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Straight Rights and Straight A’s: The Joey Veazey Story
For Immediate Release
Baltimore, MD (May 3, 2016) – In the movie Coach Carter, Samuel L. Jackson famously quipped to his team of academically struggling players “you are student athletes, student comes first.”
Unfortunately, some standout athletes believe their talents supersede performing in the classroom. This has led to high schools and colleges warning or suspending players if their grades didn’t improve.
On the contrary, there are those who take great pride in starring as an athlete and student; such as 17-year-old Joey Veazey.
Known by his moniker of “Bazooka Joe” Veazey is multi-time amateur champion and was ranked internationally. On Thursdayevening, Veazey fights Chris Perkins for the East Coast junior middleweight championship at Michael’s Eighth Ave in Glen Burnie, MD as a featured fighter on a card promoted by Baltimore Boxing.
The card serves as a tribute to Murray “Bushwacker” Smith Sr., father of Baltimore Boxing’s Jake Smith. Tickets purchased in advance start at $25, reserved seats are $35, reserved tables for ten are $350, $50 VIP seats and $500 VIP tables of 10 can be purchased by calling 410-375-9175. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the fights begin at 8.
Slated to compete in his 100th match, Veazy is a big ticket seller in the Baltimore area and regularly draws large crowds when he enters the squared circle. To Veazey however, he is most proud of his accomplishments outside of the ring, where he’s an honor student finishing up his senior year at Northeast High School.
In August, Veazey will enroll in college locally and major in either mechanical engineering or computer science. At the same time, he’ll prepare for his professional debut while still working as a trainer at the Baltimore Boxing Club. Most see being a fighter or student as a full time responsibility, but Veazey believes his work ethic and focus will help him continue to excel in and out of the ring.
“You have to be disciplined in the ring and classroom,” said Veazey. “I know there’s a lot on my plate but I thrive on excelling as a boxer, student and a trainer at the Baltimore Boxing Club. Focusing and paying attention to the task at hand helps keep me dialed in with whatever it is I’m doing at that time. Ultimately, my goal is to continue excelling with my academics and win a world title. I believe both are reachable and can become a reality with continued hard work.”
Smith, who has literally watched Veazey grow as a person and fighter during the last decade, has trained hundreds of fighters and considers Bazooka Joe one of his most special.
“Joey could’ve told himself boxing will be his everything because of how successful he’s been but he’s extremely humble and intelligent far beyond his years,” said Smith. “He literally goes from one task to another and excels at each of them. Whether he’s a world champion boxer, engineer, computer scientist or all of the above, Joey Veazey epitomizes what it means to be a well-rounded person and I’m very proud of him.”
In the co-feature, Upton Boxing’s Tyrell Boyd and 2016 Golden Gloves champion Aston Sykes will do battle for the Maryland State Middleweight title. Boyd is a former East Coast Middleweight titlist and looks for his second belt while Sykes is riding a wave of confidence having won the Golden Gloves in one of America’s toughest regions.
Popular Clayton Frazier faces Elvin Rodriguez in a battle between boxers from the Baltimore Boxing Gym. Frazier, who has only two fights, is a crowd favorite and hopes to claim local bragging rights in what Smith calls the “Battle of Baltimore Boxing.”
Former basketball star Stefon “Showtime” McRay and future pro standout Donald Wallace will also appear on the card in separae bouts.
For more information, visit Baltimoreboxing.com
Thomas LaManna previews May 27 Rising Promotions card at The Claridge
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Isiah Seldon battles Eddie Edmond in main event
Chuck Mussachio rematches Willis Lockett plus undefeated Alvin Vermall; Quian Davis & former Olympian from Ecuador Luis Perozo
Nick Kisner in a Cruiserweight attracton
Anthony Burgin to appear in Lightweight bout
The pro debut of former United States amateur sensation LeRoy Davila |
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For Immediate Release
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (May 3, 2016)–On Friday night, May 27th, a big night of boxing will kick off a holiday weekend at The Claridge in Atlantic City as Rising Promotions will present a terrific card of boxing.
Below, Thomas LaManna previews that great lineup that has already been assembled.
Tickets are $125 for premium, $77 Ringside stage and $52 reserved and are available at www.risingboxingpromotions.com
Facebook.com/risingstarboxing
Instagram: @risingpromo   
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STARS FROM ALL WALKS OF MMA SET TO MEET FANS DURING BELLATOR MMA ‘FAN FEST’ AT SAN JOSE’S DAVE & BUSTER’S ONFRIDAY, MAY 13
Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Champ Liam McGeary Joins “Stitch” Duran as Well as MMA Legends Royce Gracie, Randy Couture, Cung Le, Mark Coleman at the Bellator MMA Fan Fest Prior to Saturday’s “Bellator 154: Davis vs. King Mo” Event at SAP Center
Event is exclusively for Bellator Nation members – Join Bellator Nation now
WHAT: Bellator Fan Fest at Dave & Buster’s
Fans of all ages are invited to Dave and Buster’s in Milpitas, CA to meet and get autographs from some of the top names in all of mixed martial arts. Fans will also have the opportunity to win tickets and great prizes, as well as snap a photograph with the Bellator ring girls.
Fan Fest is exclusively for Bellator Nation Members only, becoming an official Bellator Nation Member is simple and FREE. Click here to register and RSVP to Fan Fest. If you are already a member of Bellator Nation you will receive an email invitation to RSVP.
WHERE: Dave & Buster’s
940 Great Mall Dr.
Milpitas, CA 95035
WHEN: Friday, May 13 at 8 p.m. PT
WHO: The first British World Champion in the history of MMA will always be Liam McGeary. At 6’6 the towering fighter has achieved notoriety around the world with his impressive skillset, which has seen him end fights with impressive knockout power as well as jiu-jitsu prowess. Currently undefeated at 11-0, the future is bright for the Bellator MMA Champion. Most recently, McGeary defeated Tito Ortiz in the main event of the groundbreaking “Bellator MMA: Dynamite 1.”
The name Gracie is synonymous with MMA, and that is largely in part to Royce Gracie, the man who is considered to have invented the sport as we know it today. The winner of the first several UFC events, Gracie would dismantle multiple opponents in a single night, many of which were much larger than him. For many years there was no answer for the Gracie Jiu Jitsu technique that he brought into a fight. Today, it’s hard to find an MMA fighter who hasn’t trained in the art of jiu jitsu. Most recently, Gracie defeated Ken Shamrock in the main event of the record-breaking “Bellator 149.”
One of the most recognizable MMA fighters of all time, Hall of Famer Randy Couture transitioned nicely into the entertainment world after his fighting career, starring in several television shows and movies, most notably the Expendables franchise and Dancing with the Stars. Inside the cage, Couture was a fearless underdog, often defeating men with great size advantages. “The Natural” was a multi-time heavyweight and multi-time light heavyweight champion in the UFC.
When watching any combat sports event, it’s odd not to see Jacob “Stitch” Duran as the professional cutman on duty. Recently, Bellator MMA was pleased to exclusively secure his services as cutman for the foreseeable future, after “Stitch” signed a multi-year contract with the Scott Coker-led promotion. “Stitch” is seen everywhere combat sports events take place, and played a vital role in the recent smash blockbuster, “Creed.”
If there is one legend in attendance who knows a thing or two about kickboxing and MMA, it’s Cung Le. Born in Vietnam, Le fought 17 times around the globe and never lost before making the leap from kickboxing to MMA, where he won the Strikeforce middleweight championship. From there, the San Jose, Calif. – based fighter would continue to expand his recognition past the world of combat sports, starring in multiple feature films. Le remained competitive into his 40’s, finishing Rich Franklin in what was unanimously considered the 2012 knockout of the year.
A legend in the heavyweight division, Mark Coleman was the UFC 10 and UFC 11 tournament champion, the promotion’s first Heavyweight Champion, and the Pride Fighting Championships 2000 Open Weight Grand Prix champion. The accolades don’t stop there; Coleman represented the United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics and won gold medals at the Pan American Championships in freestyle wrestling in 1990, 91 and 92.
FIGHT INFO: “Bellator 154: Davis vs. King Mo” takes place on May 14, and airs LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT and features a light heavyweight main event of Phil Davis versus King Mo.
Tickets start at just $30 and are on sale now at Bellator.com, Ticketmaster, and the SAP Center Box Office.
WBO Champion Amanda Serrano calls out IBF Champion Jennifer Han for a world title unification bout
On April 22, 2016, history was made in Puerto Rico’s professional boxing, when a female boxing match was the featured bout of the evening, held in the city of Trujillo Alto, where the four-time world champion in three divisions, Amanda ‘The Real Deal’ Serrano ( 28-1-1, 21 KO’s ) defeated the number 6th ranked, Edina ‘DNA’ Kiss of Budapest, Hungary by TKO in the fourth round.
Just a week later, IBF featherweight world champion, Jennifer Han of El Paso, Texas, was also in a main event match in front of her people from El Paso, and defeated Colombian, Calixta Silgado via unanimous decision in a ten round fight.
“I think the timing is perfect!” Amanda Serrano said, “We both come from recent fights, both of us scored victories and are uninjured and in great condition. Women’s boxing and our fans deserve to see who is the best featherweight in a unification bout”.
Han ( 14-3-1, 1 KO’s ) has fought her last four fights in her hometown of El Paso, Texas.
“It’s funny because a few weeks ago I had my first fight in Puerto Rico, and have fought in the United States, Switzerland, Argentina and Dominican Republic. True Champions often leave their comfort zone to prove they are the real deal in boxing. I’m always ready,” said Serrano, who is the current WBO featherweight World Champion.
On Target: Team Gunn goes 2-0 in Indiana!
Hackensack, NJ (May 3, 2016) – Undefeated middleweight Bobby Gunn Jr. and debuting cruiserweight Henry Stewart, both of Hackensack, NJ, scored victories last Saturday at the Tyndall Armory in Indianapolis, IN.
Coming off more than a year layoff, Gunn Jr. met hardcore veteran Guy Packer. Gunn Jr., who was regularly in the gym during the layoff, was the sharper fighter. Packer, a 20 year pro that fought the likes of Cornelius Bundrage, Michael Oliveira, Dominique Dalton, J’Leon Love, Vernon Paris & Joe Greene among others, looked to use his experience against his 19-year-old foe. Gunn Jr. boxed well however, the bout was halted on multiple occasions due to issues with the ring and canvas. In the fourth and final round with Gunn Jr. hoping to close the show, there was yet another issue with the ring and the bout was sent to the scorecards early.
Scores were 39-37 twice and a head-scratching 38-38.
Gunn Jr is now 6-0 with 4 wins by knockout.
Stewart, a cousin of the Gunn Family, made his professional debut one to remember by destroying Darrel Sohm in 25 seconds. A hard hook followed by a straight right put Sohm down and showed the boxing world that the 21-year-old Stewart enters the paid ranks with heavy hands.
“I’m very proud of my guys,” said Bobby Gunn Sr., a former IBA cruiserweight champion and Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Famer who manages and trains both fighters. “Little Bobby was working hard in the gym during the layoff and was fine tuning a number of things. He also grew into his body and is now a solid middleweight. Henry on the other hand is a good sleeper prospect. He’s has excellent power in both hands and will continue to improve in all aspects.”
The next bouts for Gunn Jr. and Stewart will be announced shortly.
VIDEO: Christopher Brooker and Antowyan Aikens joint interview before their Super Middleweight showdown THIS FRIDAY NIGHT at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
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Marston to Challenge Tshabalala for Her World Crown on July 2nd
Over the past week or so the World’s press have been focusing heavily on the recently announced 9th July Tyson Fury-Wladimir Klitschko WBO-WBA-IBO Unified Heavyweight Championships rematch. Quite rightly so, it’s a huge fight, however just one week earlier, an equally World significant unification bout is also set to take place right here in the United Kingdom.
On July 2nd, at the Arena UK in Grantham, Lincolnshire, World #15 and British #1 ranked Marianne Marston will not only be challenging South Africa’s World Boxing Federation (WBFed) Super Bantamweight World Champion Gabisile Tshabalala for her coveted crown, but will also be aiming to secure the World Boxing Union (WBU), Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) and Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) World accolades.
London based Marston, who was originally due to challenge Unathi Myekeni for the Bantamweight version of the WBFed strap back in December, that was until Myekeni was forced to withdraw following a hand injury, is cleary relishing the belated opportunity, as she made clear when she spoke earlier.
“I cannot thank WBFed President Howard Goldberg enough for making this happen, like me he was so dissapointed when Unathi (Myekeni) pulled out injured last year.
In addition to Howard, I would also lke to thank WIBA President Ryan Wissow, WBU President Don Lewis and Sebastien Pitois from the UBO, as they have been so supportive throughout my career, so to also challenge for their Championships really is so special for me.
I’m forty two now, so honestly thought after Unathi pulled out, that’s it for me, I’ll never get the chance to fight for a World title, OK that’s not quite true, I could have fought for a vacant title, but to me that’s just not good enough, I want to fight the best, I want to beat the World Champion.
I’ve seen video of Gabisile, when she fought Shannon (O’Connell) in 2013, but would very much like to find any video of her when she won the World title last year. I know how much I have changed, fight wise, since 2013 so really want to see if there are any changes to her style or tactics.
From what I have seen, she’s a classy fighter, very quick hands. When she fought Shannon, she was mainly counter punching, which would suit me, but for some reason I have a feeling she will have a very different approach as a defending Champion.
Either way, this will be a great fight for the fans, there’s such a contrast in our styles and in my view it’s those differences in style and tactical approach that will make this such a great fight to watch.
British boxing is booming, we have so many World Champions at the moment, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Kell Brook, Carl Frampton, Lee Selby, Liam Smith, Jamie McDonnell, Lee Haskins, Tony Moran, Craig Docherty, Terry Flanagan, Anthony Crolla, James DeGale and of course my old gym mate at the TKO, Billy Joe Saunders.
Obviously they’re all men, so I want to redress the deficit a little and join them, as well as be the first British Female boxer to be crowned World Champion since Jane Couch beat Jaime Clampitt for the IWBF title in 2004.”
Gabisile Tshabalala Vs Marianne Marston for the WBFed, WBU, WIBA and UBO Super Bantamweight Unified World Championship headlines the Russ Brown promoted AS GOOD AS IT GETS event at the Arena UK in Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK on Saturday 2nd July.
This event is sanctioned by the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) www.boxbiba.com
Tickets: Priced £30 (Standard Seated) and SOLD OUT (Ringside VIP) are available online at www.tkoboxoffice.com andwww.mariannemarston.com
Please show your support and follow Marianne Marston on Twitter @MarianneMarston or on Facebook www.facebook.com/marianne.marston and www.facebook.com/MarianneMarstonFanPage – or see her websites www.mariannemarston.com andwww.goldengirlboxing.com
MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED FOR NEF MMA DEBUT ON CAPE COD
Hyannis, Massachusetts (May 3, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 23: CAGE THE CAPE” on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Earlier today, NEF announced the main event of the fight card. Brendan “Lock Down” Battles (0-0) has signed to face Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (4-3) in a professional bout at a fight weight of 265-pounds.
Brendan Battles is a native of Eastham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. There, he was a three-time All American wrestler for Nauset Regional High School. During his high school career, Battles captured a total of two state championships and three New England championships with an amazing 161 wins to his credit prior to graduating in 2012. A multi-sport athlete, he later played defensive end and tackle for the University of Connecticut. Battles made his NEF debut earlier this year at “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” when he efficiently dispatched of Mike Hansen’s Berserkers teammate, Dave Smith (2-2) in the first round via TKO ref stoppage. Battles trains out of Gracie Fitness and is a member of Team Juniko based out of Hyannis.
“I look forward to Mike coming down to my backyard for my first professional fight,” said Battles. “I know he is a tough fighter, but I look forward to showcasing the skills I have acquired thus far as I continue my journey to become a well-rounded MMA fighter.”
Mike Hansen is the founding member of Berserkers MMA based out of Rumford, Maine. He won a Maine state championship in wrestling as a heavyweight in 2004. Hansen made his MMA debut shortly after graduating from high school, only to step away from the sport for a decade in order to serve his country as a combat engineer in the United States Army. He returned to the MMA cage in 2015 as a member of the NEF roster. Hansen has become known for taking tough fights against opponents that he is generally undersized next to. Less than two weeks ago, he defeated former top-tanked amateur light heavyweight Jesse “The Barbarian” Baughman (0-2) via first round submission at “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE.” Always up for a challenge, Hansen requested the opportunity to face Battles in his highly anticipated professional debut.
“I like this fight because I get to fight in Massachusetts again,” stated Hansen. “I made my pro debut at Club Lido at the ‘Wonderland’ Blue Line stop just over a decade ago. I rode the ‘T’ from Fenway to Wonderland on August 6th, 2005 to make my debut against Eric Brown who I beat by rear naked choke at 1:27 in the first round. Jumping up two weight classes sucks, but I’ve competed at this weight many times. Battles is a very accomplished athlete with a stacked resume. With only three minutes of cage time, I think it’s time Battles was in the cage with someone ready to fight. I will gladly welcome Battles to the professional ranks and see how he stacks up. I’m going to stand right in front of him and make him beat me up and, if he can, he’s a good fighter. If he can’t, it is because I didn’t want him to. On May 14th, we will have a fight my friend!”
“NEF 23: CAGE THE CAPE,” takes place Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Tickets for “NEF 23” are $40 for general admission and $60 for cageside. They are on sale now at www.NewEnglandFights.com/Tickets
For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
About New England Fights
New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for New England’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz Ordered to Begin Negotiating Guzman vs. Wake Fight for Vacant IBF Super Bantamweight Title
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Sampson Boxing Fighters Score Four Impressive KOs in One Weekend
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz has been given the go-ahead to begin negotiating a world-title fight between his fighter, explosive KO punching Dominican Jonathan Guzman, and the promoters for Japan’s Shingo Wake.
As per their rules for vacant championships, Lewkowicz, representing Guzman, the IBF #2 super bantamweight, and Kyoei Promotions representing IBF #1 Wake were ordered to begin negotiations immediately and have them completed no later than June 2 of this year.
Guzman (21-0, 21 KOs) is hot on the heels of a sensational eight-round stoppage victory over Daniel Rosas last Friday, April 29, in Atlantic City, in a voluntary eliminator for the #2 spot in the ratings.
Wake (20-4-2, 12 KOs) earned his number one spot by scoring a unanimous decision victory over Thailand’s Mike Tawatchai last June.
Also per IBF rules neither boxer may compete in another match until they face each other.
“Any boxer who is contracted with a promoter, a network, or a state, tribal or national commission to take another fight, or who is ill, injured, under a legal impediment which could prevent the bout from taking place in the opinion of the IBF/USBA, or on suspension at the time the Championships Chairman and the President order a bout under this rule shall be considered unavailable. We would then move to the next available contender. Neither fighter can take another fight until this fight for the vacant title is concluded.”
In the event the camps cannot reach an agreement by June 2, the IBF will call for purse offers to be held to determine who will promote the bout, when and where it will be held.
The Guzman vs. Wake fight is more good news for Sampson Boxing, who had four different fighters score sensational victories over the weekend.
In addition to the aforementioned Guzman TKO, Sampson Boxing’s Jorge “Pilon” Lara scored a jaw-dropping KO 1 over former world champion Fernando Montiel at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, on Saturday. Lara had the formidable Montiel on the deck four times in a brutal beatdown that only lasted 1:37.
The same night in the same venue, future world champion and boxing prodigy David “El Bandera Roja/Red Flag” Benavidez destroyed capable New Yorker Phillip Jackson Benson by KO 2. Benavidez, now 14-0, 13 KOs, had way too much firepower for Jackson, who entered the ring a respectable 16-2, 15 KOs. The end came at 2:07 with Jackson down and ruled unable to continue without a count being needed. A star on the near horizon in boxing, high network demand means that Benavidez will be back in action in July.
And in his professional debut on Friday night, on the Guzman undercard in Atlantic City, highly decorated amateur star Abraham “Super” Nova turned professional the right way by levelling Delaware’s also debuting Weusi Johnson by KO 1.
Nova, of Braintree, Massachusetts, began his professional career undefeated by putting Weusi to sleep at 2:56 of the first.
“I am looking forward to getting my superstar KO artist Jonathan Guzman his first title shot later this year,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “And I give my congratulations to all my other fighters who won by knockout this past weekend. Jorge Lara is back in a big way and headed for a world championship after beating Montiel. David Benavidez is going to become the youngest Mexican super middleweight champion in boxing history and Abraham Nova let the world know he’s here with his power punching. I am proud to be promoting every one of these fighters.”
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