Zibby's next fight?

[GoshenGipper]

Chicagoan Diaz might defend strap here in May

February 22, 2007
Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather will own Chicago's boxing attention today at the UIC Pavilion, but there are talks of a bigger event coming to the area in May.
De La Hoya and Mayweather are in town to promote their May 5 bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The public is invited to attend for free at 10 a.m.

Meanwhile, talks are heating up about Chicagoan David Diaz defending his World Boxing Council lightweight title in his hometown against the legendary Erik Morales. It's likely to be Morales' last fight as the eight-time world champ looks to go out with another title, but he might want to make his exit in Las Vegas.

If promoters can convince Morales the card would draw a bigger crowd in Diaz's hometown, that might be enough to bring the action to the area -- perhaps at Allstate Arena.

If the card is held in Chicago, Notre Dame football star Tom Zbikowski, who won in his boxing debut at Madison Square Garden last June, likely would be on the undercard.

Roman Modrowski

 

[irish4life99]

Zibby needs to decide if he's a football player or a boxer. I think his boxing trainging hurt his football playing last year. I think he bulked up, and lost some foot speed on the field. If he want's to do it again this year, fine. I just hope he's not too suprised when he's not listed as a starter. Time to firsh or cut bait Zibby.

 

[tgolden]

I agree it's got to be a bit distracting, but I wouldn't say he won't be a starter because of it. I mean, the "experts" still have him listed as the best safety for next year's draft. I don't really know how good other safties are, but I would assume they see something. but I'm with you in preferring that he not fight this summer. but hey, it's his life. maybe he can fight someone who comes into the ring wearing a LSU jersey and knock him out.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I think it helps provide the toughness that our team has lacked (at least visibly) for years. Kick that guys' ass and move on to sc and michigan!

 

[johnnd05]

I agree it's got to be a bit distracting, but I wouldn't say he won't be a starter because of it. I mean, the "experts" still have him listed as the best safety for next year's draft. I don't really know how good other safties are, but I would assume they see something. but I'm with you in preferring that he not fight this summer. but hey, it's his life. maybe he can fight someone who comes into the ring wearing a LSU jersey and knock him out.

Agreed. I wish he weren't dividing his attention in this way, but I'll be SHOCKED (this is an understatement, really) if he doesn't end up starting. I genuinely expect him to be better -- both as a defender and as a returner -- next year than last, and I do think he'll work his way back to being a late-first or early-second round pick. But the fact that he's going to be boxing definitely works against these expectations.

Question: when TZ is drafted, what are the odds that his NFL coaches let him box professionally in the off-season? I say zero.

 

[Mattmags]

Tommy Z, March 6 Fight

Tommy Z, March 6 Fight

Zbikowski headed back to ring -- on home turf

February 25, 2007
BY VAUGHN MCCLURE Staff Reporter

Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski, who doubles as a boxer, will fight Chicago native Kevin Murphy in a March 6 heavyweight exhibition at the Century Center in downtown South Bend, Ind.
Zbikowski received clearance for the event, which will benefit Hannah & Friends -- the organization started by Irish coach Charlie Weis and family -- as well as the Cystic Fibrosis and Make-A-Wish foundations and other charities.

Zbikowski, a Buffalo Grove High graduate, hasn't fought since his professional debut last June. He defeated Robert Bell in a 49-second technical knockout at New York's Madison Square Garden.

''Man, I'm pumped up about this,'' Zbikowski said of fighting in South Bend. ''Most of my teammates will be there. And the Notre Dame fans will get a chance to see me fight. ''I'm not trying to go in there and just knock somebody out. I want to show off my actual skills.''

Zbikowski began training for the fight last Tuesday in South Bend.

''Football conditioning is much different than [for] boxing, so I thought I'd be gassed. But I actually felt pretty good,'' he said. ''It took me two to three weeks to get ready for the fight in New York, so I know what to expect.''

Zbikowski, who considered turning pro in football this season, will return for another year in the Irish secondary. Had he entered the NFL draft, this exhibition would not happen. Now he is considering squeezing in several charity bouts, as long as they don't interfere with football. Spring football practice starts March 21 and lasts a month.

There has been talk of him fighting in Chicago on the undercard of a David Diaz-Erik Morales lightweight championship battle in May.

''I couldn't really see that Chicago thing happening, but anything is possible,'' Zbikowski said. ''Once sing ball starts, I'm just going to be concentrated on football.''

The Zbikowski-Murphy fight in South Bend is likely to be scheduled for four rounds. Promoters are anticipating a sellout of 3,000. Tickets will range from $25 (standing room) to $100 (ringside), with tables of 10 going for $1,000. There will be eight to 10 undercard fights.

 

[Mattmags]

anyone going? I'm considering it, but how late would the event really last with 8-10 undercards. i have to drive 2.5 hours back and go to work in the morning. argh. So, who's all going and is it worth it?

 

[portlaNDgal]

Well, my birthday's around that time, but it'd be a pricey gift to myself to fly out there...

If they want ND students to attend, I'm surprised they don't have a limited # of tix available at a student rate. $25 seems a little steep for a student. Pay for your date and ouch.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

My money will be on Zibby, I don't care who he fights!

 

[tgolden]

I wonder how quickly tickets will go? $25 does seem a bit much though. and darn it, I've got a test the next day... no way I can do it. I wonder if they might televise it locally.

this from espn.com

Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski won't have to travel far for his second career boxing match. Zbikowski will fight Kevin Murphy on March 6 in a heavyweight exhibition bout at the Century Center in South Bend, Ind., according to a published report.



Zbikowski
''Man, I'm pumped up about this,'' Zbikowski told the Chicago Sun-Times, referring to fighting in South Bend. ''Most of my teammates will be there. And the Notre Dame fans will get a chance to see me fight.

''I'm not trying to go in there and just knock somebody out. I want to show off my actual skills.''

The fight will be a benefit for Hannah & Friends, Cystic Fibrosis and Make-A-Wish foundations. Hannah & Friends was started by Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis.

In his first fight last June, Zbikowski defeated Robert Bell in a 49-second technical knockout at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Zbikowski considered entering the NFL draft this April, but instead will return for another year at Notre Dame. He may take part in several other charity bouts, as long as they don't interfere with spring practice that begins March 21, according to the report.

 

[johnnd05]

Oh, come ON tgolden ... you don't know how good you got it ... don't miss chances like this when you're still at ND, because sooner than you know you'll be thousands of miles away and IrishEnvy will be the best it gets for you.

Pony up the dough and watch the match; just think about the stories you'll be able to tell your grandkids when you bounce them on your knee.

 

[Junkhead]

It'll be on youtube the next day anyway.

 

[tgolden]

that's what I'm hoping...

johnnd, I know i'm lucky now. i'm more thinking about the test early the next morning then the money right now. with 8-9 undercards, who knows how long that could last. but i'll think about it. no final decision yet.

but seriously, how long do you think it'll be before they sell out?

 

[johnnd05]

johnnd, I know i'm lucky now. i'm more thinking about the test early the next morning then the money right now. with 8-9 undercards, who knows how long that could last. but i'll think about it. no final decision yet.

but seriously, how long do you think it'll be before they sell out?

I hear you, man. Unfortunately, since it's standing room you can't just show up late ...

3,000 tickets? Probably won't sell out ALL that quickly, at least for standing room.