Rest in Peace, Angelo Dundee…

Snooki the Promoter and the Return of Joe Palooka…

I must confess that I have never watched “Jersey Shore” but from what I have heard about the show, it’s basically a cast of bimbos getting drunk and laid (which actually makes me question why I do not watch “Jersey Shore”). But the show has created a pop culture star in Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and surprisingly enough, “Snooki” has branched out into the world of boxing promotions. Team Snooki staged its first promotion last Saturday at the Resorts in Atlantic City. The show featured the three Hyland brothers, Eddie, Patrick and Paul, as well as heavyweight Derric Rossy. By all accounts, the show was well-run and entertaining.

While some in the boxing community have been skeptical, I think this is a great thing for boxing, especially in Atlantic City. If her stardom can create a buzz about boxing on the Boardwalk, which has been sorely lacking recently, it can only be positive for boxing. We could use a personality like hers bringing attention to the sport. Plus, her interviews are quite entertaining. Recently in an interview with Cara Castronuova, she said she hoped to do some boxing training herself, “Y’ know, in case I get in a bar fight or something.” How great is that? I like the idea of boxing being thought of as cool by a star like “Snooki” and wish her the best going forward.


Another cool development outside of the ring is the reintroduction of the famed comic “Joe Palooka.” Ring announcer Joe Antonacci and some friends obtained the trademark name and are producing comic books with the title character as an MMA fighter. Although they now hold the trademark or copyright, the content by the previous author is still protected, so Palooka is now an MMA fighter, rather than a boxer.

I will be doing a full story on the new Palooka comic and Antonacci. I welcome any thoughts about the comic book and it can be read at: http://www.palooka.com. A 15-page sample from issue #1 can be read for free and the first two issues can be purchased together for $1.99. I would love to hear your reviews to add to my story.

Peterson-Khan II Likely not Happening Anytime Soon…

I think it’s fair to assume that we all believed the Lamont Peterson-Amir Khan rematch would be pretty well set by now. And I believe it would have been if not for the lack of respect and downright shameful behavior of Team Khan. At this point, it looks as if Peterson’s team is moving on while Team Khan continues its legal maneuvering. I doubt it will be long before Team Khan blames former DC Mayor (current Ward 8 Member, DC Council) Marion Barry for this loss.

It appears almost a done deal that Peterson will face Juan Manuel Marquez in July, with the winner facing the winner of the Manny Pacquiao-Tim Bradley fight. So it looks like neither Pacquiao-Mayweather nor Peterson-Khan II will be realized in 2012.

Pavlik Getting Settled in California…

Kelly Pavlik is out of Youngstown. He’s been in Oxnard, California now for a week and is settling into life with a new trainer and a new outlook. Pavlik will turn 30 in April and is probably facing his last chance at regaining his position among the top fighters in the world. To state the obvious, Pavlik was more than happy to say goodbye to 2011. The year started in alcohol rehab and ended with him making news in a reported alcohol-related ATV accident.

Pavlik joined us on the “East Coast Boxing Report” at blogtalkradio.com last month to discuss his outlook moving forward and how he believes he can still be an elite fighter. The interview can be heard here:

http://www.blogtalkr...with-alec-kohut

Hopefully, 2012 is a better year for Kelly, both in and out of the ring.

Jock-Sniffing Journalism…

In one of the worst cases of jock-sniffing, ass-kissing, disgraceful pieces of “news” re-porting I have ever seen, Elie Seckbach created a video titled “Floyd Mayweather, A Champ In & Out of the Ring.” Seckbach cites Mayweather’s donation of $100,000 to breast cancer research as “incredible.” The jock-sniffer then states in the video, “The fighter that many consider one of the greatest in history is always happy when he sees me.”

I guess to this “journalist,” it’s okay to engage in domestic violence, as long as you donate to a woman’s cause. To call Mayweather a champion out of the ring might be one of the most disgraceful and misogynistic things I have ever heard. And let’s keep in mind that Mayweather’s “incredible” contribution was actually part of his plea negotiations.

Cunningham in Rematch with Hernandez…

Steve Cunningham gets a well-deserved rematch this Saturday in Germany against Yoan Pablo Hernandez, who won a controversial technical decision over Cunningham last October. Following that fight, Cunningham told Maxboxing that he felt an immediate rematch was unlikely due to stipulations in the fight contract. However, unlike Amir Khan, Cunningham allowed the powers that be to make the arrangements necessary for the fight to be made.

I fully expect Cunningham to win a very lopsided decision over Hernandez. Cunningham clearly won the last four rounds last October after being floored by Hernandez in the opening stanza. It’s just too bad that Cunningham fights in Germany and won’t be telecast here in the States (save for perhaps via streaming sites).

This Weekend on the East Coast

Saturday at the Trop…

Saturday’s show at the Tropicana should be exciting and fun, especially the main event between Victor Vasquez and Dorin Spivey. Vasquez is an exciting fighter with a great following in Philly but has yet to score a victory against anyone even close to Spivey’s level. That said, Spivey’s best win came almost a decade ago and it’s unlikely he’ll have an easy time with Vasquez. So this seems to be a well-matched fight despite little chance the winner can advance in the lightweight division.

Chazz Witherspoon faces Evans Quinn, who is coming off a first round KO loss to Seth Mitchell, and should fare better if likely not victorious against Witherspoon. This could be a very good fight if Evans is in shape and motivated as he was when giving Sergei Liakhovich all he could handle for nine rounds. And Witherspoon failed both his big tests as a heavyweight against Chris Arreola and Tony Thompson, so if either fighter wants to be at all relevant among the heavies, he needs a convincing win Saturday.

Philadelphia prospects Dennis Hasson, super middleweight, 11-0 (3), and super featherweight Keenan Smith, 4-0 (1), are on the card against less than stellar opposition. Both bring solid boxing skills to the ring but their lack of power could prove costly as they move up the ranks. We should learn more about Hasson as the year goes on and he hopefully steps up his competition, while I’d just like to see Smith more active. He fought just three times in 2010 and has been inactive for 10 months now. Smith holds a solid amateur background but has yet to demonstrate the kind of power needed to move up in the pro ranks.

Joey Tiberi will no doubt bring his faithful and loud following from Delaware, which always adds energy to his fights.

Joe Hanks Headlines in Albany…

Joe Hanks, 18-0 (12), is a guy who could maybe add some excitement to the American heavyweight scene. He has good size at 6’4” and fights around 240 pounds. However, Hanks has yet to face anyone who could even remotely be called a quality pro. Most, if not all of his 12 knockouts have been against very soft opposition. Saturday in Albany, he’ll face Rafael Pedro, who, at 38 years of age, boosts a misleading 21-9-1 (15) record, built wholly on the chitlin’ circuit. Pedro comes into Saturday’s bout 2-6 in his last eight bouts.

By the end of 2012, we should have a much better idea of Hank’s potential or lack thereof; However, this bout will likely be an easy one or two-round stoppage win for Hanks.

Fairfax Patriot Center Card Taking Shape…

Former “The Contender” star Jimmy Lange is one of the most successful local fighters in America. His shows at George Mason University’s Patriot Center easily draw 2,000 to 3,000 fans and they put on a very entertaining show. The atmosphere is family-friendly without the offensive music too often heard at boxing shows.

The February 11^th card will feature two WBU title fights. And while the WBU belt ranks just one step above the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association title, the belts do add a feeling of relevance to the shows. Lange will face Ruben Galvan in a bout that should determine if Lange can seriously think about moving up in the junior middleweight ranks. He’ll need a better overall performance than he had against Raul Munoz last September.

The other WBU “World” title fight features Michael Stewart against Joe Wyatt at welterweight. This could be a really, really good fight. They’re well-matched and both come to fight. Without a doubt, this is the most appealing fight of the night.

Harry Joe Yorgey, 23-1-1 (11), returns to face the tall, lanky and awkward Zain Shah, 6-0 (4). This could be a good bout as Shah has improved greatly over his short career, learning to use his height and putting punches together that have surprising power. Yorgey has fought just once since suffering a beating at the hands of Alfredo Angulo and that was in Oklahoma. Don’t be surprised if Shah takes an early lead and holds on for the decision win.

Popular VMI grad and former collegiate champion Todd Wilson will again be part of the card with his large and loyal following, bagpipes and all.

If the Fairfax shows prove anything, it’s that I am 100% correct when I state that the average American sports fan is dying to be invited back into boxing without needing to pay for premium channels and ridiculous pay-per-view prices.

As always, Team Lange has set aside a block of tickets, available at special Maxboxing rates. Just send me an email if you are interested.