Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

Maurice Harris

Going back to the future

NEW YORK (Feb. 5, 2010) – Veteran heavyweight Maurice “Sugar Moe” Harris, inactive for the previous 26 months, recently returned to the ring (Jan. 29) in Albuquerque, impressively winning a 6-round unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 58-56) against battle-tested Billy “The Kid” Zumbrun.

The 33-year-old Harris (21-14-2, 10 KOs), winner of the “2002 Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament,” had fought only four times in the past seven years due to his promotional/managerial problems. His comeback is under the banner of his new promoter, Boxing 360.

“I had a lot of rust to work off,” New Jersey native Harris said. “I did what I had to do to win, getting in the rounds and not looking for the knock out. He’s a strong guy with a hard head. I shook him a couple of times, but he kept his left hand high, and it was tough to hit him solid.

“I needed the work. I’m going to stay busy because that’s the philosophy of my promoter, Boxing 360. We’re taking it slow; no rush getting to the top. Being with Boxing 360 is like night and day compared to my old promoters.”

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, in which he 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.

Maurice’s up-and-down career 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.

“It felt good getting in the ring again,” Maurice concluded. “I felt good, considering the jet lag and high altitude, but overall I’m happy with my performance. Watch-out heavyweights, I’m coming.”

Estrada weighs in at a record-low for Saturday’s title bout

NEWARK, N.J. (Feb. 5, 2010) — On the eve of the biggest fight of his career, Jason “Big Six” Estrada is in the best shape of his life.

The former 2004 U.S. Olympian clocked in at a lean 237 pounds Friday at the weigh-in for his IBF International Heavyweight championship bout against Polish champion Tomasz Adamek, which will take place tomorrow night at the Prudential Center.

Until Friday, Estrada (16-2, 4 KOs) had never weighed in at less than 239 pounds in his professional career, but with eight weeks to train for this fight, he is in peak physical condition as he prepares to face the hard-punching champion in front of what figures to be a pro-Adamek crowd.

“I’ve never had this much time to train for a fight,” Estrada said. “I’ve always been told three weeks or four weeks (in advance). I’ve never had eight weeks. Never.

“You can always add more to your plate. I’ve never had a problem working hard, especially when it’s such a big opportunity.”

While Adamek is already looking ahead to a bout with heavyweight challenger Chris Arreola, Estrada is hoping to use his speed, footwork and experience at the heavyweight level to pull off the upset. A former cruiserweight world champion, Adamek (39-1, 27 KOs) has fought just once as a heavyweight, knocking out 42-year-old Andrew Golota in October.

“Golota was a big heavyweight in his day — a big puncher and a big, strong guy — but that is not the same Golota,” Estrada said. “To me that’s not really a fight that I would take as a justification to fight me in the heavyweight division. Maybe [Adamek] should have fought someone else.”

Adamek weighed in at 220 1/2 pounds Friday. Saturday’s “Heavy Artillery” show, promoted by Main Events and Ziggy Promotions in association with Classic Entertainment & Sports, begins at 7 p.m.

TICKET ALERT

AND ROBERT RODRIGUEZ ON UNDERCARD

AUGUSTA, GA (February 5, 2010) World ranked flyweight contender Rayonta “STINGRAY” Whitfield will battle Sergio Espinoza for the NABO Flyweight Title on Saturday, February 27th at the Bell Auditorium, it was announced today by TKO Boxing Promotions

Advance tickets will go on sale at 10am Friday morning, February 5th, priced from $27 to $102 (including a $2.00 facility fee), through the Augusta Entertainment Complex Box Office, (www.georgialinatix.com, by phone at 1-877-4AUGTIX or in person at the Augusta Entertainment Complex Box Office, 601 Seventh Street).

A $5.00 in person box office discount for all military, police and fire personnel along with college students with proper ID is available in all price ranges until February 26th. The Bell Auditorium is located at 712 Telfair Street in Augusta, Georgia; doors on the evening of the event will open at 6:30pm with the first bell at 7:30pm.

A press conference to announce the event was held this past Tuesday at Mayor Deke Copenhaver’s office in Augusta .

Said Augusta native Whitfield, “I’m thrilled to be fighting for the NABO Flyweight Title against Sergio Espinoza, but most importantly I’m very happy and proud to be able to fight at home in front of my family and friends. The support that I receive here at home is outstanding and I’m looking forward to putting on a great performance in my hometown on February 27th.

Mayor Copenhaver was effusive with his praise for Whitfield, “We’re all very proud of Rayonta. He’s accomplished a great deal both as an amateur and professional, and Augusta looks forward to cheering him on in his bout against Espinoza on the 27th.”

The 28 year old Whitfield, 23-1-0 (11KO’s) is currently world ranked #4 by the IBF and #5 by the WBO. He is coming off an eight round unanimous decision win over Evaristo Primero on October 10th in Houston .

On February 7, 2009, Whitfield battled WBO champion Omar Navarez in Chubut, Argentina evenly over nine rounds before the bout was abruptly halted in the champions’ hometown although Whitfield was unhurt and fully able to continue in the battle.

Hailing from San Diego, California, the 31 year old Espinoza brings a record of 16-6-1 with five knockouts into the title bout with Whitfield. Espinoza is a staple in the highly competitive Southern California boxing scene where he is known for his numerous world class battles over his nine year professional career.

The co-main event will feature outstanding junior lightweight prospect Mickey Bey Jr. in a ten round bout for the WBO Inter-Continental Title. After a highly successful amateur career, the 26 year old Cleveland, Ohio native has amassed an undefeated professional record of

15-0-0 (8KO’s). Last year, amongst his three wins was an eight round decision over highly regarded prospect Rashad Ganaway on August 22nd in Houston, Texas.

The undercard includes outstanding newcomers; welterweight Joseph Elegele, 3-0-0 (2KO’s) of Melbourne, Florida and junior featherweight Robert Rodriguez, 1-0-0, from Greeley, Colorado. Additional bouts and further details on the undercard will be announced shortly.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, Feb. 2, 2010

It was announced today that Chevelle Hallback, (27-5-2, 11 KO) and Holly Holm (26-1-3, 7 KO) will fight for the WIBA light welterweight title at the Isleta Casino and Resort on March 26, 2010.

Chevelle Hallback vs. Holly Holm will be the main event is will be promoted by Fresquez Promotions. This match up promosed to put women’s boxin on the map once and for all.

“Chevelle has accomplished everything a pro fighter drams of. She has fought the best, and has won and is still a world champion. She has one goal left to fulfull, said Hallback’s advisor, Bill Calogero, “She wants to fight on HBO!”

Considering HBO has never televised a women’s bout on a non PPV broadcast, this is no easy goal to obtain. When Hallback and Calogero met in December, they decided the only chance Chevelle would have at getting on HBO would be to fight the best in extremely entertaining fights.

“After talking with Bill, I know the only way I will ever get a shot on HBO is to fight the best, so we decided to reach out to one of women’s best pound for pound fighters- Holly Holm. We are not playing games! I feel I am the best pound for pound female boxer on the planet and will prove it, I will take women’s boxing on my own shoulders and put it on the map once and for all. We will not only win March 26, we will leave no doubt as to who the BEST women’s boxer in the world is,” said Hallback.

Calogero agrees. “When I first reached out to Team Holm, they said no, but we would not take no for an answer. When you really look at are the BEST pound for pound female fighters out there, Holm/Hallback is the best match-up. We know we are going in to Holly’s hometown, so we will leave no doubt and win by KO. We have retained the services of punching power guru Torsten Kanzmeier to help bring out the extra power, which will get the job done.” He added, “If you have never seen a quality women’s match before, make sure you see this fight on March 26! We GUARANTEE it will make you a fan. Team Hallback will leave no doubt who the first female fighter on HBO will be- Chevelle Hallback!”

Stay tuned for more information on Chevelle Hallback/Holly Holm. For additional information please email bill@thedailysports.com

Vasquez not fighting in father’s shadow

“The Double Assault” PPV Feb. 27

HOBOKEN, N.J. (Feb. 5, 2010) – Unbeaten Wilfredo “WV2” Vasquez, Jr., the proud son of 2-time world champion Wilfredo Vasquez, plans to make Puerto Rican history Feb. 27 when he fights the 19-year-old being billed in the Philippines as the next Manny Pacquaio, “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona, for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO junior featherweight title, headlining one of two sensational shows airing on pay-per-view in North America.

The double-barrelled “The Double Assault” is presented by PR Best Boxing Promotions in Puerto Rico, in association with All Star Boxing and Sampson Boxing LLC, and KO Entertainment in Cancun, Mexico. The unique broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

The action starts at 9 PM/ET live from Reben Rodriquez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, with hometown hero Vasquez,. Jr. (17-0-1, 14 KOs) taking on former WBO Super Flyweight champion Sonsona (14-0-1, 12 KOs) for the vacant WBO junior featherweight belt. Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Carlos Negron (7-0, 6 KOs), 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian, provides chief support in a 6-round bout against an opponent to be determined.

Vasquez, Jr., the WBC Latino super bantamweight champion, is rated No. 2 by the WBO, while former WBO super flyweight titlist Sonsona is ranked No. 3.

“This is a very important fight because we will make history in Puerto Rico by being the first father and son World Champions, also with the same promoter (Tuto Zabala, Jr.),” Vasquez, Jr. explained. “I will leave everything in the ring to accomplish it. Sonsona is a very good boxer. It will be a good fight for fans to watch. I have trained very hard and I hope he did, too. He had a strong amateur background and I had no amateur fights, but they chose the wrong opponent to move up in weight to fight. Nothing is personal, it’s all business.

“There’s no added pressure on me because of my father. It’s different times. I see him as my father and trainer. I am relaxed and will do this for my family. For boxing fans who haven’t seen me, you will see me focused to secure his family’s future. I am a young, exciting fighter. I will win, by decision or knockout.”

Vasquez, Sr. was a great bantamweight and super bantamweight in the late eighties and early nineties who had a pro record of 56-9-2 (41 KOs). “I am happy and proud,” he said about his son. We will make history February 27. No pressure, I trust Tuto Zabala, Jr. like nobody else. We will win. My son fights like me. He inherited my punching power and he punches like a junior welterweight. He does his own thing but I feel he fights like me or even better. Fighting was easier, no doubt, than watching my son fight.”

The spotlight will then shift to El Polyforim Benito Juarez in Cancun, Mexico, where former WBA light heavyweight champion Hugo Hernan “Pigu” Garay takes on highly world rated “Hard Hittin’” Chris Henry for the WBA Interim light heavyweight title. Former WBA & WBC super flyweight title-holder Cristian Mijares drops back down to his natural weight class versus TBA.

Garay (32-4, 17 KOs), rated No. 3 by the WBA, is a popular Argentinean who defeated Yuri Barashian by decision for the WBA light heavyweight title in 2008, successfully defended against present WBO Interim champion Juergen Braehmer by decision, and then lost his belt by decision last June to Gabriel Campillo.

WBA No. 4-ranked Henry, fighting out of Houston, is coming off of an explosive win by sixth-round technical knockout of Shaun George last July on ESPN. Henry has been the NABF, NABA, IBA Inter-Continental and USNBC light heavyweight champion during the past four years.

Mexican boxer Mijares, rated No. 5 by the WBA and No. 14 by the IBF, was one of the world’s top pound-for-pound boxers after winning a decision against Alexander Munoz in their 2008 WBC/WBA super flyweight unification match.

FREDDY HERNANDEZ & DEMARCUS “CHOP CHOP’’ CORLEY,
FRANCISCO CONTRERAS & JUAN CASTANEDA
FINAL QUOTES AND WEIGHTS

Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010,

Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California

“SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION’’

Friday, Feb. 5, 2007; Telecast Begins at 11 p.m. ET/PT

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Feb. 4, 2010) — Promising Freddy “El Riel’’ Hernandez (27-1, 18 KOs), of Lynwood, Calif., will take on former world champion, southpaw DeMarcus “Chop Chop’’ Corley (36-12-1, 21 KOs), of Washington, D.C., in the 10-round welterweight main event on ShoBox: The New Generation tomorrow/Friday, Feb. 5, on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

In the co-feature at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., hard-hitting, undefeated Dominican Francisco Contreras (12-0, 11 KOs), of Livingston, N.J., should get what definitely will be the toughest test of his career when he faces Juan Castaneda, Jr. (16-2, 12 KOs), of La Paz, Mexico, in an eight-round junior welterweight bout.

A winner of four in a row, Hernandez, who was born in Mexico City, is 10-0 with one No Contest dating to February 2005. The No. 14-ranked contender in the World Boxing Council (WBC) scored a convincing, unanimous 10-round decision over then-once-beaten southpaw Damian Frias Oct. 23, 2009 on ShoBox.

Corley, a former World Boxing Organization (WBO) 140-pound titleholder, has fought some of the best in the world including past and current world champions Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Devon Alexander, Junior Witter and Jose Alfaro. Corley seldom gets the benefit of the doubt in close affairs. One-third of his defeats have come on split decisions.

Contreras, who has been virtually untested since turning pro in February 2007, is stepping up in class against the aggressive-minded Castaneda, who is 12-0 since suffering his last loss to Antonio DeMarco on May 2, 2008, at Chumash, on ShoBox.

The current WBC interim lightweight belt-holder, DeMarco challenges WBC 135-pound world champion Edwin Valero in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING this Saturday, Feb. 6, on SHOWTIME®.

WEIGHTS — Hernandez weighed 148 pounds; Corley 143. Contreras tipped scale at 136½ pounds; Castaneda 137 (on his second attempt).

FREDDY HERNANDEZ

“The important thing is to win, but I want to win convincingly – hopefully by spectacular knockout so I can show people that I’m ready for a title shot.

“There are times when an unknown fighter becomes a known fighter really fast, which is why I appreciate fighting on SHOWTIME again. I’m known to some people and they acknowledge me as a good fighter, but my day is still to come.

“This will be a tough fight because it was made on short notice and because Corley is a veteran with experience. But my main concern is that he’s a lefty. That’s my main concern, but it won’t be a problem.’’

“A win over a former world champion would look good on my record but I know I need to keep fighting and winning convincingly against whoever they put against me.’’

DEMARCUS “CHOP CHOP’’ CORLEY

“I’m in shape, ready to fight and ready to get back on top. I had a little more than a week’s notice and that is fine. I don’t know or care anything about the guy I’m fighting.

“I’m trying to win. I want to get a title fight. This is my first fight at 147 pounds, and I’m going to show the world I can fight at 147, too, but I’m going to campaign at both 147 and 140.

“One thing’s for sure. When I get him in trouble, I’m not going to let him off the hook like I did against (Miguel) Cotto and (Floyd) Mayweather. I should have gone berserk when I had Cotto in trouble and after I hurt Mayweather.

“To this day, it still gets underneath my skin just knowing how close I was to giving both Cotto and Mayweather their first losses. The only way for me to get peace of mind is to become world champion again and hopefully get a rematch with both guys.

“My last two defeats – my last fight which was in Russia and one I had against Hector Sanchez — cut a piece of my heart out. There was no way I lost those fights, yet they went the other way.

“But it’s not going against me on Friday. If Hernandez is busy, then it’s going to be a busy fight because I’m definitely going to be busy. I have no time to wait or I won’t get the decision. I can’t be the counter-puncher and let him go first. I need to go forward and press him back.’’

FRANCISCO CONTRERAS

“I know practically nothing about Castaneda, but I am here to fight and to win. I might still have all my wins by knockout but my last fight came against a guy who weighed at least nine pounds heavier than me. I think he must have weighed 160 to my 136.

“I want to keep going and move on to bigger things and fight for a world title so every fight is very important to me.

“Castaneda could be a test but I’m confident I have the qualities to overcome anything he has to offer. I am very excited about Friday and the opportunity to showcase my skills on SHOWTIME.’’

JUAN CASTANEDA

“I’m in great shape and ready to win. I’ve only seen the other guy’s record, but I wasn’t impressed at all and I am definitely not scared of him. He has never fought a real fighter. To say he fought guys that were limited (ability-wise) would be giving him the benefit.

“I think this is going to be a good fight for me and I am confident. This is a great opportunity for me to win a fight that will open the doors for me again for more opportunities.

“I want to forget the fight against DeMarco, but it was a good learning experience and I got a lot out of it. I lost that fight, but I’ll win in the long run.’’

Nick Charles will call the action from ringside with Steve Farhood and Antonio Tarver serving as expert analysts. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

Rigondeaux donating Friday night’s purse

to the Children of Haiti Fund

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 4, 2010) – Two-time Olympic champion Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux, arguably the greatest amateur boxer of all-time, is showing more of his personal side with an announcement that he is donating his entire purse from this Friday night’s fight to the Children of Haiti Fund.

Rigondeaux (4-0, 3 KOs), fighting as a super bantamweight, now lives in Los Angeles after defecting from Cuba, where he was a 7-time national champion. The 28-year-old southpaw also won multiple World Championships titles, as well as a gold medal at the 2003 Pan-Am Games, during his incredible 243-4 amateur career.

“Rigo,” who is trained by Freddie Roach and managed by Gary Hyde, faces Adolfo Landeros (20-12-1) in an 8-round bout on ESPN Friday Night Fights, live from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“Guillermo’s gentle, caring heart will be full of fire Friday night for his fifth pro fight,” Irishman Hyde said. “He really wants to win impressively on ESPN. He definitely hasn’t let fame and all of the attention he’s received to go his head. ‘Rigo’ hasn’t forgotten the poverty he comes from. Hopefully, his thoughtful donation will encourage others to follow suit.”

No stranger to poverty and hard times in his native Cuba, Rigondeaux was deeply saddened by all of the devastation and heartache caused by the recent earthquake in Haiti. “Rigo” was banned from boxing in Cuba when he failed to defect the first time while competing in the 2007 Pan-American Games in Brazil. His low but essential monthly stipend was taken from him for more than two years. He managed to escape from Cuba in February, 2009.

Rigondeaux trains at Roach’s famed Wildcard Gym in Los Angles, under the watchful eyes of his celebrated coach, who calls Guillermo the Picasso of Boxing and one of the most technically sound boxers he has ever seen. “This kid is the master of the noble art,” Roach commented. “He combines his skills with unbelievable power, which isn’t the case very often in smaller weight classes. I have no doubt that he will win at least one world title by the end of this year. Once he cleans-up the 122-pound division, we will move him up to the 126-pound division, where there are some very interesting fights.”

“Rigo” told Hyde that he wanted to donate his purse to the children of Haiti. “I was touched by his sincerity,” Gary explained, “so I contacted Dr. Mick Molloy, a member of the Professional Boxing Union of Ireland, who went to Haiti this past Tuesday to offer his medical services to the victims of the earthquake. Dr. Molloy flew from Miami to Turks and Caico Islands, and then with the U.S. Navy to Haiti. He thanked us for the donation and suggested we do it through the Boston Children’s Foundation (www.BostonCF.org).”

Kathy Duva, CEO Main Events –“Tomasz has to win against Jason Estrada before he can realize his dream of being the heavyweight champion. It’s a tremendous fight, people are watching it closely. We are delighted to be promoting it.”

“A lot of people are asking me why Tomasz took this fight. It is one of those fights where it seems as if we brought in a young guy who pretty much plays to Tomasz’s “not so strengths”; I don’t want to say weaknesses because I don’t think Tomasz has any of those! Jason’s got strength, he’s got speed, he’s got movement. He’s got a lot of the things that have given Tomasz problems in the past. This fight will give Tomas a good opportunity to deal with all those things.”

“Tomasz is never afraid, he amazes me. He goes into each fight calm and cool, and always confident that he will win. We all believe in him. We know he will give us another great fight, in exciting Adamek fashion and add another victory to his record.”

Tomasz Adamek – “I never underestimate anyone, ever. This is boxing; you have to be prepared every time because you can lose not only the fight but also your health. I know what’s at stake on Saturday – for me and for Jason.”

“I’m always asked if I feel worthy to be in the heavyweight division and my answer always is – just watch me fight and you’ll know the answer. I don’t expect anybody to respect me because I was champion in two other weight classes – just enjoy what you see when I’m in the ring. I did not lose any strength as compared to being a light heavyweight or cruiser weight. Contrary – fighting at my natural weight helped me be a better boxer. I expect to weigh around 222 pounds for the fight. That’s natural weight and power, zero loss of energy.”

“Mine will be a great mix of European and American style boxing because of my two trainers – Roger Bloodworth and Andrzej Gmitruk.“

“Jason is a very unorthodox fighter for this weight class, buy I always believed that no matter who I’m fighting against, it is up to me if I win or lose. I know his strengths; I’m sure he thinks he knows my weaknesses. But whatever we are saying now makes no difference whatsoever. You can prove yourself in only one way – by winning. And this is exactly what I intend to do on Saturday. Don’t blink, don’t miss a second”.

“I will win.”

Jason Estrada – “Funny thing is when I was playing video games as a light heavyweight I was always playing as Tomasz Adamek. Loved his style and I still love what he did in light heavy and cruiserweight division. But this is different story, he’s among big boys now and it will be over his head to fight people like me. Experience, ring ability – everything is on my side. He’s making a big error thinking that beating aging Golota makes him a good heavyweight. Not at all.”

“I also understand that he has to say the things he’s saying – about putting me on canvas, talking about other fights after fighting me. He has to believe it, but believing and doing it are two different things.”

“This was my best training camp ever – by far. More than 8 weeks of very hard work, no injuries, no problems. I’m in my prime, I have to prove this now and help Adamek to fight Steve Cunningham again – as a cruiserweight. After this fight he will be finished in my division. I will prove that those are not just words this coming Saturday.”

Jimmy Burchfield, CES – “Main Events is the greatest promotion company in the whole sport. They only made one mistake; and that was picking Jason Estrada!”

“I want to thank all of the Polish people that have come here to support Tomasz Adamek, but Jason “Big Six” Estrada is fighting for United States of America. He’s fighting for his classmates of the 2004 Olympians. He’s fighting for every future, past and present Olympian. We don’t come to this fight as an opponent. We come to fight, we come to win.”

“I see some of the media and HBO looking past Jason Estrada. You are all making a big, big, big mistake. Jason’s won every amateur title you can imagine. He’s fought the real fighters, so this is going to be a real fight.”

GARY SHAW PRODUCTIONS AND BANNER PROMOTIONS

NEW YORK (February 3, 2010) – Arthur Pelullo and Gary Shaw, presidents of Banner Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions, respectively, announced the signing of undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior middleweight world champion SERGIY “Razor” DZINZIRUK to an exclusive promotional agreement.

Boasting matinee idol looks, Dzinziruk (36-0, 22 KOs), the division’s longest-reigning champion, is a native of Ukraine currently fighting out of Hamburg, Germany. He captured the WBO title in 2005, sending defending champion Daniel Santos to the canvas in the eighth round en route to a unanimous decision victory and the world championship belt.

Dzinziruk’s four-year title reign has included five successful defenses against a roster of top-rated contenders who had a combined record of 126-7-2 (98 KOs) – a winning percentage of over 93% and a victory by knockout ratio exceeding 77% — when he fought them. His last defense was unanimous decision victory over Joel Julio.

He had an outstanding amateur career, as well. Sergiy represented Ukraine at 147 pounds in the 1996 Olympics at 147 pounds, and was the silver medalist at the 1997 World Champonships.

Pelullo said today, “I’m very excited and pleased to be working with Sergiy Dzinziruk – I think he’s the top junior middleweight in the world. Sergiy wants to come to America. He wants to fight the best opponents possible and unify the world titles. I’m also looking forward to working again with Gary. We’ve been friends for many years and have always worked well together in the past.”

Added Shaw, “No one is safe once they step into the ring with Sergiy. There’s a reason he’s called The Razor. He cuts his opponents up to ribbons. He is one of the brightest lights in boxing’s most exciting division. Artie and I have big plans for him which will include his U.S. debut this spring and setting up his base of operations in Los Angeles where will be taking screen tests. He’s going to become an international sensation.”

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Feb. 2, 2010) – The rematch between heavyweights Tony “TNT” Grano and Mark “Oak Tree” Brown headlines the March 12 pro boxing card, “Brace For Impact,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Sports and Entertainment, Inc. (CES), in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

Brown (15-2, 7 KOs) overcame two knockdowns to stop Grano, fighting out of Hebron (CT), in the eighth round of their WBF All-Americas title bout Sept. 27, 2008.

Grano (16-1-1, 13 KOs), a 2005 U.S. National Championships winner and National Golden Gloves Tournament runner-up, has won two in a row since suffering his lone loss as a pro. The popular power-puncher is coming off of a sensational, nationally-televised knockout of previously-undefeated prospect Travis Kaufman (18-0) last September. Brown’s eight-fight win streak was snapped last June on a short-notice fight when he lost to world-title challenger Fred Oquendo.

“Grano-Brown was an exciting fight and we’re very happy to be promoting their rematch March 12,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said. “Both of these heavyweights are capable of putting their opponent to sleep at any moment, so we’re advising fans not to leave their seats or look around the venue during the main event. We’re also putting together an explosive card to support this great heavyweight match. CES has been promoting shows at Foxwoods since it opened and we’re all excited to be there once again for ‘Brace For Impact.’ A lot is at stake for Grano-Brown with the winner positioning himself for a major fight.”

Tickets for “Brace For Impact,” priced at $40.00, $60.00 and $100.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com or by calling 800-200-2882 or in person at the Foxwood box-office

For more information contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Foxwoods Resort Casino (www.foxwoods.com). Doors open at 6:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.