NO HOLDS BARRED

NO HOLDS BARRED on PodOmatic

On this edition of NO HOLDS BARRED, host Eddie Goldman previews two important boxing cards coming up in the next several days, and takes on the issue of comparing boxing and mixed martial arts. We also answer some compelling e-mails.

We begin by speaking with boxing promoter Lou DiBella about the decline of boxing in the U.S. and the relationship – or non-relationship – of that decline to the growth of mixed martial arts. His commentary is explosive and controversial about both these sports.

DiBella is joining forces with Bob Arum's Top Rank and Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing to co-promote a show Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Utopia Paradise Theater in the Bronx, NY. Headlining that card will be a fight between NABF 154-pound titleholder Andrey Tsurkan (25-2, 16 KOs), born in Ukraine and living in the Bronx, and undefeated challenger Yuri Foreman (23-0, 8 KOs), born in Belarus and living in Brooklyn. The winner improves his chances at getting a shot at the WBC title in that weight, presently held by Vernon Forrest. This fight will be televised live in the U.S. on Versus.

We spoke with both Andrey Tsurkan and Yuri Foreman as well as Lou DiBella at a New York news conference Wednesday.

This coming Saturday, December 1, Vernon Forrest will be co-featured on a major card at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, and televised live in the U.S. on Showtime.

On that show, former world light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver (25-4, 18 KOs) takes on journeyman Danny Santiago (29-3-1, 19 KOs); WBC super welterweight champion Vernon Forrest (39-2, 28 KOs) faces former IBF world welterweight champion Michele Piccirillo (48-3, 30 KOs); and IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire (18-1, 11 KOs) fights veteran Luis Maldonado (37-1-1, 28 KOs).

We spoke with Antonio Tarver, Vernon Forrest, and Nonito Donaire at a New York news conference Tuesday to get their takes on these fights.

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The NO HOLDS BARRED theme song is called "The Heist", by musician Ian Carpenter.

NO HOLDS BARRED is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

Art of War, the undisputed arena fighting championship, promoted by SUN Sports and Entertainment, producing world class mixed martial arts events. For more information, check out their web site, ArtOfWarLive.com.

IFL, the International Fight League, the world's first professional mixed martial arts league. Make sure to check out their regular TV shows on FSN (Fox Sports Net) in the U.S. and to check your local listings for dates and times. You can also catch IFL Battleground on MyNetworkTV. Check out the IFL web site, ifl.tv, for a listing of IFL live events and their TV schedule.

Gladiator Challenge, shaking up the mixed martial arts world since 1999, and now with 30 shows per year. For more news and info, check out their web site, GladiatorChallenge.com.

BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

Gladiator Magazine, for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear.

FightBeat.com, for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.

Labels: Andrey Tsurkan, Antonio Tarver, BJJ, boxing, Eddie Goldman, jiu-jitsu, Lou DiBella, mixed martial arts, MMA, No Holds Barred, Nonito Donaire, UFC, ultimate fighting, Vernon Forrest, Yuri Foreman