21.12.06 – On the twelfth Day of Duva Boxing: A twelve-round (or less) beating. Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter (27-1, 22 KOs) knows that James Toney has been naughty for too long and when he meets him again on January 6, Peter will give Toney his late Christmas present: a nice long nap on the canvas while sugar plum fairies dance in his head..
On the eleventh Day of Duva Boxing: Up eleven in the rankings.
That’s how many places WBC #11-ranked super lightweight Kendall “Rated R” Holt (21-1, 12 KOs) will jump in the world rankings when he finally gets his shot at a champion. Holt’s been calling for a title shot all year and even scored a nationally televised 12-round unanimous decision over red-hot Isaac Hlatshwayo this year. Hlatshwayo had scored impressive victories over Phillip N’dou and Nate Campbell, but when Holt was done with him, he looked like he’d been run over by a reindeer
On the tenth Day of Duva Boxing: Ten seconds on the canvas.
That’s how long Mike Marrone (16-0, 13 KOs) will put JD Chapman, and any other fellow rising heavyweight prospect, on the canvas to finally get his due as THE young heavyweight to watch. 21-year-old Marrone was born to be heavyweight champion and a victory over another undefeated prospect like Chapman would help guide his sleigh to the top of the division.
On the ninth Day of Duva Boxing: Nine consecutive victories.
That’s the current streak Brian “The Beast” Minto (27-1, 16 KOs) is on. All of the other heavyweights used to laugh and call the little 5’ 11” Minto names. Then he went on a nine-fight winning streak including a knockout of former top contender Axel Schulz one foggy night in Germany. Santa is going to give sometimes-naughty Brian an open phone line, so that he can reach out to his promoter and say he’s awake and ready to do the right thing.
On the eighth Day of Duva Boxing: Standing eight counts.
For anyone who dares get in the ring with Duva’s hot young welterweight prospect Raymond Biggs Jr. (4-0, 4 KOs). There must have been some magic in those leather gloves he found. For when he places them on his hands, people fall down. Biggs is so fast and slippery; he’s the fighter who even reminds his new trainer, Pernell Whitaker, of Pernell Whitaker.
On the seventh Day of Duva Boxing: Seventh anniversary.
2007 will mark seven years since Kirk “Bubba” Johnson (36-2-1, 26 KOs) knocked out current WBC Heavyweight Champion Oleg Maskaev in four rounds. Johnson has only lost twice in his career and if he can stay healthy, he is still one of the most dangerous big men in boxing.
On the sixth Day of Duva Boxing: Six world titles.
Career-long Duva family superstar Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June. Whitaker retired with a final mark of 40-4-1, with 17 KOs, won a gold medal in the 1984 Olympic Games and went on to capture six world titles in four different weight classes (WBA, WBC and IBF Lightweight, IBF Light Welterweight, WBC Welterweight, and WBA Light Middleweight). Pernell the slippery southpaw, you’ll go down in history!
On the fifth Day of Duva Boxing: Five groups in harmony.
A sincere hope that promoters, managers, agents, TV networks and fighters can work with each other in an HONORABLE way and stay out of the courtrooms once and for all.
On the fourth Day of Duva Boxing: Four major networks.
HBO, Showtime, ESPN and Versus – A Christmas wish that all four will begin strong programs to develop boxing’s next generation of superstars. Urge the major boxing networks to listen to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come and continue to give boxing fans new stars to follow.
On the third Day of Duva Boxing: Three new signings.
Patrick Lopez (9-0, 7 KOs), Isaac Rodriguez (8-0, 8 KOs) and Enrique Gutierrez (10-1, 8 KOs) will all be joining the Duva Boxing family in 2007. These three young tigers will surely make for three more world championship stockings to hang by the chimney with care.
On the second Day of Duva Boxing: Two words: LOU DUVA
84 years old and as strong and fiery as ever, the Hall of Fame family patriarch lives on and keeps punching. We are sending out Christmas hope for another happy and healthy year in 2007 for Lou Duva.
On the first day of Duva Boxing: One grateful promotional company, Duva Boxing, wishing for a long and fruitful partnership with Don King Productions and most of all, wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
See You Next Year Boxing Fans!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Duva Boxing