thankfully stayed by me despite the humiliation and eventually became my wife.

Childhood dream(s): I wanted to be a boxer or at least be involved in boxing ever since I can remember. When I was a kid, I was a boxing nerd. As a teenager I collected boxing trading cards. Prominent figures like Don King, Shelly Finkel, and Cedric Kushner were featured on the cards. It is great to actually be doing this. I’ve met a lot of my heroes.

Favorite boxers to watch: Felix Trinidad, Julio Cesar Chavez, Larry Holmes, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson. The heavyweight division is my favorite division. I believe that so goes the heavyweights, so goes the sport. Boxing really needs another heavyweight fighter like Mike Tyson or Muhammad Ali that transcends the sport. I hope he comes along, even if someone else represents him (laughs).
Favorite fights: Too many to name, Ali-Frazier trilogy, Hagler-Hearns, Leonard-Hearns, Pryor-Arguello, Holmes-Norton, Foreman-Lyle. I can go on and on.

Closest friends from boxing: Allan and Jay Wartski are two of the best people you could ever hope to meet. Allan and I first met in 1996 and began working with Jameel McCline. Allan’s family is like my extended family. Internet guru Scott Hirsch is a dear friend of mine. Promoter Cedric Kushner and I are very close. My kids call him “Uncle Ced.” Boxing lawyer extraordinaire Scott Shaffer is one of my best friends in boxing. Boxing manager Steven Heid is a great pal and business partner. And, my first client ever, Jameel McCline is my brother from another mother. I don’t know, I have lots of good pals in boxing, Walter Kane, Lou DiBella, Roy Langbord, and Leon Margules, to name just a few.

Funniest boxing people encountered: Boxing plays host to a number of colorful characters. I have had my ups and downs with this person over the years, but I have to say that Don King is one of the funniest people I have ever met in boxing. I love having dinners with him because he is so entertaining. I don’t think he means to be funny, but he just is. The “Colonel” Bob Sheridan is also absolutely hilarious.

People qualities most admired: Compassion, empathy, kindness towards others, humbleness, loyalty, and a good sense of humor. Unfortunately, people often mistake kindness for weakness. Be kind, anyway.

Education: BA Economics from Montclair State University; JD Seton Hall Law School

Interesting fact people may not know about you: I married my high-school sweetheart. We have been together for nearly 20 years. We have triplet boys, who are future Hall of Fame athletes.

(Photo taken by Frankie Pryor)

“I love Mayweather, I’m a big fan of Mayweather, I don’t want him to lose but I think Pacquiao is just a little too fast, too awkward for him,” says 25-year-old Stevens who hails from Brownsville, Brooklyn. “And he’s a southpaw too, that fights for 12 rounds – strong too. I think Mayweather will have trouble with Pacquiao.”

(Top 10 contender: Curtis Stevens of Brownsville, Brooklyn)

Stevens believes Pacquiao should be the betting favorite. “I think Pacquiao, right now, is the favorite. Mayweather don’t want to fight him now. He already agreed to the stipulations – Mayweather doesn’t want to do it now.”

Which leads to the obvious question. Does Stevens think Mayweather could be scared? “I believe Mayweather wants him to lose first, then fight him,” Stevens reveals.

When asked who Stevens thinks has the best chance to conquer Pacquiao now, he answers, “Mayweather is probably the best chance. Other than that – no one.”

When the name Paul Williams is mentioned as a candidate to beat Pacquiao, the 5-ft, 8-in. tall Stevens, no stranger to height disadvantagess says, “That would be a stupid fight. Too tall.”
Stevens, 21-3 with 15 KOs, lost an IBF 168-pound Eliminator in January on points to Jesse Brinkley in Reno, Nevada, but remains determined to accomplish his boxing goal. “I lost to Brinkley, so I have to pick myself up like a man and keep working hard. I want to be undisputed champ of the world. I want to get back in the mix and be back where I belong at.”

(Note: Later this week, we will present Curtis Steven’s exclusive analysis of the top guns of the Super Middleweight division and who he sees emerging as the Super Six tournament victor.)

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 175

DOB: November 4, 1987 In: Warsaw, Poland

Record: 14-2 (5 KO’s)

First Boxing Memory: “Small kids, start in small club in Warsaw, my brother (Mark) bring me there. I start boxing there, I have first test. After training – I’m very tired – I say, Mark, I don’t go never (again) to boxing training. But he say, No, you must go. I went again. Went again. And I’m still in boxing [smiles].”

Inspirations: “I want to be the world champion (of) some good federation. I’m training hard. I want to win good fights. Now I’m light heavyweight, but I think the top of my weight is cruiserweight.”

Nickname: “No. Just Andrew Fonfara.”

Hobbies/Interests: “I like soccer. And I like boxing.”

Last Book Read: “I don’t read books.”

Favorite Movie: “It’s 300.”

Favorite TV Show: “It’s Jerry Springer [smiles].”

Musical Tastes: “Every kind. (Name a name?) Frankie Polock.”

First Job: “Boxing.”

First Car: “Pontiac G6.”

Current Car: “Cadillac (gold).”

Favorite Meal: “Spaghetti.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate.”

Pre-Fight Feeling: “I be focused. I think about what I’m doing in the fight.”

Greatest Career Moment: “I win this belt (WBC Youth world title by TKO 4 Roger Cantrell in Chicago in Aril 2010). My belt, winning with boxing.”

Most Painful Moment: “I’m boxing with ESPN and lose with Derrick Findley in the second round. He punch me, left hook, right hook, I go down, stand up, he go at me and referee stop the fight.”

Funny Boxing Memory: “I have pro fight with a Mexican guy (Manny Castillo), he fouled me in head – elbow. And after, referee tell him, What are you doing here? And the guy say, What?! And he want to punch the referee [smiles]. And the referee disqualify him.”

Embarrassing Boxing Memory: “No.”

Favorite Boxers To Watch: “Tomasz Adamek is a very good fighter and very good guy. He’s Polish and I like his style. Pascal in the fight with Dawson. And Pacquiao too.”

Toughest Part Of Boxing: “I think it’s every day is hard. Every day training. It’s a hard sport.”

Describe Your Style: “Classic. Long jab, long right hand. I keep distance, move a lot. And I have good right hand and left hook. I’m always keeping long jab, long jab. This is key for fight.”

What do you need to improve: “I think I must start fight with little better opponents. I must start fights with better – If I win with better guy, I’m better too.”

Who was the first famous boxer you met: “Andrew Golota. When I was 17. He was the first top Polish fighter. I fight for my club in Poland, every fight I watch him. I want to be like him. I met him in Poland. He’s nice. We want to take a photo with him, he says, Okay, no problem. And after I come to Chicago and start professional boxing, and he help me a lot. He come into training. He help me a lot. I rent house with him.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Good person.”

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