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Tag Archives: Junior Middleweight
Undefeated prospect Antonio Tarver, Jr. establishing his own identity in ring
 TAMPA (May 10, 2016) – Fighting for his young family, as well as to expand the legacy associated with his last name, the son of 5-time world champion and 1996 U.S. Olympian Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver – unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Antonio Tarver, Jr. – this past weekend continued establishing his own identity in the ring.After a 9-month absence, the 28-year-old Tarver (4-0, 3 KOs) returned to the ring in Lakeland, Florida, stopping Jose Cortez in the second round. Tarver displayed his improving skills, especially a punishing body attack, during a thoroughly dominating performance. He broke-down Cortez and closed the show in style.
“It took me one round to get rid of ring rust,” he explained. “We had a game-plan to go to the body, then the head, body and head, but it took me a round to do it. God’s really blessed me and I owe all thanks to Him. My father and coach, Jimmy Williams, have always told me not to look for a knockout but that it’ll come. I’m not a one-punch knockout fighter. It’s all about setting up shots and putting them together. I may not connect with every single body shot I throw, but if I get in three of four each round, it’ll eventually cause damage. I’m focusing on my opponent’s liver and ribs, trying to be a body-snatcher.”
Tarver was an athlete, playing basketball and football, who didn’t start boxing until he was 19. He had a very brief amateur career and fully realizes that he’s consistently going to be fighting more experienced boxers.
“In the ring,” Tarver said, “I’m still a baby. My opponents may be much more experienced than me, but I do have a lot of experience around me: my father, coach Williams and Darrell Foreman. My father wouldn’t support me as a fighter until I proved to him that I was worthy (sacrificing and training). I’m worthy now and believe I’m coming into my own as I continue to learn.”
“As a father,” Tarver Sr., noted, “I wanted him to know what he was getting into and have the tools to succeed. He’s as tough as nails. When he realizes how strong he really is…..look out. There’s a difference between hitting an opponent with a punch and punching through him like he’s doing now. I just wish he’d get started quicker. He doesn’t get going until he gets hit and then he turns into a beast. A ferociousness comes out from inside that I never had. He’s improving all of the time. He’s putting punches together better and sitting down on his punches.
“Antonio is going to be a fan-friendly fighter. I know I put him under a lot of pressure, but he’s fighting much more experienced guys. I’ve never been worried about him fighting a tough guy. It’s the guys who think in the ring and have amateur pedigree that can be problems for him.”
Understanding that his opponents get pumped to fight him because of his last name, Antonio Jr. rationalizes that, taking advantage of the situation he is in. “It’s very important for my opponents to beat me and the name,” he admitted. “My father set this stage for me and my name is, Antonio Tarver, Jr., so they’re trying to give us both a loss. I’m fighting for my family and to protect the legacy of my last name. I try and take advantage of being my father’s son and accept everything that goes with that. I don’t try to put pressure on myself but, of course, I want to be the best Antonio Tarver Jr. I can be.
“People are always going to compare me with my father but we fight in different weight classes. Light heavyweights, other than Roy Jones Jr., are slower than junior middleweights, who are much quicker like Floyd Mayweather, Jr. I’m always going to be fighting opponents taller than me, or sometimes the same height, but I’m 5′ 9″ and a lot of my opponents are going to be 6′ 2″ or so.
The father has another important lesson he’s teaching his son. “Antonio became a father for the first time last September and he was slow getting back in the gym,” Antonio Sr. added. “He has to learn how to balance fatherhood with his pro boxing career, making sacrifices to become a champion!”
INFORMATION:
@AntonioTarverJr
@AntonioTarver
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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
Yory Boy Campas farewell fight against Anthony Bonsante to be streamed LIVE, this Saturday onGFL.TV
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Undefeated Jr. Middleweight contender, Julian ” J Rock” Williams wants to set trend with year round PED testing
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Demetrius Andrade’s Open media workout Quotes & pictures
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Returns Oct. 17 at Mohegan Sun Arena
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(more pictures below)
PROVIDENCE (October 9, 2015) – Last night at Big Six Academy in Providence, undefeated super welterweight contender Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (21-0, 14 KOs) hosted an open media workout in advance of his October 17th 10-round main event fight versus Argentinian opponent Dario Fabian “El Gallo” Pucheta (20-2, 11 KOs) at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Stripped earlier this year of his World Boxing Organization WBO) title due to inactivity, Andrade will face Pucheta for the WBO & World Boxing Association (WBA) International titles, marking his first fight in 16 months, since the 2008 U.S. Olympian stopped No. 1 mandatory contender Brian “The Lion” Rose (25-1-1, 7 KOs) in seven rounds of his first and only world title defense.
Andrade captured the vacant WBO 154-pound title November 9, 2013 by way of a 12-round decision over previously unbeaten 2004 U.S. Olympian Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan(33-0-1, 21 KOs).
Tickets are on sale, ranging from $200.00 to $25.00 (excluding fees). Call 401.261.3755 to purchase tickets as well as for bus special information.
DEMETRIUS ANDRADE:
“This turnout (of public) shows the support I have in Rhode Island. It’s been a while since they’ve seen me in the ring, but they’re going to start seeing me in big fights.”
“The cream always rises to the top. I’m going to show that I’m the best 154-pounder in the world.”
“It’s been frustrating (16-month layoff). This is something I’ve been doing since I was six and not to do it has been tough. I’ve tried to stay positive, working hard in the gym to stay in shape, but sparring in a gym is different than being in a fight when your opponent is trying to take your head off. October 17th, people will see what I’m truly made of.”
“I have other ways of making a living but I love what I do every day…box! This is a life-changing business. I’m very happy to get back in the ring October 17th. “I’m going to make a statement that I’m the future of boxing.”
“The WBO and WBA International titles are on the line in this fight. They took my (WBO world) title and it’s vacant right now. The reason I took this fight is to get ranked in the top 15 and fight for a world title.”
“My opponent (Dario Pucheta) has come all the way from Argentina to win. This is a tough business and to be 20-2 takes a lot of heart and guts. This is an opportunity for to make a statement. He’s hungry and believes because a win over me will make a name for him.”
“I’ve had some bumps in the road and it took a year to get settled. I haven’t suffered any damage in the ring. I feel good. The fans are going to say that they need to see a lot more of Demetrius Andrade.”
“Camps’ been good and I feel great. I want to thank CES for letting me showcase my skills on their card and to continue to bring great boxing to New England.”
Follow Demetrius Andrade on Twitter @AndradeATeam or @BooBooBoxing.
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John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson – Liam Smith full press conference video
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John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson media workout video
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Demetrius Andrade to return Oct. 17 with a vengeance
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Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut
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PROVIDENCE (October 5, 2015) – All undefeated junior middleweight Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (21-0, 14 KOs) has ever wanted to do since he first laced up a pair of gloves as a kid is to box and that’s why, after a 16-month stretch of inactivity, totally unrelated to injury, the 2008 U.S. Olympian is returning to the ring October 17 to headline a non-televised show at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
A myriad of reasons kept the 27-year-old Andrade out of the ring and without a purse check since June 14, 2014, when he destroyed No. 1 mandatory contender Brian “The Lion” Rose (25-1-1, 7 KOs) in seven rounds, impressively winning on HBO in what turned out to be his first and only World Boxing Organization (WBO) title defense. Andrade, fighting out of Providence, originally captured the vacant WBO 154-pound title November 9, 2013, also aired on HBO, defeating previously unbeaten 2004 U.S. Olympian Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan (33-0-1, 21 KOs) by way of a 12-round decision.
OPEN MEDIA WORKOUT – PUBLIC INVITED
Demetrius Andrade will hold and open media workout this Thursday night (8 p.m. ET start) at Big Six Academy, 816 Douglas Ave. in Providence.
During his past 16 frustrating months, Andrade has been stripped of his WBO title, essentially banned from fighting on network television, dropped from all ratings, and unfairly branded as a fighter who talks a big game but turns down tough fights.
“I’m relieved and grateful to be fighting again, especially close to home and in front of my fans,” Andrade said about his Oct. 17 fight against Argentinian opponent Dario Fabian “El Gallo” Pucheta (20-2, 11 KOs), a former South American champion, in the 10-round main event for the vacant WBO & WBA International super welterweight championships. “It’s good to finally have a date and I’m very happy to get back in the ring. It isn’t the fight I really wanted but Pucheta has a good record and he always comes to fight. I wanted to fight Delvin Rodriguez, which would have been a good fight in Connecticut because that’s where he comes from and I live in Rhode Island, but, I guess, his people didn’t want him to fight me. They must be saving him for somebody else.
“So, I needed to take this fight (off-TV vs. a non-ranked opponent) to get back into action, to where I want to be and belong. It’s not like I failed in the ring to lose my title belt. I was disappointed to lose it, of course, but that’s not what identifies me. People know who the best fighters are in the world. All I ever wanted was to do was fight. I want to stay active and I believe I can fill Floyd’s Mayweather‘s shoes as boxing’s next superstar.”
During his long hiatus from the ring, Andrade called out Mayweather, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Erislandy Lara, and other world-class fighters to no avail, remaining on the shelf waiting to landing a career defining fight that never materialized. Andrade, a 2007 World Championships gold medal winner and four-time national amateur champion, has filed a lawsuit against Roc Nation, claiming the promotional company, owned by Jay-Z, reneged on a promise to pay him $550,000.
“The only fight I ever turned down was against (Jermall)Charlo,” Andrade explained, “because I was in that situation with Jay-Z. I thought he and his company could really help me, in the ring and marketing-wise. I chose not to take that fight (Dec. 13, 2014 vs. Charlo) but, when things didn’t happen with Roc Nation, I signed a contract to fight Charlo (Jan. 14, 2015). Instead, he signed a deal to fight Martirosyan. I never knew anything about the (Matt) Korobov fight (for vacant WBO middleweight title) until after it was announced. I never intended to move up to middleweight, at that time, to fight him or anybody else. Later, I even offered to fight (Anthony) Mundine in his backyard (Australia) for short money, just to keep my title, but that didn’t work out either. I guess that’s all part of this game.”
Andrade trained three or four days a week, even without a date to fight, and he is stronger than ever, physically and mentally. He is returning to the ring with a vengeance, promising to make a major statement Oct. 17 and beyond.
“I’m going to make a statement that I’m the best 154-pound fighter in the world and show why nobody wants to fight me,” Andrade concluded. “I’m going to showcase all of my skills with my October 17th performance. I’m looking ahead, not in the past.”
Tickets are on sale, ranging from $200.00 to $25.00 (excluding fees). Call 401.261.3755 to purchase tickets as well as for bus special information.
Follow Demetrius Andrade on Twitter @AndradeATeam or @BooBooBoxing.
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John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson arrives in Manchester, England for October 10th WBO Junior Middleweight world title fight with Liam Smith
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