SHOWTIME EXTREME® TO AIR COTTO-MAYORGA WEIGH-IN AND FIGHTER INTERVIEWS LIVE on FRIDAY, MARCH 11 at 6 p.m. ET

Posted on | March 8, 2011 | No Comments

NEW YORK (March 7, 2011) – SHOWTIME Sports® announced today that SHOWTIME EXTREME – the sports and action focused multiplex channel – will broadcast the live weigh-in and select fighter interviews from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Friday, March 11 at 6 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) in anticipation of the March 12 SHOWTIME PPV® “RELENTLESS” headlined by Miguel Cotto and Ricardo Mayorga.

Ines Sainz of TV Azteca and Jimmy Lennon Jr. will host the half-hour program featuring all eight fighters on the pay-per-view card, including Cotto, Mayorga, Yuri Foreman, Pawel Wolak, Miguel Vazquez, Lenny Zappavigna, Tommy Zbikowski and Richard Bryant.

“SHOWTIME continues to explore different ways to expand the reach of boxing and televising the weigh-in of a major pay-per-view card is just one of the many innovations we will be exploring,” said Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports. “Earlier this year, SHOWTIME EXTREME relaunched as the place to find SHOWTIME Sports telecasts after their original airings on SHOWTIME. By adding live content for the first time, we are bolstering the channel’s value to our subscribers even more.”

SHOWTIME EXTREME is available in 94 percent of SHOWTIME households. The telecast will be available in High Definition and produced by Top Rank. In addition to the broadcast, a live stream of the weigh-in will be available at sports.sho.com and www.toprank.com/TRLivestream.

For the first time in five years, Hall of Fame promoters Bob Arum and Don King will join forces to present the first major pay-per-view world championship boxing event of the season – featuring the pride of Puerto Rico, Cotto defending his World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight title against two-division world champion Mayorga, on Saturday, March 12, at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. The pay-per-view broadcast will also feature the return of former WBA super welterweight champion and future rabbi Foreman, who will be taking on Top-10 contender Wolak in a 10-round super welterweight rumble, IBF lightweight champion Vazquez defending his title against mandatory challenger Zappavigna, and Baltimore Ravens safety/former Notre Dame standout Zbikowski returning to the ring for a four-round heavyweight bout against Bryant.

Cotto vs. Mayorga will be promoted by Top Rank, in association with Cotto Promotions, Don King Productions, Tecate and MGM Grand.

The Cotto vs. Mayorga pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95. It will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. For Cotto vs. Mayorga fight week updates, log on to www.sports.SHO.com or www.toprank.com

Williams In Confident Mood Ahead Of Vicena Clash On 19th March

Posted on | March 8, 2011 | No Comments

Southern Area Cruiserweight Champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams is set for his second outing of the year when he faces Czech Republic hardman David Vicena at the Steve Goodwin Promoted ‘Essex Eruption’ quadruple headline super show at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham, Essex on Saturday 19th March 2011.

Leon will be looking to get back in winning ways, following his surprising stoppage loss against Richard Turba last month, in order to focus fully on his upcoming Southern Area title defense as well as his planned assault on the British title trail.

Leon has been matched with a tough opponent, as David Vicena has proven himself more than handful for top ranked fighters on many occasions. His last two fights were against #2 ranked Sandro Siproshvili and #3 ranked Roman Kracik and although he lost both times it was by extremely close majority decisions, having drawn the contest on a single judges card on both occasions.

Following a sparring session, with London Based Dutch Cruiserweight Mitchell Balker at the Ultrachem TKO Gym in Canning Town, Leon spoke briefly about the upcoming fight and his desire to redress the couple of blemishes on his record, “I’m going to be going forward, that’s what I’m supposed to be doing. I’ll put the pressure on and do what I do best and that’s fight.

It’ll be a good warm up for my title defense. I’ll be looking to take him out, I’m going to make my name now.

After this fight I’ll be straight back in the gym and start planning for the next fight, hopefully within the month. Get ready for another fight, whether it’s another defense, or an eight rounder, ten rounder. I want to keep it moving and I really want to put things right on my record, you know those losses at Prizefighter and my last fight.

Against John Lewis-Dickenson I felt they scored it like amateur boxing. I thought I was a professional not an amateur. They scored it on a points system yet I was putting on the pressure, landing the cleaner shots yet they gave it to him with scoring like an amateur.

I’d definitely fight him again, I definitely want to fight him again and I’ll take him out.

The fight with Richard Turba I put that down to the preparation I did before the fight, things I don’t normally do. I don’t ever go down, I’ve been caught clean on many occasions but I never go down. I put that down to my preparations.

First round I didn’t get caught by any shots. I fought on the back foot. I’m not a back foot fighter but it worked for me. Second round I got caught, that was down to my preparation that I done.

If I got to fight him again I put it on him and do what I do best and that’s come forward and make it a real fight.

It’ll be fantastic if I can get a rematch with them both. There’ll be a different result, most definitely.”

Leon ‘Solid’ Williams versus David Vicena will co-headline the Steve Goodwin promoted ‘Essex Eruption’ super show at Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham, Essex on Saturday 19th March 2011.

‘Essex Eruption’, in addition to Leon Williams, is co-headlined by British Master challenger ‘Phat’ Pat McAleese, who faces Franz Gonzalez, Romford’s top ten rated Cruiserweight Tony ‘The Conqueror’ Conquest and Yassine ‘The Showman’ El Maachi, who will both be against yet to be named opponents

The undercard of the quadruple headlined super show includes a whole host of local talent including Leon’s Ultrachem TKO team mates Daniel Herdman, who faces Kevin McCauley, ‘Pretty’ Ricky Boylan versus Kristian Laight and the highly rated unbeaten Featherweight prospect ‘Saint’ George Jupp against a yet to be named opponent.

Michael ‘The Zambezi Hitman’ Norgrove will be looking to extend his unbeaten record to five when he faces Czech Republic’s Jan Balog. Another fighter who will be looking to increase his uneaten record is Biggleswade’s Jamie Boness.

Middleweight Kris Agyei-Dua and Danny Brown will be making their second outing in a Month, after both securing wins on their debuts at York Hall on February 20th.

Further fights are expected to be announced shortly to bring the ‘Essex Eruption’ card to fourteen bouts.

Tickets for ESSEX ERUPTION at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham, Essex on Saturday 19th March 2011 are priced £35 (Unreserved) or £60 (Ringside) and on sale NOW.

For tickets book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com, call: 07960 850645 or in person at The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.

Mitchell Balker Looks To Topple ‘The Emperor’ On 18th March

Posted on | March 8, 2011 | No Comments

London based Dutch Cruiserweight prospect Mitchell Balker is set to face recent Prizefighter – Light Heavyweights semifinalist Menay ‘The Emperor’ Edwards at Spencer Fearon’s Hard Knock Boxing Promotions ‘Shamrock Showdown’ event at York Hall on Friday 18th March 2011.

Balker, who relocated to London late last year to be managed and co-trained by top UK coach Johnny Eames at his Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, shrugged aside the disappointment of the last minute cancellation of his planned fight with John Anthony on Saturday night by saying, “It’s disappointing when you are ready to fight. I was ready, I had peaked.

Now I have backed down the training a little and start training for the new fight on the 18th. I feel very good for it, as always I am happy to fight.

I don’t know much about Menay other than he fought in Prizefighter recently, it should be a good fight.

You’re going to see Mitchell boxing, you’re going to see Mitchell in top shape, You’re going to see Mitchell win. That’s what you are going to see.”

Mitchell Balker versus Menay ‘The Emperor’ Edwards will be supporting Darren ‘Mr R&B’ Hamilton’s challenge for Peter McDonagh’s BBBofC Southern Area Light Welterweight title at Spencer Fearon’s Hard Knock Boxing Promotions ‘Shamrock Showdown’ event at York Hall on Friday 18th March 2011.

Spencer Fearon has put together a top class undercard to support rising Light Welterweight star Darren Hamilton’s first tilt at a championship title. In addition to the aforementioned Balker versus Edwards the highly rated Worthing Lightweight Alex Dilmaghani looking to extend his unbeaten record to six when he faces the highly experienced Sheffield hard man Daniel Thorpe.

Also on the card are a pair of Balker’s Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym mates. Mitcham, Surrey, Welterweight Danny ‘Cassius’ Connor, who will be facing Jamie Arlain and the sensational Light Middleweight prospect Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng who draws yet another tough opponent in Luke Robinson.

Also on the card will be Aylesbury’s classy Middleweight Nathan Graham against a yet to be named opponent.

Tickets for Spencer Fearon’s Hard Knocks Boxing Promotions SHAMROCK SHOWDOWN at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Friday 18th March 2011 are priced £35 and on sale NOW.

For tickets book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com, call: 07960 850645 or in person at The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.

“BIG” MICHAEL GRANT (6′ 7″) FACES TYE “BIG SKY” FIELDS (6′ 9″); CASAMAYOR VS. NEW OPPONENT MANUEL LEYVA ON PPV CARD FRIDAY, MARCH 11 AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD IN LAS VEGAS

Posted on | March 8, 2011 | No Comments

Ron ‘The American Dream’ Johnson, Aaron Williams in title bout highlight exciting undercard action!

A clash of heavyweight titans, matching 6-foot-7-inch Michael Grant of Atlanta against 6-foot-9-inch Tye Fields of Las Vegas, plus a battle between former world champion Joel Casamayor of Miami, Florida, and highly regarded Manuel Leyva of Mexico highlight a nationally and internationally televised pay-per-view card Friday, March 11, in the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev..

Also on the card presented by Sterling Promotions in association with American Dream Presents and Heads Up Entertainment, in separate fights will be light heavyweight Ron Johnson and cruiserweight Aaron Williams, who’ll be fighting for the World Boxing Council/United States National Boxing Championship interim 200-pound title.

All four fights are scheduled for 10 rounds.

The card will be televised live, starting at 7 p.m. (Pacific)/10 p.m. (Eastern) on pay-per-view in the United States and Canada and on a tape delay basis internationally. The suggested price is $24.99 for the card, which is available through cable and satellite providers. The pay-per-view telecast is being produced and distributed by MultiVision Media, Inc.

The 38-year-old Grant has a record of 46-4 with 34 knockouts and has met far better opponents, including former world champion Lennox Lewis. Grant challenged, unsuccessfully, for Lewis’ World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation titles during 2000.

Grant burst back into the international spotlight in his most recent bout Aug. 21 with a stellar but, ultimately, unsuccessful, 12-round effort against No. 1-ranked (World Boxing Organization) heavyweight Tomasz Adamek.

Fields, a southpaw who now divides his residences between Las Vegas and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has a record of 45-2 with 41 knockouts. While Fields is renown for his size, he has been untested during his 12-year pro career, meeting primarily less than top-notch competition. This fight against Grant not only will be Fields’ toughest test, but could go a long way in determining the 35-year-old’s future in the heavyweight division.

Casamayor, the former World Boxing Association super featherweight and WBC lightweight champion, has a record of 37-5-1 with 22 knockouts, while Leyva has an impressive mark of 20-1 with 12 knockouts.

The 39-year-old Casamayor, a southpaw who’s originally from Cuba, was the WBA 130-pound champion during 2000 to 2002 and the WBC 135-pound champ during 2006 and 2007. But he’s best known for his two wins over the late Diego Corrales and, more recently, his knockout victory over Michael Katsidis.

The 28-year-old Leyva, a southpaw from Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico has won 14 straight, the past four by knockout.

The 24-year-old Johnson, originally from Cleveland but now residing in Las Vegas, has a record of 11-1 with three knockouts. The slick boxer has won five straight.

His opponent, 27-year-old Brent Urban from Dallas, has a record of 7-3-1 with five knockouts.

Williams, like Johnson, a 24-year-old who is originally from Cleveland but now residing in Las Vegas, has a record of 20-3-1 with 13 knockouts.

His opponent, 34-year-old Shane Steele from Louisville, Ky., has a record of 7-3 with five knockouts.

Other bouts on the card include:

Heavyweight Razvan Cojanu of Las Vegas, who represented Romania at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, making his pro debut against an opponent to be determined in a four-round bout;

Super middleweight Semen Uporov of Las Vegas (10-1, 5 KOs) against Duane King of Reidsville, N.C., (2-2, 0 KOs) in a six-round fight;

Light heavyweight Hiromitsu Miura of Tokyo (5-0, 3 KOs) against an opponent to be determined in a four-round clash;

And super welterweight Dante Moore of Cleveland (6-0-1, 4 KOs) against an opponent to be determined in a four-round battle.

Tickets, priced at $25, $40, $60, $90 and $150, are available at the Planet Hollywood Theatre box office from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday or by calling the Planet Hollywood box office at 702-785-5555, ext. 55620 during those hours. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or at www.ticketmaster.com.

The card starts at 6:30 p.m. with doors to the Planet Hollywood Theatre opening at 6.

The pay-per-view telecast is being produced and distributed by MultiVision Media, Inc., and is available through cable and satellite providers, starting at 7 p.m. (Pacific)/10 p.m. (Eastern) on pay-per-view in the United States and Canada and on a tape delay basis internationally. The suggested price is $24.99.

All bouts are subject to change.

DAN HENDERSON KNOCKS OUT RAFAEL FEIJAO TO CAPTURE STRIKEFORCE WORLD LIGHT HEAVY TITLE; MARLOES COENEN RALLIES TO SUBMIT LIZ CARMOUCHE TO RETAIN STRIKEFORCE WOMEN’S WELTERWEIGHT BELT

Posted on | March 6, 2011 | No Comments

TIM KENNEDY, JORGE MASVIDAL ALSO TRIUMPH

Saturday, March 5, Live on SHOWTIME® From Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio.,
Catch Exciting Replay on Tuesday, March 8, on SHO Extreme at 10 p.m.ET/PT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 6, 2011) – One of the most decorated and widely respected fighters in the history of Mixed Martial Arts, Dan Henderson, knocked out defending champion Rafael “Feijao’’ Cavalcante at 0:50 of the third round to capture the STRIKEFORCE World Light Heavyweight Championship in Saturday’s main event live on SHOWTIME® before 7,123 at the Nationwide Arena.

For the remarkable 40-year-old Henderson, the only fighter to simultaneously hold two world titles in two different weight classes with a major promotion, it was his fifth MMA world title and, perhaps, the sweetest.

“Leading up to this fight there was a lot of talk about fighting for the title but I didn’t give it much thought,’’ said Henderson, who left the UFC on a three-fight winning streak to sign with STRIKEFORCE in December 2009. “But now that I have it, it is really nice.

“I wanted to be real patient. Feijao is a tough, real powerful guy especially in the first round. Hopefully, now, I can break that curse.’’

By winning, Henderson (27-8), of Temecula, Calif., became the fourth consecutive challenger since November 2008 to dethrone a defending champion in the deep, talent-laden STRIKEFORCE 205-pound division. It began with Bobby Southworth losing to Renato “Babalu’’ Sobral, who was dethroned by Gegard Mousasi, who in turn was ousted by Muhammad “King’ Mo’’ Lawal, who fell to Feijao.

“I’m just thankful it turned out like this,’’ said Henderson, a two-time United States Olympic Games wrestler before turning pro. “I want to thank Feijao for giving me the opportunity.’’

A winner of five of his last six, Henderson threw what appeared to be a glancing right hand that landed on Feijao’s head. While off-balance, Hendo pushed Feijao to the mat. Feijao landed face-first, and from there Henderson pounced. After five huge right hands, the referee stepped in and stopped it. Going into the third, Hendo was ahead 20-18 on one of the scorecards. The other two had it 19-apiece.

“I made a lot of mistakes,’’ said Feijao (10-3), of Rio de Janiero, Brazil. “You can’t make these kinds of mistakes. I’ll go home, and come back stronger than ever.’’ Feijao entered the fight having won three in a row and six out of his last seven.

In other televised action on STRIKEFORCE: Feijao vs. Hendo presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, Marloes Coenen (19-4) of the Netherlands turned back a determined challenge by late substitute and previously undefeated Liz “Girl-Rilla’’ Carmouche (6-1), of San Diego, Calif., to retain her 135-pound title with a come-from-behind fourth-round submission (triangle choke) in the opening half of a STRIKEFORCE World Championship Doubleheader.

Also, Saturday, on SHOWTIME, American military hero Tim Kennedy (13-3) of Austin, Texas, regained his winning ways with a 3:21, first-round submission (rear-naked choke) over Melvin “No Mercy’’ Manhoef (25-8) of the Netherlands in a middleweight (185 pounds) match and Jorge Masvidal (21-6) of Miami, Fla., dealt previously undefeated lightweight Billy Evangelista (11-1) of Fresno, Calif., his first loss on a unanimous three-round decision.

One of the top female fighters in the world, Coenen, a product of Holland’s Golden Glory team, was behind 29-28 on all the scorecards, heading into the fourth round. She rallied to tap out the game Carmouche at 1:29

“She was kicking my (butt), you must give her respect,’’ said Coenen, who won the STRIKEFORCE crown with an impressive third-round submission (armbar) over defending belt-holder Sarah Kaufman on Oct. 9, 2010. “My gameplan was to just get her tired but she got me on the ground a few times.

“When I had her in that choke I knew I had her, I knew it was over. I’ve been sick and I just wasn’t feeling well in there. If (STRIKEFORCE Women’s World Middleweight Champion Cris) Cyborg hits you, it’s hard to survive but these hits didn’t really hurt that much. I was just defending myself and waiting for my opportunity. Liz is a terrific fighter. She’ll be a champion one day.

“I want to face Miesha Tate next – I think she deserves it. I want to thank the American audiences, my sponsors, and of course (STRIKEFORCE CEO) Scott Coker for giving women a chance in MMA.”’

The virtually untested Carmouche, who replaced an injured Tate on less than two weeks notice, displayed a ton of skill, grit and determination en route to nearly pulling off a major shocker.

“Of course I’m frustrated, no one wants to lose,’’ said the 27-year-old Carmouche, a former Marine whose five-year stint included three tours to Iraq. “I thought I was dominant and that she wasn’t defending herself. I thought the ref was going to stop it a few times but he didn’t.

“I was expecting him to stop it and I was surprised he kept letting it go on. I absolutely want another shot at her. I’d take it next week if I could.’’

One of first things Kennedy, who’s toured the Middle East multiple times, did after the victory over Manhoef was jump on the top of the cage and salute two of his superiors seated near cageside– Leader General Tim Kadavy, the Deputy Director of The National Guard, and Colonel Rob Porter, the Chief of Guard strength director.

When asked by SHOWTIME’s Mauro Ranallo moments later about Manhoef and his immediate future plans, Kennedy said, “we’re talking about one of most decorated strikers (Manhoef) in MMA. I’m excited. There was no hidden game plan. He’s weak on his back.

“I just love being here and fighting for the crowds. I want to fight the best. If the matchmakers at STRIKEFORCE don’t think I’m ready for (current STRIKEFORCE middleweight champion) Jacare (Souza) again, give me the next guy, Robbie Lawler. They’re the two best in the world. I’d love fighting either.’’

Then, directing his attention to those tuning in to the Armed Forces Network, Kennedy said. “There’s only one thing I love more (than fighting MMA, and that’s) being overseas with those guys. Give me a little more time. I’ll be back, protecting your freedoms.’’

Masvidal won by the scores of 30-27 on the three judges’ scorecards. “I do well with strikers,’’ he said. “My timing wasn’t great and I was a little off my game plan but I pulled it out. I think the difference maker was my heart. If I need to go back and beat a few more guys before I get a title shot then that’s fine with me.’’

Said Evangelista, a veteran of the STRIKEFORCE Challengers series who was making his Saturday debut for SHOWTIME: “It was a close fight. I was definitely the aggressor and trying to fight. He used his reach to his advantage. He did what he needed to do to win. I didn’t focus on my grappling. Maybe next time I can get in better grappling shape.’’

Saturday’s event, STRIKEFORCE’s first in the state of Ohio, took place in conjunction with The Arnold Sports Festival, the nation’s largest health and fitness exposition founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The telecast will re-air as follows:

DAY CHANNEL
Tuesday, March 8, at 10 p.m. ET/PT SHO Extreme

The telecast also will be available On Demand beginning Tuesday, March 8, and running through March 21.

Ranallo called the action on SHOWTIME with MMA legends Frank Shamrock and Pat Miletich serving as expert analysts.

For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive video, photos and news links on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and STRIKEFORCE mixed martial arts telecasts, along with access to the SHOWTIME Sports Facebook® and Twitter® pages, please go to http://Sports.Sho.com.

Fight Report – Unleash The Fury, York Hall Saturday March 5th

Posted on | March 6, 2011 | No Comments

By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

On Saturday night , at York Hall in Bethnal Green, was the first of two events to celebrate Steve Goodwin’s first year as a boxing promoter. Over the past year Steve has promoted some of the biggest and best events in the Capital for a long, long while.

It was his intention to put on two massive shows in March but fate stepped in to decimate the card for his first.

In the run up to the show Steve had fighters dropping out like flies, some due to injury others down to an inability to shift the required level of tickets whilst others suffered due to the lack of opponents – various opponents had to withdraw due to being stopped in their fights the previous weekend. To add insult to injury there were so many shows on this weekend that available opponents were rarer than hens teeth.

At the start of play instead of the anticipated fourteen bouts there were just seven. Saying that they were seven highly entertaining all action bouts.

Whilst the Toks Owoh – against a very late replacement Remigijus Ziausys, who took the fight with 24 hours notice and see him arrive in England on Saturday morning – was the headline bout I have decided to report the excellent, albeit shortened, event from show opener to final bout in that order as virtually every fight was worthy of headline status.

Phil Gill versus Jason Nesbitt

One thing you can guarantee when Phil Gill is in the ring it will be an all action affair. Sure enough that’s what the York Hall crowd were to get. Gill went to work hard and fast right from the opening bell, letting rip with both hands throughout the first round. His excellent ring craft barely allowed Nesbitt get any meaningful shots of his own in.

Gill didn’t quite get to dominate the second round quite to the level of the first as Nesbitt managed to find his range and let go with a couple of cracking right hands to the body. Gill didn’t drop the pace and just responded with even more fast powerful left and rights.

Round three was more even with both protagonists letting rip with shot after shot in quick succession, in fact this round could have gone to either way as both came so close to stopping the other at one point.

In the first minute Gill let rip with a cracking left-right body head combination but was unable to finish off the clearly shaken Nesbitt. From then on it was a punch trading war until the final seconds when Nesbitt turned the tables with a hard right to the body that really rattled Gill, Nesbitt turned the tables and started to let rip with both hands until the final bell.

The final round was much as before, with both pushing hard. Throughout the contest Gill had not only thrown more shots but also landed the most meaningful ones and was rightly pronounced victor by a 39-37 points margin.

Wayne Alwan-Arab versus Danny Dontchev

Danny Dontchev’s a great ambassador for the sport, doesn’t win that many bouts but always comes to fight. On Saturday night he lost again, this time to the unbeaten in twelve Wayne Alwan-Arab, albeit rather contentiously in my view as I felt he had earned a draw at very least if not the win.

Alwan-Arab dominate a good percentage of the first round but Dontchev gave more than just a good account of himself, especially in the final minute of the round where he pressured Alwan-Arab back onto the ropes and let rip with flurry after flurry of punches.

Alwan-Arab shot out the trap at the start of the second and started to really pressure Dontchev. It was far from one way traffic though as Dontchev dug in and really tested the young Hackney based Zimbabwean throughout. I see the round a draw

Round three see Dontchev starting like a rocket and step up the pressure on Alwan-Arab. Throughout the round Dontchev kept pressing as well as landing some cracking right hands. It was a very good round for Dontchev.

Round four was more of the same and a surefire upset win for Dontchev looked on the cards, that is until about midway through the round when Dontchev slipped as he closed in on a fast retreating Alwan-Arab. Surprisingly the referee continued the count started by the timekeeper even though it was a clear slip. The crowd showed their disapproval of the count and Dontchev protested but to no avail. Dontchev stepped up the pressure but time wasn’t on his side.

When the referee’s scorecard was read out – a shutout 40-35 points victory for Alwan-Arab – the crowd again showed their disapproval.

Eder Kurti versus Jodie Meikle

Woolwich based Albanian Super Middleweight Eder Kurti received a rapturous welcome as he made his way to the ring to face Scunthorpe’s Jody Meikle. The cheers barely subsided the whole bout as Kurti gave a magnificent display of boxing.

From start to finish Kurti pressured Meikle, letting rip with heavy lefts and rights to body and head. As early as round two Meikle was already bearing the scars of battle, with blood pouring from a nasty cut to the bridge of the nose.

Round three see Kurti set about Meikle with heavy rights to the head and body. Somehow Miekle managed to survive the constant onslaught, but at a cost as the cut on his nose had visibly worsened, so much so that the referee took a long hard look before allowing Miekle to come out for the fourth.

Kurti was magnificent throughout the final round to earn a 40-37 points victory.

Toks Owoh versus Remigijus Ziausys

Toks Owoh put on a beautiful, controlled display from start to finish. He barely seemed to break a sweat throughout and used his stinging jab to keep the forward pushing late replacement Remigijus Ziausys at bay.

Owoh kept the pace comfortable and appeared to be looking to get the rounds under his belt rather than go for an early finish. Saying that on a couple of occasions Owoh shaped up and looked set to shift out of cruise control and go for a knockout finish, alas it was only momentary as he would quickly revert to using the jab and occasional heavy right.

Whilst it wasn’t the sort of ‘dog fight’ performance long time fans of Owoh are used to, it was a very tidy and totally dominating one. As I had said there were flashes of ‘The Viper’ of old and am sure that should an opponent of right calibre be available in the future the warlord in Owoh will come to the fore and fans will be treated once again to the battle royales we have come to expect from him.

Dan Woodgate versus Jamie Norkett

It’s hard to believe that Minster, Kent’s Dan ‘Woody’ Woodgate has had only two professional bouts, his performance on Saturday night was more in keeping with a seasoned championship campaigner.

Classy and slick are words that come to mind to describe Woodgate’s performance against Newark’s Jamie Norkett. From start to finish Woodgate dominated proceedings and in the later rounds looked as if he could have finished the fight at will, having rocked the durable Norkett on various occasions.

Don’t go thinking Norkett hadn’t come to fight, he had, just Woodgate was in a class of his own and rightly deserved the 40-37 point victory.

Jamie Boness versus Louis Byrne

Bigglewade’s Jamie Boness had his hands full with Guildford’s Louis Byrne. Throughout the bout the pair went at it hammer and tongs. Rounds one and two I see in favour of Boness just because he landed the more meaningful punches.

Round three was a much closer affair, with each controlling the action at times. Round four was a cracker and see both going all out for an early finish. In the end it was Boness that had secured the win by a very close 39-38 points margin.

Met Sekiraqi versus Floyd Moore

The final fight of the night saw the much hyped debut of Harlesden based Kosovon Met Sekiraqi, against Fareham’s Floyd Moore. The reception Sekiraqi received from the three hundred plus Kosovons in the audience was so loud you would have thought there were three thousand of them.

To describe the first round as a war is another understatement, Sekiraqi seemed intent to behead Moore with massive haymakers. Moore on the other hand did really well to avoid decapitation and put in some excellent, and far more controlled, attacks of his own between having to defend against the banshie attacks. Late in the round Moore rocked Sekiraqi with a peach of a right but was unable to capitalise before the bell rang

Even before round two started it was clear this fight wouldn’t go the distance and sure enough after about fourty seconds down goes Sekiraqi after Moore landed a simply divine right to the head of the attacking Kosovon.

Sekiraqi made the count, just, and was allowed to continue. Less than a minute later he was back down on the canvas for a second time, following yet another a cracking right from Moore.

Again Sekiraqi made the count but this time the referee had seen enough and waved the fight off after one minute and fourty nine seconds of the second round, much to the annoyance of the Kosovon fans.

All in all it was an excellent event with exciting well matched bouts, now the Goodwin Juggernaut moves on to Gorsebrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham, Essex where part two of his anniversary celebration takes part on March 19th with the quadruple headlined ‘Essex Eruption’ event featuring Leon ‘Solid’ Williams, Yassine El Maachi, ‘Phat’ Pat McAleese, Tony Conquest, Ricky Boylan, ‘Saint’ George Jupp, Michael Grant, Michael Devine, Daniel Herdman, Michael Norgrove, Richard Hines, Kris Agyei-Dua and Danny Brown against quality opponents.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Visits Strikeforce

Posted on | March 5, 2011 | No Comments

This weekend, there’s no better place for action fans than the Arnold Sports Festival.
It’s also where Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger met the Strikeforce fighters and ring girls!
Click below to watch share and embed his interview with SHOWTIME Reporter Heidi Androl and Gov. Schwarzenegger

DOMINGUEZ STOPS GOMEZ IN THREE IN WOODHAVEN, NEW YORK IN BATTLE OF UNDEFEATED FEATHERWEIGHTS

Posted on | March 5, 2011 | No Comments

First New Legend Boxing Promotions thrills fans with action packed bouts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WOODHAVEN, NY (March 4, 2011)—An enthusiastic crowd packed Cordon Bleu Catering Hall in the Woodhaven section of Queens, New York and they were treated to a night of entertaining boxing that was promoted by New Legend Boxing Promotions.

In the main event, Juan Dominguez scored a third round stoppage over Gabriel Gomez in a battle of undefeated Featherweights that was scheduled for six rounds.

Dominguez dropped Gomez in round one with a hard right hand. Dominguez equaled that in round three by scoring a second knockdown in round three. Later in the round Dominguez dropped Gomez with a right to the top of the head and that’s when the fight was waved off at 2:05 of round three.

The co-feature, Mike Ruiz scored a third round stoppage over Jorge Barajas in a scheduled six round Welterweight bout. Ruiz dropped Barajas twice in round three with the first being a right off the ropes. He scored a second knockdown from a left to the body and moments later the fight was stopped by referee Eddie Claudio after a finishing barrage of punches from Ruiz.
Undercard winners included heavyweight Vinny Celentano; Former Polish amateur star, super featherweight Kamil Laszczyk; super featherweight Rafael Vazquez; undefeated female sensation Patricia Alcivar; Eilud Torres and Edward Valdez

FULL RESULTS

6 ROUNDS—FEATHERWEIGHTS—Juan Dominguez (7-0, 5 KO’s) 124 lbs of Brooklyn, NY TKO 3 (2:05) over Gabriel Gomez(4-1) 124 lbs of Philadelphia

6 ROUNDS—WELTERWEIGHTS—Mike Ruiz (11-4, 6 KO’s) 148 ½ lbs of Lynbrook, NY TKO 3 (1:22) over Jorge Barajas (5-5) 147 ½ lbs of Idaho Falls, ID

6 Rounds—Lightweights– Edward Valdez (4-8-2, 1 KO) 132 lbs of New York TKO 6 ( :49) over Angel Torres (2-5-2) 134 lbs of Yonkers, NY

6 ROUNDS – JR WELTERWEIGHTS—Eilud Torres (4-2-2) 140 lbs of Allentown, PA UD over Jonathan Cuba (5-3) 137 lbs of New York…Scores were 58-54; 57-55; 57-55

4 ROUNDS—FEMALE SUPER FLYWEIGHTS—Patricia Alcivar (4-0) 114 lbs Queens, NY UD OVER Laura Gomez (3-3) 118 ½ lbs Sonora, MX…Scores were 40-36 on all cards

4 ROUNDS—SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS—Rafael Vazquez (5-0) 128 ¼ lbs of Brooklyn, NY UD over George Santiago (1-2) 131 lbs of Brooklyn, NY…Scores were 38-37; 39-36; 40-35

4 ROUNDS—SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS—Kamil Laszczyk (1-0, 1 KO) 128 lbs of North Bergen, NJ TKO 2 (1:25) over Emil Brooks (0-3) 128 lbs of Buffalo, NY

4 ROUNDS—HEAVYWEIGHTS—Vinny Celentano (2-0) 228 lbs of Howard Beach, NY UD over Richard Mason (0-3) 213 lbs of Westbury, NY…Scores were 39-37 on all cards

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