ANTONIO SILVA BEATS, PERHAPS RETIRES FEDOR EMELIANENKO TO ADVANCE IN STRIKEFORCE WORLD GRAND PRIX HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT
Posted on | February 13, 2011 | No Comments
KHARITONOV KNOCKS OUT ARLOVSKI TO MOVE ON
11,287 ON HAND TO WITNESS WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN LAST FIGHT IN CAREER
OF THE LEGENDARY MMA FIGHTER; GINA CARANO IS COMING BACK TO MMA
Saturday, Feb. 12, Live on SHOWTIME® From IZOD Center, East Rutherford, N.J.
Catch Replay on Wednesday, Feb. 16, on SHO EXTREME at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Feb. 13, 2011) – At the finish, even before the official announcement was rendered, Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva walked across the cage, got down on his knees and bowed at the feet of Fedor Emelianenko.
“I told him he was No. 1, that he is still No. 1 and that he would always be No. 1,’’ Brazil’s Silva (16-2) said. “There will never be a fighter like him.’’
Silva, a near 5-1 underdog, turned the STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix – Heavyweight Tournament and the Mixed Martial Arts world upside down Saturday by scoring a second-round TKO (doctor’s stoppage) over the legendary Russian to advance to the next round of the tournament.
Also proceeding in the three-stage, single-elimination tournament was Russian Sergei Kharitonov (18-4), of Pattaya,Thailand, who won his United States debut with a brutal, 2:49, first-round knockout over former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski (15-9), of Chicago in their quarterfinal before 11,287 at IZOD Center live on SHOWTIME®.
After a close first round in a STRIKEFORCE and M-1 Global main event, Silva dominated the second. At the conclusion of the round, Fedor’s face was swollen, badly bruised and he could not see out of his right eye. Moments later, the doctor halted the fight.
“I want to thank for you for your support,’’ said Fedor (31-3, 1 NC), a class act and sportsman win or lose. “Something was wrong from the beginning. I didn’t adjust. Maybe it is time to leave.’’
When pressed in the cage afterward by SHOWTIME announcer Gus Johnson whether this was indeed the last time he would fight, the revered Fedor said, “Yes, maybe this is last time, maybe it’s high time (to retire). I had a great, beautiful sporting life. Yes, maybe it’s time. Thank you very much for the support. Thank God for everything.’’
Silva showed little respect for the six-foot, 34-year-old Fedor during the fight, but he had nothing but praise afterward for a fighter once universally recognized as the baddest man on the planet, the biggest living legend in MMA and perhaps the greatest and most feared martial artist in history.
“He was a great, great champion. I hope he doesn’t retire,’’ said the 6-foot-4, 31-year-old Silva. “I got some great advice from Fabricio Werdum, who forced Fedor to tap out last year. “The game plan was to take him down and ground and pound.’’
The Grand Prix will continue with two more two quarterfinal matchups on Saturday, April 9, when STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight World Champion Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem (34-11, 1 NC) faces the only man to tap out Fedor, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1), and hard-hitting Brett “The Grim” Rogers (11-2) meets former UFC champion Josh Barnett (29-5).
An exciting evening that included an announcement by Gina Carano that she was returning to MMA began with ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. introducing all the tournament fighters, one by one, to the crowd. The fans roared as each came out, the cheers reaching a near-deafening crescendo when Fedor, the last of the eight, came out. But this would not be his night.
In other results on Saturday’s all-heavyweight televised portion of an event presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, undefeated Shane Del Rosario (11-0) of Irvine, Calif., submitted (arm-bar) Lavar “Big’’ Johnson (15-4) of Madera, Calif., at 4:31 in the first, Chad “The Grave Digger’’ Griggs (10-1) of Tucson, Ariz., won his fifth consecutive start, stopping Gian Villante (7-2) of Bellmore, N.Y., at 2:49 in the opening round and Valentijn Overeem (29-25) of Amsterdam, Holland, won his STRIKEFORCE debut via submission (neck crank) over Ray “Sugarfoot’’ Sefo (2-1) at 1:37 in the first.
Going in, Kharitonov, a 6-foot-4, 30-year-old native of Moscow, Russia, was perhaps best known for being the last fighter to defeat current STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem. Not so, anymore.
“Russia is the best,’’ Kharitonov said. “I know I’m going to win this tournament.’’
The promising 6-foot-4, 27-year-old Del Rosario has now won 10 of his 11 fights in the initial five minutes.
“I thought Lavar was going to come out and just try to bang,’’ said Del Rosario. “But he left his arm out and I went for it. This was my first time on the main STRIKEFORCE series so I had to look good.’’
The loss ended a seven-fight winning streak for the hard-hitting Johnson, who’d won all seven of the fights by TKO.
Griggs and Villante came out banging. The more-experienced Griggs, despite a cut on his left ear, scored two knockdowns. Villante survived the first knockdown, but Griggs dropped him again with a right hand, quickly followed with five consecutive punches and the fight was stopped. It was the seventh time Griggs has been victorious in the first round, and his ninth knockout in 10 wins.
A fulltime Tucson firefighter and paramedic, the 6-foot-1, 32-year-old Griggs was coming off a bloody, upset second-round TKO (retirement) over former pro wrestling superstar Bobby Lashley on Aug. 21, 2010, on SHOWTIME.
“Give me some credit, I try to be an exciting fighter,’’ Griggs said. “Fans want to see people stand up and bang. It’s the power of the sideburns.”
The older brother of Alistair Overeem, Valentijn Overeem took down Sefo who seemed to land hard on his left shoulder. Shortly thereafter, Sefo tapped out from a neck crank. It was the third victory in a row for the 6-foot-3, 34-year-old Dutch Destroyer and member of Team Golden Glory, who won his last two fights in a combined time of 47 seconds.
“I had to go out there and have some fun, but be careful and fight my game,’’ Overeem said. “I knew Sefo didn’t want to go to the ground but I could have stood up with him, too.’’
Saturday’s thrilling event will re-air as follows:
DAY CHANNEL
Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME
The telecast also will be available On Demand beginning Tuesday, Feb. 15, and running through Feb. 28.
Gus Johnson called the action on SHOWTIME with Mauro Ranallo and MMA legend Frank Shamrock serving as expert analysts.
Upcoming STRIKEFORCE Events on SHOWTIME: Friday, Feb. 18 — Undefeated lightweight Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm (15-0) will face dangerous veteran Pat “Bam Bam’’ Healy (25-17) in the main event on STRIKEFORCE Challengers at Cedar Park Center in the Austin, Tex. suburb of Cedar Park at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Other televised bouts: Ryan Couture vs. Lee Higgins (2-0), lightweights; Bryan Travers (14-2) vs. Carlo “Neo’’ Prater (25-10-1), at a catch weight of 160 pounds and Erik “Bad’’ Apple (10-2) vs. Ryan Larson (5-2), welterweights.
Saturday, March 5, World Championship Doubleheader – Dan Henderson (26-8) challenges defending champion Rafael “Feijao’’ Cavalcante (10-2) for the STRIKEFORCE World Light Heavyweight (205 pounds) Championship at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). In a second world title fight, Marloes “Rumina’’ Coenen (18-4) risks her STRIKEFORCE lightweight title for a first time against No. 1 135-pound contender, Miesha “Takedown’’ Tate (11-2), of Tacoma, Wash. Also, American military hero Tim Kennedy (12-3) vs. Melvin “No Mercy’’ Manhoef (24-8-1), middleweights; and undefeated Billy Evangelista (11-0) vs. Jorge Masvidal (20-6), lightweights. The event, STRIKEFORCE’s first in the state of Ohio, will take place in conjunction with The Arnold Sports Festival, the nation’s largest health and fitness exposition founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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
Tags: Andrei Arlovski > Antonio Silva > Auto > doctor > draft > East Rutherford > emelianenko > first round knockout > Grand > Griggs > Gus Johnson > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > pattaya thailand > Prix > round > Saturday > sergei kharitonov > single elimination tournament > Strikeforce > time > WORLD
RICO RAMOS OUTBATTLES ALEJANDRO VALDEZ
Posted on | February 12, 2011 | No Comments
“Da Bomb” Stuns “Da Heat” on ShoBox: The New Generation
From Bally’s Grand Ballroom, Atlantic City, N.J.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Feb. 12, 2011) – Rico Ramos landed the crisper, cleaner shots en route to a hard fought unanimous decision over fellow super bantamweight Alejandro Valdez, scored 97-93 two times and 98-92. In the fleeting super middleweight co-feature, a rebounding Don “Da Bomb” George pummeled Cornelius “Da Heat” White before referee Randy Newman declared the fight a TKO in the first round on ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME.
Ramos, 19-0 (10 KOs), has all the tools to make the transition from prospect to contender: speed, footwork, determination. What the Los Angeles-based fighter needs now is experience against tougher opposition. Friday night’s ShoBox bout against Valdez (24-5-2, 17 KOs), proved to be just that. Ramos fought a tough battle against the taller Mexican but he was unable to assert his dominance and superior boxing skills as he has done to past opponents. In a close fight that saw its share of head butts, Ramos consistently landed more flush shots while Valdez, unphased by Ramos’ unbeaten record, stuck to his game plan and kept coming forward to throw his long, awkward punches.
Heading into the 10th round, the fighters came out swinging to signify that they both had a shot at winning the fight. The men stood toe-to-toe and exchanged a barrage of punches that brought the Atlantic City crowd to its feet. After being temporarily slowed by a head butt, Ramos emerged with blood spilling from his eye and finished the fight like the champion he’d like to be.
Said Ramos, “After that head butt, I had to come back because I didn’t want it to dictate my fight.”
More important than earning his nineteenth straight victory, Ramos learned a valuable lesson in the rigors of facing championship level opposition. Valdez, a former title challenger several times over, proved to be Ramos’ toughest test to date and a welcomed addition to Ramos’ fight resume.
“It was tough. I didn’t think it would be this tough,” said Ramos. “There were a lot of head butts and holds but I’ve got no complaints.”
Despite dropping the decision, Valdez said after the bout, “I exposed that [Ramos] is still very green and protected.”
After suffering a brutal first career loss in his last outing, George (21-1-1, 17 KOs), of Chicago, came out determined to expose the unbeaten but untested White (16-1, 15 KOs). Taking only a minute to feel out his opponent, George pushed the action and knocked down White with a textbook one-two punch. Houston’s White, 29, got back up but never got back in the fight. George, 26, sensed that White was dazed and unloaded rapid fire punches until White hit the canvas a second time. At 2:02 in the first round, Newman had seen enough and stopped the contest to hand White his first loss.
After the fight, an ecstatic George exclaimed, “I’m back. Some people are pretty upset out there because I was paid to lose. They thought I was an opponent.
“I feel great. I’ll fight for SHOWTIME again next week, if they want.”
Tonight’s action was promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions. The telecast will be available on SHOWTIME On Demand beginning Feb. 14 through Feb. 27.
Curt Menefee called the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and Antonio Tarver serving as expert analysts. Gordon Hall is the executive producer of ShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.
Tags: Auto > boxing skills > city crowd > da bomb > decision > draft > fight > Grand > head butt > head butts > loss > opponent > OUTBATTLES > round > ShoBox > straight victory > Stuns > Super Bantamweight > telecast > unbeaten record > unphased
Pro Wrestling Superstar to Wrestle in Nepal after Riot
Posted on | February 12, 2011 | No Comments
(Tampa, FL) – Former ECW, WCW, TNA and WWE Superstar Big Vito will make his return to the country of Nepal, the place where he caused a riot last year involving 4000 fans. It was a chaotic mess, but Vito wouldn’t back down from another chance to wrestle in Nepal.
You can watch the match in Nepal on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vgrwWgJT2U
Last years match had the spectators throwing chairs and anything else they could find into the ring, after Vito almost defeated Mr. Tiger, before being escorted out of the arena.
“They were just upset that the man representing their country was losing, and nobody wants to see their hero go down. They were cheering for me, but they liked Mr. Tiger better” says Vito and states “the police did an incredible job since they were outnumbered; they got everyone out of the arena and controlled the situation.”
The government has invited Vito to return to the country, promising high security so last year’s incident will not occur again. He’s looking forward to the trip, and plans to give the fans a show they won’t forget.
This Saturday, Big Vito will be appearing at New Jersey Premier Night Entertainment Complex Adelphia in Deptford,NJ to challenge for the Celebrity Wrestling Championship.
The event, held by Celebrity Boxing Promoter Damon Feldman, will also include Female Hollywood boxing, a HUGE after party, and many big surprises. Rumor has it several former Heavyweight Boxing Champions want to take a shot at Vito as well. Will Vito venture into the world of Professional Boxing?
Next week, Vito will try his hand at another game…POKER. The charity Celebrity Poker event is scheduled for on February 17th and 18th in Tampa, Florida.
It’s not only a big month for Big Vito, but for Vito’s significant other, pro wrestling personality Noel Harlow, who has opened up a graphic design business offering logos, 8x10s, and t-shirt designs. The two are already planning to expand the business in the spring with a joint venture to be announced soon.
Things are looking good for the toughest couple in pro wrestling who have proclaimed 2011 to be their year!
Tags: Auto > big vito > Celebrity > chance > country of nepal > draft > ECW > former ecw > former heavyweight boxing champions > graphic design business > heavyweight boxing champions > http www youtube > mess > Nobody > poker > t shirt designs > TNA > Wrestle > wrestling superstar > WWE > wwe superstar > Youtube
Bert Sugar guest speaker at Ring 8 meeting Tuesday night in Long Island City
Posted on | February 12, 2011 | No Comments
NEW YORK, NY (Feb. 11, 2011) – Venerable boxing journalist and historian Bert Sugar will be the special guest speaker this coming Tuesday night (Feb. 15 starting at 7 PM/ET) for RING 8’s monthly meeting at the historic Waterfront Crabhouse in Long Island City.
One of the most recognizable characters and foremost authorities in boxing, Sugar was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005. He has written more than 80 books, primarily about boxing, and Bert was called “The Greatest Boxing writer of the 20th century” by the International Veterans Boxing Association.
Sugar has been a RING 8 guest speaker several times and this meeting he will speak about boxing history, of course, as well as his new book, “The Ultimate Book of Boxing Lists,” co-authored by last month’s RING 8 guest speaker, Teddy Atlas.
“We’re excited to have Bert back as a guest speaker,” RING 8 spokesperson Tony Mazzarella said. “Bert has been in our corner for many years and that means a lot to each and every member. RING 8 has started a revitalization process through our newly elected president, Bob Duffy. Our goal is to increase membership and get more people involved. It’s already working with more than 90 members present at our last meeting despite poor weather.”
Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, RING 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association — hence, RING “8” — and today the organization’s motto still remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.
RING 8 is genuinely dedicated to lending a helping hand to those in the boxing community who are less fortunate and may require assistance in terms of paying their rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.
Go on line to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with 350 members. Annual membership dues is only $25.00 and each member is entitled to a buffer dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, the third Tuesday of every month, excluding July and August.
Tags: annual membership dues > Association > Auto > Bert Sugar > Bob Duffy > Boxing > Boxing Hall of Fame > course > Crabhouse > draft > foremost authorities > Greatest > International Boxing Hall of Fame > membership > national veteran > NEW > poor weather > ring > Teddy Atlas > Venerable > Veterans > Waterfront Crabhouse
USBO Champion Mark “TNT” Tucker Added as Special Attraction to March 12th Jimmy Lange Boxing Card
Posted on | February 12, 2011 | No Comments
Explosive Maryland Fighter Joins Action-Packed Lineup at Patriot Center
FAIRFAX, VA (February 11, 2011)— The top-flight Jimmy Lange Boxing card coming to the Patriot Center on March 12th just got better thanks to an undefeated, power-punching, Mohawk-sporting, rising prospect from nearby Maryland. Ice Promotions officials are excited to announce that United States Boxing Organization (USBO) Light Heavyweight Champion Mark “TNT” Tucker (15-0, 7 KOs) of Eldersburg, MD, currently rated #7 at 175-pounds by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), has been added to its action-packed lineup. The Jimmy Lange-headlined card at the George Mason University venue is presented by Valcourt Building Services.
The 23-year old southpaw, who earned his 15th win with a six-round unanimous decision over Ray Smith in New York City last Wednesday, will face an opponent to be determined in an eight-round special attraction bout.
Known for his dynamic punching power, Tucker battered grizzled veteran Jim Strohl in July 2009 to capture the USBO title before a spirited hometown crowd at Westminster, MD’s Shipley Arena where he has headlined six shows. Five months later he successfully defended his belt with a unanimous decision over Silver Spring, MD veteran George Armenta. In his lone bout of 2010, Tucker bested Billy Bailey via eight round decision to claim the inaugural North American Boxing Organization’s (NABO) Youth Light Heavyweight title.
The colorful fighter, who legally changed his name to add his ring moniker, fights out of the Maryland Boxing Club where he is trained and managed by his father, Mark Tucker Sr. He signed a promotional contract with DiBella Entertainment last spring. Tucker’s burgeoning fan base is centered in Carroll County, located northwest of Baltimore and approximately an hour-and-half drive from Fairfax, VA.
Hometown favorite and former Contender star Jimmy Lange (34-4-2, 24 KOs) of Great Falls, VA headlines his 12th Patriot Center show with a 10-round bout against Jimmy Holmes (19-1, 10 KOs) of Demotte, IN. A grudge rematch between former world champion William Joppy and Baltimore’s Cory “Black Ice” Cummings serves as the Co-Main Event. The undercard features undefeated Todd “White Lightning” Wilson (9-0, 3 KOs) of Fairfax, VA vs. Dean “Pitbull” White (15-10-2, 3 KOs) of Smithsburg, MD; knockout artist Tony “Mo Better” Jeter (10-2-1, 9 KOs) of Stevensville, MD vs. TBD; a heavyweight collision between Ron “Heavy Duty” Gamble (1-0, 1 KO) of Arnold, MD and Abodurin “Bo” Akinyanju (3-1, 3 KOs) of Landover, MD; and Charlottesville, VA middleweight George “Wartime” Rivera (11-6, 4 KOs) vs. Shakir Ashanti (16-9, 4 KOs) of Greensboro, NC.
Tickets, priced at $35, $50, $75, $125, $200, $300 and $500 (plus applicable service charges), can be bought through all Ticketmaster outlets including the Patriot Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com/ and via phonecharge at 703-573-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT and 410-547-SEAT. Call for group ticket pricing. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 703-993-3035.
Tags: american boxing > Auto > boxing card > champion > colorful fighter > decision > Dibella Entertainment > draft > Fairfax > fighter > George Mason University > heavyweight > hometown crowd > light heavyweight champion > light heavyweight title > Lineup > March > organization > patriot center fairfax va > round > USBO > World Boxing Organization
AL BERNSTEIN SAYS PACQUIAO-MOSLEY TAKES US “BACK TO THE FUTURE”
Posted on | February 12, 2011 | No Comments
When Hall of Fame broadcaster Al Bernstein announces the May 7th Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley match on Showtime Pay per view , it will come 31 years, almost to the day, after he announced his first boxing match on national television. “My first ESPN Top Rank Boxing telecast was May 15, 1980 and I am as excited for the coming Pacquiao-Mosley fight as I was for that assignment,” Al said. He added, “the difference is that I was excited then for me, for what I hoped was the beginning of a broadcasting career. For this fight I am excited for the sport of boxing.”
Bernstein, who will call the action at ringside for this pay per view mega-fight, said this show is boxing’s version of Back to the Future. “In 1980 we were pioneering cable television and it helped the sport of boxing immensely as an adjunct to the great boxing shows on over the air network television. With this event boxing revisits that formula of using the synergy of both Showtime and CBS to market, report on and ultimately present this great event,” Al said.
While this goes back to a previous success model, it spins forward to the future by adding the strong internet presence of Showtime and Top Rank and the boxing media in general. “The world wide popularity of Manny Pacquiao is fueled by the internet, and when boxing was not covered for a decade or more by mainstream media (especially in the United States) internet sites filled the breach to inform and entertain boxing fans around the world,” Al pointed out.
Bernstein, who is a big part of internet boxing coverage as Executive Producer of Boxingchannel.com, said the other important part of the fight’s “game changing appeal” is that it will be stamped with the broadcast and production values of Showtime. “There are certain things that define Showtime boxing and MMA events and they will be evident on May 7th. We take an informational and nuanced approach that follows the evolving storyline wherever it takes us. Our goal is always to simply enhance the event for the viewer while allowing it to play out in a natural way.”
Tags: Auto > Boxing > boxing coverage > boxing match > broadcaster > draft > ESPN > event > fight > internet boxing > Manny Pacquiao > mma events > nuanced approach > Pacquiao > Rank > rank boxing > SAYS > showtime boxing > showtime pay per view > success model > telecast > television
EA Sports and Pro Wrestling Announcer Premiers on 1wrestling.com
Posted on | February 12, 2011 | No Comments
(Tampa, FL) – This February marked the first episode of “The Rose Pro Wrestling Report” featured on one of the top wrestling sites on the internet, 1wrestling.com. The segment is hosted by EA Sports MMA Announcer and Pro Wrestling Ring Announcer, Shannon Rose.
Rose has been a part of the wrestling industry since the age of 14, when he got his start thanks to “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and legendary announcer Gordon Solie.
The premier episode of Rose’s new venture takes a look back of the life and career of WWE’s “Mr. Perfect’ Curt Hennig, who passed away 8 years ago on February 10, 2003.
To see the Premier Episode of the “Rose Pro Wrestling Report” visit http://1wrestling.com or by going to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-XgVpqBdmk
Rose interviews one of Hennig’s best friends and mentors Fidel Sierra and Paula AKA Fantasy. Fidel and Paula both found Hennig after he passed away.
Together they reminisce about their friend, the matches they had and what made Hennig so special in the wrestling world.
“It couldn’t be a better topic for the first report” Rose says…”Hennig was an incredible athlete, a true professional in the business and a great competitor… I’m honored to do the first episode on his career.”
The Rose Pro Wrestling Report will have more wrestling superstars on in the coming future, taking an in-depth look into their lives and careers right from their own mouths inside their homes.
The report is exclusive at http://1wrestling.com.
1wrestling.com provides wrestling fanatics everywhere the most current news coming out of the squared circle from all the major wrestling companies.
Tags: Auto > com > draft > episode > Gordon Solie > MMA > mr perfect curt hennig > report > Rhodes > ring > ring announcer > rose rose > segment > shannon rose > sports > visit > wrestling ring > wrestling sites > wrestling superstars > WWE
Lightweight Danny McDermott to face Osnel Charles in “Brick City Brawl” Co-Feature
Posted on | February 12, 2011 | No Comments
Danny McDermott to Face Osnel Charles in “Brick City Brawl” Co-Feature
-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
Jersey City, NJ (February 10, 2011) – Lightweight prospect Danny “Little Mac” McDermott (8-2, 3 KO) of Jersey City, NJ will make his first ring appearance in almost a year when he faces Osnel Charles (6-2) of Atlantic City, NJ at Essex County College in Newark, NJ on February 19.
The six-round bout will be the main supporting fight to “Brick City Brawl”, which is headlined by Polish heavyweight Mariusz Wach (23-0, 11 KO) facing Jonathan Haggler (23-3, 18 KO) for the vacant WBC Baltic heavyweight championship. McDermott-Charles and Wach-Haggler will both be televised by FoxSports and Comcast affiliates throughout the country.
The show will be promoted by Prize Fight and Global Boxing Promotions.
McDermott, 31, hasn’t fought since his thrilling war with Brian Miller last year, which was named the “Garden State Fight of the Year” by Boxrec. Now training with former middleweight Dominick Scibetta in North Bergen’s Global Boxing Gym, McDermott is back in the groove.
“This is the opportunity I’ve waited for my whole life,” says McDermott, an alumni of Paramus Catholic High School. “I’m excited and hope to give the fans the best fight possible. I’m focused on one thing, which is being the best fighter I possibly can be.”
Besides being a fighter, McDermott is also a father of two and a graduate of the New York Film Academy.
Charles, 26, was born in Haiti but raised in West Palm Beach, FL. He is coming off his career best performance, an upset of Philadalphia favorite Victor Vasquez, last month.
Accompanying McDermott to the ring will be Joe Gatti, a former world title contender and brother of McDermott’s mentor Arturo “Thunder” Gatti.
Tickets for this championship night of boxing are priced at $120; $70& $30 by calling 1-866-468-7619; logging onto www.ticketmaster.com or www.ticketweb.com as well as Global Boxing Gym (5601-5711 Tonnelle Ave. North Bergen, NJ, 07047)
Doors open at 7PM, first fight is at 8PM.
Tags: appearance > Auto > brick city > championship > com > draft > Essex > Essex County College > essex county college in newark > essex county college in newark nj > Feature > fight > FoxSports > Mariusz Wach > McDermott-Charles > new york film > new york film academy > OSNEL > paramus catholic high school > prospect > West Palm Beach > www













