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boxing

European Super Featherweight Champion Samir Ziani calls out Tevin Farmer: “Farmer has chickened out” of WBC Eliminator

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PARIS, France (April 18, 2021) – European Super Featherweight Champion Samir Ziani (32-3-1, 7 KOs) has called out Tevin “American Idol” Farmer (30-5-1, 6 KOs), former International Boxing Federation World Super Featherweight Champion, to fight June 5th for the WBC Silver belt in a World Boxing Council (WBC) elimination fight. The winner would position himself for a title fight against WBC World champion Oscar Valdez.
 
The battle of left-handed super featherweights would be on the June 5th Triller pay-per-view card in Florida, headlined by undefeated World lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez (16-0) vs. George Kambosos, Jr. (19-0), supported by an exhibition fight between 4-time World heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and Mike Tysonconqueror Kevin McBride.
 
According to Ziani’s manager Gary Hyde, was offered the WBC eliminator against Farmer and the Frenchman immediately accepted, while all has been quiet from Farmer.
 
“”I was excited to fight Farmer on a great Triller show,” Ziani said, “especially because it is my dream to win a World title in the United States. “I am surprised to hear that Farmer has chickened out of our fight, but I suppose je knows his boxing is slipping downwards.
 
“I want you, Farmer! Accept the fight and be a real warrior. Don’t run away from me. I want to box in the capital of boxing, the United States, to show American fans what I can do. They say you’re a technician, I will show you that I am a true warrior. The ring is for real men with the ambition to beat the best, not box the weakest, so, let’s give true value and pay respect to our noble art of boxing.”
 
Ranked No. 11 by the WBC, as well as No. 9 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF), the 30-year-old Ziani is the reigning EBU European champion, riding a 10-fight win streak. In his most recent fight (Sept. 5, 2020) and second title defense, Ziani dropped a bloody Alex Dilmaghian (19-1-1) three times en route to a 12th round win by technical knockout with 9-seconds left in what was a Fight of the Year candidate.
 
Ziani’s last loss was 4 ½ years ago to World title challenger and fellow Frenchman,Guillaume Frenois (41-1), by a razor-thin margin, 115-113 three times, in Paris. Earlier in his career, Ziani also suffered a disputed 10-round loss by decision (97-93, 96-94, 96-94) in Denmark to current IBF World Lightweight Champion Richard Commey (18-0) in 2014.
 
“Ziani is an all-action fighter with an enormous work rate,” the Ireland-based Hyde added. “It would be a tantalizing match between two talented southpaws with the winner going on to fight for the WBC World title.”
 
The president of NoWhere2Hyde Management, Hyde has managed numerous world-class boxers during his career including world champions Guillermo Rigondeaux,Youri Kalenga and Simpiwe Vetyeaka.
 
INFORMATION:
Facebook: /SamirZiani, /nowhere2hyde
Twitter: @BoxeurProZiani, @nowhere2hyde
Instagram: @samir_ziani_boxeurpro, @gary_nowhere2hyde
 
boxing, USA Boxing

USA Boxing declares June “Alumni Association Membership Drive Month”

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Miguel Cotto                                     Gerry Cooney  
                             Jesse Vargas
 
 Kevin McBride                                 Reggie Johnson
                         Junior Jones
  
    Michael Spinks                               Antonio Tarver    
                         James Toney

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 11, 2018) – USA Boxing’s “Alumni Association Membership Drive Month” got off to a knockout start this past weekend in Canastota, New York, at the annual International Boxing Hall of Fame Class induction ceremonies, as nine high-profile boxers, featuring an incredible accumulate pro record of 365-51-7 (239 KOs) and 24 major world titles, joined the growing USABAA ranks as proud, new members.

 

 

 

Chris Cugliari and John Scully represented USA Boxing Alumni Association, manning tables at the IBHOF golf tournament and Memorabilia Show, to increase USABAA awareness and recruit new members.

 

 

 

“The spirit of amateur boxing was alive and well throughout the International Boxing Hall of Fame weekend,” explained Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Association Executive Director. “Information about the new USA Boxing Alumni Association was well received by the weekend’s guests, and esteemed alumni such as Jesse Vargas and Reggie Johnson mentioned that they are excited to become more involved.  The Alumni Association thanks the support provided by many this weekend, particularly Micky Ward and Antonio Tarver, who continue to spread our mission.”

 

 

 

“The fact is that the vast majority of professional boxers who attend the Hall of Fame weekend at Canastota each year were at one time amateur boxers and knew each other well before they ever even turned professional,” added invaluable USABAA advisor Scully, who recruits boxers for group-sponsored events like this. “At some point in the conversations between boxers across the grounds, the topics frequently will eventually turn to their amateur days together.”

 

 

 

“The amateurs, for me, was about fighting for respect,” two-division world champion Junior Jones (50-6, 28 KOs); noted. “To go to different places and make it very far (as an amateur), you have to learn how to conduct yourself and transact with others.”

 

 

 

Other new USABAA members are six-time, two division world champion Miguel Cotto(41-6, 33 KOs); four-time, two division world champion, as well as 1976 Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Famer, Michael Spinks (31-1, 21 KOs); Irish heavyweight who retired Mike Tyson, Kevin McBride (35-10-1, 29 KOs); two-time, two division world championJesse Vargas (28-2-1, 10 KOs); five time world champion and 1996 Olympic bronze medalist Antonio Tarver (31-6-1, 22 KOs); two-time, two division world champion Reggie Johnson (44-7-1, 25 KOs), three-time, three division world champion James Toney (77-10-3, 47 KOs); and world heavyweight contender Gerry Cooney (38-3, 24 KOs).

 

 

USA Boxing Alumni Association

 

 

 

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, –boxers, officials, coaches and boxing fans — The Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, in and out of the ring.

 

 

 

The USA Boxing Alumni Association is open to anyone who has a love for boxing and would like to stay connected with amateur boxing. Members are granted access to a wide variety of special events hosted by the Alumni Association, including its annual USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception.

 

 

 

To join the Alumni Association, simply register at alumni@usaboxing,.org for a $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, keychain and e-wallet.

 

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“I think this is great,” Jones talked about the formation of the USA Boxing Alumni Association. “Fighters who turned pro were great amateurs, but there are also a lot of amateurs who didn’t turn pro. Everybody doesn’t become champion, but they tried and gave their best, and that’s why this organization is good because all boxers are appreciated.”

 

 

 

“Although Hall of Fame weekend tends to focus on the professional careers of many fighters,” Cugliari concluded, “it was hard not to notice the effect that amateur boxing has had on the lives of many of these great champions. The USA Boxing Alumni Association wants to thank Ed Brophy for his generosity and support for boxing, and we look forward to a long partnership with the International Boxing Hall of Fame.”

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

 

amateur boxing, boxing

Springfield embodies spirit of USA Boxing

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Second stop of USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour on Mar. 15
 
TICKETS ON SALE, VISIT WWW.USABOXING.ORG
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (February 28, 2018) – Central City Boxing Club and Barbell, based in Springfield, Massachusetts, embodies the true spirit of USA Boxing.
Dean Fay, the Central City Boxing and Barbell Gym Founder & Director, has helped develop the Western New England Golden Gloves franchise into the preeminent power in the six-state region, capturing numerous individual All-New England titles and five consecutive team championships.
More importantly, though, Dean and his outstanding staff have reshaped the futures of countless youth in Greater Springfield, instilling an invaluable philosophy that, through amateur boxing, provides an opportunity for members to reshape their lives, in addition to making a significant difference in their communities.
From a storied past at the nearby Holyoke Boys & Girls Club, Dean and his young boxers have a new home at MassMutual Center in Springfield, which will host the second stop of the USA Boxing USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour on Thursday, March 15. An exciting evening of entertainment, headlined by 10 bouts of amateur boxing between the two powerhouse national programs, as well as Springfield’s hometown AC/DC tribute band,BACK IN BLACK, kicking off the show and continuing to perform throughout the night.
Tickets are on sale now, ranging in price from $35 for Upper Bowl seating to $100 for a limited premium seat at a ringside table. Seats in the Lower Bowl section of the MassMutual Center can be purchased for $50. Tickets can be purchased online here.Groups of 10 or more can enjoy select savings by calling Richard DeCusati at 413-271-3259.
Fay is a Springfield police officer who started his program 10 years ago, last year moving into Central City Boxing and Barbell Gym, primarily to keep kids off the street, teaching them values to become productive citizens.
“Our program, first, is youth development and second, boxing,” Fay explained. “We use boxing as a vehicle for valuable teaching lessons, embodying the same values of boxing: competition, cohesiveness and integrity. Springfield has had a long history in boxing. The Golden Gloves were held in Holyoke, one city over from Springfield, for 50 years before coming here. Golden Gloves has funded a lot of small gyms because many of these kids can’t afford fees. We’ve bridged the gap by hosting shows that raises money and creates fanbases.
“Through the years, Marvin Hagler, Marlon Starling, Micky Ward, John Scully and so many others have come through USA Boxing programs in New England. Boxing represents life; how to conduct themselves in and out of the ring. Boxing is a small fraternity and boxers walk up those steps and through the ropes, in front of everybody, and confront their fears. Boxing is determined by judges and, in life, you are judged by how you live by laws. Life values are taught through boxing.
“Hosting the USA-Boxing Northeast Boxing Tour gives kids in our program an opportunity to watch up close the top boxers who are representing their country. My kids realize that they could do that someday. They see the best boxers in the country and that’s where they want to be.”
Anticipated Team USA boxers competing in Springfield include 2017 Elite World Championship bronze medalist Troy Isley (Alexandria, VA.), along with 2017 Elite World Championship team members Delante Johnson (Cleveland, OH), Virginia Fuchs (Kemah, TX), who won four international gold medals last year, and 2016 Youth World Championship bronze medalist and 2017 USA Boxing Super Heavyweight National Champion, Richard Torrez (Tulare, CA). All boxers are subject to change.
Retired three-time, two-division world champion Jose Antonio Rivera started boxing in Springfield before moving to another Western N.E. stronghold in Worcester (MA). Now promoting professional shows, Rivera excelled as an amateur, winning top honors at the New England Golden Gloves and twice in the Western N.E. Championships, highlighted by a bronze-medal performance at the PAL Championships.
“I was fortunate to be part of USA Boxing,” Rivera said. “Gaining experience in amateur boxing helped mold me as a person and give me confidence to pursue my dream of becoming world champion as a professional. I started boxing in Springfield when I was 15, before moving to Worcester (MA), becoming part of Carlo Garcia‘s growing stable of national and regional champions.”
The three-city boxing tour kicks off at Boston’s Royale Entertainment Complex on March 12 and closes Mar. 21 at the Manchester Downtown Hotel in Manchester, N.H. A full roster for both teams will soon be released.
To stay up to date on the USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour click here.
USA vs. Ireland Schedule
March 12: Royale Entertainment Complex, Boston, Mass.
March 15: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Mass.
March 21: The Manchester Downtown Hotel, Manchester, N.H.
All boxers and bouts are subject to change.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
amateur boxing, boxing

Micky Ward & Kevin McBride Named Honorary Captains in Boston dual

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
 
USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour
Kicks-off March 12 in Boston
 
TICKETS ON SALE, VISIT WWW.USABOXING.ORG
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (February 26, 2018) – One of boxing’s most beloved boxer of all-time, “Irish” Micky Ward, and the Irishman best known for knocking out legendary Mike Tyson into retirement, Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride, have been selected as honorary team captains, respectively, of Team USA and Team Ireland for the first leg of the three-city 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour.
The tour commences Monday, March 12, at the newly renovated Royale Entertainment Complex in Boston’s famed theater district. The Boston stop, which is being presented by Budweiser, have general admission tickets for $20.00 and a limited amount of $30.00 reserved tickets on sale and are available to purchase online here.
Ward, 52, is the pride of Lowell, Massachusetts, where he is a living legend. A three-time New England Golden Gloves champion as an amateur boxer, Ward fought professionally between 1985-2003, registering a 38-13 (27 KOs) record as a junior welterweight throughout his pro career. He is best known for his epic trilogy with the late Arturo Gatti, in which he became the first fighter with double-digit losses to earn a $1-million purse (twice).
An all-action, crowed-pleasing fighter, Ward was involved in three Fight of the Year honors, the first and third of the Gatti trilogy, along with a memorable match with Emanuel Augustus. Ward was the winner in two (first Gatti and Augustus) of those classic fights.
Boston-native Mark Wahlberg portrayed Ward in, The Fighter, a movie about Micky’s life that won two Academy Awards.
“To be honorary captain of Team USA means a lot to me,” Ward said. “It’s great having elite amateur boxing back in Boston with the national teams from the United States and Ireland. It’s especially exciting for me as an Irish-American.”
The 44-year-old McBride was born in Clones, Ireland. He was a member of the 1992 Ireland Olympic Boxing Team at the age of 19, competing in the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. Two years earlier, he represented Ireland at the European Championships and one of his teammates was Billy Walsh, Team USA’s current head coach of Team USA and former chief trainer for Team Ireland.
Like other Irish boxers, McBride came to the United States to enhance his professional career, landing in the predominately Irish neighborhood of Dorchester, a working-class section Boston, back in 1999. The 6′ 6″, 285-pound McBride started training in Brockton, MA with Goody Petronelli, who had trained Marvelous Marvin Hagler, and later Packy Collins, the brother of another Petronelli-trained fighter, world champion Stevie Collins.
McBride fought professionally between 1992-2011, retiring with a 35-10-1 (29 KOs), highlighted by his shocking sixth-round knockout of Tyson in 2005, driving the “Baddest Man on the Planet” into ring retirement.
“I feel good about being honorary captain of Team Ireland,” remarked the still thickly Irish-brogue McBride, who still lives with his family in Dorchester. “I’m honored to be carrying the Irish flag for these fighters. I’m not sure how many of them remember me as the man who beat Tyson. I know some of the Irish coaches and I still support boxing in Ireland as well as America. I just love boxing. And it’s always a pleasure to be with my friend, Micky Ward. He’s a good lad.”
The USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour will continue March 15 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass., concluding March 21 at The Manchester Downtown Hotel in New Hampshire.
All the duals will begin at 7:00 p.m. EST and tickets will be made available for purchase in the coming weeks. Each city will showcase up to 12 bouts, which will all be live streamed, free of charge, on USA Boxing’s website (www.usaboxing.org).
Tentatively headlining Team USA’s roster in the Boston dual s 2017 World Championship bronze medalist Troy Isley (Alexandria, VA). Four-time 2017 international gold medalist Virginia Fuchs (Kemah, TX), 2016 Youth World Champion and 2017 Elite Continental Championships silver medalist, Delante Johnson (Cleveland, OH), and 2016 Youth World Championship bronze medalist and 2017 USA Boxing Super Heavyweight National Champion, Richard Torrez (Tulare, CA).
Full team rosters for each city will be released closer to the start of the tour.
USA vs. Ireland Schedule
March 12: Royale Entertainment Complex, Boston, Mass.
March 15: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Mass.
March 21: The Manchester Downtown Hotel, Manchester, N.H.
All boxers and bouts are subject to change.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing