COY “PRETTY BOY” EVANS LOOKS TO LAY DOWN THE LAW ON VETERAN FELIPE ALMANZA ON JANUARY 28TH AT THE NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY IN PHILADELPHIA

Posted on | January 20, 2011 | No Comments

Undefeated Featherweight prospect headlines Power Productions show that features neighborhood war between “Big Poppa” Speller and “Black Gold” Wilson—PLUS LINK TO PROMO VIDEO AND MEET AND GREET INFORMATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PHILADELPHIA (January 20, 2011)—On Friday night January 28th, one of the top prospects in the lighter weight divisions will be back in action as featherweight Coy “Pretty Boy” Evans takes on grizzled veteran Felipe Almanza in the eight round main event of the card promoted by Greg Robinson’s Power Productions & Riveredge Beverage Company.

The card is dubbed “Philly Barnburner”

Evans of Philadelphia has a record of 9-0-1 with two knockouts and is coming off a seven month layoff when he scored a six round unanimous decision over Barbaro Zepeda.

Evans, who works in a Philadelphia law office isn’t worried about the layoff.

“I am just excited to get back in the ring. I have sat since June and I just want to shake off the ring rust”, said the twenty-six year old Evans.
“I really don’t know anything about Almanza except that he fought Teon Kennedy and I don’t even remember anything about that fight.”

Evans along with his promoter Greg Robinson believes that 2011 will be a year that Evans will begin to receive accolades from more than just outside his home city.

“2011 is going to be a big transition year for Coy”, said Power Productions CEO Greg Robinson. “This is a year were we feel that Coy will capture the attention of the networks and begin to step him up in the meaningful fights that will make him a contender in the Featherweight division”

Evans agreed by saying “In 2011 I am looking to get national recognition. I know what I can do and the past several months I had to be patient but I know I will be getting my name out there. I been in the gym as several fights fell through but I have been working on a lot of things such as cutting the ring off, letting my hands go and sitting down on my punches and hopefully I will be able to show that on January 28th.”

In the much anticipated co-feature, it will be an all West Oak Lane neighborhood war, Tommie “Big Poppa” Speller (5-5, 3 KO’s) takes on Jameel “Black Gold” Wilson (13-16-3, 8 KO’s).

Tim Witherspoon Jr. (5-1-1, 2 KO’s) takes on Kywame Hill (1-6, 1 KO) in a six round Lightweight bout.

Undefeated Cruiserweight Venroy July (5-0, 2 KO’s) of Suitland, July will compete in a six round bout against Pedro Martinez (5-4, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia.

In a four round Middleweight bout, Yoanqui Lopez (3-0, 1 KO) of Cuba takes on an opponent to be named.

Angel Ocasio (3-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on Bryne Green (5-4, 3 KO’s) in a four round Lightweight bout.

Super Middleweight Rashad Brown (2-0) of Philadelphia will take on Terrell Boggs (0-3) of Philadelphia.

Also seeing action will be undefeated Jr. Lightweight Keenan Smith. (3-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a four round bout.

Smith’s opponent will be named shortly.

Miguel Corcino (2-0, 2 KO’s) will fight Rashad Bogar (2-2, 1 KO) of Newark, NJ in a four round Welterweight bout.

Debuting Georgiy Guralnik taking on Michael Davis (0-6) in a four round Heavyweight bout.

Light Heavyweight Amir Shabazz of Philadelphia will be making his pro debut in a four round bout.

THERE WILL BE A MEET AND GREET WITH TOMMIE “BIG POPPA” SPELLER AND JAMEEL “BLACK GOLD” WILSON ON FRIDAY JANUARY 21ST AT THE MANSION LOCAATED AT 6630LIMEKIN PARK ROAD IN WYNCOATE AT 5PM EASTERN FANS AND WEBSITES MAY POST THE PROMO VIDEO ON THEIR WESBITES:

Tickets for this great night of boxing are $70 for Ringside; $50 for VIP and $20 for General Admission and can be purchased by calling
Ticketmaster at 215-336-2000
Power Productions at 267-997-4367
Total Car Care at 267 912 8747
G’s Auto at 267-784-8797
Atpro at 609-871-3552
Bozy Ennis – 267 237-0354
Moz – 215-500-7435
The National Guard Armory is located at 2700 Southampton Road; Philadelphia, PA 19154

Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng Eyes Title Shot After 5th Feb Outing

Posted on | January 20, 2011 | No Comments

Stoke Newington’s exceptional Light Middleweight prospect Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng gets his first outing of the new year on the undercard of the Frank Maloney promoted Commonwealth Super Bantamweight title showdown between Jamie Arthur and Jason Booth at the Brentwood Centre on Saturday 5th February 2011.

Young Erick has proved to be one of the most exciting and talented young fighters to emerge over the past couple of seasons. Currently unbeaten in five outings, two by way of stoppage, Erick has had some exceptional wins, including beating Curtis Valentine in a fight dubbed “Battle of the Unbeaten’, but by far his most impressive performance to date was his total domination of Alex Spitko at the Steve Goodwin promoted ‘It’s Personal’ event back in September.

On September 11th at York Hall in Bethnal Green ‘The Eagle’ put on a classic display of the art of boxing. Dominating from the very start, Erick was able to pick off the heavier Alex Spitko at will. His movement so sublime that Spitko must have thought his opponent was a phantom as his punches met just fresh air.

In round two Spitko somehow managed to corral Erick on the ropes and let rip with a flurry, all of which missed the ‘Matrix’ like moving 23 year old. In a flash ‘The Eagle’ turned the tables by fluidly spinning around Spitko before letting rip with a hurting salvo of his own. The crowd leapt to their feet as one cheering and clapping this awesome display.

Spitko became a moving punch bag in round three, the showman inside Erick came to the fore as he turned the volume up and danced around the hapless Spitko picking him off at will.

To the sound of “Eagle. Eagle, Eagle’ reverberating around the auditorium round four gets underway. Erick plays with Spitko like a cat with a mouse, giving him little room to maneuver before closing the the escape route with a lightning quick jab. With just thirty seconds to go ‘The Eagle’ suddenly stops playing with his prey and goes in for the kill with a head and body combination that sends Spitko crashing to the canvas. Spitko made the count but the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight with just 19 seconds left on the clock.

Erick has had a period of inactivity since that top class win, his last outing was due to have been on the undercard of Sam Webb’s title defense against Martin Concepcion on the 16th October, but as if there was an epidemic sweeping the country one after another his proposed opponents dropped out. The last actually on the day of the fight.

Following a sparring session with Bradley Skeete, under the ever watchful gaze of his trainer/manager Brian Lawrence, at the Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London, a positively buoyant Erick spoke of his upcoming fight, as well as his title aspirations. “My next fight is going to be February 5th so I’ve been back in training over Christmas. I’ve already been sparring a lot, which is good. I feel good.

I’ve been sparring Bradley (Skeete) who is a lot taller than me. He has a good reach. It’s the type of sparring that will help me as at my weight you can get much taller people. Prince Arron for instance. So this kind of sparring is good and I like sparring lots of different fighters.

Before he hurt his shoulder I was sparring Sam (Webb). Sparring Sam is great, he’s experienced. He’s the British Champion so it is good practice as I’ll be getting the title soon. It’s good sparring, you can’t go wrong with such good sparring.

I’m stepping up to a six rounder. I get my rounds done in the gym. Saying that I don’t see the fight going the six rounds, it’s going to be shorter than that.

I’m in good shape and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Brian Lawrence, who had sat next to his talented charge throughout, grinned and then added, “We haven’t got an opponent yet. Frank Maloney is just putting the bill together at the moment. All we know is Jason Booth and Jamie Arthur top of the bill now Sam’s out and Erick’s in a six rounder.

The first title we’ll be looking for Erick will be the Southern Area, but first we want him to get him a two six rounders and then we’ll go for the Southern Area title.

We’ve been training over Christmas and the New Year, he’s in good shape. He’s not reached his peak yet but we’ve still got a couple of weeks to go.

He’s sure to give value for money on the 5th, he always does.”

The not to be missed Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng against a yet to be named opponent will be on the undercard of the Commonwealth Super Bantamweight title clash between Jamie Arthur and Jason Booth at the Brentwood Centre on Saturday 5th February 2011.

Also featured on the card will be a six round Super Flyweight contest which pits former British Bantamweight Champion Martin Power against the unbeaten Ashley Sexton.

Commonwealth Gold and Olympic Bronze medalist David Price and exciting Cruiserweight prospect Leon ‘Solid’ Williams are also featured, against yet to be named opposition.

Tickets, priced £30, for Arthur vs Booth Commonwealth title fight are available to buy on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or call 07960 850645.

RYAN COUTURE ADDED TO STRIKEFORCE CHALLENGERS EVENT AT CEDAR PARK CENTER IN CEDAR PARK, TEXAS, ON FRIDAY, FEB. 18, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

Posted on | January 20, 2011 | No Comments

Son of Legendary MMA Superstar, Randy Couture, To Face Fellow Undefeated Lightweight Lee Higgins

NEW YORK (Jan. 20, 2011) – One of the most promising prospects in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Ryan Couture, will seek his second consecutive victory when he faces fellow unbeaten Lee Higgins (2-0) of Houston in a featured lightweight (155 pounds) bout of a STRIKEFORCE Challengers fight card presented by Rockstar Energy Drink at Cedar Park Center in the Austin, Texas. suburb of Cedar Park on Friday, Feb. 18, live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

In the main event, unbeaten rising star Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm (15-0) of Spokane, Wash., takes on dangerous veteran Pat “Bam Bam’’ Healy (25-17) of St. Louis. The winner in the lightweight scrap remains in contention for a possible shot at the STRIKEFORCE title.

Tickets for STRIKEFORCE’s third fight card in 21 days and second in the Lone Star State go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. CT tomorrow/Friday, Jan. 21, and will be available at the Cedar Park Center ticket office, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and STRIKEFORCE’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).

The first non-televised, undercard fight will begin at 7:30 p.m. CT. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m.
Ryan, the son of MMA legend, Randy Couture, will be making his second pro start and second for STRIKEFORCE on SHOWTIME. He won his debut last Aug. 13 with a slick, 75-second, first-round submission (triangle choke) over Lucas Stark on STRIKEFORCE Challengers.

The 5-foot-10, 28-year-old Couture was scheduled to fight last Nov. 19 but withdrew due to a staph infection.

“I was down for a few weeks but now I’m ready to fight and looking forward to fighting in Texas on Feb. 18,’’ said Couture, a member of Las Vegas, Nev.- based Xtreme Couture. “I’m excited and working hard. I expect a tough fight.’’

Ryan, who was born in Seattle, wrestled in junior high and high school before taking up Jiu-Jitsu. He graduated in 2004 with a mathematics degree from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash., and worked at a local bank before deciding to go into MMA. He began serious training in MMA in 2008.

“I became a fan when my dad began competing but didn’t get involved as a competitor until years later,’’ said Ryan, who went 5-1 in the amateurs. “I still have a ton to learn and there’ll always be pressure because I’m a ‘Couture,’’ but I’m pretty used to that now.’’’

Higgins, who fights out of Houston and is a product of Tony Aponte’s “Urban Jungle,’’ won both his fights by rear-naked choke in the first round within a three-week span late last year.

The 5-foot-11, 30-year-old submitted Gilbert Jimenez at 2:36 in his most recent outing on Dec. 4. He forced Kenny Burke to tap at 1:25 the previous Nov. 12. Both fights were in Houston.

“This is a great opportunity and an honor for me to fight the son of a legend,’’ Higgins said. “I couldn’t believe it when they offered me the fight. To get a chance to show my skills and make a name for myself on television is very exciting and absolutely a huge deal.’’

A blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu, Higgins grew up in Massachusetts but has been training in Houston the past two years.

“Lee’s biggest strength is his Jiu-Jitsu but he is also emotionally very strong and works extremely hard,’’ Aponte said. “He’ll be ready for Feb. 18.’’

Cotto vs. Mayorga Kickoff Press Conference Quotes Featuring Don King, Bob Arum, Yuri Foreman, Christy Martin & More

Posted on | January 19, 2011 | 4 Comments

RICARDO MAYORGA:
“I made a promise to Don that I will never fail him. Don is the best promoter in the world and Bob is a close second. I will prove to everyone on March 12 that I am the man and you are the woman.

“That belt you are holding, polish it up for me because I will be taking it on March 12. I will make a promise here today that I will knock him out in four rounds.

“I have been watching all of your fights for the past two months, you are punch drunk – you can’t take a punch anymore and I will retire him. You and your trainer will fail.

“Like Margarito after the Pacquiao fight, you will be thinking about retiring when I am done with you. I will make you think twice about getting in the ring again. Don’t let your mom or your family suffer anymore by watching you get in the ring. I will knock him out and prove to the people in Nicaragua and here that I am better than you in that ring.

“This is the first time I will fight someone that is as small as a kid. I think my pants are taller than you.

“Christy, it is an honor to be fighting on the same card as you the way you have always stood up for women’s rights. I don’t even have tapes of all of my fights but I have all of yours.

“Buy the pay-per-view so you can watch the retirement party for Miguel. Your hands are like a woman’s. Look at my hands – they are man’s hands. You came to Nicaragua and talked smack and told everyone I was a nobody. On March 12, all the Puerto Ricans are going to be wearing black for your wake. You will pay for what you said.

“I see fear in your eyes. We have never crossed paths but I have to tell you I have never liked you as a fighter.”

EMANUEL STEWARD (Cotto’s trainer):
“Ricardo, you are the best. I was enjoying Mayorga talk so much I didn’t even want to come up and talk. Everything he says he believes. He’s not just hyping the fight. He is a tough guy.

“When they told me he was fighting Mayorga, I thought, wow, that is like going from one extreme to the other (Cotto fought Foreman in his last fight). Foreman boxes very fast and we are going in with Mayorga. Mayorga is a very tough man, physically and mentally. Forget about boxing, he is a fighter. He is going to come out and throw punches from all angles. He will probably come into the ring at about 170 pounds.

“People think it’s a mismatch but it’s a very tough fight. Miguel Cotto has always been one of my favorite fighters and that’s why I got involved with him. When we got together we had to go back to what worked. He had been fighting like he was 4’5″, which made even Pacquiao feel taller than him.

“Miguel will win the fight because of all of his experience. I think there will be a knock out. There could be a decision, but I think there will be a knockout.”

MIGUEL COTTO: “Welcome to the first press conference where Ricardo Mayorga talks. I am a professional fighter and I know what my job is. My job is to fight in the ring and make good fights because nobody wins a fight with their mouth.

“Yesterday I was with him and he was playful and serene but today I guess he gets excited with all the lights and cameras on. When we get to the fight there will be lots of cameras on there also, but you will have to fight to back up your words.

“I didn’t interrupt you so don’t interrupt me – the door is over there if you want to leave. With those little pants I beat Shane Mosley. Do you remember him? Shane Mosley?

Cotto Defends Against Mayorga March 12 At MGM Grand On SHOWTIME PPV

Posted on | January 19, 2011 | 1 Comment

WBA Super Welterweight Championship

MIGUEL COTTO vs. RICARDO MAYORGA

Super Welterweight Rumble

YURI FOREMAN vs. PAWEL WOLAK

Special Attraction
CHRISTY MARTIN

Saturday, March 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas

LIVE on SHOWTIME PPV®

Tickets Now On Sale

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (January 19, 2011) – For the first time in five years, Hall of Fame promoters Bob Arum and Don King will join forces to present “Relentless” — the first major pay-per-view world championship boxing event of the season — featuring the Pride of Puerto Rico, MIGUEL COTTO defending his World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight title against two-division world champion RICARDO “El Matador” MAYORGA, on Saturday, March 12, at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev.

Cotto vs. Mayorga will be produced and distributed Live on SHOWTIME PPV®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The pay-per-view broadcast will also feature the return of former WBA super welterweight champion and future rabbi YURI FOREMAN, who will be taking on Top-10 contender PAWEL WOLAK in a 10-round super welterweight rumble, World Boxing Council (WBC) female super welterweight champion CHRISTY MARTIN, going for her landmark 50th professional victory and IBF lightweight champion MIGUEL VAZQUEZ defending his title against mandatory challenger LENNY ZAPPAVIGNA.

Cotto vs. Mayorga will be promoted by Top Rank, in association with Cotto Promotions, Don King Productions, Tecate and MGM Grand. Remaining tickets, priced at $400, $300, $200, $100, and $50, not including applicable service charges, can be purchased at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino.) Ticket sales are limited to 16 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

“Top Rank is delighted to give Miguel Cotto an opportunity to do a demolition job on Ricardo Mayorga,” said Arum. “In any event it will be a real treat to be reunited with my ageless friend Don King. Together we will put together a promotion no one will ever forget.”

“First and foremost, it’s great to be co-promoting an event with a real promoter like Bob Arum,” King said. “We will show the people how a boxing event is supposed to be promoted. Ricardo Mayorga is my enigma, but I have always believed in his abilities. He’s soared to great heights and he is poised to soar again. He is on his way back to win another world title. Everything is easier said than done with this man, but Ricardo is a remarkable fighter mentally, physically and psychologically, and we take on this task at hand with great enthusiasm and relish.”

“With a number of high-profile and large-caliber events already on the schedule for the first half 2011, this is shaping up to be a remarkable year for boxing fans,” said Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports®. “This fight card not only features world-class prizefighters and champions, it also includes some of the most intriguing and compelling figures in sports. We are proud to join Bob Arum, Don King and the MGM Grand for what promises to be a thrilling night at the fights.”

“I know Mayorga very well. He is a written book,” said Cotto. “Nothing he will say or do will move my peace and concentration. I will do my job in the gym and beat him inside the ring.”

“The old Mayorga is back and I’ve got a new attitude and outlook that makes me even stronger,” Mayorga said. “I’m going to use Cotto as my red carpet to open the door to even bigger fights. Cotto was quoted in Puerto Rico saying it was the ‘lie of the year’ when I said I would fight him. It looks like he had bad information as the so-called lie has become a reality. Puerto Rican boxing fans know I come to fight, and I’ll come into this match in better shape than I was for Tito Trinidad, which is not good for Miguel Cotto.”

“We are thrilled to be working with Top Rank and Don King on this championship fight,” said RICHARD STURM, president of Sports & Entertainment for MGM Resorts International. “I can’t think of a better way to continue the March Madness by watching the tremendous battle between these two great warriors at MGM Grand.”

Cotto (35-2, 28 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, has held a world title every year since 2004. He has won 15 of the 17 world championship bouts he has fought. Puerto Rico’s most exciting fighter and one of its greatest, Cotto held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight crown from 2004-2006, successfully defending it six times before vacating it to capture the WBA welterweight title at the end of 2006, a title he held for nearly as long. After losing the WBA title to Antonio Margarito, arguably the fight of the year, in July 2008, Cotto won his second welterweight belt in February 2009, knocking out Michael Jennings in the fifth round to become the WBO welterweight champion. He lost the title in his second defense, November 2009, to Manny Pacquiao. Notable scalps on Cotto’s belt include world champions, ”Sugar” Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Yuri Foreman, Paulie Malignaggi and Demarcus Corley.

Mayorga (29-7-1, 23 KOs), from Managua, Nicaragua, is known for his reckless abandon and fearlessness inside the ring – a style of fighting that has produced 23 knockouts out of his 29 victories and legions of fans. He became a national hero for his country when he knocked out Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis to capture the WBA welterweight title in 2002. The following year “El Matador’s” stock skyrocketed when he unified the title by stopping undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Vernon Forrest in the third round of their January 2003 battle.

Mayorga successfully defended his titles in the immediate rematch with Forrest, winning a majority decision in July 2003, before losing the titles to International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion Cory Spinks in December 2003 by a close majority decision. He completed a professional comeback in 2005 winning a 12-round unanimous decision over former IBF welterweight champion Michele Piccirillo to capture the vacant WBC super welterweight title. He enters this fight having won two of his last three fights, which included a 12-round majority decision over former world super welterweight champion Fernando Vargas.

Mayorga’s resume includes exciting rumbles with Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad and Mosley.

Foreman (28-1, 8 KOs), a 30-year-old from Brooklyn, NY, became the first orthodox Jew to win a world championship in nearly 70 years. Born in Gomel, Belarus and raised in Israel, Foreman immigrated to Brooklyn to expand his professional boxing horizons. The 2001 New York Golden Gloves Champion turned pro in 2002 and began studying to become a rabbi four years ago. Foreman knocked down defending WBA super welterweight champion Daniel Santos in the final round of their November 2009 fight en route to a decisive and unanimous decision victory and Israel’s first world title. He suffered his first career loss in his first title defense, to Cotto, at Yankee Stadium last June when his knee gave out and the referee called a halt to the fight when it was clear Foreman could no longer fight or defend himself effectively. His gutsy performance that night was a profile in courage which will be remembered for a long time. This will be Yuri’s first fight back since that loss and his reconstructive knee surgery.

Wolak (28-1, 18 KOs), from Mount Arlington, NJ, enters this fight riding a two-year, seven-bout winning streak, with four of those victories coming by knockout. The combined record of the last four opponents he defeated — James Moore, Ishmail Arvin, Carlos Nascimento and Jose Pinzon – was 74-6-5 when he fought them, which translates into an impressive 87% winning percentage. His last fight, a seventh-round knockout victory of Pinzon (18-2-2, 12 KOs), was fought at the Honda Center on the undercard of the fight of the year candidate Humberto Soto-Urbano Antillon WBC lightweight championship on December 4. A former New York State middleweight champion, Wolak, 29, is known as aggressive, high-pressure style fighter who always makes for exciting fights. Trained by Tommy Brooks, Wolak, an East Coast fixture will be making his Las Vegas debut when he rumbles with Foreman. He is currently world-rated No. 7 by the WBA.

Martin (49-5-3, 32 KOs), from Orlando, Fla., has been the face of professional women’s boxing for 15 years, gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated and appearing in Time magazine and People magazine, as well as being a featured guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Today, and CNN Extra! Breaking as many barriers as jaws in the ring, Martin made history in 1996 when she became the first professional female boxer to fight live on national television in the U.S. on February 10, 1996. Five weeks later, she made her SHOWTIME PPV® debut, fighting on the Mike Tyson-Frank Bruno undercard in Las Vegas. Known for her aggressive style and excellent offensive skills and power, the fan-pleasing Martin returns to the ring as the WBC Female super welterweight champion, a title she won in her last fight via a 10-round majority decision over Dakota Stone, despite breaking her hand during the fight.

Rounding out the pay-per-view card will be IBF lightweight champion Vazquez (27-3-2, 12 KOs), of Guadalajara, México, defending his title against Zappavigna (25-0, 17 KOs), of Sydney, Australia.

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

Frank Maloney Signs Leon ‘Solid’ Williams – ‘Solid’ Added To 5th Feb Show

Posted on | January 19, 2011 | No Comments

Southern Area Cruiserweight Champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams has signed a promotional contract with Frank Maloney. ‘Solid’ also secured his first fight, at the Brentwood Leisure Centre on the 5th February, under the Frank Maloney banner.

27 year old Leon, ranked #6 in Britain by BoxRec, is one of the Cruiserweight division’s rising stars. He won the BBBofC Southern Area title back in October ‘10 with a virtual lockout points victory over former Southern Area Light Heavyweight champion JJ Ojuederie.

Leon dominated the proceedings throughout, forcing the normally stand up JJ to play it safe and stay out of trouble for almost the whole fight. It was the final round before JJ decided to stand his ground and trade punches with Leon. By then Leon’s aggressive all action approach had already earned him the belt, as was shown when Referee Jeff Hinds score card was read out – a decisive 99-92 points victory for Streatham’s favourite fighter.

Following a training session, under the watchful eyes of his coach Johnny Eames at the Ultrachem TKO Gym in Canning Town, Leon spoke briefly on his signing with Frank Maloney. “Finally I’m with a big promoter, I’ve signed with Frank Maloney and I’ve got a great deal.

I’ve been boxing small hall shows for a while, which has been fantastic, but I’ve wanted to fight on a bigger stage and for a promoter that has TV, hence Frank Maloney. It’s great, fantastic.

All I’ve got to do is win and look good for a few fights and then Frank says he’ll push me for the British title later this year.

I’ll be out for the first time under the Frank Maloney banner on the 5th February at the Brentwood Leisure Centre on the undercard of Jason Booth and Jamie Arthur’s Commonwealth title fight.

It’s a great stage for my ‘debut’ for Frank Maloney so I’m very excited. I’ll get all my Team Solid supporters up there. It’s gonna be good.

I’ve got a new promoter just weeks after signing with Johnny Eames as my trainer. Since I’ve been at the TKO Gym it’s just been fantastic. It’s the best gym.

There’s a lot of big boys here so I’ve been getting a lot of sparring, so I’m really happy about that. There’s people here with fast hands, there’s punchers. I have to work to deal with them. It’s great I’m learning every time I’m here.

I’ll be right up for it on the 5th, can’t wait.”

Leon ‘Solid’ Williams, against a yet to be named opponent will feature on the undercard of the Frank Maloney promoted Jamie Arthur vs Jason Booth Commonwealth Super Bantamweight title clash at the Brentwood Leisure Centre, Brentwood, Essex on Saturday 5th February 2011.

Also featured on the card will be a six round Super Flyweight contest which pits former British Bantamweight Champion Martin Power against the unbeaten Ashley Sexton.

Commonwealth Gold and Olympic Bronze medalist David Price and exciting Light Middleweight prospect Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng are also featured, against yet to be named opposition.

Tickets, priced £30, for Arthur vs Booth Commonwealth title fight are available now. Call Team Solid Ticket Hotline on 07538 150367 or buy on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com

Kevin Johnson replaces Travis Kauffman vs. Julius Long on ‘Redemption’ PPV card

Posted on | January 19, 2011 | 1 Comment

Holyfield-Williams headlines Saturday night’s show in West Virginia

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 19, 2011) – Former world heavyweight title challenger Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson has replaced an ill Travis Kauffman against dangerous Julius “Towering Inferno” Long (15-14, 13 KOs) in an 8-round bout on Saturday night’s “Redemption In America: The Journey Begins Now” Pay-Per-View event, headlined by living legend, Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs) defending his World Boxing Federation heavyweight title against challenger Sherman “Tank” Williams (34-11-2, 19 KOs), live from America’s resort — The Greenbrier’s Colonial Hall — in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

“Travis has the flu,” ARK Promotions president Rick Lazes explained. “He’s dehydrated and unable to train. Travis has withdrawn but, fortunately, we were able to replace him with a former world title challenger, Kevin Johnson, who has stepped-up to the challenge of fighting 7’ 1” Julius Long.”

“Redemption,” presented by ARK Promotions in association with The Greenbrier, is being distributed in North American by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay per view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the United States, as well as Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

Johnson (23-1-1, 10 KOs), fighting out of Atlanta, has only suffered one career loss, by a 12-round decision 13 months ago to WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Kilitschko in Switzerland. A tough competitor who has never been stopped, Johnson’s most notable victories have been against previously undefeated (17-0) Devin Vargas (WTKO6), former world champion Bruce Seldon (TKO5) and Brazilian Olympian Daniel Bispo (WDEC10).

“Redemption” will fuse world class boxing and entertainment; showcasing a production that includes high-energy music presented by Broadway performers, along with dancers and aerial artists. World-renowned saxophone player Clarence Clemons will also headline a live band between rounds and throughout the night.

Joining the Holyfield-Williams main event and Johnson-Long on PPV is former world heavyweight title challenger Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett (34-9, 20 KOs) versus Charles Davis (19-21-2, 4 KOs) in a 10-rounder, while Lithuania-native Donatas Boundoravas (10-1-1, 3 KOs) and undefeated Detroit middleweight Willie Fortune (9-0, 5 KOs) open the PPV show with a scheduled 6-round match.

Fighting on the non-PPV segment of “Redemption” is NABA Heavyweight Champion Cedric “The Bos” Boswell (32-1, 25 KOs), rated No. 19 by the WBC, defending his title against Dominique “Diamond” Alexander (19-9, 9 KOs) a 10-rounder. Also on the undercard are a pair of 8-round bouts featuring unbeaten Detroit middleweight Domonique Dolton (9-0, 7 KOs) against Venezuelan veteran Marcos “The Terminator” Primera (20-22-2, 13 KOs), and 2008 US National AAU lightweight champion, Cleveland junior welterweight Miguel “Silky Smooth” Gonzalez (12-2, 11 KOs), meets 31-fight veteran Ramon “Che” Guevara.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Ticket/hotel packages can be purchased at www.greenbrier.com or by calling 1.800.453.4858. Deadline to book reservations is Jan. 21.

Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET, and first PPV fight at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT.

For more information about the Holyfield-Williams PPV event go to www.greenbrier.com, www.NCMusicFactory.com, www.AmericanBoxingLeague.com or www.integratedsportsnet.com.

HEARN: PRIZEFIGHTER CHAMP WILL BLOW DIVISION WIDE OPEN

Posted on | January 19, 2011 | No Comments

Promoter believes victory will lead to instant title tilt

Prizefighter promoter Eddie Hearn believes the last man standing at Olympia at Prizefighter Light Heavyweights II on January 29 will put himself into instant contention for domestic honours.

Eight of the most exciting Light-Heavyweights in England will enter the 16th edition of Matchroom Sport’s eight-man, one-night tournaments live on Sky Sports and broadcast in 3D for the first time – and Hearn believes they all have what it takes to become future champions.

“We have a mix of unbeaten, young and experienced boxers taking part,” said Hearn. “Tony Dodson has the experience of high pressure fights, whereas the likes of Llewellyn Davies, Travis Dickinson, Menay Edwards and Billy Slate have their unbeaten records to protect.

“One thing they all share though is a burning desire to be a champion.”

Victory at the event has seen a string of fighters be given title shots, and Hearn believes that the division is ready to see a new star emerge, adding: “Prizefighter is the perfect platform for a fighter to rocket themselves into contention for an immediate title shot.

“We have seen the event lead to World title shots for Willie Casey and Audley Harrison, Commonwealth title shots for Martin Rogan, Sam Sexton, Martin Murray and Ovill McKenzie and British title fights for Gavin Rees and David Dolan.

“The domestic light-heavyweight division is wide open right now and, commercially and deservedly, the next Prizefighter champ will be a perfect contender for any champion.”

The fighters recently attended the Sky Sports studio for a promotional shoot and will all star in next week’s “Prizefighter – The Last Man Standing” 30-minute preview show, airing on Tuesday at 6.30PM on Sky Sports HD1.

For Hearn it was a rewarding moment to see such hungry fighters achieve some five-star treatment.

“It’s so refreshing when you get these guys into the studio and make a fuss of them – it really brings the best out of people,” he said. “Prizefighter is all about giving people a shot, whether it’s experienced fighters trying to claw their way back into the division or young prospects looking to make a name in boxing and in life, both bring a bundle of enthusiasm that guarantees non-stop action at every event.”

Hearn also talked about plans for the remaining three Prizefighters in series III, all scheduled to take place prior to June 30.

“I’m so excited about our plans; our up-coming announcements are going to create some serious noise in the boxing World,” said Hearn. “We will release news of our next event planned for March 23 at the forthcoming Prizefighter, with a former World Champion already contracted.

“The summer will see an International Heavyweights event with a number of household names and former World Champions already in the mix.”

Prizefighter Light Heavyweights II Ticket Update: £20 unreserved, £40 ringside and £120 VIP are now all SOLD OUT. £30 unreserved and £50 ringside are still available – tickets are on sale at SeeTickets.com or through Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.

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