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Staff Sergeant Samuel
Brown
04/22/07 |
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A professional record of 4 - 3 doesn't turn a
lot of heads, unless you have serves 3 tours of duty in the war and are
an active Staff Sergeant in the United States Army. SSG Sam Brown is a
soldier with 14 years of active service in our armed forces. He also
wanted to come to Philly, in particular The Legendary Blue Horizon to
prepare for his upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. The Sarg recently
took the time to speak with us prior to his most recent fight at The
Blue to discuss both of his careers, his amateur background and why he
chose Philadelphia as the place to go prepare for war.
Read the full interview here. |
Rogers "The Tiger" Mtagwa
07/19/07 |
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Rogers Mtagwa and his team are plain tired of
getting the shaft. In a weight class where big paydays and national
recognition are few and far between, Mtagwa is known around the world as
a fighter who lays it all on the line every time out. He just can't seem
to catch a break. After being a victim of one bad decision after
another, Mtagwa is taking matters into his own hands by retuning to his
adopted home of Philly to fight Aldo Valtierra for the vacant NABF
featherweight title (a fight he went on to win by split decision).
Mtagwa's story goes beyond that of hard luck in the ring. Originally
born in Tanzania, he come to the USA in 2000 in hopes of pursuing a
boxing career that would lead to riches he could never attain in his
homeland. Since speaking with us, his win against Valtierra has snatched
him a #5 ranking in the IBF and a top 15 spot in the WBC rankings so a
big time fight could be right around the corner. His team wants it bad,
Read the full interview here.
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Mike "Machine Gun" Jones
07/19/07 |
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Ticket paying fans love to see a good
knockout. Mike Jones from the Mount Airy section of Philly has taken the
local scene by storm in 2007 piling up knockout after knockout and is
close to putting his name into the mix of hot welterweight prospects
from around the country. Fighting under the Peltz Boxing Promotional
Banner since turning pro, the Machine Gun is has become a big crowd
favorite at The New Alhambra and has also recently done some traveling
fighting in other parts of the country. I caught up with Jones along
with his managers Doc Nowicki & Jimy Williams at The Philly Rumblers
Boxing Club Gym as he prepared for what at the time would be his
stiffest challenge to date, a showdown (that turned into a mowdown) of
Doel Carrasquillo. So who is Mike Jones and where did he come from?
Read the full interview here.
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"The Professor" Chuckie
Mussachio
06/21/07 |
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In the ring, he is a rising Light Heavyweight
prospect with a highly decorated amateur career. He is currently 10 - 0
as a professional and two time collegiate national champion in the
amateurs. Outside of the ring, The Professor Chuckie Mussachio has a
Masters degree in guidance counseling and spends his days as a school
teacher who dedicates his time to helping the young kids of Wildwood New
Jersey. he Lock Haven University graduate has a very interesting story.
His father is a trainer, he has a valuable college degree, so how far
will he pursue boxing career? The Professor spoke with us previous to
his first appearance as a headliner in Whippany, NJ. In this interview
he reveals the balance it takes to be a teacher during the day and
fighter at night. He also lets us know who his idols were in the ring
and much more.
Read the full interview here.
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Ronald "Winky" Wright
05/17/07 |
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Pound for pound, he is one of the best
fighters in the world. But not so long ago Winky Wright was another
unknown sturggling to find his place and opportunity in the boxing game.
While many would have hung up the gloves, Winky persevered and did it
the hard way, traveling around the globe and paying his dues for years
until finally bursting on the national scene with a surprisingly one
sided win over "Sugar" Shane Mosley. Since then he has gone on to beat
Felix Trinidad, Mosley again and Ike Quartey. I caught up with Winky
during a press conference to promote the biggest fight of his career
when he faced off against Philly's own Bernard Hopkins. Winky talked a
big game but in the end he found himself on the losing end of a
unanimous decision.
Read the full interview here. |
Tyrone "Young Gun"
Brunson
04/30/07 |
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He is 15 - 0 with all 15 of those wins coming
by way of knockout. 15 first round knockout that is. Yet still many
don't know who Tyrone "Young Gun" Brunson is. Those who do have their
questions about the man who is on pace to break the all time record for
1st round knockouts to start a career. Say what you want about the level
of competition he has faced, to be able to dispose of grown men at this
rate is definitely something worth keeping an eye on. Young Gun spoke to
us from New Zealand as he prepared to knockout a few more in the 1st.
Since the time of our interview, Brunson signed on with Don King
Promotions and is one fight away from breaking that all time record
which stands at 18. Check out what the South Philly native has to say
about his career, how he is slept on in Philly and his guarentee to one
day become champion of the world!
Read the full interview here.
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Clarence "Sonny Bono"
Taylor
04/22/07 |
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Some fighters have the luxury of starting
their careers with protective teams and hand picked opponents. Others
have to make their names the hard way by taking on the youngest and
toughest in business. Clarence "Sonny Bono" Taylor is among the select
group who will travel the country to give anyone who stands in front of
him a stern test in a winning or losing effort. The Wilmington DE native
has been through our area a few times in the past and has beaten two of
our toughest in Jose Medina and Joe Christy on their home turf and most
recently traveled to Kansas City and starched an up and comer to win the
WBC USNBC Super Welterweight title. It was a long, hard road for the man
who claims that now one of his life goals is to meet Cher. A rough
upbringing followed by a stretch in the state pen would have left most
men down and out. Bono found a way to break the cycle through boxing and
put everyone young and old at 154 lbs on notice.
Read the full interview here. |
Don Elbaum
04/06/07
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It is one of those undisputable fact of
life... nobody does it better than "The Don". Whether it's a club show
or a major event, legendary matchmaker Don Elbaum puts on the fights
that get the fans out of their seats. While he has mastered the fine art
of competitive matchmaking, a lesser known fact is that he also serves
as an advisor to some of the hottest prospects in the game. We caught up
with Don at the Blue Horizon pre fight press conference leading up to
the April 6th event and he took the time to discuss the making of the
card as well as the immediate plans for fighters such as "Fast" Eddie
Chambers, Harry Yorgey and Elad Schmouel who are under his watchful eye.
Read the full interview here. |
"Slick" Simon O'Donnell
04/05/07
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Us Irish boys here at Philly Keith Sports just
love our Irish fighters. The bare knuckle champ John L. Sullivan, Wayne McCullough, Mickey Ward and now our new
favorite, "The Slick Fighting Irishman" Simon O'Donnell who comes to us
straight from Ganway, Ireland. This 21 year old middleweight prospect
only has 4 pro fights but we can tell already that he is someone to keep
an eye on. Slick Simon spoke with us before his April 6th showdown
against Joe Christy, a fight he went on to win via hard fought decision.
O'Donnell touched on the long fighting tradition of the O'Donnell family
back home in Ireland, his training in the states at Shuler's Gym, his
fellow Irish middleweight counterparts and much more.
Read the full interview here. |
Harry Joe Yorgey
03/28/07
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Do you like young fighters who put it all on
the line every time out? If so, Bridgeport's Harry Joe Yorgey is your
guy! Not only is he an action packed fighter, did you know he was a
highly recruited football player coming out of high school? Our pick for
Philly Fighter of the Year in 2006 spoke to us before his up coming
fight against Minnesota tough guy James Wayka (A fight he went on to win
by 1st round KO) to talk about his classics from November of '06, how he
prepared for his up coming fight and much more.
Read the full interview here. |
Simon "One Punch" Carr
03/07/07
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He has been to prison, he has been in the ring
and now he is going behind the scenes with intentions of bringing the
glory back to Philadelphia boxing. South Philly's own Simon "One Punch"
Carr recently stopped in to discuss his recent signing / partnership as
the newest member of Lion Heart Boxing Promotions. Teek and One Punch go
in depth on a variety of topics including his career in the ring, his
business ventures outside of it and what makes him one of the most
unique figures not only the boxing career but how he intends to take it
to the next level.
Read the full interview here. |
"King" Gabriel Rosado
03/06/07
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You already know the name and now you have the
chance to hear from “King” Gabriel Rosado, the new face of Greg
Robinson’s Power Productions Over the past year, Rosado has become a
local favorite and is starting to fill the seats where ever he is
fighting. Fans pay to see his bang it out style and his team loves him
because of his heart and willingness to take on anyone put in front of
him. With a new team but same heart, the young North Philly Middleweight
is ready to take it to the next level and isn't afraid to let the world
know.
Read the fill interview here. |
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"Terrible" Tim Witherspoon
part 2
2/12/07 |
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You can catch him ringside at most of the
Philly fight cards, and now the former WBC & WBA Heavyweight Champion of
the world "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon tells us he is getting
the itch to do it again! With over 20 years of experience in the
business, The Terrible One has pretty much seen and done it all. He has
some ideas to put that knowledge to use and also wants to hand down the
slick stuff taught to him by his older predecessors to the next
generation of fighters from our great city. Tim sits down with us for part 2 of our
interview series. He speaks on the Don King days, Kassim Ouma, ideas for
a reality TV show for boxing trainers and much more.
Read the full interview here. |
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Jamaal "Da Truth" Davis
2/5/07 |
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You might not know about Jamaal "Da Truth"
Davis and that's a damn shame because this kid got some fire in his
gloves and in his heart. I remember catching my first glimpse of him
fighting at the First District Plaza about a year ago and when he was
finished his work all I could say to myself was "damn". The dude is
fierce. I guess I wasn't the only one watching that night because since
then, it has been hard to find someone willing to get in the ring with
the West Philly Middleweight. Right now he might be a victim of those
back office politics but I have the feeling that a few years from now,
when we talk Da Truth it will be about how he was able to overcome the
struggle. The Shuler's Gym soldier hasn't let it get him down as he is
still working hard in the gym waiting for the next opportunity under the
guidance of the First Lady of Philly boxing and only female trainer in
the city, Sharron Baker. Jamaal also fights the good fight outside of
the ring, supporting the cause and bringing awareness to find a cure for
breast cancer. He took the time to talk about his position and remind
everyone that "The City is Mines"
Read the full interview here.
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Tim Witherspoon
part 1
1/30/07
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Former WBC & WBA Heavyweight Champion of the
world "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon was gracious enough to take a few
minutes of his time to talk to Philly's top boxing photog Mike "Teek"
McGuigan for part 1 of an interview series that will hopefully document
the comeback of the man who is quite possibly the best heavyweight in
the history of Philly boxing. In the warm up round Tim talks a bit about
his past, his desire to get back into the ring and how he wants to be
remembered in the sport of boxing. While there is a lot more to come,
right now we want to let the fans know that we just might be seeing the
return of the Terrible One to a ring near you.
Read the full interview here.
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Steve Upshur Chambers
1/19/07
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For those of you who prefer the fights at The
Blue Horizon, you have come to know the Chambers brothers very well over
the past few years. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Steve
Upshur Chambers, the rising junior welterweight prospect who is fresh
off of an exciting win over Lenny DiVictoria in December at the Blue
which brought his record up to 14 – 1. “Showtime” Steve believes big
things are in store for him and his brother in 2007 and he shares his
thoughts and plans with the fight fans around the world in this
exclusive.
Read the full interview here.
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Max Alexander
1/18/07
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February 9th, marks the return of up and
coming Light Heavyweight prospect Max Alexander, a Camden, NJ native
fighting out of Philadelphia whose has become one of the more popular
names in the area. While the local fans know what he is all about, he is
ready to take it to the next level and many agree that he has what it
takes to succeed. Mike Cassell of ESPN’s Philadelphia Boxing Report
touts Max as the next Roy Jones Jr. His skills have a few big name
promoters interested in acquiring his services. Max returns to the ring
on in a rematch of sorts against Minnesota’s Marty “The Wolfman”
Lindquist on a card aptly labeled “Can Lightening Strike Twice” at the
Legendary Blue Horizon in Philadelphia. The 12 - 0 Light Heavyweight was
having a stellar 2006 until he met Lindquist in October for a fight that
became filled with controversy and subplots. It was eventually was ruled
a no-contest by the state athletic commission and Max is ready to set
the record straight once and for all. He recently took a few minutes to
talk to Philly Keith Sports to let us know how he has been, where is now
and where he plans to go in the future.
Read the full interview here.
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Eddie Chambers
1/18/07
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A lot of people say the Heavyweight division
is lacking in American talent. Eddie Chambers is on a mission to
disprove that theory and become one of the biggest names in the
business. If you haven’t heard of him, “Fast” Eddie is a 24 year old
undefeated heavyweight with a 27 – 0 record, 15 of those wins coming by
way of knockout. Eddie recently signed a promotion deal with Goosen –
Tutor and will be featured on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on February 9th
against NY state champ Derrick Rossy for the USBA Heavyweight title. He
recently took the time to speak with Philly Keith Sports to talk about
who he is, where he came from and what he plans to do.
Read the full interview here. |
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Emmanuel Augustus
1/10/07
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Emmanuel Augustus is at it again, taking a
tough fight on his opponents promoters card and this time, on two days
notice. But that's just the way life has been for Augustus who has
become a big fan favorite over the years despite a record of 34-27-6.
His style is unique to say the least, have you ever seen anyone else
kick a guys ass while dancing in the ring? Hit up www.youtube.com and
type in Emmanuel Augustus to see what I mean. Anyway, Emmanuel was cool
enough to talk about his upcoming fight where he will be in the main
event against Kid Diamond on Thursday January 11th live on the Versus
network. My man held nothing back! Check it out.
Read the full interview here. |
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Jules Blackwell
1/3/07
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During the second half of the 2006 boxing year
at the Blue Horizon, the tide seemed to turn from fights featuring
experienced veterans and younger fighters on the cusp of making it to
the next level to cards filled with young hopefuls just breaking into
the professional ranks. Jules Blackwell, a 26 year old southpaw super
bantamweight from Phoenixville, PA made his pro debut on a sweltering
hot night this past July at the Blue and gave the fans their moneys
worth by scoring an impressive 2nd round knockout. Jules has stayed
active since that night, and enters 2007 with a 3 – 0 record.
Read the full interview here.
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