New York, NY (1/28/13) – Last Thursday, Lou DiBella of DiBella Entertainment and 50 Centof SMS Promotions hosted an international media conference call to discuss the upcoming ESPN Friday Night Fights card on March 1, at MGM Grand at Foxwoods. In the main event, SMS Promotions IBF Featherweight Champion Billy “The Kid” Dib (35-1, 21KO’s) looks to defend his title against Cuban Olympian and IBF #3 rated Luis Franco (11-1, 7KO’s). In the televised co-feature, former amateur standout and now top-ten rated junior middleweight contender Willie Nelson (19-1-1, 11KO’s) squares off against Michael Medina (26-3-2, 19KO’s) in a 10-round showdown for Nelson’s NABF junior middleweight title. The Nelson-Medina bout is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. Both bouts will be aired on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Below is a complete transcript from the call.

Lou DiBella: Thanks everybody for joining us. It’s my pleasure on behalf of DiBella Entertainment to announce that we’ll be co-promoting a show with 50 Cent, SMS Promotions to present a great night of ESPN Friday Night Fights on Friday, March 1 at the MGM Theater at Foxwoods. And we’re really looking forward to what’s going to be a great event. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m., the first fight will go on at 7, ESPN’s title cast will go live at 9 p.m.

Tickets are priced affordably with the VIP ringside of $200 going down to a ringside of $100 and then there’s $75 tickets and $40 tickets. And tickets will go on sale next week at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Box Office. You can contact them for more information.

I’d like to first introduce a man that’s been a really good friend of DiBella Entertainment and to boxing on the East Coast. I think the MGM at Foxwoods is one of the great boxing venues in the country. A number of great fighters have fought there in recent years there’s been some terrific fights like Berto-Ortiz and Sergio Martinez and Dzinziruk had taken place there among many others. And I’d like to introduce the President of Foxwoods Scott Butera.

Scott Butera: Thank you very much Lou. This is Scott Butera, President and CEO of Foxwoods the premier destination resort in the Northeast. We at Foxwoods are very exciting about hosting this event on March 1. Foxwoods has been dedicated to conducting world class boxing throughout its history and certainly this event on March 1 will be no exception. We really feel that when you add the prominence of 50 Cent, SMS Productions, Lou DiBella and obviously ESPN which you’ve had a long standing relationship with it’s just going to lead to a spectacular night.

Obviously (main event) is incredibly exciting with the Billy The Kid Dib taking on Luis Franco and my experience with (unintelligible) team is we’ll have a under card that’ll be equally as entertaining. So we look forward to a spectacular evening. I can promise everyone the crowd will be robust and we just hope everyone has a great time. But once again we’re very proud to be part of this event and know it will be another world class second to none boxing event.

Lou DiBella: Thank you Scott. The next gentlemen I’d like to introduce is the Director of Programming for ESPN sports. He’s the Manager in charge of ESPN boxing and he helped put this terrific card together. The co-feature bout will feature Willie Nelson 19-1-1 with 11 knockouts defending his NABF Junior Middleweight championship against Michael Medina who’s 26-3 and 2 with 19 KO’s. That’s a bout that could stand as a main event on its own scheduled for 10 rounds and has promoted an association with Rumble Time Promotions.

And then the main event terrific fight between IBF Featherweight Champion Billy Dib 35-1 and 21 KO’s defending his title against Cuban Olympian and IBF Number 3 rated Luis Franco 11 and 1 with 7 KO’s but Franco’s amateur credentials were astounding with hundreds of amateur wins against very few defeats and Franco won pretty much every international competition that could be won. So that’s a terrific fight.

So I’d like to introduce the Director of Programming for ESPN Doug Loughrey.

Doug Loughrey: Hey thanks Lou. I definitely want to echo, you know, Scott’s sentiments too. I think we have a great conversion of brands here between 50 Cent and SMS Promotional Company, yours and DiBella Entertainment and our long history as well with Foxwoods. You know, ESPN in its 15th year Friday Night Fights continues to service not only the sports fan but clearly the boxing fan here and our reach between ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes allows us in the United States to service both the English and Spanish fans in well over a hundred million homes.

As well this year we’ve been able to get the ESPN Watch program for ESPN 2 implemented, you know, allowing the boxing fan to see our fights on the best as possible. So, you know, just adding up with just talking thereto between the two fights we’re looking for an exciting night. I think doing my quick math here and I might be off as we’re talking about a total of 57, 58 knock outs between theses four fighters featured in the co-feature and main event.

So small things are good from our end and in partnership with you guys and it’s going to leave it now to the combatants to come forward and present the fan there in Foxwoods at the MGM Theater as well as home with a spectacular night of entertainment.

Lou DiBella: Thank you Doug. The next gentlemen I’m going to introduce really doesn’t need an introduction in fact he doesn’t need one almost anyplace he goes. He’s a brand onto himself one of the great stars of hip hop and icon in the world of hip hop but also a very accomplished entrepreneur and someone that’s going to make a mark in boxing and I’m really proud to work with him. He is the promoter of the World Champion Billy Dib and the promoter of this main event.

And it’s my pleasure to introduce the man who runs SMS Promotions 50 Cent.

50 Cent: This is exciting for me March 1, I get a chance to do it and in Connecticut it’s actually it’s still in my background like I feel like I’m at home out there. So you’ll get a chance to see me bring the festivities that come. Of course you’ll see some of my actual friends from the music culture, there’s pop and then just because the actual event is my very first event that I’m actually getting a chance to come from the actual ground up, co-promoting that. Of course the first one was December 8 with Manny Pacquiao and Gamboa the co-promotion with Top Rank.

But this actual project is from the entire conception of the date going through the entire process. So I’m going to put my back into it. We’re definitely going to have a really good night in entertainment and have both Billy and Franco I believe are going to come on the actual A game. You know, so Billy’s been training longer than actual (usually) for this actually bout that he had – we had (unintelligible) involved and the actual process that delayed this actual match from actually happening.

But I expect nothing but the best possible entertainment for the night and I’m going to put my actual energy into marketing this project to make it a success from this point on.

50 Cent: Right now I want to introduce Billy The Kid Dib.

Billy Dib: How you doing guys. I just want to thank – first of all I just want to thank the MGM folks, I want to thank you Lou for the opportunity and 50 Cent, thank so much you know how much you really to me. And ESPN for the great opportunity to, you know, to headline their card. So and, you know, basically I just want you all to know that I’m not just coming out there to win but I’m coming out to make a serious statement. You know, there’s a lot of featherweights fighting around that time and I want to show the world that I’m the best featherweight in the world.

You know, 50 Cent believes in me, my team believes in me, I believe in me and I believe a win will come out there and we’re going to knock Luis Franco out.

Lou DiBella: That’s a bold prediction by Billy Dib and that sedge ways right into introducing his opponent who is a great Cuban amateur IBF Number 3 rated featherweight Luis Franco and I think Richard Dobal his translator is with us too. So Richard if you could – Luis could say a few words.

Luis Franco: I want to thank my management team for having gotten me to this point. I want to thank ESPN and Foxwoods as well as Lou DiBella and 50 Cent. We’re ecstatic about being a part of his first show and we think he’s great for boxing. My message to Billy Dib is whatever he has to say to me he can say it to me in the ring the night of fight.

Lou DiBella: For those who – actually 50 you will be walking Billy Dib and performing him into the ring.

Lou DiBella: So if anyone who got to see that Fight Night with Manny Pacquiao and 50’s entrance with Gamboa how to treat that night and I think any – everybody that is there on March 1 is going to be in for a treat…

Q & A:

Billy Dib: Well, you know, like you just said, now this is basically my opportunity to showcase my ability to the American fans after four years of being out from the scene. You know, I’ve hired a new team, I’ve been working with my team now for some years and, you know, I’m going on to capture one of the main straps in boxing today which is the IBF title. Basically, you know, I bring – I’m bringing versatility now and excitement to the ring. So, you know, I’m not going to (unintelligible).

I’m confident in myself and I believe that I’m going to defend my title in a spectacular fashion on that event.

Billy Dib: Well, you know, 50 Cent’s my promoter (and he knows) as I told him basically all I want to do is fight, you know, I just want to get out there and fight. I just want to get in the ring that’s what I love doing, boxing is my love so, you know, I just want to be out there showcasing my ability and giving the fans the fight that they want to see. In saying that, you know, Franco’s a, you know, is a hell of a fighter, has an amazing amateur record, he’s not the Number 1 contender by accident, you know, he was robbed in his (eliminator), I believe, and now he’s given the opportunity to fight for the world title.

So, you know, I think, you know, the boxing gods have helped Luis Franco in that manner. But, you know, I’m coming out to make a statement and then if any of the other featherweights out there who want to step up and defend their title or unify the title I’m ready. You know, 50 Cent’s ready, I’m ready, my team’s ready, let’s do it.

50 Cent: Yes I been in communications with Chris John so we’re looking to try and make a fight as soon as possible I just got to go through, you know, politics, you already know.

50 Cent: Yes well we got to take it one at a time because I’m expanding the actual (roster) of the fighters at the next promotion so I’ll be picking up – every – I’ll be picking up some people you already recognize it’s just, you know, a matter of dates, picking and contractual agreements and, you know, just got to spread some of the love got to get some of the money out.

Luis Franco: I am training very hard because not only do I need to win, but I need to win impressively.

Billy Dib: My training camp has been different ever since I lost my 2008 fight, you know, I’ve been working extremely hard to win my fight and, you know, basically not just win but go out there and, you know, give the best performance that I can. So, yes I think, you know, on that day you guys are going to see something really, really special. And as I said, before, you know, I’m not just coming out to win, you know, I’m coming out to (do some) damage. So, you know, I’m coming to make a statement and show the world that 50 Cent run the best featherweight in the world.

50 Cent: Absolutely I like to look at this as the start of a new relationship that could be long term so we, you know, to actually have the first one there is going to be exciting and easy for me to actually make a lot of people aware that it’s actually taking place because I mean that in itself we’ll be able to bring people out.

Scott Butera: And this is Scott Butera from Foxwoods I can’t tell you how enthusiastic we are to have 50 here. We would host one of his events anytime, anywhere so we look forward to it as well.

Billy the Kid Dib: Yes, you know, I definitely think that Luis Franco is a very talented fighter and he’s not somebody that I’m taking lighting. I know that he’s only had 12 professional fights but he had an extensive amateur career. He was a very impressive amateur and I mean he has really impressed me as a professional as well. He showed good, you know, good grit and I think he’s made the transition well.

But I’m a seasoned professional and I’ve been doing this now for a long, long time. I’m the – I’m (full) champion and, you know, like I said, you know, I’m cleaning living, you know, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke and I live by boxing that’s what I do I love to fight. And yes it is important that I come out and make a statement you know what I mean? And, you know, I need to come out there and make a statement and let the world of boxing know that, you know, Billy Dib has arrived.

This is my opportunity and, you know, in 2013 that’ll be the year that Billy Dib did arrive on the world scene.

Billy Dib: Well basically 50 Cent got in touch with our management which is my brother Emaid he’s my manager and, you know, he was (unintelligible) flight over to Vegas to catch up with him. He was a gentlemen, you know, we sat down. The deal was done over dinner so, you know, 50 Cent is a gentlemen, he’s a great business man and, you know, he made a couple of promises and he delivered on every promises and look now here we are March 1 at the Connecticut MGM at the Foxwoods Resort we’re going to get ready to go out there and devastate the world of boxing.

Luis Franco: I have watched tape of Billy Dib and I have an idea of what I am going to do in the ring come fight now. Billy Dib that said he’s going to do damage. I want you to say that to my face the day of the weigh in.

Lou DiBella: You know, the one thing about 50 is 50 has been a promoter his whole career so not a boxing promoter but, you know, the man knows a lot about promotion and has a lot to offer in terms of his own ideas. So it’s really been more of a give and take of ideas and, you know, boxing is not the easiest business in (unintelligible) there’s a lot of politics. I think that’s one of the things that, you know, hard to get used to at first but he’s in the music business and in the music business there’s a lot of politics also.

So, you know, I figure it’s more just a matter of helping him to get acclimated to the different players in the, you know, out there in the industry and, you know, but really I’m thrilled about the opportunity to work together because I could learn as much from 50 as I could possibly, you know, teach him. I may know a little more about the boxing industry right now but 50 delivers a whole different demographic, a whole different way of marketing, you know, his fan base is huge and it crosses until like loads of demographics but particularly hits, you know, the young demographic that boxing so badly needs.

So I’m really thrilled to be able to work with 50 particularly on bringing new eyeballs and new fans to boxing.

Billy Dib: Yes look, you know, I don’t think this is a, you know, is one of those scenarios, you know, I’ve been doing my homework, I’ve been working extremely hard and I know as you guys know once you do your homework and you enter the test you pass it with flying colors. And that’s exactly what’s going to happen, you know, I’m the Champion of the World, you know, I didn’t get there by accident I beat a really good guy to win the world title I’ve defended it twice.

So, you know, I’m not World Champion by accident. I’m going to be defending my title for the third time and I’m going to be walking away with victory. You know, Luis Franco says, and I don’t need to say it to his face I don’t need to say anything when I see him I’ll show him when I get in the ring my (fists) will do the talking.

Luis Franco: My main focus is taking the title away from Billy Dib. I mean I lost the fight in Argentina that’s what two other judges said and but I don’t want to get into that and crying over spilled milk it is what it is but I have gotten this opportunity against Billy Dib and that’s my main focus. Taking that title away from Billy Dib because that’s what will change his life.

50 Cent: Well it’s been a learning experience for me, you know, I actually got into it with intentions of developing it, you know, with a partner but instead, you know it’s been – I’ve been readjusting and I’ve been able to make partnerships with other established promoters that allow me to use their message out on some actual, you know, what things have to be done first and forward.

And as far as developing the staff one person at a time, you know, it’s pretty tough because boxing is surrounded there’s a lot of people within boxing that are needy so they do things out of desperation and you got to watch, you know, who’s who and really figure out who you need to be associated with and who you don’t need to be associated with so that’s been my experience in this actual process to this point.

Lou DiBella: I think as big as he (50) wants to be in this business. I mean if you have the ability to bring an audience to promote, if you have the ability to sign the right fighters and if you have the money to sustain the business and to pay the talent then, you know, you can compete. And, you know, there’s no promoter in boxing that’s got the Twitter followers or social media following or pop culture awareness of 50 Cent there’s nobody.

So, you know, what I’ve been impressed with frankly is like the fact that he is taking things in measured steps and he’s out there, you know, doing things smartly and working, you know, with promoters to make sure his fighters fight when they’re supposed to get – defend their titles, get their opportunities and he’s faced a difficult marketplace that hasn’t, you know, always been receptive and, you know, meanwhile everybody’s, you know, getting opportunities and 50’s going to announce associations with more fighters in the future.

So I think that really it’s a matter of how much time and effort he wants to put into this and I for what I’ve seen so far I think that SMS can be a force to compete. I think frankly there need to be promoters working together and it’s not about like monster companies it’s about making the best fights and it should be equal access for all promoters, to all networks and, you know, all venues to make the best fights. And I think if I expect big things from SMS because I’ve seen the effort and the time that 50’s putting into this.

I mean he spent an awful lot of time discussing this which is a very small deal on the scope of what he does in the music industry and his other businesses. So I think, you know, as big as he wants to be.

Lou DiBella: I want to point out, you know, what ESPN’s done so far this year and what Doug Loughrey did in buying this fight also. But 50 made the point that yes we’re going to be in front, you know, there are hundred million universe that this fight’s going to go out to domestically not to mention all ESPN’s foreign outlets and I think it’s going to be on Pay Per View in Australia.

But, you know, this event’s going to go all over the world and it’s going to get a huge, you know, audience on ESPN. And ESPN is reaching out now to grab, you know, some big fights and they have, you know, Lamont Peterson, Kendall and Kendall Holt which is a terrific for ESPN and this main event the World Championship Fight.

You know, they’ve gone out also and gone after a good product and, you know, we all think this is the right home for this fight because if Billy or, you know, looks sensational here defending his title that he’s doing it in front of the most – the biggest audiences he’s likely to be able, you know, to have been able to get. And it’s a great opportunity for Franco if he upsets the apple carts to be seen again on, you know, in front an ESPN audience. So I, you know, thanks to Doug Loughrey and ESPN for making this deal possible.

Luis Franco: Whenever I fight, whether when it was in the amateurs and on the biggest stages, or a pro, I always put on a good exciting show and this time it will be no different because it’s a battle between two champions. Billy Dib is a champion and I considerd myself a champion as well.

Lou DiBella: Thanks everybody for joining us. I want to remind everybody again it’s March 1 doors open at 6:30 first fight at 7, ESPN on the air at 9 the MGM Theater at Foxwoods a great night of boxing promoted by 50 Cent, SMS Promotions and by my DiBella Entertainment, $200 VIP seats, $100 ringside, $75 and $40. So it’s priced for the people very reasonably and you’ll get to see a world title fight and 50 Cent walk his champion into the ring on a great night of boxing on ESPN.

Tickets are priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40 and will be available for purchase this week through the MGM Grand Foxwoods Box Office by calling 1 (800) 200-2882

New York, NY (1/24/13) – Earlier today Lou DiBellaof DiBella Entertainment and 50 Centof SMS Promotions hosted an international media conference call to discuss the upcoming ESPN Friday Night Fights card on March 1, at MGM Grand at Foxwoods. In the main event, SMS Promotions IBF Featherweight Champion Billy “The Kid” Dib (35-1, 21KO’s) looks to defend his title against Cuban Olympian and IBF #3 rated Luis Franco (11-1, 7KO’s). In the televised co-feature, former amateur standout and now top-ten rated junior middleweight contender Willie Nelson (19-1-1, 11KO’s) squares off against Michael Medina (26-3-2, 19KO’s) in a 10-round showdown for Nelson’s NABF junior middleweight title. The Nelson-Medina bout is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. Both bouts will be aired on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Below are some quick notes from the call. A complete transcript of the call will be available tomorrow.

LOU DIBELLA:

“DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions are presenting a great night of fights live from the MGM Grand at Foxwoods that will be televised by ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, on March 1. Doors open at 6:30pm and the first fight will take place at 7:00pm. ESPN goes live at 9:00PM EST. In the main event, the popular Australian boxer and IBF featherweight champion, Billy ‘The Kid’ Dib, defending his title against Cuban Olympian and the IBF #3-rated featherweight Luis Franco. In the co-feature, you have Willie Nelson defending his NABF junior middleweight title against Michael Medina. The bout is scheduled for 10 rounds and will be promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. Tickets go on sale next week and are affordably priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40. Contact the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Box Office for more information.”

50 CENT:

“This is exciting for me. Of course, you’ll see some of my friends from music culture at this event. This is my first event co-promoting from the ground up. Yes, I had Yuriorkis Gamboa fighting on the Pacquiao undercard, but this is the first time that SMS is involved with the entire production and going through the entire process. You’re going to see a really good night of entertainment. Dib and Franco will be on their A-game. Dib has been training more than usual for this fight. We are putting a lot of energy into promoting this event.”

BILLY DIB:

“I want to thank Foxwoods, Lou DiBella, SMS Promotions and ESPN. I’m coming out to not just to win but to make a serious statement. I believe I’m going to knock Franco out.”

LUIS FRANCO:

“I’d like to thank my management team for getting me to this point, Lou DiBella and SMS Promotions for this opportunity, and of course Foxwoods and ESPN. I’m ecstatic to be a part of his 50 Cent’s first show. Whatever Dib has to say to me, he can say to me on the night of the fight.”

SCOTT BUTERA (PRESIDENT/CEO OF FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO):

We are very excited to host this great event. We feel that with the added prominence of 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, it will be a spectacular night. I can promise everyone that the crowd will be robust. We’re very proud to be participating in this event.”

DOUG LOUGHREY (ESPN DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING):

“We have a great conversion of brands here with 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions and DiBella Entertainment. We are in the 15th year of Friday Night Fights, and now with ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, a lot of our viewers speak both English and Spanish. We’re looking for an exciting night on March 1. We’re talking about a total of 57-8 knockouts between the fighters in the co-feature and main event. It’s now up to the combatants to come forward and provide a great night of action.”

Tickets are priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40 and will be available for purchase next week through the MGM Grand Foxwoods Box Office by calling 1 (800) 200-2882

Australian Featherweight title holder Billy Dib will defend his crown against Luis Franco on March 1st as part of an ESPN 2 card according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

The show will be co-promoted by Lou DiBella and rapper 50 Cent.

“He has his people and his staff working with my staff on the event. He is clearly co-promoting this event,” DiBella told ESPN.com on Tuesday night. “Fifty is going to be a big part of the story and the promotion. His ring entrance for Gamboa (when he dropped from the arena rafters while singing one of his new songs) was nothing short of sensational. He’ll lead Dib into the ring. He’s been involved in doing this deal from the beginning. We’ve had numerous conversations and he is involved in all aspects of the show.”

“Dib hasn’t always been in crowd-pleasing fights, but his recent fights have been,” DiBella said. “And Franco was a great amateur in Cuba. He is supremely talented. It should be a competitive fight and I think my fight, with Nelson and Medina, that is going to be a fun fight.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that Warriors Boxing has won the purse bid to stage IBF Featherweight champion Billy Dib’s title defense against Mauricio Munoz.

On Tuesday, Warriors Boxing was the lone bidder at the IBF purse bid, winning promotional rights to the bout for $50,000. That means Dib is entitled to $37,500 (75 percent of the winning bid) while Munoz is entitled to $12,500 (25 percent).

Warriors Boxing is owned by Leon Margules, who bid on behalf of Jackson’s SMS Promotions. Margules is also an attorney and represents Jackson in his boxing business.

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that undefeated Featherweight Mikey Garcia will take on once beaten Miguel Beltran Jr. as the televised co-feature of the June 4 WBC Middleweight showdown featuring Julio Cesar Chavez and Sebastian Zbik, spurning down a title opportunity against Billy Dib.

“It’s a good fight because styles make fights,” said Carl Moretti of Top Rank, Garcia’s promoter. “Beltran is a little bit bigger than Mikey. It can’t help but be a good fight.”

“They decided to not pursue the vacant IBF title fight against the worst television fighter in history,” Moretti said. “HBO wasn’t going near it and refers to Dib as the worst television fighter, and I don’t disagree. It’s a tough sell in today’s market. Mikey won’t have the opportunity with the IBF in his next fight, but I have no doubt he will fight for a title and win one.

“Anyone can fight for a belt, but looking good and moving on is where you make money and grow and cement your reputation. I think that passing on a fight with Billy Dib in Staples Center in a fight that would have been ugly to watch was a good move in the long run,” Moretti said.

“Mikey, more than anything, wants to be a champion, but passing on another HBO fight, it was just too much to give up,” said Garcia’s manager Cameron Dunkin. “He considers it an honor to be on HBO and he would never ever turn that down. Although he wants the IBF title and is thankful to them for making him the No. 1 contender, this wasn’t a 10-second decision. He said he can’t give up HBO for anything. It hurt him to give up the title shot, but he said that nothing touches being on HBO, especially to come right back and have a second fight in a row on HBO. He knows he will get his title shot eventually.”

World rated Featherweight Billy “The Kid” Dib 30-1(18) hails from Sydney, though is of Lebanese decent. He enjoyed a successful amateur career, before injury prevented him representing Australia at the 2004 Olympics. It was at this point Dib traveled to Sheffield, England to train with his hero Nassem Hamed. Hamed liked what he saw and encouraged his young protégé to turn professional. Having quickly rattled off nineteen wins over the next four years he got his title shot when he went up against Steve Luevano. It was to be Dib’s only career loss to date, going down to a decision. Still only 25, Dib has rebounded well since going 9-0(7) with 1 No Contest. An impressive performance Saturday against Ricky Sismundo 18-5(7) could propel him back into the world scene. The young veteran believes he’s learnt from the Luevano loss, along with sparring in America and is nearing a second opportunity. Currently he’s ranked WBA 12 & IBF 4.

Hello Billy, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly you will be fighting Ricky Sismundo this weekend. What are your thoughts on this fight and what are you looking for from this fight?

Billy Dib – This is going to be a match in which I will be able to showcase my skills and put in a good performance against a dangerous opponent for the people of Perth, especially since it is my first fight out West. I will be looking to stick to the game plan and am definitely aiming for a knockout.

Anson Wainwright – What are you plans for 2011? Are you targeting anyone in particular?

Billy Dib – 2011 is going to be the year where I finally break out and become the force in the Featherweight division that I am capable of being. Our main target for this year is Chris John and his WBA title but first I will have to put in an impressive performance against Ricky Sismundo. There are, however, some really good things coming in 2011 for us so I urge the fans to keep an eye out for me in what’s going to be a major year for Team BTK.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team? Who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you regularly train at? Have you left Australia for sparring, if so who have you sparred with and how did it go?

Billy Dib – I have a great team behind me and am very thankful to have them. My manager is Michael K who also manages rising Australian star, Garth Wood. My trainer is the master coach Billy Hussein, who I truly believe is one of the best trainers in the world. I am a free agent at the moment but I’m working with great, young promoters such as Ty Colman as well as having a great relationship with Grange Old School Boxing. I train at my own gym in which is located in Lakemba. I travelled to the US to spar with some talented fighters in Jesse Magdaleno, Diego Magdaleno and Celestino Caballero. This was very beneficial as I had the chance to test my skills.

Anson Wainwright – You’ve won 9 straight since you fought for the WBO Featherweight title against Steve Luevano in 2008. How do you think you have improved since you had that fight with Luevano? What can you tell us about that fight? Was it just a bit soon for you etc?

Billy Dib – I definitely feel as though I have improved under the guidance of Billy Hussein as we have added dimensions to my skill-set which I did not focus on before this fight. The fight with Luevano obviously did not go according to plan and I lost to a better fighter only on that night. There are no excuses for the performance but I know in my heart that I will not pass up another opportunity such as that one again.

Anson Wainwright – The Featherweight division is talent packed with the likes of Juanma Lopez, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Chris John etc what are your thoughts on the division in general?

Billy Dib – It really is a division littered with a lot of great fighters. It is also a division in which I believe I can be among the elite once given my chance to prove my worth. I will be looking to prove that by working my way to the top already having a number 4 spot in the IBF. My team and I will be pushing for fights to put us in a place to be able to challenge and beat these champions.

Anson Wainwright – Your last 3 fights have taken place above the 126 Featherweight limit, are you looking for fights at 130?

Billy Dib – I am looking for fights anywhere between 126 and 130 as long as they are high calibre fights which will help to improve my standing in world boxing.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your amateur career and what happened to prevent you representing Australia in the 2004 Olympics? Also what titles did you win and what was your final record?

Billy Dib – I had a very enjoyable and distinguished amateur career in which I represented Australia all over the world. I was unable to represent Australia in the 2004 Olympics due to a motorbike accident which hampered my performance at the trials. I won numerous state, national and Golden Gloves titles, compiling a record of 113 fights for 98 wins.

Anson Wainwright – After not going to the Olympics you came to Britain and went to train with Nassem Hamed. what can you tell us about that experience?

Billy Dib – That was definitely an experience which changed my life. Training with my hero in boxing was something that felt simply like a dream. From there a bond was forged between me and Naz and we have become like brothers. Naz also encouraged me to turn professional after watching a few of my fight tapes, telling me that my style would be better suited to the professional ranks and I did just that.

Anson Wainwright – In 2006 you were given the chance to train with Mike Tyson, how did that come about and what was it like?

Billy Dib – Jeff Fenech decided to take me over to the US to meet and train with Mike Tyson as a 21st Birthday present. It was a great experience training alongside one of the greatest fighters of all time in Mike Tyson. While over there I met with the legendary Sugar Shane Mosley who took me under his wing. We shared many training camps together, shared the ring together in sparring many a time. He is a great mentor and friend of mine.

Anson Wainwright – When your not Boxing what do you like to do with your time? What are your hobbies & Interests?

Billy Dib – I like to spend time with my family and friends when I am away from boxing. I enjoy wakeboarding and shooting some hoops. I enjoy watching Rugby League, Basketball and Soccer, supporting St George Illawarra in Rugby League, LA Lakers in Basketball and Manchester United in Soccer.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans?

Billy Dib – My fans can stay updated with the latest and greatest on my Twitter page, Facebook page and my website at billythekid.com.au. Thanks for all the wonderful support.

Thanks for your time Billy, keep up the good work.

Anson Wainwright

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