NEW WBC INTERIM CARIBBEAN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION FRANKLIN LAWRENCE SIGNS WITH FISTICUFFS PRODUCTIONS–WATCH ON GFL
VERONA, NY (January 31, 2011)—This past Saturday night, Franklin “Yah Yah” Lawrence scored an impressive tenth round stoppage over former U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada to capture the WBC interim Caribbean Heavyweight title at the beautiful Turning Stone Casino and Resort.
What was not known that before the fight, Lawrence signed a promotional contract with Fisticuffs Productions.
“We came to an agreement hours before the fight”, said Dave Escalet of Fisticuffs Productions.
“We had got some great feedback about Franklin through our matchmaker Nick Tiberi and I give him a lot of credit for seeing the talent in Franklin and giving us a heads up about him”
“The fighter showed character and he and his manager Robert Chambers signed a long term agreement. Some fighters would have just waited to see what would happen during the fight but he believes in our team with Fisticuffs”
“He has two quality knockouts in a row and that should be put him in a significant fight and we look forward to helping secure that opportunity for him”
“He also has a great outgoing personality that is a breath of fresh air for the Heavyweight division he is willing to fight his way to the top and we will look to get him the best possible opportunities to make that happen”
The exciting fight between Lawrence and Estrada is now available for just $9.99 by clicking:
http://www.gofightlive.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Heavyweight_Championship_Boxing__at_Turning_Stone/901
Before the stoppage over Estrada, who previously had never been stopped, Lawrence took out former contender Lance “Mount” Whitaker on September 11, 2010.
Lawrence, thirty-five years old of Indianapolis, Indiana has a record of 14-2-2 with nine knockouts.
Timothy Bradley Once Again Unifies WBO and WBC 140-Pound Titles With Victory Over Devon Alexander!
PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. (January 31, 2011) – Amir Khan, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez, the Klitschko brothers – line ‘em up — undefeated 140-Pound World Champion TIMOTHY “Desert Storm” BRADLEY (27-0, 11 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif., is ready to knock them off their pedestals. For the second time in his professional career Bradley unified the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Council (WBC) titles by beating the best. This time it was undefeated WBC super lightweight champion Devon Alexander “The Great,” (21-1, 13 KOs), of St. Louis, Saturday night in the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich. Broadcast live by HBO, Bradley won a unanimous technical decision, in the first fight since 1987 to feature two undefeated American world champions colliding inside the ring with everything on the line.
The WBO calls him the world junior welterweight champion. The WBC calls him the world super lightweight champion and fans and media alike call him the king of the 140-pound division and a consensus Top-10 pound for pound fighter. Call him old fashioned but he believes the best should fight the best. Forget about tune-ups, those are for automobiles and lawn mowers. Let’s get it on, baby!
“I said throughout fight week and after the fight, I am done calling people out,” said Bradley. “I am the people’s champion and I want to hear from the fans on whom they would like me to fight next. They’re buying the tickets and the premium channel subscriptions. They’re entitled to have a say in this. Let my promoters know (Tweet @GaryShawBoxing and @thompsonboxing). Let HBO know (Tweet @hboboxing).”
RIGOBERTO ALVAREZ MAKES HIS FIRST TITLE DEFENSE ON FEBRUARY 5 AGAINST UNBEATEN AUSTIN TROUT ON TELEVISA IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
LOS ANGELES, January 31 – Mexican sensation Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has been the talk of the boxing world for the last two years, but on Saturday, February 5, his older brother Rigoberto Alvarez will be making some noise of his own when he defends his WBA Interim Super Welterweight World Title against El Paso, Texas’ unbeaten Austin Trout in the main event of Televisa’s Saturday night boxing series Sabados De Corona. The 12 round fight will take place at Arena Coliseo in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
In the co-featured bout scheduled for 12 rounds, Nayarit, Mexico’s Jesus Silvestre and Managua, Nicaragua’s Yader Escobar will battle it out in a WBA junior flyweight title elimination bout.
The night of boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions with Alvarez vs. Trout being presented in association with The Empire Sports and Entertainment and sponsored by Corona. The Televisa broadcast begins at 10:30pm CT.
Tickets, priced at 700, 500, 300, 200 and 100 pesos are available for purchase at Arena Coliseo Box Office, Restaurant La Faena and Julian Magdaleno Gym.
“2011 is going to be my year and I’m excited to be fighting in Guadalajara and on Televisa on February 5,” said Alvarez. “Trout is undefeated and a good fighter, but I am going to show him what it’s like to fight at the elite level of the sport. I’m not going to lose, especially not in front of my fans, family and friends.”
“I’m very excited and honored to be fighting for the WBA World Title,” said Trout. “I’m going into his backyard and understand the odds seem against me, but I have God in my corner and He prevails against all odds! I’m fully prepared and feel great for the task at hand.”
“Alvarez vs. Trout is the perfect bout for the Sabados De Corona and it’s one I’m really looking forward to,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “In one corner there’s Alvarez, a Mexican World Champion fighting in his hometown and in the other, Trout is a hungry challenger looking to upset the fan favorite and take the belt away. It’s the perfect recipe for a great fight and I know the fans in Guadalajara will be amped up for this one.”
“We are very excited that Austin’s fight for the WBA Interim Super Welterweight World Title is finally here,” said Greg Cohen, President of The Empire Sports and Entertainment, Trout’s promoter. “It wasn’t easy, but together, The Empire Sports & Entertainment, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions got it done. I look forward to Austin becoming a World Champion on February 5 and enjoying tremendous success with him.”
A professional for over a decade, 33-year-old Rigoberto Alvarez (26-2, 19 KO’s) is starting to let the entire world know what Mexican fans have known for years – that “El Español” is one of the top 154-pound fighter in the world. Winner of three in a row, the former WBC Fecarbox super middleweight champion earned his first world title belt last October, when he won a split decision victory over Nobuhiro Ishida, earning him the WBA Interim Super Welterweight crown. On February 5, he makes his first title defense in front of his hometown fans in Guadalajara.
Unbeaten in 21 professional fights, El Paso’s Austin “No Doubt” Trout (21-0, 13 KO’s) has paid his dues over the last five years and feels like now is time to let the world know his name. Owner of the WBA Continental Americas, WBA Fedelatin and WBC Continental Americas titles at 154 pounds, the 25-year-old southpaw has cleared some room in his trophy case for another title belt that he hopes to bring home on February 5.
Winner of 11 of his last 12 bouts dating back to 2008, WBC youth minimumweight champion Jesus Silvestre (19-2, 15 KO’s) will look to move closer to a world title shot on February 5, and he will have his home country fans behind him to cheer him on. A professional since 2006, Silvestre stepped on the gas in 2009 and 2010, going 9-1 with seven knockouts and he’s eager to deliver another big victory against Escobar in his first fight of 2011.
24-year-old Yader Escobar (23-3, 15 KO’s) has been battling for years on the tough Nicaraguan fight circuit and the Managua native is ready for his close up on the world stage. A former IBF Youth and WBA Fedecaribe minimumweight champion, Escobar has won 15 of his last 16 bouts, with his only loss being a close split decision defeat against unbeaten Manuel Jimenez last June. On February 5, he looks to get back on a winning track and earning a world title shot at the same time.
A full undercard will be announced shortly. For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.televisadeportes.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/ssab12, www.twitter.com/CaneloTeam, www.twitter.com/TD_Deportes or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.
PACQUIAO vs. MOSLEY SELLS 16,000 SEATS IN FIRST THREE HOURS!
LAS VEGAS, NEV. (January 31, 2011) – Pacman Fever hit MGM Grand this morning with one of the biggest ticket runs in Las Vegas boxing history. Between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. PT, 16,000 tickets were sold to the Manny Pacquiao vs. Sugar Shane Mosley world welterweight championship. Barely 1,000 seats remain for Pacquiao’s return to the Fight Capital of the World, where he hasn’t fought since 2009.
“Incredible. Simply incredible,” exclaimed Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum when he heard the news today. “I have never promoted a fight that has sold so many tickets so quickly. Manny Pacquiao never ceases to amaze the world with his achievements. The excitement he generated today with the initial ticket sales makes it feel like fight week already!”
Boxing’s No. 1 pound-for-pound box office attraction and the Fighter of the Decade, Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs), the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani province in the Philippines, defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against three-division world champion and future Hall of Famer Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs), of Pomona, Calif. Pacquiao vs. Mosley erupts on Saturday, May 7 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions and MGM Grand, remaining tickets to Pacquiao vs. Mosley, priced at $1,000, $750, and $300, can be purchased through Ticketmaster. To charge by phone, with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales at $1,000, $750, and $300 are limited to 10 per person.
Pacquiao vs. Mosley will be produced and distributed Live on SHOWTIME PPV®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. For Pacquiao vs. Mosley fight week updates, log on to www.sports.SHO.com or www.toprank.com
TICKETS ARE ON SALE FOR ‘FEATHERWEIGHT FURY! AT BOARDWALK HALL IN ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
PUGNACIOUS PROMOTIONS EVENT HIGHLIGHTS ALBANY REGION’S GROWING BOXING TALENT, INCLUDING TROY PRO DEBUTER VELEZ, FEBRUARY 3RD AT EMPIRE STATE CONVENTION CENTER
January 31, 2011, ALBANY – Raymond Velez, a Brooklyn native who brought his kids upstate to Troy, NY for a better life, is receiving national attention as he makes his professional debut this Thursday, February 3rd, on Pugnacious Promotions’ “Valentine’s Day Crush(ers)” Pro-Am Boxing at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, NY.
Velez, a 2009 New York State Golden Gloves champion, is featured in the March 2011 issue of Ring Magazine’s “Amateur News and Views.” According to Michael Rivest, the column about Velez highlights “a powerful story about how boxing brought focus to his life and taught him that what is called for in the ring – determination, discipline, courage, and character – are the very things you need to succeed in life.” Most recently, Velez traveled to Houston, TX for the 2010 National PAL Tournament, where he lost to the eventual weight-class winner and perennial national champion, Error Spence. Velez will face Akron, OH’s Ahmed Poskovic in his four-round pro debut.
“I am particularly impressed with Ray Velez’s work ethic both inside and outside the ring,” said Lisa Elovich, promoter of the event. “He’s a great story of overcoming childhood adversity to become a successful parent and pugilist.”
Also on the undercard February 3rd, Delmar fan favorite, lightweight Zach “Little Freak” Smith (4-2), whose passionate following of purple-clad, “freak squad” fans are very vocal at every local show, faces Scott Paul (5-6, 1 KO), Niagara Falls, ON, CAN. Schenectady light welterweight Bryan Abraham (2-4-2, 2 KOs), who plunged into deep waters early in his career with fights against 2008 US Olympian Sadam Ali (11-0, 6 KOs), undefeated Maryland prospect Emmanuel Taylor (10-0, 8 KOs) and power-punching Peruvian Juan Zegarra (6-0, 6 KOs) early in their carriers, battles Ilyas Aksabaev, fighting out of the Bronx. Also on the pro undercard is the professional debut of Syracuse light middleweight Jimmy Garcia against Albany journeyman Rakeem Carter.
In the evening’s main event, undefeated Guilderland lightweight prospect Mike Faragon (13-0, 6 KOs) faces his most experienced opponent to date, Brooklyn’s Shamir Reyes (18-7-2, 7 KOs), in an eight-round fight.
Amateur boxers representing the Albany Parks and Recreation youth boxing program include 2010 NYS Silver Gloves champion Tawan Williams (95 lbs, age 13), who will again face Ellenville’s Brandon Idrago (95 lbs, age 13) in another round of a completive, local, junior rivalry; Tamar Williams, the number two-ranked boxer in the US at his weight, against Hudson Register-Star Co-Athelete of the Year, Ryan Maisenbacher (115 lbs, age 15); lightweight Abraham Nova, age 17, vs. Kingston’s Martin Murphy, 26, and welterweights Javy Martinez and Schenectady’s Jason Ruggerio will complete the amateur portion of the show.
Tickets – $50 Reserved and $35 General Admission – and more information are available from Pugnacious Promotions at 518-527-0160 or www.pugnaciouspromotions.com. .
POWER SURGE CONTINUES!!!
Quinonez Wins Again
Body Shot KO for Cuban Slugger!
On Friday at the Double Tree Westshore Hotel in Tampa, Florida, Cuba’s future world champion Vilier Quinonez continued his steamroll up the super middleweight ranks by scoring his second consecutive first-round knockout.
Fighting against Texan opponent LD Herbert, 25-year-old Quinonez (now 2-0, 2 KOs) established his jab from the opening bell and quickly bloodied Herbert’s nose. Herbert was trying a combination of his own when Quinonez hit him with a right to the body that doubled Herbert over and sent him to the canvas.
Herbert was deemed unable to continue at 1:13 of round one.
Quinonez’ co-promoter Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing (along with Gary Shaw of Gary Shaw Productions) congratulated the Cuban for his awesome display of punching power.
“Vilier Quinonez typifies what Gary and I are putting together — a team of the hardest young punchers in boxing,” said an elated Margules, post-fight. “I’m also very impressed with the way he had his guy completely under control with the jab before he lowered the boom with that sensational body shot.”
“Knocking people out is what we signed him up to do and he does it very well,” added equally impressed Shaw. “He’s one of the most promising young pure-punchers in boxing.”
Another member of the Shaw/Margules “Power Surge” group of young punchers, Jorge Maysonet Jr., will be in action February 18 in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
VIDEO: Recap of Diaz – Cyborg
Joppy and Cummings Look to Settle Beltway Bragging Rights with Grudge Rematch on Jimmy Lange Boxing Card; Co-Main Event Set for March 12 at Patriot Center
FAIRFAX, VA — After earning a majority draw last November in a crowd-pleasing, back-and-forth contest, former D.C. world champion William Joppy (39-6-2, 30 KOs) and dangerous veteran Cory “Black Ice” Cummings (17-4-1, 13 KOs) of Baltimore, MD will look to settle Beltway bragging rights when they return to the Patriot Center on March 12 as the 10-round Co-Main Event on the Jimmy Lange Boxing card. The show is an Ice Promotions event presented by Valcourt Building Services.
Each fighter believed he won three months ago in their 10-round showdown where one judge scored in favor of Joppy, 96-94, while the other two saw it even at 95-95.
Joppy, a popular trainer at LA Boxing in Northern Virginia, continues to look for his elusive 40th career win after being stopped by World Boxing Association (WBA) / International Boxing Association (IBA) Light Heavyweight Champion Beibut Shumenov in Shymkent, Kazakhstan on January 10, 2011. Originally scheduled to fight Gayrat Ahmedov on the undercard, Joppy took the last-minute upgrade and title shot opportunity when Jürgen Brähmer pulled out days before the fight due to illness. During his illustrious career, Joppy has faced the super middleweight division’s best: Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins, Felix “Tito” Trinidad, Roberto Duran, Howard Eastman, Lucian Bute, Jermain Taylor and Julio Cesar Green
Meanwhile, Cummings looks to prevent the former three-time world titleholder from reaching his milestone victory, while defeating his second straight D.C. fighter in the process. In May 2009, he captured the Maryland State Super Middleweight crown with a ninth-round TKO win over D.C.’s Demetrious Davis. Cummings has more than held his own against top opponents including former world champions Montell Griffin and top D.C. fighter Keith Holmes.
Hometown fighter and former Contender star Jimmy Lange (34-4-2, 24 KOs) of Great Falls, VA headlines his 12th Patriot Center show with a 10-round bout against Jimmy Holmes (19-1, 10 KOs) of Demotte, IN. The undercard features undefeated Todd “White Lightning” Wilson (9-0, 3 KOs) of Fairfax, VA vs. Dean “Pitbull” White (15-10-2, 3 KOs) of Smithsburg, MD; knockout artist Tony “Mo Better” Jeter (10-2-1, 9 KOs) of Stevensville, MD vs. TBD; a heavyweight collision between Ron “Heavy Duty” Gamble (1-0, 1 KO) of Arnold, MD and Abodurin “Bo” Akinyanju (3-1, 3 KOs) of Landover, MD; and Charlottesville, VA middleweight George “Wartime” Rivera (11-6, 4 KOs) vs. Shakir Ashanti (16-9, 4 KOs) of Greensboro, NC.
Tickets, priced at $35, $50, $75, $125, $200, $300 and $500 (plus applicable service charges), can be bought through all Ticketmaster outlets including the Patriot Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com/ and via phonecharge at 703-573-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT and 410-547-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 703-993-3035.
Riggs Loses; Starnes and Magalhaes Emerge Victorious This Weekend
One thing is for sure, the Canadian fans really show their love of mixed martial arts in a loud and boisterous way. It’s easy to see why the UFC makes so many trips up north and why they pushed so hard to have the sport legalized in Toronto.
The Score Fighting Series presented Wreck MMA this past Friday night from Quebec, Canada. The card was loaded from top to bottom and featured former UFC fighters Joe Riggs, Kalib Starnes and Mark Holst.
Things didn’t start or end well for Riggs as he failed to make weight in his match-up with Jordan Mein. If losing 20% of his purse wasn’t enough Riggs was handed a second round TKO loss. The win was the biggest of Mein’s career.
Riggs wasn’t the only one to miss weight as five other fighters were also guilty of the infraction and fined a percentage of their purse. Starnes defeated Matt MacGrath via second round submission. Starnes improved his record to 12-5. Starnes will face former UFC middleweight number one contender Patrick Cote at Ringside MMA 10.
Holst said before his bout with Markhaile Wedderburn that he was hanging up his gloves. At least he went out on a high note as he choked Wedderburn out at 4:56 of round two. He ends his career with a 9-3 record.
There were nine bouts in all with just one of them going the distance. Five fights ended by submission, three by knockout and one by unanimous decision.
In other action from this past weekend, MMA Xplosion presented International Team Challenge. The event was held at The Joint in The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The nights action consisted of fighters from Team USA facing off against Team Brazil and Team Mexico taking on Team Kazakhstan.
Originally there were 10 bouts scheduled to take place, but unfortunately only six of them went off. In the five bouts leading up to the main event, Team Brazil went 3-1, Team USA went 1-3, Team Kazakhstan went 2-0 and Team Mexico failed to win a match losing the only two bouts they participated in.
The main event saw The Ultimate Fighter season eight finalist Vinny Magalhaes representing Team Brazil go up against Team USA’s Damien Knight. Magalhaes is well known for his superior grappling abilities as evidenced by his multiple BJJ championships. His outstanding Jiu-Jitsu came to life in the second round as he was able to lock on a fight ending Kimura at 3:51. The win pushed his record to 6-5, he is 4-1 since being released by the UFC.
ESPN News- Pacquiao, Roach rip Mayweather, back Bradley February 21, 2012Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr. both realize almost every boxing fan wishes Floyd Mayweather Jr. had been standing next to Pacquiao at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Tuesday. […]Associated Press
- HBO PPV secures rights to Pacquiao-Bradley February 21, 2012HBO made it 2-for-2 in securing the rights to the first two major pay-per-view fights of the year on Tuesday, announcing that it had finalized an agreement to produce and distribute Manny Pacquiao's defense against Timothy Bradley Jr. […]Dan Rafael
- V. Klitschko says still owes Chisora a knockout February 21, 2012WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko wants to fight Britain's Dereck Chisora again -- so he can knock him out. […]Associated Press
- Chisora apologizes 'wholeheartedly' for brawl February 20, 2012Dereck Chisora apologized "wholeheartedly" Monday for the brawl with David Haye that followed his loss to WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. […]Associated Press
- V. Klitschko tore shoulder ligament vs. Chisora February 19, 2012Heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko suffered a torn ligament in his left shoulder during his unanimous decision win over Dereck Chisora on Saturday in Munich, Germany, but he will not require surgery. […]Dan Rafael
- Stars honor Ali at 70th birthday gala in Vegas February 19, 2012President Barack Obama lauded Muhammad Ali Saturday as he joined some of the world's most famous people in a birthday celebration for the boxer known simply as "The Greatest." […]Associated Press
- Esparza, Underwood, Shields win boxing trials February 19, 2012Claressa Shields screamed, sidestepped and finally hopped around the ring, unable to contain her glee when she was named the outstanding fighter at the first U.S. Olympic team trials for women's boxing. […]Associated Press
- Gamboa, Rios agree to April 14 bout in Vegas February 17, 2012Former unified featherweight titlist Yuriorkis Gamboa will jump up two weight classes and face former lightweight titleholder Brandon Rios in a fight that matches two of boxing's most crowd-pleasing fighters. […]Dan Rafael
- Boxer banned for threat, sparking ring riot February 17, 2012The IBF on Thursday banned former junior flyweight titlist Luis Lazarte from participating in any fight the organization is associated with following Lazarte's actions during a bout last Friday. […]Dan Rafael
- Ward cleared for training as long as hand OK February 16, 2012Unified super middleweight champion Andre Ward has received medical clearance to resume using his left hand, as long as it feels OK, after fracturing it in two places. […]Dan Rafael
- Pacquiao, Roach rip Mayweather, back Bradley February 21, 2012
