ABOUT RING OF HOPE: Founded in 2010 by Steve Bolos, Ring of Hope is a non-profit organization that seeks to educate, empower and engage the youth through the fundamentals of boxing. With two gym locations—the South Dallas Club and the Colony Club—Ring of Hope emphasises on leadership development, fitness programs and community outreach while teaching the discipline of boxing. The locations also provide a safe place for youth in the Dallas Fort Worth area to participate in after school boxing programs. Through the sweet science, Ring of Hope’s coaches and volunteers empower youth to become more committed to health, fitness and wellness while also inspiring them to become more engaged in their community.
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UP-AND-COMING FEATHERWEIGHTS TO SQUARE OFF AT NEF 43 IN ORONO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (February 25, 2020) – New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine’s flagship Orono campus. The event, titled “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, with a bell-time of 7 pm EDT. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur featherweight bout to the card. Brandon “BAMF” Maillet-Fevens (3-1) will face Nathaniel Grimard (1-0) at a fight weight of 145 pounds.
Brandon Maillet-Fevens made his amateur debut at “NEF 36” in November 2018, losing via submission in the first round. Since that time, Maillet-Fevens has not looked back. He went on a three-fight win-streak in 2019, finishing all three of his opponents in the process. Most recently, Maillet-Fevens was successful over Tyler Knights (0-1) with a second-round submission at “NEF 41” last November. He currently represents Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) based in Lewiston, ME.
“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to once again get back in the NEF cage,” said Maillet-Fevens. “I think Nathaniel presents some challenges I haven’t had to deal with yet, but we’ve been hard at work improving every aspect of my game and I’m going to be comfortable wherever the fight goes. I’m looking forward to putting on a good fight for the fans and showcasing what CMBJJ is all about!”
Nathaniel Grimard impressed many with his first-round armbar submission of Justin Kangas (0-3) last September at “NEF 40” in what was Grimard’s cage debut. That fight took place within the 155-pound lightweight division. Grimard feels the ten-pound drop to featherweight will further benefit his comfort level in the cage. He represents Nostos MMA of Somersworth, New Hampshire where he trains under UFC veteran and former NEF Professional Lightweight Champion Devin Powell (10-4).
“I’m excited for this opportunity NEF has given me to fight a very game opponent in April,” said Grimard. “I am stepping in the cage more comfortable and prepared this time at a weight class I belong. With both of us having finished our past opponents, I expect Brandon to bring it in April, and I think it’s going to be a great and exciting fight.”
New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at the Collins Center for the Arts at UMaine Orono. Tickets will be on sale this week at www.CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.
About New England Fights
New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.
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GLORY WATSON TO MAKE PROFESSIONAL FIGHT DEBUT AT NEF 43 IN ORONO
Orono, Maine (February 24, 2020) – New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine’s flagship Orono campus. The event, titled “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, with a bell-time of 7 pm EDT. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional women’s strawweight bout to the card. Glory “The Fury” Watson (0-0) is scheduled to make her professional debut against Grace Nowak (0-2) at a fight weight of 115 pounds.
Glory Watson put together a stellar amateur record of 6-1 over the course of a mere 17 months, thereby becoming one of the hottest prospects in New England MMA. During that run, she captured the NEF Amateur Women’s Flyweight Title with a split decision win over Caree Hill (6-2) last summer at “NEF 39.” Watson’s sole loss came against an extremely tough Cara Greenwell (10-4) this past November. Watson took off NEF’s February event in Portland, Maine in order to prepare for her professional debut this spring. She is a member of Young’s MMA based in Bangor, Maine.
“I am beyond ecstatic to announce my debut into the professional rankings of the WMMA world,” said Glory Watson. “Many thanks to (NEF co-owners) Matt Peterson and Nick DiSalvo with New England Fights for putting on a show that allows me to progress my career with a very game opponent. I look forward to this big step in my journey and stepping into the cage once again!”
Grace Nowak is a longtime veteran of the MMA cage in the northeastern United States, having made her amateur debut back in 2010. Throughout her career, Nowak has fought regularly in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. Nowak represents Behring Jiu-Jitsu based in Watertown, New York. The April 18 event will not only be the first time Nowak has fought in Maine, but also the first time she has visited the Pine Tree State.
“I’ve never been to Maine before so what better way to experience a new place,” said Nowak when reached for comment. “I’m very excited to fight for NEF, and I’m looking forward to April 18.”
New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at the Collins Center for the Arts at UMaine Orono. Tickets will be on sale this week at www.CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.
About New England Fights
New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.
Wilder vs. Fury the rematch In-Depth Preview and Analysis
By: Tony Penecale
The Heavyweight Championship has always been the most noteworthy prize in the sport. Over the last few years, the interest in the fistic giants has dwindled. That has changed with the exciting power of Deontay Wilder and the charismatic showmanship of Tyson Fury.
With their first encounter ending in a controversial draw, they find themselves sharing the ring again. Both men with undefeated records and only a single draw (against each other) on their ledger.
The big men are taking center stage for the undisputed prize. “The Bronze Bomber” and “The Gypsy King”…. Who will reign supreme?
AGE, RECORD, AND STATS
Wilder: Age: 34 years old
Record: 42-0-1 (41 Knockouts)
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 219 * * Weight for last bout (11-23-19)
Reach: 83”
Fury: Age: 31 years old
Record: 29-0-1 (20 Knockouts)
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 254 * * Weight for last bout (9-14-19)
Reach: 85”
RING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Wilder:
WBC Heavyweight Champion (’15-Pres)
Fury:
WBA Heavyweight Champion (’15-‘16)
WBO Heavyweight Champion (’15-‘16)
IBF Heavyweight Champion (’15-‘16)
IBO Heavyweight Champion (’15-‘16)
Lineal Heavyweight Champion (’15-Pres)
STYLE
Wilder:
A wild-swinging, often-sloppy fighter with long arms and fight-changing power in both fists, Wilder likes to set the range with his lead hand and follow it with a variety of power punches. He carries his power late into his fights and is capable of scoring a knockout at any time.
Fury:
A confident, self-assured, and sometimes cocky fighter, Fury has nimble moves and quickness for such a large fighter. He combines good footwork with upper-body movement and ability to box either orthodox or southpaw, keeping opponents off-balance and setting up his own offensive attack.
THEIR FIRST BOUT
Wilder-Fury I: Fury opened the bout with effective movement, keeping Wilder off balance and unable to land anything significant. Wilder was able to land several hard jabs in the 4th round, trickling blood from Fury’s nose. Fury spent time in the mid rounds as a southpaw and found success. Wilder scored a knockdown in the 9th round but his follow-up attack left him fatigued, allowed Fury to regain the momentum through the 11th round. The memorable 12th round saw Wilder break through and land a right hand and left hook combination. Fury fell hard to the canvas, flat on his back. He amazingly rose at the count of 9 and was outlanding Wilder as the final round concluded. Alejandro Rochin scored 115-111 Wilder, Robert Tapper scored 114-112 Fury, and Phil Edwards scored 113-113.
STRENGTHS
Wilder:
* Power – The detonation at the end of Wilder’s fists, primarily is right hand, is of nuclear proportions. While his left hand carries substantial pop in it, it is Wilder’s right hand that is seen as maybe the most devastating punch in boxing today. He can end fights by landing his right hand straight down the middle, arcing it over the top, or splitting the guard as an uppercut.
* Conditioning – Early in his career, when he was ending all of his fights within a few rounds, there were question marks if Wilder would fade in the later rounds. He has proven that he can fight equally as hard in the late rounds and capable of a knockout until the final bell.
* Athleticism – Wilder combines a rare blend of size, speed, power, and athletic ability where is easy to imagine him being dominant in any type of athletic environment.
Fury:
* Movement – For a man with the size and physique that resembles a silverback, Fury moves with the grace and agility of a ballet dancer. He is light on his feet and possesses shifty upperbody movement that is uncanny for someone so large.
* Confidence – Fury is supremely confident in himself and believes in his ability. He shows little or no fear in the ring. His self-assured charismatic nature gives him a psychological advantage.
* Resilient – Whether it was climbing off the canvas against Wilder, overcoming a horrific cut against Wallin, or battling against depression and substance abuse, Fury has shown a toughness and resiliency that are to be admired.
WEAKNESSES
Wilder:
* Sloppy – Wilder shows so much faith in his power that he is frequently wild and sloppy with his punches and footwork. He often times looks very amateurish in the ring.
* Trouble With Boxers – Fighters who use good movement and boxing ability trouble Wilder. He struggles setting his feet and is often a step behind. He was trailing Luis Ortiz in both fights and was outclassed for most of his first fight with Fury.
* Chin – The few times that Wilder was seriously chin-checked, he showed some flaws in his durability. Ortiz had him badly hurt and close to a knockout loss.
Fury:
* Distractions – Fury is loving his new-found fame and talking WWE and MMA. He split with his trainer Ben Davidson and is calling his own shots. Fury also has spells in the ring where he loses focus and he has found himself on the canvas more than once during a lapse in concentration.
* Personal Life – It is well-documented Fury’s past personal demons with depression and substance abuse, along with a weight gain to over 400 lbs. While his triumphs over those demons is admirable, the lasting physical effects cannot be denied.
* Skin– It’s only been five months since Fury suffered a terrible gash over his right eye against Otto Wallin, requiring 47 stitches. While doctors have deemed the cut sufficiently healed, his tender skin could reopen at the most inopportune time.
PREVIOUS BOUT
Wilder: (11/23/19) – Wilder again scored a come-from-behind knockout against Luis Oritz. After being outboxed for the majority of the first six rounds, Wilder set his range against a tiring Ortiz and landed a pulverizing right hand which resulted in a one-punch knockout.
Fury:
(9/14/19) – Fury survived a bloody contest with the undefeated but unknown Otto Wallin. Fury suffered a cut over his right eye in the 3rd round and the blood clearly affected his vision. Despite the impairment, Fury still controlled the action and hurt Wallin several times en route to a decision victory.
3 BEST PERFORMANCES
Wilder:
* Artur Szpilka (1/16/16) – After falling behind early, Wilder took over in the 4th round and started to settle down and control the action. A single right hand in the 9th round sent Szpilka down and unconscious, the 2016 Knockout of the Year.
* Bermane Stiverne (1/17/15) – Wilder answered questions about his stamina by going the full 12 rounds for the first time in his career and capturing the WBC title in the process. Wilder utilized his long jab and kept Stiverne at bay with his underrated skillset.
* Luis Ortiz (3/3/18) – Wilder survived some scary moments against the oft-avoided Cuban veteran before prevailing by 10th round knockout. Wilder was troubled by Ortiz’s boxing skills early before knocking him down in the 5th round. An Ortiz rally in the 7th had Wilder seriously hurt but Wilder was able to regroup and score the knockout a few rounds later.
Fury:
* Wladimir Klitschko (11/25/15) – Fury went into Klitschko’s backyard and wrested the unified and lineal heavyweight championships via unanimous decision. While the bout was a cautious affair, Fury was able to outwork Klitschko with superior footwork, movement, and a higher punch output.
* Derek Chisora (11/29/14) – Fury dominated the rematch with his British rival, boxing from a distance, switching between orthodox and southpaw, and punishing his adversary until the corner stopped the fight after 10 one-sided rounds.
* Deontay Wilder (12/1/18) – With the exception of two knockdowns and some curious judging, Fury was in control for most of the bout. He avoided Wilder’s punches and landed effective counters, making Wilder looked confused and off-balance in the process.
KEYS TO VICTORY
Wilder:
* Utilize his jab and negate Fury’s awkward style
* Keep his power punches short and compact
* Don’t get mesmerized by Fury’s upperbody movement
Fury:
* Change the pace and keep Wilder guessing
* Use lateral movement to keep Wilder from setting his feet
* Do not get cocky against the ropes
QUESTIONS
Wilder:
* Can Wilder handle Fury’s unorthodox movement?
* Will Wilder employ a better gameplan?
* Will Wilder become frustrated?
Fury:
* Will Fury try too hard for the knockout?
* Is Fury totally focused on boxing?
* Is his cut eye susceptible to reinjury?
PENECALE PREDICTION
Both combatants are exceptional showmen and their respective ring entrances will have the crowd abuzz. The electricity will be at a fever pitch at the opening bell. With their familiarity, there will be less of a feeling out process than their first encounter. Fury will be on his toes moving forward and Wilder will try to time his advances and land counter punches. At the end of the 1st round, Fury will taunt Wilder and there will be an exchange of words.
Fury’s constant movement and single punches will trouble Wilder as his counter punches will find mostly empty air. The following rounds will be an exciting game of cat and mouse with the smaller Wilder in the role of the cat, futility trying to corner the larger Wilder.
Wilder will find success with his jab in the 6th and 7th rounds and a looping right hand will catch Fury on top of the head, knocking him off balance to the canvas. Fury will rise, wink at his corner, and come bouncing back into action. The excitement will have Wilder swinging wildly and falling to the canvas himself after missing overexaggerated right hand.
With Wilder seemingly arm-weary from his punch output the previous round, Fury will turn southpaw and land several hard right hands, then bounce out of range of any counter punches.
Fury’s movement and higher workrate will carry the action through the championship rounds, leading him again to an apparent lead going into the final round.
The decision this time will be unanimous with Dave Moretti and Glenn Feldman both scoring 115-112 and Steve Weisfeld a shade closer at 114-113, all in favor of “The Gypsy King” Tyson Fury.
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From East LA to Team USA Flyweight boxer Anthony Herrera is living the dream
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (February 20, 2020) – From the mean streets of East Los Angeles to a berth on Team USA is a remarkable achievement for 19-year-old flyweight Anthony Herrera, who recently was selected to be a member of the 2020 Olympic Games Tokyo Boxing Qualification Team.
“Since I was very young,” Herrera spoke about growing up in East LA, “my parents always kept me in sports. Being so occupied with sports was actually a distraction from what was going on around the city. So, I never had time to get into trouble and my parents kept me away from a bad lifestyle. Once I started boxing, I took it seriously, staying focused and setting goals. I was a little older at that time and whether or not I wanted to partake in boxing or wanted to make a career out of it was all up to me, and I always had my parents full support. Boxing has been a big part of my life. I’m always looking forward to the next workout or anything boxing related. It’s part of my image at this point.”
For now, though, Herrera is preparing with his teammates at the United States Olympics and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for the America’s Qualification Tournament, March 26-April 3, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Herrera will qualify to represent his country at the Olympics by finishing among the top five in Buenos Aires, or first six placers at the World Qualifier, May 13-14, in Paris, France.
“I thrive under pressure,” Herrera said. “I don’t let pressure get to me mentally so much that it negatively impacts my performance. It makes me perform better when I’m in the ring. I’ve been under pressure my whole boxing career. Not only has it made me a better fighter in certain situations that are intimidating, but also a stronger person overall. Going to Argentina is no different, the nerves are still there, but so is my determination to get to Tokyo.”
A 2018 National PAL and 2019 Western Elite Qualifier champion, Herrera recently finished second at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and third at the 2020 Strandja Tournament in Bulgaria.
“The amateur boxing accomplishment I’m most proud of is making the United States Qualification Team as a flyweight,” he noted. “It was tough to make it here and knowing that I overcame the obstacles I faced on this long journey to where I’m at now makes me very happy. I can truly say I earned it.
“My first International boxing match (Strandja) was a little different from what I’m used to. The equipment we used and fighting without headgear created more risk when fighting, but I had fun in my first international fight. I already have the feel for that environment and am more comfortable now.
“I really enjoy training in Colorado Springs with my teammates, because it’s a great experience that only the best athletes get. I love training at home as well, but there are less distractions in Colorado Springs. I get to focus 100-percent on my craft and get to travel more.”
Herrera, who describes his style as a “swarmer”, applying pressure and breaking down his opponent, is living the dream.
“Fighting in the Olympics was always big for me, but getting a gold medal is my dream,” he added. “I’ve always wanted it because no one can ever take that away from me, and the story and work that is put behind a gold medal is priceless. In my opinion it is harder than winning a world title in professional boxing. Being this close to the Olympics, I’m proud of myself but not satisfied. I know that I still have work to do and I’m taking one step at a time. The next step for me is to qualify for the Olympics at the Olympic Qualifier.”
Herrera attributes some of his success to learning from former and contemporary boxers, implementing any techniques that they use into his style, including, for example, the footwork and head movement of Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., and Mike Tyson’s set-ups from the body to head.
Tokyo is a long way from East LA for Anthony Herrera.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
ABOUT USA BOXING: To promote and grow Olympic-style amateur boxing in the United States and to inspire the tireless pursuit of Olympic gold and enable athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence. Additionally, USA Boxing endeavors to teach all participants the character, confidence and focus they need to become resilient and diverse champions, both in and out of the ring. USA Boxing is one team, one nation, going for gold!
Kendo “Tremendo” Castaneda Training Camp Notes
Feb. 28th in Florida showdown vs. unbeaten
NABO champion Yomar “The Magic” Alamo
LAS VEGAS (February 20, 2020) – Undefeated super lightweight Kendo “Tremendo” Castaneda (17-0, 8 KOs) has been in training camp since the beginning of this year in Boxers & Brawlers gym in his San Antonio hometown to prepare for his February 28th fight against North American Boxing Organization (NABO) champion Yomar “The Magic” Alamo (17-0-1, 12 KOs) airing live on Boxeo Telemundo, starting at 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT, from Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida.
Alamo vs. Castaneda is co-promoted by All-Star Boxing, which promotes Alamo and the event, and Castaneda’s promoter, Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions.
“This is the biggest fight of Kendo’s career to date,” CEO & Co-Founder Keith Veltre said. “He is the type fighter who doesn’t back down from anyone and knows what it takes to get the win. Kendo trains hard and we are fully confident that he will come home with the win.”
The 26-year-old Castaneda, who is ranked No. 15 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), will take on WBO No. 8-rated Alamo, the defending NABO super lightweight champion, in the 10-round main event.
Castaneda captured the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) crown a year ago, taking a 10-round decision from previously undefeated Gilbert Venegas, Jr. (10-0), and followed that with an impressive 10-round unanimous decision over Dominican veteran Eudy Berbardo (24-3).
Last October in Reno, Nevada, Castaneda stopped Stan Martyniouk (20-3) in the sixth round, after which he was installed by the World Boxing Organization as its No. 15 rated super lightweight in the world.
WBO No. 8 ranked Alamo, fighting out of Puerto Rico, is coming off the lone blemish on either fighter’s pro record, a draw with Antonio Moran (24-4-1).
Alamo, 24, is the former World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth World and FECARBOX super lightweight champion, who has made three successful NABO title defenses.
Training Camp Notes
(quotes from Kendo Castaneda)
Training Camp: “Everything here has been good. I’m ready to rock and get back in the ring. I’ll have no trouble making weight for this fight. My sparring partners are local guys, some pros, and other amateurs. I like helping up-and-coming fighters who want to turn pro. They have natural speed at 18, 19 years old, but their strength hasn’t fully developed, yet. They learn and I get good work. My No. 1 sparring partner, Limon, has had more than 100 amateur fights. His style is similar to Alamo’s. He’s tall and lengthy, but not as powerful as Alamo. He throws great jabs and boxes well, which will help me when I fight Alamo.
Yomar Alamo: “He fights off his back foot a lot. He likes to box and is a good counter-puncher.
He’s undefeated but who knows how he wants to fight? I like razzle-dazzle and I’ll quickly learn what I’m in for.”
Fighting in Alamo’s backyard: “I’m not concerned about that at all. My first fight with RJJ Boxing was in Las Vegas against a local fighter, Chuy Gutierrez, and I won that fight. I don’t mind fighting in my opponent’s backyard and I’m getting used to it. My last fight was in Reno against a California fighter, who lived a lot closer to Reno than I do in San Antonio. And I fought a local fighter in New Hampshire, when I had a bare-knuckle fight.”
How do you envision this fight going: “Alamo will go into the fight thinking it’s going to be a boxing match, almost like an exhibition starting the fight. But I’m going to go in strong, like a street fight, banging him around. I’ll catch him with some surprises, throwing hard blows. In the third or fourth round, I’ll start boxing more. Then it’s going to be too much for him, and I’ll take him out in the eighth or ninth round.”
Bout importance: “I think I’ll possibly get a world championship eliminator fight with an impressive victory. I’m a rare, old-fashioned boxer.”
Prediction: “The referee will be announcing, ‘And the new NABO champion…..’”
INFORMATION:
Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com
Twitter: @RoyjonesJRfa, @RoyJonesJrOfficial, @KeithVeltre, @KendoTremendo
Instagram: @RoyJonesJRboxing, @artofmusiclv, @rivalboxinggear, @KeithVeltre
Facebook: /RJJBoxing, /KeithVeltre
ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions has been reinventing boxing. RJJ has already made a huge impact in the boxing community in a few short years. Creating exhilarating content for CBS Sports, Showtime, ESPN and beIN Sports in some of the finest venues across the country, RJJ has proven it is conquering the sweet science of the sport.
Based in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, NV, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable: WBO #6 rated bantamweight Max Ornelas, featherweight Ray Ximenez, WBO #15 rated super lightweight Kendo Castaneda, middleweights John Vera, Connor Coyle and Shady Gamhour, super middleweight Juan Barajas, and heavyweight Alexander Flores.