Washington, DC)—Tony “The Tiger” Thompson(30-2, 18KO’s) has had close to a month to think about his disappointing loss to Wladimir Klitschko on July 12, 2008, in Hamburg, Germany for the IBO, IBF and WBO Heavyweight championship. Despite the loss (Thompson’s first in seven years) the southpaw went 11 rounds with Klitschko landing more punches against him than anyone on record. But the effort still does not sit well with Thompson..
“I definitely learned from this fight what it takes to become the heavyweight champion of the world and I look forward to redeeming myself for my team and my fans,” said Thompson. “This was not my greatest performance and I know I can do better. I want the opportunity to show everyone that this was a fluke. I will do what ever it takes to get there and fight who ever I need to fight to get another shot at becoming the heavyweight champion.”
Prior to the Klitscho fight former cruiserweight champion now heavyweight challenger David Haye called out every fighter in the top echelon of the heavyweight division including going to the links of calling Thompson a bump. Thompson who is never short on words would love to give Haye and any other fighter the opportunity to fight a real heavyweight.
“David soft as Haye doesn’t have the right to call anybody out. He can’t take a cruiserweight punch and he definitely will not be able to withstand the punishment that I will give him,” said Thompson. “Remember the last guy he fought by the name of Thompson (cruiserweight Carl Thompson) knocked his ass out. I would love the opportunity to do the same. When I’m finished with him I will be the reason he returns his ass to the cruiserweight division where he belongs. But this challenge stands for any of the top heavyweights in the world who wants to step up and fight someone like me. If you think you are there then use me as a measure stick.”
Israel Vazquez Joins Telemundo Olympic Boxing Coverage
LOS ANGELES (August 8, 2008) World Boxing Council Junior Featherweight Champion Israel Vazquez arrived in Miami, Florida this week to join Telemundo’s Spanish language broadcast of the 2008 Beijing Olympic boxing coverage commencing this Saturday morning, August 9th.
Vazquez will be in the Telemundo studios with boxing analysts Jessi Lozada and Rene Giraldo over the course of the coverage though the finals on Sunday, August 24th.
The full Telemundo 2008 Beijing boxing broadcast schedule is located at this link; http://www.usaboxing.org/10_2289.htm
Said Vazquez, ‘I’m really looking forward to this, I got a chance this past weekend on SOLO BOXEO and truly enjoyed being part of the broadcast.”
In regards to his immediate plans, Vazquez stated, “I’m going to start training after I get back from Miami. Although I might not fight until early next year, I’m looking forward to getting back in the gym.
I’ve heard from different camps that want to fight me, Rafael Marquez for a fourth time, Jhonny Gonzalez for a second time and some others. At the appropriate time I’ll sit down with my team and we’ll choose the one that makes the most sense. “
Vazquez cemented his place in the annals of boxing history over the last eighteen months with his three epic battles with former world champion Rafael Marquez, culminating in his outstanding rubber match win on March 1st at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
The Vazquez/Marquez trilogy, thought by many to be amongst the greatest in boxing history, has won numerous accolades by the boxing media with the most recent bout sure to land atop many “2008 Fight of the Year” lists as well as the final round being given consideration for “2008 Round of the Year” as Vazquez scored a knockdown in the terrific final round to win the fight.
Vazquez is currently ranked on numerous Pound for Pound lists including # 4 by Yahoo Sports, # 5 by Ring Magazine and # 7 by ESPN.
The ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB was started in 1991 by Los Angeles area businessman Frank Espinoza. Espinoza has earned numerous accolades for his management skills from many boxing newspaper and internet writers. In the September 2008 issue of Ring Magazine, Espinoza is praised for his outstanding handling of the career of junior featherweight world champion and “Pound for Pound” superstar Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez.
Espinoza also has managed retired former world champion Martin “EL GALLITO” Castillo and currently manages former world champion Julio “LA SOMBRA” Zarate along with world ranked Alex Valdez and Miguel “EL ANESTESISTA” Huerta in addition to undefeated prospects Manuel “SUAVECITO” Roman, Jesus “POLLO” Hernandez, Luis Ramos, Carlos Molina and Abraham Lopez.
For more information on The Espinoza Boxing Club, please visit their newly remodeled website at www.espinozaboxingclub.com