Tucker Amped for DBE Debut!
Posted on | June 17, 2010 | No Comments
Westminster, MD (June 17) – As a hero to many who regularly fights before raucous, standing room only crowds, Mark “TNT” Tucker is accustomed to performing under the bright lights.
So far so good.
The 22 year old light heavyweight sensation has impressive victories over former title contenders Rubin Williams and Ross Thompson, while decisioning grizzled veteran George Armenta.
“Fighting in Westminster has been tremendous and I’ve already accepted some tough fights to please my fans, but now it’s time to take the next step towards becoming a premier fighter,” said Tucker, who at 13-0 holds the USBO Light Heavyweight championship.
This Saturday at Oakland, CA’s Oracle Arena, Tucker faces a new challenge when he makes his promotional debut for DiBella Entertainment. Headed by globally renowned Lou DiBella, DBE has led some of the sport’s top fighters to premium cable dates, world championships and, multi-million dollar pay days.
Aside from having to impress a new promoter, Tucker has a difficult draw in opponent Billy Bailey with the NABO Youth title at stake. At 10-7-1 (4 KO’s), Bailey is far tougher than his record indicates. The rugged Californian has impressive wins over once beaten Brian Cohen and previously undefeated Kevin Hand, while dropping controversial decisions in the hometowns of well regarded fighters such as Roger Cantrell, Anthony Ferrante and Danny Santiago.
Even though Bailey, who has been stopped just once, enters Saturday night a loser in his last two bouts, Tucker is not taking the opportunity to battle for the NABO title lightly.
“Billy comes to win and has pulled off upsets in the past, so I had a terrific camp to properly prepare,” said Tucker, who spent time training at the famed Wildcard Gym under the guidance of Freddie Roach. “I am honored to be able to fight for one of boxing’s finest promoters in Lou DiBella and I am going to show him how a country boy handles business inside of the ring.”
The Tucker-Bailey match up will serve as one of the bouts leading up to the SHOWTIME Super Six: World Boxing Classic, WBA Super Middleweight fight between Andre Ward and Allan Green. Tickets are available by calling 510-569-2121.
Tags: Billy Bailey > Boxing > George Armenta > Light heavyweight > Mark Tucker > Rubin Williams
UNDEFEATED Evans replaces Quigley in Prizefighter
Posted on | June 17, 2010 | No Comments
Welsh public vote runner-up “ecstatic” after Liverpudlian withdraws with injury riddle
Unbeaten Welsh fighter Jeff Evans has replaced Tony Quigley in the line-up for Prizefighter Super-Middleweights on June 30 at York Hall, Bethnal Green.
Mystery surrounds Quigley’s decision to pull out, with the official reason of a foot injury clouded by rumours of a domestic dispute – but 27 year-old Evans is delighted to have been called up to the 13th edition of Barry Hearn’s eight-man, one night tournament, live on Sky Sports.
The Pontypool-based boxer came close to grabbing the final spot on the night by winning the first ever Prizefighter public vote, only to lose out to Londoner Tony Salam. But now the hot prospect with three wins from three fights has been granted a second chance and is determined to grab it with both hands.
“You don’t miss an opportunity like this – I’m absolutely ecstatic,” said Evans. “I was told that I had received a lot of votes which made me proud as you wouldn’t expect me to get that many after just three fights. But I’m from a big community and I know they have backed me and I want to do if for them to thank them. The word has only been out for a day now and I’ve already had lots of people wanting to come to London to support me and I can’t wait.”
Working as a welder and fabricator by day, Evans admitted he has thought about what victory and the £32,000 winner’s cheque could do to his fledgling career, and the effect on his profile in his home country which already has a Prizefighter winner in Gavin Rees.
“Getting seen performing in front of big crowds and becoming a big name in Wales is what it’s all about for me,” said Evans. “Winning Prizefighter could take me to places I didn’t expect. I’ve always wanted to give boxing more of my time and this could open so many doors. I’m a family man and I have a mortgage just like everyone else so I can’t just focus on the boxing, but winning Prizefighter would give me that chance.
“I’m not really that bothered that it’s short notice, I’m in good shape and I’ve got two weeks to get up to my peak and I’m confident that I have the tools to do the job. I have power there so I need to work my opponent from the off and get that working but I’ve got no doubts in my ability.”
Evans is embarking on his career under the tutelage of Gary Lockett, the former world title challenger and the man who also trains Prizefighter light-welterweight winner Gavin Rees and super-bantamweight semi-final winner Ricky Owen who had to withdraw from the final due to a cut in the last show in May.
“I’m a quick learner, and since turning pro – or semi-pro in my eyes – I am learning with every day, and Gary is key to that,” said Evans. “Experience is a so important in the sport and Gary is perfect to teach me. I sparred with him on Wednesday and was great, he was a great fighter and he’s still in good shape and you cannot get better than sparring with someone who’s seen it and done it.”
Lockett was in the corner for Owen’s bruising quarter-final encounter with Gavin Reid in May before withdrawing the fighter with a cut ahead of the final, and having seen just how demanding the night is on a fighter, Evans may have the perfect guide to lift the trophy on the night.
“You have to take it round by round as anything can happen, less than half the favourites have won which shows that,” said Lockett. “Ricky looked brilliant against Reid but then he got dropped in the second round because he didn’t stick to the game plan, and it ended up being so much of a war that he didn’t have anything left for the semi and the final. I think that by pulling him out of the final I was preserving his career really because there was just nothing left in him.
“Jeff has been sparring with the likes of Nathan Cleverly and Bradley Pryce regularly and he does pretty well against them,” said Lockett. “He’s a strong and tough kid – he needs to develop his skills but he’s got heart and power, he’s a hard worker and intelligent too.
“I’m a little bit sore around the ribs today after sparring – I’m going to be taking more money out of his purse this time for all that! But joking aside, he’s a good boy who wants to learn and he likes to hear the stories of the good nights I had and with a bit of luck he’ll have a good night himself on the 30th.”
Joining Evans and Salam on the night is Dudley’s Sam Horton fresh from his title fight with James DeGale, former British Masters champion Eddie McIntosh, Northampton’s Paul David, Waltham Abbey’s Daniel Cadman, Peter Fedorenko from Sheffield and 19 year-old Patrick Mendy, the youngest ever boxer in Prizefighter.
Tickets for Prizefighter Super Middleweights are available now at £35 (unreserved), £60 (ringside) and £100 (VIP) – call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.
Tags: Boxing > injury > Jeff Evans > London > Prizefighter > Tony Quigley > UK
JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ AND JUAN DIAZ: FATHER’S DAY MAKES TRAINING DAYS WORTH IT
Posted on | June 17, 2010 | No Comments
Mexico City, MEX/Houston, TX (June 17)…Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez and Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz are training hard for their rematch, Marquez vs. Diaz II “Fight of the Year: The Rematch,” but it is a day like Father’s Day, which both fighters will celebrate with their children this Sunday, that makes it all worth it. The world championship bout is scheduled for Saturday, July 31 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View®.
Marquez has three children ages three to twelve and Diaz has a three-year-old son, so both fighters have grown accustom to balancing boxing and family, staying dedicated to their children while staying dedicated to their craft.
Both “working” dads cite their lessons learned as fathers and share some of their own fathering tips.
JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ, Current Ring Magazine, WBA and WBO World Lightweight Champion
“My advice is that you remain dedicated to your work and your children. I know that I won’t see them all of the time, but one should always focus on what they do without forgetting about their children.
“I have to balance my family and my time in the gym. Unfortunately, when I’m in training, it is 70 percent in the gym and 30 percent for my children. As a professional boxer, it happens like this.
“My father always gave me good tips that I try to remember, especially since he was a fighter too. He says ‘Take care of yourself as an athlete and always keep your feet on the ground, and when you get to be a champion, you have to try to remain consistent in the ring.’ I try to always keep that in mind and teach it to my children.
“I come from a big family, and I know that my parents had to suffer and live through a lot in order for me to experience good things in life. Overall, being close to your family is the most important thing, and I have enjoyed seeing my own family grow.”
JUAN DIAZ, Former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion
“It is difficult to balance a career and fatherhood at times. Thankfully I have my family who has been really supportive and helpful with everything.
“The best advice is to try and spend as much time with your children as possible. Sometimes people get caught up in accomplishing their own goals, but we need to remember to make our children our number one priority. You should never be too busy to play with your kids.
“I try to be with my son 99 percent of the time. I like to do small things with him. For example, we brush our teeth together at night. I want to lead him in the right direction as a young kid so that he will grow up and learn to have respect for other people.
“I’m trying to do the best that I can to accomplish my dreams and goals so that when my son gets older I can tell him, ‘This is what I set out to do when I was your age’ and for him to see what I was able to do in my life so he will want to follow in my footsteps.”
# # #
Marquez vs. Diaz II “Fight of the Year: The Rematch” is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Promotions and sponsored by Tecate and AT&T. The 12-round rematch of the “2009 Fight of the Year” is scheduled for Saturday, July 31 and will be for Marquez’s Ring Magazine, WBA and WBO Lightweight World titles. The championship fight will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Tickets for Marquez vs. Diaz II are priced at $350, $250, $150, $100 and $50 and are on sale now. Tickets are available for purchase at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Ringside 7 – Gauthier will face Dustin Poirier – Weigh-ins live on the Net
Posted on | June 17, 2010 | No Comments
(For immediate Release) Montreal June 16th 2010 – Ringside MMA would like to inform you of a recent change to its fight card for Ringside 7 – No Escape. We would also like to take this opportunity remind you that the weigh-ins for this event will take place at the warm and inviting Graffitis Restaurant, which is located within the Quality Hotel Montreal East, situated at 8100 Neuville Avenue, in Anjou (Montreal East End) on Thursday, June 16th at 3pm. In addition, the weigh-ins will be broadcast live and free of charge via the Internet, courtesy of www.GoFightLive.tv, who will also rebroadcast Ringside MMA’s last gala, titled “Rage”. GoFightLive will be the official broadcaster for No Escape which will be available on PPV via the Internet for a very low fee.
Derek Gauther (6-1-0) will face new opposition, given that Torrance Taylor will no longer be able to fight on June 18th. Ringside MMA’s matchmaker, Joey Benoit, was hard at work to find a suitable replacement, and found undefeated Dustin Poirier (6-0-0) to take his place. A prodigy of UFC fighter Tim Credeur, Poirier will be a tough challenge for the young Quebec prospect. Dustin Poirier, who has spent the last 18 months taking part in a film production on combat sports, will see his match against Derek Gauthier integrated into the movie. The movie is expected to be released in 2011 on HBO. You can expect both fighters to put on a brilliant performance as a result, in order to fully showcase their explosive talent.
Ringside MMA would like to remind fight fans that tickets for Ringside 7 – No Escape can be purchased through the Ovation Network either by phone (514) 255-5222, or via the internet at the following URL: http://www.ovation.qc.ca/liste.asp?Nom=Ringside+%28NO+ESCAPE%29&UID=WJ6J05QO3L6EQTD4IIVD&Lang=EN. The PPV will be available live through streaming internet from the official Ringside MMA website at http://www.ringsidemma.tv for a low fee.
RINGSIDE 7 : NO ESCAPE – CONFIRMED MATCHES
Date : June 18th, 2010 – 7:00 PM
Location : CENTRE PIERRE-CHARBONNEAU, MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC
Guillaume De Lorenzi vs Dale Hartt
Ringside MMA’s Lightweight Title
205 – Tom Murphy vs Sean Salmon
160 – Derek Gauthier vs Dustin Poirier
170 – Alex Garcia vs Ricky Goodall
175 – Daylin Logan vs Lloyd Galindo
155 – Samuel Guillet vs Jason Rorison
145 – Réjean Groulx vs Eugenio Carpine
155 – Christopher Boisvert vs Kevin Morin
145 – Mark Fraser vs Denis Puric
170 – Matt Northcott vs Taylor Solomon
135 – Dimitri Waardenburg vs Chucky Mady
150 – Yohan Gariépy vs Danny St-Gelais
RingSide MMA is a proud partner of Bud Light (http://www.budlight.ca), Razor Wear (http://www.razorwearclothing.com), KÄRV Clothing (http://www.karv.tv), MMA Fight shop boutiques (http://www.mmafightshop.ca), the Journal de Montréal (http://lejournaldemontreal.canoe.ca), Equinoxe Productions (http://www.production-equinoxe.com) and of Litho Milles Iles Printing (http://www.lithomille-iles.com). For more information regarding Ringside MMA, or Ringside 7: No Escape, please visit the official website at http://www.ringsidemma.tv or contact Eric Champoux via email eric@production-equinoxe.com or Ringside MMA’s Media Relations department at media@ringsidemma.tv.
Tags: gofightlive > Graffitis Restaurant > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > No Escape > ringside
Ward-Green Super Six World Boxing Classic Final Press Conference Quotes
Posted on | June 17, 2010 | 1 Comment
PRESS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
From Wednesday, June 16, 2010 At Oracle Arena (Courtside Club)
OAKLAND, Calif., (June 16, 2010)–Andre Ward and Allan Green met face-to-face at today’s final press conference in advance of their Super Six World Boxing Classic and WBA World Title tilt on Saturday, June 19-live on SHOWTIME, 10p ET/PT-from Oakland’s Oracle Arena.
The event is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, TNT Boxing and Dibella Entertainment and sponsored by Corona, Oakland Tribune and River Rock Casino.
While both men were respectful of one another, the tension in the room was nearly tangible. What’s at stake in the final Group Stage 2 bout:
· The undefeated Ward (21-0, 13 Kos) is making his first world title defense (WBA 168-
pounds).
· Green (29-1, 20 Kos) is getting his first world title shot and his first Super Six bout (replacing
Jermain Taylor).
· Both are seeking one of four coveted berths in the Super Six World Boxing Classic Semi-
Finals.
· With a victory, Ward would clinch a spot in the Semis prior to his Group Stage 3 bout vs.
Andre Direll; Green would still have a chance in Group Stage 3 against Mikkel Kessler.
· If Green is victorious, all six fighters would be virtually deadlocked going into the final and
decisive Group Stage 3 matchups.
What the fighters had to say on Wednesday:
Andre Ward:
Well this is my favorite part of it right here… fight week baby. The hard work is basically over. All the interviews are basically over and it’s time to go to work. This is what I do best. To quote John Wooden, you know I don’t let the praises of the people or the criticism get to me. Because it’s a weakness to get caught up in either one. I appreciate the praises of the people, I honor that, I thank them for that. And those who… people who have a lot of negative things to say about me, even my opponent, his coach, his team, that’s fine. But I’m locked in on what I have to do. Fight in and fight out. I’ve sacrificed a lot for this moment. I’ve sacrificed my wife, my kids and they’ve sacrificed a lot, too….. I don’t think people realize what’s inside of me and what kind of focus I have. They think when you get this belt that it’s time to relax. They think that I’m the one that’s being hunted and to a degree I am, but I have a lot of desire in me, man. And I got a lot of passion in me. I don’t know if he wants this belt as bad as I want to keep it, but if he does, then it’s going to be a whole lot of fun on Saturday night. We’re going to have a good show.
(Ward continued)
I have nothing negative to say about my opponent or his team. I’ve listened to what they’ve said; the disrespectful things, even the compliments, and I take it all to heart. I take them for their words and it’s pushed me and it’s driven me. Like I said at the first press conference we had, I train like I’m fighting a monster, period. So, that way mentally and physically that’s what I’m prepared for. It’s his time to show up. He’s done a lot of talking but it’s time to show up. It’s my time to show up and I will give the fans a tremendous performance come Saturday night.
I’m not going to tell you guys how great I am, how great I’m going to be. I’ve got to continue to show you. I’ve been in this game a long time and I understand it’s about putting in the work and showing people. It’s not about these press conferences. It’s not about the interviews. It’s about putting in the work and when it’s time to show up, show up. And that’s what I plan on doing. So, I thank everybody that’s involved with this event, SHOWTIME, Oakland, we are getting ready to do it again. Thank you.
Allan Green:
Andre Ward is a good young fighter. He hasn’t lost since he was twelve or thirteen years old. We understand that. We’re not minimizing him or undermining him in any way. There’s no need for me to get chuckling here today. I see children here. I see people here having a good time, but Saturday night I will be the WBA super middleweight champion. That’s what I came here for. I know what I can do.
To dissect me you’ve got to have a hell of a scalpel… to dissect Allan Green, a hell of a scalpel. Because a lot of people tend to think, they want to label me as a puncher. True, I am a puncher, but at the same time a lot of people fail to realize I’m a pure boxer. I do know how to box. I do know how to think. So if anybody’s got it in there mind thinking that I’m just coming to walk this young kid down and blast him out and blow him out the water like Kessler did…
Like I said, here’s the problem. Mikkel Kessler is from Denmark. He speaks English. Ward speaks English. Kessler understands English. Kessler doesn’t understand jive, that’s why he couldn’t deal with Andre Ward. I speak jive very well and will Saturday night.
John David Jackson (Green’s Trainer)
Everybody’s pretty much picked Andre Ward to win. I don’t know why we even showed up. James Prince said he’s ready to go to war, but one thing you got to remember when you go to war, you leave your head open for punches. And this brother (Allan Green) right here, he’s got dynamite in both hands. So, if Andre Ward comes to go to war, that’s exactly what we want. And if he does that, he won’t be champ anymore.
Virgil Hunter (Ward’s Trainer)
The talk is over and we can get down to the grit of it. In my opinion you’re not the champ until you retire the champ. You have to be able to hold on to the title and that’s where our mind set is. Allan Green is not taken lightly. His flaws, we’ve identified them. His strengths we have identified them too. A lot has been said about what comes out of his hands, but if you look at his record, we have the better knockout percentage. Judging from the fighter’s and competition he’s faced, this is the first time that he’s really going to get hit. This is the first time he’s going to find out how violent Andre really is. Everything we do, we do with speed. If he stays where he is in the speed zone, he’s going to get chewed up. We are going to find out who has the dynamite in the fists. We are going to do what we always do. We are going to shock your mind, take your heart and we are going to dissect you down and constrict you and then we are going to give you a venomous bite.
Dan Goossen (Ward’s promoter)
This is the first time in history that the Bay Area has ever hosted two back-to-back championship fights within a twelve month period. First and foremost I want to thank the fans for coming out to Oakland and supporting their hometown hero. When this thing is all said and done, you’re going to see your Oakland fighter, you’re Bay Area fighter, become a pay-per-view star.
SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC SCOREBOARD (Through five fights)
Record Fighter Points
1-1 Arthur Abraham 3
1-0 Andre Ward 2
1-1 Mikkel Kessler 2
1-1 Carl Froch 2
1-1 Andre Dirrell 2
0-0 Allan Green 0
Tags: Allan Green > Andre Ward > Boxing > California > Oakland > Oracle Arena > Super Six
Promoter Steve Goodwin On BBC London Boxing Hour With Steve Bunce Thursday 17th June
Posted on | June 16, 2010 | No Comments
Just two days before his upcoming “Summer Fight Fight Explosion” event, at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, boxing promoter Steve Goodwin is to be a studio guest on the BBC London Boxing Hour (94.9 & DAB) presented by Steve Bunce on Thursday 17th June.
Goodwin, who also runs a successful horse racing business, Diamond Racing, is one of the new breed of promoters to recently emerge to challenge the “Big Four”, Frank Maloney, Barry Hearn, Mick Hennesey and Frank Warren, that have dominated the boxing scene over the recent years. The hallmark of Goodwin Promotions events is the return to good old showmanship with spectacular ring entrances and highly exciting well matched fights.
On being asked to be a guest by Steve Bunce, Goodwin said, “Buncey’s the voice of British Boxing. I always listen to his show and it’s a true honour to be asked to be a guest. I’m really looking forward to it.”
The BBC London Boxing Hour (94.9 & DAB) presented by Steve Bunce and featuring Steve Goodwin is on Thursday 17th June from 9:00pm.
Goodwin Promotions “Summer Fight Night Explosion”, at York Hall on Saturday 19th June, has no less than TWELVE top class bouts featuring some of the brightest stars on the domestic boxing scene.
Including the return of International Masters Champion Yassine El Maachi against Dee Mitchell. El Maachi won the International Masters Light Middleweight Title back in April with a superb points victory over France’s Bertrand Aloa.
Another returning star from April’s ‘A Night Of The Rising Stars’ is Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander, who provided the fireworks that night with an awe inspiring four knockdown performance to secure victory over then undefeated prospect Michael ‘Simply’ Devine – the man touted as “The New Ricky Hatton”.
Also featured is Daryl Setterfield, who recently knocked out undefeated prospect Darren Hamilton. Daryl will be up against another tough opponent in Ricky Boulter.
Former English Super Featherweight Champion Ryan Barrett will also be in action, against a yet to be named opponent.
Former Olympic Bronze Medallist Boris Georgiev (Bobby George) will be looking to build on his excellent pro-debut win. As will the highly exciting Michael Norgrove when he faces the experienced Ryan Clark.
Rising stars Tony Owen, Joe St John and Bradley Evans will all be looking to increase their unbeaten records, whilst Welterweights John Brennan (opponent TBA) and Adam Battle, who will face Danny Dontchev, will be looking to impress on their pro-debuts.
Finally, at Light Heavyweight, Ultrachem TKO Gym’s Matt ‘Firefighter’ Jack will be battling it out with Marco Stephenson..
“Summer Fight Night Explosion”, featuring Yassine El Maachi versus Dee Mitchell and Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander versus Sid Razak is on Saturday 19th June at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.
Tickets for the Goodwin Promotion’s “Summer Fight Night Explosion” at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, on Saturday 19th June 2010 are still available and are priced £35 (Unreserved) & £60 (VIP).
Buy tickets in person at the Ultrachem TKO Gym. Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA (Ask for Rio)
For other London locations call Rio on 07960 850645
Buy on-line at – www.tickets.justlisten2this.com – by credit/debit car or PayPal.
Bas Rutten ties for second in “Greatest Dutch Sportsman” Media Voting
Posted on | June 16, 2010 | No Comments
NEW YORK, June 16, 2010 — MMA legend Bas Rutten finished tied for second for the “Greatest Dutch Sportsman” award in media balloting conducted by New York’s historic Grand Central Oyster Bar.
Baseball’s Bert Blyleven received the most votes, while Rutten and baseball’s Jim Kaat were tied for second.
The promotion was in conjunction with the annual Holland Herring Festival at the iconic Manhattan seafood eatery and a Heineken Salute to Dutch Sportsmen, which was launched last week. Dutch herring from the Netherlands is air-expressed to New York for a two week period at the Oyster Bar. You could say that Blyleven “caught the big fish.”
Johnny “Double No-Hit” Vander Meer, track and field greats Fanny Blankers-Koen and Cornelius Warmerdam, soccer legend Johan Cruyff and basketball sharpshooter Kiki Vandeweghe finished in a five-way tie for fourth.
Pitcher Curt Schilling, former Indiana Pacer center Rik Smits, U.S. Open tennis champion Tom Okker, veteran tennis standout Richard Krajicek, the Dutch kickboxer Semmy Schilt, Olympic gold medalist Anton Geesink, and three time Stanley Cup champion Joe Nieuwendyk also received votes. In two somewhat odd ballots, former Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet, because he was a “Flying Dutchman” as a collegiate player at Hofstra University, and the Yonkers Raceway harness driver Brett Holland, because of his last name, both received single votes.
Tags: Bas Rutten > Dutch Athletes > fighting > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA
Lange to Face LeBlanc in July 10 Main Event at the Patriot Center
Posted on | June 16, 2010 | No Comments
Jonathan Reid, Todd “White Lightning” Wilson, Zain “The Tiger” Shan Added to Card;
“The Bolivian Queen” Jennifer Salinas to Battle Nathalie Forget
FAIRFAX, VA (June 16, 2010) – On July 10 at the Patriot Center, popular junior middleweight contender, Jimmy Lange (31-4-2, 22 KOs) of Great Falls, VA looks to get back on the winning track when he goes head-to-head against ring veteran Jimmy LeBlanc (12-16-4, 4 KOs) of Weymouth, MA in the Main Event. The show will take place at the George Mason University campus facility which will be Lange’s tenth straight bout on his home turf. The 10-round headliner is part of “No Excuses,” an Ice Promotions event (www.jimmylangeboxing.com) presented by Valcourt Building Services (www.valcourt.net) featuring top professional boxing. Tickets start at only $35 and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Patriot Center box office.
Lange, a former star on the first season of The Contender reality TV boxing show, has held two World Boxing Championship (WBC) regional belts (Continental Americas and USNBC). After losing a 12-round decision to Chase Shields back in March, he is seeking a victory over LeBlanc, who has consistently faced tough opponents during his 12-year career; including former World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman. In fact, the combined record of LeBlanc’s opponents over the past five years is 91-21-6. Two years ago, LeBlanc stunned the Patriot Center crowd by knocking out former local contender Luther Smith in the first round. The Boston-based boxer lost his last fight to undefeated Irish prospect Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan via a fourth-round disqualification in March 2009.
Middleweight Jonathan Reid (34-12, 19 KOs), Lange’s teammate from The Contender, and undefeated welterweight prospect Todd “White Lighting” Wilson (7-0, 1 KO) of Falls Church, VA have been added to the already action-packed lineup. Opponents for both fighters are to be determined.
Reid and Lange waged a war when they faced off last September at the Patriot Center. Both fighters earned praise and respect for the exciting fight with Lange emerging victorious by way of a nine-round TKO. Fighting out of Nashville, TN, Reid has faced world-class talents such as Pawel Wolak, Maxim Vlasov, Paul Smith and former D.C. world champion William Joppy during his career.
Fighting out of Annandale (VA) Boxing Club, Wilson has developed a strong local following since turning pro in 2007. He pulled out a tough win over Dontre King in his last bout held four months ago in Baltimore. As an amateur competing for Virginia Military Institute, the tough southpaw captured the 139-pound national championship in 2004.
Hard-punching Zain “The Tiger” Shah (2-0, 2 KOs) of Chantilly, VA will take on Washington, DC’s Antonio Walls (2-3, 1 KO) in a four-round middleweight contest. Shah cut his teeth at Finley’s Gym in DC, but now calls Annandale Boys Club home. He earned 25 wins as an amateur and was the Potomac Valley, MD, VA & DC open class and novice Golden Glove Champion. Standing in his way will be Walls, who trains out of Tony Bell’s gym in the District, looking to end a three-fight losing streak.
In other action, “The Bolivian Queen” Jennifer Salinas (11-1, 4 KOs) of Manassas, VA is set to face Montreal, Quebec’s Nathalie Forget (2-1) in a six-round featherweight contest. The popular Salinas, who serves as an instructor and trains out of LA Boxing, won her last two fights in 2009, both staged at the Patriot Center. She looks to continue working her way up the ranks towards title contention against Forget, a former top amateur competitor.
The eight-round co-main event features a welterweight showdown between Baltimore’s Tim “The Pitbull” Coleman (17-1-1, 4 KOs) and tough Detroit southpaw Damian Fuller (30-7-1, 14 KOs). Other bouts previously announced are Juan “The Savior” Rodriguez (4-0, 4 KOs) of Haymarket, VA vs. Dontre King (2-7-1, 1 KOs) of Cambridge, MD (six-round welterweight); Tony “Mo Better” Jeter (9-2, 8 KOs) of Columbia, MD vs. Lawrence Jones (3-2-1, 1 KO) of Reston, VA (six-round middleweight); Brandon Quarles (pro debut) of Alexandria, VA vs. Vince “The Beast” Batteast (1-2-1) of Annapolis, MD (four-round middleweight). Bouts are subject to change.
Doors open at 6:30 pm with the first fight set for 7:30 pm. Tickets cost $35, $50, $75, $125, $200, $300 and $500 (plus applicable service charge) and can be purchased through Ticketmaster by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com, calling phone charge at 703-573-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT or 410-547-SEAT or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including the Patriot Center box office (703-993-3000).
Information:
Event – www.jimmylangeboxing.com
Facebook – No Excuses – Jimmy Lange Boxing http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125468057475711
Twitter – Follow Jimmy Lange at twitter.com/boxerjimmylange
Tags: Boxing > Great Falls > Jimmy Lange > Jimmy LeBlanc > July 10 > MA > Patriot Center > Virginia > Weymouth
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