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Boxing manager A.J. Galante opens up boxing gym in Danbury, Connecticut

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Danbury, CT (January 24, 2015)- Professional Boxing manager A.J. Galante and former heavyweight contender Fernely Feliz are proud to announce that the Grand Opening of their new boxing gym, Champs Boxing Club & Fitness will take place on Saturday February 28. Feliz, who moved to Danbury as a child from the Dominican Republic, has the distinction of being Danbury, CT’s first professional boxer. As a heavyweight, he compiled a record of 23-9 in a career that spanned 15 years. He discovered the sport of boxing when he came across Danbury’s Hat City Boxing, which closed its doors in 2001. Since then, the city has yet to re-open an exclusive boxing gym until now. “It’s been my dream since I retired to give back to the community.” Feliz stated, “I have always wanted to open a boxing gym, because boxing saved my life. I am glad to finally accomplish a major goal in my life. I am looking forward to making the city of Danbury proud with this gym.” Fernely Feliz, now a trainer, is excited to develop an amateur team in the city, while continuing to work with both professional boxers and MMA fighters. Feliz’s partner is one of professional boxing’s youngest managers, A.J. Galante, who currently manages hot Junior Middleweight prospect Frank Galarza. “When Fernely approached me with this idea, I didn’t think twice. I couldn’t be prouder of this gym” Galante said, “Everyone who I have previewed the gym to, falls in love with the environment. It has an old-school feel to it, yet has a lot of new school amenities. Once you walk in you never want to leave.” Champs Boxing Club houses a professional elevated 18 foot ring, multiple traditional and specialty heavy bags, wall bags, double end bags, brand new cardio equipment and a weight area. There is also a high definition camera above the ring where all sparring and instruction can be recorded, and then studied with trainers on an HDTV or sent to a members’ tablet.

In speaking of the gym, what lit up owner A.J. Galante’s eyes is when he spoke on a very special area of his gym. “I sit on the board of my boxer Frank Galarza’s non profit organization, Youth Fighting Forward. It is an unbelievable organization that attaches itself to boxing gyms, and gives our youth a place to develop discipline and confidence. It’s a combination of both boxing and mentorship, with strict requirements involving school attendance, grades and attendance. I am proud to say that Champs Boxing Club will join Starrett City Boxing Club of Brooklyn, in hosting a Youth Fighting Forward chapter.” Galante spoke on the many requirements Frank Galarza developed for Youth Fighting Forward, and when asked about how Champs Boxing Club will ensure the best environment possible for success, Galante stated that both he and Galarza developed a study room for members, with donated computers, printers and other school supplies. “In terms of having the tools to meet academic requirements including homework, there are no excuses” Galante exclaimed.

The Grand Opening of Champs Boxing Club & Fitness will be open to the public from12pm-3pm, Saturday February 28th. There will be free giveaways, food and refreshment, as well as the opportunity to meet WBC Latino Junior Middleweight Champion Frank “Notorious” Galarza and UFC Star and Danbury resident Glover Teixeira. Visit www.champsboxingclub.org for more information.
Boxcino, boxing, ESPN Friday Night Fights

Adams, Gasparyan, Thompson and Skorokhod advance in Boxcino Jr. Middlweight tournament

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UNCASVILLE, CONN (February 15, 2015) —Brandon Adams, Vito Gasparyan,John Thompson and Stanyslav Skorokhod all won their quarterfinal match-ups at the Mohegan Sun and advanced to the semi-final round of the Boxcino 2015 jr. middleweight tournament.
All Boxcino bouts were scheduled for 6-rounds.
The tournament is promoted by exclusively by Banner Promotions and shown on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.
This card was promoted by Banner Promotions in association with Jimmy Burchfield’s CES Boxing.
Adams, who was a Boxcino 2014 middleweight tournament runner up,scored a 5th round stoppage over Alex Perez in what was an entertaining  slug fest.
The fight saw both guys fight inside and land some thudding shots.  It was Adams speed inside that proved to be the difference as it looked he landed the more authoritative blows and was slowly breaking down Perez.
In round five, Adams landed a booming right that sent Perez to the canvas.  Perez got to his knees before the bout was stopped at 2:47 of round five.
Adams, 155 lbs of Los Angeles is now 16-1 with 11 knockouts.  Perez, 152 1/2 lbs of Newark, NJ is 18-2.
“Alex was very tough.  I appreciate the fight that he brought and it made me step up my game,” said Adams.
“In the end, I loaded up my shots.  I showed that I have the speed and I established the jab.  I had a lot of fun in there.  I am looking forward to the next fight.  I am going, maybe I will take Monday off and I will be back in the gym.”
Vito Gasparyan scored a 6-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Simeon Hardy.
Gasparyan was more active and outworked Hardy and forced the battle on the inside against the taller Hardy, where Gasparyan was able to get the better of the exchanges.
Gasparyan, 155 lbs from Glendale, CA won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 15-3-5.  Hardy, 154 1/4 lbs of Brooklyn is now 13-1.
“It was a good fight.  I proved that I belong at this level,” said Gasparyan.
“I am now looking forward to the next fight.  I am going to work hard and take one step at a time.  I felt good and confident in there.  I am dedicating this victory to my trainer Justin Fortune who couldn’t be here after just beating an illness.”
Late replacement John Thompson boxed his way to a 6-round unanimous decision over Ricardo Pinell.
Thompson used his height and reach to keep Pinell at bay.  Thompson was effective with quick combinations that never let Pinell get on track.
Thompson, 154 1/4 lbs of Newark, NJ won by scores of 60-54 on cards and is now 16-1.  Pinell, 154 lbs of San Francisco, CA is now 10-2-1.
“I outboxed him for the most part.  I was able to know a little about him and I went off what I saw on youtube,” said Thompson.
“I saw he had a few bad habits.  Now that I have time to prepare it will be a lot better.  I know I have a lot to work on.  I will take one week off and I will be back in the gym.”
Syanyslav Skorokhod scored a 4th round stoppage over Michael Moore in a battle of previously undefeated fighters.
In round two, Skorokhod started to find the range with power shots with both hands.  Towards the end of the round, Skorokhod landed a hard right that backed Moore up to the corner. In round three, Skorohod dropped Moore with a perfect right hand.
In round four, Skorohod dropped Moore once again with a hard right.  Morre got up only to eat a flurry of punches and the bout was stopped at 1:03 round four.
Skorohod, 153 3/4 lbs of Los Angeles is now 9-0 with 7 knockouts.  Moore, 154 3/4 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 13-1.
“I am glad that I won.  My next fight will be even better,”said a victorious Skorokhod.
“I was prepared for a southpaw and I knew the pressure would be the difference.  Once I applied the pressure, I saw he could not do anything.  I can prepare for any kind of the style being that I train with some of the best fighters at Wild Card Gym.”

Adams will meet Gasparyan while Skorokhod will fight Thompson on April 3 in Corona, California.

In undercard action:

In what was a rock em -sock em affair, Jimmy Williams was able to pound his way to a 4th-round stoppage over Eddie Caminero in a scheduled 6-round Middleweight bout.
It looked like it would be a short and easy night for Williams as he repeatedly hurt Caminero in the first round to the point were Caminero was staggering all over the ring on several occasions.  Caminero was able to gather himself and make the fight a two way brawl with each guy holding on at different points of the fight.
Williams steadied himself enough to land a perfect left hook that sent Caminero to the deck at 32-seconds of round four.
Williams, 156 1/4 lbs of Hartford, CT is now 9-0-1 with 5 knockouts.  Caminero, 157 1/4 lbs of Lawrenceville, MA is 7-9.

Khiary Gray-Pitts battered and bloodied the nose of Rodrigo Almeida in the first round and the bout was halted in the corner following the opening frame of their scheduled 4-round Light Heavyweight bout.
Gray-Pitts landed thudding shots that had Almeida on the defensive from the outset.  Almeida’s nose was bloody and face was bruised up after just three minutes of action and could not continue after the first frame.
Gray-Pitts, 164 1/4 lbs of Worcester, MA is now 5-0 with 3 knockouts.  Almeida, 172 1/2 lbs of Woburn, MA is 1-2.
In the opening bout of the evening, Oscar Bonilla and Angel Martinez battled a 4-round draw in a Lightweight bout.
Bonilla won a card 39-37 while two cards were even at 38-38.
Bonilla, 133 lbs of New Haven, CT is 3-0-2.  Martinez, 132 1/4 lbs of Austin, TX is 5-1-1.
In the walkout bout Ray Oliveira Jr. scored a stoppage after round two of a scheduled 4-round Lightweight bout over Ralph Johnson.
Oliveira is now 3-0 with 2 knockouts.  Johnson is 1-4

Photo by Shane Sims / Banner Promotions

The four quarterfinal heavyweight division bouts will be televised live on ESPN’sFriday Night Fights Next Friday! February 20, from Turning Stone Resort Casinoin Verona, NY.
Last year’s Boxcino winner in the middleweight division, Willie Monroe Jr., has become a bona fide contender thanks to his victories in Boxcino 2014. He is currently world-rated No. 3 by the WBA, No. 7 by the WBO and No. 10 by the World Boxing Council (WBC). Boxcino 2014 lightweight champion Petr Petrov is currently world-rated No. 2 by the WBA and No. 7 by the WBO

Happy to make Artie Pelullo, or any of the fighters available to you by phone. The pairings for each division, fighter bios (don’t worry they’re brief) and all the participants’ Fight Fax records are available upon request.

*******************

Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena Of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Also in 2013, Mohegan Sun won “Casino of The Year” in 2 categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.
Boxcino, boxing, ESPN Friday Night Fights

Weights from Mohegan Sun (Boxcino Jr. Middleweight Quarterfinals)

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John Thompson replaces Cleotis Pendarvis in Boxcino Tournament 

Boxcino Quarterfinals

Ricardo Pinell 154 – John Thompson 154 1/4

Stanyslav Skorokhod 153 3/4 – Michael Moore 154 3/4

Brandon Adams 155 – Alex Perez 152 1/2

Vito Gasparyan 155 – Simeon Hardy 154 1/4

Thompson replaces Cleotis Pendarvis who could not make weight

Eddie Caminero 157 1/4 – Jimmy Williams 156 1/4
Khiary Gray-Pitts 164 1/4 – Rodrigo Almeida 172 1/2
Angel Martinez 132 1/4 – Oscar Bonilla 133

Photos by Shane Sims / Banner Promotions
Promoter:  Banner Promotions in association with Jimmy Burchfield’s CES Boxing
Venue:  Mohegan Sun:
Television: ESPN 2 (9PM)
1st Bell: 7:45 PM
Future contenders step into the national spotlight when the popular single-elimination boxing tournament, Boxcino 2015, makes its season debut, This Friday! February 13, at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Televised live on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on ESPN2), the four quarterfinal junior middleweight division bouts will produce four winners who will then take a giant leap toward making it to the championship final round and its ultimate prize, the vacant NABA and NABO titles AND a Top-10 world rating by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the World Boxing Organization (WBO). Promoted by Banner Promotions and Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports (CES), remaining tickets to the February 13 edition of Boxcino 2015, priced at $125, $65, $40 and $30, including facility fee, can be purchased via www.ticketmaster,com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets or in person at the Mohegan Sun Box Office.

The Official Weigh-In will take place on Thursday, February 12, in the Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret Theatre, beginning at 5 p.m. On Fight Night, Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the first bout beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

The four quarterfinal heavyweight division bouts will be televised live on ESPN’sFriday Night Fights Next Friday! February 20, from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY.

Boxcino 2015 has been a great platform for the next generation of boxing champions and stars. The quarterfinal bouts will be six rounds, the semifinal bouts will be eight rounds and the championship bouts will be 10 rounds. This short piece from ESPN’s “Making The Rounds” will detail this week’s battles. http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=12302492

Last year’s Boxcino winner in the middleweight division, Willie Monroe Jr., has become a bona fide contender thanks to his victories in Boxcino 2014. He is currently world-rated No. 3 by the WBA, No. 7 by the WBO and No. 10 by the World Boxing Council (WBC). Boxcino 2014 lightweight champion Petr Petrov is currently world-rated No. 2 by the WBA and No. 7 by the WBO

Happy to make Artie Pelullo, or any of the fighters available to you by phone. The pairings for each division, fighter bios (don’t worry they’re brief) and all the participants’ Fight Fax records are available upon request.

*******************

Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena Of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Also in 2013, Mohegan Sun won “Casino of The Year” in 2 categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.
Boxcino, boxing, ESPN Friday Night Fights

Training camp quotes from Boxcino jr. middleweight participants

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February 13 at the Mohegan Sun and live on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights 

 

UNCASVILLE, CONN.  (February 4, 2015) – We are just over a week away from the much anticipated Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight Tournament.

 

With training camps winding down, each fighter provided Banner Promotions with an update on how the final preparations are going.

Cleotis Pendarvis
“Training camp is going well.  We are just toning it down and getting ready for action.  Pinell is a pretty decent fighter but he is in over his head in this fight.”

vs.

Ricardo Pinell
“Training is going good.  I have been awake extra early and am the first person in the gym and the last to leave.  I have been grinding.  Cleotis is a southpaw as well.  We were both in camp with Amir Khan.  We both sparred him and at the end of the day we sparred each other.  I got to have a little look at him.  He is slick and has experience and is pretty crafty. ”

 

 

Stanyslav Skorokhod
“Training is going very well.  I am getting very good sparring at the Wild Card Gym and am improving a lot with my new trainers and team in Los Angeles.  Michael Moore is a good boxer but I don’t think he will be able to deal with my power.”

vs.

Michael Moore
“Things have been great as far as training.  We have had some great sparring with Demetrius Andrade and Edwin Rodriguez.  There is no reason why we should not win Boxcino.  We just hope my opponent is ready and game to put on a good show.  This is his second bout in the United States but now he is going up against quality opposition.”

Brandon Adams
“Camp is good.  Better than I anticipated.  I am still in shape from my last fight.  Going down in weight is going real well.  Better than anybody expected.  I think Alex is coming to fight and so am I.  I hope he is looking to wow the fans because I will.”

vs.

Alex Perez 
“Everything is smooth.  I am just focused on Brandon Adams and February 13 when everything will come together.”

Vito Gasparyan
“Everything is perfect.  I have the best sparring partners.  I can’t wait for the fight.  I haven’t seen much of Hardy.  I do know he is from Guyana.  I have boxed taller guys and they are top level.  I am experienced enough to handle anything he can bring.”

vs.

Simeon Hardy
“Everything is great.  I am in great shape.  I just hope he comes in great shape and we fight like true sportsmen because I will be ready to fight and win.
The entire Boxcino 2015 series will be televised live on “ESPN Friday Night Fights” and is promoted exclusively by Banner Promotions.
The February 13 event is promoted by Banner Promotions in association with Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports (CES). The remaining tickets to theFebruary 13 edition of Boxcino 2015, priced at $125, $65, $40 and $30, including facility fee, can be purchased via www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets or in person at the Mohegan Sun box office.
The Boxcino 2014 tournament spawned breakout stars Willie Monroe and Petr Petrov. Both are now world-rated No. 3 as well as future stars Brandon Adams & Fernando Carcamo.

 

Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena Of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Also in 2013, Mohegan Sun won “Casino of The Year” in 2 categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.
Boxcino, boxing, ESPN Friday Night Fights

Boxcino 2015 Matchups Announced on ESPN Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates

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 Matchups for Boxcino 2015, a boxing tournament presented by Banner Promotions, that will begin in February on ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates presentado por Corona Extra, were announced on this past Friday’s edition of Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates.
The first of five shows will be held Friday, Feb. 13, at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., and will air live at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2, broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+ and WatchESPN. The single-elimination, two-weight class tournament, which garnered positive reaction from media and fans in 2014, will feature eight fighters in both the junior middleweight and heavyweight divisions. Last year, Willie Monroe Jr. (middleweight) and Petr Petrov (lightweight) were crowned Boxcino 2014 champions in a tournament that featured fighters in both the lightweight and middleweight divisions. ESPN televised the first Boxcino tournament back in 1997, which was won by future four-time world champion Acelino “Popo” Freitas.

Boxcino 2015 Tournament Brackets:

Boxcino 2015 Schedule:

Date Time (ET) Main Event Location Networks
Fri, Feb 13   9 p.m. Boxcino 2015 Quarterfinals- six rounds each, Junior Middleweight Mohegan Sun, Uncasville,  Conn. ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Feb 20 9 p.m. Boxcino 2015 Quarterfinals- six rounds each, Heavyweight Turning Stone Resort and Casino, Verona N.Y. ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Apr 3 9 p.m. Boxcino 2015 Semifinals- eight rounds each, Junior Middleweight TBA ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Apr 10 9 p.m. Boxcino 2015 Semifinals- eight rounds each, Heavyweight TBA ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, May 22 9 p.m. Boxcino 2015 Finals- 10 rounds each, Junior Middleweight and Heavyweight TBA ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN
boxing, ESPN Friday Night Fights

BOXCINO 2015 PAIRINGS SET; BOXCINO 2015 Kicks Off Friday, February 13

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Philadelphia, PA  (January 19, 2015) – This past Friday night, the matchups for Boxcino 2015 were revealed on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.

 

The tournament will get started on Friday, February 13 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut with four quarterfinal fights in the Jr. Middleweight division.

The following match ups are as follows:

1. Cleotis Pendarvis (17-4-2, 6 KO’s) will fight Ricardo Pinnell (10-1-1, 6 KO’s)
2. Stanyslav Skorokhod (8-0, 6 KO’s) will fight Michael Moore (13-0, 6 KO’s)

3. Brandon Adams (15-1, 10 KO’s) will take on Alex Perez (18-1, 10 KO’s)

4. Vito Gasparyan (14-3-5, 8 KO’s) will square off with Simeon Hardy (13-0, 10 KO’s).

 

The winner of bout 1 will fight the winner of bout 2 while the winner’s of bouts 3 and 4 will fight on April 3 in the semifinals.
The very next week, The heavyweight quarterfinals will commence live from the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.  Those match ups are:

 

1. Donovan Dennis (10-1, 8 KO’s) fights Steve Vukosa (10-0, 4 KO’s)
2. Razvan Cojano (12-1, 7 KO’s) will take on Ed Fountain (10-0, 4 KO’s)
3. Andrey Fedosov (25-3, 20 KO’s) will fight Nate Heaven (9-1, 7 KO’s)
4. Mario Heredia (9-1, 7 Ko’s) will take on Lenroy Thomas (18-3, 9 KO’s)

 

The winner of bout 1 will fight the winner of bout 2 while the winner’s of bouts 3 and 4 will fight on April 10 in the semifinals.

The entire Boxcino 2015 series will be televised live on “ESPN Friday Night Fights.”
Promoted by Banner Promotions and Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports (CES), remaining tickets to the February 13 edition of Boxcino 2015, priced at $125, $65, $40 and $30, including facility fee, can be purchased via www.ticketmaster,com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets or in person at the Mohegan Sun Box Office.
Host of the February 20th bouts, the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino continues to distinguish itself as a premier destination for professional sporting events, including nationally-televised boxing matches and professional-level golf. The February 20th fight will mark Turning Stone’s 14th nationally-televised boxing event in less than two years, helping establish the resort as a mecca for knockout televised fights. Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have promoted televised fight cards at the resort within the last year.  Turning Stone has hosted televised boxing events on ESPN, Showtime, HBO, and NBC in the last two years. Located in Upstate New York, the four-season resort offers world-class entertainment and gaming, eclectic mix of restaurants, luxury spa facilities, nightlife, and award-winning accommodations.

 

Tickets for the February 20th ESPN Friday Night Fights at Turning Stone are on sale now at the Turning Stone box office, in person or by calling 315.361.7469, or online at Ticketmaster. Tickets are $60 for ringside seats, $35, $25, and are subject to additional fees.

 

The Boxcino 2015 season debut will feature four quarterfinal bouts with the winners moving on to semifinals which will take place on April 3 & April 10.

The Boxcino 2014 tournament spawned breakout stars Willie Monroe and Petr Petrov. Both are now world-rated No. 3 as well as future stars Brandon Adams &Fernando Carcamo. Monroe will be featured in the main event of tonight’s live telecast from Turning Stone Resort Casino, taking on the rugged Bryan Vera with the NABA and NABO middleweight titles at stake.