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February 18 - December 3, 2003
12-3-03
Wolfe Vs. Ali...Off Again!
(Waco, Texas December 3, 2003) - RPM Boxing said today that it has been officially notified by the matchmaker for Absoloot Boxing that the fight between Ann Wolfe and Laila Ali scheduled for February 13th 2004, to be televised on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, has been cancelled. This information has been confirmed with ESPN2 as well.
Despite signing specific contracts to fight Ann Wolfe, Laila Ali’s Promoters have apparently chosen to disregard Ali;s obligations under the contract and fight a reportedly 6 round bout against a no-name opponent in Nigeria on January 10th, 2004.
The Ali Camp apparently feels that it will take Laila more than 30 days after the Nigerian fight to prepare for Ann Wolfe. In fact, why has Ali decided to fight in Nigeria at all especially when at the time she will be about 30 days away from fighting a televised world championship fight to unify the 168lb Super Middleweight Division?
Brian Pardo, owner of RPM Boxing, said, “It is regrettable that the Ali Camp has chosen this path.” RPM Boxing has maintained for almost two years now that Laila Ali is simply terrified at the prospect of getting in the ring with Ann Wolfe. Pardo said, “There’s no doubt in my mind that Ann will knockout Ali if and when they ever meet in the ring. Unfortunately, we are more likely to meet in court first.”
RPM Boxing said that it is closely evaluating legal options regarding this matter. Brian Pardo said that on Ann’s behalf the applicable legal steps would be taken at the appropriate time.
RPM says it’s too bad that Laila’s apparent fear of Ann Wolfe is preventing a fight that most female fight fans want to see.
11-30-03
Hard
Life Has Prepared Wolfe
For February Showdown Vs. Ali
By
Mike Altamura
found
on
Mailboxing.com
A warrior is fearless. Always comes to
battle. Never runs from a fight. Never gives up. Has the willpower and
mindset to overcome adversity.
WIBC and IFBA super-middleweight world boxing champion, and NABA
titleholder Ann "Brown Sugar" Wolfe is a warrior. A self-proclaimed
"natural predator." When you fight Wolfe, you better bring everything in
your game, because the 32-year-old from Austin, Texas has a lot to fight
for.
"When I get in a fight, it's not about boxing," the dreadlocked Wolfe,
16-1 (11), told MaxBoxing.com last Friday. "It's about more than that. I'm
gonna fight you with every bit of heart, soul, spirit, blood and tears
that I have in my body. I'm gonna fight you so my mother won't die a death
and say that none of her children did anything. I'm gonna fight you
because I have a sixth grade education and I still made it. I'm gonna
fight you because my children are never gonna sleep outside again."
Wolfe has lived a tough life. She dropped out of school in the sixth grade
to take care of her mother. When she was 18, her mother passed away from
cancer. Both her father and brother were murdered. At age 24 she moved
from Louisiana to Texas, where she lived on the streets for a year with
her two daughters, now 12, and 10.
While on the streets, she had to resort to fistfights and stealing to
provide for her daughters, and the future no doubt looked bleak.
Fast forward now to 2003, where Wolfe is one of the finest female boxers,
pound-for-pound, on the planet, and is approaching a superfight - perhaps
the most anticipated bout in women's boxing - a unification bout with WIBA,
IWBF, and IBA super-middleweight world champion Laila Ali, 16-0 (13) on
February 13, 2004 in Los Angeles, California at the Olympic Auditorium.
The fight will be the televised main event on ESPN2's 'Friday Night
Fights'.
For two years Wolfe's management team, RPM Boxing, had sought to negotiate
the fight with Ali's promotional company, Absoloot Entertainment, to no
avail, until they signed an 'umbrella contract' in August.
"The condition of what we call the 'umbrella contract' we have with
Absoloot is really a three-fight program," said Wolfe's manager Brian
Pardo. "The fight between Ann and Laila was conditioned on Ann beating
Valerie Mahfood because Mahfood is the only person to have beaten Ann."
In the main support to the Ali/Martin pay-per-view mismatch on August 23,
Wolfe avenged the defeat which came early in her career by handily
outpointing former world champion Mahfood in ten action-packed rounds. The
third fight in the program gives both camps the option to enforce a
rematch clause if deemed necessary.
Pardo believes Ali and her management team are afraid of Wolfe, and the
only reason why they signed to the fight is because it was the only viable
option available.
"Ali is managed by her husband, Johnny McClain, and my personal feeling is
that - and I think there'd be a lot of people that agree with me - that
Ali is afraid to fight Ann," said Pardo. "McClain has done everything
possible on behalf of his wife to avoid fighting Ann until it became
painfully obvious that there was no other - that Ann was standing there
and there was nobody else standing there, and if Ali continued to want to
say she's the champion she was gonna have to fight Ann Wolfe."
Wolfe is pleased to finally have this fight signed - not because of the
name of her opponent - but because of what the fight represents.
"I have wanted to always fight who is at the top of the boxing game, and
right now it's Laila," she said.
RPM Boxing's PR representative, Dana Yarbrough, added, "I think for Ann
it's not about 'I'm gonna beat Laila. I'm gonna be the one who beats Ali.'
That's not what this is about. It's about being at the top. Being at the
top of the game, and this is her game. That's the way I see it."
Despite the anticipation and publicity surrounding the fight, Wolfe will
be preparing for Ali like she has for each of her previous opponents.
"I don't feel no different," explained the well-chiseled fighter. "I
prepare for everybody else the same way I'm preparing for Laila. I mean,
you know, it's a big fight, but when it comes to training, when it comes
to the way I feel, I'm gonna go in the ring the way I've always went in. I
take every fight I fight seriously, and I never underestimate my
opponent."
Wolfe is always in peak physical condition. Something Pardo puts down to
her desire to train.
"She's always ready to fight," he said. "She's a full-time boxer. She
trains full-time; she doesn't just go to training camp six weeks before a
fight and try to shake off all the parties and fun and things like that
that lots of people do. She actually trains everyday of her life."
Pardo feels that Ali has won many of her previous fights through
intimidation, including both of her stoppage victories over the
aforementioned Mahfood, who he said was "non-aggressive" and
"psychologically intimidated" - something that Ann Wolfe knows nothing
about.
"You can't intimidate me," said Wolfe, who only spars with men. "I'm a
natural predator, and when Laila's gonna look in my eyes she's gonna know
there's no way she can intimidate or scare me - she's gonna have to fight
me."
Wolfe and Ali will be similar in height and reach, with the 5-foot-9 Wolfe
standing just one inch shorter than the smooth-boxing Ali. While the
25-year-old Ali will have a slight speed advantage, Wolfe is notably
stronger and her team, without revealing too much - believe that will be
her advantage come fight time.
"Ann is a much much stronger fighter and has a much more powerful punch,
and Ali's chin has never been tested," said Pardo. "Ann does have one
helluva right and I think no matter who you are, if you're standing in
front of her and she clocks you with it, you're gonna go down. So power is
definitely going to be an element in this fight. But as far as what Ann is
working on specifically to take advantage of Laila's weak spots, we don't
want to go any further revealing what that may be."
RPM Boxing claims that Ali's management has suggested that they hold a
press conference where they create a little controversy and conflict
between the fighters, but they see no need to resort to tactics that
aren't representative of Wolfe's character.
"We're not gonna go out and put on a false show in front of the public to
make it look like Ann Wolfe hates Laila Ali," said Pardo. "These girls
have no personal reason to be mad at each other. This is professional
boxing. It's a sport.
"We're not gonna let that appearance of conflict basically permeate the
fight and the fans, and give them the wrong impression - we've made it
very clear we're not gonna do that."
Yarbrough also echoed Pardo's attitude.
"Laila made a comment a few months ago publicly that Ann needed to stop
being so shy, and step up and tell her she's gonna whoop her ass," she
said. "But Ann doesn't do that. Ann has never done that to her past
opponents, why would she want to start doing that now? Ann is gonna do the
same thing with every opponent that comes along. She's not gonna change
anything for anybody."
Although a fearsome, vicious fighter inside the ring, Wolfe is a very
humble, very giving person outside of the squared-circle. In August, she
opened the Ann Wolfe Boxing Gym, a non-profit gym based in her hometown of
Austin, Texas. Wolfe also thrives on being a fighter the boxing public can
touch. In fact, following her first-round victory over Shirvelle Williams
last year at the Civic Center in Laredo, Texas, she spent over 30 minutes
meeting and greeting fans, and signing autographs.
"I'm the most caring, loveable person you ever want to meet believe it or
not," noted Wolfe. "If I made a whole lot of money, which I don't give a
damn because I know how to survive with five dollars, I would probably
give it all away to people that I know need it."
Just over eight years ago though, when Wolfe first walked into Don "Pops"
Billingsley's gym, the compassion, the love she shares for fellow human
beings didn't seem possible. She was a "crazy, half-cocked" individual,
fighting for survival on the streets. Billingsley, a "church-going man,"
didn't care about Wolfe's background or appearance. He trusted her and
gave her a chance. Then, five years ago, following her pro debut, as a
matter of chance, Waco, Texas multi-millionaire Pardo saw Wolfe spar and
figured he would be interested in helping her dreams come true. Soon
after, he obtained a manager's license, and then in 2001 a promoter's
license, specifically because of Ann Wolfe.
"I felt that she deserved a chance to prove she could be the best that she
wanted to be in the sport that she chose," explained Pardo. "It was
obvious to me, and I've been a boxing fan for 40 years or more and believe
me I've been to a lot of fights and watched a lot of fights, that there
was incredible talent there.
"If there is anybody in this world that deserves a chance to accomplish
their goals it's Ann Wolfe, and so I decided I was gonna do my best to
make it possible for Ann to achieve her goals - together, it's been a
remarkable relationship. I love Ann like a daughter. I mean that very
sincerely. I would do anything in the world for her."
Wolfe is forever thankful to Billingsley, Pardo, Yarbrough, and those
closest to her for offering a disturbed, "thuggish looking" person their
trust.
"If Brian told me to fight for a quarter, I'll fight because he's always
done exactly what he's said," Wolfe told MaxBoxing.com. "See, you don't
meet people like Brian and Pops - most people meet one person like that in
their lifetime. I met 10, 20.
"They allowed me to make my dreams come true, so whatever Pops says,
whatever Brian says, whatever Dana says, I trust them. You have to trust
who you're with - who's in your corner."
According to Pardo, with a victory over Ali, Wolfe will have achieved her
goal of being acknowledged at the highest level of women's boxing. It will
be like scaling Mount Everest - there's nothing higher than it. He's very
confident that Wolfe will attain that goal come February 13.
"The reason why I'm excited about this fight is because when Ann fights
Laila my prediction is that she's gonna knock Laila out," he enthused,
"and I'm predicting that because I don't think Laila can stand Ann's
power, and I don't think Laila has power that can hurt Ann."
While most boxing insiders view it as an even-money fight, Ali will start
favorite amongst the general boxing public, and will almost certainly be
the crowd favorite at the Olympic Auditorium too. One gets the impression
that won't bother the strong-willed Wolfe at all.
"The fans may be yelling, 'Laila, Laila, Laila,' and ain't nobody yelling,
'Ann, Ann, Ann,' but see I'm a true warrior," said Wolfe. "I overcome
that. It don't take that for me. It don't take for everybody to say I'm
gonna win for me to fight because you can't mess with me mentally. You
can't mentally defeat me. People always look at me and say how strong I
am, but my mental is stronger than my physical."
11-11-03
Ann Wolfe / Laila Ali
The Fight is On!
(Waco, Texas November 11, 2003) - It looks like the fight is definitely on between Super Middleweight champions Ann Wolfe and Laila Ali. RPM Boxing, managers and promoter of Ann Wolfe, said Ali had been ducking a fight with Ann for more than a year. However, RPM Boxing said Ali signed an "umbrella" three fight contract which began with Ann fighting Valerie Mahfood on Laila's PPV event in Biloxi, MS. This fight was to avenge Ann Wolfe's only loss. Ann won the fight, which triggered two more fights both between Ann and Laila.
RPM Boxing received a signed contract from Absoloot Boxing a few days ago. The fight is set to take place on February 13 and will be televised as the main event on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. The fight will be held in the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, a time revered fighting venue . RPM Boxing said Ann is looking forward to this highly anticipated match up. In her usual low keyed manner Wolfe predicted she will KO Ali. "I look at this like any other fight, but it isn't just another fight. Laila holds two world titles, as I do also. The fans really want to see this fight. They will get their money's worth." Ann said.
10-14-03
RPM Boxing Response to Matchmaker
for Absoloot Entertainment
(October 13, 2003 Waco, Texas) – In response to matchmaker Chris Middendorf’s recent comments, RPM Boxing said that they were in general agreement with him that the three fight deal between Laila Ali and Ann Wolfe was a great plan to build the two fighters towards worldwide recognition. RPM also agreed that the fights would generate “some real money.”
Chris Middendorf said, “be careful here, Yahya is the type of person where once he decides something then that is it, and you are putting the whole fight into jeopardy.”
RPM said it never put the fight in any danger or “jeopardy”. RPM said they were looking out for the safety of their own camp. While working on other business transactions RPM Boxing promoter Brian Pardo attempted to finalize contractual provisions with Absoloot Boxing. Pardo informed Johnny McLain that he was not going to sign off on anything until he researched the entire Nigerian event thoroughly. McLain assured Pardo in a conference call that there was no danger to travel to Nigeria despite the US Department of State warnings to the contrary. McLain responded that he had hired a security firm headquartered in South Africa to provide security for everyone involved. However, McLain was never able to name this firm nor did he want RPM Boxing to talk to anyone other than him. In protecting the safety of his camp, Pardo decided to have everything checked out first by calling the Nigerian representative himself.
Pardo said the Nigerian representative; Billy Nwoyne was very helpful in alleviating concerns over the event. Further, Mr. Nwoyne explained to RPM Boxing that he had been negotiating this particular event with McLain since January of this year, but McLain made RPM Boxing aware of it only about two weeks ago.
Prior to making RPM Boxing aware of the Nigerian event Johnny McLain asked for and received a forgiveness period on the 120 day contractual provision in the umbrella agreement because McLain stated that he was negotiating a fight between Laila Ali and Ann Wolfe on HBO.
RPM Boxing said that only about a week after obtaining forgiveness on the 120-day period McLain abruptly advised RPM Boxing that the negotiations with HBO were over because a fight venued in Nigeria had “just dropped into their lap.”
RPM Boxing categorically states that it did not “go behind the promoters back” to negotiate a better deal for themselves in contrast to the statements made by Chris Middendorf.
Brian Pardo, President of RPM Boxing, said that he believes the fight fell through for the simple reason that Laila Ali is afraid to fight Ann Wolfe. Pardo said however that under the provisions of the umbrella contract Laila Ali must fight Ann Wolfe before she fights any other opponent. RPM Boxing said that it is recalculating the amount of days passed in the first 120-day period minus the forgiveness period, and it will give the new date to Johnny McLain very shortly.
RPM Boxing said Laila Ali must fight two bouts with Ann Wolfe the first within the 120-day period and the second within a 150-day period following the first fight.
RPM Boxing said it would not hesitate to take whatever legal actions are appropriate if Laila Ali refuses to honor her contract. Pardo said he feels Laila Ali is doing a disservice to women’s boxing if she refuses to fight a title unification bout in the Super Middleweight Division.
8-27-03
Wolfe/Mahfood...Best Fight of the Night
(Waco, Texas August 27, 2003) - It was considered the best fight of the night by many boxing fans. RPM Boxing has received numerous emails, phone calls, letters and comments about Saturday nights fight in Biloxi Mississippi between Ann Wolfe and Valerie Mahfood. It was the fight of the night, perhaps one of the best female match-ups ever.
Much of the talk the last few days has been that both fighters showed
great h
eart in an action packed 10 rounds. Wolfe won by a unanimous
decision, taking home yet another title, the NABA female super
middleweight championship. Many have said that the Wolfe/Mahfood fight
overshadowed Ali/Martin, which was considered a mismatch. RPM would like
to congratulate Valerie Mahfood on a job well done.
As for Ann Wolfe and what’s next… As announced Saturday night after the fight, Ann has signed an agreement to fight Ali within 120 days. The agreement also specifies a mandatory rematch within 150 days after the first fight. When asked what she thought about fighting Ali, Ann Wolfe calmly said, “I’ll knock her out.”
Ann would like to thank all those fans that have supported and encouraged her during her spectacular career in female boxing.
8-12-03
Grand Opening Held At Ann Wolfe Boxing Gym
(Austin, Texas August 11, 2003) - Ribbon-cutting, cake eating, sparring, and celebrating were the events of the day at the new Ann Wolfe Boxing Gym in Austin, Texas. This weekend about 100 guests showed up to support and congratulate Super Middle Weight World Champion Ann Wolfe on her new business.
Ann’s manager and promoter Brian Pardo stepped into the 20’x 20’ boxing
ring to welcome the packed house. He then talked about what Ann had to
overcome in order to become the true champion that she is.
Looking very fit and ready for her upcoming fight with Valerie Mahfood, Ann Wolfe got in the ring and spoke about her business and what she plans to accomplish in the future. Ann says the gym’s mission is to help get intercity kids off the streets and into a safe place to workout. She also thanked Brian and her trainer,Pops, for helping her reach her goals. She said, “I wouldn’t have achieved the things I’ve achieved if it hadn’t been for you.”
The speeches were followed by a Ribbon Cutting ceremony with the Austin Chamber of Commerce as well as cutting the cake. Guests were then treated to several different sparring bouts by young boxers ranging in all different ages to show the skills they have developed since they started working out at the gym.
The Ann Wolfe Boxing Gym is located off I-35 in Northeast Austin and is open 6 days a week.
And for those of you who are wondering... Ann Wolfe vs.Valerie Mahfood will be the first televised fight on the PPV undercard of the Laila Ali/Christy Martin fight on August 23rd.
7-17-03
Wolfe Signs to Fight Mahfood on Ali/Martin Card
(Waco, Texas July 17, 2003) - It’s official. The fight that everyone’s been waiting to see is finally going happen. Super Middle Weight World Champion Ann Wolfe will take on World Champion Valerie Mahfood on the undercard of the Laila Ali/Christy Martin fight in Biloxi, Mississippi on August 23rd.
The highly anticipated fight was put together after a frustrating year of trying to match the two World Champions.
Wolfe is looking to avenge her only loss. In 2000, Mahfood knocked out Wolfe in the third round. Mahfood was knocked down in the opening round of the fight, but she came back with strong counters. Mahfood said after the fight, “She hit me harder than I expected… I knew she was a lot stronger than me, but my experience kept me in the fight.” RPM Boxing says Wolfe has a lot of respect for Mahfood but is eager for a rematch so that she can set the record straight.
The Wolfe/Mahfood bout is one of three fights scheduled to air on PPV.
Ann Wolfe says she is also looking forward to fighting Laila Ali in the near future.
6-26-03
Once Again Laila Ali Dodges the Bullet
Well, ladies and gentlemen she’s done it again. Laila Ali is planning to fight again soon and guess what? It’s not going to be against Ann Wolfe. No surprises there folks. Laila is continuing to dodge the bullet. Why is that?
Rumor has it that Ali’s camp thinks Ann wants a lot of money in order to fight. The truth is Ann would like the same purse that Laila gets. Isn’t that fair? Laila claims that Ann is “not well known” enough. Have any of Laila’s opponents been that “well known” other than Jacqui Frazier? Laila, stop making excuses. They are not legitimate.
Ann Wolfe says, “I’m not worried about Laila, because she has to live with herself knowing that she has not fought some of the top contenders. She knows there are people out there that could beat her. I will fight anyone no matter how tough the competition is. I will take my chances but Laila obviously won’t. A true champion isn’t scared to lose. Nothing personal, I have respect for Laila. But, business is business. Laila, eventually it will come down to you and me, in the meantime I’ll just wait my turn.”
5-21-03
Why Won't Ali Fight Wolfe?
Commenting on the report that Laila Ali will fight on the Lennox Lewis/Kirk undercard in June, RPM Boxing said today the women's Super Middleweight Division is at a virtual standstill at the top. RPM said most knowledgeable fans consider Ann Wolfe to be the true world champion of the Division. Ali claims she is the champion. Wolfe has repeatedly called Ali out to settle the matter once and for all, but to no avail.
RPM Boxing owner, Brian Pardo, said Ali will not fight Wolfe because she knows "Ann will KO her in three rounds or less." Pardo also said, "Ali has made it clear by her actions that she is deathly afraid of Ann Wolfe, who Ali herself called 'the most dangerous woman on the planet".
RPM Boxing said Ann is scheduled to fight on PPV in July and she is busy opening her new boxing gym in Austin, TX. But, Pardo said there is no reason Wolfe could not fight Ali in June, except that, "Ali is afraid to!" Pardo said unfortunately Laila is not like her father "who took on all comers, no matter what. That is what made him the world's greatest boxer".
5-2-03
Super Middle Weight World Champion, Ann Wolfe, To Open Boxing Gym
RPM Boxing said today that 2-time Super Middle Weight World Champion Ann “Brown Sugar” Wolfe will be opening her own gym the first week of May.
The gym will be called Ann Wolfe’s Boxing Gym and will be located in Austin, Texas. Wolfe’s gym will offer workouts that will include boxing, aerobics, self-defense, weightlifting and conditioning. Wolfe said, “This is a dream come true for me…to be able to train and own my own boxing gym.” Ann decided to open the gym after Montopolis Gym, where she formally trained in Austin, closed. At that point Ann, along with dozens of other athletes, had nowhere to train.
Ann says her plan is to provide a safe place for inter-city kids to come and workout and to get off the streets. The gym will have a grand opening sometime in June.
As for her next fight? Stay tuned... an announcement will be made soon. For more information contact Dana Yarbrough at www.rpmboxing.com
World Super Middle Weight Champion, Ann Wolfe, threw a birthday bash for about 100 of her closest friends and family on Saturday.
Wolfe told the happy crowd that she appreciated each of them- that their support has been instrumental in her rise from poverty to the highest ranked Super Middleweight female boxer in the world.
An emotional Wolfe also recognized her manager Brian Pardo and trainer "Pop's" for their support and efforts throughout her career.
Ann announced she will be fighting on March 8th against a tbd opponent in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
When asked about Laila Ali Ann said, "I'm not sure when we'll fight, but I'm hoping it will happen sometime within the next year."
Anne's supporters were much more direct. Wolfe's promotor, Brian Pardo, said, "Ali is in a bind, she is under enormous pressure to fight Ann."
Meanwhile, the now 32 year old champion is scheduled to fight five bouts this year.
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