Alexis Arguello.

At the tender age of 16, Carlos ”Chocorron” Buitrago (7-0), is fast becoming the new rising star of the Nicaraguan fight scene.
With blistering speed and a slick style well beyond his fledgling years, Buitrago looks set to light up the Nicaraguan and World boxing scene for many years to come.
We recently caught up with the young Buitrago in our series of “Going 10” interviews.

1. What made you decide to turn pro at only 16yrs of age?

When I started boxing most of the top pros were amateurs as well. The years have passed and I saw how Jose Alfaro and Roman Gonzalez have made a huge name for themselves in boxing. I want the same things that they have. In the gym I was sparring with pros and beat some of them regularly inside the ring. This made me start bugging the PRODESA people to help me turn pro.

2. As your performances continue to impress, have you found yourself getting more attention?

The guys from PRODESA have done a great job of promoting me. That promotion naturally brings more attention. I just hope to be able to live up to the expectations being put upon me as a highly promoted fighter.

3. What goals have you set for yourself going forward in the game, how good can Carlos Buitrago be?

My goal is to be patient. I have been programmed regularly against sub par competition and have done well but I know that I need time to let my body develop and become stronger to perform better against tougher competition. The good thing is that I am gaining more experience in the pros as well as making a little money.

4 What fighters have you modeled yourself on with the slick style you fight with?

My favorite fighters are Tito Trinidad and Oscar de la Hoya. If I have to pick a favorite fighter its Tito. My manager Mr. Conrado has me studying film of Cristian Mijares and specially the stick and move style of Jorge Linares. Both are elusive and intelligent boxers.

5. Although still very young, do you have a timetable in your mind for reaching your goals?

I would like to get a shot at the championship by the age of 21, however I will leave all that to the better judgement of my managers. They have made two world champions, and have gotten title opportunities for other boxers so they must be doing something right.

6. Where do you feel you have to improve to reach the top?

I need to become stronger and be more elusive. Sometimes I like to trade shots but I know that at this moment this is not convenient. I also want to improve my defense to become a more complete fighter and learn to throw a better uppercut.

7. Which fighters have been your favorites growing up?

Tito Trinidad is my all time favorite. He is really good. I also like Oscar de la Hoya and Alexis. They were warriors in the ring with good boxing sense.

8. Working out of the same gym, what has it been like sparring with World champion Chocolate Gonzales?

He is a really tough and super talented fighter. I don’t think there is a better fighter in Nicaragua at the moment.

9. So many good young boxers today switch to high profile trainers. You are trained by your father; is this something you would like to continue throughout your career?

I only have seven pro fights. My father has taught me the basics but I realize that different trainers have different talents. The trainer I have is really up to the people who manage my career.

10. If you had a dream match-up, who would you love to fight?

Good question. I have never thought about that. I guess that a dream match would be somebody like Ivan Calderon but he wont be available by the time I become mature. I guess a dream match would be against somebody like Roman Gonzalez or Juan Palacios.

Recently elected Mayor of Managua, legendary Nicaraguan fighter Alexis Arguello recently sat down with the Nicaraguan Post to discuss all things boxing.
Like is style in the ring, Arguello pulls no punches and takes no prisoners.


Hi Alexis
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in our “Going 10” series of interviews.

1. How do you feel the standard of Boxing is today, as opposed to when you were fighting?
It Sucks!!! There is no comparison as to the quality of the old days. To be a champ you had to rip everyones head off. There where only 2 world organizations before and the reduction from 15 to 12 rounds has only resulted in more poorly trained boxers.

2. Do you feel you would have been a dominant force in today’s boxing world?
Shit yes!!. I would be the Mike Tyson of all the three weight divisions I fought in. (Laughs out loud)

3. How do you feel about the current state of Nicaraguan boxing and is there anything you would like to see improve?
The state of boxing in Nicaragua is improving. There are many good ranked fighters in Nicaragua. However, I would like to see them improve technically and physically. There is a long road ahead of us but we are heading in the right direction.

4. Who are your all time top five fighters?
Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard were in my opinion the best fighters of all time. Carlos Monzon was a beast too and deserves to be somewhere up there.

5. How do you feel about the state of judging, and what improvements do you think could be made to avoid some of the absurd results we continually see?
Judges should put more attention to the boxing event they are supposed to be watching. There are too many distractions going on around the ring, famous people in the crowds, ring girls, music, etc. They need to concentrate more on the actual fight.

6. What would you say was the biggest disappointment in your career?
Pryor. I wanted that fourth crown so bad that I could almost taste it but he was a better fighter on those two days. On Sunday I would have killed him!! (Laughs out loud)

7. What would you say was the highest moment of your career?
There were 3 high moments, each time I won a title.

8. If you were fighting today, who would be your dream match-up and why?
No one. They all suck!!! (Laughs out loud again). None of them are capable of being sparring partners in my division. But seriously, that Jorge Linares kid looks very good; I like him.

9. So many good young boxers today switch to high profile trainers, often with disastrous results; is this something you would recommend?
The trainer and the high profile does not matter. What matters is hard work in the gym and how much determination and heart the fighter has. If you want to eat fish you have to get your ass wet. (laughs out loud again and high fives the interviewer)

10. Looking back on your career is there anything you would have done different.
Nothing; I am happy with what I accomplished. I thank God for allowing me to be so successful. Few people have enjoyed more success than I. I really appreciate what the sport of boxing has done for me. This success in turn will help me win my election for Mayor of Managua this coming November.

Thank you

Most of you know me as the Developer of Milagro del Mar at Gran Pacifica, but over the past few days, I have been blessed with the opportunity to do what I really love: play, teach and talk about the great game of baseball. We have just concluded our most recent version of the ongoing diplomatic program called “Estamos Unidos en Beisbol” (“We Are United in Baseball”), whereby the U.S. Embassy joins with Nicaragua in providing opportunities for the youth of this country to participate in baseball clinics, competitions and various levels of social interaction with the desire to develop baseball skills, create relationships, foster hope and promote progress for the future of Nicaragua.

I have spent much of the last 3 days with two former Baltimore Orioles, Cal Ripken, Jr., a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and Dennis Martinez, a native Nicaraguan and former Major League pitcher with the most victories of any Latin American pitcher in the history of baseball. It was a real joy to have both of them here in Nicaragua promoting the game of baseball and interacting with the youth of this country. During my years in Nicaragua, I have developed a relationship with Dennis Martinez, but this was my first opportunity to meet Cal Ripken, and I enjoyed every minute of my time with him. Unlike many of the fallen heroes in sport, Cal lived up to every word that has been written over the years about him as a person. His charm, intelligence, work-ethic, graciousness and love of the game of baseball were evident at every moment. His appointment by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as Special Sports Envoy is well deserved (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2972509). Mr. Ripken is a true Ambassador of the game of baseball.

During our time together, as old baseball players often do, we were able to spend time telling stories and talking about our mutual friends in the game. Baseball players (and a lot of athletes), because of the nature of their lifestyles, are often most comfortable being “one of the guys”, rather than meeting the rigorous demands of their fame and the expectations of the general public. So, as we dined at the home of U.S. Ambassador Robert Callahan and his wife Debbie, I was fortunate to spend quality time with Cal talking about the future of baseball here in Nicaragua, his impression of the country and the vision of our foundation, The Nicaraguan Youth Baseball and Softball Association (www.nybsa.com). NYBSA is a U.S. 501c3 (non-profit organization) established for the promotion and development of youth baseball and softball programs, as well as educational, health and social progression, in Nicaragua.

Cal said, and I quote, “I told Dennis (Martinez) this will not be our last trip to Nicaragua. We have had a wonderful first trip, and we’ve had the chance to impact many kids and lay down the groundwork for future visits. Dennis loves his native country and would be very proud to bring baseball instruction to many young ballplayers here. It is clear that there is talent and a love of the game here” (in Nicaragua).

As for the vision of NYBSA, I specifically discussed with Cal our current plan to do the following in the community near Gran Pacifica:

1. Purchase 25-50 acres of land, outside the gates of Gran Pacifica, for the construction of a “National Baseball and Softball Complex (“the Complex”)”.

2. Host year-round events at “the Complex” where youth teams from the U.S. and other countries would travel to Nicaragua for competition, cross-cultural interaction and social projects. Coaches, parents and team members would stay in Gran Pacifica, utilizing the hotel, rental homes, golf course, restaurants and other amenities as part of a “baseball vacation”.

3. Host instructional clinics at “the Complex” where former and current Major League Baseball players would serve as instructors and counselors. Professional players at all levels would be attracted by the opportunity to participate in the clinics, while also bringing their families to the Gran Pacifica resort for a golf and beach vacation.

4. Host annual events at “the Complex” in conjunction with Score International (http://www.scoreinternational.org), an organization with which I have been involved for many years and serve on the Board of Directors (ScoreBaseball).

5. Construct a small stadium at “the Complex” and develop a professional level team for inclusion in the Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League, which season runs from November – March, thus providing entertainment to the Gran Pacifica population.

6. Host year-round clinics and camps for Nicaraguan youth at “the Complex” in an attempt to nurture their love and enjoyment of baseball, while providing relief from the various social and economic challenges they face in their homes and communities on a daily basis.

After discussing the vision of “the Complex” and NYBSA, I was simply thrilled to hear these words from Cal, “what you have described is a perfect model, and Ripken Baseball would love to find a small, or large, way to be involved. Let’s keep the dialogue going and know you have our interest and support”.

We at NYBSA will keep you posted on our progress and, of course, we would love to hear your feedback. You can always reach me by e-mail (roger@hunterblair.com) or by VOIP at my Managua home (770-881-7725). In the meantime, please know that we are all diligently working to make Gran Pacifica and Milagro del Mar all that we have promised and more!

For more information on Ripken Baseball, please visit their website at: (http://www.ripkenbaseball.com)

With Warmest Regards,

Roger

This wasn’t the batting practice that Ripken had in mind when he agreed last year to serve as a goodwill ambassador for the State Department. Instead of an executive suite at the Intercon, Ripken hunkered down at the residence of the U.S. ambassador, Robert Callahan, who is, as Ripken noted, a Cubs fan.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/15/AR2008111502288.html

Hundreds of Sandinista armed with homemade mortars, stones and sticks surrounded a group of liberals, among them was the candidate for mayor of Managua, Eduardo Montealegre, who had to be removed by riot to prevent being assaulted by the mob.

The siege of the marchers, which also involved politicians, intellectuals and civil society leaders, was maintained for about two hours in the western sector of the capital, until the opponents decided to withdraw.

Fighting broke out in various parts of the capital also, with the media once again a target of the FSLN.

One of the journalist covering the events, Ivan Olivares was stabbed with a bayonet and taken to the hospital for stitches.

Olivares later made a call to President Daniel Ortega not to incite further violence, stressing that journalists are becoming the targets of violence from the groups allied to his government.

In two other seperate events media crews from local channels 2 and 8 had their vehicles ransacked and destroyed.

This is the second time in three days the FSLN supporters have refused to let the opposition express their solidarity in the form of a protest march.

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire - Nov. 17, 2008) - Certified Environmental Group, (PINK SHEETS:CENV) subsidiary Global Life Water Inc., has entered into negotiations with the American Nicaraguan Foundation, ANF to provide solar and/or wind powered water purification units to its housing projects in rural communities where they do not have access to the electrical grid.

The American Nicaraguan Foundation ANF was established in 1992 to mitigate the effects of poverty in Nicaragua. ANF has donated millions of dollars in aid through its projects and programs in Nicaragua spending less than 1% of its operating costs on administration.

CEG/Global Life Water Inc. water purification units becomes part of a solution to the problem that less than 2/3rds of the world’s population has no access to clean drinking water, which president Lin Armstrong Sharwood states, is a “basic human right”.

The objective of the American Nicaraguan Foundation, ANF and the goals of CEG/Global Life Water Inc. provide a natural synergy to eliminate poverty and water borne disease.

CEG/Global Life Holdings Inc. solar and or wind powered water purification units provide additional electricity to power lights or other applications without ongoing fuel costs.

The company is diligently working on retiring the 190,000,000 shares with the transfer agent and would like to reassure the shareholders that Free Trading Shares remain at 46,357,881 and the shares Held in CEDE are 40,364,183.

Certified Environmental Group develops and commercializes alternative energy solutions focusing on clean drinking water, power and shelter through its fully owned operating subsidiary Global Life Water. Visit us at www.certifiedenvironmentalgroup.com.

Safe Harbor: This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Certified Environmental Group Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/15/AR2008111502288.html

By Tim Rogers,

Determined to put an end to the embarrassing failure of Nicaraguan baseball in recent years � the last two seasons have ended disastrously, with teams forfeiting, fighting each other on the field or collapsing in financial ruin � the Sandinista government is coming in from the bullpen to try to save the game.

http://www.nicatimes.net/