Go Jirov !!!

Go Tiger !!!


http://allboxing.ru/bios/jirov.jpg

http://www.rosenbluthphoto.com/jirov4web.jpg

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040314/twisp_040314_promo.ss_h.jpg

GOAL
Jirov’s trainer, Thel Torrence says that Jirov wants to be the best boxer
in the world. He has been a dominating force in the cruiserweight division
and his presence in the heavyweight division can not be taken lightly.

STYLE
An intelligent boxer who can adjust his style, following the old saying:
You beat the enemy with his own weapon. One of the world’s top body
punchers known for his old school brutal body attack. His Spartan up-
bringing is paying him back with superior skills: granite chin, devastating
blows and speed. Determination is similar to a gladiator who fights for
his life.

DEFINING FIGHTS
Since turning pro in 1997, Jirov defined and upset many then promising fighters careers. Victory over Arthur“King” Williams
in his first HBO appearance won him the IBF Champion Title. The controversial fight with James Toney has earned him
wide recognition and won many people’s hearts. It was called Fight of the Year 2003.

TIGER NICKNAME
It was the media at the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta who nicknamed him “The Tiger”. They noted Jirov’s determination
and aggressive body punching attack of a young tiger, true champion’s qualities.

AMATEUR BACKGROUND
Jirov won the Gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. For demonstrating superior boxing skills he
awarded the Val Barker Cup for being the Outstanding Boxer of the Games. In Atlanta, Jirov broke his hand in the first
Olympic match and kept fighting throughout the Games. A genuine ‘tough guy’ moment. He is the 1st boxing Olympic
gold winner, the World champion for Kazakhstan, where he is a living legend. He contributed to the popularity of boxing
there - boys want to be ‘like Jirov’. Won 207 out of 217 amateur fights. A champion of Asia and Europe, he earned 23 gold
medals for international championships.

UNUSUAL TRAINING
In sports from very young age, Jirov was into swimming, wrestling, karate before he found himself in boxing at 11. He
had the nations’ toughest trainer who used “unusual training techniques”. For speed development it was an attack
German shepherd. More at http://JIROV.com

WEBSITE
JIROV.com will be launched in March before the fight. Fans will have the opportunity to directly communicate with Jirov
and view photos never seen before.

(from www.jirov.com)

Tiger's Roar: Heavyweight,
An Interview with Thel Torrence, Jirov's Trainer since 2001

How did the Tiger nickname appear?
It was the press at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics who nicknamed him “The Tiger”. And he lived up to his name. He was acknowledged as the most skillful boxer at the Olympics. The world had an opportunity to see the aggressive and effective attack of a new powerful body puncher. He is “hungry”, he wants to be the best in the world, and works hard to accomplish it. He has the right attitude.

What can you say about Jirov's style?
There is not a lot of southpaws out there. Jirov is unique to American boxing – he is a multi-dimensional southpaw who can fight, who can box, and who can punch. To those who are not very familiar with boxing terminology I can tell that mostly we have fighters, who come to gym after they learned how to fight in the street. Boxing skills include boxing reflexes, timing, legs, jab, slipping, punching , and combination, moving…Jirov is widely recognized as one of the top body punchers in the world. He is an intelligent boxer who can adjust to any situation in the ring. He was running, swimming, spent four and half years in wrestling, karate…all that before turning 11. Then he came to boxing. He knows it all – from breathing to energy. He has hundreds of those combinations in his mind. He has gone through some tough school.

Are you still asked about his fight with James Toney?
As a matter of fact, yes. What do I think about fight with James Toney? Everyone who watched it knows that Jirov threw more punches, showed real action (while Toney stayed flat footed) and boxing skills. Did ringside judges give Toney more points, even though TV guys and most of us had it even? Yes. Yet, even now, people talk about it and tell me what a genuine entertainment it was. By the way, they ask when is the rematch. Every one of them notes they have a respect for Jirov for showing such big heart. That's the type of show that drew crowds to Coliseum to watch a gladiator who fights for his life. ESPN called it the Fight of the Year 2003. Both of them made a history – it was the first ever cruiserweight championship match shown on HBO.

IBF Crusierweight Champion Vasili Jirov
(from http://members.lycos.co.uk/jirov/)

1996 Olympic Gold Medallist and Barker Cup Winner Balgash, Kazakhstan/ Scottsdale, AZ. 31-0 (27 KO's)

As a boy growing up in the former Soviet Union, 11-year-old Vassiliy followed a friend to the local gym where he would meet the man who would become his father figure, coach and strict disciplinarian. Alexander Apachinsky is still the famed coach of the Kazahkstan National Boxing Team.

Apachinsky, an imposing figure and former National Champion himself, introduced young Jirov to the sport of boxing by personally getting into the ring with him and giving him a black eye. The next day, Jirov, a southpaw, came back for more. Later training methods would include putting Vassiliy in a long, narrow hallway with a door at the far end and a 5-foot lead on a German Shepard attack dog. By American standards, the training methods were brutal both mentally and physically. Jirov has the stories and the scars to prove it. Still, Vassiliy has nothing but love and respect for the man he credits with making him the champion he is today.

During the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Jirov not only won the Gold, he was awarded The Val Barker Cup for Outstanding Boxer of The Games. Vassiliy calls the '96 Games "the greatest experience of my life." While in Atlanta, he realized that he wanted to live the American dream. He moved to Phoenix and met his future wife just two weeks after arriving. His new "greatest experience" arrived in September of 2001 - their first child. A boy.

Widely regarded as one of boxing's most brutal body punchers, Jirov won the IBF Cruiserweight Title on June 5 th , 1999 by stopping "King" Arthur Williams in the first Cruiserweight match ever broadcast live on HBO. Since then he has defended his title like a true champion, winning all five of his title defenses including four by knockout. Jirov, still young to the game of boxing has a promising future, including a plan to unify the cruiser belts.

(from www.jirov.com)

Tiger's Roar: Heavyweight,
An Interview with Thel Torrence, Jirov's Trainer since 2001

How did the Tiger nickname appear?
It was the press at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics who nicknamed him “The Tiger”. And he lived up to his name. He was acknowledged as the most skillful boxer at the Olympics. The world had an opportunity to see the aggressive and effective attack of a new powerful body puncher. He is “hungry”, he wants to be the best in the world, and works hard to accomplish it. He has the right attitude.

What can you say about Jirov's style?
There is not a lot of southpaws out there. Jirov is unique to American boxing – he is a multi-dimensional southpaw who can fight, who can box, and who can punch. To those who are not very familiar with boxing terminology I can tell that mostly we have fighters, who come to gym after they learned how to fight in the street. Boxing skills include boxing reflexes, timing, legs, jab, slipping, punching , and combination, moving…Jirov is widely recognized as one of the top body punchers in the world. He is an intelligent boxer who can adjust to any situation in the ring. He was running, swimming, spent four and half years in wrestling, karate…all that before turning 11. Then he came to boxing. He knows it all – from breathing to energy. He has hundreds of those combinations in his mind. He has gone through some tough school.

Are you still asked about his fight with James Toney?
As a matter of fact, yes. What do I think about fight with James Toney? Everyone who watched it knows that Jirov threw more punches, showed real action (while Toney stayed flat footed) and boxing skills. Did ringside judges give Toney more points, even though TV guys and most of us had it even? Yes. Yet, even now, people talk about it and tell me what a genuine entertainment it was. By the way, they ask when is the rematch. Every one of them notes they have a respect for Jirov for showing such big heart. That's the type of show that drew crowds to Coliseum to watch a gladiator who fights for his life. ESPN called it the Fight of the Year 2003. Both of them made a history – it was the first ever cruiserweight championship match shown on HBO.



.....I like Jirov and I really liked him when he was dominating at cruiser. With that being said, I think his success will be very limited at heavy. He takes way too many punches to be around for long and he really got his ass kicked by Mesi until Mesi ran out of gas. He gave Toney all he could handle but if the fight was another round Jirov would have gotten knocked out. If moorer is on his game he will take Jirov out IMO. I hope he doesn't because I would love to see Jirov do well at heavy. Tell me why I'm wrong and why he can be a force. :)

Vassiliy Jirov vs. Michael Moorer Dec. 9th !

(source: www.Jirovfans.tk)



11.11.04 – They are former world champions who have each excelled in two weight divisions. But after their heavyweight battle on Thursday, December 9 at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California, only one can move forward in the world heavyweight rankings. Will it be two-time heavyweight and former light heavyweight champion Michael Moorer, or former cruiserweight king Vassiliy Jirov?

We’ll find out when Goossen Tutor Promotions presents this high-voltage showdown between two of boxing’s hardest punchers, in a 12 round bout which will be televised live on FSN's “Best Damn Sports Show Period.”

Doors open at 4pm and the first bout starts at 4:15pm (PT.) The main event starts at 5:30pm (PT.)

“We are thrilled to be back on the “Best Damn Sports Show Period,” said Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor Promotions. "All sports fans enjoyed our first telecast with James Toney and Rydell Booker in September, reflected in the tremendous rating we received, they'll want to stay glued to their television sets for this one, which pits two world rated heavyweight contenders against each other in a fight that has major world title implications. Both Jirov and Moorer need a win on December 9, and each fighter packs the type of firepower to end it with one punch. This will be a great one.”

The first Goossen Tutor promoted Best Damn Heavyweight Fight on FSN drew BDSSP's highest primetime rating in the show's three year history.

Vassiliy “The Tiger” Jirov (33-2, 29 KOs) has made his name in the boxing business with a combination of a ‘never say die’ attitude and a relentless attack that leaves few opponents standing. A 1996 Olympic Gold medallist for Kazakhstan who also won the Val Barker Cup as the outstanding boxer of the Atlanta games, Jirov – who now makes his home in Arizona – ruled the cruiserweight division as world champion from 1999 to 2002. After losing a very close decision to James Toney in 2003 – a fight many media outlets named ‘Fight of The Year,’ Jirov decided to move up into the heavyweight division, where he won his first two bouts by knockout. In March of this year, Jirov was the underdog when he squared off against highly regarded and #1 world rated Joe Mesi in Las Vegas, but after scoring three knockdowns of the unbeaten contender, there would be no underestimating “The Tiger” in the heavyweight division again. And even though he lost a highly controversial decision by one point on each judge’s scorecard, Jirov had put his stamp down as a true heavyweight contender to watch.

"Fighting and beating the former two-time world heavyweight champion puts me right into the heavyweight title picture," said Jirov. "I'm going to show everyone that I'm a bigger puncher as a heavyweight, something my recent opponents will vouch for." The storied career of Michael Moorer (46-4-1, 36 KOs) began in 1988, and throughout the early 90’s “Double M” terrorized the light heavyweight division, winning a WBO world championship that he defended nine times before jumping to the heavyweight division in 1991. Moorer’s success continued among the big boys, and in 1994 he became the first southpaw to win the world heavyweight championship when he scored a stirring 12 round decision win over Evander Holyfield in 1994.

After he lost the belt to Hall of Famer George Foreman later that year, Moorer regained the crown with a decision win over Axel Schulz in 1996, and he defended his title twice before losing a courageous battle to Holyfield in their 1997 rematch. Moorer took a three-year break from the ring, but since his return in 2004, the Pennsylvania resident has compiled a 7-2-1 record with five knockouts, and he knows he is just one victory away from becoming a player again in the wide-open heavyweight division.

"This is it," said Moorer. "Do or die. I'm my strongest when everyone counts me out. Come December 9, they will be counting Jirov out."

ABOUT "THE BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD"

Each weeknight on FSN, sports and entertainment collide with the biggest name guest joining actor Tom Arnold, former NBA star John Salley, former NFL Pro Bowler Bryan Cox and host Chris Rose. This group tosses around sports conversation from the fans' and players' points of view with a no-holds-barred approach. Blending sports and comedy with an irreverent tone throughout the 90 minutes, BDSSP, airs at 8:00PM and 11:00 PM

.....I like Jirov and I really liked him when he was dominating at cruiser. With that being said, I think his success will be very limited at heavy. He takes way too many punches to be around for long and he really got his ass kicked by Mesi until Mesi ran out of gas. He gave Toney all he could handle but if the fight was another round Jirov would have gotten knocked out. If moorer is on his game he will take Jirov out IMO. I hope he doesn't because I would love to see Jirov do well at heavy. Tell me why I'm wrong and why he can be a force. :)


Jirov is a Great Fighter. I will admire his courage and heart in his every win and loss.

haha. i like that photo where mesi gets whopped. his face looks funny

Jirov is a Great Fighter. I will admire his courage and heart in his every win and loss.


...I hear ya, but I still don't think he will succeed at heavy. I hope I'm wrong because I would love nothing more than to see him become a force. I like his story, his heart, his background, and everything about him.

.....I like Jirov and I really liked him when he was dominating at cruiser. With that being said, I think his success will be very limited at heavy. He takes way too many punches to be around for long and he really got his ass kicked by Mesi until Mesi ran out of gas. :)

Mesi was a top 3 WBC fighter at the time. Jirov's performance was great against a very good boxer.

Mesi never ran out of gas, but rather Jirov went after him in the last three rounds.

Mesi is a very good boxer, who can become a Champion one day, if he gets medical clearance.

...I hear ya, but I still don't think he will succeed at heavy.

Success is when 10 years later HBO will air legendary fights, and one of them will be Toney-Jirov.

I think Jirov has a great potential of generating legendary fights.

As for belts ... who cares. Jirov already has a good collection.

I do think he can take a belt or two at HW.

Success is when 10 years later HBO will air legendary fights, and one of them will be Toney-Jirov.

I think Jirov has a great potential of generating legendary fights.

As for belts ... who cares. Jirov already has a good collection.

I do think he can take a belt or two at HW.
i'm not sure if he has enough power to last at heavyweight. he isn't that big of a puncher to begin with he wins by accumulation of punches and he seems like a pretty small guy. but hey, if james toney can fight at heavy, jirov can too i suppose. i don't know if he can take on someone like vitaly klit though

Somebody post the picture of James Toney, shoulder-rolling on his ass..

Somebody post the picture of James Toney, shoulder-rolling on his ass..


Hey, man, can't you get some rest? Toney-Jirov fight was the fight of the year 2003. Maybe some respect to that would be appropriate.

Hey, man, can't you get some rest? Toney-Jirov fight was the fight of the year 2003. Maybe some respect to that would be appropriate.



......**** Toney, he is the biggest fraud in the heavies. Let him fight a legitimate heavyweight and he will get crushed. The thought of him fighting either Klit is laughable. Toney is a fat sack of **** who's best attribute now is his **** talking.

Hey, man, can't you get some rest? Toney-Jirov fight was the fight of the year 2003. Maybe some respect to that would be appropriate.

What do you mean?

Why the hell did he wait 8 rounds before "going after him"?.
Still I think Jirov gives Moorer a whoopin.

What do you mean?

Two very good fighters made it the fight of the year.

Okay, but all I said was someone show me the picture of Toney shoulder-rollling on 'em....

that fight was great and i had it even.

Favorite Fighter Hands down

Go Vasili !!!!

Damn, that's quite a love story Nautilus, are you really Jirov using Nautilus as a Screen Name?

I like this Jirov kid, admire his guts, but it's hard to imagine him having a career that lasts too much longer. Takes way too many hits. Now that he's fighting bigger competition it can only get worse for his long term health. Hopefully he will have enough since to leave when he should. (although that's pretty rare in boxing)

Damn, that's quite a love story Nautilus, are you really Jirov using Nautilus as a Screen Name?


No, I am not Jirov, but I am a Jirov fan. I am in Boston. I work at MIT. In sports, I have done weightlifting (I have competed in Russia) and karate (that for fun), but I have never boxed.

I will launch a similar thread for Vitali tomorrow.

Go Jirov!!!! One of my fav fighters because of his heart and huge ballz. i've said this before but i think he can take a belt or two at hw, i'd sure like to see him inflict a beating on John huggybear Ruiz, i can see Louise going in for a hug and Jirov uppercutting his ass as he comes in

Vasiliy !!!
Vasiliy !!!
Vasiliy !!!

Vasiliy !!!
Vasiliy !!!
Vasiliy !!!


Will get KO'd by Moorer Moorer Moorer!

Will get KO'd by Moorer Moorer Moorer!
I'll put 25K on The Tiger you wanna bet? It'll be fun BluesTraveller ;)

I think that Jirov took so much time off to adjust to the HW division. His tactics of "let them do whatever and I'll get them later" can get him in trouble in HW. Maybe it's me but I think we will see a different fighter on the 9th.
GO JIROV!!!

After moorer gets knocked out by jirov, I hope he hangs them up. He's probably more "done" than Holyfield.

I'll put 25K on The Tiger you wanna bet? It'll be fun BluesTraveller ;)

Sure let's do it - I've got Moorer and you're gonna owe me 25 large!

I know this is supposed to be in the betting section but oh well, it's a done deal!
:cool:

Moorer Moorer Moorer!

That's what the cats say, but I do think they mean what you mean.

VAS, we with you!:)

VAS, we with you!:)





Vasia, My s Toboi !!!

Jirov vs Moorer is coming this Thursday.

I can't wait for this fight!

Jirov has got a Tiger's heart. Jirov is Tiger.

It appears that both figther will be in great shape for this fight.

It will be a great fight!!!



-----------------------


Go Jirov !!!

Go Tiger !!!


http://allboxing.ru/bios/jirov.jpg

http://www.rosenbluthphoto.com/jirov4web.jpg

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040314/twisp_040314_promo.ss_h.jpg

Go JIrov !!!
Go Vasya !!!

Here are the weigh-in results for tomorrow's fight:






Vasiliy Jirov 218 vs. Michael Moorer 247

Sure let's do it - I've got Moorer and you're gonna owe me 25 large!

I know this is supposed to be in the betting section but oh well, it's a done deal!
:cool:


I got Jirov too. Wanna bet another 25,000?

IMO Moorer is more washed up than Holyfield, he'll have some moments but Jirov beats him up. Good tune-up bout for more wars at heavy. I would love to see the Tiger beat up Ruiz, JR won't be able to do his disgusting punch-clinch-hug-rabbitpunch tactics against Vassily. VJ will throw uppercuts on him and punish his body. Jirov is like a logger who cuts down big trees...not with a chainsaw...but with an ax!

Go Vassily! Go Tiger!

I'd like to see the Jirov-Toney rematch!

IMO Moorer is more washed up than Holyfield, he'll have some moments but Jirov beats him up. Good tune-up bout for more wars at heavy. I would love to see the Tiger beat up Ruiz, JR won't be able to do his disgusting punch-clinch-hug-rabbitpunch tactics against Vassily. VJ will throw uppercuts on him and punish his body. Jirov is like a logger who cuts down big trees...not with a chainsaw...but with an ax!

Go Vassily! Go Tiger!

I'd like to see the Jirov-Toney rematch!


Jirov is one of my favorite fighters around and I think he will easily beat Moorer but Ruiz is another story. Don't get me wrong and think that I write this because I am from Puerto Rico like Ruiz, it's because I don't know if Jirov has the strenght to control the tactics used by Ruiz.

Have you seen the weight in? Is Jirov in good shape. Is Moorer in good shape?

Source: www.**********.net

One On One With Vassiliy Jirov
By G. Leon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GL: What's going on Vassiliy? How's everything been going? "Everything has been perfect KGB. I've been putting in a lot of work and I'm just ready to do my job and kick some butt on Thursday night."

GL: Can you give us some of your thoughts on Michael Moorer?

Vassiliy Jirov: "He's a former world champion with a lot of experience at heavyweight. He's dangerous and I need to bring my best to win this fight. I've trained to make sure I'll be at my best when I get in the ring."

GL: Obviously this isn't the same Michael Moorer that beat Evander Holyfield. Is it difficult to get up for someone like Moorer, who although he has a lot of experience, his best days are clearly behind him, on top of that his conditioning program doesn't seem to be among the best out there?

VJ: "It's no problem for me KGB because I train hard all the time. For all my fights I do the same thing, I work a lot and I work hard. I'm can't think about what he's doing or how he's coming in, I just work, work, work.

GL: Were you hoping to return to the ring against a rated contender or someone who may pose a tougher fight?

VJ: "You ask me who I want to fight, I want the best. Right now we're getting ready to fight Michael Moorer and after that it's going to be something big for sure. Be patient and you will see."

GL: After a nine month layoff, will a fight like this help you shake the rust off?

VJ: "I don't feel rusty, I'm in the gym everyday and everyday I'm working hard. I'm taking this fight very serious and I think it's going to be a good performance for me."

GL: Goossen-Tutor Promotions is promoting this event, GTP has promoted several of your fights since the James Toney fight. Are you hoping that fighting on all of these GTP show leads to a rematch with Toney?

VJ: "A rematch is something that I want. After we fought he went up to heavyweight and I think the rematch would be a much better for me at heavyweight, I feel like a really strong heavyweight right now. We'll see though, it's something we've talked about so we have to wait and see what happens."

GL: IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd will be on hand for this fight is that something....

VJ: "Now we're talking KGB, that's the fight I want. I just saw Chris a little while ago, and because he's not such a big heavyweight, we're about the same weight, I think that would be great, great fight for boxing. I've talked to my people and I'm hoping we can get something done with Byrd really soon."

GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?

VJ: "I'm baaack, so tune into to this fight. I'm going to kick some butt!"


Questions/Comments: gleon@**********.net

Have you seen the weight in? Is Jirov in good shape. Is Moorer in good shape?


I will watch BDSSP at 11 and find out. Moorer's 247 is better than his previous 260, but might be a little too much.

Have you seen the weight in? Is Jirov in good shape. Is Moorer in good shape?


Jirov is in a very good shape, good triceps and good shoulder muscles.

Moorer is in a very good shape, with good biceps.

Both of them look very good.

Moorer is a little thick near wasteline, but does not look fat.

Moorer is in an excellent shape, it seems.


Moorer said that he is going to "Tame the Tiger".

Jirov smiled and said "The Tiger is free and hungry."

Jirov is in a very good shape, good triceps and good shoulder muscles.

Moorer is in a very good shape, with good biceps.

Both of them look very good.

Moorer is a little thick near wasteline, but does not look fat.

Moorer is in an excellent shape, it seems.


Moorer said that he is going to "Tame the Tiger".

Jirov smiled and said "The Tiger is free and hungry."

i think the Tiger is free and hungry too, there's no way Moorer wants this win as much as Jirov does. this is Jirov's gateway into bigger fights in the hw division, hopefully. i think the Tiger will show Louise what he's gonna do to him

i think the Tiger is free and hungry too, there's no way Moorer wants this win as much as Jirov does. this is Jirov's gateway into bigger fights in the hw division, hopefully. i think the Tiger will show Louise what he's gonna do to him


This is going to be one tough fight. Tiger will win.

This is going to be one tough fight. Tiger will win.


HE MUST WIN, Jirov will think of those dogs that used to chase him when Alexi Whateverhisnameis used to train him, he'll think about being left out in the middle of the lake and having to swim back, and the sticks that Alexi used to beat him with when his performance wasn't satisfactory. Jirov is one tough mother****er, he can block out the pain and get up and give the other guy some. He'll beat Moorer, and i mean BEAT Moorer