WITTER VS. HARRIS TO SQUARE OFF IN SQUARE OFF IN SEPTEMBER
Posted on | July 26, 2007 | 1 Comment
Junior Witter will be “living the dream” when he defends the WBC light-welterweight title against Vivian Harris in his home city of Doncaster on Friday, September 7.
The former European, Commonwealth and British champion faces the New York-based mandatory challenger on a Hennessy Sports show to be televised live by Sky Sports at The Dome at Doncaster Lakeside, Yorkshire.
Witter hopes victory over Harris will alert more people to his ability and set up even bigger fights against marquee names.
And in Harris, Witter gets the chance to show what he can do with another fighter at the top of the world rankings.
Harris is a former world champion who was linked with a fight against Witter’s long-term rival Ricky Hatton three years ago.
“I’ve just got to thank my promoter Mick Hennessy for bringing this fight to Doncaster and I’m absolutely thrilled by the prospect of putting on a show for my local fans,” said ‘The Hitter’.
“Doncaster is my home and I only live five minutes away from the venue so it’s convenient and will be handy on the night. It’s also easy for my fans from Sheffield and Bradford to get here and it’s a wonderful venue for boxing, so it will be a great night.
“I’ve had to box away from home to get where I am but this will be a chance for my friends, family and fans in Yorkshire to come and see me in the flesh.
“I’m from Bradford, but I’ve been living in Doncaster for a year a now. Fighting for the world title in Doncaster was something I had hoped to do for a while, and now I’m living the dream.
“This is a high quality fight against one of the biggest names in world boxing in recent years, so it has made me train just that little bit more for it.
“The noise from my supporters will give me a lift no doubt and it will help on the night and that will raise my performance. But I won’t be taking anything for granted against him because he twice went to Germany to defend the WBA title and won, stopping Oktay Urkal the second time.
“He can also bang a bit, so it’s going to be a great fight. In America he might even be seen as the favourite by some people, so this is a big fight for me and I have to do a good job.
“Beating Harris will make a few more people in the States sit up and take notice of me. He is dangerous – but this is my chance to stamp my authority on this division.”
The fight was originally set for the St George’s Concert Hall in Bradford, but promoter Mick Hennessy switched the event to The Dome at Doncaster Lakeside.
Witter and Hatton fought at the Doncaster Dome in 1999 and Witter will publicise his return to the venue with an appearance on the pitch at the Doncaster Rovers pre-season friendly against Manchester United on August 3.
“My girlfriend has got me into following Doncaster Rovers and it will be good to go out on the pitch at the game against Manchester United on August 3,” said Junior.
Guyana-born Harris, 29, has just two defeats in 31 fights and made three defences of the WBA crown before he was stopped in a shock defeat to Carlos Maussa. Since then, he notched up three wins on the trot against the likes of top ten ranked Juan Lazcano and former world champion Stevie Johnston, who he stopped in seven.
Witter’s promoter Mick Hennessy sees Harris as the perfect defence for his boxer to make the step up to super-fights.
“I know Junior is the best in this division and if he can do the job in style that will go some way to proving that,” said Hennessy.
“Harris has mixed in world class for over five years and is a name well known to the American audience. We want to get Junior more well known in the States, and this fight is ideal for doing that. He can make a real global name for himself in this fight.
“Harris wasn’t himself when he lost to Carlos Maussa and that is well documented but he has come back from that and he is a dangerous fighter when he’s on top of his game.
“Junior deserves his chance to box in Doncaster. We were going to the St George’s Concert Hall but a few complications made it impossible. It’s worked out very well going to the Doncaster Dome because we now have a larger capacity, where they have had big title fights before.
“We wanted to show Junior off in Yorkshire and this is a rare chance for the boxing fans in Doncaster and surrounding areas to see a world title fight involving one their boys in their own back yard.
“We are certainly not underestimating Vivian Harris, he is a top drawer fighter, but I also have every faith in Junior to come through this and do the business. This is a huge fight for him, and hopefully there could be bigger ones to follow.”
MATT GODFREY READY FOR RHODE ISLAND SHOWDOWN
Posted on | July 26, 2007 | 1 Comment
Risky Business for No. 2 rated Matt Godfrey
“Takin’ It To The River” on August 10
“The Budweiser Night at the Fights” series continues at Twin River in RI
PROVIDENCE (July 25, 2007) – “Takin’ It To The River,” featuring WBC No. 2 rated cruiserweight Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, continues the “The Budweiser Night at the Fights” series, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., on August 10 at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
Godfrey (15-0, 9 KOs), who is also ranked No. 4 by the IBF and No. 6 by the WBA, risks his ratings as well as a world title shot within a year by fighting tough Derrick “D-Train” Brown (13-2-3, 11 KOs) in the main event. The unbeaten Providence cruiserweight puts his NABF title belt on the line. Matt also holds the NABA, USNBC and WBC Continental Americas crowns.
Coming off of a scintillating second-round TKO of Felix Cora, Jr. on national television, Godfrey has to remain focused on Brown and wait for the results of the September 28 WBC cruiserweight championship bout between defending champion Jean-Marc Mormeck and No. 1 contender David Haye.
Brown, fighting out of New York City, is trained by arguably the greatest women boxer of all-time, Christy Martin. Prior to Derrick’s last two fights, draws against Alfredo Escalera and Gary Gomez in his opponents’ backyards, were his first as a cruiserweight having campaigned in his first 11 fights at heavyweight.
“Matt Godfrey’s a real fighter,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield explained. “He could have stayed at No. 2 waiting to move up and get a WBC mandatory title fight. But he wants to fight and he didn’t want a walkover opponent. That’s why he’s defending his NABF title belt against Brown in a very risky fight for Matt.”
Nine-time U.S. national amateur champion Aaron Williams (13-0-1, 9 KOs), of Las Vegas, made an awesome CES debut in his last fight, registering the knockout of the night on national television against DeLeon Tingsley. Hot prospect Williams will fight in the co-feature on Aug. 10 at Twin River.
On the undercard is popular Providence light heavyweight Jarrod Tillinghast (9-0, 3 KOs), Providence crowd favorite Richard “Bobo” Starnino (8-2-1, 1 KO) faces New Bedford (MA) super middleweight Eric Pinarreta, Massachusetts light heavyweights Manuel Antonio Lopes (2-0, 1 KO), fighting out of Brockton, and Whitman’s (MA) Mark “The Italian Bazooka” DeLuca (2-0, 2 KOs), and Russian middleweight Andrey Nevsky, now living near Worcester in Clinton (MA).
“We’re exciting to be back at what I think is becoming the new Mecca of boxing in New England, beautiful Twin River,” Burchfield continued. “This is a tremendous card from top to bottom with some of New England’s top young fighters like DeLuca, Lopes and Nevsky. We also have an old fashioned boxing match between Providence’s ‘Bobo’ Starnino and nearby New Bedford’s Eric Pinarreta. They didn’t have to fight each other and could have asked for easier opponents. But they’re both like boxers from the old days when they didn’t pick and choose opponents. I applaud them and their camps for making this fight that should be a real beauty. And Jarrod Tillinghast is is more focused on boxing than he’s ever been. He brings intensity, excitement and charisma like other Providence fighters like Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Jr. and Joey Spina.”
“Takin’ To The River” will be taped live and air Saturday night, Aug. 11 at 7:00 PM/ET on CN8, The Comcast Network and Cox Sports Television.
Tickets for “Takin’ It To The River” are priced at $35.00 (SOLD OUT), $45.00, (Bronze), $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and may be purchased by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln), RI), or any TicketMaster location. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
-CES-
Godfrey signs 3 year contract extension with CES, named Team CES Captain
World cruiserweight contender Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey has signed a 3-year promotional contract extension with Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. and was named Captain of Team CES, Burchfield announced at today’s press conference in Rhode Island.
“CES has had only one captain in all of the years I’ve been doing this – Vinny Paz,” Burchfield commented. “There’s hasn’t been another captain but today I’m announcing that we have a new captain of Team CES, Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey. He’s earned it not only for what he’s done in the ring, but also out of the ring. He’s a true leader. Matt has signed a 3-year extension. He’s going to be a world champion and be our captain for a long time.”
-CES-
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Matt Godfrey: “I’m No. 2 in the WBC. I could be sitting at home or be here watching somebody else talking today. I guess I’m a little crazy. I didn’t want to fight a guy who has lost five in a row by knockout or a bad record. I have a very difficult fight against a guy who’s coming down from heavyweight. He (Derrick Brown) has very fast hands and a lot of power. He’s a dangerous fighter. He may be faster and have more power than me, but I have something he doesn’t – the will to win. I’m undefeated. I don’t know how to lose. Everybody will see it August 10. I’m going to keep my No. 2 WBA rating, go to 16-0, and defend my NABF title with my 10th knockout. Godfrey’s back in Rhode Island fighting in front of his hometown fans again.”
Jarrod Tillinghast: “Here we go again. This will be my third fight since coming back. If I would have told you I’d be here six months ago…..it was a dream. I must have talked to myself 700 times into coming back. I’ve put my best foot forward. I’m back.”
“Bobo” Starnino: “August 10th I’m going to put on a good fight. It’s a big fight for me. Eric, you’ve got to fight me with your hands. I’ve had a lot of sparring. We’re going to get busy.”
Eric Pinarreta: “It should be an interesting fight, New Bedford against Rhode Island. There are a lot of good fighters on the card. It’s going to be a good show.”
Manuel Antonio Lopes: “I’m thankful for this opportunity. I’m real excited to be on this card. Training has been going well and I’m looking forward to giving everyone a good fight.”
Mark DeLuca: “This is my first fight for CES. I’m very excited. I’ve been training hard.”
Andrey Nevsky: “I am going to do my best. I’m happy to be on this show. I’m an MMA fighter and boxer.”
-CES-
EUROPEAN BOXING NEWS 7/26/07
Posted on | July 26, 2007 | No Comments
Spotlight Boxing won the purse bids yesterday (July 24) for WBA middle champ Felix Sturm´s mandatory defence against American Randy Griffin. Spotlight beat both Arena Box Promotion, Don King Production and its main company, Universum Box Promotion, with an offer for 1 678 555 UISD. When and where the fight will happen is not clear but Spotlight have informed the WBA it could happen September 15 in Rostock on the Veit vs Brahmer show, October 13 in Moscow on the Chagaev vs Ibragimov bill or October 20 in Germany. The fact that Arena put pressure on Universum and Spotlight with their bid will surely add fuel to the fire that already burns between the three Hamburg based promotional outfits.
Arena will for the first time in Germany promote outside of Hamburg and will do a big show in nearby Luebeck September 21 with heavies Odlanier Solis, Steffen Kretschmann and Konstantin Airich on the bill. Also on for the show are lightweight Yuriorkis Gamboa, jr feather Yan Barthelemy and jr welter Selcuk Aydin.
Danish supermiddle Mads Larsen will fight Australian Nader Hamdan in a non-title eight-rounder on the Abraham vs Gevor show August 18 in Berlin. “Mads don´t need a big buildup” says matchmaker Hagen Doering. “He´s not a young boy and we will move him fast and push him up the ratings for a titleshot as soon as possible.”
Also on for the bill is Michel Trabant vs Gianmario Grassellini – a fight that was scheduled for June 23 but cancelled at the last moment as Trabant had to pull out due to illness.
Vietnamese, based in Spain and sometimes in the US, lightweight Hoang Sang Nguyen scored a good win July 22 with a points win over Frenchman Mihaita Mutu over eight in Palma de Mallorca.
Wking Box Team, headed by Winfried Spiering, who manages among others EBU middle champ Sebastian Sylvester, promotes a show in Berlin September 2 with heavies Aleksander Jakob and Pedro Carrion on the bill.
Jeremy Williams and David Tua Both Back in Action in August
Posted on | July 26, 2007 | 1 Comment
Tua marches on through Montana
Tua-Montana, Mesi-Williams & Greenberg headline Pinnacle FiteNite
Williams vs. Gomez – Live PPV Show Aug. 18
SALT LAKE CITY (July 24, 2007) – One of boxing’s most feared punchers of all-time, David “Tuaman” Tua, takes the next step in his comeback when he headlines the August 18th “Pinnacle FiteNite” pay-per-view show against Mexican heavyweight champion Saul “La Cobra” Montana in the 10-round co-main event at the South Towne Exposition Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Aug. 18 edition of “Pinnacle FiteNite,” the new pro boxing pay-per-view series emanating for a wide variety of venues, is promoted by C.A.M. Boxing, Inc. in association with Sports and Entertainment Media, Inc. and Gotham Boxing.
Samoan knockout specialist Tua (47-3-1, 40 KOs), who went the distance against undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in 2000, has accomplished just about everything in boxing except for winning a world title. He has beaten world heavyweight champions Oleg Maskaev, John Ruiz, Hasim Rahman and Michael Moorer but never worn the coveted title belt himself.
“Every fight is a title fight,” Tua spoke from his Salt Lake City training camp about new his attitude. “That’s my whole approach – mentally, spiritually and physically. This is it! I’m taking a different approach, in my second time around, to the sport I love. Training hard is part of it, but I have to be smart, too. This time around is different and I look forward to enjoying the Sweet Science. It’ll be pleasing to get another title shot and winning it, which would seal off my career, and I still have three, four years to do it.”
The battle-tested Montana (48-14, 42 KOs) has fought world champions James Toney, Virgil Hill, and Vassiliy Jirov. “I know Montana is going to try and stop me from fighting and winning a world title,” Tua continued. “He will be well prepared just like everyone who fights me. I’m training very hard for him. Every fight is a new challenge for me. I’m not where I need to be but I can feel it. I take it one fight at a time; no fight is an easy fight. Because of past managerial problems I haven’t been as active as I’d have loved to. I’m hoping to stay more active. I’m happy, not satisfied, right now.
“Salk Lake City has a large Polynesian community. It would be fantastic if a lot of them came to my fight because their support means a lot to me.”
Buffalo’s unbeaten “Baby” Joe Mesi (35-0, 28 KOs), former world No. 1 contender, meets veteran Sherman “The Tank” Williams (33-10-2, 19 KOs) in the other 10 round co-main event. Mesi has beaten former world champion Jirov, as well as past world heavyweight title contenders DaVarryl Williamson and Monte Barrett. Williams, the reigning NBA heavyweight title-holder from The Bahamas, is at the top of his game having won his last eight fights dating back two years (8-0, 4 KOs). “The Tank” has defeated former world champion Alfred “Ice” Cole, fought a draw with world heavyweight title challenger Jameel McCline, and took present WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev the full distance in Germany.
Russian-born Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Roman Greenberg (25-0, 17 KOs), who is scheduled to fight in a 10-round Special Heavyweight Attraction, was raised in Israel and lives in England.
Jeremy “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” Williams (41-5-1, 35 KOs) returns to action one division lighter after being inactive the past 2 ½ years, largely due to his involvement as a coach on The Contender reality television series, takes on Salt Lake City favorite Gary “Pit Bill” Gomez (18-7-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round cruiserweight match. Williams, who fought for the WBO heavyweight belt in 1996, holds wins as a heavyweight against 29-1 Attila Levin (TKO8), 35-1 Andre Purlette (DEC10) and 27-5-1 David Bostice (KO1).
Also scheduled to fight on the Aug. 18th undercards is undefeated New York City middleweight prospect Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (13-0, 11 KOs) and Las Vegas high-profile defense attorney Marc “The Defender” Saggese (2-0, 2 KOs).
The Aug. 18th Pinnacle FiteNite event will be produced by 21 Lakes and distributed by Integrated Sports. The 3-hour, four-bout minimum Pinnacle FiteNite show will be available live on Aug. 18 at 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT on both cable and satellite PPV via iN Demand, DirecTV and TVN, as well as live in Canada via satellite PPV on Bell Expressvue, for a suggested retail price of $24.95.
Tickets, priced at $35.00, $50.00 and $75.00, are on sale and available at www.smithstix.com and local outlets.
-PFN-
GLEASON’S GYM MONTHLY BOXING SHOW REMINDER
Posted on | July 26, 2007 | No Comments
Greetings!
Greetings from Gleason’s Gym. This is a brief reminder that we’re holding our monthly boxing show on August 4th here at 77 Front Street in Brooklyn.
Admission is $20 for the general public and $10 for gym members or amatuer boxers who have their USA boxing book in hand.
Weigh-ins will be at 5:30 and the first bouts start at 7:00. Anyone interested in fighting should contact Angela at 718 797 2872 ASAP. This is a USA Boxing Metro sanctioned event.
“WHERE BOXING IS A TRADITION”
Bruce Silverglade
Gleason’s Gym
——————————————————————————–
email: bruce@gleasonsgym.net
phone: 718 797 2872
web: http://www.gleasonsgym.net
GUNN FIGHT RESCHEDULED
Posted on | July 26, 2007 | No Comments
Gunn Fight Rescheduled For August 25th!
For immediate release
Former IBA Cruiserweight king Bobby Gunn 17-3 {14 KO’s} has had his scheduled August 11th fight moved to the 25th of August. The fight, which will be taking place in Fairfax Virginia, was moved due to lack of time to find a quality opponent, as he was indifferent about the level of the current oppositional choices. Gunn was happy to be given an extension of time to find the right opponent. The heavy handed Gunn said, “There were of fights out there that made no sense for me at this stage of my career. I want a fight that will bring me a respectable opponent so I can get back in the world rankings. The promoter of the show {Han Kim} is expecting a sell out crowd and I don’t want to disappoint them by facing a last minute opponent like I did in my previous fight”.
Promoter Han Kim was also happy to move the date back. “Working with Bobby is easy since he has a large fan appeal. When he boxes for me, it is like a John Duddy fight in terms of the loyalty and support of his fans. I expect big things for Bobby if he is victorious on the 25th”!
Gunn will be challenging for a title in the twelve round main event. The title on the line will be either an IBF regional or USBO championship.
Tickets can be ordered by calling Han Kim at 703-909-8077
REID READY TO FIGHT BROWN ON AUGUST 24
Posted on | July 26, 2007 | No Comments
Former Contender Star Reid To Fight Rashiem Brown On August 24th
For Immediate Release
Former Contender season 1 star and World Title challenger Jonathan “Reid Dawg” Reid 34-6 {19 KO’s} will fight one time mega-prospect Rashiem Brown 17-3 {14 KO’s} on August 24th. The fight will be the co main event at the New Alhambra in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Reid, who is fighting for the first time under Dee Lee promotions, is excited to make his first trip to Philadelphia and hopes to please the crowd.
“First I’d like to thank Diane Lee Fischer {of Dee Lee Promotions} for giving me another chance as well as BYG Management for having the confidence in me” said the Tennessee based Reid. “I know the Philadelphia crowd is used to seeing some great fights and I am ready to come in make and make a name for myself. I am not very familiar with Brown but I expect him to be well prepared just like I will be. Boxing is like chess and ill checkmate him before he checkmates me”.
Tickets can be ordered by going to www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/onlineSale;jsessionid=76AF80F6202CE563A12EB4A56AA838A2?action=selectPerformance&cobrand=newalhambra&performance_id=616856
PAVLIK VS. TAYLOR SUPER BOUT SET FOR END OF SEPTEMBER
Posted on | July 26, 2007 | No Comments
UNDISPUTED AND UNDEFEATED WORLD MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION JERMAIN “BAD INTENTIONS” TAYLOR TO DEFEND TITLE AGAINST UNBEATEN NO. 1 CONTENDER KELLY PAVLIK ON SAT., SEPT. 29, AT BOARDWALK HALL IN ATLANTIC CITY
***DiBella Entertainment to present boxing extravaganza; Title Bout to Be Televised on HBO Sports World Championship Boxing***
New York, July 24—Undisputed and Undefeated World Middleweight Champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor will make the fifth defense of his two-year title reign when he faces the stiff test of number 1 contender (WBC, WBO) Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik on Saturday night, September 29, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, it was announced today by Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment.
“Taylor/Pavlik is a classic middleweight showdown, a true throwback fight,” said DiBella. “The tickets are reasonably priced and are already in high demand with a significant casino presale. Any fight fan wanting to see this historic battle should act fast and purchase their tickets as soon as possible.”
“This is going to be a terrific fight, something that boxing really needs. The eyes of the sporting world will be watching these two great fighters in Atlantic City on Sept. 29,” said Bob Arum, CEO, Top Rank.
Taylor, the favorite son of Arkansas , has successfully defended his middleweight crown against legendary Bernard Hopkins, Winky Wright, Kassim Ouma, and Cory Spinks since first taking the title from Hopkins in 2005.
HBO Sports World Championship Boxing will televise the world championship bout live at 10:15 p.m. ET/ 7:15 p.m. PT.
Taylor (27-0-1, 17 KO’s) has yet to taste defeat since turning professional in 2000. Pavlik, likewise undefeated, gets his first chance at a championship on the heels of a spectacular knockout victory over Edison Miranda. No. 1 rated by both the WBC and WBO, Youngstown , Ohio ’s undefeated Pavlik is a bona fide knockout artist, registering 28 KO’s in 31 career triumphs as a professional.
Taylor first captured the undisputed middleweight championship against the legendary Bernard Hopkins on July 17, 2005 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas , NV , with a 12 round split decision triumph, and defended the title for the first time against Hopkins on December 3, 2005 at Mandalay Bay in Vegas with a unanimous decision victory. Taylor has since defended his title twice in 2006, first in Memphis in a controversial draw against Winky Wright on June 9, and last December 9 defeating former champion Kassim Ouma in Little Rock. Cory Spinks was next on the Taylor checklist, and Jermain was up to the challenge once again with a unanimous decision triumph in Memphis on May 19.
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