International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association lightweight champion Nate “Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KOs), his opponent IBF No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Ali “Rush Hour” Funeka (30-1-2, 25 KOs) and undefeated WBC and WBO No. 1-ranked contender Alfredo “Perro” Angulo (14-0, 11 KOs) participated in media workouts at American Top Team gym in South Florida today promoting Saturday’s big “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” card at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. (HBO Boxing After Dark tripleheader, 10 p.m. ET/PT)..
“Funeka said he knows me like the back of his hand,” Campbell told the media. “Now he gets to meet the front of my hand on Saturday night.”
Funeka made comments while training in his native South Africa that Campbell felt were disparaging. After arriving in America, Funeka has taken a much more conciliatory tack towards the unified lightweight world champion.
“Campbell is a good champion and a good boxer,” Funeka said. “I am hungry as well. I don’t want to talk any more trash this close to the fight.”
Angulo, who received news yesterday that Cosme “Chino” Rivera (31-11-2, 23 KOs) will step in to face him after Ricardo Mayorga pulled out, said he doesn’t like to say bad things about any boxer.
“It doesn’t matter that Mayorga pulled out,” a resolute Angulo said. “I was only disappointed for people who wanted to see me fight him. I trained to fight and I thank Cosme Rivera for taking the match on short notice. I respect Rivera because he is a veteran who has faced many great fighters, but when I enter the ring that respect will disappear. Then he will be just another opponent I must defeat.”
Rounding out the HBO-televised tripleheader is another match of great importance at 154 pounds pitting interim World Boxing Council super welterweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (44-1-1, 24 KOs) against former IBF welterweight champion Kermit “The Killer” Cintron (30-2, 27 KOs).
Cintron and Martinez arrived in South Florida this afternoon and will attend the event’s final press conference tomorrow (Thursday).
Tickets priced at $200, $75, $40 and $25 (with all seats 2-for-1 excepting a limited number of golden circle seats) are on sale now and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000, by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or at the BankAtlantic Center box office.
The event is presented by Don King Productions in association with Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler Attorneys at Law, V Georgio Vodka, The BOVA Restaurant Group, Renato Watches and QTask. Campbell vs. Funeka is presented in association with One Punch Productions. Martinez vs. Cintron is presented by DiBella Entertainment. Angulo vs. Rivera is a co-promotion with Gary Shaw Productions. Campbell vs. Funeka, Martinez vs. Cintron and Angulo vs. Rivera will also be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10 p.m. ET/PT. A full, domestically non-televised, undercard will begin at 5:30 p.m. with 12 bouts in total scheduled for the event.
Full Quotes
Nate Campbell: “Funeka said he knows me like the back of his hand. Now he gets to meet the front of my hand on Saturday night.
“Saturday night will be the culmination of a long hard training camp. Funeka is more important than my valentine. I spent less getting married than I did in training camp with my team and sparring partners. I could have bought my wife a new car with that money instead of putting in a full training camp, but I don’t look past anyone. This is what I love and do for a living.”
Ali Funeka: “Campbell is a good champion and a good boxer. I am hungry as well. I don’t want to talk any more trash this close to the fight, but I will take his titles with me back to South Africa.
“I am 6 feet 1 inch. Campbell has never fought anyone that tall. It will be new territory for him, and he will have to figure it out.”
Alfredo Angulo: “It doesn’t matter that Mayorga pulled out. I was only disappointed for people who wanted to see me fight him. I trained to fight and I thank Cosme Rivera for taking the match on short notice. I respect Rivera because he is a veteran who has face many great fighters, but when I enter the ring that respect will disappear. Then he will be just another opponent I must defeat.
“We have a saying in Mexico. Instead of people crying in my house, there will be crying in his house. I never know how the fight will end, but I come to win. If the knockout comes, it’s only sweeter.”
Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry Back in Ring Against Anthony Peterson
WBC USNBC lightweight title holder Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry (24-6, 12 KO’s) will be stepping back into the ring at MAdison Square Garden, on February 21st against lightweight contender Anthony Peterson (28-0, 19KO’s). Edner will be stepping back into the ring for the first time since losing a world title bid against WBC light welterweight title holder Timothy Bradley last September. Edner has dropped back down to lightweight and has made some changes in his training with longtime trainer Pete Fernandez. Edner states “I’m ready to go, ready to put on a show and ready to place the first loss on Peterson’s record. I’ll be bringing this win back home!”
The Cherry vs Peterson fight will take place on the undercard of the Miguel Cotto vs. Mike Jennings fight. Edner Cherry will address this fight as a guest of “Talking Boxing with Billy C” show on February 20th at 7:15am EST. This show will be broadcast nationwide on www.talkingboxing.com
BRINKLEY AND GILBERT, PEP RALLY AND BOXING CLINIC ON THURSDAY IN RENO
RENO, NV. (February 11, 2009) Super middleweights Jesse Brinkley and Joey Gilbert will take a break on Thursday from preparing for their long awaited showdown at “CIVIL WAR” this Saturday night, February 14th, to participate in “KID’S DAY in Reno, Nevada.
At 10am, Gilbert will be welcomed back to Bishop Manogue High School for a school wide Pep Rally from his alma mater. Gilbert graduated from Bishop Manogue HS in 1994. Said Gilbert, “I’m thrilled to return to my old high school and truly honored by their support for me as I prepare for this big fight with Jesse Brinkley.”
Bishop Manogue High School is located at 110 Bishop Manogue Dr. in Reno.
Brinkley will display his boxing skills in a kids clinic at the The Reno Boys and Girls Club at 4pm. The Reno Boys and Girls Club is located at 2680 E. 9th St. in Reno, NV. “I’m glad to take a break from the training and media obligations this week and spend some time with kids who have taken an interest in boxing” said Brinkley.
Advance tickets are still available for “CIVIL WAR” at the Reno Events Center Box Office and through Ticketmaster.