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Tag Archives: boxing
GH3 Promotions CEO Vito Mielnicki comments on Jerry Odom’s controversial disqualification
Record Knockout Holder Crossed Replaces Injured Veazey January 23
Baltimore, MD (January 11, 2015) – World record knockout holder Sam “Vanilla Gorilla” Crossed is replacing Joey Veazey in the main event of “Slugfest”January 23 at Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, MD.
Veazey was forced to withdraw due to an injury suffered in training.
An exciting heavyweight and former college football player, Crossed set a record by knocking out Adrien Bean in an astonishing four seconds in August 2013. Crossed, a former college football player who continues to improve inside the squared circle, meetsGlen Burnie native Jeff Knight for the East Coast Super Heavyweight Championship.
“Slugfest” is promoted by Baltimore Boxing Promotions and tickets starting at $25 are available at Baltimoreboxing.com or by calling 410-375-9175. VIP seats for $50 and VIP tables of 10 for $500 are also available. All VIP ticketholders get free hors d’oeuvres from 7-8 pm. Doors open at 6:30 and the first bell will sound at 8:15.
Baltimore native Allan Burris of Baltimore faces Lamont White in the co-feature. The two fought in December, with Burris taking home the victory. Like Crossed, Burris trains out of the Baltimore Boxing Gym.
Young phenom Tommy Koe Jr. will appear on the card in a special attraction bout. Koe Jr. is slated to appear in this year’s nationals. Fans will also be treated to a special showdown between Courtney Hartlove and Melissa “Million Dollar Baby” Wilson. Hartlove and Wilson, who both work in the Federal Hill section ofBaltimore, will do battle for local bragging rights.
“While I’m disappointed that Joey Veazey is no longer on the card, I’m very pleased with our new main event,” said Jake Smith, CEO of Baltimore Boxing Promotions and President of the South Atlantic Boxing Amateur Boxing Program. “Fans love heavyweights and Sam Crossed has been creating a buzz around the area since his record-setting knockout. Ticketholders also get to see a future champion in Tommy Koe Jr., a guaranteed slugfest between two popular young ladies, the Burris-White rematch and other locals. Ticket sales have been great and we’re expecting a sellout on the 23rd.”
To help with their continued community efforts throughout the Charm City, Baltimore Boxing is hosting a 50/50 raffle. 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards Baltimore Boxing’s amateur program, which has helped keep kids off the street and in the gym for more than 20 years.
For more information, go to Baltimoreboxing.com
KENNETH SIMS JR. IMPROVES TO 5-0, LOOKS TO HAVE BIG 2015
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (January 11, 2015) – Chicago’s undefeated Jr. Welterweight prospect, Kenneth Sims Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) extended on his winning streak this past Saturday at the Madison Square Garden Theater with a dominating unanimous decision against tough opponent, Christian Steele (4-12, 1 KO).
Sims Jr., who was fighting in is second 6-round bout in only his fifth pro fight, showed why he was a top amateur standout, showcasing advanced boxing skills winning every round convincingly. With each fight Sims Jr. feels he’s improving and wants to have a big 2015.
“I’m enjoying my journey as a professional,” said Kenneth Sims Jr. “I feel I’m getting better every time I step in the ring. There is always room for improvement and I’m going to continue working hard in the gym. Gary Shaw has said there will be many opportunities for me to take my career to the next level in 2015 and I want take full advantage of everything that comes my way. I’m hoping to make a quick return back to the ring.”
“Sims Jr. is progressing nicely as a professional prize fighter,” Gary Shaw said. “I think he’ll graduate to 8-round bouts after one more fight. He seems to be making the 140 lbs weight limit with ease so we’ll keep him at Jr. Welterweight. He’s got the height and reach attributes to give anyone in the division problems. I see him having a big 2015.”
TUREANO JOHNSON WINS WBC SILVER & WBA INTERNATIONAL BELTS
NEW YORK (January 11, 2015) – This past Friday at the Madison Square Garden Theater, Bahamian middleweight contender, Tureano Johnson (18-1, 13 KOs) captured the WBA International and WBC Silver titles, with a bruising victory against Colombian contender Alex Theran (17-2, 2 KOs). Johnson thumped the former Olympian Theran over five rounds, dropping him once in the 4th round, then again in the 5th. Theran, who suffered an injury and could not return for the 6th round, was taking a beating before bowing out of the bout.
Rated WBC #8, WBA #12 and IBF #12, Tureano Johnson is looking to step up and challenge any of the champions in middleweight division. After beating a solid fighter like Theran, and being robbed in the Curtis Stevens fight, Johnson is confident he can beat any of the current champions at 160 lbs.
“I’m ready to fight Gennady Golovkin, Miguel Cotto, Jermain Taylor or any other champion out there,” said Tureano Johnson. These are the type of fights I would like to pursue. David Lemieux is also on my hit list. I’m here to take over the division. Everyone knows I should be undefeated so I’m going to leave no doubt about it every time I step in the ring. I can’t afford to be robbed again. With Gary Shaw putting me in a great position, I’m going to make the most of every opportunity. My goal in 2015 is to become a world champion.”
“Tureano Johnson is marching up the rankings and should be applauded for his fighting style.” said Gary Shaw. “He’s the type of fighter everyone wants to see. I’m going to push hard to get him back on TV, hopefully against a guy like Gennady Golovkin. Johnson is a force in the middleweight division and you will see him in some big fights coming up.”
Melson Mourns the Loss of Bernie Lenahan
New York, NY (January 11, 2015) – Bernie Lenahan was a rare breed by today’s boxing standards. Not only was he dedicated to the sport, spending countless hours at New York’s Mendez Boxing Gym, Lenahan was an honest family man that built special friendships with his fighters.
Having worked with various fighters in the Big Apple, Lenahan learned his craft by spending time around New York’s greats. He guided multiple fighters to New York Golden Gloves titles and played a key role during his four years as Boyd Melson’s assistant trainer and cutman. In multiple fights, Lenahan prevented tides from potentially turning by effectively closing Melson’s cuts between rounds. He was also in the gym guiding Melson as he prepared for battle.
Shockingly, Lenahan passed away last week, leaving behind a wife, daughter, granddaughter, two sisters and a brother.
“I spent more time with Coach Bernie these past four years than any other man on this planet,” said Melson. He made me his. My heart broke when I heard the news, and a part of it will be broken until my time is up in my own body. It wasn’t just because of how he loved me and how much I loved him that this hurts me so much, but it is because when Coach passed, hundreds and hundreds of people lost something very special.”
“Coach Bernie offered an unconditional kindness, acceptance and welcoming that you only find in children. When you see a child, you know that you won’t be judged, and you will be offered love for no other reason beyond that child just wanting to love you. At some time in almost all humans’ lives, we tend to lose this. We stop loving everyone, and we start judging everyone. With Coach though, we felt safe as seeing him put instant smiles on our faces because we always felt loved and welcomed. He made you feel that he truly wanted you there and really cared about you. I wish everyone alive on this planet could have met Coach Bernie to experience that feeling. At the end of every practice for the past three years, I hugged Coach Bernie, kissed him on the side of his forehead, thanked him for training me that day, and said I love you to him. He would smile and quietly say “love you too.” Forever and a day, I thank you Coach for this.”
Donations to the Lenahan family can be made by going to https://www.crowdrise.com/BernieLenahan/fundraiser/jamescoppinger
ESPN “FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS” FROM THE CHUMASH CASINO: POST FIGHT REPORT
DARLEYS PEREZ RETAINS WBA LIGHTWEIGHT INTERIM TITLE
SANTA YNEZ, CALIFORNIA (January 9, 2015) – Tonight at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California, Gary Shaw Productions presented his final show as a promotional company on ESPN “Friday Night Fights”. In the 12-round main event, Darleys Perez (32-1, 20 KOs) won an impressive unanimous decision as he defended his WBA Interim Lightweight Championship against Jonathan Maicelo (21-2, 12 KOs). Perez vs. Maicelo was a promoted in association with Thompson Boxing Promotions.
In the early rounds, Jonathan Maicelo was using lateral movement to set up his punches, but Darleys Perez was timing him every time he jumped in. Maicelo to his demise was going straight back after every combination and Perez was making him pay. As the fight entered the later rounds, Perez had control of the fight and was up on the scorecards. Perez was timing his punches well and landed some very clean shots that had Maicelo off balance. Perez caught Maicelo jumping in and sent him to the canvas in round eleven. In round twelve, Perez closed the show as he landed a plethora of hard shots to close out the round. Maicelo, gave a gallant effort in defeat. Scorecards read 118-109, 118-108, 120-107 in favor of Perez.
“I was prepared for a tough fight,” said Darleys Perez. “Maicelo is an incredible competitor. It took me a few rounds to settle into a rhythm, but once I did, I was able to land whatever I wanted. After a few rounds, I was able to time his movements and connect with a variety of punches. I want to be the best in the lightweight division. That’s what drives me. I put my heart and soul into every fight and I’m going to keep preparing the same way.”
“I did my best tonight but was up against a better man in Darleys Perez.” said Maicelo. “He did a good job of using his reach to keep me off balance. It was very difficult to land my shots. He’s a great champion and I take my hat off to him. I still want to fight and see if I can work my way back to the top. This is not the end of my career. I know I can get back in there and compete at a high level.”
FRANCISCO SANTANA WINS WBA INTERNATIONAL TITLE
In the 10-round co-main event, Santa Barbara’s welterweight contender, Francisco Santana (22-3-1, 11 KOs) didn’t need much time to finish off his opponent, Kendal Mena (20-0, 11 KOs) of the Dominican Republic. While the taller Mena was trying to establish his distance and jab, Santana, the local hero, landed a left hook that dropped him in the begging of the round. As soon as Mena got up off the canvas, Santana landed a right hook, left hook combo that put Mena down for good at the 1:43 mark of round one. With the victory, Santana captures the WBA International Welterweight Championship.
“My trainer had a great game plan going into this fight,” said Francisco Santana. “Once I saw an opening in his defense I knew I could land my left hook. This was great exposure for me and I’m very please I was able to get the knockout on national television. I want to thank Gary Shaw for this opportunity and I look forward to the future with him moving forward with RocNation. I’m ready to challenge any of the top welterweights in the division.”
“Tonight everyone showed up and gave it their best and the fans go to witness a great night of boxing.” said Gary Shaw. “Perez is a very tough fighter and I see him taking over the lightweight division. Santana showed he has what it takes to be something special in the welterweight division and he’ll be in a very big fight in the near future. I’m ready to start the next chapter of my legacy with RocNation and I’m very energized with what the future holds for all my fighters.”
Undercard
6-Round Super-Bantamweight Bout
Roman Morales (19-0, 10 KOs) vs. Ernesto Guerrero (15-14, 10 KOs)
San Andro, California’s undefeated Super-Bantamweight prospect, Roman Morales extending on his winning streak with an impressive 3rd round knockout. After a slow start, Morales landed a left hook to the body in round three dropping Guerrero to the canvas. The referee gave Guerrero the full 10 count and the bout was stopped at the 1:05 mark of the round.
6-Round Heavyweight Bout
Jarrell Miller (11-0-1, 9 KOs) vs. Aaron Kinch (5-4-2, 1 KO)
Brooklyn New York’s Jarrell Miller battered Newark, New Jersey’s Aaron Kinch over six rounds en route to a lopsided unanimous decision. Even though Miller landed a plethora of power shots throughout the fight, Kinch survived, making it to the final bell giving the fans a spirited effort. Scorecards read 60-54 twice and 60-53 in favor of Miller.
6-Round Flyweight Female Attraction
Maria Suarez (8-1-1) vs. Jolene Blackshear (9-5, 4 KOs)
Santa Maria, California’s Maggie Suarez won a close majority decision against a very tough Jolene Blackshear. Suarez used her superior boxing skills to squeak out the victory. Jolene had her moments but it wasn’t enough as Suarez landed at a higher percentage in most of the rounds. Scorecards read 57-57, 58-56 for Maggie
4-Round Welterweight Bout
Manuel Romero (1-2-2) vs. Carlos Gonzalez (1-6)
Santa Maria California’s Manuel Romero made quick work of Carlos Gonzales. Round one was all Romero as he came out guns blazing. In round two, Romero landed a barrage of punches and the referee halted the bout at the 2:16 mark of the round two.
4-Round Jr. Flyweight Female Attraction
Poula Estrada (2-0) vs. Kayana Rain (0-1)
Palmdale, California’s Poula Estrada did enough to pull off a close victory against a game Kayana Rain, who hails from Los Angeles. . The taller Estrada used a good jab and movement to negate the pressure style of Rain. Although Rain landed some good power shots, Estrada landed the cleaner blows throughout the fight. Scorecards read 38-38, 39-37 for Estrada.
BERMANE STIVERNE AND DEONTAY WILDER TALK TRAINING CAMP AND THEIR PLACE IN HEAVYWEIGHT HISTORY BEFORE THEIR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN ON SATURDAY, JAN. 17 AT MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA LIVE ON SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®
LAS VEGAS (Jan 9, 2015) – As we near the epic return of world championship heavyweight action in the United States, WBC Heavyweight World Champion Bermane Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KOs) and unbeaten knockout specialist Deontay Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs) are deep in training camp for their championship showdown on SHOWTIME®.
Tickets for the event are on sale and priced at $500, $350, $250, $125 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are also available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Read below for what the fighters have to say about how training is going, what their place in heavyweight history is and what the fans can expect to see on Jan. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas:
Q: Where have you been training? Who have you been training with? How has training been going?
Bermane Stiverne: I am in Vegas training at the Mayweather Gym. I have had many sparring partners, seven total and they have been alternating since it has been a very long camp. I began training camp in August because we didn’t even know when this fight was going to happen so we had to be ready for any time and we did better than ever. It has been a long, long training camp and I am in the best shape I have ever been in.
I plan to go in the ring between 238 and 242 pounds. We thought about going lower but I am a super heavyweight and that is the weight where I am best.
Deontay Wilder: Camp has been great. It’s been a long hard road but we’re here now. I had my whole team which was excellent — Jay Deas, Mark Breland, Russ Anber, Cuz Hill and my strength coach Peter Khoury, so it couldn’t have been any better.
Q: How do you feel about fighting on the big stage as the main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena?
BS: Fighting at the MGM Grand is a dream come true. I have been dreaming of becoming a champion my whole life. When I think of the MGM I think of all the history and I want to write a new chapter.
DW: I’m super excited about fighting on the big stage. The bigger the better! The more attention and people watching, the more I like it. We’ve been working towards this for a long time, and I am glad we have gotten to this level.
Q: If you could meet any heavyweight champ who would it be? Is there a heavyweight that you would say you emulate?
BS: Muhammad – he was the greatest, he called himself “The Greatest” before he even knew he was The Greatest. He worked hard every single day to fulfill it and that is what I do. No corners cut.
DW: I’ve never patterned myself after any other heavyweight, but if I could meet one from the past it would be Joe Louis. He’s part of my nickname. He was the ‘Brown Bomber’ and since I’m from Alabama like he was and I won the Bronze medal at the Olympics, I’m the ‘Bronze Bomber.’
Q: How do you feel about being in the biggest heavyweight title fight in the United States in a decade?
BS: The Heavyweight Champion is what it’s all about. It’s the King of the Jungle. It is the Champion of all the Champions. I am happy to bring it back. Boxing is alive and well.
DW: It’s time for the heavyweight division to be important again and I’m the guy to do it, so I can’t wait.
Q: Which heavyweights inspired you or did you admire on your climb to this point?
BS: Iron Mike Tyson and James Toney – I really admire the way they fought. I loved Iron Mike’s explosiveness and speed and his fast hands. Tyson could hurt you with any punch at any angle and that is my forte. When I hit somebody, I see it in their eyes and their legs and I feel their pain.
DW: My daughter is my inspiration. I always admired guys like Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes though.
Q: Is there any extra motivation fighting for the WBC title that has been held by so many of the greatest including Muhammad Ali?
BS: The WBC heavyweight belt has been held by many great champions. It’s the biggest prize out there.
DW: A lot of great champions have held the WBC title belt, so it’s the big one and I’m honored and excited to be fighting for it.
Q: How important is it for you to represent your home country in this fight? Do you feel any additional pressure because of it?
BS: I am blessed to have been born in Haiti and lived in Quebec, Canada and now Las Vegas and I like to think of myself as an inspiration to kids in Haiti that have suffered so much – just like me. I want them to know that if they work hard they can achieve their dreams.
DW: Like I said, I am honored and excited. A lot of greats have held the belt and I am ready to make history and be one of the greats. Representing the U.S. in a heavyweight fight, bringing it back home, it’s an honor.
Q: What do you think of your opponent, does anything he does concern you?
BS: I think Wilder is a clown. Wilder thinks this is the WWE. He acts like it’s the WWE. This is for real. It is going to hurt very bad.
DW: I have no thoughts about Bermane Stiverne. I’m just ready to fight and leave it all out in the ring.
Q: What should the fans expect on Jan. 17? Do you have a prediction?
BS: On Jan. 17 I will hurt Wilder and I will knock him out and it will be a lasting image in peoples’ minds for a very long time.
DW: Fans should expect a great night of boxing and everyone will see Jan. 17. -. Be there or tune in on TV if you can’t. You don’t want to miss it!
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SHOWTIME Sports® will present ALL ACCESS: STIVERNE VS. WILDER tonight,Friday, Jan. 9 at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.
“RETURN TO GLORY”: STIVERNE VS. WILDER, a 12-round fight for Stiverne’s WBC Heavyweight Championship taking place Saturday, Jan. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions. In the 12-round co-feature, unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz defends against Jesus Ruiz and undefeated Amir Imam meets Fidel Maldonado Jr. in a 10-round super lightweight bout. The event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., and will air live on SHOWTIME® (10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (8:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
For more information visit www.donking.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @BStiverne, @BronzeBomber, @SHOSports and @MGMGrand and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing, or visit SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com/.
IVAN REDKACH BLASTS YAKUBU AMIDU IN FIRST SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION OF 2015
ATLANTEZ FOX SCORES MAJORITY DECISION OVER PATRICK DAY; IEVGEN KHYTROV NOTCHES KNOCKOUT OVER MAURICE LOUISHOMME
Catch The Replay On Monday, Jan. 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®
Click Here To Download Photos
Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME®
CABAZON, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2015) – Undefeated prospect Ivan Redkach (18-0, 14 KOs) was impressive in a sixth-round knockout victory over Yakubu Amidu (19-6-2, 17 KOs), who failed to get off his stool following the sixth round in Friday’s main event of ShoBox: The New Generation from Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif.
Working for the first time with new trainer Robert Garcia, Redkach, of Los Angeles by way of Ukraine, started out slow as he found his range, with the durable Amidu handling his power in the opening rounds. Amidu, of Los Angeles by way of Ghana, started slow but picked up the pace in the fourth and then was docked a point by referee Ray Corona for repeated low blows in the fifth.
Amidu, who had never been knocked down in 26 professional fights, suffered two knockdowns in the sixth, with the first coming after a quick right followed by a hard left and the second after an onslaught of power punches. Amidu barely beat the count both times, but he simply couldn’t handle the power of Redkach, who landed 45 percent of his power punches.
“I was getting ready to knock him out,” Redkach said. “I was going to finish him before his corner stopped the fight. I would have finished him in the next round.
“I hadn’t been in the ring for sixth months, so I had to feel him out in the beginning before we attacked,” said Redkach. “That was the game plan with Robert Garcia. I was in perfect physical condition. I will be a world champion very soon. That is my dream.”
Amidu complained that a leg injury was the reason he quit on his stool.
“I hurt my knee in the last round when I fell on it,” Amidu said. “I was OK after the knockdown, but when I stood up I felt something in my knee. I didn’t stop fighting because of the punches; I stopped because I hurt my knee.”
While Amidu complained of a hurt knee after the fight, the California State Athletic Commission stated that the bout was stopped due to punches. By rule, the commission rules that a knockout.
SHOWTIME Analyst Steve Farhood was impressed by Redkach, who has been labeled by many boxing pundits as a hot prospect to watch.
“It was a very impressive victory because Amidu had never been down and had fought much better opposition,” Farhood said. “It’s not that Redkach beat him, it’s the way he beat him. When Redkach debuted on ShoBox we billed him as a lightweight terror and he didn’t really fight that way. But tonight he fought smart and in the sixth round the terror came out. He showed he had legitimate power.”
In the co-feature, undefeated junior middleweight prospect Alantez “SlyAza” Fox, of Forestville, MD, kept his undefeated record intact with an eight-round majority decision victory over previously unbeaten Patrick Day, scored 76-76, 78-74, 80-72.
Fox (14-0-1, 4 KOs), who is 6-foot-5, was able to keep Day at distance with his highly effective jab, averaging 54 jabs a round with a total of 436 jabs thrown in just eight rounds. Day (9-1, 5 KOs), who went past six rounds for the first time in his career, wasn’t able to come forward and looked frustrated in later rounds as he entered unchartered territory.
“I was able to land my jab,” said the 22-year-old Fox. “I kept moving and was able to stay off the ropes. I kept him on the outside with my jabs and movement. That definitely was the advantage that I had over him in the fight. It wasn’t just my height that worked; it was my movement and range.
“I was anxious before the fight, but once I was in the ring I settled down,” said Fox, who was making his SHOWTIME debut. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity and am very excited for big things to come.”
Day seemed frustrated with the decision saying, “I think I did enough to win. I think that I landed the better, harder, cleaner, more effective punches. I thought that’s how professional boxing is scored, but I guess not tonight. His height wasn’t a huge issue because I still think I won, but it was definitely an obstacle.”
In the ShoBox: The New Generation opening bout, 2012 Olympian Ievgen “Ukrainian Lion” Khytrov (8-0, 8 KOs) remained undefeated with a dominating third-round technical knockout victory over outmatched Maurice “The Natural” Louishomme (8-1-1, 4 KOs).
Khytrov, of Brooklyn, N.Y., by way of Ukraine, controlled the fight from the outset, lighting up Louishomme, of Colorado Springs, Colo., with aggressive right hands and uppercuts to the body that sent Louishomme staggering on multiple occasions in a fight that was entirely one-sided.
Khytrov was highly accurate, landing 53 percent of his power punches, 51 percent of his jabs and 52 percent of his total punches. Referee Ray Corona stopped the fight just 24 seconds into the third round after a hard right from Khytrov sent Louishomme’s mouthpiece flying for the third time and awarded Khytrov the technical knockout.
“I was just concentrating and trying to get some work in,” Khytrov said. “I wasn’t in there just looking for the knockout. I was looking for chances, but I wasn’t going to force it. The plan was to get some rounds in and really start pushing in the fourth.
“I’m ready to take on anyone. It’s been hard to get fights, but we’re just going to go home and prepare for the next one.”
DE LA HOYA AND VARGAS MEET AGAIN…
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