Salandy vs Ali and Morales

[B. Singh]

Trinidad Guardian
Wednesday 24 January 07
www.guardian.co.tt/SA-4.html

It’s not easy becoming a champion. But it much more difficult to stay one.

Monday morning I was up at 4 a.m. and heading for a “nice” long run with some of my camp mates, including Joel Eligor and Alexi Alexander. I have no intentions of being anything else but at peak fitness for my next fight.

These camp mates are all amateurs and there is so much raw talent among them that I was thinking that working with them will certainly help them to develop mentally and physically.

I feel that if I can encourage them to reach my level, they will bring home some Olympic Gold medals. I have confidence in Joel Eligor and Alexi Alexander.

I also visited the Guaico Hindu School during the week.

When I got there, it was recess time and when I saw the children, I was very excited since they reminded me of my school days.

As a matter of fact, a ‘vaps’ took over and I ran towards the children and started to play with them. I wanted to spend the whole day but the bell rang, so I had to calm myself whilst the children went back to their class.

Whilst awaiting the arrival Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Honorable Roger Boynes, I thought to myself I should go back to school, to pursue my academics and elocution, because I know that this is something I need to develop. I am scheduled to start at the University of T&T in San Fernando later this month.

The Minister arrived at noon and everyone assembled. We sang the national anthem, said some prayers and the awards ceremony to which were invited began.

When I saw the joy on the face of those who received awards, it touched my heart to know that even though there is so much negativity in Trinidad, there are still young people doing things to achieve and be the best they can be at what they do.

I feel that if other youths would get a proper role model, other than 50 cents and Biggie, get someone like Muhammad Ali or even Ato Boldon, Brian Lara and myself just to name a few, this nation WOULD be better.

After the ceremony, two young boys asked for my autograph. And then another two came and before I knew what was happening everyone wanted an autograph. I felt really honoured.

I told them to get in line and I started handing out autographs. I wished I had the speed of flash, because the Minister was running late so I had to disappoint some of the children.

We then went to Guaico Government School where the Minister again gave out prizes. Once more, I signed autographs. I was touched to find out that I was known by these young children. I wanted to stay and finish signing autographs but I had evening training.

Before, I was the hunter, hunting for World Titles, now, I am the hunted. So I went training, replenished my body with nutrients, and rested.

The rest of the week was pretty much the same, with the training routine.

I was disappointed to learn that Yvonne Reis, the person I was supposed to fight, pulled out of the fight. She said she was going Africa. I think she’s looking for an easier opponent.

Opponents are becoming difficult for us to access. They either want too much money or they want to take the lion’s share and pay me some kind of hungry money.

Worse yet, they want me to fight in their back yard. I find promoters in the United States very disrespectful of people from the Third World countries.
But I am leaving them in the hands of my promoter, Boxu Potts. My only concern is being in top shape and condition for other opponents.

Potts tells me that he got Rose Morales who is ranked No. 6.

They sent her records to the WBC and WBA to see if she meets their standards. Boy, this Rose in for a serious beating!

I hope Laila Ali does not pull out when her time comes.

People ask me if I am ready for Ali. Thanks for the concern but I am a prized fighter, I am always ready. Some think I am too young, but they seem to have forgotten about Machel Montano. He was too young to soca but today he is one of the greatest soca stars.

When you green, you grow and when you ripe you rot, I am still green and growing and Ali ripe and rotting. I will take care of her.

Potts is one of the most knowledgeable men in boxing. He has already devised a three-point plan to beat Ali. I am not seeing her as the daughter of the legendary fighter. When I get into the ring, I am going to fight my own style and use techniques on her.

At the end of the day, my hands will be raised in victory.

So when you see me, don’t ask if I’m ready, know that I am.

Incidentally, I was recognised by WBAN for being the ‘Most History Making Fighter of the year.’

I am very proud and hope that you share in my success.

Have a good week.

[yvonne]

I never recieved a contract. In fact, they (Potts I guess) seems to tell Wban before anything is ever even confirmed. Inever even get contected then find out that I am fighting someone -but no one ever contacts me? I never avoid anyone.

Yvonne

[B. Singh]

Does any one know who is Rose Morales? I did a search but came up empty-handed. Maybe the name is mispelt?

[Rick Scharmberg]

Hey B. Singh, how about offering an apology to Yvonne.

[B. Singh]

An apology for what? I just posted the info that the reporter got.

I put it there so that any one interested in could read it. I also highlighted it as welll, as I knew it was crap.

[B. Singh]

Salandy fights Laila Ali in September
By WALTER ALIBEY Wednesday, February 14 2007


THE BIG clash between local boxing sensation Giselle Salandy and world champion Laila Ali is on the horizons.

At a press launch at the Mas Camp Pub yesterday, boxing promoter and match-maker Boxu Potts said the encounter is carded for the last weekend in September.

And he claimed also that arrangements are being made for Salandy to be involved in a live-in camp in Los Angeles about three months before the fight in an attempt to get acclimatised to conditions.

But before the big fight, Salandy will square off against two opponents before putting her focus on Ali.

First is carded for March 24 at Skinner Park, San Fernando, on a card that is being labeled as the “Magnificent Seven World Titles” and is being funded by Hi-Lo.

On this card Salandy will place her seven world titles on the line, the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA), North American Boxing Council (NABC), World Boxing Empire (WBE), International Women’s Boxing Federation (IWBF), International Boxing Association (IBA) and Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA), when she takes on another American Yvonne Reis in a scheduled 12-round feature bout at the popular Sando venue.

Newsday learnt that the WBC and WBA have been considering making all women title fights 12-round bouts.

Salandy, whose only fight outside of Trinidad and Tobago was at the age of 14 years when she won her first world title, will have two disadvantages, first having to go up in weight and then fight in a foreign country.

According to Potts, a lot of female fighters have been running away from fighting Salandy and therefore he has targeted boxers who will have no choice but to take the fight.

“All the fighters are interested in meeting Laila Ali and therefore are avoiding any possible meeting with the impressive Salandy.”

Reis who has a record of 16 fights with nine victories and six defeats was recently beaten in her last fight by Latisha Robinson.

He added also that since it is difficult to get bouts for Salandy, he created a back-up fight, which includes Tricia Turton and Dakota Stone.

The card will also have another world title fight this time men, between local boy Kevin Placide and Venezuelan Perry Valor.

Potts said he felt Placide has made tremendous improvement and therefore the time had come for him to get a shot at a world title.

He noted also, that if Valor’s management decides to take another fight, he will make arrangements for another fighter to face Placide.

The powerful Placide will battle for the NABC, WBE and UBO titles with a promise that, if he wins, he will be given an opportunity to fight for the premier titles.

Placide said he will silence a lot of his critics on the night of March 24 and therefore urged the public to come out.

[B. Singh]

Trinidad Newday
Boxing setback for Salandy
By ZAID MOHAMMED Sports Editor Monday, February 19 2007

www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,52624.html

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s double world female boxing champion Giselle Salandy has received a setback in her long-term plan to land the biggest fight of her career.

Reports are that most famous name currently in the sport of women’s boxing, Laila Ali, will be taking “time off” from her boxing career, according to her manager, Damon Bingham. Amid reports that Ali was scheduled to fight Ann Wolfe later this year in South Africa, Bingham emphatically stated that “Laila has decided to take some time off” from the ring and there are no bouts scheduled in the foreseeable future.

In a phone conversation on February 12, Bingham responded to questions about a timetable, future bouts and opponents. He reiterated: “She will make a decision, in the future, as to whether she fights again and, if so, when and whom. Right now the only thing that is definite is that she is taking some time off.”

It was reported, in the South African press last week, that Ali, according to local promoter, Rodney Berman, would return to Johannesburg to fight Wolfe in early August.

There were also reports of an offer from Brian Young, Prize Fight Promotions, for an Ali/Wolfe bout in Tennessee later this year. Ali’s plans for “time off” seem to render any plans for these bouts moot.

Salandy, 19 and undefeated in 13 bouts is currently preparing for a seven-title fight on March 24 against American Yvonne Reis at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

She is angling for a match against Ali who recently knocked out Guyanese Gwendolyn O’Neil in South Africa in the first round of their scheduled ten-round bout. After that bout, Ali hinted that she is contemplating taking some time off possibly to have a baby.

This has apparently put a spanner in the works of international match-maker Boxu Potts who is the promoter of Salandy.

Yesterday Potts said he was up to date on the latest developments but was a bit perplexed by the reported plans to take some time off by Ali.

Potts said that he has written to the WBAN website making a case for Ali to call off any plans to take some time off from the sport and to get ready for the Salandy fight.

He however said that Salandy will continue to train and fight and is optimistic that the showdown with the daughter of former legendary heavyweight champion of the world Muhammad Ali will come off later this year.

“We are not too put off by the latest news. It is yet to be confirmed. In the meantime we are working with Salandy to keep her in top condition for the fight against the undefeated middleweight champion Ali,” said Potts yesterday.

Reis is expected in Trinidad and Tobago later this week to officially sign the fight contract to fight Salandy in the ten-rounder in which seven belts will be up for grabs and titled “The Magnificent Seven.”

The promotion has already received the support of Hi Lo Food Stores and the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.

And the astute Potts has revealed that a proposal concerning the March 24 fight has been forwarded to Senator Joan Yuille-Williams, Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs.

He said he was optimistic that Government will once again continue to contribute to the development of the sport and assist Salandy in attaining her full potential and ambition and bring honour and glory to Trinidad and Tobago.

[B. Singh]

Trinidad Guardian
Wed 14 Feb 07

Little me have them all afraid

www.guardian.co.tt/SA-4.html


Imagine, big, strong, Roselyn Morales pull out of the fight against me. I was getting ready and set for our March 24 battle at Skinner Park, San Fernando but Morales has opted out of the contest.

This woman is bigger, taller and stronger than I am and walking around at 170 pounds. My maximum walk around weight is 158 pounds. I don’t know what she is afraid of!

It looks like the six belts which I have is sending thrills through the spines all of the middle and welter weights.

Unfortunately, it is not my belts they have to fight, it’s me!

Then Angelica Martinez who is ranked third, has also refused to fight me. This woman beat Yvonne Reis and the great Christy Martin. I would really like to know what is her story?

Then imagine Jill Emery who fought Holly Holmes for US $5,000 wants US $8,000 to fight me. Jill Emery, please build your name for yourself before you start talking big money!

It looks like Trisha Turton (eight wins, two losses, with 3 ko’s) from Washington might take this fight or Yahaira Hernandez (10 wins, o loss) from Santo Domingo.

Hernandez sounds like a brave person, I hope she takes the fight. My promoter Boxu Potts says he is trying to contact her.

Imagine some of them just come, wanna be boxing pundits, trying to say I fighting a bunch of nobodies, yet still all of them running scared.

My promoter is on his phone and internet 24/7 talking to all of them but they all running and hiding.

I want to remind all of them that we are in this business to fight not to hide from each other. I heard Laila Ali said that she was running out of opponents. Is it that or is she running from opponents?

She is talking about having to fight smaller girls. So what? Boxing is not about size, it’s about skill.

Hollyfield was a small heavyweight and he used to give up to 20-50 pounds in areas and still beat up all them heavyweights.

Rocky Marciano (189-196 pounds) was one of the best heavyweights in the world. He used to give away up to 60 pounds. The great Jo Lewis, his best fighting weight was around 198 pounds. He gave away tons of weight and still used to order cuff for all of them.

I think you all get the point. I see Ali is going to fight Mary Jo Sanders in June in Boston. That is a nice fight, I hope she wins.

But I find that she is talking a kind of retirement talk too, I hope it ain’t me she is afraid of because I really looking forward to fighting her. I feel I will retire undefeated. Anyway T&T I trying to keep things brief.

That is all I have to say on boxing at the moment.

I still remain very concerned at what is happening in my country.

I find every time I walk through the streets everybody talking about how bad crime is.

I have already stated that each of us have a part to play in eliminating crime.

I like the idea of how the statements of deceased and missing peoples can be used in court hearings. I wish the parliamentarians hurry up and pass this bill. That will put criminals on their back foot.

I find that in kidnapping instances, they should freeze all the family’s assets. That will give the kidnappers something to think about. I read that is how it is done in Italy.

You know that man who used himself as a human shield to protect his stepson was a real noble deed, I have that man in my prayers, may his soul rest in peace.

This man put the baby life before his!

I want to do something positive for that child. I think I should go and visit him. Children should be the number one priority of this nation because they are the future Prime Ministers and Presidents of our country.

They are certainly a priority for me because my plan after boxing is to open a home for underprivileged children.

On another sporting subject, I real like that Stanford 2020 idea for cricket. That is going to boost sports and generate plenty interest in cricket. Imagine night cricket where you could just whisk of after work at 4 in the evening, and take in a match and get the results in three hours’ time.

All the stadiums should have that new feature. Imagine the excitement of World Cup here in our region. I hope that our locals treat the foreigners real nice, from the hoteliers to the criminals, so that they will have encouragement to come back and spend US dollars in our economy so that our region can enjoy first World Status at the end of the day.

[B. Singh]

Trinidad Guardian
Wednesday 28 February 07
www.guardian.co.tt/SA-5.html

Let’s continue good work of Carnival
Iam so happy to say we had a crime free Carnival although over 200 people were arrested. Nice work Commissioner of Police!

I wish the rest of the year could be like that. A proactive Police force with all the other protective services on board, gathering intelligence and protecting the nation; that is what it’s all about.

The entire hullabaloo about re-routing and changing up the systems for Carnival provided a positive outcome.

People must understand that with change comes growth and development, and people should not get complacent and fall into comfort zones and have business as usual.

It was a job well done by the Culture Minister.

I am really happy for my boy Cro Cro.

I love that performance. He deserved to win but I thought Chalkie would have placed second.

I am not a judge but Chalkie is one my favourite calypsonians.

Boy for Panorama, I liked the idea of Panorama Finals being in Skinner Park. Share up the Carnival events, some for the North and some for the South. Phase II had one hell of a performance so did All Stars.

At the end of the day, I couldn’t separate them I had to leave it up to the judges. Well done All Stars!

When I turned on my television on Carnival days, I saw Brian Lara, Machel Montano and all the Ministers playing mas together.

I found that to be really commendable, all of them in unity.

It looks like sports and Carnival are two things that could unite the nation.

It should be so all the time.

But there was no Carnival for yours truly. I got up and ran as usual through the Carnival season and then went to watch a little mas.

Yvonne Reis signed the contract for my March 24th fight in Skinner Park.

I’m looking forward to this fight.

I hear Reis is a fitness freak so I preparing for that. This fight will be an exciting one.

I understand she is a durable fighter and she will go all night with me.

But I don’t intend to lose this fight, especially in front on my home town. Yvonne girl, I respect you as a person but as a fighter it is strictly business, nothing personal.

I am not in the business of losing fights, so I am looking for the same results as all my other fights.

This is Magnificent 7 and I am going to keep it Magnificent. So I expect to see over 10,000 people cheering me on at the Skinner Park. That will make me feel really good. It is only then will I really believe I am doing something for my country.

Anyway have a good week.

[Rick Scharmberg]

Can they really draw 10,000 people?

[B. Singh]

No.

Potts is looking for as much $$ as he can from sponsors, goverment etc..

They r just saying that figure, to justify the amount of money they will need for the event. And the more $$ he gets, the better for his pocket.