Roy Jones Jr. To Head Boxing/MMA Card in March

[JuniorVT]

http://mmajunkie.com/news/14182/petruze ... adness.mma

With Seth Petruzelli being forced out of a scheduled bout with Doug Marshall, a heavyweight matchup between Ken Shamrock (27-13-2) and Bobby Lashley (1-0) has been promoted to MMA main-event status for the MMA/boxing hybrid event "March Badness."

The organization today issued a press release announcing the change.

"March Badness," promoted by the event's boxing headliner Roy Jones Jr. and his Square Ring Promotions company, takes place at the Pensacola Civic Center in Florida on March 21 and airs on pay per view.

In February, Shamrock submitted Ross Clifton in the main event of Wargods' "The Valentine's Eve Massacre." The win was the 45-year-old's first in his past six bouts.

Clifton was a highly criticized opponent based on his losing record and less-than-impressive, 300-plus-pound frame. "The World's Most Dangerous Man" said he's excited to be taking part in such a high-profile event.

"I've done a lot of firsts," Shamrock stated. "I was the first heavyweight champ of MMA and first foreign champ in Japan. This is the first time two champions (Jones and Shamrock) in their individual sports, at this level, will be fighting on the same card -- boxing and MMA. I think it’s the way of the future and it’s happening now.

"Lashley got things going in wrestling and then the WWE. Now he's in MMA. He's very good. I think he's 270-pounds of muscle -- quick, explosive and strong. The area he lacks, ground skills, he makes up for with his strength and ability to move on the ground.

"He can really move on his feet. This isn't a fat guy laying on his back."

While many observers have been quick to point out the danger that could accompany facing an opponent like Lashley at this point in his career, Shamrock recently told MMAjunkie.com (http://www.mmajunkie.com) he believes he's earned the right to decide who to face.

"As long as we can get in there and put on good fights, and the fans want to watch us, we should be able to do this," Shamrock said. "People shouldn't be so critical about what we do. We've done a lot for the sport. We've done a lot of fights. I've had a lot of world championship bouts. Now I'm doing it because I'm enjoying it and I'm having fun."

Former collegiate wrestling champion and WWE superstar Lashley made his professional MMA debut with a 41-second TKO win over fellow MMA rookie Joshua Franklin in December 2008. While Shamrock is no longer the feared combatant he once was, Lashley said he's still looking forward to the next test in his very young career.

"I am excited to be part of this card alongside Roy Jones, Jr. and Square Ring Promotions," Lashley said. "I am looking forward to fighting an experienced opponent like Ken Shamrock and showing the fans that Bobby Lashley is a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. I am going to come out from the opening bell and show Ken Shamrock and the rest of the world that Bobby Lashley is not someone you want to mess with."

Additionally, former top UFC heavyweight contender Jeff Monson (27-Cool takes on IFL heavyweight champion Roy "Big Country" Nelson (13-3).

On the boxing portion of the card, Jones (52-5), an eight-time world champion and former Olympian, takes on Omar Sheika (27-Cool in a light-heavyweight contest.

[Keithlewis]

Jones-Sheika headlines boxing/MMA PPV show March 21in Pensacola

PENSACOLA, Fla. (March 12, 2009) – Square Ring Promotions officials announced this morning that, despite the reported CSAC (California State Athletic Commission) suspension of Ken Shamrock, its March 21 pro boxing/MMA pay-per-view event will be held as scheduled at the Pensacola Civic Center.

Eight-time world boxing champion Roy Jones, Jr. (52-5, 38 KOs) takes on 4-time world title challenger Omar Sheika (27-8, 18 KOs) in the main event on the hybrid show, presented by Square Ring Promotions, in association with Hirsch Borao Boxing and the Pensacola Civic Center.

“The show will go on,” Square Ring Promotions CEO John Wirt stated. “Ken said he was taking over-the-counter products and has requested an expedited appeal. We’re working with his group but, just in case, we are also looking for a possible replacement to fight Bobby Lashley. We have indentified some great replacements for Shamrock and have been in contact with them. A press release will be issued very soon as to which direction we will be going.”

The unique pro boxing/MMA show is being distributed by Square Ring Promotions, Inc.
at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in North America on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN,

DirecTV and Dish Network in the United States, as well as Viewer's Choice, Shaw Cable,
Star Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

The MMA portion of the card features a match-up between world-class grapplers Roy “Big Country” Nelson (13-6, 6 KOs, 4 Submissions), ex-IFL heavyweight champion, and former UFC title challenger Jeff “Snowman” Monson (27-8, 2 KOs, 15 Submissions).

Tickets, priced at $128.00, $103.00, $78.00, $53.00 & $28.00 are on sale and available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Pensacola Civic Center Box Office and ticketmaster.com.

[NWOWolfpack]

Hopefully they get someone to replace Shamrock...............wanted to see Lashley fight.........

[NWOWolfpack]

Former TUF 8 cast-off Jason Guida, brother of UFC Lightweight star Clay "The Carpenter" Guida, has stepped in on short notice and will fight former WWE superstar Bobby Lashley as the MMA main event of the "March Badness" hybrid boxing/MMA card being put on by Roy Jones Jr. on March 21st. Sources have stated that former Heavyweight boxing champion Hasim Rahman (who recently expressed his desire to get into MMA) and Don "The Predator" Frye were contacted, but neither could come to terms with the promoters.

The card was originally set to feature Lashley and UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock competing, but Shamrock was suspended this past week for failing a drug test related to his last fight on February 13th for the War Gods promotion. Shamrock was suspended for one year by the California State Athletic Commission and fined $2,500 and the suspension will be honored by the commission in Florida.

While Guida is most known either for his famous brother or his brush with the last season of The Ultimate Fighter before being cut from the show for missing weight, he is still a very serviceable heavyweight fighter and could prove to be a dangerous test for Lashley based on his experience alone. With Lashley only having one professional fight (only lasting 41 seconds), it should be a good barometer for how Lashley is improving since beginning training with American Top Team.

The "March Badness" card is set for the Pensacola Civic Center in Pensacola, FL and will also feature Roy Jones Jr. competing in a boxing match against Omar Sheika. Also scheduled for the MMA portion of the card is a Light Heavyweight bout between Seth Petruzelli and Doug "Rhino" Marshall as well as a Heavyweight showdown between Jeff "The Snowman" Monson and Roy "Big Country" Nelson.

http://www.mmamania.com

[Keithlewis]

[Keithlewis]

Final Press Conference Quotes From Pensacola
Wednesday, March 18, 2009


MMA

Gabe Lemley: MMA and boxing, the best of the worlds. This is Don’s first fight at 145 (pounds). I’m excited because I’ve been fighting at 155. We’re meeting where I’m comfortable. We’re going to put on a good show.”


Dennis Hallman: I’m happy to be fighting again – 16-month layoff. I would have liked to have met my opponent (Pensacola’s Danny Ruiz) today, but I guess he couldn’t get here. We’re going to put on a good show.”


Jason Guida: I’m really pumped for it. I want to thank Bobby (Lashley) for taking the fight. I’m going to do it. Everyone’s going to see a good show. We’re going to do something March 21st”


Bobby Lashley: I’m kind of shocked. Jason Guida’s been talking a lot. (Lashley read the following Guida quotes from a previous press release):

MMA is new to Bobby. I don’t have anything against him. Someday he could be good for MMA. I welcome him, after I beat him, to work at our club (Hellhouse) to learn how to fight. Lashley’s going to find out that this is MMA not WWE. He’s in for a rude awakening, which probably will be a good thing -- he’ll be fighting a real MMA guy.

This fight will be a good. I hope he can back-up what he said. I have a reason to fight now.

Roy Nelson: I’m hoping we’ll see Jeff Monson (reportedly in minor car accident this morning and unable to attend the press conference). This is my second time here (Monson wasn’t in Pensacola for either press conference) and maybe the third time will be the charm (Saturday). You’re going to see fireworks. We’re both great grapplers. Jeff brings it; he’s a good competitor and I’m a good competitor. Come Saturday only on is leaving the ring a winner and that’s going to be me.


(Lashley and Guida started exchanging words across the dais)


Guida: I didn’t say half but meant all of it (quotes in the release that Lashley previously read).


Lashley: I’m going to put him to sleep.


Guida: I’ve never seen you put anybody to sleep.


Lashley: He can keep dreaming.

(During the face-down Guida kept talking and moving closer to Lashley)


Guida: This is for real. How long have you been faking? How long in the WWE?


Lashley: I’m done talking.


Guida: How long has it been since somebody hit you on the chin for real?

(Guida got in the face of Lashley, who finally pushed Guida back, and Roy Jones, Jr. stepped between the two)



BOXING

Roy Jones Jr.:

To have people come out and support me like this is a great feeling. And all this trash talking that is going on it what it’s all about.

People are wondering why I have picked a big puncher like Omar Sheika to bring to my hometown. You know I don’t do anything easy. All these people are paying good money to come see the fights and we have to put on a good show. They don’t want to see easy fights. He’s 32 and this is an opportunity of a lifetime for him. I owe my fans a tough fight, that’s why I brought in a guy like this. You know he is going to be hungry.
I am 40-years now and I feel like I can go to 45. I do it because I love what I do.
This is the kind of an event that the MMA fights go quick and the boxing fights last a while. It is good for everybody. I hope it goes well. It is still two guys fighting in a ring. Man-to-man is what it is supposed to be and that’s why fighting is great.
I wouldn’t put a fight like this together if I didn’t think it was the wave of the future.

I used to get nervous fighting in my hometown. But I prepared for this fight the best I could. By having my dad in camp, I got my skills tuned up again.


Jones’ trainer Alton Merkerson:

It’s been a long time since Roy has fought in Pensacola and he has always promised to me that he would fight here again. This is the first event of its kind and I am glad to be a part of it. These are two veterans and both are warriors. Both have worked very hard and prepared to their best for this competition on the 21st.


Omar Sheika:

I’m in the best shape and this is the hardest I have trained in my whole life. They got me in the best shape to be prepared for the best Roy Jones. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. This will begin the second chapter of my boxing career. What he has accomplished, being an eight-time world champion, and I am here trying to get my first world title.

Maybe picking me wasn’t the smartest thing to do. I am very excited about this fight. On the 21st, there will be fireworks flying.


B.J. Flores:

I am full of gratitude with this opportunity to fight on the same card with a legend like Roy Jones. When I was a kid, I would run home after school to watch tapes of Roy Jones fighting against James Toney. Now I am fighting on the same card as him.
I want to show the people what I am about. Look at my face – this is a face of a World Champion. This fight will take me to greater things and that will fulfill all of my dreams.
I’m not here for fun and games and to joke around. This is my life and I take it very seriously.

* * *

Eight-time world boxing champion Roy Jones, Jr. (52-5, 38 KOs) faces 4-time world title challenger Omar Sheika (27-8, 18 KOs) in the main event on the hybrid pro boxing/mixed-martial arts card, presented by Square Ring Promotions, in association with Hirsch Borao Boxing and the Pensacola Civic Center.
The unparalleled pro boxing/MMA show is being distributed by Square Ring Promotions, Inc. at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in North America on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network in the United States, as well as Viewer's Choice, Shaw Cable, Star Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

Tickets, priced at $128.00, $103.00, $78.00, $53.00 & $28.00 are on sale and available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Pensacola Civic Center Box Office and ticketmaster.com.

[NWOWolfpack]

[Keithlewis]

ROY JONES JR. RETURNS TO FIGHT IN PENSACOLA
AGAINST OMAR SHEIKA ON SATURDAY, MARCH 21
LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW

Square Ring Promotions Has Technological Web in Place To Stop Internet Piracy for Tonight’s event

Pensacola, FL (March 21, 2009) – Roy Jones Jr., Eight-Time World Champion, returns
to Pensacola to fight for the first time since January 1999 when he battles Omar
Sheika at the Pensacola Civic Center tonight (Saturday, March 21, 2009). The fight
card, which includes a bevy of Mixed Martial Arts stars headlined by Roy “Big
Country” Nelson against Jeff “Snowman” Monson, will also feature a cruiserweight
match-up between undefeated B.J. Flores against Jose Luis Herrera. This hybrid
event is promoted by Square Ring Promotions in association with Hirsch Borao Boxing
and the Pensacola Civic Center and will be broadcast live on pay-per-view.

Square Ring Promotions intends to prosecute to the fullest extent of our legal
rights Internet piracy and have engaged a firm in the United Kingdom that has the
technology to track server and P2P pirates. This technology also permits Square
Ring Promotions to identify individual ISP addresses of persons who have illegally
pirated the event right into their own homes. We have also engaged a firm of
specialist piracy attorneys who intend to pursue our legal remedies, at law and in
equity, against these pirates.

With a retail price of $29.95 in the US and Canada and $9.95 in other countries on
Maxboxing.com and Secondsout.com, it will now simply not be worth the risk of
pirating this Event on the Internet. We fully intend to go after the companies that
aid and abet this type of piracy.