Billiards Digest - Pool's Top Source for News, Views, Tips & More

Van Boening Begins 10-Ball Title Defense
May 13, 2008, 7:32 PM

Van Boening headlines the field of 96 players from 23 countries.

America’s Shane Van Boening will begin his title defense today at the Predator International 10-Ball Championship — running through May 17 at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. — and the world will be watching.

Fans will be able to track Van Boening’s progress — and that of every competitor in the 96-player field — on the web site dedicated to the event: www.predator10ball.com. The site will feature live streaming video, scoring, full brackets and photos from the event. The site requires registration, which is free.

Every round will feature a live match-up on the site, scheduled daily for 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Pacific Standard Time.

Van Boening, the winner of the 2007 edition of the Championship, will have his hands full. The event features players from at least 23 countries, as well as several of the top women’s players, including Allison Fisher and Gerda Hofstatter.

“I won the title for the USA last year, and I am confident that we can keep the title this year,” Van Boening said of America’s chances for retaining the title. “I know what we can do and what kind of firepower they will be facing when they play against me, Johnny Archer and the rest of the U.S. crew.”