Standing Eight Boxing News

Former amateur star Lateef Kayode remained unbeaten with a second round knockout over durable David Whitton in a scheduled six round bout. Whitton (10-12-1, 6 KO’s) came to fight, scoring with straight right hands to the head of Kayode. Undeterred, Kayode (10-0, 9 KO’s) ended matters in the second, dropping Whitton with a left hand to the head. Whitton was on one knee as referee Jerry Cantu counted him out at 1:23.

2010-02-06T01:11:00.000-08:00

Jamie THE NUISANCE Kavanagh joins the Pac Man's training camp.

Lateef POWER Kayode KNOCKOUT NUMBER 8 IN A ROW

2009-12-22T20:27:00.000-08:00

AGUA CALIENTE CASINO: 12-12-2009

With Freddie Roach in his corner, Heavyweight Lateef Kayode (9-0, 8 KO’s) stopped Billy Willis in the second round of a scheduled six round bout. Kayode dropped Willis (11-19-1, 9 KO’s) with a right hand in the first round and finished him off with a combination to the head in the second, prompting referee Dr. Lou Moret stopped the bout at 1:14.

2009-12-22T20:22:00.000-08:00

IRELAND'S TOP 20 POUND FOR POUND FIGHTERS - Dean Byrne and Jamie Kavanagh

Chika Nakamura Goes To War

2009-12-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

Chika Nakamura vs Gloria Ramirez a war at Battle In The Ballroom

Salvador Sanchez III, Lenny Zappa, Kayode Win Bouts - Boxing News

2009-12-13T16:02:00.000-08:00

Salvador Sanchez III, Lenny Zappa, Kayode Win Bouts - Boxing News

JAMIE KAVANAGH - AOL SPORTS - follow link

2009-11-27T20:29:00.000-08:00

http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2009/11/27/jamie-kavanagh-the-next-irish-champ/

JAMIE KAVANAGH - Freddie Roach and Standing Eight sign prospect adding another future Irish World Champion to the growing stable at Wild Card Boxing.

2009-11-19T09:31:00.000-08:00

THE IRISH MIRROR

Jonny Stapleton.

Former Irish amateur boxing star Jamie Kavanagh has signed a professional contract with Freddie Roach-trainer of pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao. And the AIBA World Youth Championship silver medalist has instantly set his sights on collecting gold in the paid ranks. Crumlin native Kavanagh follows in the footsteps of his former amateur stable mate Dean Byrne to become the second Irish man currently training in the famous Wild Card Gym. The Spanish based 19 year old signed a five year contract with Wild Card and Standing Eight Management after instantly impressing Roach when sparring with two time Olympic Gold Medalist and NABA Super Bantamweight Champion Guillermo Rigondeaux. Kavanagh also becomes only the sixth fighter to be managed and trained by the World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and three time Boxing Writers Association of America Trainer of the Year. Four of those fighters have become world champions the fifth is rising Irish star Dean Byrne and Roach predicts he will maintain his 100 percent record with both Dubliners.

"Jamie Kavanagh is a great prospect. He adapted very well to sparring with the professionals when he had his trail in the gym. I look forward to working with him. He's champion material all the way. Along with Dean Byrne, we've got two great Irish fighters and future world champions in the house," explained the man who also looks after Amir Khan.

“My first day meeting Freddie Roach was a one I won’t forget. Doing the pads with Freddie was a big experience but I felt comfortable straight away with him. I know now having Freddie and Standing Eight Management's Steven Feder along with my current trainer behind me the future is bright. The only way is up. I have no doubt that with my work ethic and with the training I will get at Wild Card, I'll be champion someday."

Kingsley Ikeke signs promotional agreement with Brian Halquist Promotions

2009-07-31T01:23:00.000-07:00

July 29th 2009 promoter Brian Halquist traveled from Tacoma, WA to Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood for three reasons. First to sign a contract to promote Super middleweight Kingsley Ikeke who will fight for the NABA title on August 29th at the Emerald Queen Casino.

Second to take a look at Heavyweight prospect Lateef POWER Kayode. The knockout Kayode is now 7(6) and 0 and will be fighting a 6 Round contest against tough Leo Bercier on Aug 29th as well. Kayode is in negotiations with Halquist for a 3 year promotional agreement. They young heavyweight prospect is being guided by Freddie Roach. And the third thing Brian came to LA for was the hot dogs at Pinks. Hope that was worth the wait. All of us at Wild Card are excited about this new journey for Ikeke as he will take the NABA title belt home after sharing it with the great fans of Tacoma. Just when the division thought it had seen the opportunity for something exciting to happen, Ikeke is proving that it doesn't matter when it happens, just that it happens. He's waited a long time for his time to come and it's finally here. This is a quick, powerful and determined fighter who is always prepared. We're gonna take it to Tacoma.

Much more to come on Ikeke and Kayode. Your comments are welcome.

"SHARP KNUCKLES" CUTS A "LASER" LIKE A RAZOR IN TACOMA

2009-06-30T17:49:00.000-07:00

I am certain that June 20th 2009 will remain as one of my most memorable moments in boxing regardless of what may lie ahead. Two veteran fighters took center stage at the Emerald Casino. Emmett "Laser" Linton didn't have to drive far from his front door to play opposite Kingsley "Sharp Knuckles" Ikeke who flew from Hollywood, CA to portray the lead in a script that wrote itself one round at a time. This was to be a second coming for Linton. He has been, and clearly always will be, a hometown favorite. In forty professional bouts Linton had never been knocked out and that's what made the ending of this play Shakespearean. 2:34 seconds into the 5th round of the scheduled 10 round main event the curtain went down on Linton. It started with a cut above the right eye delivered in the second round by a razor sharp uppercut by Ikeke which sent Linton back to his corner dripping blood and clouding his vision. It took just five rounds for Ikeke to undo what no one else could in Linton's 17 year career, send him to the canvas for good.

It was clear from the start that this was being seen as one door being opened for the winner and another being closed for the loser. The show had the excitement of a title fight only instead of a belt careers were at stake. The sold out crowd roared for Linton as they let Ikeke know from the very start that he was not welcome. But as all great fight crowds will do, as the rounds moved on they started to enjoy and respect the magnitude of the courage displayed in both corners rather then just acknowledge their hometown hero. The Tacoma crowd was treated to a unique experience and they let both fighters know their efforts were appreciated. For Kingsley it was the opportunity he'd been waiting for. Thanks to promoter Brian Halquist, Ikeke was given a chance to prove he wasn't just sitting around letting time pass, he was in the gym waiting for an opportunity to do what he loves to do, fight. At thirty six years young Ikeke was no stranger to victories in the northwest having beaten Kenny Ellis who was ranked 3rd in the world by the WBO in that very same ring in 2003. After moving up acquiring his own ranking and title belts along the way Ikeke became trapped in that land of the lost. A fighter too dangerous to be an opponent and a name just shy of being a true headliner. Boxing fans love a great comeback story, but the truth is Ikeke never walked away from boxing, he didn't have a series of bad showings, his absence was not due to the typical components that make for a great second coming.

When I first entered Wild Card Boxing in February 2008 to bring my heavyweight Lateef Kayode to spar I noticed the long sleek build of a super middleweight jumping rope. As the weeks past Lateef and Kingsley would share friendly exchange from their West African roots. Ikeke was always a gentlemen, he spoke with a kind respectful manner, but he also brought with him a wicked sense of humor. He is a absolute jokester who will take any opportunity to play a trick to get a laugh. As we became comfortable with one another I couldn't help but ask his trainer Eric Brown "when is he fighting next?" in which the response was always "soon." After a few months of watching Ikeke come to the gym everyday as if preparing for a fight that had no date I discovered why he is so feared. He's a prizefighter. A throwback to the days when the sweet science ruled the sports pages. His style, his dedication and his love for the sport was not enough to change the fact that he was a walking journal of missed opportunities.

In December of 2008 we sat down and began to devise a plan to try and catch lightning in a bottle. My friend John Arthur, Eric Brown, Ikeke and I sat at a restaurant and talked boxing. The first few months were filled with frustration. I reached out to Whitfield Haydon who had become not just an advisor, but a friend for an honest assessment. Whit was quick to agree that Ikeke was dangerous, and even quicker to tell me "forget it." The irony of course is that Whit never listened to his own advise. His own love of the sport and respect for the prizefighter kept Ikeke on his mind. In walks the savor promoter Brian Halquist who in 2003 experienced what Ikeke could do when he promoted the Kenny Ellis fight. Halquist stuck to his word that he would give Ikeke a shot and then some. He gave him what he had been waiting for, a date. A fight date that would stick. The promoters promoter gave us the luxury of time allowing us to go to camp and prepare. Whit and I knew the clouds had parted, but we also knew it would either rain or shine leaving no room in between. We went with only one forecast, sunny skies.

The night before the fight I sat with Ikeke and asked him how he felt. I asked him if during his preparation had he envisioned the outcome. He simply said, "I've already claimed the victory, now I just need to step into the ring and take it." Moments before we left the dressing room I turned to Ikeke about to give some last minute words of encouragement. But when I looked at him I knew he didn't need any. From the moment he had slipped his hands into the gloves the stage was set and as the tape circled the gloves to seal the laces in place, destiny followed.

When the fight was over, a very classy Tacoma crowd gave praise to Ikeke and an even classier Emmett Linton bid farewell to the sport he had loved for 32 years, 17 as a professional. Emmett took the microphone and thanked the crowd for their years of support. He was gracious to the victor and left the ring with as much pride as I'm sure he had first entered it all those years ago. Two ambassadors of this great sport had brought everything into the ring and everyone in attendance was better for it.

On September 17th Ikeke will fight for the NABA title in Wisconsin. He will have a new promoter and a true believer behind him in Halquist. Every fight from here on will be treated like a title fight. There is no room for error and we won't have lack of preparation as an excuse.

Kingsley Ikeke is ready. He's been ready. I know it would make for a better story if this was titled THE COMEBACK, but the truth remains, Ikeke never left boxing.... boxing decided to comeback to Ikeke.

Ikeke promises to deliver a few belts to Tacoma to show his appreciation to Brian Halquist, Bill Hunt, and my friend Whit Haydon.

June 11th and 12th 2009

2009-06-14T21:43:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend for boxing.

Nigerian Heavyweight Lateef POWER Kayode won his 7th straight fight in Glendale, CA at Art Of Boxing Promotions "Glendale Glory" to maintain his perfect undefeated record, which now stands at 7 (6KO's) and 0 losses. His last two fights both ending with first round KO's. His previous four all ending with second round KO's. He is without a doubt earning his ring name POWER. This was an exciting night for boxing as it was the first show in Glendale lifting a 62 year ban on boxing. We hope the fans enjoyed themselves and will welcome us all back. Now it's back to work for POWER at Wild Card with trainers Freddie Roach, Juan "El Panda" Martinez, and Pepper Roach to prepare for his next fight.

Mexican Welterweight Ricky "THE ONE" Duenas is proving to be a great pro fighter without ever having an amateur fight. Ricky who fights out of El Monte has won his last three pro fights after losing a tough pro debut war by decision. Ricky is 3 and 1 and there is no looking back for this great young fighter. After taking on three undefeated fighters in a row, Ricky is clearly the spoiler. Ricky just earned his latest victory at the All Star Boxing Commerce Casino Show and is now prepping for his upcoming July bout.

In her Pro Debut Mia Etelepelto was the winner by unanimous decision over Mia Henderson who was on the recieving end of a vicious left hook from Etelepelto at the Battle of The Ballroom a Roy Englebrecht Promotion. Mia walked away with a victory and a three foot trophy marking one of the nights best fights. At 6ft 162 lbs Mia Etelepelto is a force. Trained by Shane Langford seen on HBO's 24/7 and Pepper Roach-- Mia is in good hands and was a clear crowd pleaser. With just two amateur bouts in the US both victories over national champions we wasted no time in getting Mia's pro career off the ground. A world champion kick boxer who holds many international titles, Mia is now sold on boxing. We look forward to the next romp.

MORE UPDATES FROM THE WEEKEND TO FOLLOW