|
Tag Archives: England
ANTOINE DOUGLAS PUTS UNBEATEN RECORD ON THE LINE AGAINST LES SHERRINGTON IN MAIN EVENT OFSHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION QUADRUPLEHEADER
Friday, Nov. 6 From Downtown Las Vegas Event Center
Live on SHOWTIME® At 10 p.m. ET/PT
NEW YORK (Oct. 22, 2015) – Unbeaten rising star Antoine “Action” Douglas will fight on ShoBox: The New Generation for a fifth time when he takes on Les “Lock N Load” Sherrington in a clash of world-ranked middleweights in the main event of aquadrupleheader live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) onFriday, Nov. 6, at Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC), across from the D Las Vegas in iconic Downtown Las Vegas.
The popular prospect-oriented boxing series premiered in July 2001 and has produced 63 world champions to date. Antoine’s fifth ShoBox appearance will tie him with eight other fighters for second place on the all-time list (the ShoBox appearance record is held by Chris Avalos with six appearances). All of the fighters with five or more ShoBox appearances went on to challenge for a world title, five triumphed –Andre Ward, Ishe Smith, Robert Guerrero, Kendall Holt and Badou Jack—and three fell short –Avalos, Mike Arnaoutis and Sechew Powell. A sixth five-time Shobox participant, Lateef Kayode, is scheduled to challenge WBA Cruiserweight World Champion Denis Lebedec on Nov. 4.
Douglas, of Burke, Va., is the WBA’s ninth-ranked contender. He will enter the 10-round bout for the WBA and WBO International 160-pound titles with a record of 18-0-1, 12 KOs. Australia’s Sherrington, the WBA’s No. 12th-rated contender, is 35-7, 30 KOs.
“Douglas has been consistently entertaining throughout his fights on ShoBox and is fighting another older, more-experienced opponent once again,’’ said ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood. “Part of the satisfaction of watching fighters develop on ShoBoxis seeing them graduate to contender status. Douglas is just about at that point; he is taking his final classes.’’
The 10-round ShoBox co-feature will match former international amateur standout and 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist, Ukrainian southpaw Taras “Real Deal” Shelestyuk (12-0, 8 KOs), of Los Angeles, Calif. against experienced Aslanbek Kozaev (26-1-1, 7 KOs), of Vladikavkaz, Russia, in a welterweight bout.
Two eight-rounders will round out the four-fight telecast: southpaw “Killa” Keenan Smith(8-0, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia battles Benjamin “Da Blaxican” Whitaker (10-1, 2 KOs) of San Antonio in a super lightweight scrap and O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster (8-0, 5 KOs) of Orange, Texas, confronts “Tsunami Sam” Teah (6-1, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia in a lightweight match.
All but Douglas will be making their ShoBox debuts in an event promoted by GH3 Promotions and Banner Promotions. All eight boxers will be fighting in Las Vegas for the first time. Tickets are priced at $100.50, $75.50, $40.50, $25.50 and $20.50 and are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com.
Douglas, 23, has been impressive in four consecutive victories since he boxed a draw with former world title challenger Michel Soro in an eight-rounder that was part of the 200th ShoBox telecast on July 25, 2014. Douglas has won his last two starts by knockout: on July 17, a third-round TKO over Istvan Szili and on March 13, a sixth-round TKO overThomas LaManna.
“This is a very good matchup for me,’’ said Douglas. “I feel I’m in the right place on my career. I want to move up the ranks and earn a title shot.
“I have seen Sherrington and he is tall and long. He likes to fight on the inside. He has lost to Sam Soliman. I’ve been in camp with Soliman and he’s not a big puncher.
“This is my first fight in Las Vegas, I’m very excited. Las Vegas is the boxing mecca of the world. This is a huge step up for me.”
Douglas, a top amateur who made it to the 2011 U.S. Olympic Trials, has been extremely active since turning pro in October 2012. He fought twice in 2012, nine times in ’13, six times in ’14 and this would be his third start this year.
Sherrington of Burleigh, Gold Coast, Australia, will be fighting outside of his native land for the first time in this, his U.S. and 2015 debuts. He’s won two in a row and is 8-1 in his last nine fights, the loss coming to former IBF World Middleweight Champion Soliman in December 2013.
Since the bitter defeat to Soliman that knocked him out of the world rankings, Sherrington has been looking to redeem himself in a major matchup in a major stage. This is his opportunity.
“This fight is something I have been waiting my whole career for and I plan on giving it my best shot,’’ he said. “I can’t wait to get over to America and showcase my skills. Fighting top-tier fighters is all I’ve ever asked.’’
The well-conditioned 6-foot, 33-year-old Sherrington turned his career around after losing his pro debut in April 2002 and going 4-3 in his first seven starts. Since March 2006, he’s 25-3 while winning several minor titles. In his last start on Dec. 2014 he captured the WBA Oceania Middleweight Title with a shutout 10-round decision over Samir Santos Barbosa.
Taras Shelestyuk made his debut at the late age of 27. A prospect at 147 pounds, he was an amateur standout (195-15) in Ukraine with extensive international experience. He was the Gold Medalist at the 2011 World Championships and a Bronze Medalist at the 2012 Olympics, both at 152 pounds.
The 5-foot-10 29-year-old, who was born in Makeevka, Ukraine, is trained by International Boxing Hall of Famer, Freddie, Roach. Shelestyuk is a lefthander with solid skills, movement and punching power who has exclusively campaigned in the United States since turning pro in March 2013. He went 6-0 in 2013, 3-0 in 2014, and is 3-0 this year. He’s coming off a unanimous eight-round decision over Juan Rodriguez last April 3 in Ontario, Calif. He’s gone eight rounds twice.
Regarding his nickname, Shelestyuk said, “My nickname is ‘Real Deal,’ and it means that I prove what I say in the business that I do.”
Kozaev, 29, 5-foot-7, is making his 2015 debut and fifth U.S. start. He won his first two before losing his outing before last on a 12-round decision to prospect Ray Robinson in an NABO welterweight title fight on Feb. 21, 2014. He’s short for the welterweight class and is spotting Shelestyuk 3 ½ inches in height.
Smith, the 2008 National Golden Gloves Featherweight Champion and a 2007 Junior Olympic National Champion, turned pro in April 2010—at 130 pounds.
The 5-foot-7, 25-year-old will be making his fourth start of the year after fighting just one time in both 2012 and 2011. He’s won two of his three fights in 2015 by knockout, including any easy second-round knockout over Lavell Hadley last Aug. 15 in Atlantic City. This will be his second fight since signing with GH3 Promotions and his first since his mother died in late September.
“This has been a rough training camp as my mom passed away and we had the funeral on Sept. 29,’’ Smith said. “Going through that is extra motivating and I am dedicating this fight to her. I am excited to be in my first television bout. I can’t wait for Nov. 6.”
Smith went 72-4 in the amateurs. Two of the victories came against current world-ranked contender Amir Imam.
Whitaker, a 5-foot-9, 31-year-old, has fought in Texas in all but one of his fights. He’s been impressive in his three fights this year, winning them all by clear and convincing eight-round decisions.
Whitaker produced a career-best victory two outings ago when he soundly out-tallied previously undefeated knockout artist and local favorite, Skender Halili. Also, Whitaker captured the vacant WBC United States (USNBC) and U.S.A. Texas State Super Welterweight titles by outpointing Rodolfo Gomez on Jan. 16 in Laredo.
“Talk is cheap, this fight is going to be a war,’’ said Whitaker, a three-year pro who was victorious in his first seven pro fights and also owns a win over previously undefeatedFelipe Rivas. “He wants to keep his undefeated record but I am trying to get to where I want to be.”
Foster, 22, will be making his eight-round debut. A pro since August 2012, he’s made short work of his last two opponents, scoring opening-round knockouts over Darius Jackson (1:03) and Frank Jordan (1:26) on Sept. 26 and Aug. 22, respectively.
“It is going to be a great fight. I am glad for the opportunity,’’ said Foster, who’s been brought along carefully after a 100-plus amateur career in which he advanced to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Games Trials where he lost to unbeaten pro prospect, Joseph “Jo-Jo” Diaz.
“I have been training really hard. I have looked at Teah and he throws a lot of wide and wild punches. I am looking forward to fighting in Las Vegas.’’
The 2011 Houston Golden Gloves and 2010 PAL National Champion, Foster was a five-time Ringside National Champion and two-time National Junior Golden Gloves Champion.
Teah, 28, a lightweight, will also be making his eight-round debut. All seven of his previous starts have been scheduled for four rounds. Since suffering his lone setback on a majority four-round decision to undefeated Laviasas Williams on July 25, 2014, Teah has won two in a row, both on shutout four-round decisions, including a 40-36 whitewash againstRaymond Velez in his lone start this year on July 17.
Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
# # #
About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series,ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBoxphilosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 63 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.
About Downtown Las Vegas Events Center
Located at the corner of Third St. and Carson Ave. across from the D Las Vegas, the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center can accommodate up to 11,000 guests and features state-of-the-art stage, sound and lighting. The open-air design is inviting to both tourists and locals and offers the perfect spot for concerts, conventions and other large-scale events. Embracing the uninhibited spirit of Downtown Las Vegas, the new venue plays host to a line-up of curated events including premier concerts, food festivals and more. The venue is also the first entertainment arena in Las Vegas to accept Bitcoin as currency. For more information, visit www.dlvec.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @DLVEC.
BROOK FORCED OUT OF CHAVES CLASH
Fight to be rescheduled after rib injury hits Sheffield star
Kell Brook has been forced out of his IBF World Welterweight title clash with Diego Chaves at the Sheffield Arena on Saturday, October 24 after sustaining a rib injury in sparring.
Brook was set to make the third defence of his belt against the dangerous Argentine, but having spent time in hospital with the injury and taking the advice of medical experts following scans, the Sheffield star will now look to face Chaves later in the year.
The Sheffield show goes ahead with the Sky Sports debut of Chris Eubank Jr topping the bill as he defends his WBA Interim World Middleweight title against American Tony Jeter, Gavin McDonnell defends his European Bantamweight strap against former World title challenger Jeremy Parodi, along with a host of exciting young talent on the bill.
“It’s always a bitter blow when an injury causes a fight to be postponed, especially so close to the event,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Kell picked up a rib injury in sparring yesterday and spent most of the day at hospital yesterday. Kell was desperate to fight but it was simply impossible and we will now look to reschedule the bout for the end of the year.”
Matchroom Boxing will make a full statement on Monday regarding details of full refunds and partial refunds to those fans still attending the show.
Trainer Joel Diaz discusses new union with Ruslan Provodnikov
 |
|
For Immediate Release
Manchester, England (October 8, 2015)– World renowned trainer Joel Diaz has been named the new trainer of former junior welterweight world champion, Ruslan “The Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov.
Diaz, who has guided many world champions, will train Provodnikov in Indio, California as Provodnikov prepares for his next bout , which will be announced shortly.
Below is a video interview with Diaz discussing his new pupil.
Media outlets may use the video on their websites and digital platforms by copy/pasting the embedded code.
|
John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson – Liam Smith full press conference video
|
|||
|
John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson media workout video
|
|||
|
Darleys Perez defends WBA Lightweight title against Anthony Crolla in a rematch on Saturday, November 21, LIVE on AWE
|
|
|
John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson arrives in Manchester, England for October 10th WBO Junior Middleweight world title fight with Liam Smith
|
SHOWTIME® TO TELEVISE KELL BROOK VS. DIEGO CHAVES IBF WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON SATURDAY, OCT. 24, LIVE FROM SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND
SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® Brook vs. Chaves Airs
Live at 5:45 p.m. ET/ 2:45 p.m. PT with an Encore Presentation at 9 p.m. ET/PT
NEW YORK (Sept. 29, 2015) – SHOWTIME Sports® will present the IBF Welterweight World Championship between undefeated defending champion Kell Brook and contender Diego Chaves on Saturday, Oct. 24, live on SHOWTIME at 5:45 p.m. ET / 2:45 p.m. PT from Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England.
The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL presentation of the Sky Sports telecast will feature analysis from SHOWTIME boxing experts before and after the world championship showdown. An encore presentation of the bout will air on SHOWTIME later that evening at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
“I’m delighted that my fight with Chaves is going to be shown in the U.S.,” said Brook, who hails from Sheffield and will be the favorite in this fight. “I was thrilled when I saw my name in the top 10 of the pound-for-pound list in The Ring Magazine, and now is the time that I need to show the fans in the U.S. that I am a must-see fighter.
“Chaves is an all-action boxer who always comes to fight, and that is the perfect style for me to shine on Oct. 24. I look forward to putting on an explosive performance and making the U.S. stand up and take notice that I am the best welterweight in the world.”
“We know Brook is a tough fighter, very technical,” said Diego Chaves. “But he is not a fast fighter and he is easily bothered by body punches, which is one of our strengths. I believe he has problems going backwards, and we are going to test his punching power, too.
“I feel that my confidence grows with this challenge, knowing that I will have to face a champion like Kell Brook in his home country in England. This raises the stakes for me, going up there as an Argentine and as a huge underdog. We know all the bad blood that exists between Argentina and England and this will give me much more strength. I will make history if I defeat an Englishman in his own country.”
“We’re excited to be back in business with Kell Brook, Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn and to deliver this exciting matchup of top 10 welterweights to the U.S. audience,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports. “Kell won the world title on SHOWTIME in an action-packed victory over Shawn Porter last fall, establishing himself as one of the top welterweights in the world – but Diego Chaves is a rugged fighter who has also proven that he can compete with the elite of the division.”
Brook (35-0, 24 KOs) will make his third consecutive title defense of 2015 in his native England after coming to the U.S. and dethroning previously undefeated IBF Welterweight World Champion Shawn Porter in August 2014 on SHOWTIME. The Sheffield native has scored knockouts in each of his defenses – a fourth round TKO of Jo Jo Dan on March 28 and a sixth round TKO of Frankie Gavin on May 30. Brook aims for a similar result against the veteran Chaves, who has faced some of the top fighters in the 147-pound division.
Chaves (23-2-1, 19 KOs), of Buenos Aires, Argentina, has been a road warrior in recent fights, facing favored Americans on the road in three of his last four bouts. He challenged 147-pound titlist Keith Thurman in July 2013 and, after winning by knockout in a hometown fight in Argentina, was ahead on the judges’ scorecards against Brandon Riosin August 2014 until he was disqualified for an intentional elbow to the face. In his last fight, Chaves fought to a draw against perennial welterweight champion Timothy Bradley.
GH3 Promotions developing into a promotional powerhouse
New Jersey based promotion to have 1st world title bout in October plus fighter’s to appear on national television
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nutley, NJ (September 21, 2015) – in just three years, Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions has become one of the top promoters in the United States.
In the next month, Mielnicki will see the fruits of his hard work as he will have his first fighter compete in a world title bout when WBO number-five ranked John Thompson (17-1, 6 KO’s) takes on Liam Smith on October 10 for the vacant WBO Jr. Middleweight title in Manchester, England.
“It is only fitting that it is John that gets the first opportunity because he was the first fighter I signed and I am ecstatic for him to be getting the chance at the world title,”said Mielnicki. “Camp is going terrific down in Virginia and John is eagerly waiting for October 10.”
Thompson will not be the only fighter under the GH3 banner to be seen in high profile bouts.
On October 23, Light Heavyweight, Lavarn Harvell (15-1, 10 KO’s) of Atlantic City will be taking on Samuel Clarkson as part of the televised ShoBox: The New Generation card.
Harvell has joined Thompson in Virginia for training camp.
On November 6, GH3 Promotions will stage a ShoBox card that will feature the popular and undefeated Middleweight WBA number-9 ranked Antoine Douglas (18-0-1, 12 KO’s) taking WBA number-12 ranked Les Sherrington (35-7, 19 KO’s) for the WBA Intercontinental title.
The fight will mark the fifth ShoBox appearance for Douglas, who is also ranked number-10 by the WBO, and number-15 by the IBF
Douglas is currently training in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
With a win over Sherrington, Douglas will be inching closer to a world title opportunity.
On the same ShoBox card, GH3 Promotions prospects O’Shanique Foster and Keenan Smith will make their national television debuts.
Foster (7-0, 4 KO’s) of Orange, Texas will take on Samuel Teah (7-1, 2 KO’s) in a Lightweight battle while Smith (8-0, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia battles Benjamin Whitaker (10-1, 2 KO’s) in a Welterweight clash.
Fighting off-tv that night will be undefeated Super Bantamweight, Adam Lopez (13-0, 6 KO’s) of San Antonio, Texas.
Lopez is currently ranked number-10 by the WBA on the strength of two exciting wins on ShoBox in 2015.
GH3 Promotions is closing the final quarter of 2015 very strong as it looks towards 2016 for all of it’s established talent to be fighting for regional belts that will move them up the rankings and in position for world title opportunities.
“I am very proud of what we have accomplished in a very short time. This could not have been done without people like Kay Koroma. Kay has helped us lock down all of the top talent in the country. He has deep roots behind the scenes. In the past year, Kay and I have added Ricardo Rizzo as an adviser to our company. Ricardo has over 40 years of experience in the industry and has been a great sounding board for advice to GH3 Promotions,” said Mielnicki.
Going forward, GH3 Promotions has resigned undefeated Bantamweight Glenn Dezurn Jr. (6-0, 4 KO’s) of Baltimore, Maryland
GH3 Promotions will be moving it’s operations as it is on the verge of closing in on a building in Belleville, New Jersey which will house both it’s offices and a state of the art gym for it’s local amateurs and professionals to work out.
GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight Champion John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight’s Jerrell Harris & Keenan Smith,undefeated Super lightweight Bienvenido Diaz, Heavyweight Natu Visinia, Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell, Jr. Lightweight O’Shanique Foster & Super Middleweight Andrew Hernandez to the GH3 Promotions stable.