Goossen announcement confirms Boxingtalk breaking news!

Boxing’s universally recognized “Pound-For-Pound” best fighter in the World is set to collide with the premier titleholder in the welterweight division, as “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather and Carlos Manuel “Tata” Baldomir square off for the WBC World Welterweight Championship in an HBO Pay Per View blockbuster on Saturday, November 4, 2006 from the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

 

This major announcement, sure to create a wave of anticipation and excitement for boxing fans worldwide, was made by Dan Goossen, President of California-based Goossen Tutor Promotions, which is promoting the event in association with Sycuan Ringside Promotions of San Diego.

 

The supremely talented and flashy 29-year-old Mayweather (36-0, 24 KOs) has established himself as a favorite of fans and boxing insiders alike – and one of the greatest stars in the business.  With his unblemished professional record and lofty status as the sport’s premier athlete, the Michigan native now living in Las Vegas, carries the welcomed burden associated with possessing the most coveted title as “pound for pound best” with pride and honor and a willingness to take on all worthy opposition.

 

Mayweather, the 1996 Olympic Bronze Medalist, has captured world titles in four different weight classes in route to his rise to the top of his profession, and on November 4 will be fighting the bigger and stronger fighter in Baldomir.  In 1998 in his 18th pro fight Mayweather registered an eighth-round TKO over Genaro Hernandez to win the WBC Super Featherweight title. After seven successful defenses of that title, Mayweather moved up and outpointed Jose Luis Castillo for the WBC Lightweight Championship in April 2002.  He defeated Castillo again in their rematch and defended the lightweight title two more times before moving up in weight again in June of last year and winning the WBC Light Welterweight Championship with his overwhelming performance against one of the sports true warriors, Arturo Gatti.  His stay at 140 pounds was brief, as in his next fight Mayweather stopped former two-time world champion Sharmba Mitchell in a non-title welterweight contest before scoring a unanimous decision verdict over IBF Welterweight king Zab Judah in April of this year to add that title to his championship collection.

 

There has been much speculation over the past few months as to whom Mayweather would fight next.  As displayed throughout his illustrious career, Mayweather wanted the riskiest, most meaningful, and most deserving challenger in November and all signs pointed to the rugged Baldomir.

 

Baldomir (43-9-6, 13 KOs), who despite not having lost a fight in more than nine years, came out of virtual obscurity in January to upset the heavily favored Judah for his WBC World Welterweight Championship and has established a worldwide fan base of his own, especially in the Latin market, by demonstrating his commitment to being a fighting, determined champion.  Putting his title on the line against the best in Mayweather is testament to Baldomir’s desire to beat the odds again and ensure his own greatness.

 

Fresh off his stunning victory over Judah, Baldomir signed an eyebrow-raising deal to defend his newly won WBC title against three-time world champion Gatti in Gatti’s hometown of New Jersey.  Baldomir, a crafty boxer as well, turned the tables on the slugger Gatti, by dominating the fight and dropping Gatti to the mat twice in the ninth round before referee Wayne Hedgepeth stopped the bout.

 

“First of all, we’re ecstatic to see the ‘true grit’ abilities and determination of the modern day “Cinderella Man” taking on the likes of Mayweather, clearly on the road to becoming one of the greatest of all time,” Goossen declared.  Secondly, Mayweather-Baldomir on paper, conjures up thoughts as a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate and from a sports fans perspective this bout represents the linear World welterweight champion in Baldomir going against the pound for pound best in Mayweather.

 

“Mayweather continues to face champions in higher weight classes.  This spectacular extravaganza will determine if ‘size matters’ when Baldomir tries to impose his will and strength on Mayweather or will the “Pretty Boy” show the world once again ‘size doesn’t matter’ when fighting the best pound for pound fighter in the World?”