Month: April 2013

Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz would like to congratulate his fighter, Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (22-0, 16 KOs) of the Dominican Republic for his sensational first-round KO over Mexico’s Miguel Zamudio.

Fighting in the main event last Friday (April 19) at the Tropicana Showroom in the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City (and televised live worldwide on ESPN Friday Night Fights), Fortuna came out like a human buzz saw and dropped Zamudio twice, the second time rendering him unconscious for several frightening minutes at 1:08 of the first round.

Unfortunately, Fortuna was unable to made the 126-lb featherweight limit before the fight (he weighed in at 126.6 lbs) and lost his WBA Interim belt on the scale, but the performance against Zamudio was eye-catching enough to cement him as a major force in the division, title belt or not.

Fortuna’s promoter, however, says he’s disappointed in criticisms from those who said Fortuna and Zamudio didn’t belong in the same ring.

“How can anyone make that determination?” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “What Fortuna did to Zamudio is what he did to Yuandale Evans, who was undefeated and many thought was going to beat Fortuna. It’s the same thing he did to Cristobal Cruz, a former world champion. It’s what he did to Victor Valenzuela, who was 8-0. He did the same thing to Zamudio that he did to two of his last three opponents and there was no questioning their quality as fighters. It’s impossible to say based on what we saw if Miguel Zamudio belonged in there. Fortuna would do that to anyone in the division.”

Lewkowicz says Fortuna will continue to campaign at featherweight and he will be looking to help him regain his championship as quickly as possible in a high-profile fight.

“Javier was only .6 overweight, and it’s possible he could have lost the weight, but even though it cost me money I would not let him risk his health. My fighters are like my children. He will make the weight next time. I am putting a challenge out to the promoters of any world champ or any top featherweight to come and face Javier Fortuna. He is the best of the best at featherweight and he will do what he did to Zamudio to anyone. It really doesn’t matter who I put in front of Javier. They’re getting knocked out.”

Special Guest Appearance by Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns

SUNRISE, Fla. – Golden Boy Promotions and Sunrise Sports & Entertainment announced today that the second Golden Boy Boxing Series event is set for Saturday, June 1 at the BB&T Center with a world class doubleheader featuring Puerto Rican knockout artist Braulio Santos facing tough prospect Derrick Wilson in a 10-round featherweight main event and a 10-round welterweight co-main event that pits unbeaten Floridian Daquan Arnett against Puerto Rican veteran Irving Garcia which will be televised on FOX Sports Net, FOX Deportes and FUEL TV.

The event will also feature a special guest appearance by former World Champion Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns.

Santos vs. Wilson is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Sunrise Sports & Entertainment and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the first bell rings at 8 p.m. The FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes bi-lingual simulcast will air live at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. FUEL TV will rebroadcast the fight on Sunday, June 30 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

Canelo vs. Trout Super Welterweight World Championship Unification Bout
Saturday, April 20, LIVE on SHOWTIME from the Alamodome in San Antonio

CANELO ALVAREZ, WBC Super Welterweight World Champion

“If I want to win this fight, I have to move fast. I have to watch out for Trout’s left. I’ve been studying his style and I can definitely adapt to it. It’s going to be tough, but I know I can beat him. I trust I have what it takes to beat him.

“On Saturday, after defeating Trout, I will raise my hand and my belt and will be thinking of my brother. That belt is his.

“I’m 100 percent ready for Trout. He’s a world-class boxer and an undefeated world champion.

“I’m thankful to the people of San Antonio. They give me great motivation and they have an amazing energy.

“I’m very grateful and happy to be here.

“I’m maintaining weight. I’m training hard. I’m ready.

“I’m visualizing the fight. I’m very focused and very determined. Saturday is going to be my night.

“I’d like to thank my fans for their support. I’m anxious to give them the show they want on Saturday.

“I’m excited to be part of all this. I feel motivated that Oscar De La Hoya is part of all this. It makes me happy to be part of his team.

“I’m the type of boxer that adapts well to other styles.

“When I step into the ring, the best of me comes out.

“I’m ready for Trout. I’m ready to not let my fans down. I’m ready to win.”

AUSTIN “NO DOUBT” TROUT, WBA Super Welterweight World Champion

“We just want to up the intensity from the Miguel Cotto fight. Even though they’re not the same fighter, they have similar styles. We want to up the intensity because Canelo is a bit more intense of a fighter than Miguel Cotto.

“He’s an all-around fighter and he doesn’t have many faults, but he’s not as strong in some areas as others and we’re going to exploit that. We’re preparing for the total package.

“Canelo’s a world champion so he has to have what it takes. They wouldn’t have given him the belt otherwise.

“I’m ecstatic to be the focal point of over 38,000 people. It’s wonderful. I really just can’t wait to be in that atmosphere.

“If Canelo’s not ready now, he’s never going to be. I’m excited to get in there and I’m glad he put his foot down to make this fight happen.

(On the public turnout at Wednesday’s workout) “It’s love. I appreciate all the love. They’re the reason that boxing is going to thrive for ages. It’s one of the oldest sports and it’s not dying anytime soon. This is evidence of it right here.

“Anything is possible. We’ve done things that people said couldn’t be done. I believe God does miracles everyday. I’m not saying it’s going to beat the man, but it can be done. Impossible is a mind state and I don’t have that type of mind state.

“My focus is to just be in shape. We know he’s going to bring it, so we want to make sure we can up the intensity when we need to.

“I don’t think it’s going to be difficult at all fighting in front of these fans. It’s the opponent that’s going to make it difficult. The crowd isn’t going to make it harder or easier. Canelo is going to make it harder. So the crowd is not going to stray me or bother me one bit.

“My hometown is really divided being that it’s a mostly Latin area, but we have a lot of support coming from Las Cruces. Mexican blood is thick and it’s hard to divide that. They’re the best fans to have. If I could have them adopt me as their own champion, I’d be ecstatic because they’re loyal and they fight for their guys. My whole goal is to just take that love and push it onto me.

“Canelo is a champion and he wants to please his fans. If his fans didn’t say that he needed to fight me to prove that he’s the true champion, then I don’t think he would have done it.

“My strategy is to win by any means possible. Whether it is brawling, boxing, moving, sticking there, staying there, whatever I need to do. We’re going to win.

“I want to be a legend in this game. I don’t want to be a one-hit wonder.

“My dad gave me the name ‘Dah Rock’. He said that when I hit it feels like a rock in my gloves. The island we’re from, they call it the rock too. Plus, God is my rock. I heard him say that and I said ‘yeah. I like it.'”

Growing up the son of one of boxing’s hardest hitters ever, you have some pretty big gloves to fill if you plan on becoming a fighter, but so far, Virgin Islands slugger John “Dah Rock” Jackson (15-1, 14 KOs), son of legendary champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson, isn’t doing so bad at it.

16 fights into his career, the elder Jackson was still fighting preliminaries. Going into his 17th fight, WBC #15 Jackson is set to face St. Paul, Minnesota’s undefeated “Sir” Cerresso Fort (16-0-1, 11 KOs) in the televised six-round co-main event this Friday (April 19) at the Tropicana Showroom in the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City and live across the country on ESPN Friday Night Fights (10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN and later televised Saturday April 20, at 2:30 a.m. on ESPNEWS).

NEW YORK: Star Boxing’s acclaimed “ROCKIN FIGHTS” series will return for it’s 8th installment on SATURDAY, May 11 at The Paramount in Huntington, New York headlined by a ten round heavyweight clash between New York fan favorite Vinny Maddalone, 36-8 27KO’s and undefeated Kansas City, Missouri native Richard Carmack, 12-0 10KO’s.

“We’re thrilled to return to The Paramount with this heavyweight clash headlining our “ROCKIN FIGHTS 8″ card on Saturday, May 11” said Joe DeGuardia, President of Star Boxing. “We’re expecting another sold out event and encourage boxing fans to purchase tickets in advance to ensure entry.”

Star Boxing has earned national praise for it’s resurgence of professional boxing on Long Island with its first seven events at The Paramount resulting in packed houses of passionate local fans.
Maddalone returns to action following a devastating third round knockout of Byron Polley on December 8, 2012 at the Resorts World Casino in Queens, New York.

Prior to the win over Polley, Maddalone traveled to Somerset, United Kingdom on July 7, 2012 to battle heavily hyped prospect Tyson Fury. Maddalone fought his heart out as usual but the bout was stopped in the fifth stanza due to a bad cut under Maddalone’s left eye, Fury being declared the winner by technical knockout. Maddalone has fought some of the best fighters in the World including World Champions Evander Holyfield, Tomasz Adamek, Jean-Marc Mormeck.

Eighteen year old UK boxing star
Junior Saba has arrived in Las Vegas to start a one month training camp at
the Mayweather Boxing Club. After an intense gym workout today at the
Mayweather Boxing Club, Junior Saba is looking ready to take the American
boxing scene by storm.

“Junior Saba is looking good in the gym, he is a young man on a mission
who came to America to turn pro and become a future world champion. The
boxing talent of Junior Saba is well beyond his age of eighteen. Boxing
fans around the world lookout for Junior Saba he is a future world
champion.” said Macke Roberts, U.S. based advisor for Junior Saba.

“It’s a dream for myself and Junior Saba to be back in Las Vegas training
at the Mayweather Boxing Club. Some of the best fighters in the world
train at the Mayweather Boxing Club and its a blessing for us to display
our world class boxing talent in America.” said Tunde Ayaji, the
trainer/manager of UK boxing star Junior Saba.

“We just got settled in Las Vegas around midnight this morning but where
here in the gym putting in hard work. After Junior’s first gym workout
things are looking good. Junior Saba and I are here in Las Vegas to show
the boxing world that were one of the best boxing prospects in the world.
Each day in the gym we plan to work harder and harder until we become a
world champion.” said Tunde Ayaji, the trainer/manager of UK boxing star
Junior Saba.

CANASTOTA, NY – APRIL 16, 2013 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today Academy Award nominated actress and Emmy nominated choreographer Rosie Perez has been named Grand Marshal of the 24th Annual Boxing Hall of Fame Parade of Champions scheduled for Sunday, June 9th at 1 p.m.

Photo Credit: Rob Northway
Rosie Perez

“Whether as an actor, director or choreographer, Rosie Perez is tremendously talented in so many facets of the entertainment industry,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “She is a passionate boxing fan and we are absolutely thrilled to welcome her to Canastota to lead the Parade of Champions.”

Born in New York City, Perez began her acting career in Spike Lee’s 1989 motion picture Do The Right Thing. Many film and television roles followed including guest spots on such television series as 21 Jump Street, Frasier, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Cleveland Show and Nurse Jackie. She received an Emmy nomination for her work as choreographer on the hit sketch comedy series In Living Color. On the big screen, Perez starred in the 1992 motion picture White Men Can’t Jump with Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes and earned Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for her supporting role in the 1993 motion picture Fearless.

“It’s unimaginable that I have been asked to be the Grand Marshall in the 2013 Boxing Hall of Fame. Honored? Beyond. Excited? An understatement. Boxing is a big part of my life, always has been. I love watching, talking, and of course, tweeting about it endlessly. It has inspired the challenge within myself to make everything in my life better. Witnessing the preparation, commitment, and belief it takes to be a great fighter, to step inside a boxing ring with millions watching is inspirational. And the few who become boxing legends—those who go the extra mile; those who have that strong character, determination and the soul of a champion, are beyond exceptional. To stand amongst these legends is what true boxing fans dream of. Come June 2013, I will humbly have that opportunity and I am very grateful,”said Perez.

The Parade of Champions, set for Sunday, June 9th at 1:00 p.m., will pass through the streets of Canastota and lead to the grounds of the Hall of Fame Museum prior to the start of the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the new class of inductees. Inductees include two-division champion Arturo “Thunder” Gatti (posthumous), five-time world champion Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill and two-time light flyweight champion Myung-Woo Yuh in the Modern category; “Let’s Get It On” referee Mills Lane, ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and journalist Colin Hart. Posthumous inductees in the Old-Timer, Pioneer, Non-Participant and Observer categories will also be honored. Over 40 boxing stars will be highlighted in the Parade of Champions.

“With the lineup of marching bands, boxing celebrities, community organizations and now Rosie Perez, this should be our biggest parade ever and an unforgettable day for all,” said parade chairperson Charlene Barres.

The 2013 Parade of Champions is sponsored by Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes.

The June 6-9th Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will feature many exciting events including a banquet, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2013.

The complete card has been finalized for this Friday’s (April 19) ESPN Friday Night Fights-televised (10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN and later televised Saturday April 20, at 2:30 a.m. on ESPNEWS) tripleheader from the Tropicana Showroom in the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City.

Presented by Sampson Boxing, the spectacular night of world-class boxing will be headlined by La Romana, Dominican Republic’s dynamic Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (21-0, 15 KOs) defending his interim WBA World featherweight title against Sinaloa, Mexico’s Miguel “Mikol” Zamudio (25-1-1, 13 KOs) in an intriguing 12-round clash.

Also scheduled for televised battle are St. Thomas, Virgin Islands’ promising, once-beaten John “Dah Rock” Jackson (15-1, 14 KOs) and St. Paul, Minnesota’s undefeated “Sir” Cerresso Fort (16-0-1, 11 KOs), who will lock up in a six-round junior middleweight war.

Completing the televised tripleheader will be Ghana’s Emmanuel Lartei Lartey (14-0-1, 7 KOs) taking on the Dominican Republic’s Jonathan Batista (13-0, 6 KOs) in a six/eight-round welterweight battle of undefeateds.

On the undercard, undefeated Anthony Young (7-0, 3 KOs) of Atlantic City will face St. Clair, Pennsylvania’s Rafael Montalvo (2-3, 2 KOs) in a four-round welterweight clash; Brooklyn, New York’s Dean Burrel (6-1, 5 KOs) will face Durham, North Carolina’s Vernon Alston (5-4, 5 KOs) in a four-round lightweight bout; and in a pair of four-round heavyweight battles, undefeated Charles Martin (6-0-1, 6 KOs) of St. Louis, Missouri, will face David Saulsberry (7-5, 7 KOs) of Greenville, Kentucky, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania’s Eric Newell (5-2-1, 3 KOs) will take on Buffalo, New York’s Excell Holmes (2-1-1, 1 KOs).

Tickets for “Fortuna vs. Zamudio” are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or at the Tropicana box office on fight night.