NEW YORK (May 12, 2011) – Due to the demand of boxing fans, EPIX, the multiplatform premium entertainment service, will exclusively televise Live to the U.S., the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light heavyweight title fight between defending champion JUERGEN BRAEHMER and WBO interim light heavyweight champion NATHAN CLEVERLY, Saturday, May 21.
The live broadcast, emanating from The O2 in London, will open with the highly-charged grudge match between rivals James DeGale and George Groves, for the British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles, beginning at 4 p.m. ET. EpixHD.com will stream the fights live, beginning at 4 p.m. ET. EPIX had originally announced that the fights would be televised at a later date via tape-delay.
EPIX will once again present the closed-captioned simulcast of the main event on a jumbotron screen in Times Square (Broadway at 44th St.), beginning 5 p.m. ET.
“With so much attention being focused on the light heavyweight division lately, EPIX is very happy to be able to present this exciting world title fight between defending WBO champion Juergen Braehmer and WBO interim champion Nathan Cleverly and James DeGale against George Groves,” said Mark Greenberg, President and CEO of EPIX. “Combined, 39 of their 57 victories have come by knockout. It’s a good bet knockout No. 40 will occur during this exciting rumble.”
Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren, now into his 30th year in the sport, said after completing the deal: “It’s fantastic to be working with the new kids on the block, EPIX, for the first time and it’s a great show to start off with. I’ve worked with Mark Greenberg in the early days at Showtime and I’m delighted to be working with him again. The show at The O2 is set to be a great night showcasing the best talent in British boxing, DeGale against Groves is the biggest domestic showdown since the Nigel Benn-Chris Eubank epics in the ‘90s and is heating up to be a dynamite fight; Cleverly is the rising young star and he faces a big test against Braehmer, who is a tough and experienced champion and a win for him will put him in the frame for big fights against top Americans Chad Dawson and Tavoris Cloud. It will give the boxers a great opportunity to showcase their talent and establish themselves in the U.S. early in their careers.”
WBC News
May 12, 2011 – Mexico City. From World Boxing Council (WBC) President Dr. José Sulaimán:
On behalf of the Board of Governors, I announce with deep regret the passing away of the legendary sports and boxing cartoonist, Bill Gallo, on Tuesday evening of complications of pneumonia at the age of 88. The WBC is declaring a day of mourning in the world of boxing.
Bill Gallo served for more than 50 years at the New York Daily News and not only had an extraordinary talent as a cartoonist, but was also a very sincere, nice man, with whom one could have no other feelings except sincere friendship and admiration. Bill had a sincere liking for the country of Mexico, and was a close friend of mine since the 1980s, a friendship that we continued over the years.
Bill Gallo, legendary Daily News cartoonist and columnist, dies at 88 after lengthy illness
By Filip Bondy, New York Daily News Sports Writer, Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The prolific, playful hand that brought to life cartoon characters Basement Bertha, Yuchie and General Von Steingrabber has been stilled.
Bill Gallo, sports cartoonist at the Daily News for more than half a century and whose career at the paper spanned 70 years, died of complications from pneumonia at 88 in White Plains Hospital late Tuesday night. His passing marks the close of what seemed always to be an endless supply of ink and fun in the pages of The News. Inside our building, Gallo would walk around the big newsroom talking sports, bouncing ideas off coworkers or showing off his latest, comical work to everyone’s delight.
“My father is a lasting legend to New York, and to New York sports,” said Gallo’s son Greg. “He will be forever thought of as a great cartoonist for the Daily News, but he will also be remembered as the gentleman he was to all the people he came across, everybody in the streets of the city. People loved him because he was a special human being.”
In recent months, while he fought off emphysema and a series of medical setbacks, Gallo continued to draw his cartoons and write columns from hospital beds and his home, surrounded by trays of colored pencils and erasers, dark pens and paint brushes sticking out of a Dixie cup. He would send his creations by overnight mail or ask a coworker to bring them to the office, checking in often by phone with editors.
“I’m just as enthusiastic about work today as I’ve ever been,” Gallo said shortly before his death. “If I wasn’t sick I’d be putting out some great stuff.”
His last cartoon was just fine, appearing in the News on Tuesday, April 19. Appropriately enough, it featured the beloved Bertha, who was shown window shopping for a wardrobe while hoping expecting, even to receive an invitation to the royal wedding in London.
“The passing of our great cartoonist, colleague and friend Bill Gallo marks the end of an era,’” said Daily News Chairman & Publisher Mortimer B. Zuckerman. “From the time he arrived at the Daily News as a fresh-faced kid determined to make his mark in the city and the world, to the very end when he battled his final illness with grit, courage and grace – rarely skipping a cartoon or a column – Bill was a class act.”
Gallo was an entrenched New York institution, yet somehow always remained vibrant and topical.
“He knew everybody and everybody knew Bill,” said Bert Sugar, the boxing historian and writer who recently nominated his friend for a Medal of Honor at Ellis Island. Gallo was to receive that medal on May 7.
Nicklow vs. Freeman on May 21st
BALTIMORE, MD (May 12, 2011) Middleweight contender Jessie “The Beast” Nicklow heads back to the ring at the next United Boxers Event on Saturday, May 21st at the Maryland Sportsplex in Millersville.
The longtime fan favorite Nicklow, 21-2-3 (8KO’s), will challenge heavy handed Texas veteran James Freeman, 7-3-0 (6KO’s) in a scheduled six rounder in Millersville on the 21st.
Just 24 years old, Nicklow is coming off a devastating first round stoppage of Steve Walker at the inaugural United Boxers Event on April 15th.
“With Walker he came out so aggressively that I just right to the body, dropped him the first time with a left hook to the body, again with a right uppercut and finally with a left hook” said Nicklow.
In regards to his fast return to action, Nicklow is very excited, “I haven’t been able to stay busy which has been a problem. Hopefully this year I can fight five times and stay in great shape. I’d like to fight for a regional title by the end of the year, get a solid ranking and then work my way to a world title shot.”
“Middleweight is perfect for me; I walk around between 165 and 170 so it’s easy for me to make weight.”
Only looking slightly past Freeman, Nicklow is targeting a cross-town showdown with local rival Tony Jeter.
“It’s hard to get into it, but it’s definitely personal between the two of us. We don’t like each other and we need to settle it in the ring once and for all. It would be a great fight for the fans in Baltimore .”
“My goals for this year are to stay busy, stay in shape and keep winning. We’re off to a good start with the Walker knockout, now it’s on to Freeman, hopefully Jeter, and then maybe Guerrero down the line.”
Nicklow lost to the world ranked Fernando Guerrero in December 2009 in a bout which was broadcast on Showtime.
Also featured at the United Boxers Event on May 21st are Baltimore area fan favorites; Maxell and Emanuel Taylor, James Stevenson, Nick Kisner as well as Dale Robeson-El.
Advance tickets priced at $50 and $35 may be purchased by calling 410-499-5361 or 301-873-7064. VIP Tables priced at $1,000 and $500 are also available.
The Maryland Sportsplex is located at 1031 Benfield Boulevard in Millersville, Maryland. For directions please visit their website at www.mdsportsplex.com. Doors on the night of the event will open at 6:30pm with the first bell at 8pm.