Zuhdi defeats Jurado for the WBU World Lightweight Championship
September 20, 2012, Cox Center, Oklahoma City, OK USA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Noah Zuhdi (16-1), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA defeats German Jurado (12-3), Changuinola, Panama for the WBU World Lightweight Championship
Displaying a stunning combination of stamina, strategy and a powerful sense of purpose, Oklahoma City native Noah Zuhdi, by unanimous decision after 12 rounds, defeated Panamanian boxer German Jurado to win the World Boxing Union’s championship in front of a hometown crowd who, as one, responded with fervor their new world champion.
“As the crowd awaited the judges’ decisions after the 12th round,you could have heard a pin drop,” said Don “Moose” Lewis, President of the World Boxing Union. “I’ve been in some area of boxing my whole life and have never heard such a roar as when Zuhdi was announced the new WBU World Lightweight Champion.”
Held on September 20, 2012 at the Cox Convention Center, and produced by catBOX Entertainment, the battle, known as “A Fight For Glory” made Oklahoma history – it was the first title fight ever of its kind to be held in the Sooner State.
“I know that Oklahoma City has been recognized world wide for its commitment to big time sporting events,” Lewis said. “Now it can proudly add to its new NBA team and resurgent downtown area, a world championship boxer in Noah Zuhdi.
According to Lewis, the WBU, subject of the recent Academy Award winning film ‘The Boxer,’ has had a litany of boxing legends win its title in years previous. WBU World Champions have included Micky Ward and Ricky Hatton. “Now to the names Thomas Hearns and George Foreman we have added Noah Zuhdi,” Lewis said.
From the opening bell, it was apparent the fight had the makings of an epic, as both Zuhdi and Jurado were skilled, powerful and determined to win the world title. While the first few rounds scored fairly even, Zuhdi began to distinguish himself and clearly pull away. The championship was scored by two judges at 116-112 and the other at 117-111.
“It was obvious Jurado was a tough and smart fighter who clearly planned to take the title belt back to Panama,” Louis said. Joe Louis II, son of the legendary “Brown Bomber” Joe Louis and an executive of the WBU was impressed with what he saw in Oklahoma City. “Zuhdi-Jurado was the best fight I’ve seen in ten years,” he said. “And on a personal note, I’m incredibly proud to know Noah as a friend and I believe he is an extremely great asset for the sport of boxing. He is a true champion, both inside and out.”
In the under card bouts, catBOX fighter Bo Gibbs, Jr. (7-0, 4 KOs) won by unanimous decision over Lyle Barron in a six round match, while Heavyweight Ron “The Iceman” Aubrey scored a KO 1:16 minutes into the second round of his battle, defeating Alonzo Toney of Inglewood, CA. Vicente Heranaez then triumphed over Octavio Garay by unanimous decision in a four round lightweight bout.
It was an unforgettable night of boxing in Oklahoma with a fight of the ages in the Main Event for the WBU World Title. More information: www.catboxentertainment.com.
Photos available upon request.
Contact: catBOX Entertainment, Inc.
405.445.2507
info@catboxentertainment.com
As in September, I once again ran out of gas in the 10th & 11th championship rounds of October & November with this column, but I recovered to complete them and will unleash a few more flurries to close out the 12th and final round.
In the first week of October, Hassan N’Dam won a UD over Curtis Stevens in an eliminator for the right to challenge Jermaine Taylor who defeated aging Sam Soliman to regain the IBF Middleweight title. How Taylor even earned this title shot is another story altogether, but it is all irrelevant as he is now the champion. However he will not have too much time to savor his victory as he has assault and battery charges pending against him and an upcoming court fight that may turn out to be the toughest fight of his life, just when things started to look up for him in boxing, we wish him luck.
