Tag Archives: Kronk Gym

SugarHill Steward and Russian Heavyweight Apti Davtaev Inventing Their Own Language Along Way to Heavyweight Glory

When it comes to working in the gym, undefeated Russian heavyweight prospect Apti Davtaev (14-0-1, 13 KOs) and his US trainer, Kronk Gym’s Javan SugarHill Steward, have their own way of communicating.

“We play a form of charades a lot. I physically put him in position sometimes and show him the openings,” said Steward. “It’s a challenge for me, which makes me love it more, to teach him without talking.”
The pair are currently hard at work for the big Russian’s (from the Chechen Republic of Kurchaloi) ring return, scheduled for April.
“He wants to learn so badly that he’s a sponge,” continued Steward. “Russians don’t have the same level of training as they do in the US. This is a dream come true for him. Bringing a Russian fighter over here to train is much different than a US fighter coming to my gym. They’re already Americanized. These guys are hungry. They have very little else going on in their lives. He’s a married Muslim and all he cares about is his religion and his family. There’s no Facebook or Twitter in his world. All he wants is to be world champion.”
Steward says that Davtaev comes with a high level of skill and their training focuses more on the finer points.
“He’s a big powerful heavyweight. Good basics and he learns fast. He can read opponents and makes adjustments very easily. I’m working with him how to set up more shots. He’s big and he needs to use his jab and his big right hand to put himself in position to stay in control. We’re working on using more ring generalship. When you’re big like that, you can’t let someone crowd you.”
28-year-old Davtaev, co-promoted by Salita Promotions and KA Promotions, says he’s enjoying his working relationship with Steward.
“From the first days of our acquaintance, we immediately found a common language. He gives me a lot of attention and has taught me a lot in a very caring way. That’s why I’m very grateful to him.”
Davtaev agrees he’s not in the US for the fun. Hard work and dedication to his mission are the only things on his mind.
“A professional athlete should be focused only on one thing,” he explains, “the achievement of success. It is always necessary to approach your goals with full responsibility to the training process and the fight itself. Certainly, I miss the motherland and my family, but knowing why I’m here and getting support from relatives and friends, helps me endure much easier.”
Always a haven for world-class fighters, Davtaev currently has a quality training and sparring partner to work with at Detroit’s Kronk Gym. Former heavyweight champion Charles Martin is training at Kronk as well.
“These are 6’5 250-lb guys and their skill levels are very even,” said Steward. “They are learning from each other.”
This is Steward’s fifth Russian fighter he’s worked with and Steward says he’s enjoying himself very much.
“He’s trying to learn English, but he we communicate just fine. We have a good time. Learning has to be fun, so he has a good time and I enjoy teaching him. He learns fast, even though he doesn’t know English.”

8-TIME WORLD CHAMPION THOMAS “THE HITMAN” HEARNS CONFIRMED FOR THIRD EDITION OF BOX FAN EXPO TAKING PLACE ON CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND, SATURDAY MAY 6, IN LAS VEGAS

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate fan experience event that gives boxing fans the opportunity to meet-and-greet top fighters, current and former world champions, boxing celebrities and industry people in an up-close personal setting.
Tickets On-Sale Now at EventBrite
Box Fan Expo is the ultimate fan experience event that gives boxing fans the opportunity to meet-and-greet top fighters, current and former world champions, boxing celebrities and industry people in an up-close personal setting.
Tickets On-Sale Now at EventBrite
For Immediate Release
Las Vegas (March 7, 2017) – 8-Time world champion Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns has confirmed that he will appear and have a booth to Meet & Greet his fans at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 3rd edition of Box Fan Expo that will take place Saturday May 6, 2017 during Cinco De Mayo weekend. The Boxing Expo will also coincide with the mega fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Julio Cesar Chavez jr, that will take place later that evening.
Hearns returns once again at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos and selling merchandise. Fans will also be treated to interactive games and taking pictures with The “Hitman” at his Rock Jaw booth. He joins the list of over 50 current and past World Champions boxers who have appeared at the Expo, meeting their fans in person.
Hearns more famously known as “The Hitman”, became the first boxer in history to win world titles in four divisions. He would also become the first fighter in history to win five world titles in five different divisions. Hearns was named Ring Magazine fighter of the year in 1980 and 1984 and is best known for his fights with Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran. He was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012.
Thomas Hearns joins Kronk, WBC, Christy Martin, Mia St.John, Fernando Vargas and Joel Casamayor among early commitments to this year’s Box Fan Expo.
Box Fan Expo has been a huge success with fans and boxing industry people. Many boxing stars have attended the last two Expo’s such as Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr., Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Zab Judah, James Toney, Vinny Pazienza, Mikey Garcia , Mia St.Johns, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris , Riddick Bowe , Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks and many more…
Exhibitors such as boxing gear, apparel, new equipments, energy drinks, alcohol, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies and other companies who wish to participate will once again have a chance to showcase their brand to fans, media and the boxing industry.
Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available online at:
http://www.boxfanexpo.eventbrite.com
Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to Meet and Greet Boxing Superstars of today, current and former world champions, Legends of the sport and other boxing Celebrities at their booth. On Site, fans will experience different activities from Autograph Sessions, Photo Sessions, FaceOff with your favorite boxers, as well as a chance to purchase merchandise and memorabilia from their booth, plus so much more… you won’t want to miss this must-attend Expo!
Box Fan Expo will also feature top boxing organizations, promoters, ring card girls, famous trainers and commentators as well as boxing gear companies “ALL UNDER ONE ROOF”.
Throughout the next two months leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo. And for anyone in the Boxing industry or other Exhibitors (non-industry), who would like more information on sponsorships opportunities or reserve a Booth, contact Box Fan Expo:
Telephone number: (514) 572-7222 or Las Vegas Number (702) 997-1927
For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com
More information on the Box Fan Expo is available at: http://www.boxfanexpo.com
You can follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter at: https://www.twitter.com/BoxFanExpo

KRONK BOXING CONFIRMED FOR THIRD EDITION OF BOX FAN EXPO TAKING PLACE ON CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND, SATURDAY MAY 6, IN LAS VEGAS

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate fan experience event that gives boxing fans the opportunity to meet-and-greet top fighters, current and former world champions, boxing celebrities and industry people in an up-close personal setting.
For Immediate Release
Las Vegas (March 2, 2017) – Kronk Boxing & Sylvia Steward-Williams (Emanuel Steward’s daughter) has confirmed that they will appear and have a booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 3rd edition of Box Fan Expo that will take place Saturday May 6, 2017 during Cinco De Mayo weekend. The Boxing Expo will also coincide with the mega fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Julio Ceasar Chavez jr, that will take place later that evening.
Kronk Boxing will have the famous Kronk merchandise and apparel to sell to the boxing fans.
Founder of the Kronk gym and legendary trainer Emanuel Steward would have been proud of participating once again at this years’ Expo as he was one of the first to believe a Boxing Expo was long overdue and that it would be a huge success with fans and boxing industry people.
When Emanuel Steward first heard about the Box Fan Expo, he stated: “If you want to have a Boxing Expo, you got to do it big; and to do it big you need to go to Vegas. This is a boxing Fan’s dream.”
The legendary Kronk Gym made famous around the world by the late Emanuel Steward who produced a string of world champions including, Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko and Hall of Famer Thomas Hearns. Kronk closed its doors afterSteward’s death on October 25th, 2012. After three years of hard work and dedication the Kronk reopen the famous gym this past Memorial Day weekend.
“It took a lot of work,” said Steward-Williams, owner of Kronk Boxing/Sportswear. “It’s a labor of love, and it was my father’s legacy.

Kronk boxing joins, the WBC, Christy Martin, Mia St.John, Fernando Vargas and Joel Casamayor among early commitments to this year’s Box Fan Expo.

Box Fan Expo has been a huge success with fans and boxing industry people. Many boxing stars have attended the last two Expo’s such as Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr., Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Zab Judah, James Toney, Vinny Pazienza, Mikey Garcia , Mia St.Johns, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris , Riddick Bowe , Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks and many more…

Exhibitors such as boxing gear, apparel, new equipments, energy drinks, alcohol, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies and other companies who wish to participate will once again have a chance to showcase their brand to fans, media and the boxing industry.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available online at: http://www.boxfanexpo.eventbrite.com

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to Meet and Greet Boxing Superstars of today, current and former world champions, Legends of the sport and other boxing Celebrities at their booth. On Site, fans will experience different activities from Autograph Sessions, Photo Sessions, FaceOff with your favorite boxers, as well as a chance to purchase merchandise and memorabilia from their booth, plus so much more… you won’t want to miss this must-attend Expo!

Box Fan Expo will also feature top boxing organizations, promoters, ring card girls, famous trainers and commentators as well as boxing gear companies “ALL UNDER ONE ROOF”.
Throughout the next several months leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo. And for anyone in the Boxing industry or other Exhibitors (non-industry), who would like to be involved and reserve a Booth, contact Box Fan Expo:
Telephone number: (514) 572-7222 or Las Vegas Number (702) 997-1927
For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com

More information on the Box Fan Expo is available at: http://www.boxfanexpo.com

You can follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter at: https://www.twitter.com/BoxFanExpo

‘Detroit Brawl’ Pro Boxing Series Continues to Grow 

Boxing Fans Help Salita Promotions Donate Over 3000 Meals to Forgotten Harvest
Promoter Dmitriy Salita proudly announces his latest installment of “Detroit Brawl,” Saturday night at the Masonic Temple, was a tremendous success, helping him donate over 3000 meals to Forgotten Harvest, one of the nation’s largest food rescue organizations.
In the night’s main event, WBO #5, IBF #5, and WBC #7 and current NABF heavyweight champion, Andy “The Destroyer from Mexicali” Ruiz (28-0, 19 KOs), stayed unbeaten and showed off some fast, powerful fists, as he stopped Miami’s Josh “Dempsey” Gormley at 1:42 of the third round.
In other action, super lightweight Girorgi Gelashvili (5-0, 3 KOs) survived an early knockdown to stop Eric Hall (8-10-1, 4 KOs) of Durand, Michigan, in four rounds; cruiserweight Demetrius Banks (8-0, 4 KOs) of Detroit dropped Eric George (4-12) of Niagara Falls in the first round, but ended up having to settle for a unanimous six-round decision victory; super bantamweight Zach Shamoun (4-0-1, 3 KOs) of Royal Oak, Michigan, took a four-round unanimous decision over Jose Elizondo (1-1) of San Antonio, Texas; welterweight Sedar Hudayberdiyev (3-0, 2 KOs) of Turkmenistan won an entertaining four-round unanimous decision over formerly undefeated Steven Andrade (3-1, 2 KOs) of Atlanta Georgia; Detroit bantamweight Jarico O’Quinn (2-0, 2 KOs) was impressive in stopping Sergio Aguliar (0-4) of Miami Beach in three rounds; and lastly, Dearborn welterweight Gheith “Southpaw Prince” Karim made his pro debut a successful one by stopping Dean Walsh, Jr., in the first round.
Salita, who donated a portion of every ticket sold to Forgotten Harvest, says the event’s success went a lot further than the boxing ring that night.
“When we started these events, the goal was not only to bring a regular professional boxing program back to Detroit, but also to give back to this wonderful city and I’m happy to say we’re doing it,” said Salita. “I couldn’t be more proud. Thank you to the fans who came out that night and to my wonderful sponsor, Thomas Magee’s. Thank you to my entire team and to all the fighters for their brave efforts. Thank you to the team at the Masonic and to all the big-name Detroit fighters who showed up in support of the event. We will be doing it again soon.”
Based in Oak Park, Michigan, Forgotten Harvest was formed in 1990 to relieve hunger and prevent food waste throughout the metro Detroit area. Forgotten Harvest “rescued” over 40 million pounds of food last year by collecting surplus prepared and perishable food from over 800 locations, including grocery stores, fruit and vegetable markets, restaurants, caterers, dairies, farmers, wholesale food distributors and other Health Department-approved sources.
This donated food, which would otherwise go to waste, is delivered free of-charge to 280 emergency food providers in the metro Detroit area. Forgotten Harvest has been ranked as a four-star charity by Charity Navigator for nine consecutive years.
Learn more about Forgotten Harvest and how to help drive hunger from our community at 

 

HEAVYWEIGHT UPSET BREWING IN DETROIT?

Gormley Confident that Undefeated Ruiz Will Taste Defeat at ‘Detroit Brawl’ on Saturday, July 16

, at Masonic Temple

Having already experienced being a world-rated TV-level fighter under tremendous pressure to win every fight impressively, Miami-based slugger Josh “Dempsey” Gormley says he much prefers the lowered expectations of being considered the “opponent” since coming back to boxing.
“There’s a lot of pressure on you as the A-side guy,” explained Gormley. “As an opponent, I’m supposed to lose, so when I win it’ll be that much more dramatic.”
Gormley (22-4, 21 KOs) will face WBO #5-, IBF #5-, and WBC #7-rated and current NABF heavyweight champion Andy “The Destroyer from Mexicali” Ruiz (27-0, 18 KOs) in a non-title fight this Saturday in Detroit. The two bruising heavyweights will meet in the 10-round main event of Salita Promotions’ latest “Detroit Brawl” event at the Masonic Temple.
Sponsored by Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar, tickets for “Detroit Brawl” will be priced at VIP $123, Box Seats $100, Ringside $93, Reserved $63 and $38, and Balcony $28, and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and Tickmaster.com.
Gormley says he isn’t prepared to go along with the expected outcome for a 41-year-old fighter taking on a top contender in just his third fight since returning from a 16-year retirement. He’s coming to Detroit to win.
“He’s perfect for me,” he said of Ruiz. “I feel like I’m fighting the weakest guy in the top 10. He doesn’t punch hard and I won’t have to look for him. He comes forward a lot and he’s not Floyd Mayweather. I don’t think he can handle my power. Now that I’m older, I hit harder than ever and I’m in great shape. I doubt it’ll last the distance. I’ll get him out of there in about five rounds. Even if he does, I’m in great shape to beat him over the distance.”
Gormley, reportedly the grandson of all-time-great heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, turned pro in 1992 and flirted with world-contender status before suffering a pair of tough losses and retiring in 1999. However, boxing, like any addiction, eventually lured him back.
“I just want to take opportunities and see what I can do,” he said. “Win or lose, I’m just carrying on my legacy and seeing what I can still do. My goal is to be champ of the world. But I’m not chasing that dream lie I used to. A long time ago I chased the heavyweight championship dream so hard that every loss was devastating. Now, I want to take the opportunities as they come and win some of them. And hey, when I beat this guy, I’m back in the top 10!”
Scheduled in support of the main event that night will be Giorgi Gelashvili (4-0, 2 KOs) of Brooklyn via Georgia facing comebacking veteran Eric Hall (8-9-1, 4 KOs) of Durand, Michigan in a super lightweight six-rounder.
Also, Serdar Hudayberdiyev (2-0, 2 KOs) of Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan, will face fellow undefeated fighter Steven Andrade (3-0, 2 KOs) of Atlanta, Georgia in a welterweight four-rounder.
The opponent for the long-awaited pro debut of Dearborn, Michigan’s “Southpaw Prince” Gheith Karim, a three-time national amateur champion, will be two-fight welterweight scrapper Dean Walsh Jr. of Monroe, Michigan.
Detroit prospect Demetrius Banks (7-0, 4 KOs) is scheduled for a six-round cruiserweight match-up against Niagara Falls, New York’s Eric George (4-11).
Promising Detroit bantamweight Jarico O’Quinn (1-0, 1 KO), a recent Salita Promotions signee, will take on Sergio Aguilar (0-3) of Miami Beach, Florida, in a four-round bout; super bantamweight Zach Shamoun (3-0-1, 3 KOs) of Royal Oak, Michigan, will face also-unbeaten Jose Elizondo (1-0) of San Antonio, Texas; and so-far perfect undefeated cruiserweight Clarence Dubose (3-0, 3 KOs) of Detroit will look to keep his KO streak intact against Karinn Davis (2-6, 2 KOs) of Jackson, Michigan.
Detroit middleweight Dorell Van Horn Jr. (9-0, 6 KOs) will face Rapid City, South Dakota’s Ryan Soft (3-5-1, 1 KO) in a six-rounder.
 
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Remember, every ticket purchased to “Detroit Brawl” buys charitable meals for the Forgotten Harvest food rescue organization. Each regular ticket purchased will buy 10 meals that will be distributed to disadvantaged families and each VIP buys 15.
Based in Oak Park, Michigan, Forgotten Harvest was formed in 1990 to relieve hunger and prevent food waste throughout the metro Detroit area. Forgotten Harvest “rescued” over 40 million pounds of food last year by collecting surplus prepared and perishable food from over 800 locations, including grocery stores, fruit and vegetable markets, restaurants, caterers, dairies, farmers, wholesale food distributors and other Health Department-approved sources. This donated food, which would otherwise go to waste, is delivered free of-charge to 280 emergency food providers in the metro Detroit area. Forgotten Harvest has been ranked as a four-star charity by Charity Navigator for nine consecutive years.
Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar offers patrons an old-school sports and whiskey bar in Downtown Detroit’s Eastern Market district. Thomas Magee’s prides itself on providing every sport, every game, and every fight, plus great beer and whiskey!
For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visit www.salitapromotions.com. Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar is located at 1408 E Fisher Service Drive in Detroit. For more information, call 313-263-4342 or visit their official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ThomasMageesSportingHouseWhiskeyBar

On fight night, doors open at 6:30 pm and the fights begin at 7:15 pm.

Full Card Announced for ‘Detroit Brawl’ on Saturday, July 16, at Masonic Temple

The exciting undercard has been announced for the Saturday, July 16, “Detroit Brawl” event, presented by Salita Promotions at the Masonic Temple in Downtown Detroit.
In support of WBO #5-, IBF #5-, and WBC #7-rated and current NABF heavyweight champion Andy “The Destroyer from Mexicali” Ruiz’s (27-0, 18 KOs) 10-round non-title battle against comebacking KO artist Joshua “Josh Dempsey” Gormley (22-4, 21 KOs) will be a strong mix of local and international talent in intriguing match-ups.
Sponsored by Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar, tickets for “Detroit Brawl” will be priced at VIP $123, Box Seats $100, Ringside $93, Reserved $63 and $38, and Balcony $28, and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and Tickmaster.com.
Scheduled in support of the main event that night will be Giorgi Gelashvili (4-0, 2 KOs) of Brooklyn via Georgia facing comebacking veteran Eric Hall (8-9-1, 4 KOs) of Durand, Michigan in a super lightweight six-rounder.
Also, Serdar Hudayberdiyev (2-0, 2 KOs) of Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan, will face fellow undefeated fighter Steven Andrade (3-0, 2 KOs) of Atlanta, Georgia in a welterweight four-rounder.
The opponent for the long-awaited pro debut of Dearborn, Michigan’s “Southpaw Prince” Gheith Karim, a three-time national amateur champion, will be two-fight welterweight scrapper Dean Walsh Jr. of Monroe, Michigan.
Detroit prospect Demetrius Banks (7-0, 4 KOs) is scheduled for a six-round cruiserweight match-up against Niagara Falls, New York’s Eric George (4-11).
Promising Detroit bantamweight Jarico O’Quinn (1-0, 1 KO), a recent Salita Promotions signee, will take on Sergio Aguilar (0-3) of Miami Beach, Florida, in a four-round bout; super bantamweight Zach Shamoun (3-0-1, 3 KOs) of Royal Oak, Michigan, will face also-unbeaten Jose Elizondo (1-0) of San Antonio, Texas; and so-far perfect undefeated cruiserweight Clarence Dubose (3-0, 3 KOs) of Detroit will look to keep his KO streak intact against Karinn Davis (2-6, 2 KOs) of Jackson, Michigan.
Detroit middleweight Dorell Van Horn Jr. (9-0, 6 KOs) will face Rapid City, South Dakota’s Ryan Soft (3-5-1, 1 KO) in a six-rounder.
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Remember, every ticket purchased to “Detroit Brawl” buys charitable meals for the Forgotten Harvest food rescue organization. Each regular ticket purchased will buy 10 meals that will be distributed to disadvantaged families and each VIP buys 15.
Based in Oak Park, Michigan, Forgotten Harvest was formed in 1990 to relieve hunger and prevent food waste throughout the metro Detroit area. Forgotten Harvest “rescued” over 40 million pounds of food last year by collecting surplus prepared and perishable food from over 800 locations, including grocery stores, fruit and vegetable markets, restaurants, caterers, dairies, farmers, wholesale food distributors and other Health Department-approved sources. This donated food, which would otherwise go to waste, is delivered free of-charge to 280 emergency food providers in the metro Detroit area. Forgotten Harvest has been ranked as a four-star charity by Charity Navigator for nine consecutive years.
Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar offers patrons an old-school sports and whiskey bar in Downtown Detroit’s Eastern Market district. Thomas Magee’s prides itself on providing every sport, every game, and every fight, plus great beer and whiskey!
For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visitwww.salitapromotions.com. Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar is located at 1408 E Fisher Service Drive in Detroit. For more information, call 313-263-4342 or visit their official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ThomasMageesSportingHouseWhiskeyBar
On fight night, doors open at 6:30 pm and the fights begin at 7:15 pm.

Andy Ruiz to Face Josh Gormley in Main Event of Salita Promotions’ next ‘Detroit Brawl’ on Saturday, July 16, at Masonic Temple

HEAVYWEIGHT SLUGFEST IN MOTOWN:

An intriguing heavyweight showdown will go down on Saturday, July 16, as WBO #5-, IBF #5-, and WBC #7-rated and current NABF heavyweight champion Andy “The Destroyer from Mexicali” Ruiz (27-0, 18 KOs) has agreed to face comebacking KO artist Joshua “Josh Dempsey” Gormley (22-4, 21 KOs) in his next ring appearance.
Sponsored by Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar, tickets for “Detroit Brawl” will be priced at VIP $123, Box Seats $100, Ringside $93, Reserved $63 and $38, and Balcony $28, and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and Tickmaster.com.
26-year-old Ruiz, from Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, will face the determined and upset-minded 41-year-old Gormley, from Torrance in a non-title fight in the 10-round main event of Salita Promotions’ next “Detroit Brawl” installment at the Masonic Temple in Downtown Detroit.
Ruiz has made four successful defenses of his NABF Championship. Before that, he held the WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship and made an additional three successful defenses before relinquishing. In his last in-ring appearance, he stopped former world title challenger Ray Austin in the fourth round on May 14 in Studio City, California.
Gormley, who bills himself as a distant relative of former champ Jack Dempsey, reportedly trains with Dino Spencer and Luis “Chiro” Perez at the 5th St. Gym in Miami, Florida. He is on a three-fight KO streak since coming back from a 16-year layoff in late 2015. Despite having had no amateur boxing career, Dempsey fought his way to up-and-comer status in the late 90s and was a fan favorite. He also worked with former champion Lennox Lewis as a sparring partner. Gormley is a former California State Wrestling Champion and MMA fighter and the older brother of UFC fighter Chase Gormley.
Giving the “Detroit Brawl” crowd its usual international flavor will be welterweights Giorgi Gelashvili (4-0, 2 KOs) Brooklyn via Georgia and Serdar Hadurbadyev (2-0, 2 KOs) of Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan in separate six-round bouts.
Also, making his long-awaited four-round pro debut that night will be “Southpaw Prince” Gheith Karim, a three-time national amateur champion from Dearborn, Michigan. A product of the Kronk Gym, Karim was being touted as a future star by legendary Kronk founder Emanuel Steward since the age of 11. He will compete as a junior middleweight.
Also scheduled for action that night are crowd-favorite Detroit prospects including cruiserweight Demetrius Banks (7-0, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder; middleweight Dorell Van Horn Jr (9-0, 6 KOs) in a six-rounder; as well as promising Detroit bantamweight Jarico O’Quinn (1-0, 1 KO); super bantamweight Zach Shamoun (3-0-1, 3 KOs) of Bloomfield Hills Michigan; and cruiserweight Clarence Dubose (3-0, 3 KOs) of Eastpointe, Michigan, in separate four-rounders.
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Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar offers patrons an old-school sports and whiskey bar in Downtown Detroit’s Eastern Market district. Thomas Magee’s prides itself on providing every sport, every game, and every fight, plus great beer and whiskey!
For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visitwww.salitapromotions.com. Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar is located at 1408 E Fisher Service Drive in Detroit. For more information, call 313-263-4342 or visit their official Facebook page:www.facebook.com/ThomasMageesSportingHouseWhiskeyBar

On fight night, doors open at 6:30 pm and the fights begin at 7:15 pm.

SALITA AND LOCAL FIGHTERS TO JOIN CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION FORGOTTEN HARVEST TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD TO DETROIT’S UNDERPRIVILEGED

 

On the morning of Tuesday, May 10, promoter Dmitriy Salita will continue his mission to mix the revival of Detroit boxing with a strong social conscience.
From 9-12 am, Salita and several fighters from his upcoming “Detroit Brawl” event, will help the Forgotten Harvest organization pass out food to deserving families at New Bethel Baptist Church, located at 8430 C L Franklin Drive (aka Linwood St) in Detroit.
The group of local fighters joining Salita includes main event participant Demetrius Banks, co-main event fighter James Gordon Smith, as well as James Ballard and Darrell Van Horn.
Scheduled for Saturday, May 14, at the Masonic Temple in Downtown Detroit, “Detroit Brawl” will feature Banks (6-0, 4 KOs) in the six-round cruiserweight main event against Bronx-based cruiserweight Emilio Salas (5-1-1, 3 KOs), as well as Smith (9-0, 6 KOs) in the six-round co-main event against Mexico’s Pablo Cupul (8-19, 5 KOs). Ballard (6-0, 3 KOs) will face Chicago’s Edgar Perez (6-18, 3 KOs) in a six-round super middleweight scrap, while middleweight Van Horn (8-0, 5 KOs) will go against Torreon, Mexico’s Francisco Reza (13-17, 10 KOs) in a four-rounder.
Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” are on sale now and are priced at $28, $38, $63, $93, $100 and $123. They are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000or by visiting the Masonic Temple box office.
Forgotten Harvest is dedicated to relieving hunger in metro Detroit and preventing nutritious food waste. Established in 1990, Forgotten Harvest now has 280 recipient agencies in its network, including emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless and domestic shelters, children’s homes, senior centers and group homes.
Servicing Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, Forgotten Harvest’s small and dedicated professional staff cover 2,000-square miles per day, bringing relief to 800 locations.
In other “Detroit Brawl” action, Lansing junior middleweight Antonio Urista (7-1, 2 KOs) will face Greenwood, Indiana’s Pablo Sanchez (7-1, 5 KOs) in a four-round bout. Russian cruiserweight Alexey Zubov (10-1, 6 KOs) will look to bounce back from his first career loss by taking on the capable Ernest Reyna (8-3, 4 KOs) of Corpus Christi, Texas, in a six-rounder. And in four-round welterweight bout between undefeated fighters, Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan’s Serdar Hudayberdiyev (1-0, 1 KO) will face Marco Russell (1-0-1) of Henderson, Nevada. East Pointe, Michigan, cruiserweight Clarence Dubose (2-0, 2 KOs) will battle fellow Michigander Karinn Davis (2-6, 2 KOs) of Jackson in a four-round battle; and Brooklyn via Georgia super lightweight Giorgi Gelashvili (3-0, 2 KOs) will face Jackson, Michigan’s Alfred Hall (4-11-2, 2 KOs) in a four-round bout.

On fight night, doors open at 6:30 pm and the first fight is at 7:15 pm. The Masonic Temple is located at 500 Temple Street in Detroit. All bouts subject to change.

 
###
Salita is also proud to announce that Detroit’s premier casino has once-again agreed to sponsor, along with some new local businesses including Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar and its proprietor, Erik Olson.
Your downtown playground, Greektown Casino Hotel is consistently voted Detroit’s Best Casino. Located right in the hub of the historic Greektown district it’s impossible to be any closer to the action. No matter what you want to play, Greektown Casino Hotel has your non-stop gaming action. From the newest slots and table games to live poker, Greektown Casino Hotel has 100,000 square feet of exciting, action-packed choices and so many thrilling ways to win!
Greektown Casino Hotel features a 30-story hotel with 400 stunning guestrooms and suites devoted to your comfort. And for your culinary needs, you can savor eclectic cuisine at one of their outstanding restaurants: Prism, Bistro 555 and The Market District.
For your special event or corporate gathering, Greektown Casino Hotel offers impeccable service in addition to a variety of exceptional spaces to help make your event an unforgettable experience.
Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar offers patrons an old-school sports and whiskey bar in Downtown Detroit’s Eastern Market district. Thomas Magee’s prides itself on providing every sport, every game, and every fight, plus great beer and whiskey!
For event information, visit themasonic.com and SalitaPromotions.com. On fight night, doors open at 6:30.
For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visitwww.salitapromotions.com. The Greektown Casino Hotel is located at 555 E Lafayette Street in Detroit. For more information, visit them online atgreektowncasino.com. Twitter: @GreektownCasino.

Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar is located at 1408 E Fisher Service Drive in Detroit. For more information, call 313-263-4342 or visit their official Facebook
page: www.facebook.com/ThomasMageesSportingHouseWhiskeyBar

FIGHTING OUT OF KRONK GYM, BANKS SEES SOUTHPAW OPPONENT SALAS AS NOTHING NEW

Given the number of world-class southpaws he’s been in with at the world-famous Kronk Gym in Detroit, undefeated Motown-based cruiserweight Demetrius Banks (6-0, 4 KOs) says he’s not at all concerned about facing Puerto Rican New Yorker Emilio Salas (5-1-1, 3 KOs).
The pair will meet on Saturday, May 14, at the Masonic Temple in Downtown Detroit, in the six-round main event of Salita Promotions’ “Detroit Brawl,” event. In the six-round co-main event Detroit’s undefeated bantamweight James Gordon Smith (9-0, 6 KOs) and Mexico’s Pablo Cupul (8-19, 5 KOs).
Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” are on sale now and are priced at $28, $38, $63, $93, $100 and $123. They are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.comby calling 800-745-3000or by visiting the Masonic Temple box office.
“Because my experience, fighting a southpaw is not much of an adjustment,” said Banks during a break in training. “Being at Kronk, I’ve boxed world-class southpaws like (former WBO Middleweight Champion) Andy Lee and (current WBC Light Heavyweight Champion) Adonis Stevenson to name a few. It’s not a big deal for me. I fought so many southpaws, in the beginning of my career, it was more difficult to box a right hander.”
Banks, a former football star and a committed mentor to Detroit’s youth, says that despite it being his first main event, he’s not feeling any extra pressure. “The way I look at it, it’s just another day. I don’t let the situation overwhelm me. I guess after the fight is over I’ll exhale and soak it all in. As of right now I’m ready to go to war. It doesn’t bother me what order we fight in.”
Of opponent Salas, Banks says he’s not expecting any surprises.
“I didn’t’ need to see much of him to know what I’m getting. I probably watched part of a round and he’s what I would expect. I saw things in him I can exploit. I also know he’s on a five-fight win streak. He’s 6′ 3″ tall, out of the Bronx and he’s a southpaw. I guess he’s coming to win, but I can’t let this guy take food off my plate.”
Banks says he’s aware that at age 35, there is no time to waste and he is working hard at Kronk with head coach Javan Hill and assistant trainer Richard Phillips, knowing that this fight is critical if he is to ever rise to contender status.
“This fight presents a big opportunity for me, especially with Dmitriy doing so many big things in boxing. If I win this fight, it gives me the opportunity to sign with him. I feel like I need to hurry. Because of my age, I have a smaller window of opportunity and I understand it. This is an opportunity for me to step it up and get things going.”
So how does he see things going against Salas?
“I definitely see a fight in my mind before it happens. I always visualize them beforehand. I see the things I don’t want to happen, the things that can’t happen and things I want to do. He’s going to come out and try to show he’s tough and come to fight and win. He’s not me though. He’s not fleet-footed or as slick as me. I’ll trick him and touch him to his body. That will give me a lot of target. I will break him down from the body up.
On the Detroit Brawl undercard, Lansing junior middleweight Antonio Urista (7-1, 2 KOs) will face Greenwood, Indiana’s Pablo Sanchez (7-1, 5 KOs) in a four-round bout. In addition, Russian cruiserweight Alexey Zubov (10-1, 6 KOs) will look to bounce back from his first career loss by taking on the capable Ernest Reyna (8-3, 4 KOs) of Corpus Christi, Texas, in a six-rounder. And in four-round welterweight bout between undefeated fighters, Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan’s Serdar Hudayberdiyev (1-0, 1 KO) will face Marco Russell (1-0-1) of Henderson, Nevada.
In a six-round super middleweight scrap, Detroit’s super middleweight James Ballard (6-0, 3 KOs) will face Chicago’s Edgar Perez (6-18, 3 KOs); Detroit middleweight Darrell Van Horn (8-0, 5 KOs) will go against Torreon, Mexico’s Francisco Reza (13-17, 10 KOs) in a four-rounder; East Pointe, Michigan, cruiserweight Clarence Dubose (2-0, 2 KOs) will battle fellow Michigander Karinn Davis (2-6, 2 KOs) of Jackson in a four-round battle; and Brooklyn via Georgia super lightweight Giorgi Gelashvili (3-0, 2 KOs) will face Jackson, Michigan’s Alfred Hall (4-11-2, 2 KOs) in a four-round bout.
On fight night, doors open at 6:30 pm and the first fight is at 7:15 pm. The Masonic Temple is located at 500 Temple Street in Detroit. All bouts subject to change.
 
###
Salita is also proud to announce that Detroit’s premier casino has once-again agreed to sponsor, along with some new local businesses including Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar and its proprietor, Erik Olson.
Your downtown playground, Greektown Casino Hotel is consistently voted Detroit’s Best Casino. Located right in the hub of the historic Greektown district it’s impossible to be any closer to the action. No matter what you want to play, Greektown Casino Hotel has your non-stop gaming action. From the newest slots and table games to live poker, Greektown Casino Hotel has 100,000 square feet of exciting, action-packed choices and so many thrilling ways to win!
Greektown Casino Hotel features a 30-story hotel with 400 stunning guestrooms and suites devoted to your comfort. And for your culinary needs, you can savor eclectic cuisine at one of their outstanding restaurants: Prism, Bistro 555 and The Market District.
For your special event or corporate gathering, Greektown Casino Hotel offers impeccable service in addition to a variety of exceptional spaces to help make your event an unforgettable experience.
Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar offers patrons an old-school sports and whiskey bar in Downtown Detroit’s Eastern Market district. Thomas Magee’s prides itself on providing every sport, every game, and every fight, plus great beer and whiskey!
For event information, visit themasonic.com and SalitaPromotions.com. On fight night, doors open at 6:30.
For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visitwww.salitapromotions.com. The Greektown Casino Hotel is located at 555 E Lafayette Street in Detroit. For more information, visit them online atgreektowncasino.com. Twitter: @GreektownCasino.

Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar is located at 1408 E Fisher Service Drive in Detroit. For more information, call 313-263-4342 or visit their official Facebook
page: www.facebook.com/ThomasMageesSportingHouseWhiskeyBar

NIKOLAY POTAPOV & STEPHON YOUNG FIGHT TO A DRAW, MASON MENARD STEALS THE SHOW WITH HIGHLIGHT-REEL KO ONSHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION


VIDEO: Menard Knocks Out Previously Unbeaten Eudy Bernardo: http://s.sho.com/1NtEYjW

 

Catch The Replay Tuesday, April 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME®

 

Click HERE To Download Photos

Photo Credit: Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME®

 

VERONA, N.Y. (April 15, 2016) –  Undefeated bantamweight prospects Nikolay Potapov and Stephon Young fought to a majority draw in theShoBox: The New Generation main event Friday on SHOWTIME from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

 

The bout was scored 96-94 Potapov and 95-95 twice.

 

Potapov and Young were facing their toughest opponents in each other.  Potapov (14-0-1, 6 KOs) controlled the pace early with his jab and was the more active fighter, throwing nearly double the punches that Young threw.   Young picked up steam and gained confidence in the middle rounds and was at his best when he pressed the action and let his hands go.  But the Russian Potapov, who had gone at least 10 rounds in his last six fights, was clearly more comfortable as the fight progressed.

 

After slowing in the seventh and eighth, Young (14-0-3, 6 KOs) found another gear in an impressive ninth, winning the penultimate round on all the judges’ scorecards.  But, even after urgent instructions from his corner, Young couldn’t carry the momentum into the 10th and lost the final round on all three scorecards.

 

“I am very unhappy with the decision. For every time he hit me, I hit him twice,” said Potapov, who threw 315 jabs compared to just 113 for Young.  “I was the much busier fighter. I don’t know what fight the judges were watching.  At the very most I lost four rounds.

 

“I’ve never had a draw before. I feel cheated from a win. I was very happy to be fighting in America but I now feel cheated.”

 

After the fight, St. Louis native Young was disappointed but knew that he needed to throw more punches.

 

“I feel like it was a good fight, but I should have got the decision,” Young said.  “I hurt him every time I hit him.  I let him be busier than me, but as far as the contact, I feel like I landed the more effective punches.  That was my strategy.

 

“I should have come on a bit sooner. That was my plan, but I got a little relaxed in the fight.  I came on in the ninth round when my coach told me to get him out of there.

 

“I most definitely want a rematch. I would like to do that again.”

 

Once-beaten Louisiana lightweight Mason Menard knocked out previously undefeated Eudy Bernardo with a vicious one-punch KO at2:11 of the third round.  VIDEO: http://s.sho.com/1NtEYjW

 

Facing his toughest opponent to date, Menard floored (31-1, 23 KOs) Bernardo for the first time in his career with a series of rights near the end of the second round.  The Dominican Bernardo beat the count and finished the round, but he had no answer for Menard’s power.  Less than one minute into third, Menard connected with a huge right, knocking Bernardo (21-1, 15 KOs) out before he even hit the canvas.

 

“I made a statement tonight.  Not many people knew who I was going into this, but they know me now,” said Menard, who landed nearly 50 percent of his power shots.  “My speed, power and footwork were the difference.

 

“I said a prayer for him in the middle of the ring that he goes back to his family healthy.”

 

Bernardo, who was removed from the ring on a stretcher as a precautionary measure, was taken to nearby Oneida Healthcare where he was awake and responsive.

 

In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated cruiserweightConstantin Bejenaru handed Alexey Zubov the first loss of his career in a convincing eight-round unanimous decision scored 77-74, 78-73 twice.

 

Save for a flash seventh round knockdown, Bejenaru (11-0, 4 KOs) controlled the fight from the outset.  The Moldova native overcame a four-inch height disadvantage, attacking from different angles and controlling the exchanges on the inside and outside.  Zubov (10-1, 6 KOs) never got into rhythm and failed to capitalize on his reach advantage against the active and athletic southpaw.

 

“He was a good classical boxer, but he’s too straight up and he couldn’t adjust,” Bejenaru said.  “It wasn’t as easy as it looked to beat him. I adjusted my style to do that because I knew it would make him hesitate. I knew if I just constantly attacked him he wouldn’t know what to do.”

 

Zubov and Bernardo are now the 146th and 147th boxers to suffer their first pro loss on the prospect developmental series.

 

Friday’s three-fight telecast will re-air Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND beginning April 16

 

Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughanproducing and Rick Phillips directing.