News On: Randall Bailey, B-Way Boxing Tix, Sunnyside Ceremony

MIAMI (October 9, 2012) – International Boxing Federation (IBF) Welterweight Champion Randall “KO King” Bailey (43-7, 37 KOs) has fully recovered from a back injury that postponed his original September 8th title defense date against Devon Alexander “The Great” (23-1, 13 KOs). Three-time world champion Bailey plans to live-up to his “KO King” nickname against former two-time world lightweight titlist Alexander on October 20, featured on Showtime Championship Boxing, live from the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

“Training has been great, everything has gone very well,” Bailey said from his Florida training camp. “All I'm focused on is my October 20th fight in New York City. I could have cared less where it was, as long as it wasn't St. Louis (Alexander's hometown).”

The assertion by Alexander's manager/trainer, Kevin Cunningham, that Bailey withdrew from that fight date because he wasn't ready to fight Alexander, questioning the validity of Bailey's back injury, has fueled Bailey's fire.

“Kevin Cunningham is crazy,” Bailey claimed. “He's not going to get hit and that's why he's been talking so much 'smack.' Ron Jackson (Mike Jones' head trainer) did the same thing and he got fired after I knocked out Jones. (Bailey captured the IBF crown on June 9 by way of a devastating 'Knockout of the Year' candidate right uppercut in the 11th round.) I understand why he's so upset, though. Now, he has to wait a little longer to get his two checks for this fight as manager and trainer. I'm glad Cunningham has pumped me up because, when I hit this kid, just touch him, he's going to know he's in big trouble. All of his talking is going to end up in an ass whooping for his boy. Once the bell rings, it's just me and him, and I know what to do. He's been hurt by smaller guys than me. He's smaller than Jones and everybody saw what I did to him.”

“I'm not playing any games. Nobody has ever given me anything. I've earned everything I've done. I wanted this fight to happen as soon as possible; I don't have another five years left in my career. I'm the one who said to make this fight in the first place. Cunningham's way out of line; I guess they wanted me to fight a guy with a cane, wearing a neck brace. There was never a question that this fight would not take place.”

Bailey's longtime manager Si Stern, who worked with Bailey's promoter Lou DiBella to reschedule the fight, added, “Cunningham has no basis for anything he's said about Randall. He's been shooting his mouth off a lot. Who is he to question Randall's trainer, two-time world champion John David Jackson, about what sparring partners he's brought in? Who has Cunningham ever trained other than Alexander and Cory Spinks? John David has trained great fighters like Bernard Hopkins and Shane Mosley. Injuries are just an unfortunate part of boxing. Randall has 14 more knockouts than Alexander has had pro fights, so why would he be afraid to fight him like Cunningham has been saying? I've never seen Randall more determined to knock out an opponent than Alexander because of all of Cunningham's trash talk. He will shut Cunningham's mouth on October 20!”

Bailey, arguably the premier one-punch knockout artist in the world, could very well steal the spotlight from all of the other world-class fighters in action Oct. 20 if he lands his vaunted right on Alexander's chin.

NEW YORK (October 8, 2012) – Ring 8's commemorative ceremony for the old Sunnyside Garden Arena last Saturday was a major success. More than 150 people turned out in support, including many who fought there between 1945 and 1977.

The Sunnyside Garden Arena monument reads: This monument is in honor and dedicated to those men who fought in the amateurs and professional bouts.

Some of the more notable boxers who fought at Sunnyside Garden Arena between 1945 and 1977 included Emile Griffith, Bob Cassidy, Gerry Cooney, Jose Torres, Oscar Bonevena Sr., Eddie Gregory, Vito Antuofermo, Ron Lyle, Harold Johnson, and the Archer brothers, Jimmy and Joey. Other Ring 8 members who also fought there included Henny Wallitsch, Bobby Bartels, John Colon, Tommy Englehardt and Lenny Mangiapane.

“Ring 8 was proud to remember Sunnyside Garden Arena in this fashion and also honor the many boxers who fought there as professionals or amateurs,” Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. “We had a great turnout and wonderful time. I want to thank everybody who supported Ring 8's efforts. Sunnyside Garden Arena will never be forgotten.”

New York, NY (10/9/12) – Tickets are currently on sale for the latest installment of DiBella Entertainment's Broadway Boxing series. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, or by calling the DiBella Entertainment office at (212) 947-2577. Tickets are priced at $125, $85, and $65. There are no $45 tickets available. There are also a limited amount of VIP tables available for purchase. VIP table's are priced at $1500. There are 10 seats to each table and dinner is catered by Anthony Catanzaro's Portobello's. Doors open at 6 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

On Wednesday, October 24, DiBella Entertainment returns to the Roseland Ballroom in NYC with the latest installment of the ever-popular Broadway Boxing series. Headlining the card will be Long Beach, New York's undefeated light heavyweight prospect Seanie Monaghan (15-0, 10KO's) defending his WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title against Rayco “War” Saunders (22-17-2, 9KO's).

In the co-feature bout of the evening, Brooklyn's Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (19-1, 3KO's) squares off against hard-hitting Eric Cruz (13-10, 13KO's) in an eight-round junior welterweight matchup. The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Manfredi Auto Group, Newlio.com, and Everlast. SNY will broadcast the event tape-delayed.