@MannyPacquiao IS MANNY PACQUIAO’S AUTHORIZED TWITTER USER NAME
MANILA (March 31, 2011) — He came. He saw. He Tweeted. MANNY PACQUIAO, the eight-division world champion and lone congressional representative from the Sarangani province in the Philippines, has returned to Twitter. Manny’s authorized user name is @MannyPacquiao.
Fans are invited to follow Manny as he trains with Freddie Roach for his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title defense against three-division world champion Sugar Shane Mosley (@SugarShaneM). Pacquiao returns to Los Angeles on Saturday where he will resume his training at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif.
Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines and Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs), of Pomona, Calif., have won world titles in 11 weight divisions between them. They will go toe-to-toe on Saturday, May 7, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. Named the “Fighter of the Decade” by the Boxing Writers Association of America, Pacquiao will be making his first ring appearance in The Fight Capital of the World since 2009.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions, Tecate and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs. Mosley will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV®.
Boxing Judges & Officials Seminar In Costa Rica
Following several years of boxing inactivity in the country of Costa Rica, it was incumbent upon the boxing commission to show it‘s true color of integrity by way of hosting a boxing judge & ring officials seminar in order to show it‘s deliberate involvement to strengthen the sport as well as it‘s ties to it‘s boxing fan base. More than just shoring up the strength of it’s boxing officials in part, the strategy is designed to attract boxing talent of great lineage such as that of Costa Rica’s first daughter of boxing, WBO Jr. Middleweight champion Hanna Gabriel.
Sampson Lewkowicz, President of Sampson Boxing LLC will be on hand to share with the boxing public a phenomenal fight card that includes three world titles at stake. Hanna Gabriel placing her Jr. Middleweight title squarely on the line in a rematch against Mexican fighter Melisenda Perez which electrified an audience in Punta Del Este, Uruguay in their initial match. The fight card presented by Fight Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz is scheduled for Thursday, March 31, 2011 in the Costa Rica National Stadium.
Moreover, Sampson Boxing in collaboration with the Professional Boxing Commission President of Costa Rica, Marco Antonio Molina, executed a seminar that included the participation of judges, ring officials and boxing commission professionals last Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at the Multicolor Bingo Casino in San Jose. The seminar was presented by international judges Levi Martinez with support of Puerto Rican referees, Roberto Ramirez Sr. & Robert Ramirez Jr.
HAVOC BOXING RETURNS TO GFL THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
BROOKLYN, NY (March 31, 2011)—This Saturday night from the Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn, Havoc Boxing presents H3
The fight card will broadcasted LIVE all over the world on www.gfl.tv for just $9.99 by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Havoc_Boxing_Presents_H3/992
In one of the feature bout, WBC number-three ranked Super Bantamweight Leon Moore will see action against veteran Felipe Almanza in a bout scheduled for six rounds.
Moore of Georgetown, Guyana has a very impressive mark that reads 27-2 with twenty two knockouts.
Moore turned pro in 2001 and racked up seventeen consecutive victories.
He lost a very close split decision to future Flyweight champion Irene Pacheco (32-1)
Moore twice won the Guyanese Bantamweight title and the WBC Caribbean title. He won the WBC Caribbean and NABA Super Bantamweight title with a unanimous decision over former world champion Mauricio Pastrana (35-11-2).
Moore is riding a nine fight winning streak which includes a majority decision over Brelior Teran last November 6.
Almanza of Lorica, Colombia has a record of 18-22-4 with nine knockouts.
He has shared the ring with some of the top fighters in the world such as two fights with Cesar Seda (6-0 & 9-0); Former world champion Eric Morel (35-2); Currant World champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (11-0-1); Teon Kennedy (10-0); Abner Mares (19-0); Future world champion Tomas Rojas (32-12-1) and his last bout he dropped a six round unanimous decision to Abraham Lopez (12-0) on February 25th
In a six round Lightweight bout, undefeated Mark Davis will put his perfect mark that reads 14-0 with four knockouts on the line when he takes on Ramesis Gil.
Davis of Cincinnati, Ohio has been a pro four years and is known for his slick style.
He has had signature wins over Sadot Vazquez (3-1-1); Carl McNickles (5-1); and Adaulto Gonzalez (10-5). He is coming off an eight round unanimous decision over Justo Vallecio (6-11) last August 21st.
Gil is 6-1-4 with five wins coming by knockout.
He was unbeaten in his first ten bouts as he scored a win over rugged win Roberto Acevedo before being stopped in four to Darley Perez (17-0) on December 10th.
In a six round Super Welterweight bout undefeated and touted prospect Joel Castillo will take on Billy Cunningham.
Castillo of Bronx, New York is perfect in his seven bouts with four knockouts.
Castillo turned pro in July of 2006 and won five fights in a six month period before a three year hiatus from the ring.
Since he has returned, Castillo has won two straight which includes his last outing when he scored a second round stoppage over Angel Gonzalez on Decmber 10th
Cunningham has a record of 5-9 with four knockouts and the Jackson, Mississippi native is known for taking on top prospects.
He has shared the ring with Lanard Lane (5-0); Bastie Samir (6-0) and his last bout he dropped a four round unanimous decision to Seanie Monaghan (5-0) on March 12th
In a six round Welterweight bout, local favorite Tommy “Razor” Rainone (13-4, 4 KO’s) of New York takes on Arthur Medina (14-22, 5 KO’s) of Fort Collins, CO
Jonathan Arias (11-6, 9 KO’s) of the Dominican Republic battles Angel Cruz (4-1, 4 KO’s) of Miami in a six round Super Flyweight bout
DonYil Livingston (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Palmdale, CA takes on Greg Hackett (2-6) of Philadelphia in a six round Middleweight affair.
Frank Galarza (2-0, 1 KO) of Brooklyn battles Noel Garcia (2-7-1) of Springfield, MA in a four round Jr. Middleweight fight.
Rounding out the card will be a four round Heavyweight fight between Ramadan Yasser (3-0, 3 KO’s) of New York and Mario Flores (1-0, 1 KO) of Washington, DC
- GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 1.8 million public viewers last year with more than 200 broadcasts. GFL combat sports genres currently include Boxing, MMA and Professional Wrestling with plans to add more fight categories in 2011. GFL has expanded its programming to include: Daily News & Radio Shows with feature interviews and industry updates along with Great Fight Photos, Fighter Videos and a robust Calendar of Upcoming Fight Events.
If Combat Sports is your game…Go Fight – Every Night with GFL Combat Sports Network
APRIL 9 “ACTION HEROES” CAMP NOTES
Part 4 – Training Camp Winding Down; Fighters Firing Up
Las Vegas, Nev. (March 31)…The April 9 “Action Heroes” fight week festivities kick off in less than one week and the excitement continues to build with new fights added to the card including James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland vs. Nobuhiro Ishida and Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi vs. Jose Miguel Cotto. They join Erik “El Terrible” Morales vs. Marcos “El Chino” Maidana and Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero vs. Michael Katsidis “The Great” in what promises to be an action-packed night of boxing. As the fighters’ respective training camps wind down, each has something to say about their last days of preparation for “Action Heroes” at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. which will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View®.
MORALES, MAIDANA, GUERRERO AND KATSIDIS – FINISHING STRONG
QUESTION: How are you feeling now that camp is winding down?
Morales: “I am very calm and ready. We had our last sparring session yesterday and I did close to 192 rounds total during camp.”
Maidana: “I am feeling great! It has been a great camp with changes for me with a new training camp and trainer, but I have the rest of my usual team with me, so I feel very comfortable.”
Guerrero: “I feel very motivated and excited for fight night.”
Katsidis: “It feels good because the fight is drawing near. We are enjoying what’s left of camp and, of course, the real enjoyment will come when the fight is over and I come out victorious.”
QUESTION: Do you feel as prepared as possible?
Morales: “I am ready and have no problems with my weight. The junior welterweight division gives me the opportunity to eat well and to make weight without sacrificing my body like I had to in the past.”
Maidana: “I am definitely prepared and hungry for this fight. I want to be a world champion again and move past the frustration I have felt since my fight with Amir Khan. I worked hard and will keep working hard until I come out with a win on April 9.”
Guerrero: “Since I was able to go away for training camp as opposed to the past when I had to stay close to home for personal reasons, I’m tremendously prepared for this fight.”
Katsidis: “I feel as prepared as I ever will be.”
QUESTION: Is there anything you haven’t worked on yet in camp that you have been saving for the last few days?
Morales: “The last thing to do is review everything we worked on and put it to use the day of the fight and of course use my experience in the ring.”
Maidana: “All I save is my punching power, which I will reserve exclusively for Morales on April 9.”
Guerrero: “No, nothing has changed; I’m moving full steam ahead with the game plan we have in place.”
Katsidis: “We are working on the enjoyment side of it now. We are almost done with the hard work we need to do.”
QUESTION: What do you think the outcome of changing your camp location has been?
Maidana: “The altitude of Mexico City was great for me, as well as my sparring partners. It was a breath of fresh air for me to change camp and I saw that I have a lot of fans in Mexico, which surprised me. However I am now in Las Vegas, where I’ve come to train for my last four or five fights, so I feel at home here. In all, both locations have been great for me.”
Guerrero: “It has given me the ability to be focused 100 percent on boxing.”
QUESTION: Would you change camps again?
Maidana: “Yes, why not? The routine of boxing preparations can get a little boring sometimes and you have to change things once in a while. On top of that, you learn new things when you go to new places and that’s exactly what I did.”
Guerrero: “God willing everything continues to stay the way it is at home and I’ll definitely come back out to Las Vegas for camp again.”
KIRKLAND, MALIGNAGGI AND COTTO – FULL SPEED AHEAD
QUESTION: Where are you training?
Kirkland: “I am training at the Pound 4 Pound Boxing Gym in Las Vegas, Nevada.”
Malignaggi: “I’m training at Wildcard Boxing Gym in Hollywood, CA.”
Cotto: “I am training in Caguas and Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, near my home. I am comfortable training here.”
QUESTION: Who is your trainer and how long have you trained with them?
Kirkland: “My new trainer is Kenny Adams and his assistant is Chris Rodriguez. I have been with him for my past two fights.”
Malignaggi: “I’m working with Eric Brown and this is our second training camp together.”
Cotto: “My trainer is Armando Alamo, one of the best young trainers from Puerto Rico. My brother Miguel Cotto is also with me. I have been with Armando for two years and we have chemistry like I have never experienced before. Having my brother in my corner gives me profound confidence and tranquility.”
QUESTION: Do you have any new training techniques that you are trying this time around?
Kirkland: “I’m working on better head movement and defense. I want to be in great shape, so I’m also working on getting my weight down to 158 pounds.”
Malignaggi: “The fans will have to wait until the fight. We don’t want to spoil any surprises.”
Cotto: “Yes, but I cannot say. You will see them implemented during the fight.”
QUESTION: What is your diet like?
Kirkland: “I eat a lot of salads, fruit and vegetables. I also like fish, chicken and pasta.”
Malignaggi: “My diet is a mix of chicken, fish and veggies, plus a lot of fruit as well.”
Cotto: “I eat healthily and sensibly. All of the good stuff!”
QUESTION: What are you concentrating on most now that you’ve been added to the April 9 “Action Heroes” fight card?
Malignaggi: “We are always working hard, but because we are on the ‘Action Heroes’ card, we are making sure all super-powers and action techniques are sharp and we’ll be full speed ahead on April 9.”
Cotto: “On winning and having a great performance!”
**All photos are courtesy of Golden Boy Promotions
# # #
“Action Heroes,” featuring Erik Morales vs. Marcos Maidana in a 12-round junior welterweight bout, Robert Guerrero vs. Michael Katsidis in a 12-round bout for the vacant WBA and WBO Interim Lightweight Championships, James Kirkland vs. Nobuhiro Ishida in an 8-round middleweight bout and Paul Malignaggi vs. Jose Miguel Cotto in a 10-round welterweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Erik Morales’ Box Latino and Universum Box Promotions and sponsored by CervezaTecate, AT&T, DeWalt Tools and TresGeneraciones Tequila. Guerrero vs. Katsidis is presented in association with Sampson Boxing. The bouts will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets for “Action Heroes,” priced at $350, $250, $150, $75, $50 and $25, are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @boxlatino, @UBPboxen, @terrible100, @ChinoMaidana, @TeamGuerrero, @MickKatsidis, @PAULMALIGNAGGI or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing. Follow HBO Boxing news at www.hbo.com/boxing, Facebook at www.facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter www.twitter.com/hboboxing.
The Morales vs. Maidana pay-per-view telecast, which begins at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $44.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Morales vs. Maidana fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
Protecting the President While Protecting Himself at All Times
Mike Kurzeja is your everyday police officer turned Secret Service agent/professional boxer with a nationwide nutritional supplement sponsorship.
The series of events that led to him protecting the President by day and trading leather at night begins with a bored Chicago cop.
“I was at a crossroads in my career,” he recounts, “I didn’t want to be a police officer for another 10 years, so I decided to apply to federal agencies. The Secret Service told me I could still be based out of Chicago if I came to work for them. It was a no-brainer at that point.”
In his spare time, Kurzeja took to boxing in college and then as a police officer, became involved in the Police Athletic League’s program. In 2000, he started fighting in the annual Chicago-area Super Cop Tournament, a charitable boxing event for fallen officers, and won three times.
It was the promoters of Super Cop who suggested Kurzeja consider turning professional. “I got my license and the rest is history. I made my debut in 2009.”
Meanwhile, because he is a physical fitness buff, he applied for sponsorship from the biggest supplement company in the world, Optimum Nutrition, and they agreed to become his sponsor. “They take care of me. I got lucky. Most of the people they sponsor are national-level body builders and fitness models. I’m the only boxer.”
And thus, Agent Kurzeja (4-0, 4 KOs) is in final preparations to appear on the Hitz Boxing Fight Night event on Saturday, April 9, at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana. He is scheduled to face Ohio’s Ross Niggemyer (2-1, 2 KOs).
“He can punch and seems like a worthy opponent. Hopefully I’ll be able to show the improvements I’ve made in training.”
Off work, Kurzeja is friendly, likeable and even calls himself mellow. At work, he can’t even talk about what he does. “I can’t speak specifically about what I do during the day,” he explains. “In the Secret Service, we’re a dual-mission agency that provides a protective function, we protect the president and vice-president, and we have an investigative function. Let’s leave it at that.”
Kurzeja is wildly popular among his law enforcement colleagues and they flock to his fights. “I get a lot people from Super Cop come out to support my boxing. And then of course I get people from the Secret Service, so I do have a good-size following from the law enforcement community.”
Mike Kurzeja’s life is not for everybody and certainly not for the timid. It takes discipline, dedication and courage to do the things he does. He says if everything goes right he’ll be adding the word champion to his many descriptions.
“I plan to build up my record and keep stepping up my competition level and with God’s grace I’ll hopefully fight for some sort of title in the fall.”
Also scheduled to appear are: Yakubu “Black Mamba” Amidu (19-2-1, 16 KOs); Chicago light welterweight Russell Fiore (4-0-1, 4 KOs); Chicago super middleweight Ninos Abraham (5-0, 2 KOs); Chicago heavyweight Dave Latoria (7-0, 3 KOs); Chicago junior lightweight Paulie Settepani making his pro debut; and Hammond welterweight Ruben “Modern Day Warrior” Galvan (27-15-4, 10 KOs) in separate bouts.
For more information, please visit: www.hitzboxing.com.
WHEN: Fight Night at Horseshoe Casino
Saturday, April 9, 2010
Action Starts at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Price: $10 – $90
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT TICKETMASTER AND AT:
www.thevenue-chicago.com
Must be 21 or older to attend shows. Must be 21 or older to gamble.
WHERE: THE VENUE AT HORSESHOE CASINO
777 Casino Center Dr., Hammond, IN, 46320
Horseshoe Box Office: 219-473-6060
ABOUT CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
Caesars Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest casino entertainment company. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, more than 70 years ago, Caesars has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions, and now operates casinos on four continents. The company’s resorts operate primarily under the Harrah’s®, Caesars® and Horseshoe® brand names. Caesars also owns the World Series of Poker® and the London Clubs International family of casinos. Caesars Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. Caesars is committed to environmental sustainability and energy conservation and recognizes the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment. For more information, please visit www.caesars.com.
BUSY SPRING FOR ST. LOUIS’ RUMBLE TIME PROMOTIONS
ST LOUIS, MO (March 31, 2011) Based out of St. Louis, Missouri, Rumble Time Promotions, leaders in the promotion of professional boxing and mixed martial arts, has a very busy spring planned with numerous events planned across the country.
“These are very busy times for Rumble Time Promotions, but that’s they way we like it. Keep moving and keep promoting great events for the fans. The year is off to a terrific start for us” said Steve Smith, President of Rumble Time Promotions. “I’m very lucky to have a great team in place at Rumble Time.”
“Our goal is to make top contenders, champions.”
Recently, Rumble Time Promotions struck a deal to work with Showtime and Russia’s M-1 Global to bring the best in Mixed Martial Arts to the United States. Their first event took place this past Friday night, March 25th in front of a packed house at the Constant Center in Norfolk, Virginia.
Details of the next Showtime televised M-1 Global/Rumble Time Promotions event will be announced shortly. Included among the world class athletes fighting under the M-1 Global is MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko.
On Friday, April 8th, Rumble Time Promotions heads to Laredo, Texas, where sensational welterweight prospect Willie Nelson, sporting an undefeated record of 16-0-1 (10KO’s), will battle Vincent Arroyo on Showtime’s acclaimed boxing series ShoBox. Standing 6’3”, this will be the 23 year old Cleveland native’s first televised bout.
One week later, on Friday, April 15th, Rumble Time Promotions will return to the St. Louis area hosting BATTLE ON THE BANKS, an action packed evening of professional boxing and mixed martial arts at the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa in St. Charles, Missouri.
Headlining BATTLE ON THE BANKS is a spectacular ten round light weight showdown between St. Louis’ finest, “Dangerous” Dannie Williams, 16-1-0 (13KO’s) and Mexican veteran Manuel Leyva, 18-2-0 (10KO’s) for the WBC Continental Americas Title.
Five other bouts are scheduled for BATTLE ON THE BANKS along with two mixed martial arts fights.
The next night, Saturday, April 16th, Rumble Time Promotions will travel to Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, where former world title challenger Deandre “Bull” Latimore, 21-3-0 (17KO’s) will battle Bayonne, New Jersey’s Dennis Sharpe, 17-6-3 (4KO’s) in a twelve round junior middleweight bout.
The Latimore/Sharpe bout, promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment is the chief undercard support to the HBO televised Welterweight World Championship between Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz.
Along with Steve Smith, Rumble Time Promotions is comprised of chief financial officer Gail Hull, match maker Derrick Spicer, recruiting and development, former world champion Harold Petty and vice president/attorney Blake Fischer.
Rumble Time Promotions has consistently promoted world class fighters, working with numerous broadcasts networks. Among the fighters under their banner are Deandre Latimore, Dannie Williams, Willie Nelson and Prenice Brewer.
Additional announcements regarding other top prospects joining the Rumble Time Promotions team will be made shortly.
For more information on Rumble Time Promotions, please visit their website at www.rumbletimepromotions.com. Tickets to their events can be purchased by calling 312-662-2000.
“SUPER” PROSPECT MARCUS JOHNSON BATTLES DYAH DAVIS EN ROUTE TO CONTENDER STATUS IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TRIPLEHEADER
Plus Danny O’Connor Takes On Gabriel Bracero and Willie Nelson Battles Vincent Arroyo
On Friday, April 8, LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)
From Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas
NEW YORK (March 31, 2011) – After three straight victorious appearances on ShoBox: The New Generation, Marcus Johnson hopes to make his fourth an eye-catching performance on the path from prospect to contender.
Touted as a top American prospect on many boxing lists, Houston’s unbeaten and hard-hitting Johnson (20-0, 15 KOs) will make his fourth consecutive appearance on the popular series featuring boxing’s youngest and brightest stars as he goes up against another ShoBox alumnus in Boca Raton’s Dyah Davis (18-2-1, 9 KOs) on Friday, April 8, in a 10-round super middleweight main event as part of a spectacular tripleheader LIVE on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West coast).
The night of boxing begins with two exceptionally matched co-features. Two unbeaten, 14-0 fighters will square off in an eight-round junior welterweight affair as 25-year-old and brand new father Danny O’Connor (14-0, 3 KOs) takes on 30-year-old Gabriel Bracero (14-0, 1 KO) of Brooklyn, N.Y., by way of Puerto Rico.
In the evening’s first televised fight, a pair of 23-year-olds tangle as former amateur standout Willie Nelson (16-0-1, 10 KOs) of Cleveland, meets Vincent Arroyo (10-1, 7 KOs) from Amherst, N.Y., in an eight-round welterweight bout.
Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, the “Rumble on the Rio” will originate from the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas.
“Yeah, four straight on ShoBox, that’s pretty exciting,” said Johnson. “I’ve fought on SHOWTIME in Oklahoma, Chicago and North Dakota and now I’m in Texas. I wish it could be in Houston but Laredo is fine. It’s about a five-hour drive from Houston.”
When we last saw the 25-year-old Johnson, he was polishing off Kevin Engel back in November, 2010, in Fargo, N.D., recording a third-round TKO. Johnson won the WBO NABO championship last April by scoring a 10-round decision over then-unbeaten Derek Edwards in Chicago and in October, 2009, he decisioned Victor Villereal in Newkirk, Okla.
Johnson hopes the April 8 fight will advance his status as a fighter and some boxing experts agree. “A convincing win over Dyah Davis would suggest that Marcus Johnson is ready to make a move in the 168-pound division,” said SHOWTIME boxing analyst Steve Farhood.
The 29-year-old Davis — son of 1976 Olympic gold medalist Howard Davis Jr. — fought as recently as February, battling to a controversial 10-round majority draw with formidable Mexican Francisco Sierra on Feb. 5 in Maywood, Calif., although most observers, and one judge, felt Davis had done enough to win.
“I definitely thought I won the fight,” Davis said. “I thought I did enough to win but in boxing it’s politics. It was his promoter’s show. But for me I think it was a learning experience: I have to be able to put guys away when I have the chance. This fight is going 10 rounds and if I have the opportunity to put him away, I will this time. I have to let my hands be the judges.”
Fighting on the same card as Johnson-Engel in Fargo, N.D., Davis lost an eight-round decision to Aaron Pryor Jr., on ShoBox last Nov. 5 in an all-action and entertaining fight.
“I didn’t see [Johnson’s] fight there but I know he’s fundamentally sound but nothing that special,” Davis said. “My style will give him problems, for sure. This is the toughest test for both of us. He hasn’t fought anyone as strong as I am. I see myself victorious.”
He added: “I don’t care that the fight is in his home state. I’ve fought in England and Mexico. Fighting in someone else’s territory never really bothered me.”
Johnson recently watched the Davis-Sierra fight and concluded, “He’s a good boxer and we both have that classic boxer-puncher style. He probably thinks I’m going to come out and brawl and I don’t think he’s aware of my speed as well as my power.”
The southpaw O’Connor from Framingham, Mass., is described as an all-action fighter who trains at Peter Manfredo’s gym in Rhode Island. He is managed by Leon Margules. “It really should be an exciting fight,” Margules said. “I like Danny because of his amateur pedigree but here you have two fighters at basically the same stage of their careers. That’s what makes boxing great when you have two unbeatens going at it. It’s a real coming-out and a chance for fight fans to see two very skilled boxers.”
O’Connor was the 2008 National Golden Gloves Champion, an alternate on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team and a 2007 U.S. Olympic Trials bronze medalist.
On March 10, O’Connor and his wife welcomed home new son Liam. It’s given O’Connor a new outlook and fresh perspective on life. “It really hasn’t been a distraction in my training,” he said. “It’s actually been more motivating than I can put into words.”
O’Connor knows he’ll be facing an unbeaten fighter on April 8. “We both have zeros. I have to do everything in my power to take his away,” he said.
This will be Bracero’s first fight outside of New York, who has turned heads since returning to boxing in 2009 after an eight-year absence. He has been a mainstay of DiBella Entertainment’s “Broadway Boxing” series, headlining fight cards at B.B. King Blues Club in seven of his last nine fights, creating a very vocal and enthusiastic hometown fan base.
Bracero’s lone knockout came against Raymond Betancourt, on July 28, 2010, in Bracero’s 11th pro contest, but the majority of his victories by decision have been virtual shutouts.
The tall and lanky 6-foot-3 Nelson comes from a long line of outstanding Cleveland-area boxers and is quickly being looked at as a rising prospect in the talent-thick welterweight division. After more than 200 amateur fights, Nelson made his pro debut in 2006 with the only negative mark on his record so far a controversial draw in then-unbeaten Antonio Johnson’s home state of California.
Nelson’s biggest career win was against former “Contender: Season One” contestant Jesse Feliciano, whom he knocked out inside one round last June. Last time out, Nelson stopped Quinton Whitaker in similar fashion with another one-round knockout in Atlantic City, on the undercard of the Sergio Martinez-Paul Williams rematch, on Nov. 20, 2010.
The heavy-handed Nelson has a “boxer-puncher” style and has been described as a fighter who will try to keep his opponent on the outside. Nelson trains with ShoBox standout Shawn Porter.
The tough and aggressive two-time national junior champion Arroyo, facing his third straight undefeated opponent, can bring the power too as he was last seen scoring an upset knockout over formerly undefeated Jeremy Bryan. His only loss came at the hands of ShoBox alum Mike Dallas Jr., in September, 2009.
Curt Menefee will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and Antonio Tarver serving as expert analysts. Gordon Hall is the executive producer of ShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.
About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Malignaggi, Kendall Holt, Timothy Bradley, Bernard Dunne, Yonnhy Perez, Yuri Foreman, Andre Ward and, most recently, Cornelius Bundrage.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD™, SHOWTIME 2 HD™, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD™, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND™ and FLIX ON DEMAND®. SNI also manages Smithsonian Channel™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
UNBEATEN JESSIE VARGAS TO FACE FORMER WORLD CHAMPION VIVIAN HARRIS IN APRIL 8 “SÓLO BOXEO TECATE” MAIN EVENT
LOS ANGELES, March 31 – Buffalo Bill’s Star of the Desert Arena in Primm, Nevada will be the site for the Friday, April 8 edition of TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate,” as one of boxing’s rising stars, Jessie Vargas, returns to his home state to face former World Champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris in the headlining bout of an action-packed card that also features New York prospects Eddie Gomez and Roberto Lopez in a Big Apple showdown, plus middleweight knockout artist Bastie Samir and top prospect Michael Finney.
This night of world class professional boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Roy Englebrecht Promotions’ special edition of “Fight Club Primm,” and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and AT&T. Doors open at 6:00pm PT, the first bell rings at 7:00pm PT and the TeleFutura broadcast begins at 11:30pm ET / PT (10:30pm CT).
Tickets, priced at $50 (Floor) and $20 (General Admission), may be purchased at the Star of the Desert Arena Box Office or online at www.primmvalleyresorts.com.
Las Vegas’ Jessie Vargas (14-0, 7 KO’s) is one of the best young boxers to emerge from the “fight capital of the world” in recent years and at the rate he’s going, he one day may own the town. Since his professional debut in 2008, the 21-year-old’s growth and improvements have been visible in each fight, and with wins over Arturo Morua, Ernesto Zavala and Ramon Montano already, it’s clear to see that he will be tough to beat for anyone at 140 pounds.
One of the hardest punchers of this era, Brooklyn, New York’s “Vicious” Vivian Harris (29-5-1, 19 KO’s) is fearless in the ring and a look at his record proves that reputation. A former Junior Welterweight World Champion who has faced the likes of “Vicious” Victor Ortiz, Diosbelys Hurtado, Oktay Urkal, Stevie Johnston and Juan Lazcano, the 32-year-old Harris is looking to make one more run at championship gold. A win over the unbeaten Vargas, would kick-start his journey in a big way.
A former Junior Olympic and New York Golden Gloves champion, the Bronx’s Eddie Gomez (3-0, 3 KO’s) has made short work of his first three professional opponents, winning two bouts in the first round and n his most recent bout against Jose Ramon Sanchez in February, he ended it in the second round. The 18-year-old prodigy will face a stiff test in Brooklyn’s Roberto Lopez (4-1-2, 1 KO), a late bloomer who has shown great promise since turning professional at the age of 26 in 2008.
Vargas’ Las Vegas neighbors, undefeated Ghana native Bastie Samir (10-0, 10 KO’s) and Michael Finney (7-0, 7 KO’s) have been breaking down opponents with ferocious intensity and will be featured in separate bouts on April 8. Samir who turned professional in 2008 is already 3-0 with three knockouts in 2011 and will face an opponent to be named in a six round middleweight bout. Finney, originally from Smith’s Station, Alabama, has only been in the professional game for a year, but with seven knockouts in seven fights, he has made quite an impression already. He will look to impress Nevada fans again as he fights for the third time in his adopted home state against an opponent to be determined in a six round welterweight battle.
Tecate, cerveza con carácter, is the largest beer brand to sponsor boxing matches in the U.S. Part of its commitment to make boxing accessible to consumers is the title sponsorship of “Sólo Boxeo Tecate,” which creates an opportunity for local fans to witness some of the most exhilarating fights by today’s up-and-coming prospects. Additionally, Tecate has been a primary supporter of Golden Boy Promotions’ marquee events since 2007, and has launched a variety of initiatives to ensure consumers are part of the boxing experience, including boxer autograph signing sessions, commemorative cans, PPV mail-in rebate offers, and most recently the launch of a mobile museum “Tecate Museo de Boxeo,” which showcases decades of the most memorable moments in the sport.
Visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.fightcluboc, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/fightcluboc or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.
CONTACTS: Ramiro Gonzalez/Monica Sears, Golden Boy Promotions: (213) 489-5631
Bill Caplan, Golden Boy Promotions: (818) 831-0046 (O)/(818) 515-1616 (C)
Roy Englebrecht, Roy Englebrecht Promotions: (949) 760-3131
Lara Migliassi, Univision Networks: (305) 304-7211
Maria Amor, Formulatin/Tecate: (212) 219-0321
Grano in crossroads fight Apr. 9 in Hartford
The Willie Pep Boxing Classic’ at Conn. Convention Center
HARTFORD (March 31, 2011) – Popular Connecticut heavyweight Tony “TNT” Grano will be in a crossroads fight April 9 when he headlines “The Willie Pep Boxing Classic,” presented by Hard Hittin’ Promotions (“HHP”), at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
Grano (17-2-1, 13 KOs), fighting out of nearby Hebron, faces veteran “Diamond” Dominque Alexander in the 8-round main event. Grano, the WBF All-Americas heavyweight champion and 2005 U.S. Nationals winner, is coming off his second career loss, the first by stoppage, last June to Nicolai Firtha in June. Grano hopes to get back where he was in 2009, when he knocked out previously unbeaten Travis Kauffman (18-0) on ShoBox.
“I feel real good and have been training hard,” Grano reported. “I’ve been getting good work in the gym, hitting the roads running, and I’ve been working with good sparring partners. I feel sharp and I’m excited about getting back into the ring. I felt that I got a bad shake in my last fight where there was an early stoppage. I was in great condition, physically, but not mentally. I wasn’t focused and didn’t have a good game plan, Not being focused killed me.
“He rocked me in the first round and I was hit when down. That through me out of what game plan I had and I went toe-to-toe with a big guy – punch-for-punch – and you can’t do that in this division. I was totally shocked when the referee stopped the fight. I was throwing back and had just hit him with a three-punch combination.”
Alexander has fought WBO heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs and current WBO cruiserweight titlist Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, in addition to world heavyweight title challengers Kali Meehan and Fres Oquendo, and Odlanier Solis.
“I know Alexander is experienced with over 30 fights against guys like Briggs and Solis. I do know that every time he’s stepped up he’s been stopped. I don’t take anybody lightly but, personally, I don’t think he can last more than four rounds with me. Not the way I feel right now. I’m very confident and in great shape. This is a good guy for me to get back in the ring with.
“I’m ready to make a serious statement. I’m going to show everybody on April 9th that I’m ready to make the next step up. After this fight I want to stay busy and get back in the ring in May or June.”
The undercard showcases some of the best young fighters in New England, including Meriden (CT) by way of Mexico bantamweight Danny Aquino (5-1, 1 KO) vs. James Owens (4-2, 2 KOs), Puerto Rican junior welterweight prospect – training in New Haven – Javier “El Chino” Flores (5-0, 4 KOs) vs. game Norwalk (CT) veteran Shakha Moore (10-15-3, 2 KOs), and promising New Haven featherweight and former amateur standout, Luis Rosa (5-0, 2 KOs) vs. Tommy Attencio (4-6, 2 KOs), all in 6-round bouts. Undefeated East Hartford Joseph “Chip” Perez (5-0, 2 KOs) faces Charles Vanderveer (1-1, 1 KO) in a 4-rounder.
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard are a pair of Middletown (CT) favorites, light heavyweight Doug Cartelli (1-0) and pro-debuting junior middleweight Willie Picard. They’ll be facing the Williams brothers, respectively, Jaquan (pro debut) and Charles (0-1), from North Carolina. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets are priced at $100.00 (ringside), $80.00 (preferred seating), $60.00 (reserved) and $40.00 (general admission) and are available to purchase by calling 860.402.4838 or The Lions Den at 860.613.2394.
Willie Pep: Born Gugloermo Papaleo in 1922 in Middletown, CT. He was a 2-time world champion who retired in 1966 after a 26 year professional career with an amazing 229-11-1 (65 KOs) record. In 1990, Pep was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. He died November 23, 2006 at the age of 84.
Blood From a Stone: Shaw Inks Bantamweight Action Hero Glenn “The Rock” Porras!
Gary Shaw Productions is proud to announce the signing of Philippine bantamweight contender Glenn “The Rock” Porras to a promotional agreement.
Southpaw Porras (26-2, 17 KOs) is a blood-and-guts warrior with an unbelievably strong will to win. “Glenn Porras is the kind of fearless warrior this company was built on,” said GSP President, Gary Shaw. “In his last fight, he won the Philippine Bantamweight Championship even though he was down in round three, had cuts over both eyes and a sprained left wrist! The kid can’t be in a bad fight!”
Porras, currently on a 13-fight winning streak, has also previously held the WBO Asia Pacific Youth and Philippines Boxing Federation (PBF) bantamweight titles. The 25-year-old hails from Luz Village in M’lang.
“Nonito Donaire isn’t the only Philippine bantamweight the world should watch out for,” continued Shaw. “Glenn Porras creates the kind of electricity in his fights that fan favorites are always known for. With the right people guiding his career, we expect he’ll move steadily up the rankings on his way to a world title… and make thousands if not millions of new fans along the way.”
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
