Octavius James, Funeral Arrangements

OCTAVIUS C. JAMES

Octavius C. James passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 24, 2009. He accepted Christ as his personal savior at an early age. He is survived by his loving mother, Paulette (David) Steele; father, Bill James; step-mother, Theresa James; son, Jarquell James; two sisters, Lynette James and Erica James, both of Gary, IN; fiancee, Shenicka N. Wiggins; godchildren, Elizah A. Gaskin of Warner Robins, GA, Ethan A. Ortiz of Santa Maria, CA, William A. Wiley, Jr. of Crown Point, IN; special cousin, La Chandra R. Monroe of Indianapolis, IN; two aunts, Pauline Rambo of Indianapolis, IN and Johnnie Mae (Kevin) Davis of Merrillville, IN; three uncles, Arthur Rogers of Gary, IN, Dave (Melanie) Christopher of Louisville, KY, Lawrence (Trinna) Chirstopher of Avon, IN; godmother, Lillie B. Masey of Gary, IN; godfather, Sylvester Nevell of Gary, IN; and a host of other family and friends. Waiting to greet Octavius in Heaven are his grandparents, Reverend Jasper and Mrs. Viola Christopher. Octavius was president and CEO of One In A Million Boxing Inc, serving Northwest Indiana and Big Bear, California. An ambitious and driven businessman, he built his company from the ground up in 2003. Through hard work and preserverance, Octavius and One In A Million Inc quickly became an entertaining driving force in the boxing world. A pillar of the community, he opened his heart and facility doors to those seeking his assistance. A kind and loving man with a heart of gold, Octavius C. James will be sorley missed by all those he touched. Visitation will be Friday, July 31, 2009 at New Hope M.B. Church from 12 noon until 8:00 PM with Family Hour from 6 PM-8 PM. Home going services will be Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 1:00 PM at New Hope M.B. Church 2307 Rhode Island Street in Gary, Indiana. Professional services rendered by Guy & Allen Funeral Directors, Inc.

Vernon Forrest: Funeral Arrangements

WASHINGTON, DC – July 28 – Funeral services for Vernon Forrest will be held on Monday, August 3 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, 6400 Woodrow Road, Lithonia, GA 30038. Church phone: 770.696.9600

www.newbirth.org

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&q=6400+Woodrow+Road+Lithonia,+GA+30038&ie=UTF8&ll=33.703278,-84.129868&spn=0.031989,0.055189&z=14&iwloc=r4

Arrangements should be sent directly to the church and/or donations can be made in Vernon’s name to the Georgia Amateur Boxing Association (501ce), 2195 Emerald Drive, Jonesboro, GA 30236 ( 770-471-1080 ), Attn: Buddy Davis, President

Forrest, James, Montivias

Dear friends: I am sure that most of you have heard this sad news already, but I am taking the liberty to forward this article below to you. While the WBC had some differences with Vernon recently concerning his match with Sergio Martinez, he was truly a credit to our sport – being very active, as you may know, in work with under privileged and challenged youth in Atlanta and Augusta. I remember the first time I met Vernon when his first pro trainer, my friend the late Malik Muhammad, introduced us in the coffee shop at the Reno airport…I was returning home from a NABF meeting and Malik and Vernon were catching a plane back to Atlanta from one of Vernon’s early fights. At that time Malik promised me that Vernon would be both a NABF and WBC champion one day. Sure enough, Vernon became first a WBC Continental Americas champion, then moved up a step to become the NABF champ, and then went on to become a proud WBC world champion.

Also it is with sadness I report two other deaths in the boxing family over the past two days. Octavius James, based in Indiana and Chicago, one of the bright and successful young promoters (he was only age 36) passed away over night on Friday night. Details on his death are sort of sketchy now, but he had no previous health problems that were known. A nice man who was one of the few who ALWAYS said “thank you” when he would call me for advice or information.

Also boxer Francisco “Poncho” Montivias of Mississippi passed away of ring related injuries on Saturday after his loss Friday night on a card in Bay St. Louis, MS. An outstanding amateur boxer in his native state, Poncho was making his second pro outing on Friday.

Please keep their families and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

CLAUDE JACKSON

Octavius James, Passes

It grieves me to post the story below. It signals the end of an exciting time in the Midwest, when a young man brought fire to an area that lacked passion for the sport of Boxing. It also signals the end of that man’s life; Octavius James, who at 36 years of age died quietly in his sleep. I had the pleasure of meeting Octavius, and the One In A Million team, when I supervised Mary McGee and Kristy Follmar’s WBC fight. I say this without prejudice, it was one of the best fights and most exciting evenings in boxing I’ve ever had – and from the commission to the company in charge – first rate and professional. The WBC salutes One in a Million and says a sorrowful farewell to a good friend and a fine promoter.

McGee, Octavius James, Follmar

Carina Moreno: WBC World Champion

http://www.womenboxing.com/youtube/video-morenocarina.htm

ARREOLA, CUNNINGHAM, LAROUCHE ON SIRIUS’ POUND 4 POUND RADIO

STARS TAKE TIME OUT OF TITLE HUNT, APPEAR ON SIRIUS/XM 98

TORONTO, ON (Thurs. July 23, 2009) – Pound 4 Pound Radio, satellite radio’s only all-boxing talk program, dives right into boxing’s hot topics tonight at 7:00 PM ET on SIRIUS/XM channel 98.

Three men who are an integral part in every debate taking place in the boxing community currently will join host Jason Abelson and give their own two cents.

With a WBC heavyweight title contest announced between David Haye and Nikolai Valuev, American heavyweight prospect Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola is staring down a championship opportunity of his own in the near future. The 28-year old slugger will take on Oleg Maskaev on October 3, and will discuss his place and future in the division tonight.

In addition, two men with some serious complaints about missed opportunities and mismanagement on the part of rival promoters and governing bodies will voice their concerns. Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham, fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Wayne Braithwaite, will discuss his still ambiguous place in the IBF cruiserweight picture. Fans were heavily anticipating a second installment of Cunningham’s 2008 fight of the year candidate with title-holder Tomasz Adamek, however the champion has recently stated that he wishes to vacate and move up in weight!

Similarly, Canadian trainer Stephane Larouche, the lead hand behind IBF Super Middleweight champion Lucian Bute is disappointed in SHOWTIME’s decision not to include his fighter in the upcoming World Boxing Classic event. Larouche will join the show live from Montreal to weigh in on the tournament, and Bute’s upcoming clash with Librado Andrade.

Finally, Dave “Large” Larzelere will make the first of his regular appearances on Pound 4 Pound Radio, breaking down all the news in the boxing world. Larzelere is a key cog in the No Mas clothing brand, which has teamed with the program, as well as a contributor to both HBO Sports and The Sporting News.

WHO: Cristobal Arreola, Steve Cunningham, Stephane Larouche

WHAT: Pound 4 Pound Radio on Hardcore Sports Radio (SIRIUS/XM 98)

WHEN: Thursday, July 23, 2009 (7:00 PM ET)

About the program

Pound 4 Pound Radio is the only weekly boxing program airing across North America on the satellite airwaves. Host Jason Abelson breaks down the weekly happenings in the squared circle, and speaks to the biggest names in boxing every Friday at 7:00 PM ET on Hardcore Sports Radio (SIRIUS 98). Past guests include: “Sugar” Ray Leonard, Lennox Lewis, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr., Bob Arum, Shane Mosley, Ken Norton, Jermain Taylor, Ross Greenburg, Nonito Donaire, James Toney, John Ruiz, Buddy McGirt, Paulie Malignaggi, Andre Berto, Lou DiBella, Larry Merchant, Bob Papa and Max Kellerman.

For a copy of the show to review or post on your website, contact:

Jason Abelson

jason_abelson@yahoo.com

Corey Erdman

corey.erdman@gmail.com

Gatti

A picture speaks a thousand tears. This is Arturo Gatti’s mom at his funeral.