LAS VEGAS (August 4, 2009) – The deep, talented Featherweight Division of “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” promotion features today’s Pound-for-Pound King, Manny Pacquaio, along with some all-time greats from the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Australia and Nicaragua. Legendary rivals — Willie Pep vs. Sandy Saddler, Pacquaio vs. Marco Antonio Barrera, Jeff Fenech vs. Azumah Nelson — are represented, in addition to other candidates such as Abe Attell, Alexis Arguello, Salvador Sanchez and Kid Chocolate..
On-line voting at www.GreatestEver.com allows boxing fans from around the world to select the greatest boxer in each of the original eight weight classes, highlighted by the all-time pound-for-pound “Greatest Ever.”
The eight categories represent the eight original weight-class divisions: Strawweights are included in the Flyweight category; Super Middleweight in the Light Heavyweight division. Many fighters fought and won titles at a number of different weights. As far as possible they have been nominated in the division that they made their biggest impact. Fighters have not been nominated on the basis of whether they would beat another fighter in that division, though this is, of course, a consideration. More importantly is their overall record, who they fought at the time, as well as the impact they made on the boxing world, and indeed the world around them. All nominees are listed in the voting section at www.GreatestEver.com.
The 10 Featherweight nominees, including the only two-divisional nominee in the promotion (Sugar Ray Robinson), listed in no particular order, follow with their brief profiles:
ABE “The Little Hebrew” ATTELL – 125-18-23 (52 KOs)…IHOF…American…Pro Years: 1900-1917…sold newspaper to support family, fought daily as Jewish kid living in an Irish neighborhood…first became world champion at 18…18 successful title defenses in a row, featherweight record at that time….controversial figure who was a messenger for mobster/gambler Arnold Rothstein regarding the 1919 Black Sox scandal in baseball…Notable Victories: George Dixon, Battling Nelson and Jimmy Kilbain.
WILLIE “Wil o’ the Wisp” PEP – 230-11-1 (65 KOs)…IHOF…American…Pro Years: 1940-1959…arguably the greatest defensive fighter who reportedly won one round without throwing a single punch…started pro career 61-0…member of the Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame…Notable Victories: Joey Archibald, Chalky Wright, Sal Bartolo (3), Willie Joyce, Manuel Ortiz, Phil Terranova, Paddy DeMarco and Sandy Saddler.
SANDY SADDLER – 114-16-2 (103 KOs)…IHOF…American…Pro Years: 1944-1957…2-time world featherweight champ as well as junior lightweight title-holder…helped train George Foreman to his first world heavyweight championship…stopped only once…best known for 4-fight series with Pep, in which, he won 3 times…Notable Victories: Joe Brown, Willie Pep (3), Lara Salas, Paddy DeMarco, Jimmy Carter and “Flash” Elorde.
ALEXIS “Fiaco de Explosivo” ARGUELLO – 80-8 (64 KOs)…Nicaraguan…Pro Years: 1968-1995…3-time world champion…6th boxer to be world champion in 3 weight classes, only the second Latino…suffered non-avenged TKO loss in pro debut…Mayor of Managua…allegedly committed suicide this past July 1…Notable Victories: Ruven Olivares, Alfredo Escalera (2), Bobby Chacon, Jim Watts, “Bazoka” Limon, Ruben Castillo and Ray Mancini.
SALVADOR “Chana” SANCHEZ – 44-1-1 (32 KOs)…IHOF…Mexican…Pro Years: 1975-1982…won world title at 19…died in car crash in 1982 at the age of 23…Notable Victories: Juan Laporte, Pat Cowdell, Azumah Nelson, Danny Lopez (2), Ruben Castillo and Wilfredo Gomez.
AZUMAN “The Professor” NELSON – 39-6-2 (28 KOs)…IHOF…Ghanaian…Pro Years: 1979-2008…fought in obscurity for more than first-half of pro career…established himself, ironically, in defeat versus Salvador Sanchez…Notable Victories: Wilfredo Gomez, Patrick Cowdell, Mario Martinez, Juan Laporte, Jeff Fenech, Calvin Grove, Gabriel Ruelas (2) and Jessie James Leija.
MANNY “Pac Man” PACQUIAO – 49-3-2 (37 KOs)…Filipino…Pro Years: 1995-Present…1ast Filipino and Asian boxer to win 5 world titles in 5 weight classes…1st boxer to won lineal championships on 4 different weight divisions…No. 1 P4P fighter today…fighting November 14 vs. Miguel Angel Cotto…Notable Victories: Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Marco Antonio Barrera (2), Juan Manuel Marquez (2), Oscar Larios, Erik Morales (2), David Diaz, Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton.
JEFF “Marrickville Mauler” FENECH – 29-3-1 (21 KOs)…IHOF…Australian…Pro Years: 1984-2008…1984 Australian Olympian…3-time world champion….fourth-fewest fight all-time to win world title…NOTABLE VICTORIES: Satoshi Shingaki, Daniel Zaragoza, Steve McCrory, Samart Payakaroon, Greg Richardson, Carlos Zarate, Victor Luvi Callejas and Azumah Nelson.
“Baby Faced Assassin” MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA – 65-7 (43 KOs)…Mexican…Pro Years: 1989-Present…7-time world champion in 6 divisions…104-4 as amateur, won first 56 matches, and 5-time Mexican champion…NOTABLE VICTORIES: Frank Toledo, Jose Luis Valbiena, Jesus Salud, Hassem Hamed, Kevin Kelley, Paulie Ayala, Mzonke Fana, Robbie Peden and Rocky Juarez.
“The Cuban Bob Bon” KID CHOCOLATE – 131-9-6 (50 KOs)…IHOF…Cuban…Pro Years: 1928-1938…sparred with Benny Leonard and Jack Johnson…1st Cuban world champion…Notable Victories: Fidel LaBarba, Al Singer and Benny Bass.
GREATEST EVER WEEKEND OF EVENTS
Boxing fans attending the festivities will be able to celebrate, up close and personal, the achievements of the World’s Greater Ever Boxers. A three-day boxing spectacular is planned October 2-4 at the Paris Las Vegas, commencing that Friday with an official welcome reception and official weigh in for the following evening’s professional boxing show, presented by Sterling Promotions, and featuring Team USA versus Team Europe, capped by an exclusive after party. The event culminates Sunday with The Greater Ever black-tie awards dinner, featuring some of the greatest boxers ever, as well as world-class entertainment, and then an exclusive after party.
The Retired Boxers Foundation (RBF) is the official charity for The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer. RBF assists retired professional boxers in the transition from their days in the ring to dignified retirement, helping those suffering from alcohol and substance abuse problems, homelessness and effects of pugilistic dementia.
Four ticket packages are on sale for the Oct. 2-4 weekend’s events through agents at the following numbers: North America – The Sports Alliance (914.941.3366) Smart Ticket Solutions (847.917.8497); United Kingdom and Europe – Rock Solid Events (UK: 0845 0945 606, Outside UK: +44 845 0945 606); Australasia – Events Worldwide Travel Group (Australia: 1300 788 666, Outside Australia: +61 3 5989 7666).
The event-only packages are as follows (all prices USD): Super VIP ($2,500), Platinum ($1,900), VIP ($1,400) and Gold ($1,115). The Super VIP, Platinum and VIP packages have a number or premiums in addition to those detailed in the Gold (welcome function, weigh-in, Greatest Ever poker tournament, exclusive Paris Las Vegas gaming area, exclusive memorabilia, movie screenings, access to Greatest Ever dedicated gaming areas and VIP bar, media and legends signings, general seating for the fights and at the awards dinner). Regional agents can provide additional premiums for individual packages.