Atlantic City, NJ—Two junior middleweights who have compiled deceiving records against first-class opposition meet again when Jamaal Davis, of Philadelphia, PA, boxes Eberto Medina, of Newark, NJ, in the scheduled 10-round main event on Saturday evening, May 19, in the Grand Ballroom of Bally’s Atlantic City.

This will be the second meeting between Davis and Medina. In their first fight July 15, 2011, in the same ring, they boxed a six-round draw in the Fight of the Night.
Davis, 30, has been inactive since then. Originally, he was scheduled to box Harry Joe Yorgey, of Bridgeport, PA, on May 19, but Yorgey withdrew last week with a torn rotator cuff.

Medina, 28, has been busier. After losing a six-round decision to another Philadelphian, Julian Williams, last September in the winner’s backyard—also the Fight of the Night–Medina rebounded to score the biggest victory of his seven-year career when he upset previously unbeaten Przemyslaw Opalach on March 31 in Hamilton Township, NJ. Medina handed the Polish boxer his first setback in 10 pro fights via six-round decision.
Another big win for Medina (left) came early in his career when he upset another Polish fighter, Andrzej Fonfara, in Cicero, IL. Fonfara is now 21-2, 12 K0s.
Four of Medina’s losses have come against unbeaten fighters: Williams, Glen Tapia, of Passaic, NJ; Delen Parsley, of Brooklyn, NY; Ray Robinson, of Philadelphia. Overall, he is 6-7-1, 1 K0, and has been stopped once.

Davis, 30, has had chances to crack the world rankings but has come up short each time. A pro since 2003, Davis is 12-8-1, 6 K0s, also against tough competition. He has lost to world-rated fighters such as Gabriel Rosado, of Philadelphia, PA; Joel Julio, of Colombia; Peter Quillen, of New York.
His 2011 loss to Rosado, in which he was stopped in the 12th and final round, was a see-saw affair at the time and one of the best fights at Bally’s Atlantic City in recent years.

HEAVYWEIGHT MIKE MOLLO SEES BIG OPPORTUNITY THIS FRIDAY AGAINST FRANKLIN LAWRENCE
IMPORTANT HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT TO BE STREAMED LIVE ON GFL.TV

, IL (May 14, 2012)-This Friday night two Heavyweights will slug it out in Dover, Delaware will slug it out as Franklin “Yah Yah” Lawrence (17-2-2, 12 KO’s) takes on Mike Mollo (20-3-1, 12 KO’s) for the vacant NABA title.

The bout can be seen over the world on www.gfl.tv ($9.99) by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Friday_Night_Fights/1487

Mollo has been training hard for this bout as the Chicago native knows the importance of the bout.

“Not only am I going to win but I will win in spectacular fashion. I have been putting in the hard work and have been in training camp for ten weeks”, said Mollo from his training camp in Chicago.

Mollo does not put much stock in the five fight knockout streak that Lawrence is on that has catapulted to the number-twelve ranking by the WBC.

“He beat an out shape Jason Gavern and Jason Estrada. He has gotten off easy in those fights and if he wants to live off that then he is fooling himself”
Mollo is most remembered for gallant effort against Andrew Golota as part of the Roy Jones – Felix Trinidad HBO PPV undercard on January 19, 2008 and knows what the win will do for his career.

“This fight will get me back in the spotlight and I am not looking to squeak by with a decision”

Mollo, who hasn’t fought since August 6, 2010 has been training hard to make sure he is primed and ready for Lawrence.

“I spar like it is a real fight and this long layoff doesn’t mean anything because I am always in the gym. I was training for a fight last summer with Seth Mitchell on HBO and the fight got called off due to Robert Guerrero getting hurt and I would like to fight him if it’s the right situation. I am a fighter”

“This fight with Lawrence begins my road to redemption. I am in great shape and I am ready to fight”

The action begins on www.gfl.tv at 7:30 pm with Mike Mittman calling the action with analysts Legendary Heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and Marc Abrams.

About GFL
GFL is a pioneer in Internet Sports Broadcasting. Over the years GFL has broadcast more than 1300 live events with over 6000 combat sports videos in 196 countries. GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 5 million public viewers over the years with more than 250 combat sports related website affiliates in its network. GFL is also available on Roku, Android, IPhone, IPad, as well as other internet ready devices.

(Photos by Amy Wiley Photography)

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (May 15, 2012) — Undefeated Irish super featherweight Patrick “The Punisher” Hyland improved his record to a perfect 26-0, registering his 12th knockout when the action was halted by the referee Benji Estevez in the fourth round as veteran Frankie Archuleta (27-10-1, 14 KOs) was being pounded in tonight’s main event, headlining “Irish Invasion,” at Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.

“Irish Invasion” was presented by Final Round Promotions, in association with Team Snooki Boxing and Bob Duffy’s Ring Promotions, and sponsored in part by Title Boxing.

Hyland came out throwing crippling body shots, taking complete control from the opening bell. He dropped Archuleta in the first and third rounds, peppering Artchuleta with stiff jabs, solid combinations and devastating body blows.

“It was a good fight but I could have done a little better,” Hyland said after the fight. “He’s a tough guy who hit me with a couple of good shots. I got him with some good shots in the fourth when it was stopped. I’m a contender, 26-0, and fighting here in the United States. I’m ready for anybody at 126 pounds.”

Arkansas invader Josh Williams (6-4, 4 KOs) upset previously unbeaten Bryant “The Spartan” Pappas (13-1-1, 13 KOs), winning a six-round decision in an entertaining match. Former USA Mid-American middleweight champion Pappas, a sergeant in the Yonkers Police Department, is a cancer survivor who donated his purse to cancer research.

Poughkeepsie super featherweight Chazz McDowell (6-1, 1 KOs) won a six-round majority decision from Cuban-born Yuniel Ramos. Canadian light welterweight Natasha “The Nightmare” Spencer (4-0-1, 2 KOs) tangles with Racquel Bailey (1-2-1) in a six-round female match. New York City light middleweight Valdrin Muriqi (3-1) won a unanimous four-round decision over a game Philip Burnette (2-4, 1 KOs),

Team Snooki Boxing was donating $1.00 from each sold ticket to Rolling Thunder, Chapter III New York to support needy U.S. military veterans.

“Irish Invasion” replays are available to watch at www.ustream.tv/bslive.

Full Results
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Josh Williams (6-4, 4 KOs), Sheridan, AK WDEC6 (59-55 X2, 58-56) Bryant Pappas (13-1-1, 13 KOs), Yonkers, NY

LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Valdrin Muriqi (3-1, 0 KOs), New York, NY WDEC4 (40-36 X3) Philip Burnette (2-4, 1 KO), Myrtle Beach, SC

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
Patrick Hyland (26-0, 12 KOs), Marlboro NY WTKO4 (0:39) Frankie Archuleta (27-10-1, 14 KOs), Albuquerque, NM
Chazz McDowell (4-1, 1 KO), Yonkers, NY WDEC6 (60-54, 58-56, 57-57) Yuniel Ramos (1-8-1, 0 KOs), Miami, FL
Natasha Spence (3-0-1, 2 KOs), Mississauga, Ontario WTKO3 (0:45) Racquel Bailey (1-1-1, 0 KOs), Oklahoma City, OK

About Final Round Promotions: A full service boxing and MMA promotional company, Final Round Promotions is based in Poughkeepsie, New York and operated by Mike Pascale and Brian Burke.

About Team Snooki Boxing: Founded by one of the stars of MTV’s reality show, Jersey Shore, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, and her father, Andy, Team Snooki Boxing handle Patrick Hyland.

About Rolling Thunder, Chapter III New York: The major function of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is to publicize POW-MIA issues: To educate the public that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all previous wars and to help correct the past and to protect future veterans from being left behind should they become prisoners of war-missing in action. Go online to www.rtnych3.com for more information about his non-profit organization that is also committed to helping American veterans from all wars.

Ustream, Inc. is the leader in live and interactive video streaming. The interactive platform connects broadcasters and viewers of unlimited size through innovative technology, including: Facebook and Twitter social engagement tools, real-time chat and notifications, custom-designed channels, and embeddable features across multiple websites and platforms. Users are also able to broadcast, view, and engage with others in real-time, directly from mobile phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. The company attracts millions of high-profile brands, celebrities, musicians, athletes, politicians, animal enthusiasts, and gamers. Ustream recently earned the Guinness World Record for the “Most Content-Ingested by an Online Video Service”.

For more information about Ustream, visit www.ustream.com and follow us on our socials: Twitter (@Ustream); Facebook (www.facebook.com/Ustream)

Diego"Chico" Corrales (r)

By MICHAEL AMAKOR | Pictures by Naoki Fakuda

The world of boxing was thrown into mourning following the announcement that the legendary Diego “Chico” Coralles had expired on May 7th 2007 AD in Las Vegas Nevada. Corrales died from the multiple injuries he sustained after the motor cycle he was riding crashed into the rear of a car ahead of him. He was pronounced dead at the scene, never rising up as he would have in the ring from any brutal knockdown.

His professional record remains frozen at 45 fights with 40 wins including stopping 33 of his opponents inside the distance, he lost five fights and his dare devil aggression even in the face of defeat prevented any draws in his career. Mouths still widen in amazement when it was discovered that he was only 29 years old.

One of the toughest fighters to ever lace up a pair of gloves, he first captured the IBA Continental Super Featherweight Title in 1997, he went unbeaten in eleven successive fights afterwards before seizing the highly coveted IBF Super Featherweight Title from Roberto Garcia in 1999. He defended his IBA and IBF successfully against Derrick Gainer and Angel Manfredo along the way before suffering a defeat in the hands of Floyd Mayweather in a battle for complete supremacy in the division. In that fight he had all his cannons loaded and ready to fire but Mayweather beat him to the punch and landed the first strikes that crippled Corrales to the canvas five times, forcing his troops to throw in the towel despite his violent protestations.

Undeterred, he went unbeaten in his next four fights before cuts forced a stoppage in hostilities with Joel Casamayor in the sixth round. He recovered and avenged that loss in a rematch after 12 hard rounds which was doubly rewarding to him as he captured the vacant WBO and IBA Super Featherweight Titles.

In his very next fight he stepped up in weight and brutalized the once invincible Acelino Freitas, forcing the proud reigning champion to quit his throne in the heat of battle,and Corales added the WBO Lightweight crown to his sizeable collection of championship trophies.

In his very next fight he engaged the dangerous WBA King Jose Luis Castillo in another battle for supremacy in the Lightweight Division. The Corralles vs Castillo war of 2003 was a slugfest of monumental proportions and will forever stand in the annals of the sweet science as an epic story of courage and dogged tenacity as Chico virtually snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after multiple flash knockdowns to return fire and savagely stop Castillo against the ropes in the 10th round. Boxing scribes, fans and historians declared that saga, the fight of the year and the round of the year for 2003, and it will certainly rank as one of the top ten fights of the century.

Seemingly drained from these bloody and brutal campaigns he lost his next three fights including the rematch to Castillo to the despair of his teaming mass of fans. He promised to go back to the drawing board for another campaign despite the rumbles for him to hang up his gloves or to take an extended vacation from the squared circle.

His mind full of thoughts of another victorious return to the ring and the sound of his adoring fans clouded his vision for a split second before he collided with the vehicle ahead of him, and now we are mourning our departed warrior king.

No matter what the coroners say Corralles lives on because I just hit the button to review the 10th round yet again.

Punch in Peace Chico

WBA LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION BEIBUT SHUMENOV RETURNS FRIDAY, JUNE 2 AGAINST ENRIQUE ORNELAS AT HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO IN LAS VEGAS ON FOX SPORTS NET AND FOX DEPORTES TO TELEVISE LIVE

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

LAS VEGAS (May 4, 2012) – World Boxing Association (“WBA”) Light Heavyweight World Champion Beibut Shumenov returns on June 2 to make his fourth title defense against former super middleweight world title challenger Enrique Ornelas at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. in a fight that will be televised live on FOX Sports Net and FOX Deportes.

Shumenov vs. Ornelas is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and KZ Event Productions and sponsored by Corona. The FOX Sports Net and FOX Deportes bilingual simulcast will air live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $100, $60, $30, $25, along with a limited number of VIP suite seats priced at $125, may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

The fight will mark Shumenov’s return to same venue in which he first captured the WBA title in his 10th professional bout on January 29, 2010 with a 12-round unanimous decision over Gabriel Campillo, establishing the record for a fighter winning a major world light heavyweight championship in the fewest professional fights. The 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian has successfully defended against Vyacheslav Uzelkov (DEC 12), William Joppy (KO 6) and most recently against Danny Santiago (TKO 9) this past July. In only 13 professional fights, the 28-year-old Shumenov has defeated four world champions – Campillo, Byron Mitchell, Joppy and Montell Griffin – as well as former world title challengers Epifanio Mendoza, Uzelkov and Santiago.

An all-action warrior who always gives fans their money’s worth in the ring, La Habra, California’s Enrique Ornelas (33-7, 21 KO’s) has been showing off the best form of his career since a permanent move to the light heavyweight division in 2011. He is riding a three-fight winning streak which includes a first round body shot knockout over Heriberto Gutierrez last December. Just hitting his prime at 31, Ornelas came to the 175-pound weight class after an impressive run at 168 pounds, where he owned the NABF title and gave a stellar effort in a challenge for Robert Stieglitz’ WBO title in 2010.

For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.

For more information on KZ Event Productions and Shumenov, visit www.kzeventproductions.com or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KZEventProductions

The Mouthpiece
Bugs Bunny is A Cat! —Smith Outfoxes Ferrante. Vasquez Schools Fernandez
By: George Hanson Jr., Esq.

Date: Friday, May 4, 2012
Venue: Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack, Chester, Pennsylvania
Promoters: Joey Eye Boxing Promotions & David Feldman
Ring Announcer:   Larry Tornambe
Referees:           Benjy Esteves Jr. & Shawn Clark
Matchmaker:             Joey Eye
Coverage:                 www.gofightlive.com
Photos:                     www.christoneyphotography.com

Percy Rodgers is a remarkable individual and we became fast friends while working on a consulting engagement early in the year.  Rodgers, a musician who once played a gig with Patty Labelle, recently retired from a high-level managerial position in the casino industry to start a third career as a consultant.  He is the consummate professional who not only has the ability to find solutions to complex business problems but also has a knack for thinking “outside the box” in discussing life’s absurdities. Thus, during our afternoon sessions in the concierge lounge we found time to explore the species of our beloved insouciant, wily trickster— Bugs Bunny—and what would happen if he were indeed a cat!

Since Bug’s debut in 1938 at Leon Schlesinger Productions (later Warner Bros. Cartoon) the world has accepted that he is a gray hare or rabbit. Bunny is the ninth most portrayed film personality in the world; yet nobody has ever questioned his family background doubting whether or not he could be a feline in disguise. Maybe, our debate was just the tired rambling of two consultants fueled by the merlot and coffee served in our hotel lounge. Rodgers and I never found conclusive evidence to disprove our theory that Bugs Bunny was a cat. However, sitting at ringside it was evident that Philadelphia pugilist Dhafir “No Fear” Smith is the gloved equivalent of the famous cartoon star—pulling out every trick in the book out boxing, outfoxing, containing the aggression of Tony “Boom Boom” Ferrante over ten rounds. Bugs Bunny might not be a cat; but Smith is a sly old fox!

Tonight’s main event featured the twenty-nine year old Smith (25 wins – 22 losses – 7 draws – 4 kos), who joined the punch-for-pay ranks at eighteen back in 2001, against rugged fellow Philadelphian Ferrante (12 wins – 3 losses – 0 draws – 7 kos) two years his junior. Despite slight age differential, Smith has more than three times the number of fights as his opponent. Over his eleven-year career he has lived up to his moniker of “No Fear” by taking on all comers—his biggest victory being a 12-round unanimous decision in December 2010 over former IBF super-middleweight champion Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy. Smith traveled to Lacy’s hometown of St. Petersburg and trounced the former titlist winning handily forcing him into retirement. To shed more light on the disparity in experience, Smith served as the chief sparring partner for undefeated WBC & WBA super-middleweight champion Andre “SOG” Ward —whom he lost to back in 2007—for his December 17^th victory over Carl “The Cobra” Froch. Fit and lean as a Kentucky Derby racehorse, he returned from Canada where he was in training camp with IBF super-middleweight champion Lucien Bute to fill in for Tom Karpency who was originally scheduled to duke it out with Ferrante.

As Bugs Bunny is capable of outsmarting Elmer Fudd and other antagonists, Smith is equally adept at out boxing just about anyone. His long jab always resting on his hipbone whips out with speed and accuracy like the tongue of a lizard snaring a fly. Round after round he controlled the action snapping Ferrante’s head back with the laser-like weapon that momentarily froze the advancing fighter in his tracks. Ferrante tried to turn it into a dog fight instead of a boxing match but the wily veteran knew how to work on the inside, raking him with body shots, gaining separation getting the fight back to the end of his gloved fists. By the fourth round, Ferrante was bleeding profusely—a busted nose compliments of Smith’s rapier left hand.

Nonchalant, self-assured and imperturbable Smith controlled the action as though he was strolling through Fairmount Park decked out in a seersucker suit a pair of spectator shoes gracing his feet on a balmy spring day. Nevertheless, Ferrante showed his mettle by being sedulous in his attempt to turn the tide by landing one big punch as his fans mounted a chant of “Boom Boom!” However, Smith’s ring savvy allowed him to dictate the pace, control the action and coast to a ten-round unanimous decision and the Pennsylvania light-heavyweight title 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93. What’s up, Doc?

There is no love lost between Philly lightweights Victor “The Fighting Barber” Vasquez (14 wins – 6 losses – 1 draws – 7 kos) and Paul Fernandez (5 wins – 4 losses – 2 draws – 3 kos). They don’t like each other and I doubt that will ever change.  In the semi-windup they faced off in a rematch of their April 30, 2010 six-round draw, which was contested at the junior-lightweight limit. I was ringside for that memorable bout at the Arena in Philadelphia as Vasquez waged war for four rounds with blood trickling down his face from an accidental head-butt in the second round as his then seven-year old daughter Cassidy watched her cherubic face filled with consternation.  I thought Vasquez had done enough to secure the victory as one judge had it for him 58-56, the second having the same score but for Fernandez with the third scoring it even 57-57.

Cassidy was back at ringside but had plenty to cheer about as her dad in jeopardy of losing the opening stanza deposited Fernandez on the seat of his trunks with a jackhammer jab that had Philly legend “Bad” Bennie Briscoe smiling in his grave. Fernandez wading in with reckless abandon walked right into the jab that Vasquez pumped from his shoulders like a piston. He fell like he ran neck-first into a clothesline with only twenty seconds remaining in the round. More embarrassed than hurt; he rose before referee Esteves could reach the count of three finishing the round on good footing.

It was Vasquez’s night and under the guidance of new trainer Angel Pizzaro Sr. he executed his game plan out boxing Fernandez taking him to school controlling every facet of the fight. He used angles, changing direction with perfect precision as though he was in a salsa contest tearing up the dance floor—destroying the competition—taking Fernandez to school. In the fifth round, Vasquez reintroduced Fernandez to the canvas with a blistering right hand that sent him sprawling on his back like he was sunbathing in Negril, Jamaica. No one would ever question Fernandez’s courage and mental toughness as he got up as the referee reached the count of five, dusted himself off and continued fighting until the bell ended the round.  Vasquez took the final round pitching a shutout winning on all three scorecards 60-52. He walked back to the dressing room a sardonic smile shuttling to and fro below his pencil-thin mustache relishing the manner in which he vanquished his nemesis.

Philly junior-welterweight Tyrone Crawley Jr. (1 win – 0 losses – 0 draws – 0 kos) never planned on following in  his dad’s footsteps. He was born a little over a month after his father, Tyrone “Butterfly” Crawley, captured the vacant NABF lightweight championship by majority 12-round decision over future world champion Charlie “Choo Choo” Brown in Atlantic City. The elder Crawley compiled a record of 22 wins – 2 losses – 0 draws – 7 kos losing to Livingstone Bramble in his only shot at world title in 1986. He went on to win his next three fights and hung his gloves up for good at the ripe old age of twenty-nine in January 1988 to pursue a career in law enforcement. Like NBA legend Allen Iverson, the younger Crawley was a two-sport athlete at Roxborough High— starting quarterback on the football team and the same pivotal role in leading the basketball team as a point guard.  He matriculed to Penn State University where he played on the basketball team for two years before returning to Philadelphia to lace on a pair of gloves. After a brief amateur career in which he was undefeated in twenty bouts Crawley  joined the professional ranks on February 24^th winning a unanimous four-round decision.

It is too early to draw comparisons between the Crawleys because dad was a world-rated contender at twenty-six with eighteen fights while Jr. entered the ring tonight to compete in his second contest. However, like his father, he is a southpaw and fights with the same passion and intensity as the old man. Crawley dominated Luis Antonio Lopez (2 wins – 10 losses – 1 draw – 1 ko) of Union City, New Jersey over four rounds, hurting him numerous times, referee Esteves seconds away from calling halt only to have Lopez throw a punch showing that he was still game. It was a one-sided affair that should have ended early. Crawley has much to learn about distance, punch selection and gaining separation. But with trainer Fred Jenkins and the Butterfly in his corner he will get a crash course in the finer points of the sweet science. No surprise that Crawley won by scores of 40-35 and 40-36 twice.

Other Results: Philadelphia heavyweight John Mercurio (4 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 3 kos) returning from a 13-month hiatus faced the same man whom he defeated in his last fight—iron-chinned William “Big Stuff” Miranda (5 wins – 4 losses – 1 draw – 0 kos) of Allentown, Pennsylvania. It was an entertaining bout with the shorter Miranda crowding Mercurio eating jabs while landing a murderous body shot in the second round. With both eyes swollen and behind on all scorecards in the fourth and final round Miranda walked into a right hand that sent him to the canvas. He was able to get up before referee Esteves reached the count of four. But, the astute referee had seen enough and called a halt to the fight at 59 seconds declaring Mercurio the winner by technical knockout. In an all Philly matchup, light-heavyweights Taneal Goyco (4 wins – 3 losses – 0 draws – 2 kos) and Brian Donahue (2 wins – 2 losses – 0 draws – 0 kos) fought to an entertaining four-round draw.  Donahue won the first two rounds with his guile and slick boxing. But the relentless Goyco took the last two stanzas by imposing his will and forcing the action. Two judges had it 38-38 while the third scored it for Donahue 39-37.  Temple University grad southpaw junior-featherweight Alex “Macho” Barbosa (2 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 1 ko) made it three in a row with a four-round unanimous decision by scores of 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38 over tough fellow Philadelphian Jonathan Ocassio (0 wins – 8 losses – 0 draws). It was an action-packed bout with Barbosa applying constant pressure and the tall, lanky Ocassio doing enough to have garnered a draw on all scorecards.

On the eve of Floyd “Money” Mayweather’s 43^rd fight against WBA junior-middleweight champion Miguel Cotto, fans packed the venue to have their slice of the Vegas experience without having to venture cross-country and spend a small fortune. Enjoying the action were former world champions Nate “Mr.” Miller, Buster “The Demon” Drayton and Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe.

The other day I called Percy to further our discourse on Bugs Bunny’s bloodline and he said, “I have another one for you—Yogi Bear is a fat dog!” Over five minutes of laughter ended the debate and will most certainly start another venture down Absurd Avenue.

Continue to support the sweet science, and remember, always carry your mouthpiece!

ghanson3@hotmail.com

MO Productions president Carlos Oliveira announced today that the long rumored fight between retired Brazilian living legend, four-time world champion Acelino “Popo” Freitas, and undefeated World Boxing Council South American middleweight champion Michael “The Brazilian Rocky” Oliveira, will take place June 2 at Conrad Punta Del Este and Resort Casino in Uruguay.

The 10-round Freitas-Oliveira main event will be contested at 154-pounds. The remainder of the card will be announced at a later date.

“Everything was finalized yesterday and ‘Popo’ signed the contract,” Carlos said from Sao Paulo. “We’re all very excited that the deal has been made for what will be a huge event for Brazilians. We have a beautiful venue in nearby Uruguay. The fight will air live on Global TV in Brazil and Uruguay television.”

Oliveira supporters in Brazil are already jokingly saying, “Michael has an opportunity to knockout a politician without going to jail.”

The 36-year-old Freitas (38-2, 32 KOs) is a state legislature in Brazil, where he is a national sports hero and revered in a country preparing to host the next World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics. ‘Popo’ has been retired for nearly five years, since his last fight April 28, 2007, but he will come out retirement to take on the popular Oliveira.

Standing only 5′ 6″, Freitas captured the World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) lightweight title, in addition to two-time WBO and World Boxing Association (“WBA”) super featherweight championships. The heaviest he has ever fought at is 135 pounds, nearly 20 pounds lighter than the junior middleweight maximum he is expected to weigh for his June 2 fight against a much younger, stronger Oliveira.

Between 1995 and 2007, Freitas defeated Joel Casamayor, Daniel Attah, Juan Carlos Ramirez, Jorge Rodrigo Barrios and Artur Grigorian. Acelino’s only two losses were to the late Diego Corrales and Juan Diaz in his last fight.

The 21-year-old Oliveira (17-0, 12 KOs), rated No. 14 by the World Boxing Council (“WBC”), has fought three times in his native Brazil in an effort to establish himself as Freitas’ successor in Brazilian boxing circles. Born in Sao Paulo, he moved to Miami when he was only two weeks old, and now finds himself training to fight his country’s second-greatest boxer, Freitas, to only Hall of Famer Eder Jofre.

Oliveira’s last three fights have been in three different countries: Sergei Melis (WDEC8) on February 11 in Canada, Xavier Tolliver (WDQ8) on ShoBox in El Paso, Texas, and Abel Nicolas Adriel (DEC10) in Sao Paulo.

The 5′ 9″ Oliveira has gradually dropped weight, originally fighting as a super middleweight, until his last two fights at middleweight. The goal, under the direction of head trainer Orlando Cueller and strength-and-conditioning coach Steve Arintok, has been for Michael to fight at his natural weight of 154, which he’ll be doing for the first time against Freitas.

Oliveira is unique among professional boxers. He comes from an affluent family, attends Florida International University, and had only two amateur matches before turning pro in 2008. An exciting personality in and out of the ring, Michael is a two-time defending Brazilian International Press Award’s

Athlete of the Year (2009 and 2010), and a strong candidate for 2011 honors against the likes of UFC star Anderson Silva.

On May 19, Mikkel Kessler will move up in weight, clashing with Allan Green for the WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship (Silver). Today the Viking Warrior opened his gym during a media workout in Copenhagen. Here is what the three-time world champion had to say about his preparation for a historic night of entertainment at Denmark´s most famous football stadium, which also features the live screening of the UEFA Champions League Final and a top undercard.

Q: For the first time of your career, you will be fighting at light heavyweight. How has the training been going?

MK: “Brilliant. I have put on some pounds and I am hitting harder than ever. And I must say I haven´t lost any of my speed either. Going up to light heavyweight has given me much more one-punch KO power.”

Q: You haven´t fought since last June. You must be thrilled to be back.

MK: “Absolutely. It has been so hard to be away from the ring. At the moment I am taking it out everyday on my sparring partners. My coach Jimmy Montoya had to ask me to calm down and take things easy. I am really fired up and can´t wait to get it on with Allan Green.”

Q: What do you think of him?

MK: “I have actually been thinking a lot about him. He is always on my mind, when I go to sleep and when I wake up. We have analyzed his every move, so there will be no surprises on May 19. He is fast and he is strong, but I am going to teach him a lesson when we meet at PARKEN.”

Q: What kind of lesson?

MK: “Well, he will get the first taste of my new KO power. He is going to be the first person I hit without head guard and sparring gloves. It will be an unpleasant experience for him. He is a big puncher with a lot of power, but punchers usually don´t like to get hit. They have a big punch but not a good chin. I don´t think Green will last for 12 rounds in the same ring with me, but he will ultimately find out on May 19.”

***Kessler-Green media work-out***

Mikkel Kessler (44-2, 33 KOs) and Allan Green (31-3, 21 KOs) worked out in front of the Danish media in Copenhagen today. “It´s chilly here but I will heat it up on Saturday,” Allan Green stated ahead of the WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship (Silver) showdown. “I feel strong, I feel fast, I feel fit. I am full of energy and I am here to bring the belt home. Kessler is going down.”

It will be a special evening at PARKEN, Denmark´s national football stadium, with the Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Chelsea FC being shown on giant TV screens between the bouts. “It´s going to be a great night for sports fans,” Kessler stated. “I will make sure it´s a night to remember. I look forward to fighting at light heavyweight for the first time. I have been sparring with some big guys, so I´m ready for Green. He´s a good puncher but I am the much better boxer and with my fans behind me I will win the title on Saturday night.”

May 11, 2012 – NEW YORK — HBO Sports® reported today that 1.5 million pay-per-view buys were generated from the May 5 super welterweight title fight between Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The fight was promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions.

The 1.5 million buy total generated $94 million in pay-per-view revenue.

The performance of Mayweather-Cotto ranks as the second highest grossing non-heavyweight pay-per-view event in boxing history. No. 1 all-time is Mayweather’s record-setting showdown with Oscar de la Hoya ($137 million) in 2007.

Mayweather owns a perfect 43-0 record as a professional prizefighter.

Mayweather vs. Cotto along with the co-feature of Alvarez vs. Mosley will replay exclusively on HBO Saturday, May 12 at 10:15 p.m. ET/ PT.

OHIO’S WILLIE NELSON CHANGES TUNE WITH UPSET WIN OVER CUBAN PROSPECT YUDEL JHONSON

Photo Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME
Badou Jack Survives via Split Decision Against Formerly Unbeaten Alexander Brand
Catch the Replay on Tuesday, May 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME®

LAS VEGAS (May 11, 2012) – After losing his perfect record in his ShoBox: The New Generation debut, Willie Nelson survived a highlight reel knockdown to upset Yudel Jhonson by unanimous decision. The 10-round junior middleweight SHOWTIME® main event was scored 97-92 twice and 95-94. In the evening’s co-feature from Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev., Badou Jack defeated Alexander Brand via split decision by the scores of 77-75 two times for Jack and 77-75 for Brand in the eight-round super middleweight bout.

When ShoBox fans last saw Nelson, he entered his bout against Vincent Arroyo as the favorite with a sparkly undefeated record. The gritty Arroyo turned in a career-best performance and knocked down Nelson three times en route to a majority decision victory.

Tonight’s scenario was much different for Nelson (18-1-1, 11 KOs), of Youngstown, Ohio, as he entered the ring as an underdog against the unbeaten Cuban amateur standout Jhonson (12-1, 8 KOs), of Miami, Florida. Nelson started strong with one-two combination punching and standing tall to take full advantage of his six-foot-four frame. In the second, the southpaw Jhonson rocked Nelson with a big left hand but Nelson retaliated later in the round with a perfectly placed right that sent Jhonson to the canvas for the first time in his career. Jhonson quickly returned to his feet and continued to stalk Nelson with his powerful left hand.

In round four, Jhonson’s left hand landed in spectacular fashion. Jhonson threw a counter overhand left that sent a stiffened Nelson directly onto the canvas. Nelson bounced right back up to survive the round.

Working under the direction of new trainer Jack Loew, Nelson regained his composure and momentum by avoiding Jhonson’s left and staying more active than his opponent. Jhonson landed 77 of his 377 punches, while Nelson connected on 136 of 534.

“It was my fighter’s instinct that got me back to my feet after that knockdown,” said Nelson. “But once I got up, I was only hurt for a couple more seconds.”

Jhonson felt differently about the knockdown. “The referee did a poor job. He gave [Nelson] a lot of time to recover from that knockdown,” said Jhonson.  “I thought I did enough to win.”

Nelson added, “I will definitely be staying at 154 pounds. I felt great in there. I can’t be beat at this weight.”

The first fight of the night featured a pair of unbeatens when Jack (11-0, 8 KOs), of Las Vegas, Nev., was pressed to his limits by Brand. Jack began the bout by controlling the pace with his jab before Brand disrupted his rhythm with an unusual fight style. Brand (17-1, 15 KOs) of Bogota, Colombia, loaded up on wide, lunging punches and moved throughout the ring with bursts of aggression in such an unorthodox manner that it caught Jack off guard at times throughout the bout.

Although Jack abandoned his signature body punching for most of the eight-round affair, both men landed their share of punches.

By the middle rounds, SHOWTIME boxing analyst Steve Farhood pointed out of Brand, “This guy’s technique is terrible and he’s still landing shots.”

In the eighth, the action was temporarily stopped when Brand’s protective cup fell down through his shorts. After his corner helped return the cup to its proper position, the two fighters began throwing bombs as they both completed eight rounds for the first time in their professional careers.

“[Brand] was awkward and he didn’t want to fight. I had to press him to get to him,” said Jack after the fight. “I will do better next time.”

The telecast will replay on Tuesday, May 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME®. The event was promoted by Warriors Boxing.

Mike Crispino called the blow-by-blow action on ShoBox with Farhood serving as expert analyst. Gordon Hall is the executive producer of ShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, visit the website at http://sports.SHO.com.

By Jim Amato

In a career that spanned from 1956 to 1975, Eddie Perkins engaged in 99 professional fights. He won seventy five of those contests. He met opponents in over twenty different countries. He truly was a ” world ” champion.

Ediie lost three of his first five bouts but rallied to win seven straight. In 1958 he lost to Cleveland, Ohio’s Cecil Shorts. He stopped Shorts in a rematch and then he outscored rugged Franke Ryff. In 1959 Eddie won a decision over Paul Armstead but lost to Carl Hubbard and was then halted by Al Urbina. It would be the only stoppage loss of Eddie’s career.

1960 was a good year for Perkins as he beat Larry Boardman, Paolo Rosi and Joey Lopes. In 1961 Perkins lost a verdict to Youngstown, Ohio’s L.C. Morgan. He would bounce right back to outscore the hard hitting Carlos Hernandez. That would lead to Eddie’s first title shot and on October 21st he met defending WBA junior welterweight champion Dulio Loi in Milan, Italy. After fifteen rounds, the bout was judged a draw. They would meet again eleven months later and this time Eddie won the decision and captured his first world title.

Perkins reign lasted only three months as Loi won a decision in their rubber match. Loi decided to retire and on June 15th, 1963 Eddie won his second title with a decision over Roberto Cruz for the WBA and WBC titles.

Perkins would defend successfully against Yoshinori Takahashi and the slick Bunny Grant. He also squeezed in five non title victories. On January 18, 1965 Eddie lost his crown to Carlos Hernandez. Seven months later he would lose to future great Jose Napoles.

Eddie was bound and determined to regain his title. He scored an important win over Kenny Lane but in 1966 he dropped a points call to Lennox Beckles. In 1967 he beat Adolph Pruitt and Paul Armstead but was then outpointed by the classy Nicolino Locche. Perkins came right back to beat Pruitt again. He finished the year with a draw against Joao Henrique.

Perkins put together a quiet win streak in 1968 but lost a decision in a rematch with Henrique. In 1970 Eddie re-established himself as a force to be reckoned with. He defeated Lion Furuyama, up and coming Clyde Gray and Pedro Adigue. He then lost a return match to Bunny Grant. Eddie then took out Johann Orsolics.

In 1971 Eddie defeated future champion Angel Espada but in 1972 he was upset by Victor Ortiz. In 1973 Eddie put himself in line for a welterweight title shot as he beat the rough and tough Armando Muniz to win the NABF welterweight title. Perkins would repeat his victory over Muniz in 1974.

Besides the two losses to Perkins and losses to Zovek Barajas, Marcos Geraldo and Angel Espada, Muniz was awarded a 1975 title fight with the great champion Jose Napoles. In Muniz’ defense during that time period he did defeat Ernie Lopez and Hedgemon Lewis. Nevertheless in 1974 Eddie deserved a title shot especially after a win over Japan’s Ryu Sorimachi. That would be Eddie’s last victory. After his failure to win the middleweight title from Carlos Monzon, Napoles opted to fight a rematch with Hedgemon Lewis. This left the deserving Perkins out in the cold.

Perkins would lose a decision to future junior middleweight champion Rocky Mattioli. An aging and discouraged Perkins would then lose verdicts to Maxwell Malinga and Shoji Tsujimoto. In 1975 Eddie had his last battle loing an eight rounder in Germany to Franz Czandl.
Perkins met seven world champions and countless contenders in his distinguished career. He fought anyone, anywhere, anytime. Eddie is right where he belongs, in the Hall Of Fame !

LOWELL, MA (May 9, 2012) – Shujaa El-Amin – aka Dion Savage (12-3, 6 KOs) – spoiled tonight’s “Homecoming” for popular brawler “Irish” Joey McCreedy (13-6-2, 6 KOs), who was fighting in front of his hometown fans for the first time as a professional boxer.El-Amin, however, dominated the action from the opening round against the game McCreedy, capturing the vacant United States Boxing Organization (“USBO”) super middleweight title in the main event at Lowell Memorial Auditorium.

The Flint, Michigan-invader won nine of 10 rounds on two judges’ scorecards and swept all 10 on the other.

“I fight for oppressed people all over the world, not myself,” El-Amin commented after the fight. “I come from a poor place and want to build-up my city. I’m fighting for my father who has been imprisoned in Illinois for 15 years for a crime he’s innocent. We have proof. It’s an injustice. His name is Dion Savage, Sr.”

“Homecoming” – presented by Chicago Fight Clubs Promotion (“CFC Promotion”) — was the first professional boxing show held in seven years in Lowell, a well-known hotbed for amateur boxing, annually hosting the New England Championships. Lowell is best known as the home of “Irish” Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund, the principal subjects in the award-winning movie, “The Fighter.” They worked the corners for McCreedy and his CFC Promotion stable-mate, Sean Eklund (10-4, 2 KOs), who is the nephew of Micky and Dicky.

In the co-feature, Ward-trained light welterweight Sean Eklund (11-4, 2 KOs), also fighting at home in Lowell for the first time as a pro, won a unanimous decision in his first eight-round bout from 22-fight veteran James Ventry.

“I could hear the fans and it was inspirational,” the 28-year-old Eklund said after the fight, “but I had to stay within myself. I got wild a few times. I hurt him in the first round and loaded up trying to knock him out. He’s a tough kid who has been stopped only twice. I didn’t have much amateur experience, so I’m gaining experience now, and have gotten better in each of my last three fights.”

Chicago light welterweight Antonio “Aztec God of War” Canas (6-0-1) overcame two third-round knockdowns to remain unbeaten in a six-round majority draw in an entertaining fight with Tyrone Chatman (9-1-2, 6 KOs).

US Marine Jimmy Smith, who did two tours in Iraq, decked Rafael Jusino in the opening round but soon the fight was halted after a cut opened over Jusino’s eye from and accidental head-butt. The match was ruled a no contest.

New Jersey middleweight Anthony Jones (1-0-1) won his first pro fight with a unanimous four-round decision over pro-debuting Bernie Ongewe.

May 19 at Foxwoods Resorts Casino

MASHANTUCKET, CT (May 10, 2012) – Sports and entertainment celebrities are coming out May 19 to show their support for “Battle of the Badges 4,” featuring amateur boxers representing the nationally-acclaimed New York City Fire Department Boxing Team (“FDNY”) against a New England Law Enforcement (“Team N.E.”) squad, at Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

“Battle of the Badges 4″ (“BOB4″) is presented by National Public Safety Athletic League (“NPSAL”) in association with the FDNY Boxing Bravest, Mass Corrections Officers Federated Union Boxing Team (MCOFU) and Foxwoods Resort Casino. Defending champion Team N.E. trails FDNY in the series, 2-1.

Five world champion boxers and two former world title challengers join a three-time Super Bowl champion, the funniest man of the planet, one of the hottest singers in the country, and a popular Boston newscaster at BOB4.

World champion boxers lending their support to BOB4 are two-time (2001-2003, 2004-2005) World Boxing Association (“WBA”) Heavyweight Champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz, of Chelsea (MA), the first and only world heavyweight champion of Latino heritage; World Welterweight Champion (1955) Tony “The Pride of Fleet” Street” DeMarco, from Boston’s famed North End, who recently wrote his biography, “Memoirs of a Boxing Champion”; WBA & World Boxing Council (“WBC”) (1979) Middleweight Champion Vito Antuofermo, of Brooklyn; WBA Welterweight (2003-2005) & Light Middleweight (2006-2007) Champion Jose Antonio “El Gallo” Rivera, of Worcester (MA); International Boxing Organization (“IBO” Middleweight Champion (2010) Peter Manfredo, Jr., of Providence.

Other prizefighters committed to attending BOB4 include former world light welterweight (1976) title challenger Tony Petronelli, of Brockton (MA); former IBO world light heavyweight title challenger (1998) John “Iceman” Scully, of Hartford, who was chief second for “Bad” Chad Dawson in his recent WBC light heavyweight title-winning performance against Bernard Hopkins; 1991 New England Heavyweight Champion Paul Poirer, of New Bedford (MA).

Former New England Patriots offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi, who owns three Super Bowl rings, will be in the house with his family. He has three brothers that are members of the FDNY who responded to the 9/11/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Joe is a cancer survivor who established the Joe Andruzzi Foundation.

Also making BOB4 appearances are comedian extraordinaire, Lenny Clarke, star-in-the-making singer James Massone, who competed in the television show, “The Voice,” as well a popular WCVB (#5) newscaster in Boston, Michelle McPhee.

The world renowned FDNY bagpipers will also be involved in festivities.

“We’re so grateful for having these celebrities, who not only are supporting our event, but will be there to meet-and-greet fans,” BOB4 spokesperson Denis Marrese said. “Everyone will have a great time watching entertaining boxing matches and mixing with these stars. It’s all about helping raising funds for Work Vessels For Veterans, NPSAL and FDNY Boxing Bravest in order for these great charities to continue doing their tremendous charity work.”

Proceeds from the May 19th charitable event will benefit Work Vessels For Veterans, NPSAL and FDNY Boxing Bravest Team. More than a dozen matches are scheduled pitting FDNY against Team New England, which is primarily comprised of MCOFU boxers.

Tickets, priced at $30.00 (general admission), $50.00 (reserved seating) and $100.00 (VIP/Ringside), are available to purchase at the Foxwoods Box Office, on line at www.foxwoods.com or www.Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-855-660-6606 04 1-800.200.2882, or at any Ticketmaster outlet.

Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET with the first match scheduled to start at 7:30 PM/ET.

Go to www.BattleoftheBadges.info or www.foxwoods.com for additional information.

THE RECKONING

Anne Sophie Mathis vs. Holly Holm II

IBA Welterweight & WBAN Championships

Route 66 Casino Hotel ● Albuquerque, NM ● June 15, 2012

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (May 6, 2012) – Veteran boxing promoter Lenny Fresquez has predicted that “The Reckoning,” featuring a June 15 rematch between French knockout-artist Anne Sophie Mathis and Holly “The Preachers Daughter” Holm, will be the 2012 Female Fight of the Year.

“The Reckoning,” presented by Fresquez Productions, will be held at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“I think it’ll be closely fought and the Fight of the Year,” Fresquez said. “Hands down, they are the top two women fighters in the world. This will be the most important fight of Holly’s career, in which she’ll try to regain her pound-for-pound status.”

Mathis will defend her IBA and WBAN welterweight title belts, as well as the mythical pound-for-pound crown, for the first time since capturing the coveted straps last December by way of a stunning seventh-round knockout of hometown darling Holm.

Mathis (26-1, 22 KOs) was fighting in the United States for the first time, while Holm (30-2-3, 9 KOs) had been unbeaten for seven years during a 24-fight stretch.

“Holly won the first four rounds and in the fourth she hit Anne Sophie with a good body shot,” Fresquez recounted their “World Dominance” showdown. “Holly went for the kill; she started brawling, instead of boxing, and got caught. Holly rushed out for the fifth round and, in her words, didn’t execute the game plan. She understands the mistakes she made and has learned from them.”

Mathis is a power puncher, Holm a consummate boxer. But Holly got away from her game plan. “Mathis came into the fight last December with 22 knockouts in 25 fights,” Fresquez continued. “Everybody knew about her power and the plan was for Holly to out-box her from a distance. Holly hurt her in the fourth with that body punch but then she got away from her game plan. We took that loss as a team. Anne Sophie Mathis was the best fighter in the world that night.”

Seven-time world champion and reigning IBA/WBA titilist Mathis, who is riding a 25-fight win streak, has defeated world champions such as Holm, Myriam Lamare (twice), Jane Couch, Duda Yankovich, Ana Pascal and Nathalie Toro.

Holm is a nine time, three-division world champion who has defeated some of the most notable women boxers of her era, from the 140 through 154-pound weight classes, including Christy Martin, Mary Jo Sanders, Mia St. John, Couch, Yankovich and Chevelle Hallback (twice).

“I’ve never seen Holly so determined,” Fresquez concluded. “Based on past statistics, I understand that about 85 percent of rematches are won by the winner of the first fight. But Coach Winkeljohn and I strongly feel that Holly has learned from her mistakes and she will gain retribution on June 15th. In the last fight, they were throwing leather, and I’ve never seen women hit like that. These two women are more ferocious than a lot of guys. In all my years promoting women’s boxing, I never saw a fight that both fighters threw and connected on so many hard punches. They tried to take each other’s heads off. I expect this fight to be equally exciting and hard fought.”

Mathis and Holm are simply the best women fighters, pound for pound, in the world today. This could develop into the greatest rivalry in women’s boxing history.

Go online to www.FresquezProductions.com or www.rt66casino.com for more information about “The Reckoning.”

***Haye vs. Chisora, Povetkin vs. Rahman  – Two heavyweight-highlights in London!***

London will play host to the boxing event of the year. Upton Park is the chosen venue for two spectacular heavyweight encounters on July 14 presented by Frank Warren and Sauerland Event. Former world champion David Haye (25-2, 23 KOs) will face off with fellow Englishman Dereck Chisora (15-3, 9 KOs), while current WBA Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin (24-0, 16 KOs) will defend his title against mandatory challenger Hasim Rahman (50-7-2, 41 KOs) the very same night.

The official announcement of these two fights was made today at the home ground of the English Football Club West Ham United, the very same place where the bouts will actually take place in front of an estimated 40.000 strong crowd.

Not too long ago, a fight between Chisora and Haye seemed impossible. After showing great spirit during a fight against the current WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko, “Del Boy” failed to show the same class outside of the ring. The post-fight press conference was attended by David Haye, who verbally provoked Chisora, who then lost his temper. The following confrontation ended in chaos. Therefore, boxing fans around the world will be looking forward to seeing this feud being settled inside the ring.  “I just don’t like him,” said Chisora. David Haye replied in cool fashion: “That is exactly why he is the perfect opponent for me. He will get a slow, concussive beating.”

“I am expecting it to be one of the most discussed and exciting fights of all time,” said promoter Kalle Sauerland. “Combined with the bout for the WBA Heavyweight Title between Alexander Povetkin and Hasim Rahman it is going to be an amazing show – and all this inside a great venue. A packed football stadium during night time and two great heavyweight highlights – this guarantees a great atmosphere and a lot of drama.”

The second fight of the night also promises to be a highlight. Current WBA Champion Alexander Povetkin, who won the belt last August against former title holder Ruslan Chagaev in Erfurt, will face off with former WBC and IBF Heavyweight Champion of the world Hasim Rahman, in his 3^rd title defense. Back in April 2001, Rahman took the belts of boxing legend Lennox Lewis after knocking him out in round five but lost it after the rematch. Since losing a title shot against Wladimir Klitschko in December 2008, the American has won all his following five fights by way of knockout and hence once again received the status as mandatory challenger for the WBA crown. “Rahman has fought well for the right to challenge me,” said Povetkin, who did not attend the press conference. “But he won’t win anything against me. I will keep the world championship. That’s why I am very much looking forward to travelling to London.”

Chris Meyer, Managing Director of Sauerland Event, added: “It is quite possible that the two winners of the night will face each other in the future.”

Tickets are now availabe at www.eventim.co.uk.

Donovan Ruddock Launches Return to Boxing Glory Saturday Night in Mississauga

TORONTO, ON (May 9, 2012) – In the late 80’s and early 90’s he was the most feared heavyweight on the planet.

Bone-chilling knockout after bone-chilling knockout drove then champions Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, and Riddick Bowe into hiding.

Now, after carving a path of destruction through the last great heavyweight era, and going nineteen rounds against the most ferocious heavyweight of all time in “Iron” Mike Tyson, Donovan “Razor” Ruddock is ready to reclaim the Canadian Heavyweight crown that he never lost in the ring, and ultimately earn the world title shot that was denied him some twenty years ago.

This Saturday night at Mississauga’s Hershey’s Centre, Ruddock will make his comeback official, and give the crowd a sneak peek at one of the most startling athletic transformations in recent memory.

Eleven years after his final fight, a spectacularly chiselled, lean, and dangerous 48 year-old Ruddock is ready to breathe new life back into the comatose heavyweight scene.

“I’ve never been in this shape in my life,” the 211 lb. Ruddock beamed.

“I always got by on my ability, and trained as hard as I knew how back in the day. But now I know so much more. Not just about boxing, but myself as well.”

Be warned, the 2012 version of Donovan Ruddock isn’t venturing on a stereotypical boxing comeback. Unlike other boxers who step back in to the ring, Ruddock (38-5-1, 29 KO’s) was never pounded into retirement in the first place. After suffering his final defeat – a controversial TKO loss to Tommy Morrison in June of 1995 – a much heavier “Razor” returned from a three year hiatus to go on a 10-0 rampage that included 9 KO’s, before a shoulder injury forced him to hang up the gloves in 2001.

“At this weight I feel even faster, stronger and more lethal than when I had ringside doctors running all over the place,” Ruddock said.

Ruddock is hoping that a busy summer – consisting of at least three fights – will culminate in a clash with reigning Canadian Heavyweight champion Neven Pajkic.

“First thing, I want my Canadian Heavyweight title back.”

“I really respect Neven. He’s a warrior who carries the title with class and pride. But, sadly for him, he’s wearing the belt that I want.”

“Then when Neven is healing up, hopefully he’ll take some comfort in the fact that I’ll be putting Tyson Fury, Chris Arreola, Derrick Chisora, David Haye, Bermane Stiverne, Seth Mitchell, and Tomasz Adamek, on the exact same pudding diet too.”

“And after I feast on the appetizers, I’ll dive in for two helpings of Chicken Kiev,” Ruddock, an avowed vegan, said of facing the current heavyweight kingpins, Ukrainians Vitaly and Wladimir Klitschko.

“The older brother (WBC Heavyweight champ Vitaly) avoided me 11 years ago, and now he has to pay. And the younger one (WBA, IBF, WBO Heavyweight champ Wladimir) just bores me. I’ll have to knock him out too.”

Canelo Alvarez, WBC Super Welterweight Champion

I want to thank my great team for all the great work and Mosley for giving me the experience. I learned a lot from tonight’s fight. It’s is the first time that I got cut and learned a lot from it. I told myself not to worry about it and that is also what I told my team.

“Yes I’m definitely ready to fight on a higher level. I’m ready for the best. I’ve gained a lot of experience tonight and I am ready to fight bigger fighters.

“I felt I had a great performance. Mosley is an experienced fighter. I know him very well and I followed his career.

“That was the game plan. I had to be calm and take my time and that is exactly what I did.

“I would like to fight one of the two main fighters, Mayweather or Cotto. This is what I deserve the most.

“I wasn’t surprised that Shane was able to take my punches.

“The next fight, you will see a better Canelo and a more experience Canelo. I am ready.”

LOWELL, MA (May 4, 2012) — When popular super middleweight “Irish” Joey McCreedy (13-5-2, 6 KOs) headlines the May 9th “Homecoming” show at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, it’ll be a dream come true because, by all rights, the 27-year-old fan favorite is lucky to be fighting after he suffered a career-threatening injury six years ago.

Lowell is a hotbed for amateur boxing, annually hosting the New England Championships, but “Homecoming” – presented by Chicago Fight Clubs Promotion (“CFC Promotion”) — is the first pro show there in seven years. Lowell is best known as the home of “Irish” Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund, the principal subjects in the award-winning movie, “The Fighter.” They will be working McCreedy’s corner with Eklund as chief second.

Back in 2006, McCreedy suffered breaks on both sides of his jaw in the opening round of a fight at Mohegan Sun that he eventually lost by technical knockout in the fourth round to Andre Hemphill. For most fighters an injury like that would have meant instant retirement but, amazingly, Joey was back in the ring 1 ½ years later. May 9 he’ll be taking on Dion Savage (11-3, 6 KOs) in the 10-round main event for the vacant United States Boxing Organization (“USBO”) 168-pound title.

“After that (broken jaw), to be honest, I never thought I’d be fighting today,” McCreedy admitted. “In the first round I broke my jaw in two places (pointing the the rightand left sides), but I didn’t give-up and kept fighting until the fourth round, when everything started spinning and I couldn’t see. Dicky and Micky are like family and I got my attitude from watching them fight and knowing what they’ve been through. I feed off both of them. And I think my football days (fullback at Lowell High) had something to do with it, too. You have to be tough to be a running back. That’s the type of guy I am. I’m a crowd-pleasing fighter who won’t give up. I believe in God and that everything happens for a reason. Who knows where I’d be today as a fighter if I hadn’t broken my jaw? It’s 10 times stronger now because I have titanium plates in my jaw.”

McCreedy and his close friend and CFC Promotions stable-mate, Sean Eklund, are the reasons their promoter, Cynthia Tolaymat, and manager, her husband Wasfi Tolaymet, are promoting the May 9 show in Lowell.

Joey and Sean (10-4, 2 KOs), whose uncles are Ward (chief second) and Dicky, have dreamed since they were kids about fighting together, at home in Lowell, on the same pro card. Both have fought there as amateurs but never as pro boxers. Eklund faces light welterweight James Ventry (7-13-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round co-feature.

“Fighting in front of our family, friends and local fans is what we’ve dreamed about for so many years,” McCreedy explains. “Lowell is a blue-collar town and most people don’t have the money to travel to our fights. Memorial Auditorium is only a few minutes from everybody’s house in Lowell. There’s pressure fighting at home because you don’t want to let anybody down. The Golden Gloves are big in Lowell, but we’re brining pro boxing back here. Cynthia and Wasfi are great people who are taking a risk because they really believe in us. We’re grateful for them giving us a chance to fight at home. I feel great after they sent me to train at Winning Factor in Pennsylvania. I did a lot of strength-and-conditioning work, learned how to eat better, and I’m in the best shape of my life. I can’t wait to get into the ring May 9th. It’s going to be exciting for me, Sean and the entire city of Lowell. Everybody knows I’ll be giving it my best.”

Eklund originally trained McCreedy after he turned pro in 2005. They went their separate ways for a few years but have been together the past two. “Joey looks better than ever,” conditioning zealot Dicky confirmed. “We’ve been working hard to get him throwing compact punches. Joey’s a tough kid and, if he does what I want, we’ll all be leaving after the first round. He shouldn’t have any problems with this guy, as long as he does what we’ve worked on. I always liked fighting in Lowell and I think Joey’s going to come out strong and end things early.”

Also fighting on the card is promising Chicago light welterweight Antonio “Aztec God of War” Canas (6-0, 3 KOs) vs. Tyrone Chatman (9-1-1, 6 KOs) in a six-bout. Also in action on the undercard in four-round bouts are pro-debuting welterweight Jimmy Smith, of Portland (ME), vs. Rafael Vasinmo, of Lawrence (MA); and pro-debuting middleweight Bernie Ongewe, of Dracut (MA) vs. Anthony Jones (0-0-1). Smith is a former New England Golden Gloves Tournament winner who served two tours in Iraq as a U.S. Marine. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, reasonably priced at $25.00, $40.00 and $75.00, may be purchased by calling 978.761.8374 or at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium box office. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first both scheduled for 7:00 PM/ET. Go to www.cfcpromotion.com or www.irishjoemccreedy.com for additional information.