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ROBINSON CASTELLANOS WINS BIG IN SAN ANTONIO ON GOLDEN BOY LIVE!
CASTELLANOS CONQUERS THE WBC SILVER FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AND BECOMES THE WBC FEATHERWEIGHT MANDATORY CHALLENGER
Photo Credit: Golden Boy Promotions
LOS ANGELES (Jan. 27) – Starting off 2015 with impressive Golden Boy Live! show in Philadelphia on Jan. 20, Golden Boy Promotions brought the action and the high-rated show to San Antonio, Texas where Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos (21-10, 13 KOs) displayed his power against Rocky Juarez (30-11-1, 21 KOs) Monday night at Cowboys Dancehall in the headlining bout of FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes’ Golden Boy Live! series. Castellanos dominated Juarez early on in the fight with quick jabs and powerful uppercuts that continued to pressure Juarez through to the final round. The battle between the two great seasoned fighters ended when Castellanos knocked down Juarez three times in the 12th round before winning the bout via unanimous decision with a score card of 118-106, 118-106 and 118-107. Castellanos is now the WBC Silver Featherweight Champion and becomes the mandatory challenger against current WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez.
“I am the mandatory and this time the champion [Johnny Gonzalez] will have to fight me,” said Castellanos.
Previously ranked fifth in the world by the WBC, Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico’s Robinson Castellanos, rebounded from a rocky start to win 13 of his last 14 fights, rejuvenating a career that began in 2002. His victories include a decision win over former world champion Celestino “Pelenchin” Caballero in 2013 and his biggest impact was in October 2014, when he knocked out 23-0 Ronny Rios in the fifth round.
ABOUT JUAREZ VS. CASTELLANOS:
“Juarez vs. Castellanos” was a 12-round bout for Juarez’ WBC Silver Featherweight Title and final featherweight title eliminator was presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!.
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.
www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on Twitter at @ GoldenBoyBoxing, @LeijaBattahPr, @Swanson_comm, @FOXSports, @FOXSports1, @FOXDeportes and follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page or www.facebook.com/LeijaBattah and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing or @LeijaBattahPr. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit www.FOXSports.com/watch/
New York City boxing leader Tony Mazzarella has passed away
NEW YORK CITY (Jan. 27, 2015) – New York City boxing leader Tony Mazzarella passed away after a long illness this past Monday at the age of 75.
During his long career in boxing, Mazzarella was a former New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) Deputy Commissioner and inspector – honorary NYSAC Deputy Commissioner the past few years – Ring 8 treasurer, New York State Sports Commission member, amateur (including Golden Mittens and Mayor’s Week of Boxing) and professional promoter (co-promoter of Ring Promotions) and the major influence in the founding of the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF).
“Tony was a loyal, dedicated Ring 8 member for more than 30 years,” his close friend and Ring 8 & NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy said.” Without his restaurant, the Waterfront Crabhouse (in Long Island City), serving as the home of Ring 8, I don’t think there would be a Ring 8 today if not for Tony’s generosity and perseverance. He kept Ring 8 alive and due to his diligence, Ring 8 has always maintained its integrity. It was his idea to found the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.
“We were partners (Ring Promotions) and great friends for the past 25 years. Tony enjoyed being part of events, whether it was promoting shows or hosting award dinners. He was very generous to fighters. Tony was also a good baseball player and an avid fan. He was a leader and remains a legend in New York City boxing. He was without question the most respected Ring 8 member. We will all miss Tony Mazarella more than words alone can properly describe.”
Tony Mazzarella (standing, far right) shown here with the NYSBHOF Class of 2013
A native of Queens, Tony resided in Tappan, where his funeral will be held this Friday(Jan. 30, 11 a.m.) at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church (120 Kings Highway). His wake will be held this Thursday (Jan. 29), from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., at Pizzi Funeral Home (120 Paris Ave. in North Vale, New Jersey). |
ABOUT RING 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto still remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.
RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.
Go on line to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues is only $30.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership. Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person. |
MARIO BARRIOS LOOKS TO HAVE BREAKOUT YEAR
Photo By Paul Gallegos
SAN ANTONIO, TX (January 27, 2015) – Rising star and undefeated featherweight phenom, Mario Barrios (7-0, 3 KOs), is looking to take his career to new heights in 2015. After fighting six times in 2014, Barrios is on the fast track to accomplishing his dream of becoming a world champion.
Standing 6’1, Barrios has the height and reach advantage against most of his opponents. With lighting fast hands, Barrios also possesses good footwork and power. With adviser Al Haymon backing him, Barrios feels he’s in a fantastic position.
“My team and I are very excited about this upcoming year,” said Mario Barrios, “Haymon Boxing is taking the sport to a whole new level and I want to position myself as one of the best prospects. I know with a few more fights under my belt I’ll be able to move up to 10-round bouts and hopefully fight for a regional title. The goal is to stay busy and focused on my future. I’m very grateful to have Al Haymon guiding my career. He’s the best in boxing. I’m looking forward to my next fight which will be announced very soon.”
Undefeated Kyrone Davis set to face Jonathan Garcia this Saturday at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
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CALEB PLANT RETURNS TO THE RING THIS SATURDAY
Photo By Stacey Verbeek
PHILADELPHIA, PA (January 27, 2015) – Undefeated middleweight prospect, Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant (5-0, 4 KOs), returns to the ring this Saturday January 31, 2015 against David Lopez (4-11, 1 KO). The 4-round bout will take place at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA.
Managed by Al Haymon, Plant is looking to extend his unbeaten record to 6-0. With power in both hands, Caleb Plant is rapidly making a name for himself in the middleweight division. Plant, who’s always looking for the knockout, believes his power will take him to the top. Plant has knocked out four of his last five opponents.
“I know I have a lot to learn in this sport and I’m thriving to get better each day I’m in the gym.” said Caleb Plant. “With Al taking charge of my career, I know I will have opportunities to become something special in boxing. My plan is to come out aggressive and take the fight to my opponent. If I see my opponent is in trouble, I’m definitely going for the knockout.”
With and exciting fighting style, Plant has all the ingredients to become a Superstar in the middleweight division. With a high level amateur pedigree and a great team around him Sky is the limit for the Tennessee native.
Former Team GB Star Edwards Primed For Explosive Pro Debut This Saturday
In just a few days time former Team GB amateur star Charlie Edwards is set to make his much anticipated transition to the professional ranks, when he faces Bentley, Yorkshire’s Craig Derbyshire on the Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport promoted CAPITAL PUNISHMENT event, at the O2 this coming Saturday, the 31st January.
Back in October, the former European Bronze Medallist announced his intention to move to the pro ranks. After a few weeks of discussions with his team and various promoters Charlie eventually made the decision to sign with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport organisation, a very savvy move indeed as not only are they the UK’s #1 promotional outfit, but more importantly all their events are broadcast live on Sky Sports, therefore ensuring excellent exposure for seriously talented multi-ABA Champion.
Charlie’s transition to the pro ranks has probably been a little smoother than for most young amateur stars these days, mainly because for the past year or so Charlie, as well as his younger brother Sunny, have been travelling to the famous TKO Gym in East London, the home to many of the UK’s top professional stars, both past and present, to be coached by Brian O’Shaughnessy.
As such the youngster enjoyed the best of both worlds, as Brian was a highly respected amateur coach, with a history of developing amateur champions, before applying for his pro license. Another bonus for Charlie being based at the TKO was the regular full on sparring sessions with many of the top prospects based there.
Following one of these sparring sessions, with Champions TKO gym mate Michael O’Rourke, both Charlie and Brian took some time out to speak about the youngsters upcoming professional debut, first up Charlie.
“I’m feeling great, my training’s gone really well and I’m in the best shape of my career so far.
I’ve been preparing at the Champions TKO with Brian (O’Shaughnessy) and my dad, I’ve got a strength and conditioning coach now, covering all angles to make sure I’m totally ready for my pro debut.
The hard work is really paying off, great shape, weight’s perfect, it’s been perfect for the past two or three weeks, so I am definitely in the best shape of my life and just can’t wait to get in there and prove that all the hype about me, because I know there’s a lot of hype about me and I have got a bit of pressure on my shoulders, with people expecting me to perform, so I’m going to go out there and box clever and make sure I perform.
I done virtually everything you can as an amateur, Olympic qualifiers, Commonwealth Games and I won seven National titles, ABA titles and GB titles, European Bronze medallist, European Gold medallist as a schoolboy, so have won a lot of titles.
I’ve had a look at my opponent, he’s on YouTube, he’s had two fights and lost two, he’s from Leeds or somewhere up in Yorkshire (sic – Bentley, Yorkshire) and his name is Craig Derbyshire.
He’s done cage fighting, he’s done a lot of Kick Boxing and that, he comes from a fighting background.
I know what he’s going to do, he’s going to come fighting right from the opening bell. The only thing is he comes flying in with his head so I’ve got to be clever and stay out of the way f his head and he’ll be there to be hit, I don’t need go looking, he’s going to come to me and I’m going to make him pay, that’s the way it’s going to go.
It’s another day at the office, I know it’s pro and everyone says it’s a big step up and it’s a different game, I’ve been winning titles without a headguard for about a year and half now, so it’s no biggy to me, it means I take my top off, which is better, I know when I take my top off in training I feel great, so yeah no big deal for me, I’m raring to go, I’ve fought in front of twenty thousand people up in Scotland, against a home fighter, so that’s the biggest thing I’m going to experience with everyone against me and on my back, so for me I get that extra buzz boxing in front of a big crowd, you can’t get batter.
I’m expecting nothing else, but victory all the way, like I said he’s going to come to fight, I’m not looking for no stoppage or anything, but I know in the way I am hitting, if he walks on to one, especially how open he is, I’m going to hurt him, so it may not go the distance.
I’m going in there prepared to go the distance, been doing a lot of sparring, eight threes, six threes, I mean I’ve just been sparring Mickey O’Rourke and he’s a sixty four kilo fighter and I’m not going to have anyone up against me like him, so I’m prepared a hundred percent, I’m leaving no stone unturned and really want to get in there and do the business.
I want to say thanks for all the support, it means so much when I put up stuff on Facebook and Twitter and get so much positive messages from so many people wishing me luck, I do that to show them I’ve been training, what I’m putting myself through so I can be successful, everyone is reacting so positively and showing that they are supporting me, I’m really grateful and going to really put a show on for every single one of my supporters.”
Then it was the turn of Charlie’s coach, the affable Brian O’Shaughnessy to talk about his young charge.
“Yeah, the 31st, not long to go now, just a few days.
It’s all looking good, Charlie’s been working hard, his transitioning himself for the pro ranks and it’s going really well.
Charlie first came to work with me at the TKO about a year ago, he says he’d been wanting to work with me for a few years, he’d seen me on the amateur circuit and liked the way I worked, so we got together last year and it’s all good.
I first see him when he was just a kid, you could see then he was going to be something special, so I was really pleased when he asked if I could start working with him.
Personally, I don’t see anyone in his weight division in this country, or Europe come to that, that would bother him, there’s not a lot of fighters in his category anyway and even the best ones we had seen as they progressed from the amateurs and they’re not a patch on Charlie.
The person he’s got on the 31st is a seasoned amateur, as well as has a Kick Boxing background, so we’ve always got to expect the unexpected, but we’re ready for that anyway, so expect a good, tidy win from Charlie.”
www.tkoboxinggym.com
An Open Letter From Cerresso Fort
“Please Join Me In Paying It Forward”
To the talent and executives in the sports, media, and entertainment industries:
My name is Cerresso Fort and I am a current professional boxer residing in St. Paul, Minnesota. I am writing this letter because as a professional athlete I see an important opportunity that I feel is largely ignored, and to continue to look the other way in this situation would simply be wrong.
As celebrities we have a special platform that makes it very easy to make a difference in our communities. It only takes a willingness to reach out and make an effort, and the hardest part is initiating the process and making the decision that now is the right time. It’s a decision that when you make it, I promise it will be life changing.
For me personally, I recently began working with Minneapolis and St. Paul’s Children’s Hospital, and the experience has been simply fantastic. Although we can’t cure every sickness that’s out there, we can do our part to improve quality of life. To put a smile on the face and brighten the day of a child that feels hopeless is priceless.
This is the direction that I chose to go, but certainly visiting sick children is not the perfect option for everybody. There are so many people, of all ages, and different situations that need our help. Please, find a cause that you’re passionate about and get out there and make a difference! I challenge other talent as well as executives in the sports, media, and entertainment industries, as well as anybody else interested in making a difference to get out there and pay it forward. You won’t be sorry.
I’d like to invite all readers to check out our new “Paying It Forward Community” page on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/
There are a couple more points that I’d like to make sure to make. First of all there are several individuals in our industries that are already out in the community and paying it forward. I don’t want to mention names because I don’t know what everybody involved is doing, and I don’t want to miss and disrespect anybody here. To those that have already been paying it forward I thank you and our communities thank you. Please continue what you are doing. I would sincerely enjoy working some projects with all of you at some point. You are also welcome to join the Paying It Forward Community on Facebook, and let everybody know how your giving back has effected your lives and those you have been involved with.
The last point that I’d like to make is actually addressing the one main objection that we’ve heard so far in what the Paying It Forward Community is asking. Many people prefer to do their community work anonymously, and although we believe that intention is good and honest we want to make sure and bring up a flaw with that logic. We are doing this to encourage others to get out in their communities and pay it forward with us. There is no better way to encourage others than to show how what you are doing has benefited you and the recipients of your actions. Living yourlife and showing how you and others prosper from your actions is a fantastic way to lead. There are several other important and positive results of letting people know what you are doing in the community including:
- It shows the positive going on in your specific industry. So much negative is heard, while the positive happenings seem to often times take a back seat. It shouldn’t be that way. We need to learn to embrace the positive news.
- It gives visibility to the cause or the foundation that you have been working with. To keep what you are doing in the community silent has the unintended effect of the cause you are working with losing the opportunity for valuable exposure.
- It gives businesses in your local community something to tie into. Businesses are going to sponsor different community related events as well as potentially find people to endorse their products and services. When they are looking for opportunities they love to tie into what is going on in their communities and they benefit from doing so, as will you if you are the recipient of their sponsorship and endorsement opportunities. Everybody wins.
- It brings the opportunity of reaching out to a whole new fan base for your industry. Those that have a special connection to the cause you are working with will be encouraged to support your career which casts a wider net for potential fans, ticket sales, and memorabilia sales.
- Others have the opportunity to see the results of your actions and are also encouraged to get involved as you have.
The fact is that when this synergy is formed it is a positive for all involved.Our world is only as great as we make it. The time is now to make a difference.
We’re looking forward to working with each of you. Stay blessed.
Sincerely,
“Sir” Cerresso Fort
FRANCISCO VARGAS VS. WILL TOMLINSON TO HEADLINE HBO LATINO®BOXING AT THE FREEMAN COLISEUM IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
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TOP BRAZILIAN CONTENDER PATRICK TEIXEIRA SIGNS WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS
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