Tag Archives: NFL

boxing

Direct descendant of Rocky Marciano Brandon Cappiello Drops another New England Patriots music video

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Brandon and Randy.jpg
(L-R) Brandon Capp and Randy Lo

BROCKTON, Mass. (January 10, 2022) — A direct descendant of the great Rocky Marciano, Brandon “Brandon Capp” Cappiello, dropped another music video today about the New England Patriots – Patriot (New Era Anthem) – as the club prepares for this Saturday night’s  NFL playoff wild card game versus the Buffalo Bills.
Cappiello’s paternal great grandmother and Marciano’s wife were sisters. His grandfather, Michael “Duna” Cappiello, traveled everywhere with Rocky during his undefeated Hall of Fame professional boxing career.

Brandon’s father and uncle, respectively, promoter/matchmaker Rich Cappiello and trainer/former pro boxer Mike Cappiello, own and operate Cappiello Boxing Gym in downtown Brockton (MA), known as the City of Champions. Hall of Famer Marvelous Marvin Hagler also fought out of Brockton.

Cappiello and fellow Brockton native Randall “Randy Lo” Coulanges wrote and performed “Patriot,” and Brandon mixed and produced it. This is the third and likely the final anthem for the Brockton duo. Six years ago, their original music video, “Champion,” went viral and their follow-up was a successful Boston Red Sox anthem, entitled “Never Back Down.”

“Patriot” was directed by Scott Beer (Scott Beer Media), a highly accomplished film maker/videographer from Rhode Island.
An associate known as BA originally asked “Brandon Capp,” a singer, and rapper “Randy Lo” if they would do a Patriots music video. He was well known on the Boston music scene having been involved with New Kids On The Block and New Edition.

“I was skeptical at first because it’s so difficult to please everyone,” Brandon said. “We did it in less than a week and I produced it in my bedroom. All of a sudden, things were crazy, it went viral overnight. We’ve had more than 3 million collective views across all media platforms. It took on a life of its own. It was playing everywhere, and we were guests on a lot of television and radio shows. It still gets 200,000 views a year.

“Our first anthem was an anomaly. We did it all without any real help in such a short time. But we are real artists who have both been doing music for years. It resonated in every demographic, even playing on radio, something that never happens for a sports anthem that is team based. It was more about recognition for both of us because people loved it and shared on social media. It was an incredible ride that really hasn’t ended.

The third of their anthem trilogy promises to be equally addictive as its original, if not more popular, largely because of several key reasons
“The sky is the limit for this song,” Cappiello concluded. “The first one was special, but this time we wanted to take the special formula of what worked and give a fresh and new take on a great concept.

” Hundreds of people had asked us to do another one for years. And nobody collaborates better than us. We’re great friends who’ve known each other since the seventh grade. We want what’s best for both of us.”

The ideal situation for “Brandon Capp” and “Randy Lo” would be performing live before or during halftime at the 2022 New England Patriots’ season opener, or, better yet, performing at a Pats’ pep rally if they make another playoff run this season.

Brandon Cappiello knows how to deliver a knockout….it’s in his blood


SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @b_capp, @whoisrandylo
Twitter: @b_capp, @whoisrandylo

Facebook: /BrandonCapp, /RandyLo
boxing, Golden Boy Promotions

Introducing undefeated Heavyweight Sensation James “The Beast” Wilson

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Golden Boy enters “Beast Mode or No Mode”
Jared Shaw managed Heavyweight recently inked promotional deal with Golden Boy Promotions
 

Los Angeles, CA. (November 8, 2018) – In an age where heavyweight boxing is once again a hot division.  The question is still asked, who will be that next Mike Tyson like knockout artist? Or has sports like football and basketball taken the best big men away from boxing?

 

 

 

Enter James “The Beast” Wilson.

 

 

 

Wilson has all the attributes of the above mentioned qualities.  A terrific athlete, who was in an NFL training camp with a background in fighting that displays ferocious power.

 

 

 

Wilson, who just signed with Golden Boy Promotions, has a record of 8-0 with seven knockouts, but his story begins over 20 years ago in the streets of Los Angeles.

 

 

 

Wilson was going through hard times and was homeless between the ages of 13 and 15, where he was sleeping in motels, park benches, and showering in those parks.  Wilson had a scrape with the law, and that changed his life….for the better.

 

 

 

“I was locked up and then placed in a group.  That actually got me to have structure and placed me on the right track. I did well in school and started playing sports and now I had positive options in my life,” said Wilson.

 

 

 

Wilson became the Los Angeles Times High School Football Player of the year, as well as a three-time all-city Track & Field athlete, which earned him a scholarship to Concord University in West Virginia.

 

 

 

Wilson, who graduated with a degree in sociology, then went on to play professional football in of all places, Poland.

 

 

 

After that he earned a training camp invite with the Chicago Bears.  However he chose to follow another athletic passion.

 

 

 

“I started doing Kenpo-Karate, Muay-Thai and Kickboxing.”  Wilson had a professional Kickboxing record of 16-2-1 where he  competed in top organizations such as K-1 and Glory.

 

 

After that, Wilson tried his hand at MMA and racked up an impressive 5-2 record and fought for the highly regarded Bellator Fighting Championships.

 

 

 

Still not satisfied, Wilson started boxing.

 

 

 

Wilson again traveled the globe and began his punching for pay career in New Zealand.

 

 

 

“I knew a promoter in New Zealand, and I was able to fight every week there.  That sped up my process and development.  I came back to Los Angeles, and was able to get four more wins.”

 

 

 

At 7-0, Wilson then met longtime boxing industry player, Jared Shaw.

 

 

 

Shaw saw videos of Wilson on his Instagram account, and reached out to the undefeated heavyweight.

 

 

 

“Jared contacted me, and met at the gym, and he had the same vision for me that I had, and the rest is history.”

 

 

 

“I saw James as a diamond in the rough,” said Shaw.  “He has the combination and speed and power that you do not see in the heavyweight division.  He has that “it” factor that I saw with Kimbo Slice. I was fortunate enough to have signed Kimbo off of the fights that were seen on Youtube.  When Kimbo entered a room, you felt presence and energy.   I see a lot of the same qualities in terms of James being that type of an attraction.  Anybody who mistaken’s James for a football player or a Mixed Martial Artist will surely have their hands full in the boxing ring.  This is a blue-chip athlete, ” said Shaw, who grew up in the sport as his father Gary Shaw has been one of the top promoters in the world for the past three decades.

 

 

 

 

 

Shaw’s 1st job was to get James with the right trainer.  Enter Justin Fortune.

 

 

 

“I have known Justin for a long time.  Both as a strength and conditioning coach and as a trainer.  Most would know him at the side of Manny Pacquiao, but perhaps most people don’t know that Justin was a heavyweight prospect who fought Lennox Lewis.  What I like most about this pairing is Justin was a shorter heavyweight as well, but a powerful puncher.  His years of experience is what is going to help James accelerate his growth in the sport.  As a team, we have a goal to bring a world championship back to Los Angeles and in a timely fashion,” continued Shaw.

 

 

 

Shaw’s next move was to find the right promoter for Wilson to sign with, and the duo found one of the biggest companies in the world that was interested.

 

 

 

“A lot of promoters were looking at me.  I met with Golden Boy, and they saw my talent and vision and I feel that they will make it happen for me, and take me to the Heavyweight championship of the world,” said Wilson.

 

 

 

Shaw spoke highly of the marriage between fighter and promoter.

 

 

“It is the perfect situation.  Golden Boy Promotions is one of  the leaders in our sport when it comes to promotion companies. In this situation, it worked out that you have a great prospect from Los Angeles fighting from a world renowned company based in Los Angeles.  Right now Golden Boy is at the top of the sport.  They promote arguably the top fighter in the world in Canelo Alvarez, and they were able to secure him an unprecedented deal with DAZN.  We look forward to the opportunities that will come for James, and to showcase James’ extraordinary set of  skills.  I have the 100% confidence in Oscar (De La Hoya), Eric (Gomez) and Robert (Diaz) to lead James to the Heavyweight championship of the world, and help maximize his earnings potential.  Los Angeles has never had a Heavyweight champion, so it makes perfect sense that the 1st one will be with a complete Los Angeles based team with James, Justin, Golden Boy and myself. ”

 

 

 

“What I would like people to know about James is that inside the ropes, he is a Beast and Human Highlight Film, so Don’t Blink. But outside of the ring, he is an incredible father to his three boys.  A tremendous motivational speaker, and a positive role model to the inner-cities and the rest of the world.  He is big on community and helping the youth.  Especially those that are bullied.”

 

 

 

Wilson speaks to a lot of youngsters about Anti-Bullying. “I do a lot of speaking and seminars for anti-bullying.  I go to a lot of schools and foster homes and tell them my story.  I think I can be someone for kids to look up to and let them know that they have a future despite whatever circumstance they are in. I tell kids that your hands are weapons, your mouth is a weapon, and the only place for fighting is inside of a ring.”

 

 

 

When asked who he wants to fight and what his goals are in the sport, Wilson said, “I am not looking to fight anyone individual specifically, I am looking to fight all of them.  Most importantly, I am here to give the fans something to watch. It is 365 days of “Beast” season.  It’s Beast Mode or No Mode.”

 

 

 

To Follow James Wilson, click:

https://www.instagram.com/jamesthebeastwilson/

Fan Duel

FAN DUEL FREEKEND!!! Get $10 free to play on Fanduel.com this weekend

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I have been a FanDuel user for a few years now, and I came really close to winning $8,000 in the NFL playoffs last year. Although they don’t have any combat sports offerings yet, I love the platform and get much better the more I play. This site will also be at the forefront of legalized gambling when it finally happens in the United States, so if you really know sports, you could make a lot of money with $10 free to start you off. Just click on the banner below to sign up and get going.

 

 

 

boxing

GH3 Promotions signs Heavyweight prospect Ronald Hines

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Nutley, NJ (Feb. 12, 2018)–GH3 Promotions has signed Heavyweight prospect Ronald Hines.
Hines, 22 of Cleveland, Ohio is managed by former NFL Defensive End, Ray Edwards.
The 6’6″ Hines, began boxing at at the age of nine, as he was already involved in Karate, his dad took him to the boxing gym where he met his eventual trainer Push Davis.
Hines had an amateur career that saw him go 67-7, and he won the National Silver Gloves and the National Junior Olympics.
“I feel great signing with GH3 Promotions, they are a promotional outfit that can open doors for me,” said Hines.  “I met Vito Mielnicki and GH3 is more of a family atmosphere, and I like that.”
“I am fortunate to have Ray Edwards on my team.  He has been there and done that in football.  He has been through all situations, and he can help mentor me through whatever comes my way.”
Hines ran into some trouble as he was preparing for the U.S. National Tournament, and he will be returning to the ring after a brief absence.
“That was a minor setback for a major comeback.  I have learned not to let petty things get in the way.  I am extremely focused, and I am where I need to be.”
GH3 Promotions, Vito Mielncki is enthusiastic about his new heavyweight prospect.
“Ronald is a pure puncher who has good boxing ability.  He is 235 pounds, and he is just a kid at 22 years old.  I am going to get him with strength and conditioning coach Freddy Caruso and turn him pro in May.  I am looking to get him 7-10 fights over the next 12 months, and seven more fights in the 2nd year.  He will be learning on the job.”
In Edwards, Hines has a mentor who has taken great interest in his 22 year-old fighter.
“I am excited to be involved in Ronald’s career,” said Edwards.  “He has crazy upside.  He hit some stumbling blocks, but he has a 2nd chance, and I am happy to see him through this journey.  He has dedication to take him to the top of the world.  I know he will grow from his experience, and I can help guide him and give him the info that will help him be successful.  I want to help him keep focused which will not deter him from the path that was set for him.”
Bellator, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show, Event Previews/Recaps and Celebrating Tony’s 10th Anniversary as a Host

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This episode we spend a lot of time reminiscing about Tony being part of the Fight News Unlimited team for 10 years. We also take a look back at UFC Fight Night 124 and look ahead to two huge events on Saturday: Bellator 192 headlined by Sonnen vs. Jackson and UFC 220 led by the heavyweight and light heavyweight championship fights between Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou (HVY) and Daniel Cormier and Volkan Oezdemir (L.HVY). We even discuss some NFL football and some other sports. Of course we also take a look at the boxing scene. Listen to the show at the link below:

 

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fjqsgzqeltnf31z/january18show2018.mp3?dl=0

boxing, charity

Baltimore Boxing returns with “Super Brawl of Boxing” January 26

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Baltimore, MD (January 9, 2018) – Jake Smith Baltimore Boxing will host their first show of 2018 when they present the “Super Brawl of Boxing” Friday, January 26 at Michael’s Eighth Ave in Glen Burnie, MD.

Tickets from $40 are available by going to Baltimoreboxing.com/events or calling 410-375-9175.  Doors open at 6:30 and the first fight is scheduled for 8:30.
Baltimore Boxing is also pleased to announce that 5-time world champion and the subject of the movie “Bleed for This” Vinny Paz will be on hand to meet fans. Paz is a regular at Baltimore Boxing cards and local fight fans have adopted him as if he were one of their own.
This Olympic style boxing card is headlined by a title unification between Maryland State Middleweight champ Deshawn “Soulsnatcher” Chase of Baltimore Boxing and East Coast belt holder Marquis Moore of Salisbury’s Main Street Boxing Gym. Chase is one of Baltimore’s better amateurs and a regular at Michael’s Eighth while Moore is a well-schooled boxer that believes both titles will be his come the 26th.
This excellent evening of boxing also feature the debut of former NFL player Leon Joe. A standout linebacker at the University of Maryland, Joe was listed by Street & Smith as an All American Honorable mention in 2003. The next year, the Chicago Bears drafted Joe in the 4th round and he played in Super Bowl XLI. He later spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions before playing two years in the Canadian Football League.
Baltimore Boxing’s ‘Super Brawl of Boxing” also serves as a fundraiser for Tina Frost. On October 1, Frost was shot in the head during the mass shooting in Las Vegas. Her right eye was removed and spent time in a rehab facility. Originally from Baltimore, the 28-year-old Frost was working as a CPA for Ernst & Young in San Diego but is back in Maryland with her family. While Frost’s made great progress, she has a long way to and a mound of medical bills that will only continue to grow.
To assist the Frost family, Baltimore Boxing will have a 50/50 raffle and silent auction. Those unable to make it are encouraged to donate at https://www.gofundme.com/mary-watson-moreland.
“What happened to Tina is incredibly said,” said Jake Smith. “She was professionally successful and had everything going for her in life. It is a true tragedy what happened to her and all of the other shooting victims in Las Vegas. Baltimore Boxing’s fans have done a great job of getting behind the causes we support and we hope everybody is able to come out on the 26th to help raise money for the Frost family.”
Tickets from $40 are available by going to Baltimoreboxing.com/events or calling 410-375-9175. Doors open at 6:30 and the first fight is scheduled for 8:30.
boxing

NOW Boxing Promotions signs light heavyweight Christian Montano

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Montano is co-managed by James Cooper and NFL Pro-Bowl Tackle, Trent Williams
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Humble, Texas (July 7, 2017) – Highly decorated amateur, Christian Montano (1-0, 1 KO) has signed with NOW Promotions

Montano of The Woodlands, Texas was a three-time national champion,  and had a 43-2 amateur record, The 18 year-old Montano is managed by James Cooper and NFL All-Pro offensive Tackle, Trent Williams of the Washington Redskins.
“Everything is good.  I get great sparring, and I have been focusing on my footwork as well as the little things,” said Montano.
Montano, who is set to finish High School,  was juggling school and training as he turned professional.
“It was hard to do that.  I missed some school, but finishing is important to me.  I have been taken a couple Summer classes, and I will have my diploma in the next month.”
“I would love to fight twice a month and get to 10-0 by the end of the year.  That way I can also be active and in front of crowds to build my fan base.”
Being with a management team that includes Williams, a five-time pro bowl selection, has been a positive influence on the 18 year-old.
“Trent sees me as being on a path to success that he has achieved.  He guides me, and we have a great friendship.  He has shown me how to be a professional and we have talks about hard work and getting to the top of our profession.”
Montano’s describes his style as diverse, and the eighteen year-old is looking to take care of business in the light heavyweight division, and he feels that he will grow into boxing’s glamour division.
“I am a boxer-puncher that has an aggressive and vicious streak that throws every punch with bad intentions.  I am looking to be a major player at light heavyweight and I feel I will grow into a heavyweight.   I want to change boxing, and bring excitement and entertainment back to the sport, and have people remember as the Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson of my time.”
Said NOW Promotions Joseph Dunkin, “Christian is a terrific talent, and I am thrilled to have him in the fold.  He combines his ability with charisma, and he could be a big star in the sport for years to come.  We will keep him busy, and develop him into a big-time fighter.”
boxing

GH3 Promotions signs undefeated Heavyweight Ray Edwards

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Nutley, NJ (August 29, 2016) – GH3 Promotions is honored to announce the signing of undefeated heavyweight Ray Edwards to an exclusive promotional contract.
Edwards of Cincinnati, Ohio has a perfect mark of 11-0-1 with seven knockouts.
After a successful seven-year career as a defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League, Edwards has made professional boxing his full-time occupation.
The 31 year-old Edwards actually turned professional May 20, 2011 when the NFL players were entrenched in a lockout.
“Ray has shown that he has the physical tools to become a top heavyweight,” said GH3 Promotions CEO Vito Mielnicki.
“He has a ton of upside and with heavyweights, there is a chance to become a star very quickly here in the States.  I think that because he has competed at a high level in the NFL, he has a chance to do that in boxing.  We are looking to get him three fights before the end of the year.  He is 6’6 255 lbs. and we will move him like like most heavyweights,  steady but right and no rush.  He will be at the top when it’s time. He is class act, well spoken and when he walks in a room u see his presence.
“I always loved boxing.  I started doing in at as an off-season workout and just really enjoyed it,” said Edwards.
In his pro debut, Edwards won a four-round unanimous decision over Tyrone Gibson in Hinckley, Minnesota..
Edwards, who did not have an amateur fight, has increased his level of opposition and is coming off a 2nd round stoppage over Steven Tyner on August 26 in Minneapolis.
“It is a big deal for me to sign with GH3 Promotions,” continued Edwards.  “Vito Mielnicki has a good stable with Antoine Douglas and Jerry Odom and this is the type of step I was looking for.”
Because Edwards was known for his prowess on the gridiron, his transition into the ring was not taken seriously.
“I was looked down upon because I was a football player.  I have the right team around that will help develop my style.  I have been in camp wiith (WBC Heavyweight champion) Deontay Wilder and I held my own, and I have confidence in myself.”
In what he thinks his move from the NFL to boxing can help persuade kids to start boxing, where in the recent past, a lot of the good young athletes have chosen other sports.
“I can help kids be passionate about boxing.  Kids haven’t dedicated themselves and learned their crafts.  People just see the finished products of fighters.  I don’t listen to the negative comments and have good people around me.”
“I just want to stay busy and keep winning.  Let me be great.  In do time, people will see the finished product.”
In what playing at the highest level of professional sports, he can take into boxing, Edwards notes, “I played defensive line and I was focused on the ball.  So I have learned to tune things out.  It’s that tunnel vision that playing in front of 100,000 people, you learn that.  Not to listen to the crowd and stay focused.”
When asked if what his former NFL fraternity thinks of his move to boxing, Edwards stated, “I still get support from my friends in the league.  They are always asking when and where I am fighting, so I feel when the fights get higher profile, It will become a really big thing.”

Said Edwards trainer Kennie Johnson, “He is developing into a good
fighter.  We started out with a guy who had a great physical presence, but he has been a fast learner and now it is time for people to see that.  He is coming along well and when the competition steps up, we will see that he is a quality fighter.  He is the hardest worker that I ever seen in the forty years that I have been around the sport.”
Edwards is managed by Chances Aurelius, who said, “Vito Mielnicki is a good guy and I am happy to be on board with GH3 Promotions.  I think we will do big things together.”

Edwards will fight on September 15 against an opponent to be named in Philadelphia.  The bout will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
GH3 Promotions features Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Ronald Ellis, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight Champion John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight’s Kenneth Sims Jr., Jerrell Harris, Arturo Trujillo & Keenan Smith, Heavyweight Ray Edwards,  Lightweight O’Shaquie Foster, Jr. Lightweight O’Shaquie Foster, Bantamweight’s Brent Venagas & LeRoy Davilla to the GH3 Promotions stable.
wrestling

Beat the Streets Announces Man of the Year Award for Kyle Snyder and Lifetime Achievement Award for Ray Lewis among 2016 Gala Award Winners

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National and local wrestlers and coaches to be honored at 2016 “United in the Square” Gala Celebration in Times Square on Thursday May 19

NEW YORK, May 10, 2016 – Beat the Streets is pleased to announce that it will be presenting its 2016 Man of the Year award to champion international wrestler Kyle Snyder and its Lifetime Achievement Award to former NFL star Ray Lewis at its annual Gala celebration in Times Square on Thursday, May 19.

Kyle Snyder became the youngest American to win a Senior World title when he captured the 97 kg gold medal at the 2015 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas at age 19. Snyder came out of Olympic redshirt and won the 2016 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Madison Square Garden as a sophomore for Ohio State, defeating two-time NCAA champion Nick Gwiazdowski of NC State in a classic heavyweight finals. In April, Snyder defeated 2012 Olympic champion Jake Varner in the finals of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials to earn a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team at the age of 20. In 2014, Snyder was selected to represent Team USA as the youngest-ever member of the Beat the Streets All-Star team.

Ray Lewis is the former linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, two-time Super Bowl Champion, and 2000’s Super Bowl MVP. He was an All-American linebacker and a wrestling star at Kathleen High School in Lakeland, Florida. He has received numerous awards and honors throughout his 17-year career with the Ravens, becoming the team’s all-time career leader in tackles. Lewis will be the Honorary Coach of the USA team at United in the Square.

Beat the Streets will also be awarding a number of New York City wrestlers and coaches in recognition of their achievements in the past year:

Junior League Girls Wrestler of the Year: Chloe Cabrera, MS 129, Bronx
Cabrera is a three-year middle-school wrestler who has stood out every season. Her accomplishments include her three times as Junior League Champion and being a member of the National Junior Honor Society for the past two years. She attends clinics at Beat the Streets and travels in the spring with Head Girls Coach Jacque Davis to out-of-state tournaments. As one of her supporters puts it, “she is always trying to better herself as a wrestler and has a bright future.”

Junior League Boys Wrestler of the Year: Jayden Cardenas, MS 582, Brooklyn
Cardenas is from MS 582 Upper Ten Eyck and has been wrestling for five years. He was the NYC City Champion and USA Wrestling Kids State Champion this year. Cardenas credits his family, coach, and supporters with giving him the drive to stay committed to the sport. He aspires to compete on his high school team and eventually wrestle in the Olympics, winning many more gold medals.

Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Dennielle Phillip, Wingate Educational Campus, Brooklyn
Phillip has been wrestling for almost three years and already made quite an impact. She placed first at the Mohawk Valley tournament and also won the coveted PSAL Yankee Award. Phillip says that wrestling has opened many doors for her and helped her to become a more confident person. She plans to continue wrestling in college and pursue her studies in criminal justice.

Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Evan McFarland, Tottenville High School, Staten Island
McFarland is an Eagle Scout and captain of his wrestling team at Tottenville High School. He is a member of the National Honors Society and involved in numerous volunteering activities, including Habitat for Humanity and the March of Dimes walk. “‘Resilient’ might be the best word to describe Evan,” said his Coach, John Cichon. “Leadership, character, dedication, and time management are some of Evan’s best qualities that he shares unknowingly with everyone he comes in contact with.” He hopes to become an engineer to best make a positive change in the world.

GRIT Award: Rachel Koltsov, The Bronx High School of Science
Koltsov is the captain of the Bronx Science Blended and female wrestling team and has been a member of the team for four years – dating back to when it was an all-boys team. She was instrumental in the team’s victory at the PSAL Blended Wrestling Championship. From her three years wrestling, she finds that the sport has helped teach her a great deal of discipline and responsibility. Koltsov is known for being a hard worker and having an outstanding, personable character. She plans to continue wrestling in college while pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering.

LADY LIBERTY Award: Aileen Gonzalez, Brooklyn Technical High School
As a NYC high school boys coach said of this Brooklyn Tech veteran, “I’m glad my boys do not have to wrestle her next year.” Gonzalez won the Girls City Championship and placed fourth in Boys City Championship. Gonzalez likes to be pushed to the limit and aspires – after winning the team city championships – to attend and graduate college. The Lady Liberty Award is specifically given to a senior NYC female wrestler who has stood as a beacon of opportunity and promise, representing all that is strong and proud about the city’s women’s wrestling culture.

ATLAS Award and Become Your Own Dream Scholarship: Leonard Merkin, Poly Prep Country Day School, Brooklyn
Merkin has made his mark at Poly Prep Country Day School by becoming a four-time NYS Private School Champion. The Atlas Award is given to a senior NYC wrestler who has picked up wrestling on his back and carried it into new territory, set new standards, and advanced the legacy of Beat the Streets. He has received All-American honors and will soon be wrestling for Princeton. Merkin is also the winner of the Become Your Own Dream Scholarship, which is given annually to a New York City student-athlete who has overcome obstacles, felt hardship, and plans to continue wrestling in college.

Junior League Coach of the Year: Michael Wurmbrand, MS 582, Brooklyn
Wurmbrand is the head coach of MS 582 Upper Ten Eyck and has been involved in the sport for ten years. He’s committed to wrestling because it shows clear transformations in students’ behavior, attitude, and leadership with their teammates and in the classroom. Wurmbrand has done a good job maintaining a sizable team at a small school and looks forward to future changes now that he’s able to start training younger student-athletes in elementary school.

High School Assistant Coach of the Year: Anthony Mirra, Tottenville High School, Staten Island
Mirra has been actively involved in Tottenville’s wrestling program since he was a student-athlete himself. He admits the sport for helping to make kids tougher mentally, emotionally and physically. As the lightweight coach, Mirra has helped to produce at least one Mayor’s Cup champion and at least one city champion every year. This past season, he saw six individuals crowned at the city championships and represent Tottenville at the state tournament in Albany, which has never been done by a large school’s team before. As one supporter said of Mirra, “his dedication does not end when practice ends…he is the coach that wrestlers confide in when they are struggling.”

Girls High School Coach of the Year: Theodore Cook, Harry S. Truman High School, Bronx
A veteran of wrestling with over twenty years of experience, Cook has inspired a number of students with his coaching abilities. He’s widely respected for pushing his girls on the team that he started out of their comfort zones and daring them to try their hardest. “He is not afraid to go above and beyond to make sure his team reaches their full potential,” said one student. Another writes: “I can honestly said Coach Cook is probably the most trustworthy and reliable person I know.” Several of his supporters praise him as a father figure who helps lift everyone’s spirits and inspires the girls with life lessons.

Boys High School Coach of the Year: Peter Cardone, William Cullen Bryant High School, Queens
Coach Cardone has made the most of having a dedicated wrestling room at WC Bryant High School and turned a program on the brink into city champions. Cardone’s leadership, with the help of coaches Joe Goetz and Joseph Weinstein, grew his team from fifteen wrestlers to fifty-five. Cardone has overseen numerous accomplishments during his time with the school, including the NYC Freshman and Sophomore Title and becoming undefeated Region 4 Division Champions. “He has changed the lives of many wrestlers in the school by being with them through both good and hard times as a friend and a coach.”

Volunteer of the Year: David Prado
Prado has been involved in wrestling since he was in elementary school and attended Arizona State on an athletic scholarship. He is committed to the sport because it has given him so much success and opportunity throughout his life that he seeks to “pay it forward” to other kids whenever possible. He shows tireless dedication to the cause of Beat the Streets, volunteering at practices several days a week.

The Beat the Streets gala is an annual fundraiser that raises money to support New York City student-athletes, having previously been hosted in such iconic locations as Times Square and Grand Central Terminal. The gala helps provide wrestling equipment and opportunities to 3,000 kids across the five boroughs every year. This year’s celebration, “United in the Square,” will see some of America’s top wrestlers, including Jordan Burroughs and Adeline Gray, going up against world-class competition from Iran, Canada, and South Korea. The gala begins at 3:45 PM on Thursday, May 19 with exhibition matches featuring young wrestlers from NYC before the world class wrestling matches begin at 6:00 PM. Tickets for seating in Times Square and attendance at the post-match reception are available on the Beat the Streets website. The event will be streaming live on FloWrestling.

About Beat the Streets
The mission of Beat the Streets is to develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling. BTSW works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to help New York City’s student-athletes achieve their personal and athletic goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTSW and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life skills of physical fitness, teamwork, and self-empowerment. The goal of fostering strong, dedicated, and optimistic kids is delivered through coaching, after-school programs, and summer camps. More information can be found at www.btsny.org.

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Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

MATT MITRIONE CHOOSES BELLATOR MMA, SIGNING AN EXCLUSIVE, MULTI-FIGHT CONTRACT WITH THE PROMOTION

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SANTA MONICA (March 14, 2016) – Last week, top mixed martial art’s free agent Matt Mitrione (9-5) joined Ariel Helwani’s “MMA Hour” show and revealed that he had been fielding offers from multiple promotions, including a great bid he had received from Bellator MMA. In a very rare move, Helwani had Mitrione rejoin his popular talk show for a second straight week to announce that the paperwork has been finalized, making Mitrione the newest member of Bellator MMA’s heavyweight division.

 

“There comes a time in every athlete’s life, where the scenarios change and the landscape has eroded from what made you fall in love with it initially,” said Mitrione. “It has become that time for me. After a mutually beneficial free agency period, I’ve decided to move my career to Bellator. I’ve enjoyed almost every second of my career and unlike most that switch organizations due to being cut or no longer being able to perform at the sports highest levels, I am bringing a body and skillset that are only getting better and I cannot wait to test my abilities against the best Bellator has to offer.”

 

Lovingly referred to as “Meathead,” Mitrione is one of the few fighters to have started his professional career with the UFC without previously competing on the regional circuit. His 14-bout stint with that promotion began in 2009, where he faced formidable opponents the likes of: Kimbo Slice, Gabriel Gonzaga, Ben Rothwell, Derrick Lewis, Brendan Schaub, Roy Nelson, Shawn Jordan and Travis Brown amongst others.

 

Prior to competing in MMA, Mitrione earned a scholarship to play defensive tackle for the Purdue Boilermakers football team, not far from where he grew up in Springfield, Ill. After college, he played in the NFL for the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings until 2005.

 

At the conclusion of his professional football career, the Shotokan Karate Black Belt focused all of his attention on the sport of MMA. Mitrione spent time training with Duke Roufus and the highly-respected Roufusport team before landing with the famed Blackzilians camp in Boca Raton, FLA, where he trains today.

 

The extremely popular and well-spoken Mitrione has allowed the judges to determine the result of his fight only twice, against Joey Beltran and Cheick Kongo, both of whom currently fight for Bellator MMA. His entertaining fighting style has earned him recognition with “Performance of the Night” (twice) and “Fight of the Night” accolades.

 

Prior to his last fight with his former promotion, Mitrione was forced to participate in a media session barefoot, as his shoes didn’t adhere to the strict company uniform policy. He will have no such problems at Bellator, where he is free to secure his own sponsors and keep his feet warm with the footwear of his choosing.

 

Bellator has been bolstering their heavyweight division as of late, and Mitrione becomes the second heavyweight free agent the promotion has signed in as many months, as Sergei Kharitonov joined the fray in February. The division is currently championed by Vitaly Minakov, and includes other top names like Slice, Bobby Lashley, Cheick Kongo, Vinicius “Spartan,” Tony Johnson, Justin Wren, Dan Charles and Augusto Sakai.