Santana headed to Showtime in April!


Edgar Santana will be appearing on the ShoBox series televised by Showtime on April 11th from Miami, Florida. He will be facing Joseito Lopez 22-2 (13KO) of Riverside, CA in a 10 round Main Event.

© 2007, 2008 Keisha Morrisey all rights reserved

NEW YORK– IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi hopes to ink a pact early next week to confirm his dream deal: a two-fight arrangement culminating with a showdown against the world’s recognized No. 1 junior welterweight, Ricky Hatton, The Ring magazine and IBO title-holder.

Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi


"I’ve got to admit that, after the Cotto fight," Malignaggi said, "I never thought that I’d get the chance to fight another great champion again. I believed in myself, but it was almost like I proved too much to everyone, that I had skills, but most of all, that I’m as tough as anyone who ever laced on gloves. I’m really grateful that Team Hatton looks like they’ll give me the opportunity to fight on Ricky’s big card in Manchester in May and then against him in the Fall in the United States.

"Ricky and I have a lot in common. Both our fathers were soccer players – his in England and mine in Italy – and we’ve both paid our dues and earned the respect of the fans and other fighters. The only marks on our records came against two great fighters, Mayweather and Cotto.

Ricky Hatton


What makes it so exciting is the big difference in our fighting styles. Ricky is rough and tough; an all-action fighter who takes advantage of everything he can to get the win. You’re never going to see a Hatton fight that doesn’t keep you on the edge of your seat. Most of my fights have been boxing matches. The excitement was dictated by how aggressive the other guy wanted to be. If they brought it, they got it back times 10. I know I’m at the top of my game right now and that’s what it takes to have a chance against a great champion like Ricky Hatton."

Malignaggi (24-1, 5 KOs) captured the IBF title last June, defeating champion Lovemore N’dou (45-8-1) by 12-found decision, and Paulie successfully defended his belt in January with a 12-round decision against No. 1 contender Herman Ngoudjo (16-1).



"Everyone was blown away when they heard Ricky was going to fight at City of Manchester Stadium," Paulie continued. "It’s going to be crazy over there! They’ve had a lot of quality fighters in Great Britain - Joe Calzaghe, David Haye, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank. They also had Lennox Lewis, but nothing like what Ricky means to them. Vegas was crazy last December and I know we can bring that atmosphere back when we go at it in the Fall. This won’t be a Friendly, more like a World Cup match, wherever we fight.

"My goal has always been to make the biggest and best fights, just like my great friend, Floyd Mayweather, has told me to do. A match-up between me and Ricky will be a Super Fight, one talked about for as long as there is boxing. No other fight at 140 matters.

Paul Malignaggi and Aaron Baraunstein


And before the fight, well, everyone knows that I talk a lot of smack, so Ricky’s not going to get any breaks there, either. Like with Floyd, me and Ricky can save seeing if we’re cool until once we’ve earned each other’s respect at the only place it counts – in the ring. There is no one, I repeat, no one I want to fight more than the No. 1 guy in the division - Ricky Hatton. Forget the money, forget the titles, this is about being the best. I know that if I get in the ring with Ricky Hatton, I’ll show him and everyone else what I’m made of, that I am the best 140-pound fighter in the world.

"I want to thank Ricky, his father, Ray, his lawyer, Gareth, who I met in Vegas, my team and everyone at Golden Boy and DBE for working so hard on this. I know I’m not always the easiest guy to deal with because I get so emotional over stupid stuff and open my mouth. I want to hype things up and get my chance to prove to everyone that I can walk the walk with the best. I’m ready to sign on the dotted line and prove to the Hattons and everyone else that Paulie Malignaggi is ready and up for the task of making this the biggest and best promotion that it can be. The best versus the best!
’Magic Man’


If Ricky Hatton can beat me, then he can close the book on the 140-pound division. But no one’s beating the ’Magic Man’ ever again. Me and Ricky are both professionals and know we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We both know that if we don’t win in May, our fight can never happen. Let everyone know that Paulie Malignaggi will do his part to make this happen and I’m counting on Ricky to do the same."

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Boxing promoter Lou DiBella, President and CEO of DiBella Entertainment and Diane Garnick, an Investment Strategist for Invesco, have been selected as honorees for the 2008 Council for Unity Champions for Children Gala. The gala will take place at 6pm on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at The Lighthouse Chelsea Piers.

Lou DiBella


The mistress of ceremonies will be Law and Order SVU’s Tamara Tunie, who plays medical examiner Dr. Melinda Warner. Other special VIP participants include New Jersey State Senate President Richard Codey and 1997 Nobel Prize Winner in economics Dr. Robert C. Merton, the John and Natty McArthur University Professor at the Harvard Business School.

Lou DiBella launched DiBella Entertainment in May of 2000 as a full- service sports and entertainment company, while maintaining its presence in the world of boxing. Mr. DiBella is the President and managing partner of the San Francisco Giants’ class AA minor league baseball affiliate, the Connecticut Defenders. He recently appeared in the Sylvester Stallone boxing film "Rocky Balboa" (2006) as the fight promoter who stages Rocky’s return to the ring. DiBella is currently a producer on the film "Love Ranch" which is being directed by Academy Award winner Taylor Hackford and stars Academy Award winners Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci.

Lou DiBella


Diane Garnick directs the Global Investment Solutions and Research Team at Invesco. She has published hundreds of reports that focus on portfolio construction, volatility, corporate actions, equity indices, exchange trade funds, futures, options, accounting and taxation. Ms. Garnick is the founder of The Ladies in Red, a charitable organization focused on charities geared towards solving issues faced by underprivileged children and women throughout the world.

Event sponsorship ranges from $25,000- $50,000 for President’s Circle table, $10,000 for Patron table, $5,000 for host committee table, and $500 per person. For tickets call 212.701.9440 or for more information on the Council for Unity please visit their website at www.councilforunity.org. The Council for Unity is a qualifying tax-exempt organization as described in section 501C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Proceeds from this event will enable the organization to continue its vital work on behalf of young people.

The Council for Unity is a not-for-profit children’s charity that has been resolving issues of safety, bias, bullying, and gang violence in schools and communities over 30 years. The Council is known for successfully reaching the unreachable child, and actively helps over 80,000 young people every day. Their mission is to empower young people, individuals, and groups with the skills necessary to promote safety, unity and achievement in schools and communities.

DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing, March 5 fight card results lights sparks: Santana Shines, Starks/Ledesman Rematch and Garcia’s Graceful KO of Innocent......


Headlined by a rematch between Gary "Kid" Stark now (21-2, 8 KO’s) and Andres Ledesma
now (14-8-1, 9 KO’s).


Kendall Holt, Gary Starks and Brendan Jacobs

Kendall Holt, Gary Starks and Brendan Jacobs


Junior Welterweight Edgar "El Chamaco" Santana now (22-2, 14 KO’s) KO’d, veteran Grover Wiley now (30-11, 14 KO’s) in round 4.

Edgar "El Chamaco" Santana


Grover Wiley


Edgar "El Chamaco" Santana


Bronx heavyweight Israel "King Kong" Garcia now (19-1, 11 KO’s), KO’d Innocent Otukwu now (14-12-1, 2 KO’s) of Minneapolis, Mn. in round 2.

Israel "King Kong" Garcia


Innocent Otukwu


Raymond Biggs Jr. now (8-0, 6 KO’s), won by decision over Chris Gray now (8-7-1, 1 KO), in a 6 round bout.

Raymond Biggs Jr.


Chris Gray


Brooklyn Junior Middleweights Ariel Espinal now (6-3-2, 2 KO’s vs. Richard Pierson, ended in a 6 round draw.

Richard Pierson and Curtis Stevens


Tracey Hutt of Island Park made her pro debut, however Lindsay Garbatt now (1-1) of Ontario Canada, KO’d the featherweight Tracey Hutt in round 4.

Tracey Hutt


Joel Torres W 8 Mike Gonzalez
Joselito Collado W 4 Vineash Rungea

Celebrity Sitings

"The Contenders" star, Jaidon Codrington and Michelle "Mitch" Matlock, who delivered the "National Anthemn" song.


Jorge Teron and Danny Jacobs


SANTANA

*** DBE Spanish Harlem Junior Welterweight wants Salita***

"Santana has been diligently training and looking sharp for his return to Broadway Boxing," said manager Ernesto Dallas.

Santana is looking to rebound and "is on the comeback trail since his disappointing loss in June and is ready to show that one bad night does not derail a career," said Dallas. "Santana is still an emerging force in the Junior Welterweight division. It is a testament to our faith in Santana that we are going to fight Grover Wiley as a comeback fight. This is the same Grover Wiley who fought Dmitriy Salita and went the distance with him as a main event."



Team Santana knows exactly who they have their sights set on for the future. "I want to invite all fans to come out to the Manhattan Center on March 5th and see Santana’s performance against Wiley and compare to what Salita looked like against Wiley," said Dallas. "I also want to extend a personal invitation to Dmitriy and the rest of Team Salita to come out and watch a real fighter at work. There will be ringside seats waiting at the door coutesy of Edgar Santana. Team Santana doesn’t take on bums! Salita was too scared to fight us on HBO last year. Maybe after Santana’s performance with Wiley, Salita will grow a pair and step into the ring with Edgar and try to justify his ridiculous 3 ranking by the WBA!"

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NEW YORK- Edgar "El Chamaco" Santana (22-3, 14 KO’s) is looking to take the next big step in his quest to be a major player in the junior welterweight division. The DBE Spansh Harlem Junior Welterweight will face a tough, veteran test when he goes up against Grover Wiley (30-10, 14 KO’s) Wednesday night at DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing card at Grand Ballroom at Manhattan Center. "Santana has been diligently training and looking sharp for his return to Broadway Boxing," said manager Ernesto Dallas.



Santana is looking to rebound and "is on the comeback trail since his disappointing loss in June and is ready to show that one bad night does not derail a career," said Dallas. "Santana is still an emerging force in the Junior Welterweight division. It is a testament to our faith in Santana that we are going to fight Grover Wiley as a comeback fight. This is the same Grover Wiley who fought Dmitriy Salita and went the distance with him as a main event."



Team Santana knows exactly who they have their sights set on for the future. "I want to invite all fans to come out to the Manhattan Center on March 5th and see Santana’s performance against Wiley and compare to what Salita looked like against Wiley," said Dallas. "I also want to extend a personal invitation to Dmitriy and the rest of Team Salita to come out and watch a real fighter at work. There will be ringside seats waiting at the door coutesy of Edgar Santana. Team Santana doesn’t take on bums! Salita was too scared to fight us on HBO last year. Maybe after Santana’s performance with Wiley, Salita will grow a pair and step into the ring with Edgar and try to justify his ridiculous 3 ranking by the WBA!"

The Santana/Wiley matchup will be apart of a great night of fights headlined by the rematch between Gary "Kid" Stark (20-2, 8 KO’s) and Andres Ledesma (14-7-1, 9 KO’s). Also on the card will be DBE Bronx heavyweight Israel "King Kong" Garcia (18-1, 10 KO’s), Puerto Rican native Joel Torres (8-0, 5 KO’s), Brooklyn Junior Middleweights Ariel Espinal (6-2-1, 2 KO’s) and Raymond Biggs Jr. (7-0, 6 KO’s), Queens native Joselito Collado (1-0), and featherweight Tracey Hutt making her pro debut out of Island Park.

Tickets for Broadway Boxing are currently on sale. They are available by calling DiBella Entertainment at (212) 947-2577. For more information on Broadway Boxing, please visit DiBella entertainment on the web at www.dbe1.com.