Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard Targets 2011 world title fight
Posted on | December 8, 2010 | No Comments
MANCHESTER, Conn. (December 7, 2010) – America’s leading American featherweight, unbeaten NABF and NABO champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard, has targeted a 2011 world title fight.
The 24-year-old Remillard (23-0, 14 KOs), currently a promotional free agent, won all three of his 2010 fights by knockout. He has climbed the ratings systems to No. 3 in the WBO, No. 6 in the WBC, and No. 7 in the WBA.
“Ratings do mean something because I’m eligible in three major boxing organizations to fight for the world time,” Remillard said. “At No. 3 in the WBO, I’m so close that I need to stay ready in case I get a call. If either one of the two fighters rated higher than me (No. 1 Daniel Ponce De Leon and No. 2 Chonlatarn Piriapinyp) fight for another title, lose, or get injured, I move up and then I’m even closer to a mandatory shot.
“I may be the only person getting in the ring to fight, but it takes a successful team to win a world title, and everybody has to be focused on the same thing (prepared for a world title shot). My manager, Bret Hallenbeck, has done an outstanding job and I don’t think he’s received the credit he deserves. I’m very happy with my team and everything going on in my career. I will have a new promoter in 2011 that will help me get a world title shot.”
Due to promotional problems, Remillard only fought three times in 2010, stopping Rafeal Lora for the NABF title and Carlos Rivera in a NABF title defense and for the vacant NABO belt. In his last fight November 20, Matt overcame two cuts resulting from forearms to easily win an 8-round decision (80-72, 80-72, 79-73) against Oscar Cuero (13-3).
“This has been a tough year because of my promotional problems,” Matt remarked. “I would have liked to have fought more often; I’m a fighter and I love to train. I don’t have control over that, though. All I can do is get better each fight. I look at it as I’m another year closer to my ultimate goal – fighting for and winning the world title. It’s not going to be easy because my division is hot.”
Remillard’s stablemate Irizarry has successful surgery
It was erroneously reported that Remillard’s stable-mate, Addy Irizarry, was knocked unconscious in her last fight against Jill Emery, on the same card that Remillard fought Cuero at Mohegan Sun. Irizarry was taken out of the ring on a stretcher and to the hospital, where she had a plate inserted in her broken ankle during a 5-hour surgery. Emery’s punch barely grazed Addy who twisted her leg as the punch was thrown, falling to the canvas and resulting in a serious fracture. She is rehabilitating her ankle.
Despite having had only three fights for a total of 15 rounds this year, Remillard has become more of a complete fighter, improving his boxing skills while further developing an already lethal left hook to the body. “I’m also much more comfortable fighting in the ring having faced adversity – cut in two different fights – and gotten through it both times,” Matt added. “Now, I know getting cut isn’t a big deal and that I can take a punch with blood dripping in my eyes. I’m comfortable getting cut, or hurt, and I’ve learned that it’s all about adjusting to each situation. You can’t really train for that but, if put in that situation again, I know what it’s like.”
Tags: Auto > boxing organizations > Carlos Rivera > Daniel Ponce De Leon > draft > fight > hallenbeck > knockout > last fight > NABF > NABO > ponce de leon > sharp shooter > Shooter > shot > surgery > title > WBO > world title fight > YEAR
Yassine ‘The Showman’ El Maachi International Masters Light Middleweight Champion
Posted on | December 8, 2010 | No Comments
For Immediate Release
London – Tuesday, 7th December 2010
Steve Goodwin Sets Sights On ‘Major British Scalp’ For Yassine El Maachi
Following his superb victory over European number four ranked Jimmy Colas on Saturday, London based Moroccan Light Middleweight Yassine El Maachi has smashed his way into the World rankings and is now justifiably on the verge of international stardom.
Yassine’s performance against Colas was nothing short of electrifying. His was the performance of the year and the bout was without doubt the British ‘Fight of the Year’ by a country mile.
For ten rounds ‘The Showman’ systematically took apart one of Europe’s best Light Middleweights. To put this in context, domestically the only Light Middleweights that were ranked higher than Jimmy Colas are current British Champion Sam Webb and former European Champion Ryan Rhodes.
It’s a well known fact that most of the British Light Middleweights have actively avoided facing Yassine in the past, including Ryan Rhodes, Prince Arron, Anthony Small, Steve O’Meara etc. Even when Yassine’s Promoter Steve Goodwin offered a £50,000 bonus – if Yassine was knocked out – there were no takers.
Steve had no option but to turn to Europe for opponents, first Bertrand Aloa and then of course Jimmy Colas, but now Yassine is now World ranked hopefully the domestic fighters will realise that they can no longer avoid him if they are to be taken seriously and take up the challenge.
Following the fight, Yassine and his promoter Steve Goodwin touched on this subject when they spoke briefly on what the future holds for the most exciting and entertaining Light Middleweight prospect.
“The guy was 28 wins and 6 losses, I see who he has fought and the guy is tough. I done my job today.” said Yassine on his opponent Jimmy Colas before swiftly moving on to talk about his future plans. “I see myself now as number four in Europe, I would be number four in Europe if I had a British passport.
I hope at last those boxers are going to start chasing me. It’s not like before, I was not ranked so no one wanted to fight me. I’m ranked with the WBC, I’m top twenty or top thirty, I’m not sure I will now check the internet for what’s my ranking now.
BoxRec I will definitely, definitely be under fourty and I’m just looking for who’s going to come next.”
As previously stated many of the British Light Middleweights have actively avoided facing him and to add insult to injury there have been some unsavoury comments coming from Ryan Rhodes and his camp who issued a press release last week saying of Yassine, “He is a complete joke.” and “If I fought him it would be like a Premier League team taking on a side from the Conference in a major cup final.”
Yassine, who didn’t respond to the Rhodes’ comments prior to Saturday’s fight, took the opportunity to address them now, “Ryan Rhodes said I’m not in his league, I’m below his league.
Fair enough but he’s fighting now, the guy’s 109 ranks below me. ONE HUNDRED AND NINE below me. That means he’s fighting a nobody. His rank on BoxRec is 162 and I’m ranked 51, before my fight. This one talks for itself, I don’t have to say much about it.”
Yassine’s promoter Steve Goodwin, who was close to bursting a blood vessel and could barely contain himself, had plenty to say on the matter though, “Yassine delivered tonight and I promise Yassine that I’ll deliver back and I hope that we can get these Light Middleweights to stop issuing ridiculous press statements rubbishing him.
Let me tell you something, if Yassine gets a British passport, Ryan Rhodes we’re coming to get you and Ryan Rhodes we’re going to take your title and you know it.
Ryan Rhodes takes on a 39 year old bum and Yassine El Maachi takes on the European number 4, how dare he spout such total nonsense. If Yassine gets him in the ring in 2011 he’ll destroy him.
Roll on 2011 as it will be a defining year for Yassine El Maachi.”
With so much bad blood between the El Maachi and Rhodes camps the prospect of the pair meeting in the near future would seem remote, unless that is Yassine is granted a British passport as then he would then be eligible for British, Commonwealth and European championship honours.
The more likely scenario, with Rhodes publicly stating his intention to challenge for a World title in the coming year and Yassine shooting up the WBC rankings, would be that the pair will one day meet and battle it out for World title honours. Now that is a seriously mouth watering prospect.
Watch this space.
Tags: Auto > british champion > champion > colas > draft > european champion > fight > international masters > international stardom > MASTERS > Middleweight Champion > pair > performance > press > prospect > release london > Sam Webb > Saturday > Showman > Steve Goodwin > title
McCALL – OQUENDO IBF INTER CONTINENTAL HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE CLASH TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE ON GFL
Posted on | December 6, 2010 | No Comments
Important Heavyweight showdown headlines exciting night of boxing this Tuesday; plus world ranked Welterweight Brad Solomon in action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOLLYWOOD, FLA/ NEW YORK (December 6, 2010)—TOMORROW night, a crossroads heavyweight fight between former Heavyweight champion Oliver McCall and former world title challenger Fres Oquendo will take place with huge implications for the winner. The bout will headline a card from the beautiful Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida and will be seen around the world, LIVE on www.gofightlive.tv
The bout will be for the IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight championship.
The bout plus a full undercard can be seen LIVE at 7pm est. for just $9.99 by clicking:
http://www.gofightlive.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Tuesday_Night_Fights__McCall_Vs_Oquendo/894
With the consistent uncertainty in the Heavyweight division, the winner of this bout will get a big leg up in being able to once again compete for the Heavyweight championship of the world.
McCall has a career that has spanned twenty-five years, has a record of 54-10 with thirty-seven knockouts.
McCall has been in the ring with just about every big-time Heavyweight that has competed in the last quarter century as he has shared the ring with former undisputed champion James “Buster” Douglas (L 10); Former Cruiserweight champion Orlin Norris (L 10) ; Former WBA Heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon (TKO 9); former world title challenger Tony Tucker ( L 12) before shocking the world by stopping WBC Heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis with the right hand heard round the world on September 24, 1994.
McCall made one defense against the legendary Larry Holmes before dropping the belt to Frank Bruno in Bruno’s homeland of England.
Two fights later he lost a rematch to Lewis in an effort to regain the WBC crown.
McCall then racked up thirteen straight victories, which included a stoppage over former WBO champion Henry Akinwande, McCall lost a close decision to former world title challenger DaVarryl Williamson.
McCall once again ripped off a long winning streak as he won ten straight before losing to former world title challenger and former Cruiserweight champion Juan Carlos Gomez.
McCall has won three of his last four which includes has fight when he dropped a twelve round unanimous decision to Timur Ibragimov on June 15.
Oquendo has not been around as long as McCall but he is still a tough veteran and has a lot of success beating top competition.
Oquendo has a record of 32-6 with twenty-one knockouts and has been a pro for thirteen years.
Oquendo won his first twenty-one bouts which included solid wins over Duncan Dokawari (12-0); former world title challenger Phil Jackson (42-7); former world title challenger Bert Cooper; A breakout performance over Clifford Etienne and a 3rd round stoppage over David Izon (27-3) before Oquendo’s first loss came at the hands of future world title challenger David Tua (27-3).
After two wins, Oquendo received two consecutive shots at the world Heavyweight title.
On September 20, 2003, Oquendo dropped a twelve round unanimous decision to IBF Champ Chris Byrd in a bout that many believed that Oquendo won. That earned him an opportunity to fight WBA champion John Ruiz in Madison Square Garden.
This was a bout that was basically even on the scorecards until Ruiz stopped Oquendo in Round 11.
Three fights later, Oquendo lost a hotly disputed decision to former four-time world champion Evander Holyfield.
In his last eight bouts, Oquendo has gone 6-2 with a win over former WBA champion Bruce Seldon and dropping bouts to former world champion James Toney and his last bout which was a razor thin loss to former world cruiserweight champion Jean Marc Mormeck.
In the co-feature world ranked (WBC #8; WBA #4) Welterweight Brad Solomon will put his undefeated mark of 15-0 (seven Knockouts) against tough Anges Adjaho in a ten round bout.
The native of Lafayette, Louisiana has defeated undefeated Ray Robinson (11-0) and knockout artist Kenny Galarza (13-0).
Solomon fought just twelve days ago when he scored a second round stoppage over Javier Gallegos in Nicaragua.
Adjaho has a record of 27-3 with fourteen knockouts and won his first twenty-five fights.
He lost a close split decision to future world champion Miguel Acosta before winning two in a row which included a win over former world title challenger Fernando Angulo.
Adjaho has lost two in a row which includes his last outing when he lost a ten round unanimous decision to Mark Melligan on July 3rd in Reno, Nevada.
FULL CARD
12 Rounds Heavyweights—Oliver McCall (54-10, 37 KO’s) vs. Fres
Oquendo (32-6, 21 KO’s)
10 Rounds Welterweights—Brad Solomon (15-0, 7 KO’s) vs. Anges Adjaho (25-3, 14 KO’s)
10 Rounds Lightweights—Richard Abril (13-2-1, 6 KO’s) vs. TBA
8 Rounds Heavyweights—Luis Ortiz (4-0, 3 KO’s) vs. TBA
6 Rounds Cruiserweights—Azea Augustama (9-0, 6 KO’s) vs. Epfanio Mendoza (30-10-1, 26 KO’s)
6 Rounds Cruiserweights—Pedro Rodriguez (3-0, 3 KO’s) vs. TBA
6 Rounds Jr. Middleweights—Inocente Fiz (4-0, 2 KO’s) vs. Damian Tinker (3-3, 1 KO)
4 Rounds Heavyweights—Eric Leander (8-1, 6 KO’s) vs. TBA
4 Rounds Heavyweights—Magomed Abdusalamov (8-0, 8 KO’s) vs. TBA
Unfinished business for 2004 Olympian Jason Estrada: Boxing 360 signs heavyweight ‘Big Six’
Posted on | December 6, 2010 | No Comments
NEW YORK (Dec. 6, 2010) – 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada, one of the most decorated amateur boxers of all-time, has a new lease on his boxing career after undergoing career-changing foot surgery and signing a promotional contract with Boxing 360.
“We’re very happy to sign a former Olympian like Jason,” Boxing 360 Founder and CEO Mario Yagobi commented. “We believe that Jason has a big future and we’re going to do everything possible to help make him world champion.”
The 30-year-old Estrada (16-3, 4 KOs) was one of the most highly-decorated American amateur boxers ever, compiling an amazing 261-14 record in U.S. competition, as well as the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row. The highlight of his amateur career was representing the United States in the 2004 Olympics, although planter ficitis in his right foot severely hampered his training and performances.
Estrada embarked on his pro career, putting off foot surgery, but earlier this year a podiatrist strongly recommended an operation because the problem was adversely affecting Jason’s spine through improper walking, as well as his ankle, and constant shocking was extremely painful.
Surgery this past May sidelined Estrada until October and now he’s raring to go. “Waiting to get back in the ring wasn’t really bad until the last month or two because my foot hadn’t healed,” the gifted heavyweight explained. “I haven’t felt this good since two years before the Olympics. I had hurt my hand in the Golden Gloves. That set me back but I had fights all over the world and everything went downhill from there. Top amateurs have busy schedules and it became all work, no fun, and then I had planter ficitis during training camp for the Olympics. I never really had any time to rest my body. Fighting made my foot worse but, in a way, it’s been like a blessing in disguise because I’ve had a chance to rest my body during the time I’ve been off (Jason hasn’t fought since this past February).”
Estrada, fighting out of Providence, has fought everyone and anybody put in the ring with him, never turning down a fight, and none of his opponents has had a losing record (311-101-15 combined record of his opponents) when they fought “Big Six.” His three losses were all on the road in the backyards of former world champion Tomasz Adamek, 2004 Olympic gold medalist Alexander Povetkin and Travis Walker. During his 6-year pro career, Estrada has never been floored, never mind stopped, and the quick-handed, slick-footed heavyweight has unfinished business to take care of, starting January 13 in Oklahoma, when “Big Six” makes his Boxing 360 debut in the main event against an opponent to be determined.
“I don’t know how much rust I’ll have,” Estrada noted. “In training, my timing’s been great and everything’s been smooth – no pain in my foot, back, elbow, shoulder or anywhere. The time-off gave my body much needed rest. I’m a different fighter, too. Now I know about the business of boxing having sat in with my father and promoters. I know that it’s not easy getting into championship fights. In the ring, I’m more experienced and smarter.
“I’m hoping something big happens for me in the next 4 ½ years,” Jason added. “I’m done after that because I’m not one of those guys who want to fight into his forties. I signed with Boxing 360 to get positioned for a world title fight. I want to be able to win at least one of the big belts and make some good money for my family and start a business after boxing. Boxing 360 doesn’t have too many fighters, so they can give special attention to each of their fighters. I know that they will put in the time and effort for me. I’ve never felt better, in or out of the ring.”
Jason’s most impressive performance as a pro arguably was a one-sided,10-round win by decision against former NABO/NABA/WBC Continental Americas heavyweight champion Lance “Mount” Whitaker (32-5-1, 27 KOs) in their April 4, 2008 ESPN2 FNF show headliner.
“Boxing 360 believes that Jason Estrada is one of the most talented heavyweights in the world,” Boxing 360 Director of Boxing Bob Duffy remarked. “We were at ringside for his last fight against Adamek and it was a lot closer than the judges scored it. Jason stayed right there with Adamek and, knowing Adamek is a player in the heavyweight division, Jason knows that he is, too. The Klitschkos aren’t going to be around forever and we’re going to get Jason in position for a legitimate world title fight. Jason’s never been beaten-up and he’s a young 30. No heavyweight today has more boxing skills than Jason and now, after his foot surgery, he’s healthy again and the sky’s the limit.”
Go to www.Boxing360.com for more information about Estrada, Boxing 360 or any of its other fighters.
Tags: 2004 Olympics > amateur boxers > amateur career > Auto > big six > blessing in disguise > body > Boxing > business > draft > everything > fight > foot > foot surgery > Golden Gloves > new york dec > painful surgery > surgery > title > top amateurs > training > Unfinished
New Opponent for Byarm!
Posted on | December 6, 2010 | No Comments
For Immediate Release
Baltimore, MD (December 6, 2010) – Unbeaten heavyweight Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm will now square off against fellow undefeated big man Winston Thorpe this Saturday evening in the main event of “Season’s Beatings” from the Pikesville Armory in Baltimore, MD.
Born in the fighting city of Philadelphia, PA and currently based out of Arlington, VA, Byarm’s crowd pleasing style has helped him become a fan favorite in the Beltway Area. At 9-0 with 6 wins by way of knockout, the volume punching prospect will look to rack up his fifth victory in 2010.
Thorpe, 3-0-1, will look to score his second upset of an unbeaten fighter. The South Carolina spoiler defeated hometown favorite Jesse Barboza last May in the latter’s hometown and is confident that he’ll put an end to Byarm’s rapid rise up the heavyweight ladder.
In the ten round co-feature, middleweights Scott “Cujo” Sigmon, 12-2-1 (5 KO’s), of Bedford, VA and Windsor Mill, MD’s “Vicious” Julius Kennedy, 7-1-1 (3 KO’s), will do battle over ten rounds. Both fighters are known for their fan friendly styles and the winner will claim the vacant East Coast Middleweight title.
Also appearing on the undercard will be former amateur standout “Slick” Nick Kisner (6-0, 4 KO’s), ladies star Shelly Seivert (4-1-1, 1 KO), light heavyweight Dale “Hit Hard as Hell” Roberson-El (5-0, 3 KO’s) and heavyweight Mark Orendorff (1-0) amongst other local favorites.
Tickets start at an economic friendly $35 and can be ordered by calling 410-675-6900, logging onto Baltimoreboxing.com or going to the Armory’s box office. Individual VIP seats are also available. All VIP ticket holders will receive free Hor’dourves and half priced drinks.
Doors open at 7 pm and the opening bell is slated for 8. The Pikesville Armory is located at 610 Reisterstown Rd in Baltimore, MD.
For more information, go to Baltimoreboxing.com.
Tags: area > Armory > Auto > Byarm > city > city of philadelphia > com > draft > fifth victory > hard as hell > hor dourves > middleweight title > pikesville armory > pleasing > pleasing style > Saturday > seivert > slick nick > style > Unbeaten > VIP > windsor mill
Fight Report: El Maachi Rules Supreme
Posted on | December 6, 2010 | No Comments
Those lucky enough to score tickets for Steve Goodwin’s ‘Judgement Day’ event at York Hall on Saturday night were treated to a thrilling night of pugilistic artistry at a level rarely seen these days.
At the end of the five hour, 13 fight marathon, those present, and just those present, as it was an off-TV show, witnessed one of the greatest fights held on British soil this year. Without doubt if this was an on-TV show Yassine El Maachi – Jimmy Colas would be nominated for ‘Fight of the Year’ honours.
Yassine El Maachi put on a masterful display that see him totally outbox Jimmy Colas to retain his International Light Middleweight crown. To describe Yassine’s performance as exceptional would be an understatement, awe inspiring may be a better statement but still wouldn’t get across just how slick, classy and totally dominating his performance over the former EBU-EU, and current WBC Latino Light Middleweight champion was.
From the first bell El Maachi teased and frustrated Colas with his unorthodox attacks. Time after time El Maachi would trip the light fantastic before letting rip with a flurry of punches, leaving Colas lashing out at his shadow. Close to the end of the round the crowd erupted as Colas went crashing to the canvas, albeit from a push, El Maachi sauntered over and stood, hands raised above his head, over the prone Haitian and taunted him to the crowds delight.
Round two was more of the same El Maachi dancing around and picking off the hapless Colas at will. The third began with El Maachi pawing with his jab before delivering a series of wicked uppercuts that rocked Colas to the core. Towards the end of the round El Maachi stepped up the showboating as the crowd chanted Yassine, Yassine, Yassine.
Rounds four and five were very much more of the same; fluid movement followed by wickedly fast uppercuts and combinations before sashaying away before Colas could even respond. El Maachi was deducted a point by the referee, Jeff Hines, in the final quarter of round five for head butting. The crowd showed their disapproval of the referee‘s decision as it was just a clearly unintentional by-product of his unorthodox movement during a forceful attack.
Rounds six and seven the action continued in the same vein although at a slightly slower pace, which allowed Colas a modicum of close range success. El Maachi stepped the pace up again in round eight which culminated in a scintillatingly fast and vicious right-left combination that rocked Colas.
El Maachi shifted to high gear for the final rounds, in doing so he put on one helluva show and picking off Colas with exquisite uppercuts, right crosses and blisteringly fast combinations. A knockout finish looked to be on the cards but in the end Colas showed his durability by surviving the constant onslaught, and a rather amusing tangle that saw the pair tumble to the canvas in the final seconds of the round.
Referee Jeff Hinds scored the bout 98-92 to the reigning champ Yassine El Maachi.
The main support for El Maachi-Colas featured the resurgent former English Super Featherweight, and current International Masters Lightweight Champion Ryan ‘Mr Attitude’ Barrett against Croatian Almin Kovacevic.
Barrett controlled the fight from the opening bell using his super slick jab. Round two saw Barrett mix it up a bit, letting rip with some crisp left hooks that clearly hurt the advancing Kovacevic. More success followed in the third as Barrett again let rip with a vicious hook to the body. Kovacevic was clearly struggling and grabbed Barrett to prevent any chance of a follow-up. Each time Barrett came forward the Croatian would grab hold of Barrett to stifle any attack. Late in the round Kovacevic received a warning for the constant holding.
Kovacevic was again warned in the fourth for holding each time Barrett tried to work up close. The fifth round saw Kovacevic being deducted a point for his constant holding, moments later Barrett pinned him to the ropes with constant left-right barrage of shots, Kovacevic blatantly throwing an elbow into Barrett’s cheek, Barrett responding with a massive left that sent the Croatian crashing to the deck. After taking the eight count Kovacevic then received a second point deduction for the elbow from referee Jeff Hines. Barrett went in for the finish but again Kovacevic grabbed hold, Jeff Hines again separating them, but on the restart Kovacevic thwarted Barrett’s attack by grabbing hold, albeit for the last time as Jeff Hines called a halt to the proceedings by disqualifying Kovacevic for continued holding.
Another disqualification preceded the Barrett-Kovacevic bout. This time John ‘The Gorilla’ Ryder was declared victor after Sabie Montieth was disqualified for illegal use of the head by referee Robert Williams after just 30 seconds of the first round!
The major shock of the night came when Canning Town’s hugely popular Super Featherweight debutant Richard Hines was stopped in the third round by Norfolk’s Scott Moises. I say shock as the skillful Hines had easily controlled the first two rounds, and was in charge in the third until Moises let rip with a cracking left-right that sent him crashing to the deck. Hines beat the count but it was clear that his fight was over as his legs wobbled badly as he stood. Referee Robert Williams instantly called the fight off and declared Moises winner by knockout.
Tyler Goodjohn gave a masterful display against the experienced Jason Nesbitt to earn a well deserved 40-36 points decision. Goodjohn controlled the first couple of rounds utilising his jab along with stinging body shots. Nesbitt came back in the early part of the third but Goodjohn had no intention of conceding any ground to the more experienced Brummy and took back control with some exceptional boxing to dominate to the rest of the bout.
Prior to Goodjohn-Nesbitt was a lightweight contest featuring the debut of Ultrachem TKO Gym’s ‘Pretty’ Ricky Boylan against Sid Razak of Birmingham. Boylan, a former London ABA finalist, controlled the fight from start with lightning quick combinations that pushed back the normally forward coming Razak.
It was hard to think that Boylan was debuting, as his performance was exceptionally slick and mature in it’s approach. Round after round Razak was having to cover up as Boylan peppered him with solid combinations to the head and body. In the final round ‘Pretty Ricky’ changed tactics and boxed on the back foot but still Razak was unable to get any semblance of control due to Boylan’s impressive movement and powerful combinations. Surprisingly the referee deemed the fight as a 59-56 points win for ‘Pretty’ Ricky and not the clear shut out it was.
Woodford Green’s Light Middleweight Michael Norgrove secured his fourth career victory over the experienced Matt Scriven from Nottingham. I have to say that whilst I do agree with the referee that Norgrove won, I can’t agree with the shutout 60-56 score.
The first couple of rounds were close but as Scriven not only worked harder but also landed the more meaningful shots he should have at least have had one of the accredited to him. Round three was where the turning point of the bout came. Norgrove actually started to fight rather than pose, but still most of his jabs were air-jabs rather than having any serious intent.
Scriven was forced to mount his attacks coming in low under the jabs, which eventually lead to him receiving a warning from the referee for leading with the head in the fourth. The final rounds see Norgrove well in control as he pressured his more experienced opponent before letting rip with a series of crisp combinations. Referee scored the bout 60-56
Stevenage’s Daniel Herdman made a welcome return to the ring, following a two year sabbatical after breaking his hand, against the seriously tough Ryan Clark.
What a cracking fight, neither gave or expected any quarter, both attacked in similar style often finishing off with vicious left-right combinations to the body or head. Herdman, being the much more busier in his attacks, took the first couple of rounds. Clark stepped it up in the third, which would prove to be a very close round, as both had equal success with their heavy handed attacks.
Herdman not only took control of the final round but also came close to securing a stoppage finish mid way through, after following in with a vicious double hand attack after forcing Clarke back onto the ropes. Herdman kept up the pressure until the final bell and was declared victor by a 39-37 points margin.
Welterweight Phil ‘The Phil Gill Experience’ Gill found himself with a much heavier opponent following Jason Carr stepping in to replace Swansea’s Craig Dyer at the last minute. Mind you that didn’t dampen the spirits of the feisty Mr Gill, he seemed to relish hunting down his larger opponent before letting rip with an array of combinations and heavy right hands. Gill had worn Carr down so much that by the final round all Carr could do was dip and sway against the ropes in an effort to avoid the barrage of punches the Terrier like Gill was throwing. Surprisingly the referee deemed the bout a 39-37 victory for Phil Gill and not a shut out as I see it.
Ultrachem TKO’s Eighteen year old Super Middleweight Brett O’Callaghan made his professional debut against the vastly experienced Billy Smith following Gary Cooper pulling out at the last minute.
The youngster showed maturity beyond his tender years by controlling his much older opponent with fast hands and solid jabs. As the fight moved into to the second half Smith tried to bully the younger O’Callaghan back onto the ropes without success as the savvy youth used smart footwork and his solid jabs to keep Smith at bay.
O’Callaghan baptism of fire ended with a nice 39-37 points victory justifiably in his favour.
The assembled crowd at York Hall were on their feet and in full voice the moment they see the stetson wearing John Wayne Hibbert appear and didn’t abate throughout their heroes six round encounter with William Warburton.
Hibbert ensured that by putting on one of his trademark attacking displays. About the only time the decibel levels dropped was after Hibbert received a cut above the left eye in third round. Hibbert seemed unfazed by the cut as he kept on pressuring Warburton to secure a tidy 59-55 points victory.
The second fight of the night was a rematch for Ultrachem TKO’s exceptional 19 year old Super Featherweight ‘Saint’ George Jupp and Latvian Pavels Senkovs. Back in September Jupp gave Senkovs a boxing master class to secure a clear points victory. Senkovs had revenge on his mind and went straight on the attack, Jupp again used his brain and stayed out of a slugging match responding with solid jabs and accurate left-rights to keep the Latvian at bay. Jupp used his perfect jabs to control and frustrate Senkovs who clearly wanted to avenge his previous loss. Alas Senkovs hopes ended half way through the final round when the referee Jeff Hines stopped the fight due to a rather nasty cut over his left eye.
The opening fight of Judgement Day was Light Middleweight contest between Bobby Gladman and Danny Donchev. Gladman showed some serious class to keep the lively Dontchev under control, after a close first round Gladman found his range and totally dominated the middle two rounds. Donchev came on hard again in the final round and although enjoyed some success Gladman landed the more meaningful shots to secure a tidy 39-37 points victory.
Tags: Auto > body > british soil > colas > count > couple > draft > EBU > fight > fight report > first bell > hand > holding > jab > judgement day > Middleweight Champion > round > Steve Goodwin > super > time > uppercuts > yassine
‘Sho Nuff’ has the stuff: Wallace signs three-fight deal with MFC
Posted on | December 6, 2010 | No Comments
Rodney Wallace is hoping a new three-fight contract with the Maximum Fighting Championship could ultimately lead to a change in his rather unique nickname.
Tagged “Sho Nuff the Master,” Wallace has desires on propelling his new deal into wearing an MFC title belt, and becoming “Sho Nuff the Champ.”
“My aim is to become the champ,” said Wallace (10-3), who had a successful debut in the organization at MFC 26.
“I’m excited to be part of the Maximum Fighting Championship. I hope to become a fan favorite by being a real crowd pleaser.”
At MFC 26, the Charlotte, North Carolina, product came in on short notice as a replacement for Glover Teixeira to face David Heath in a light heavyweight bout. Despite the lack of prep time, Wallace was the aggressor in the fight, scored with a couple of solid takedowns, and eventually pulled away to a unanimous-decision victory. Based on the numbers from Comp-U-Strike, Wallace scored 70% of his standing strikes and 92% of his ground strikes, along with going 3-for-5 in takedowns.
While that performance wasn’t a particularly exciting effort, Wallace expects to be much more electrifying with ample time to set himself up for his return at MFC 27. That card, coming in February 2011, could see Wallace go head-to-head against title contender and popular home-grown product Dwayne Lewis.
“That fight would be very cool. He’s tough … I like ’em that way,” offered Wallace on the potential battle.
Tags: Auto > Champ > change > charlotte north carolina > crowd pleaser > David Heath > decision victory > draft > fight > fighting > glover teixeira > heavyweight bout > Maximum Fighting Championship > MFC > organization > replacement > SHO > Tagged > takedowns > time > title > title contender
SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TOP RISING STARS TYRON WOODLEY AND TAREC SAFFIEDINE TOPS STRIKEFORCE CHALLENGERS CARD AT NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM ON JAN. 7
Posted on | December 5, 2010 | No Comments
Undefeated Olympian Daniel Cormier To Face Veteran Devin Cole, Yancy Medeiros vs. John Salter, Julia Budd vs. Amanda Nunes, Nate Moore vs. Nate Coy
Tickets Go On Sale Friday, Dec. 10,
For STRIKEFORCE’s First Event of 2011;
Pre-Sale Begins Wednesday, Dec. 8, via “STRIKEFORCE Insider”
NEW YORK (Dec. 4, 2010) – A long-awaited showdown between top welterweight (170 pounds) rising stars, undefeated Tyron Woodley (7-0) and hard-hitting Tarec “Sponge” Saffiedine (10-2), will headline a STRIKEFORCE Challengers Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight card presented by Rockstar Energy Drink at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011.
Undefeated up-and-coming heavyweight prospect and former Olympic wrestling star Daniel Cormier (6-0) of San Jose, Calif., faces what could be his toughest test to date when he meets veteran Devin Cole (18-8-1) of Medford, Ore., in a feature televised contest.
In other televised fights formally announced by STRIKEFORCE for its initial presentation of the decade: undefeated Yancy “Frisson’’ Medeiros (9-0) of Waianae, Hawaii, faces John Salter (5-2) of Nashville in a middleweight (185 pounds) scrap, promising Julia “The Jewel’’ Budd (1-0) of British Columbia, Canada, faces Amanda “Lioness Of The Ring’’ Nunes (5-1), of Salvador, Brazil, in a women’s middleweight (145 pounds) match and Nate Moore (6-2) of San Jose meets Nate “Soulforce’’ Coy (8-3) of Portland, Ore., in a welterweight (170 pounds) fight.
A special ticket pre-sale purchase opportunity for the event will take place for “STRIKEFORCE Insider” e-newsletter subscribers (http://STRIKEFORCE.com/insider.html), beginning at 10 a.m. CT on Wednesday, Dec. 8, and ending at 10 p.m. CT on Thursday, Dec. 9. STRIKEFORCE Insiders will receive a special e-newsletter with the pre-sale code.
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. CT on Friday, Dec. 10, and will be available at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium ticket office, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000 including Kroger and FYE, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and STRIKEFORCE’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).
The first non-televised, undercard fight on Jan. 7 will begin at 7:30 CT. Doors will open at 7.
The unbeaten 5-foot-9, 28-year-old Woodley of St. Louis, Mo., is a two-time All-American NCAA wrestler for the University of Missouri. After notching three straight victories on the Challengers series, Woodley made his debut at a STRIKEFORCE championship series event, scoring a thunderous first round (1:48) KO over fellow prospect Andre Galvao on the Diaz vs. Noons card in San Jose last Oct. 9.
Woodley fought five times in 2009, winning all five of his starts by way of submission. He was only forced beyond the first round on one occasion last year, submitting Zach Light with an armbar in the second round (3:38) of a STRIKEFORCE Challengers event on Sept. 25.
Woodley, who turned pro in February 2009, is a member of American Top Team. He won his initial start for STRIKEFORCE with a first-round submission (Brabo Choke) over Sal Woods in a non-televised, undercard bout on June 6, 2009, in St. Louis.
Like Woodley, Saffiedine, a 24-year-old, 5-foot-9 native of Brussels, Belgium, has been on a surge, winning all three of his bouts in 2010, and 9 of his last 10 fights. Saffiedine’s only defeat during this stretch came via narrow, split decision against Dong Sik Yoon at DREAM 12 in Osaka, Japan on Oct. 25, 2009.
Saffiedine’s strong striking foundation stems from his teenage years when he took up Karate at age 16. He now holds a black belt in Shihaishinkai, a form of Karate that combines striking, Judo throws and wrestling, and an amateur kickboxing record of 12-1-1. After immigrating to The United States, he added Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to his repertoire.
To date, Saffiedine holds a record of 2-0 in STRIKEFORCE Challengers competition. In his debut for the promotion last Feb. 26 in San Jose, he earned a unanimous decision over James Terry. On May 21, Saffiedine scored a second-round (1:21) KO on Moore with a punch in Portland, Ore.
Cormier, a two-time JUCO national wrestling champion, six-time U.S. national champ, two-time Olympian and 2008 U.S. Olympic team captain, has been virtually unstoppable since turning pro on Sept. 25, 2009, winning all his fights inside the distance, all within two rounds.
The 5-foot-11, 31-year-old Cormier may be short in stature for a heavyweight, but he’s long on talent. His last five fights – all in 2010 — ended in the first round, the last three by submission. In his most recent outing, the exciting Cormier devoured Soa Palelei on Nov. 5. The farthest Cormier has been taken was in his pro debut when he triumphed by 3:39, second-round TKO (punches) over Gary Frazier at a STRIKEFORCE Challengers event on Sept. 25, 2009.
Cormier, who whipped Jason Riley in 1:02 in his last fight for STRIKEFORCE last Aug. 21, is a member of American Kickboxing Academy. One of his teammates and chief training partners at AKA is UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, whom Cormier helped get ready before Velasquez obliterated Brock Lesnar in November.
Cole is 6-1-1 in his last seven fights. Unquestionably, the most experienced fighter to face Cormier, Cole has fought several well-known, world-class fighters in a career that began in July 2003, including former STRIKEFORCE World Light Heavyweight Champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante, STRIKEFORCE star Mike “Mak” Kyle, Jeff Monson, Travis Wiuff, Krzysztof Soszynski, and Ben Rothwell.
An All-American wrestler at Oregon State, the 6-foot-4 Cole has been victorious inside the distance in 13 of his 18 victories, and has gone nearly two years without being submitted. An IFL veteran who’ll be making his STRIKEFORCE debut, Cole had a five-fight winning streak end in his last outing on Sept. 11 when he dropped a decision to Aaron Rosa.
Tags: Auto > british columbia canada > Daniel Cormier > draft > fight > Insider > insider new > JAN > john salter > municipal auditorium in nashville > nashville municipal auditorium > nashville tenn > new york dec > Olympic Wrestling > prospect > round > SAFFIEDINE > Strikeforce > submission > TYRON > undefeated > waianae hawaii
SEARCH OUR BLOGS
SEARCH THE WEB
Subscribe in a reader
US Money Reserve
Bodybuilding fitness software: Gain weight & build muscle fast.
Photographers - Boston, MA
PRO-SEBLOG.COM: EMPOWERING ORDINARY PEOPLE TO PRACTICE LAW ON THEIR OWN BEHALF
CLICK HERE TO ORDER AN AWESOME SELF-HELP LEGAL COURSE
MARKETINGBOSS.INFO: MARKETING TIPS FOR YOUR SITE & BUSINESS
Boxing Live
RING GIRLS
OUR SPONSORS
