WEEKEND MMA REVIEW FROM GOFIGHTLIVE
Posted on | May 4, 2010 | 1 Comment
First Offense
Last weekend’s Locked In The Cage: First Offense in Leesburg, Virginia as an “all amateur” show with explosive results. Fans were on their feet screaming for more as LITC provided a lightning fast KO, several TKOs and submissions and only one fight ended in decision.
With 5 submissions on the evening, choosing the submission of the night wasn’t an easy task but the bout between Coalition Fight Club’s Kevin Rohrer and Warpath’s Tyrone Chrisjohn stands out. Persevering through early an early takedown and obvious man-handling, Rohrer was able to lock in an arm bar early and even survive a slam to the ground from Chrisjohn (in an unsuccessful attempt to free his arm). Rohrer locked the submission hold tighter and said after the fight, “I want a title shot on June 26th”. With his submission of the night victory, rumors say he’ll get his title shot soon.
Locked In The Cage is known for action and they didn’t disappoint fans with the fight of the night between Alex Conover and Nah-Shon Burrell. A non stop action packed fight that showed all the elements of MMA, fans witnessed another war leading to a decision. For all the Locked In The Cage: First Offense action and to see the rest of the TKOs and submissions, go to http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?eventId=684. today and watch the LITC event with GFL’s Video On Demand feature.
Sport Fight X – Showdown On The Southside
The SportFight X era in the southeast US has begun. Certainly an event filled with great fights, including a triangle choke you can’t miss, the intense anticipation was filling the packed house at the Georgia World Congress Center. The main event matchup between Douglas Lima “the Phenom” and Cortez “Hollywood” Coleman, was of the highest anticipated fight tournaments in Georgia MMA history. “The REDLINE Grand Prix,” sponsored by Redline VPX, was filled with battles and the main event was nothing but the same.
As the 3rd and final round started, both fighters stood facing each other, hearts pounding, dripping in sweat and stomachs in knots, it would be hard to imagine what was going through their heads. Each man had a look of determination and hope in their eyes after 2 rounds of fierce fighting, in where each fighter had failed to finish the other, the 3rd round proved once again, through heart and skill, there’s always a winner. To see the exciting outcome to the main event and to watch all the amazing bouts SportFight X had to offer fans, go to http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?eventId=680 and watch the Video On Demand.
Available Wednesday May 5 on-demand on GFL!
Hot prospect Michael Oliveira remains unbeaten with 10th KO in 12 fights
Posted on | May 4, 2010 | No Comments
MIAMI (May 4, 2009) – Brazilian middleweight prospect “Chairman of the Board” Michael Oliveira kept his unbeaten record intact, stopping rugged 29-fight veteran Jessie Davis in the fourth round, last Saturday night at Miccosukee Resort in Miami.
Oliveira (12-0, 10 KOs), who only turned 20 last week, is the heir apparent to retired Brazilian boxing star Acelino “Popo” Freitas. Michael hadn’t fought since December but had been specifically working at the Normandy Gym with his trainer, Danny Hawk, on setting-up his big right had with stiff jabs.
All of Oliveira’s hard work in the gym paid dividends this past Saturday as he hammered Davis, opening a cut over his left eye that progressively got worse, until referee Tommy Kimmons halted the action at 1:10 of the fourth frame with a game Davis still standing.
“I felt great,” Oliveira said. “I’d been away five months but, once I got in the ring, other than being a little nervous at first, I forgot about everything but fighting my opponent and taking care of business. My punches were straighter and I didn’t go out there looking for the kill. I’ve learned to be patient, something I haven’t always been in the past, and strategized during the fight. They say don’t worry, it’ll come, and it did.”
Davis, to say the least, is extremely tough. He’s also somewhat of a gatekeeper for prospects having fought Keith Thurman, Joey Hernandez and many other young, up-and-coming contenders like Oliveira.
“I don’t know what his head is made of but even my knuckles started to hurt,” Michael noted. “I consider myself a strong puncher and hit him with everything, but he never hit the canvas. He has a very strong chin. After the fight he told me he’d never been hit so hard.”
Oliveira’s next fight is tentatively scheduled for early June at Miccosukee. He may have another fight leading up to his homecoming, August 7th, with the Miami resident fighting for the first time where he was born, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Go to www.MichaelOliveira.com for more information about Michael. Oliveira’s valued sponsors include The Confianca Moving, The Beira – Mar and Pro 1 from Sao Paulo, Dumonde Travel (Michael’s official travel agency) and the multi-national fuel company, Shell.
Rededicated Maurice Harris preparing to make mark in heavyweight division
Posted on | May 4, 2010 | No Comments
NEW YORK (May 4, 2010) – Veteran heavyweight Maurice “Sugar Moe” Harris, winner of the “2002 Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament,” has rededicated himself to boxing with a new promoter, Boxing 360, as well as a new head trainer, former world title contender William “Bo” James, now in his corner.
Harris (23-14-2, 10 KOs), fighting out of New Jersey, has already fought three times in 2010, one less than his total during the previous six years, which included a stretch when he was inactive for 2 ½ years.
Winning all three of his 2010 fights by decision, Harris defeated Billy Zumbrun and 7-footer Julius Long in 6-rounders, followed last month by Robert Hawkins in 8 rounds.
“Fighting regularly feels good,” Harris said about his new, aggressive fight schedule. “It keeps a fighter sharp. I’m happy about Boxing 360 taking good care of me. I’m a fighter and it’s my job to fight; it comes with the territory. I’m so happy to have a group that believes in me. I’m still young – only 34- and I’ve rededicated myself to boxing. The plan is to have one more 8 rounder and then it’s all 10s until I get a title shot. When it comes – I know it’s going to come with this team behind me – it’ll be up to me to take full advantage. Boxing 360 just has to get me the right opportunity and I’ll take care of the rest.”
In 2002, Harris knocked out previously unbeaten and future world title-holder Sergey Lyakhovich (16-0) in the ninth round, earning Harris a slot in that November’s “Thunderbox” tournament. Maurice captured the $100,000 winner’s purse by out-pointing Gerald Nobles, Israel Garcia and Anthony Thompson, respectively, in 3-round matches during the same night of boxing.
“It’s a process right now for Maurice,” Boxing 360 Director of Boxing Bob Duffy explained. “We’re not going to rush things with him, but we are going to keep him busy. We’re taking our time to get Maurice back where he once was in the heavyweight division and beyond.”
Maurice’s up-and-down career also includes victories against David Izon, Jimmy Thunder and Jeremy Williams, as well as Harris going the distance with world champions Larry Holmes and Chris Byrd.
“Floyd (Mayweather, Jr) says he goes to train at the gym like he’s poor,” Harris remarked. “Well, I’m starving. I have a family to take care of and I don’t care who they put in front of me, I’m going to beat ‘em. I’m a whole different person than I was as a young man. People looking at me now understand how hard I’m trying. I’ve even lost about 25 pounds since the beginning of the year.
“I’m sick of watching the Arreolas, Adameks and others. They’re scared to fight me. I’ve sparred with the Klitschko brothers and gave both of them problems. They’re nice guys but, hey, let the best man win if I ever get the chance to fight either one of them. The heavyweight division is open for the taking and I’m coming for their diamonds.”
Oakey’s Last Stand: 21st May 2010
Posted on | May 3, 2010 | No Comments
For Immediate release
London – 3rd May 2010
Former World Champ Tony ‘Oakey Kokey’ Oakey Going Out On A High.
Former WBU Light Heavyweight Champion of the World Tony ‘Oakey Kokey’ Oakey takes to the ring for the final time against British Master Light Heavyweight Champion Michael Banbula, at the Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym and Bruce Baker co-promoted “Oakey’s Last Stand” event at Mountbatten Leisure Centre in Portsmouth, Hampshire on the 21st May 2010.
During his colourful twelve year professional boxing career the popular 34 year old from Havant, Hampshire, has won virtually all major domestic and International Light Heavyweight championships, including the BBBofC Southern Area; British; Commonwealth and the pinnacle of his career, the WBU World title.
Oakey’s most recent major achievement was his total domination of Barry Hearn’s Matchroom Sports popular Prize Fighter series – The Light Heavyweights. Oakey, one of the tournament’s pre-fight favourites, got to the final with typically thrilling wins over Sheffield’s Bill ‘The People’s Poet’ Boyle in the quarterfinal and then against tournament outright favourite Courtney Fry.
Following Oakey’s magnificent, yet close, all action bouts against Boyle and Fry, the final against Darren Stubbs was a bit of an anticlimax. Right from the start it was clear there would only be one winner Tony ‘Oakey Kokey’ Oakey. Stubbs gave as good as he could but Oakey’s skill and World Championship experience prevailed and after the final bell the judges score cards unanimously showed Oakey the clear victor with identical 30-27 decisions.
Taking a little time out following an exhilarating sparring session with fellow Ultrachem TKO gym mate, unbeaten Light Middleweight Pat McAleese, Oakey spoke a little about his upcoming fight and his highly colourful career. “Yeah, I’ve had a good distinguished career, I’ve achieved everything I set my sights on when I started. I’m not happy it has come to an end but I’m happy it’s come to end by what I’ve achieved. It’s nice to end it with a war. It’s nice to give the fans entertainment and it’s a real good quality battle, I want to go out with a good ‘un, I wouldn’t want to go out on a easy fight that’s for sure.
I’m against Michael Banbula, I watched him fight on the last Portsmouth fight we had last year in June. He boxed a local boy Sam Couzens. It was a good tough fight, he’s a good quality bloke. Banbula’s caused a few upsets. He’s tough, comes forward, he’ll give me the sort of fight fans will want to see.”
‘Oakey Kokey’ then went on to talk a little about his career highlights,”There’s a couple of fights that stand out in my head. First of all I would say Neil Simpson. At the time I was WBU World Champion. I was supposed to fight him before I fought for the World title for the British title and at the last minute Frank Warren offered me more money to fight for the vacant WBU. Neil Simpson accused me of skirting him. But at the end of the day it wasn’t about anything else but money.
At the time all I wanted to be is a World Champion so I took the fight for the vacant WBU title and then made sure that my very first defense was Neil Simpson. Obviously when I beat him he was British Champion as well. It was a good night for me because when I beat him I beat him well.
The other fight that really stands out is when I won the British title. That meant a lot as I beat Steve Spartacus. I would say that was one of the performances of my career because I just stuck to my game plan, done as I was told and made it an easy night’s work. I don’t mean any disrespect to Steve, what I mean is I literally done as I was told and put everything into practice what I did in the gym.”
Not being someone to just talk about the good times, Oakey then went on to talk about his last fight, against Danny McIntosh for the BBBofC English Light Heavyweight title, and the controversy surrounding the second round stoppage decision. “I’m not one for making excuses about things because I shouldn’t have been put down in the first place. The knockdown wasn’t really a knockdown, his pushing me back into the ropes and his sheer weight caused me to go down. I was going to jump right up and take the eight count. I would have had to take the eight count if I got up so decided to stay on one knee. About on count seven someone in the crowd distracted me , I looked back at the ref who still only went eight so I jumped straight up. The ref could see I’m OK but went nine. As I said it wasn’t even a knockdown, everyone could see that, even the commentators on TV said that I misjudged the count. Even in the Boxing News it said that, and they’re the bible of British Boxing.
I wish Danny McIntosh the best for his career and that he goes on and does great things. There’s no sour grapes as far as he is concerned. As I say I retire, not as the happiest man in the world, but happy none the less.”
For the past four years Oakey has shown total dedication to his craft by traveling from his home in Havant, Hampshire to be coached by Johnny Eames five days a week at Eames’ Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, East London.
‘Oakey Kokey’ explained why and how this came about as well as his reasons to finally call it a day. “A few years back when I was with Ronnie Davis, who used to train Chris Eubank. I trained with him for the majority of my early career and I won everything with him, you know, and I had my ban.
I was coming back from the ban and my first fight back was the fight with Peter Haymer and got robbed terrible. It was really really bad, it was a really disgraceful robbery. So I sat down with Ronnie and we came to a mutual agreement that if I was going to further my career again I needed to come up to London.
I’ve known John since I turned Pro, You know, I think he turned Pro at the same sort of time as me and his way of teaching people really suits me. I rang him and asked him if he would have me up here and he said he would so I came up. That was four years ago. I come up here on a Monday and go back on a Friday, that’s another reason why I had a discussion with John about retiring.
I’m 34, and I’m just about to have my first child with my missus and we had to go three lots of IVF. I felt it’s time for me to start the next chapter of my life and spend a bit of time at home. Over the course of a year I’m up here for eight months of it and only at home for four months of it. I don’t want to miss eight months of the first year with my child really.
Hopefully it will be great entertainment for the fans, forget about the misjudgment of the count last time out. Boxing’s a very cruel sport and you’re always judged on your last fight. So I’m hoping to have an out and out war, win a close points decision and everyone remembers ‘Oakey Kokey’ for what he is – a True Warrior.”
Tony ‘Oakey Kokey’ Oakey versus Michael Banbula for the British Masters Light Heavyweight title headlines the Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym and Bruce Baker co-promoted “Oakey’s Last Stand” event at Mountbatten Leisure Centre, Portsmouth on the 21st May 2010.
The stacked undercard includes a very interesting Light Heavyweight contest featuring Oakey’s Ultrachem TKO gym mate, and former two-time opponent, Peter ‘The Daddy’ Haymer against the dangerous Portsmouth southpaw Paul Morby.
Another of Oakey’s Ultrachem TKO Gym mates, Redhill, Surrey’s Daryl Setterfield has his work cut out when he faces unbeaten, in six outings, Wayne Goddard from Borden, Hampshire. Whilst at Super Middleweight, another Ultrachem TKO based fighter, Newmarket, Suffolk’s Matt Jack has an equally tough opponent when he faces New Milton, Hampshire’s Danny ‘Dangerous’ Goode.
Also at Super Middleweight Ultrachem TKO’s Tariq Quaddas will be facing Titchfield, Hampshire’s Sam Couzens. Another of the Couzens clan, Sam’s brother Danny is also on the card but his opponent has yet to be announced.
Finally Ultrachem TKO will be debuting one of their upcoming young stars, George Jupp who will be going up against another first timer Peter Barney in a Featherweight contest.
‘Oakey’s Last Stand’ will be on the 21st May 2010 at the Mountbatten Leisure Centre, Alexandra Park, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO2 9QA.
Tickets are available from:
Mountbatten Leisure Centre, Alexandra Park, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO2 9QA. – Tel: 023 9362 6500
Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA – Tel: 020 7474 3199
www.ultrachemtkogym.co.uk
Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham Signs With Sauerland Event
Posted on | May 3, 2010 | No Comments
Former Cruiserweight Champion of the World Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham announced today that he has signed a promotional contract with German promoters SAUERLAND EVENT.
On making the announcement ‘USS’ Cunningham, whose eight year promotional contract with Don King Promotions came to an end on March 28th, said, “I’m excited about this new chapter, I made the decision to go where I can continue to fight in my weightclass and make a good living at the same time. Cruiserweight is a respected division in Europe and everyone knows I’m a road warrior already, so I’ll be fighting overseas more now. I don’t mind at all and I’m looking forward to it, Germany has great boxing fans.”
‘USS’ Cunningham, who has made no secret that he loves fighting in Europe following his successes there, continued saying, “When I fought Huck back in 2007, Sauerland promoted the fight, and they treated me very well, it was a great experience, they were first class all around. I’m looking forward to increasing my activity in the ring, I feel I am in my prime and I am ready to show the world what I am capable of.”
It was Europe where ‘USS’ Cunningham enjoyed his championship successes. Three years ago, on the 26th May ‘07, ‘USS’ Cunningham sailed in Katowice, Poland to battle with then IBF Cruiserweight Champion Krysztof ‘Diablo’ Wlodarczyk for the second time. After twelve hard fought rounds ‘USS’ Cunningham was declared Champion.
For his first defense, on the 29th December ‘07, ‘USS’ Cunningham again sailed across the Atlantic, this time to Bielefeld in Germany, to face Marco ‘Kapt’n’ Huck. A scintillating battle of epic proportions, between the two best Cruiserweights in the World, ensued. With just one minute and four seconds of the final round remaining ‘Kapt’n’ Huck’s challenge came to an end after Huck’s corner threw in the towel to save their man, who was reeling and defenseless following a storming final assault that saw ‘USS’ Cunningham chasing Huck across the ring whilst letting rip with a salvo of remarkably accurate overhand rights.
Just over one year later, on the 11th December ‘08 ‘USS’ Cunningham’s reign as Cruiserweight King came to an end after losing a close split decision to Tomasz ‘Goral’ Adamek following their ‘Fight of the Year’ nominated battle at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
In his only fight since losing to Adamek, ‘USS’ Cunningham defeated former WBC Cruiserweight Champion Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite in the IBF final eliminator.
Following Adamek’s decision to move to the Heavyweight division ‘USS’ Cunningham was due to fight for the vacated IBF title on the 26th March this year, but this was called off following Godfrey decision to withdraw.
‘USS’ Cunningham’s next opponent, for the vacant IBF World Cruiserweight title, will be Canada’s Troy Ross. The date and venue for this highly anticipated match is expected to be announced shortly.
www.usscunningham.com
Boxing celebrities and special guests to celebrate 100-year anniversary of the “Battle of the Century” boxing match in Reno
Posted on | May 3, 2010 | No Comments
Family members of champion boxers Jack Johnson and Jim Jeffries, legendary fight promoter Tex Rickard, and then acting Nevada Governor Denver Dickerson to attend anniversary celebration scheduled for July 2-4, 2010.
Reno, NV: On July 4, 1910, Jack Johnson and Jim Jeffries stepped into a custom-built boxing ring in Reno, Nevada, with over 20,000 fight fans from across the country and around the world on-hand to witness what had been hyped as the “Battle of the Century.”
Johnson, an intimidating boxer and the first African American to hold the World Heavyweight Championship, was a pariah amongst white America because of his refusal to live his life according to the bigoted social norms prevalent during his day.
Jeffries – the former champion who had retired undefeated three years earlier, never having agreed to face Johnson – had come out of retirement as the “Great White Hope” to take back the heavyweight championship for the white race.
A fight anticipated like no other, before or since, the Johnson-Jeffries match is still cited as one of the most important sporting events of all time. And now, exactly 100 years later, the city of Reno will honor the legacy of this most famous of fights with a three-day celebration, July 2-4, 2010, featuring boxing celebrities, family members of those involved in the original fight, and live professional boxing at the Grand Sierra Resort which will be aired by Fox Sports Net.
“We’re very excited that family members representing all four of the principle parties involved in making the original fight happen – Jack Johnson, Jim Jeffries, promoter Tex Rickard and acting Governor Denver Dickerson – will be able to attend the 100-year anniversary celebration,” said Terry Lane of Let’s Get It On Promotions, which is helping organize the celebration.
Just like in 1910, when over 20,000 people streamed in to Reno (population approximately 15,000 at the time) to witness the original fight, visitors to the 100-year anniversary celebration will have the opportunity to tour the original fight site as well as the locations of both Johnson’s and Jeffries’ pre-fight training camps.
Other attractions, hosted by Reno’s Eldorado Hotel and Casino, include a Gala dinner remembering the “Fight of the Century,” with multimedia presentations and honored guests and family members in attendance; and the Al Bernstein Live Boxing Party, which will allow audience members to hear from and match wits with legendary boxing commentator Al Bernstein (aka “the Voice of Boxing”).
Dates, times and more details about these and other events planned for the Johnson-Jeffries 100-year anniversary celebration can be found online at www.JohnsonJeffries2010.com, along with more history of the original fight and information about lodging packages available for the weekend.
Tags: Boxing > Centennial Celebration > Jack Johnson > Jim Jeffries > Let's Get It On Promotions > Nevada > Reno
Martinez fighting for worldwide recognition May 29 on “Undefeated Champions” PPV
Posted on | May 3, 2010 | No Comments
Vazquez, Jr.-Bedak headlines Puerto Rican show
HOBOKEN, N.J. (May 3, 2010) – WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez (22-0-1, 143 KOs) makes his second title-defense May 29th in the 12-round co-feature against WBO No. 10 rated Gonzalo “El Destructor” Mungia (17-6-3, 13 KOs) on the “Undefeated Champions” pay per view event, airing live in the United States from Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
“Undefeated Champions,” presented by PR Best Boxing in association with Al Star Boxing, features three world title bouts. It is being distributed in the United States 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, and DISH Network, for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.
The 12-round main event features the first title defense of Boricua star, WBO Junior Featherweight Champion Wilfredo “WV2” Vazquez, Jr. (18-0-1, 15 KOs), against No. 1 contender Zsolt “Mr. Lefthook” Bedak (14-0-1, 12 KOs).
Martinez, rated No. 3 by The Ring, captured the WBO championship this past March 14, stopping Nicky Cook in the fourth round of their title fight in England. The popular Puerto Rican fighter successfully defended his crown last September, stopping Feider Viloria in the ninth round.
Martinez is excited about fighting on pay per view. “This fight is very important to me because it opens the way for me to fans in the United States,” he said. “They’ll learn more about me and my boxing career. It will also help me later when I go for a unification fight. If everything goes good in this fight, I may fight mandatory challenger Ricky Burns, possible here in Puerto Rico, in August. But what I’d really like to do is unify the title against any of the other champions (WBC Vitalki Tajbert or WBA Takashi Uchiyama).”
Reigning WBO Latino super featherweight title-holder Mungia, fighting out of Nicaragua, has won his last four fights, three by knockout.
“Mungia is a good fighter who comes to fight,” Martinez noted. “I love to fight, too, so if he really comes to fight, it’s going to be a something to remember. I’m going to use my distance and put my shots where we want. We trained hard, studied him and are ready for all Mungia’s style. I’m going to make my fight; relax and be ready for him. I studied him with my trainer, Raul Torres, and I’m going to knock Mungia out. This bout isn’t going the distance.”
The third world title fight on this exciting card matches females Hanna Gabriel (9-0-1, 5 KOs) and Gardy Pena (9-1-2, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBO super welterweight crown in a 10-round bout. Fighting on the undercard are the Arroyo twins, bantamweight McJoe (1-0, 1 KO) and McWilliams (1-0, 1 KO), the former Puerto Rican Olympians. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Integrated Sports Media: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Erik Morales, Ricky Hatton, Cristian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr. and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports Media distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA, as well as World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.
Tags: Boxing > Gonzalo Mungia > Hoboken > Jr. > NJ > ROman Martinez > Wifredo Vazquez > Zsolt Bedak
Cape Cod heavyweight prospect Jesse Barboza joins forces with ‘Irish’ Micky Ward & Dicky Eklund
Posted on | May 2, 2010 | No Comments
CES show May 7 at Twin River Event Center, RI
PROVIDENCE (May 2, 2010) – Unbeaten Cape Cod heavyweight Jesse Barboza has two new formidable additions to his corner, the stars of the soon-to-be-released movie, “The Fighter,” 3-time Fight of the Year participant “Irish” Micky Ward and his brother and former trainer, Dicky Eklund.
The highly-regarded Barnstable (MA) native Barboza (3-0, 3 KOs), a 3-time New England Golden Gloves Tournament winner, faces an opponent to be determined in a 4-round bout Friday night (May 7) on the “Spring Fever” pro boxing card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I.
In a special 9-round main event, New Bedford police officer Jason “School Boy” Pires (22-3-1, 9 KOs), a former USBA super bantamweight champion and 1996 U.S. Olympic Team alternate, faces former world title challenger Michael “Cold Blood” Clark (39-5-1, 18 KOs) for the vacant NABA-U.S. junior welterweight title.
The 23-year-old Barboza is an impressive specimen, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 230 pounds. He’s registered the “Knockout of the Night” in each of his three pro fights, including the last one (March 19) in the second round against Richard Mason, with Ward and Eklund in his corner for the first time.
“I’ll tell you, Micky pushes you hard,” Barboza said of working under Ward. “I’m tired and he gets his second wind. No respect to 60-year-old trainers who never fought before, but everybody saw Micky do it in the ring, and he’s still the same. It’s different when he tells you something to do. He’s out there hittin’ and sweatin’ with you. We bonded quickly. Dicky is like an Energizer bunny. He may be older than Micky, but never gets tired. Dicky not only works out with you, he gets in the ring and spars, too. This (being trained by Ward and Eklund) is hard to believe.”
Barboza was a standout middle linebacker for Barnstable High and planned on playing college ball. Both of his parents, however, lost their jobs at the same time. Jesse, admittedly, didn’t work too hard on academics and, after graduating from BHS, he found himself at home and missing the competitiveness of sports. “I needed a competitive edge after high school, so I went to the gym one day,” he explained. “I liked what I saw and decided for the first time in my life I’d give 100 percent. My grandfather was an amateur boxer and I became one. I enjoyed watching Mike Tyson. I have short-range goals and in about 10 more fights I want to be considered one of the top heavyweight prospects in the United States. I want to go in boxing where Micky has already been.”
Also slated to fight in 4-round bouts are some of New England’s finest prospects: Providence super middleweight and former University of Rhode Island football player Vladine Biosse (5-0, 4 KOs) vs. TBA; Warwick (RI) super middleweight Keith Kozlin (5-0, 2 KOs) vs. Greg McCoy (0-1-1); Hartford middleweight David Bauza (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Richard “Hurricane” Grant (4-3, 2 KOs); New Haven light welterweight Edwin Soto (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. Carlos Hernandez (pro debut); Marshfield (MA) welterweight Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes (1-1, 1 KO) vs. Natoya Ervin (1-4), Lincoln (RI) light welterweight Diego Pereira (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA, and New Haven (CT) middleweight Ricky Dawson, whose younger brother Chad is recognized as one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world, making his CES and pro debut. All boxers are subject to change.
Ticket prices for “Spring Fever” are $35.00, $50.00, $75.00 and $100.00 and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.
Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or the Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Spring Fever.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)
-CES-
Tags: Boxing > CES > Classic Entertainment and Sports > Dick Ecklund > Jesse Barboza > Micky Ward
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