PRESENTS

“WORLD CHAMPIONS AGAINST BULLYING TOUR”

The District Marketing Group is excited to introduce the “WORLD CHAMPIONS AGAINST BULLYING TOUR”, to Atlantic County, NJ. A press conference to announce this event will be held at the AtlantiCare Behavioral Health’s Family Success Center, located at the New York Avenue School in Atlantic City, NJ on Monday, February 13, 2012 at 11am.

Attendees of the press conference shall include: Ms. Rosalind Norrell-Nance, Director of Atlantic City’s Family Centers; Mr. Roy Forman, President of World Champions Against Bullying and Harris Haith WCAB” co-founder; also invited are local elected officials and community leaders.

World Champions Against Bullying (WCAB), is an anti-bullying support group, founded by Harris Haith, and Curtis Cumbo in partnership with the World Boxing Council (WBC) and its affiliate, World Boxing Council Cares (WBCC) is seeking sponsors for its upcoming event.

WCAB’s mission is to bring current and former world champion fighters together to take a stand and combat the issue of bullying in our nation’s schools and recreation centers, by embarking on a tour to promote self confidence, self esteem, and the importance of physical fitness, and proper nutrition. Every bullying issue will be addressed, including the new wave of cyber-bullying that is now spreading. WCAB observes and complies with each school, center, or group’s rules and regulations; and upon request, the Champs will even teach the children boxing self defense techniques.

Former World Champion, Imamu Mayfield, will serve as a spokesperson for WCAB, along with President Roy Foreman, CFO Everett Hopkins and Executive Director Bill McCreary. WCAB believes that together we can make a difference, and keep our children safe, and WCAB stands ready to accept that challenge.

This initiative will be officially launched on St. Patrick’s Day in New York City in the presence of worldwide media. We would like to bring this program to Atlantic City on the following Monday, March 19th 2012, and we are seeking local sponsors to make this event one that will leave a lifelong impression on Atlantic County’s youth.

This eventful day will begin with a press conference during which past and present World Champions will discuss the tour’s initiative and its sponsors. Following the press conference, there will be visits to local schools and, the day will conclude with a semi-formal cocktail reception at Il Mulino New York at Trump Taj Mahal from 6-10pm.

Suggested donation for reception tickets are $60 for individual and $500 for a table of ten (10). There also various Corporate Sponsorship Packages available.

Below are some articles about Boyd’s amazing journey.

http://www.15rounds.com/%E2%80%9Cwearing-%E2%80%98west-point-%E2%80%9803%E2%80%99-on-my-trunks%E2%80%9D-051611/

http://www.boxingscene.com/boyd-melson-fighting-different-kind-fight–39283

Story by Michele Chong
It was a “knockout” night for the City of Pico Rivera as they hosted their 2nd Annual “Boxing Superstars Meet & Greet” at Pico Park on Saturday night.
This event, helmed by Alfonso Gomez and his brothers, Roberto Gomez and Jesus Gomez (“Zeuz”), Efrain Lee, Special Events Coordinator for the Department of Parks & Recreation and their team of sponsors and volunteers, was a weekend celebration open to the community.
I made the rounds in the large venue which was turned into a lively “House of Champions” for the evening. Each booth featured a champ, contender or prospect all coming out to show support for this “Meet & Greet: Round 2.” Last year’s inaugural gala showcased about a dozen prizefighters–and this year’s function more than doubled in attendance with both fans and fighters.
A remarkable feat pulled off by the show promoters was the fact they were able to offer free admission, free autographs and free raffle prizes for patrons in the surrounding communities. Families were able to come out and meet a boxing legend, kids were able to pose with their idols and boxing fans were able to score an autograph from heroes in the fight game as you’ll see in this exclusive report!
I caught up with Alfonso Gomez right before the show began. After fighting Canelo Alvarez last fall, the “Contender” favorite plans on coming back strong in 2012–while coming down in weight. He says he wants to fight at 140 and “make some noise” in that division. He was accompanied by his pretty wife, Dulce, and their adorable daughter, Heidi Luna. The other big news is that the couple is expecting their second child, a boy, later this year.
Gomez also has been busy with the band Hy3rid, which is coming out with a new album soon. He also told me he was proud to take part in this community event for Pico Rivera and that one of his dreams is to someday open up his own gym in the city.
Joining the WBC titlist were several other champion, contenders and prospects from both the pro and amateur ranks as well as trainers and other boxing notables. Mayor Bob Archuleta and Efrain Lee announced the VIP celebrity guests and brought them on stage for Certificates of Appreciation.
Champions and fighters Israel Vazquez, Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria, Efrain Esquivias, Enrique Ornelas, female star Kina Malpartida, Xavier Montelongo Jr., Denise Rico, Walter “Schoolboy” Sarnoi, Olympian Paul Gonzales, Ruben Castillo, John Montes, Oscar Muniz, Art Frias, Chango Carmona, Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon, Vitaliy Demyanenko, Luis Merced, Misael Elias, Hassan Chitsaz, kickboxer George Valdez, trainers Alfonso Gomez Sr., Mario “Big Yuca” Morales, Steve Harpst, Ben Lira, Gil “Candyman” Nieves, Alex Cornejo, Frank Martinez, Javier Adame, advisor Angelicque McQueen, Universal Boxing Hall of Fame’s Adolfo Perez, Azteca Boxing Club members, Team Cleto Reyes, among many other luminaries who came out to join the festivities.
During the three-hour fiesta, the aisles were packed with fans all clamoring to bump fists with the stars and get a glove or picture signed.
“The purpose is to give the families an opportunity to meet their boxing heroes, take pics and ask them questions without the pressure of time,” Team Gomez said, “and to also to bring boxers from all walks of life under one roof.”
In every row, the boxers all had special displays at their tables filled with championship belts and medals, glossy photos, T-shirts, videos and more. My vote for the coolest and most “unique” offering was Enrique Ornelas’ booth. With his wife, Mary, and three (Mateo, Diego and Damian) of their four kids in attendance, the couple handed out delicious homemade cookies shaped in a heart and decorated with edible boxing gloves! The champ’s wife is one talented cook with her amazing baked goods. The treats were a big hit with the crowd and I had a fun time chatting with the family.
The Solid Rock Boxing Gym was also in attendance with new pro Xavier “The Mongoose” Montelongo Jr. and top amateur Denise Rico also greeting the guests. Trainers Gilbert Valdez and Xavier Montelongo Sr. flanked the two rising stars who had their cache of shiny belts and medals laid out to share with the fans. Xavier’s next bout will be February 10 in the City of Vernon. “I’m going to be the main event!” the junior lightweight mentioned. The likable 19-year-old also had his own line of “Relik Realm” T-shirts represented at his booth.
During our chat, fellow fighter Walter Sarnoi came over to visit. Xavier and Walter know each other from the amateurs, have sparred before and are good friends. Sarnoi just won his main event bout at Pechanga and fights in a slightly lower weight class but I asked the two if they would ever fight each other? “YES!” both boxers agreed with a laugh, “If the money’s right, why not?” Walter says friends fight all the time. Glancing at Brian Viloria’s booth across the way, Sarnoi adds, “Brian and Giovani Segura are friends and they had to fight!”
And next to the guys was Montelongo’s stablemate, Denise Rico, a top-ranked elite amateur, who continues to make a splash in female boxing. Her brother Damien Rico is also an amateur champ and their mother Delilah Rico is a well-regarded volunteer official with USA Boxing. “I’ll be fighting in February next,” the talented slugger said, “in Colorado in the 178 division.” The female boxer got a huge round of applause when she was announced on stage during the night.
Another fighter who has a big match coming up is a very popular local, Efrain Esquivias Jr. Trained by Freddie Roach at the Wild Card, the Carson native also puts in time at The Rock gym and has a tremendous fan following in the Southland and beyond. His loyal supporters will soon be traveling to USC’s Galen Center as Thompson Boxing’s unbeaten super bantamweight will be on the ESPN card in a ten-round battle. “I can’t wait till February 24!” the beaming champ told me.
Another popular draw was Israel “El Magnifico” Vazquez. The former champ will always be recognized for his wars versus Rafael Marquez. The Mexican warrior opened his own in South Gate and says he enjoys seeing young champions train. He had two of his belts with him and let the youngsters pose with the precious hardware. “Where do you keep your belts?” I asked the puncher, who was with his gorgeous wife, Laura. “I have a display for them in my house,” Vazquez replied.
Israel then met up with the other champs for an impromptu photo op at boxing trainer and sculptor Steve Harpst’s booth. The California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee brought several of his award-winning bronze statues in a special surprise showing at this 2012 “Boxing Superstars Meet & Greet.” “I wanted to come out and support the show,” the coach and artist said. “I think this is an incredible event for the community and I’m honored to be part of it.”
There among the bronzed immortals, today’s current champs had a blast greeting each other and all the fans buzzed around the group. Hoisting their championship belts, there was a lot of gleaming metal flashed. These fighters have all sacrificed a lot in earning their world titles and take pride in what they worked hard to attain.
Giving respect to each and every boxer, this Pico Park party was a chance for everyone to shine–both amateurs and pros, veteran pugs and new up-and-comers, male and female fighters, champions and contenders alike.
“The Boxing Superstar Meet & Greet started last year from a collaboration of ideas with Efrain Lee from The City of Pico Rivera and me,” Robb Gomez, Alfonso’s brother relayed. “Twelve boxers made an appearance last year, leaving the city and the fans happy and wanting more! So in 2012 we did “Boxing Superstarts Meet & Greet Round 2.”
Alfonso Gomez spoke of all the hard work by his brother, Efrain Lee and everyone involved: “Robb and Efrain have done a great job planning everything. And we’re already looking forward to next year–it will be even bigger and better each year!”
On stage, the mayor also expressed the team’s appreciation. “We want to thank the boxers and the families of the fighters for all the sacrifices they make in boxing,” Mayor Archuleta announced. “And thanks for all your support at this Meet & Greet!”
All in all, it was a “knockout” night for the community with the boxers bringing everyone together.
Photos by Michele Chong

St. John created the non-profit foundation “El Saber Es Poder” to aid Latino schools in the U.S. St. John, accompanied by her mother Maria Rosales, visited schools to stress the importance of family, education, self-empowerment, and voting.

We’re sure a donation made in memory of  Maria would be fitting.

http://www.miastjohnfoundation.org/

A star-studded group of past and present world champions plus numerous boxing dignitaries  were in attendance. Steve Farhood and David diamante servedas Master of Ceremonies.

“We’re excited to be celebrating the silver anniversary of the RING 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony,” RING 8 president Bob Duffy said. “We continue our proud record of lending a helping hand to those in the boxing community who are less fortunate and may require assistance in terms of paying their rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need. Our Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony celebrates our great sport of boxing and insures that much-needed funding is raised so we may continue our mission for our needy brothers and sisters in boxing. We will never waver from their corners. With all of these outstanding boxers and award winners, we’re confident that this will be our most successful event.”

The 2011 RING 8 Honorees are:

Fighter of the Decade (nineties) — Roy Jones, Jr.
Fight of the Year: Delvin Rodriguez vs. Pawel Wolak
First Hispanic Heavyweight Champion of the World: John Ruiz
Outstanding Achievement Award – Tomasz Adamek
Trainer of the Decade: Emanuel Steward
Ring 8 Promoter of the Year: Ziggy Rozalski
Uncrowned Champion: Michael DeLaRue
Longevity Service to Amateur Boxing: Frank Pena
Humanitarian Award: Jill Diamond
Amateur Boxer of the Year: Marcus Brown
Ring 8 Member of the Year: Keith Sullivan
Official of the Year: Ralph Petrillo
Ring 8 Boxing Historian: Henry Hascup
Manager of the Year: Philip Pilevsky

In addition to Jones, Ruiz and Adamek, other invited former world champion include Mark Breland, Juan LaPorte, Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill, Lonnie Bradley, Kathy “Wildcat” Collins, Iran “The Blade” Barkley and Junior “Poison” Jones, as well unbeaten, present IBF super featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano and NABF light welterweight titlist Gabriel “Tito” Bracero, and from the ‘The Contender” television reality series, trainer Tommy Gallagher. and many, many others

(WBC Cares Committee Members and Isaiah’s family)
Thanks to Rudy Tellez and Mauricio Sulaiman spreading the word, Isaiah, whose boxing gear was stolen from his mom’s car, had it replaced by Lou Dibella; including an autographed glove by Isaiah’s idol, Sergio Martinez. It was a great Christmas for the young champ!

Story and photos by Michele Chong
Now that the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) 49th World Convention has been officially recorded in the history books, there’s one shining moment that many will remember from the week-long mega event at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
During the Opening Ceremonies, the event got a KO kickoff from one talented teen and her champion father.
Thirteen-year-old Wynona Leigh McCullough (“Wy Mac”) is the daughter of the beloved “Pocket Rocket” himself, former WBC Bantamweight Champion Wayne McCullough (27-7, 18 KOs).
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this talented father-daughter duo at various boxing and WBC Cares charity events so I was especially looking forward to seeing the family in Vegas. Chosen by Jose Sulaiman and Mauricio Sulaiman’s famed organization, Wynona was handpicked to sing “We Are The World” as over 4,000 people were expected to join the convention. Wy Mac’s live performance wowed the crowd and was also broadcast around the globe on the WBC boxing channel.
Wynona was the perfect choice for the solo. Decked out in gold pants and a sparkling WBC T-shirt, the teenager nailed her performance in front of approximately 1,400 delegates from all over the world including over 100 champions and contenders, and thousands of WBC officials, judges, referees, promoters, and more. Singing in front of a choir of children who joined the starlet on stage, the petite brunette received a unanimous decision from the large crowd in the hall.
And Team McCullough had a one-two punch of a day as champ Wayne McCullough was one of the elite prizefighters picked to carry one of the flags during the Opening Ceremony festivities. Wayne carried Nevada’s “Battle Born” flag; alongside fellow champs Roberto Duran, Roy Jones Jr., Canelo Alvarez and others, the Belfast boxer walked in the honorable procession toward the grand stage. It was truly a sight to behold as this pound for pound group greeted Don Jose Sulaiman, ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr., Joe Dwyer, Board of Governors, and all of the dignitaries on the VIP dais.
I caught up with Wayne, Wy Mac and the third member of the team, Cheryl McCullough later that night after the Champions Gala where Wayne was honored with honored with a special WBC medallion plate and a miniature WBC belt in a ring ceremony during the awards banquet. As a former WBC and NABF Bantamweight Champion, a Ring magazine titlist, a two-time Olympian, a Silver Medalist in the 1992 Barcelona Games, and a 1988 Seoul Olympian, McCullough is definitely worthy of his newest awards. He is currently an author, trainer, and fight correspondent and is also involved in many charitable foundations including “IHOW” (I Helped Out Wayne).
The McCulloughs lived in Las Vegas for many years before relocating to Los Angeles because of Wynona’s burgeoning career in show business in Hollywood. Her parents, Wayne are Cheryl, are very supportive of their girl while Tinseltown calling. Cheryl is also a force behind the scenes as a manager and PR extraordinaire. Both parents were extremely proud of their young daughter. This “triple threat” of an artist also plays the piano, can spit a mean rap and is a YouTube sensation known for her many covers including takes on Justin Bieber (whom she’s met) and is also known for her hip hop routines with Brooklyn Jai.
And if you’ve ever met the spirited McCulloughs, one thing that stands out is their sense of humor and fun-loving attitudes. I teased Wayne about losing his latest “challenge” by his daughter, which meant he was “forced” to perform in YouTube reenactments of hit songs by Beyonce and LMFAO. Yes, the Northern Ireland fighter donned a black leotard while dancing to “Single Ladies.” Google it–it’s a big hit!
His brand new video is a parody of LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It” where he does pushups poolside.
I asked Wynona how she got her father to perform in front of the cameras, recreating the vids–and I also remark that she always seems to win in their challenges!
She laughs. “I do always win,” the 13-year-old (and video editor) tells me. “The videos were really fun to make–and somehow I don’t think my dad really minds doing them.”
The girl is then summoned for more photo ops with champs and I watch as she poses with a hand symbol in the shots.
“That’s her ‘Wy Mac’ symbol,” mom Cheryl mentions to me. Watching Wayne rise to the top, it looks like the pretty wife of the world titlist will now get to see daughter Wynona bloom in the entertainment world.
And during the evening, it was obvious from all passersby how popular this family is. As I visited with the McCulloughs, a steady stream of well wishers stopped by to greet both the trio. And there was a common sentiment among the boxing crowd that chatted with Cheryl, the champion and their cute singing daughter.
First were the rave reviews for the dynamo’s “We Are The World” performance. Second was the exclamation upon seeing the girl up close and all grown up was: “I knew you when you were a baby!”
Wynona smiled and greeted each boxing veteran that marveled over how time flies…and how the little girl is now a stylish teen–and a bright star during the Opening Ceremonies. Referee Kenny Bayless told me he really enjoyed watching Wayne’s daughter sing on stage–and yes, he, too knew her when she was a toddler.
Former WBC Middleweight Champ Iran “The Blade” Barkley and ex-WBC Light Heavyweight Champ Mike “The Body Snatcher” McCallum were also impressed with the singer/dancer/actress’ stage presence.
“I remember her when she was just a baby,” the Jamaican puncher told me. “She did a great job singing! She is amazing–and so poised for a young girl.”
Wynona is very poised–and with nerves of steel that match her championship dad’s. Wayne was known for his explosiveness, heart and steel chin in the ring and for always giving 101%. A “chip off the old block,” his daughter shined on stage–in front of a star-studded and massive worldwide platform.
I asked her how she felt going into her performance.
“I was a little nervous before I sang,” she admitted. “But once I reached the stage I was not nervous at all! It was fun and I really enjoyed it. I love performing!”
Spoken like a true champ.

Photos by Michele Chong