King Arthur departs for US after referee row is resolved
King Arthur Abraham will travel to the US on Sunday morning after the referee row has been resolved. The former Super Six World Boxing Classic Tournament point leader is set to take on WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Andre Ward in the semi-finals at the Home Depot Center in Carson on May 14. “We are pleased that all issues regarding the judges and the referee have been sorted,” Hall of Fame-Promoter Wilfried Sauerland said. “The Californian Commission and Dan Goossen have finally decided to honour the agreement that the referee will be from neither the US nor Europe. We have also agreed upon the three judges scoring the bout at ringside. This was our condition to let Arthur travel to the US, and since all of our demands have been met, he will now fly to the US on Sunday. I´m not sure why the Commission and Goossen did not stick to something everybody had signed off a long time ago but speaking from experience I know that dealing with Dan can be difficult at times.”
After Luis Pabon (Puerto Rico) was officially confirmed as the referee, Sauerland said the stage is set for an exciting fight. “This infamous referee row just adds to the growing notion that Ward is over-protected by Goossen. The fact that he has been trying to appoint a Californian referee does not make him look like the most confident promoter I have ever seen. But then again I can´t fault him for being scared of Arthur´s punching power. We are glad we have won the first round without even leaving the country but quite frankly I could have done without all the arguing.”
Meanwhile, King Arthur said he was unfazed by the referee discussion. “I do the fighting in the ring and let my mangers Kalle and Wilfried Sauerland take care of the rest,” he said. “I am glad that everything has been sorted and I am grateful their hard work has paid off.”
Abraham is travelling to the US knowing that the odds are against him. “I know that many people consider Ward the favourite – probably the same who considered me the favourite to win the tournament after my first-round KO victory over Taylor. All I can say is that I am looking forward to May 14 and that everything can happen in boxing, especially when you got a lot of punching power.”
Quillin a Contender, Martinez Next?
By Mario Otrtega Jr. (Ringside)
Peter Quillin announced his presence amongst the leading middleweight contenders with a third-round stoppage of a suddenly faded former title challenger in Jesse Brinkley at the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada on Friday night. The Telefutura-televised fight, which looked like a great crossroads bout on paper, unfortunately ended up being a total mismatch.
Brinkley (35-7, 22 KOs) of nearby Yerington, Nevada never looked sure of himself in the fight, which was almost to be expected after witnessing his physical and emotional state at Thursday’s weigh-in.
Quillin (24-0, 18 KOs) of Hollywood, California wobbled Brinkley, 166.6, early in the first round with a left to his ear. Brinkley retreated to the ropes, but managed to throw just enough to keep a patient Quillin, 165, at bay for much of the remainder of the round.
Brinkley, who entered the fight the IBF #7 ranked super middleweight, was fooled by a feint early in the second, which left him open for a Quillin right that landed clean. Brinkley was briefly inspired and traded with Quillin for a quick back-and-forth exchange. Before the close of the second, Brinkley landed a straight right hand that looked good, but did not seem to affect Quillin.
While Brinkley was competitive for a moment in the second round, it seemed to be more of a case of Quillin letting off the gas pedal, as he looked to pace himself for the scheduled ten rounds. Though the writing was on the wall from the moment the bell rang, the end of the fight came somewhat suddenly in the third. Quillin landed a perfect straight right hand and seriously rocked Brinkley with the ensuing one-two. Referee Joe Cortez apparently thought Brinkley was going down, as he leaped in and reached across Quillin as if a knockdown had been scored.
The Cortez blunder only delayed the inevitable, as Quillin quickly pressured Brinkley against the ropes and let loose with a rapid flurry. Brinkley, either dazed or resigned to the eventual stoppage stood up to the blows, but did not attempt to counter or move out of the corner. After five or six clean punches, Cortez decided that he had seen enough and called the fight at 2:34 of round three. The victory netted Quillin the IBO-affiliated USBO Super Middleweight title, but more importantly sets the unbeaten Grand Rapids, Michigan/New York transplant up for some lucrative paydays.
While it was apparent Brinkley was a shell of his former self, possibly having not shaken off the aftereffects of his damaging loss to Lucian Bute last year, the incredibly humble Quillin still gave him more than his due after the bout. “He ate that first punch, and that was a hard punch I hit him with,” described Quillin. “I don’t know how hurt he was, because I am not him, but he is a tough guy and I am very thankful I had the opportunity to fight him here in Reno. He had all the things I didn’t have. He had the pressure with his home crowd and I didn’t have none of that. I just wanted to go in there and do what I was trained to do.”
The story going into the fight was that Jesse Brinkley was having trouble making the contracted 165-pounds, and there were some disagreements between the camps over what the actual contracted weight requirement was for the bout. In the end, Brinkley officially weighed either 1.6 or .6-pounds over the contract, depending on which side of the dispute you stood. Quillin, the positive guy that he is, remained restrained throughout the whole process. “It’s all about being professional,” said Quillin succinctly after the fight. “We signed a contract to fight at 165-pounds, so be fair and come in at the weight we were supposed to.”
The word after the fight was that the Quillin team has been in serious discussions with the representatives of undisputed middleweight king Sergio Martinez. “They are going to try and secure me a fight with Sergio Martinez,” revealed Quillin. “If that’s what they want me to do, then that is what I am going to train for. They have been having talks, but I wasn’t allowed to say anything. This was the fight to see how well I would do, and I put it out there for the people to see.”
A fight with Martinez would be a monumental step-up in class for Quillin, especially considering the lackluster version of Jesse Brinkley he was presented with on Friday night. However, Quillin talks the talk of a fighter ready for his breakout opportunity. “I am out here to call out all comers,” said Quillin, breaking away from his normally reserved tune. “Whoever want to come and get it, let me hear from you. It’s whatever my team says. If they say ‘fight King Kong’, then I am going to get ready to fight King Kong. So Sergio Martinez, I doubt he is King Kong and I know he is not Superman, because if he is Superman, I have kryptonite.”
In the action-packed Telefutura-televised co-feature, Lonnie Smith (13-2-2, 9 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada impressively moved past former prospect David Rodela (15-4-3, 6 KOs) of Oxnard, California with a six-round unanimous decision.
Smith, 130.8, came out fast, looking to pressure Rodela, 130.8, in the first, and that is exactly what he did. After covering up, taking some headshots and defending others, Rodela briefly turned Smith to the ropes and landed a clean uppercut. As the round came to a close, it was Smith putting it on Rodela, who held up his gloves and leaned into the ropes.
Rodela battled back and did well in the second, but Smith looked reinvigorated at the start of the third. Rodela had his moments, as he timed Smith’s shots in spots. However, Smith landed the harder blows throughout the round, often forcing Rodela against the ropes and into retreat mode.
The fourth round was back-and-forth, but the constant was that Smith remained the harder puncher. Midway through the fifth, Rodela landed a clean two-punch combination at range, but the unfazed Smith countered with a smile before sticking out his tongue, informing the Oxnard native that he was not affected by his offering. Smith proceeded to land a clean left hook out of the corner that stopped Rodela in his tracks momentarily. Smith punctuated the round with an unanswered series against the ropes.
Smith came out for the sixth much like he did for the first, rushing out at Rodela looking to do damage. The wilting Rodela had little left on his punches, but Smith looked fresh and strong. Rodela still landed in spots, but Smith won over the fans ringside as well as the official scorers, who had the fight 58-56 and 59-55 twice for the Las Vegas native.
Jose “Chuy” Elizondo (1-0) of Reno did not exactly thrill his local fan base, but he did emerge victorious in his professional debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Rodrigo Espinoza (0-1-1) of Lindsay, California.
Elizondo, 155.4, has freakish height for a junior middleweight, but did not use that to his full advantage. Espinoza, 154, could never get close enough to do any real damage and was consistently outworked by the taller Elizondo over the four rounds. When the Lindsay resident did get in close he was usually too off balance to throw a punch in the manner he would like.
Espinoza finally got Elizondo pinned against the ropes in the third, but unfortunately for the Lindsay native, it was the local fighter that got work done in that instance. Elizondo tired in the fourth, as he held after nearly every combination, but alas Espinoza could still not get anything of significance to land in close. All three judges scored the fight a shutout, 40-36 for the southpaw Elizondo.
Jose Sandoval (1-0, 1 KO) of Modesto, California was successful in his pro debut as he pounded away at the amateurish Andrew Rempp (1-3-1) of Yerington en route to a fourth-round corner stoppage. Sandoval, 124.6, rocked Rempp, 126.4, with left hooks all night. Rempp was in trouble in both the second and third rounds, getting a short reprieve when Sandoval punched himself out briefly in the latter round.
The fight went from one-sided, to brutally one-sided in the fourth as Rempp took an unanswered series of head shots against the ropes with referee Joe Cortez looking on. With the result a formality and Rempp taking many blows to the head, a stoppage seemed to be the obvious call. With Cortez unwilling to take the initiative, Rempp’s corner finally threw in towel to force the ref’s hand. Official time was 2:04 of the fourth.
Trevor McCumby (3-0, 3 KOs) of Glendale, Arizona ran through a less than stiff opponent just inside of one round in the final bout of the evening. Ritchie Cherry (2-2, 1 KO) of East St. Louis, Missouri provided no test and did little to earn his free airfare to the Biggest Little City in the World.
McCumby, 180.4, rocked Cherry, 178.4, with the first left hook he landed. Cherry was awkward, which may have provoked McCumby to throw the Midwest club fighter to the ground. Cherry’s one shinning moment came when he caught McCumby off balance with a quick combination that made him stumble over his own feet. It was a fleeting feeling for Cherry, as he was soon deposited onto the canvas by a right uppercut followed by a glancing left. Cherry’s gingerly fall to the mat left many at ringside questioning the validity of his instability.
Another left put Cherry down again, but the St. Louis fighter did make it back up. However, when Cherry leaped off the ground, only to fall back on to the canvas, he turned away from McCumby which forced referee Vic Drakulich to stop the mismatch. Time of the stoppage was 3:00 of the first.
Photos by Stephanie Trapp/trappfotos@gmail.com
Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com.
Gleason’s All Female Amateur Show Tonight! –TONIGHT LIVE ON GFL FOR FREE
CLICK TO WATCH THE SHOW FOR FREE AT 6PM EASTERN
Tonight’s show at Gleason’s Gym is an All Female Event.
The first bout will begin at 6:00PM.
The show is sanctioned by USABoxingMetro.
The ticket price is $20 per person. Children 6 and under are not charged. All gym members and registered amateurs with their books in hand pay $15 per person.
This show will be shown live and free of cost on: www.gofightlive.tv . The blow by blow for these fights will be done by our very own Champion Sonya Lamonakis.
Our next event will be the Personal Trainers Boxing Certification Clinic.
This will be held the weekend of May 13, 14 and 15, 2011. The certification will be conducted by Joe Higgins of USABoxingMetro.
HERRERA CONTINUES WINNING STREAK
Ontario, CA (April 29) – Fight fans were on edge last night as the stellar “New
Blood” fight card unveiled itself in a blow-by-blow action packed extravaganza from
beginning to end.
The scheduled four round junior welterweight bout showcasing Jhon Ortega and Hector
Garza was the perfect opening performance when crowds witnessed the end of the fight
as Ortega dropped Garza with a perfect body shot, followed up by a 1-2 combination
down the middle. The stoppage occurred at 2:35 of round one. Ortega improves to
4-0-1, 4 KOs while Garza falls to 3-2, 2 KOs. The 2nd bout of the evening featured
a six round bantamweight clash between Ontario’s own Jonathan Arellano 8-0-1, 1
KO and tough southpaw Shawn Nichol 5-4, 5 KOs. This fight saw consistent back and
forth action between both warriors until Arellano skillfully outworked Nichols and
won by unanimous decision when all three judges scored the fight 58-56.
Maintaining the momentum of the opening bouts in crowd-pleasing fashion, Albert
“Baby Dynamite” Herrera (7-3-1, 5 KOs) locked horns with Aron “Asesino” Martinez
(14-1-1, 3KOs) in an 8 round welterweight war that revealed the true heart and
soul of boxing. The heated competition saw a controlling Herrera work artfully
around the canvas by keeping Martinez at a distance and utilizing his combinations.
However, the strategic Martinez found an opening and took control of the fight by
using powerful right hooks toward the end of the fight. The violent exchanges and
non-stop action had fans roaring and cheering after every stanza. As the last bell
went off Aron Martinez had won the battle by split decision; Judges, Daniel Sandoval
and Pat Connolly scored it for Martinez 77-75 and 77-74 leaving judge Vince Delgado
scoring it 77-75 for Herrera.
In semi main event, undefeated Abraham Lopez squared off against Aaron Garcia in
a scheduled eight round featherweight contest. With more back-and-forth action
for fight fans to feast on, the two young prospects showed their hunger and grit
to reign supreme by displaying equally matching amounts of energy throughout the
entire fight. The bruising battle went to the judges who scored the bout a majority
decision victory in favor of Lopez by scores 78-74 and 77-75; one judge had the
fight even 76-76.
After the fight the undefeated Lopez said, “I had to press him hard at the end of
the fight, my corner told me I was behind and I followed their instructions. This
was a great fight and Garcia gave me fits in there but I worked hard for this victory
and I learned a lot in the process.”
The main event of the evening featured an eight round junior welterweight contest
with Thompson Boxing’s own Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (17-1, 7 KOs) facing off
veteran warrior Cristian “Filoso” Favela (19-32-7, 10 KOs). Herrera successfully
outworked Favela and won by unanimous decision as the judges scored the fight 80-72
twice and 79-73.
“Favela is the type of fighter that can make anybody look bad,” said Herrera, the
IBF North American Jr. Welterweight champion, after the fight. “He has a streak
of facing close to 20 top prospects and never been knocked out, so I realized he
had a good defense and tried to get inside me at the end of each round, but I out
boxed him. I needed the rounds and I got a clear victory.”
Of his future plans he said, “I’m ready for the top level, bring on the champions,
the prospects or the veterans, it’s my time and I want to fight the best out there.”
Manny Pacquiao Friday Photo Gallery
April 29,2011, Hollywood,California — “Wildcard Boxing Club is Comedy Central” — Superstar Manny Pacquiao(R) runs thru a comedy skit about proper food and fitness with Norm Macdonald(L), host of “Sports Show with Norm Macdonald” at the
Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood,Ca. Friday. The segment will air next Tuesday on Comedy Central. Pacquiao is at the Wildcard preparing for his upcoming World Welterweight mega fight against “Sugar” Shane Mosley on Saturday, May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao vs Mosley is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions,Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions,Tecate and MGM Grand. The Pacquiao vs Mosley telecast will be available live on SHOWTIME Pay Per View
Photo By Chris Farina / Top Rank
ALL-ACTION CARD SET FOR MAY 6″SÓLO BOXEO TECATE” EVENT IN INDIO, CALIF.
Boxing Greats Aaron Pryor Sr. & Fernando Vargas Set To Attend Six-Fight Event At Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
LOS ANGELES, April 29 – The boxing ring at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. will be rocking on Friday, May 6, as some of the fight game’s hardest hitters, including Librado Andrade, Aaron Pryor Jr., Enrique Ornelas, Deontay Wilder and Randy Caballero, return to action on a stacked card that kicks off May with a bang.
In the 10-round light heavyweight main event of the TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” broadcast, La Habra’s three-time world title challenger Librado Andrade (29-3, 22 KO’s) returns to the Southern California-area to battle talented Aaron Pryor Jr. (15-3, 11 KO’s) of Cincinnati. Pryor’s father, the legendary Aaron Pryor Sr., will be in attendance cheering on his son.
Andrade’s brother and ultra-exciting contender Enrique Ornelas (30-7, 20 KO’s) will also get a hometown welcome when he squares off with Mexicali’s Hector Hernandez (10-3-2, 4 KO’s) in an eight round light heavyweight bout.
A six round featherweight bout will see Coachella rising star Randy Caballero (9-0, 5 KO’s) taking on Miami’s Francis Ruiz (9-4, 4 KO’s). Plus, top heavyweight prospect and 2008 U.S. Olympic Bronze Medalist Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (15-0, 15 KO’s) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, plans on keeping his amazing knockout streak intact when he faces New York’s Regino Pena (6-6, 1 KO) in a six round battle.
In undercard action, a host of Coachella Valley-area natives will be looking to please their hometown fight fans, with Indio’s own Alfredo Madrigal (1-0) taking on debuting Palm Springs native Mario Villareal in a four round junior featherweight bout and Palm Springs’ Hugo Ramos (3-8-2, 1 KO) squaring off against San Bernardino’s Juan Sandoval (2-6-1, 2 KO’s) in a four round featherweight fight.
Andrade vs. Pryor Jr. is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and DeWalt Tools. Doors open at 6:00pm PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 7:00pm PT. The TeleFutura broadcast begins at 11:30pm ET / PT (10:30pm CT).
Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45 are on sale now and available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Former World Champion “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas will be in attendance at the fights and will host a pre-fight poolside party at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino sponsored by Cerveza Tecate which is open to the public from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
Fans at home can also be part of the action by participating in Cinturón Tecate and voting for the fighter in the main event who displayed the most character in the ring by sending a text message to 55333. Voting will be open through the end of the weekend.
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.
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.fantasyspringsresort.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/fantasysprings, www.twitter.com/TeamCaballero or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/fantasyspringsresort.
A NIGHT OF THE UNBEATEN STARS… SHARIF BOGERE, SETH MITCHELL & GARY RUSSELL JR. FEATURED ON MAY 13 SHOBOX EVENT FROM PRIMM, NEVADA
Tickets Starting At $20 On Sale Tomorrow At 12:00pm PT!
LOS ANGELES, April 29 – The May 13th edition of the hit SHOWTIME series, ShoBox: The New Generation will feature some of boxing’s top unbeaten stars as they risk their “0’s” on a stacked card led by 19-0 Sharif “The Lion” Bogere, 21-0-1 Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell and 15-0 Gary Russell Jr. The action-packed “Night of Unbeaten Stars” featuring these three of ESPN.com’s top prospects to watch for 2011 will take place from Buffalo Bill’s Star of the Desert Arena in Primm, Nevada.
In the main event, Las Vegas prospect Bogere takes on Hollywood’s “Sugar” Raymundo Beltran in a 10-round battle for the vacant NABO lightweight title. The stacked ShoBox broadcast will also feature Mitchell in a ten round heavyweight battle against Evans “The Sandman” Quinn and Russell Jr. in an eight round featherweight fight against Dat Nguyen.
This cardis presented by Golden Boy Promotions and is sponsored by Corona and DeWalt Tools. Doors open at 5:30pm PT, the first bell rings at 6:30pm PT and the ShoBox broadcast begins at 11:05pm ET / PT.
Tickets, priced at $50 (Floor) and $20 (General Admission), go on sale tomorrow, Saturday, April 30 at 12:00pm PT and will be available for purchase at the Star of the Desert Arena Box Office or online at www.primmvalleyresorts.com. Tickets will also be available through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Uganda-born Sharif Bogere (19-0, 12 KO’s) has been on a fast track to a world title shot at lightweight, and a win over Beltran will move him even closer to his goal. A five-time African champion who now lives and trains in Las Vegas, the 22-year-old is coming off of one of the biggest wins of his career in March, when he knocked out veteran Shamir Reyes in the first round. It was his 10th knockout in two rounds or less and he’s hungry for more early success.
An 11-year professional from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, Raymundo Beltran Jr. (24-4, 16 KO’s) bounced back from a shaky early career start to win 19 of his last 21 bouts. The current USBA Lightweight Champion, the 29-year-old turned away David Torres and Carlos Vinan with seventh round technical knockout victories in his last two fights, and when he enters the ring on May 13, he’s prepared to give the performance of a lifetime against the undefeated Bogere.
A former star linebacker at Michigan State University, Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (21-0-1, 15 KO’s) dropped the pads and helmet and put on boxing gloves, captivating fight fans since his professional debut in 2008. The owner of wins over Johnnie White, Derek Bryant and Taurus Sykes, the hard-hitting 28-year-old has injected life into a division in desperate need of new blood.
Nicaragua native Evans Quinn (20-5-1, 18 KO’s) possesses concussive punching power with both hands, as evidenced by his 90% knockout rate. A seven-year professional, Quinn has battled with the likes of Kali Meehan and former Heavyweight World Champion Sergei Liakhovich, and after scoring back-to-back first round knockouts over Marvin Aguilar and Juan Luis Gonzalez, his confidence is higher than ever entering his May bout with Mitchell.
Featherweight Gary Russell Jr. (15-0, 9 KO’s) went 7-0 in 2010 and he’s already got two wins in the bank in 2011, with a decision wins over highly-respected Feider Viloria in January and veteran Adolfo “Terror” Landeros on April 15. Eager to stay busy, the former U.S. Olympian will be back in action in May against the dangerous Nguyen as he continues to navigate the treacherous waters of the 126-pound weight class en route to a world title shot.
On May 13, former amateur star Dat Nguyen (17-1, 6 KO’s) returns to the ring for the first time since October of 2009 after putting promotional issues behind him and he’s looking forward to picking up where he left off in his quest for a world championship. Winner of six in a row, the 28-year-old native of Ho-Chi Min City, Vietnam is ready to take the next step in his career, and a win over Russell will catapult him into the conversation about the best featherweight prospects in the world.
A full undercard will be announced at a later date.
For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, sports.sho.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/shosports or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxingwww.facebook.com/ShoBoxing. Follow Primm Valley Casino Resorts on Facebook and Twitter.
BROTHERS TAYLOR AND JESSIE NICKLOW HEADLINE NEXT UNITED BOXERS EVENT ON SATURDAY, MAY 21
BALTIMORE, MD (April 29, 2011) Chris Middendorf’s UNITED BOXERS returns on Saturday, May 21st at the Maryland Sportsplex with an action packed card for their second event.
Headlining the second UNITED BOXERS EVENT is the Brothers Taylor, Maxell and Emanuel, along Jessie Nicklow in separate bouts.
The undercard at the UNITED BOXERS EVENT will feature a trio of Maryland’s finest undefeated prospects including welterweight James Stevenson, cruiserweight Nick Kisner and light heavyweight Dale Robeson-El.
“There is an incredible base of talent here, from the 15 year olds in the tremendous amateur programs to the strong young fighters on this card, to the fighters already making names for themselves nationally; Seth Mitchell, Gary Russell Jr., Alexander Johnson and Alantez Fox” said Middendorf.
“The goal with United Boxers is to build around this incredible base of talent locally, promote them nationally, and expand into other areas of the country. If you are building a mining company you need to have gold veins in your mine; an oil company, your wells need to be hitting oil, and with any boxing or sports company you have to have the talent.”
Continued Middendorf, “Right now, the Baltimore-Washington area has some of the best talent in the country at all levels, and it is a very exciting place to be building a new promotional company.”
In the eight round main event, super middleweight Maxell “The General” Taylor of Baltimore, Maryland will face off against Washington D.C.’s Purcell Miller.
Boasting a record of 15-3-1 (6KO’s), the 26 year old Taylor will look to get back in the win column after traveling to Chicago where he challenged local, world ranked contender Donovan George. Fighting him evenly over the first seven rounds in a highly competitive battle, the southpaw Taylor was stopped in the eighth round by the heavy handed George.
Known as “Hard Rock”, Purcell Miller, 23-5-1 (18KO’s), has a reputation for knockout power in each hand. Making a return to the ring after a two year absence, Miller’s last action resulted in an eight round unanimous decision win over veteran Thomas Wilt on May 2, 2009, in Fairfax, Virginia.
In the six round co-main event, Baltimore fan favorite Jessie “The Beast” Nicklow heads back to the ring against hard nosed Texas native James “Boogie” Freeman.
The 24 year old Nicklow, 21-2-1 (8KO’s), is coming off a brutal first round stoppage of veteran Steve Walker at the inaugural UNITED BOXERS EVENT on April 15th. On September 17th, Nicklow battled to a ten round draw with Julius Kennedy in Baltimore.
Hard hitting Freeman has compiled a record of 7-3-0 (6KO’s) fighting in the hotly contested Dallas-Fort Worth area. On July 17, 2010, he stopped Larry Smith in the fourth round, winning the vacant USA Texas State Middleweight Title.
All action attraction Emanuel “The Tranzformer” Taylor, Maxell’s younger brother will face off against St. Augustine, Florida veteran Jose Roman in a six round welterweight bout. The 20 year Taylor , 11-0-0 (9KO’s), has impressed fans and media alike on the East Coast with his fast hands and show stopping knockouts.
Taylor stunned the huge crowd at the first UNITED BOXING EVENT on April 15th with a devastating second round stoppage of Guadalupe Diaz.
Popular Baltimore based undefeated welterweight James “Keep Em Sleepin” Stevenson makes a quick return to battle following his terrific performance in a shut out six round unanimous decision over Jose Roman on the debut UNITED BOXING EVENT on April 15th. He will be featured in a six round bout against an opponent to be announced.
In the cruiserweight division, 20 year old Slick “Nick” Kisner also makes a fast return on May 21st. Fighting on April 15th at the Maryland Sportsplex in front of his hometown fans, Kisner, 8-0-1 (5KO’s), won a four round unanimous decision over veteran Leo Bercier. Additional information on his four round bout will be announced shortly.
Light heavyweight Dale “Hit Hard As Hell” Robeson, 6-0-0 (4KO’s) returns on May 21st in his first bout of 2011. The Randallstown native won all five of his bouts in 2010, three by early stoppage.
Rounding out the undercard is a four round turf war between Baltimore’s Omar “The Machine” Sims, 5-3-3 (3KO’s) taking on Ivan Ziglar, 3-2-1 (1KO) of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Advance tickets priced at $50 and $35 may be purchased by calling 410-499-5361 or 301-873-7064. VIP Tables priced at $1,000 and $500 are also available.
The Maryland Sportsplex is located at 1031 Benfield Boulevard in Millersville, Maryland. For directions please visit their website at www.mdsportsplex.com. Doors on the night of the event will open at 6:30pm with the first bell at 8pm.
Richard Duran
By Mario Ortega Jr.
Former two-time world title challenger Richard “Bam Bam” Duran passed away Tuesday, one week after suffering a stroke at the far too young age of 44. Though he had an excellent six-year pro run, preceded by a long and meritorious amateur career, Duran may have touched even more lives in gyms near his Sacramento, California home in recent years. Duran survived by seven children, and their loss is mourned by the large Sacramento boxing community.
Duran turned pro at 22-years-old in 1988 and quickly became a staple on Sacramento boxing cards while running his mark to 26-0. His unbeaten run led to an April 1993 crack at respected IBF Super Bantamweight titleholder Kennedy McKinney. The fight took place at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, but resulted in a unanimous decision defeat. However, Duran’s impressive showing led to another title bout, this time against another respected champion in Tracy Harris Patterson, who turned back the challenge via unanimous decision in Reno, Nevada.
Duran fought once more, three months later, dropping a decision to prospect Eddie Croft in San Mateo, California. In his immediate life after boxing, Duran did encounter some personal setbacks, which included a jail term for manslaughter as the result of a bar fight. However, Duran managed to turn his life around and become a positive example for aspiring boxers in Sacramento.
“I knew Richard “Bam Bam” Duran for a few years,” recalls former California Golden Gloves champion Michael Ortega. “I would usually run into him at local amateur boxing events here and there. I knew Richard as a good coach. I never trained with him, but I knew he looked out for his fighters and was a solid coach who knew the ins and outs of a boxing ring. From what I knew he was a very cool and outgoing dude that always had fun fight stories to tell. I also know he was one bad ass fighter, as I heard great things from my first trainer Angelo Nunez and most every trainer after. Richard “Bam Bam” Duran will always have a place here in Sacramento’s fight scene. May he rest in peace, and his memory live on.”
“Rest in peace champ, my prayers are with you and your family,” says former fighter and current matchmaker Edward Rodriguez, who fought Duran in the amateurs. “We had fun in the ring when we were both fifteen years old in Hayward, California. You will be missed. I still remember what we talked about. You might have beat me, but I beat the guy that beat you, and you said I might have lost but we did get best fight of the night. It put a mile on my face. God bless.”
“I would like to offer my condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of “Bam Bam” Duran,” said world ranked light heavyweight contender Otis Griffin. “ I did not know him close, but I recognize him as one of Sacramento’s historical gym legends. He has passed a great deal of boxing IQ to myself and younger NorCal fighters. My last memory of “Bam” was just this weekend as Gilbert Zaragoza told me of the legendary PAL wars and how so many fighters came before us that never got the spotlight. “Bam” you are remembered, and the stories will never fade from the Sacramento gyms and because of this you will live forever in the heart of the city.”
“I am truly saddened by Richard Duran’s death,” said Sacramento-based lightweight prospect Stan Martyniouk. “He was not only a great boxer but an amazing person as well, who helped out a lot in the boxing community as a trainer and mentor. He will always be remembered. My prayers go out to his family. Rest in peace, champ.”
“I will tell you that Richard has helped his community for many years,” said Sacramento fight legend Tony “The Tiger” Lopez. “He worked at helping keep kids off the streets while never asking nothing from anybody. He was a true warrior in and out of the ring.”
“They don’t men like him no more,” said former Sacramento fight favorite Richard Savala. “He worked to keep kids out of trouble as the boxing coach at Lord’s Gym. He was a great mentor in Sacramento. This guy was always trying to help kids learn the sport of boxing, which kept those kids out of trouble. He was a great man, and he will be greatly missed in Sacramento.”
There will be services held for Richard Duran on Monday at the Lord’s Gym in Roseville, California. For more information, e-mail info@lordsgym.org or call the gym at 916-783-1989.
Richard “Bam Bam” Duran (1966-2011)
Mario Ortega Jr. can be contacted at ortega15rds@lycos.com.
MANNY PACQUIAO’S REMATCH WITH ABC’S “JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE” GARNERS RAVE REVIEWS!
Amazon.com Reorders Pacquiao’s New Single
“Sometimes When We Touch”
After Selling Out in 12 Hours!
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (April 29, 2011) — Fighter of the Decade, eight-division world champion, and boxing’s No. 1 pound for pound fighter and box office attraction Congressman MANNY “PacMan” PACQUIAO took time from training for his upcoming defense of his WBO welterweight title against three-division world champion Sugar Shane Mosley to make another boffo appearance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday night. This was Pacquiao’s fourth consecutive appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in as many promotions, dating back to November 2009 when he knocked out Miguel Cotto to claim the welterweight title. That 2009 appearance also marked Pacquiao’s U.S. network TV debut, which has since led to a multitude of network television and radio features, including, of CBS’ 60 Minutes, ABC’s Good Morning America, FOX News Channel’s On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, CNN’s America Morning, and NPR’s Morning Edition and Weekend Edition
Pacquiao’s first U.S. single, a remake of Dan Hill 1977 hit Sometimes When We Touch, sung with Dan Hill, was released on Thursday as well. It sold out within 12 hours on Amazon.com which promptly reordered more to satisfy worldwide demand. It is also available on iTunes (preview at www.mannysings.com.)
Below, please find the clips from his appearance. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll be totally enthralled.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! – Interview Part I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sonmrViuLGA
Jimmy Kimmel Live! – Interview Part II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOdxmlC0J1w
The highly anticipated episode three of FIGHT CAMP 360°: Pacquiao-Mosley will air Tomorrow! Saturday, April 30 on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, and Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs), of Pomona, Calif., with world titles in 11 weight divisions between them, will go toe-to-toe on Saturday, May 7, at the sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
Remaining closed circuit tickets, priced at $50, are on sale and available at all Las Vegas MGM Resorts properties.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions, Tecate and MGM Grand, the Pacquiao vs. Mosley pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, and will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV®. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. For Pacquiao vs. Mosley fight week updates, log on to www.sports.SHO.com or www.toprank.com.
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
