Saturday, December 27, 2008

Sons of Legends


Aaron Pryor Jr. 11-0 faces the OC bomber Joshua Snyder 7-3-1 for the last boxing promotion of the year in Cincinnati. Saturday December 27, 2008, R&R promotions brings the local boxers to the Cintas Center at Xavier University. Fourteen bouts are scheduled with Aaron Pryor Jr. closing out the night in an event titled sons of legends. Tim Witherspoon Jr. will be co headlining the event; other Cincinnati fighters on the card include, Hasaan Murph Jones, Tony Walker, William (Action) Jackson, Brandon Bennett, and Adrian Broner. Two time Olympian Rau’ Shee Warren will be on the amateur card. This event should pack the Cintas center and be an exciting close to the year in boxing in Cincinnati. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com. The doors open at 5:30 pm and the bell sounds at 6:00.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Pacquiao Defeats the Golden Boy

From the City of Broken Hearts and Broken Dreams one man proves to be the greatest PLP fighter. After all the hype is over and the crowds clear the arena, Manny Pacquiao returns home once again to be the Pride of the Philippines. In the eighth round The Golden Boy Oscar De le Hoya had taken enough punishment from Pacquiao and failed to return from his corner to the fight. In a one sided onslaught of speed and precision punching, the craftier Pacquiao dominated every round of the fight. Who is next for the successful entrepreneur Oscar De le Hoya nobody knows. But one thing for sure for the victor Manny Pacquiao, Ricky the Hitman Hatton awaits.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Cincinnati Boxer Adrien Broner on National Stage

Cincinnati Lightweight Adrien Broner hit’s the national stage again in Las Vegas. In the biggest boxing event of the year, Adrien Broner 4-0- 4 KO’s fights Scott Furney in a six round bout on the De La Hoya Manny Pacquiao undercard. Adrien Broner is part of the fierce next generation of Cincinnati Boxers who have been dominating their bouts with first the round knockouts. Broner recently defeated Torrence Jett in a sixth round knockout on the Ricky Hatton/ Paul Malignaggi undercard in Las Vegas.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

No Magic in Vegas

No magic in Vegas on this stage. Ricky (The Hit Man Hatton) (45-1) controlled the fight from the first round against Paul (The Magic Man Malignaggi) . The Magic Mans trainer had seen enough and early in the 11th round the white towel comes out against the wishes of Malignaggi. Frustration in the Magic Mans corner as he pushed Buddy Mcgirt away after the towel was thrown in. “I’m better than getting stopped” Malignaggi said in an interview after the fight. The Magic Man seemed to be out of his league and most of the fight he was just holding Hatton off.
Hatton’s response to a possible fight against the winner of the upcoming Pacquiao/ De le Hoya fight “Yeah bring it on”. A Hit man fight with either of these fighters would perhaps be the mother of all battles for the Pride of Manchester.

Bill Stephens

Thursday, November 20, 2008

The Wrestler


Mickey Rourke Plays the fictional Character of Professional Wrestler Randy (The Ram) Robinson in Fox Searchlight’s Picture The Wrestler. The Ram a headliner in the large venues back in the eighties, fame has faded, and is forgotten to the wrestling word. Due to injuries, and the results of living the fast life, the Ram is now wrestling in gyms and small venues off the map. No longer in the spotlight Randy Robinson is working at a deli counter at the local supermarket. The Ram is trying to make a comeback against Doctors orders. Looking to make it to the spotlight again Randy the Ram Robinson will face his Arch enemy in a grudge match that will revive his career and give him the adoration of the fans once again.
Rourke is no stranger to the ring with an impressive amateur Boxing record 0f 20-6 17 KO’S. As a result of injury’s in the ring Mickey Rourke turned to acting and became a rising star in the seventies and eighties and went on to International Fame. After a drop in demand from Hollywood, Rourkes true Passion to the ring was calling him back. A short pro career from 1990 ton 1994. Fighting under the Alias (El Marielito) , Rourke fought eight professional fights with a record of 6 wins 4 KO’S and 2 draws and 0 losses and hung up the gloves for good in 1994. Mickey spoke to Piers Morgan in BBC’S Documentary series, The Dark Side of Fame about his passion for boxing. Piers asked Rourke if winning a championship world title would mean more to him than winning an Oscar?
Rourke Replied “yes”.
Directed by Darren Aronofsky, “The Wrestler” has a talented cast with Academy Award Winning actress Marisa Tomei who plays Cassidy the stripper and girlfriend of Randy Robinson who is trying to make changes in her own life.
Evan Rachel Wood plays the estranged daughter Stephanie, who Randy is trying to piece back together a relationship after being an absent father. The movie is set in Jersey which wouldn’t be complete without a song from “The Boss”. The New Song “The Wrestler” was written for the movie by Bruce Springsteen and will be on his new album “Working for a Dream” which is due out in January”.

Critics are calling The Wrestler “the performance of Mickey Rourkes Career” .
David Ansen of Newsweek calls it the “Resurrection of Mickey Rourke”.
Winner of the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival in September.
The Wrestler was nominated for the Gotham Indie Award.
After the International North American Premier at the Toronto Film Festival, Fox Searchlight Pictures quickly acquired the U.S. rights to the Wrestler.
. The Wrestler is due for release on December 19th to a theatre near you.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Oscar de le Hoya Comments on Dream Match

HBO Boxing is bringing the year to an end with a clash of Champions as Oscar de la Hoya meets the Pride of the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao. The Golden took time out of his rigorous training session today to answer questions from the press about the upcoming Dream Match with Manny Pacquiao.
“Never in my wildest dream did I think I would fight Manny Pacquiao, I never thought I would fight em” Oscar stated. de la Hoya has been training hard in Big Bear California getting ready for the HBO Pay Per View. Oscar is down to 145 lbs and says he feels comfortable at that wait. When asked how his training is going The Golden Boy Stated, “No distractions up here I’m eating breathing and sleeping Manny Pacquiao” . The HBO Pay per view will be broadcast live from the Mgm Grand in Las Vegas on Dec 6th. The Golden Boys last fight at this weight was in 2001 when he defeated Arturo Gatti in the fifth round.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Holyfield Fights On

The 46 year old former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield doesn’t know when to stay out of the ring.
Evander (42-9-2) will face the big 7 ft. Russian Nikolia Valuev (49-1). The Warrior is determined to win the Championship back before retirement, if that day ever comes. The fight will take place overseas so the fierce Warrior Holyfield can chop down the giant in his own land. Wasn’t one Russian boxer enough for Holyfield after being defeated by Sultan Ibragimov last year?
Rocky Balboa was a fictional movie. Nobody with an ounce of compassion wants to see a former aging Champion standing toe to toe with a giant saying (I am). December 20th is sure to be a memorable night for the Warrior. Just maybe Vince McMahon could promote the fight, and someone form Holyfield’s corner can throw him some brass knucks to KO the giant.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Rau Shee Warren Going for the Gold



Cincinnati Olympic Boxer Rau Shee Warren is hoping for a third trip to the world’s stage. Rau Shee Warren has stated that he will remain in the Amateur ranks for another four years until the next Olympics. Warren would be the only athlete in U.S. History to make three trips to the Olympics.
In Beijing 2008 Warren was eliminated in the first round of boxing losing by decision to South Koreas Oksung Lee. After Warren returned home, he declared he was turning pro. Rau Shee Warren is currently the Amateur World Flyweight Champion. With his decision to go for the gold a third time, he will make history and still be a relatively young fighter when he make’s his pro debut.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Calzaghe moves to 46-0

Joe Calzaghe proves again that he is the best of the superpowers. If Roy Jones Junior dreamed of punches being thrown at him the night before the fight, what kind of nightmares are going to be going through his head tonight. After winning the first round with a knockdown, Jones took a beating the following eleven rounds. Calzaghe 46-0-32 ko’s retains the Ring light Heavyweight title. If Roy Jones is going to retire I think this would be a great opponent to go out under.

Bill Stephens

The Next Generation


Jessie Carradine celebrates his Pro debut in style with the first round KO of Quincy Johnson. The Referee stopped the fight after Johnson was knocked down twice in the first round. Jessie Carradine is a popular lightweight from Cincinnati who had a successful amateur career before his Nov 1st pro-debut. Carradine is part of a dynamic group of talented boxers from Cincinnati dubbed the Next Generation.





Hasaan Murph
Super Bantamweight Hasaan Murph started the fighting action at the Duke Energy Center with a first round KO of Richard Dominguez. Hasaan Murph knocked down the Phillipines fighter three times until the referee stopped the fight. Hasaan Murph made his pro debut earlier this year in front of his Cincinnati fans at the Cincinnati Gardens when the southpaw fought Quincy Johnson resulting in a draw.

Friday, November 7, 2008

William Action Jackson



In front of his hometown fans William Action Jackson delivered a knock out so sever that the thunder was felt all the way back to the opponent Mike Dawson’s hometown fans in Indianapolis. After one minute and twenty five seconds into the first round Jackson’s strength and power from a hard right sent Mike Dawson to the mat and brought the medical staff into the ring. Minutes later Mike Dawson made it to his feet to a nice ovation from the Cincinnati crowd at the Duke Energy Center. William Action Jackson is on the watch list of the Next generation Cincinnati boxers that are destined for greatness and putting Cincinnati back in the boxing spotlight.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Kid Crochet




Dino Crocetti
Downinthe5th salutes an Ohio legend and one time Boxer Dino Crocetti. A high school dropout at sixteen, Crocetti went to work in the tough Ohio Steel Mills. With a hunger for the big time Crocetti took a jab at a boxing career. A tall dark haired kid, Dino Crocetti had the look of a contender, until the action started. Fighting under the name of (Kid Crochet), with a record of 1-11, Crocetti luckily left the ring to seek his fortune in the gambling halls and nightclubs.
And one night in a city where boxers career’s are made and shattered, Dino Crocetti brought the house down in Skinny D’ Amato’s 500 club in Atlantic City. Dean Martin went on to a music and show business career that one could only dream about.
Steubenville Ohio has never forgotten their favorite son as the city hosts the annual Dean Martin Festival. A celebration to honor a skinny kid from Stubenville who went on to become a household name and create a sound that could never be mistaken. On Christmas Day of 1995, Dean Martin (kid Crochet) quietly passed away at the age of 77, surrounded by family and more money than any Welterweight of the era ever dreamed of.

Sunday, November 2, 2008


A gloveless Aaron Pryor Jr. waves to his Cincinnati fans after being introduced during intermission. Disappointment in the Pryor corner as his opponent did not show for the main event due to injury to his arm. The announcement was made to the large Cincinnati fan base before the first match, the frustrated fans were offered their money back if they wanted to leave. From the looks of the crowd the fans stayed to cheer on the next generation of local talent.
The Dapper Hawk himself was seen shaking hands and signing autographs for his loyal hometown supporters. The announcement was made that the Aaron Pryor Jr. match will be rescheduled for December 27th.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

The New Face of Cincinnati Boxing


Mr Andrew Williams is the new face of Cincinnati Boxing. A successful Cincinnati Businessman,

Andrew Williams the man who runs R&R Promotions has brought Boxing back to the Queen City. Andrew Williams brings the local action and the Cincinnati fans have responded in large numbers. Andrew Williams looks to be a name in the Cincincinnati Boxing Market that is here to stay.

The Next Generation


R&R Promotions brings an amazing display of young boxing talent to the Duke Energy Center on Saturday November 1st. Boxing is coming back strong to Cincinnati thanks to local businessman and boxing Promoter Andrew Williams. Aaron Pryor Jr. will be headlining the card titled the Next Generation. Legendary Hall of Fame Manager and Trainer Emanuel Steward was on hand with Aaron (The Hawk) Pryor to discuss the training and discipline of undefeated Pryor Jr. at 11-0-8 k’OS.
“I am ready to carry on the family tradition of pleasing my fans” said Aaron Pryor Jr. who seemed more comfortable letting his father and trainer due the talking. Emanuel Steward spoke of the historical relationship with the City of Cincinnati and Boxing. “The more people talk about it it’s going to get bigger” said Steward.
Saturday’s fight will be the third Cincinnati fight this year from R &R Promotions. Tickets are still available at http://www.sellingticket.com/. The Bell sounds at eight and the doors open at six thirty. I’ll see you there.

Bill Stephens