Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

Cappiello Promotions has announced that undefeated super-bantamweight contender Mike “Machine Gun” Oliver (19-0, 7 Kos) will take on former WBO bantamweight champion Cruz “Chucho” Carbajal (28-13-2, 24 Kos) in an IBF super bantamweight title eliminator on July 18 from The Castle at Park Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts.
The 12-round affair, which pits two of the sports most action-packed fighters against one another, will headline the July 18th installment of ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights. “This is a fight of great importance for Mike,” states Cappiello Promotions President – Rich Cappiello. “Once again, Mike is taking on one of the division’s elite fighters, and given the fact that there is a world title shot at stake, this will be, far and away, the biggest challenge of Mike’s career!”
Oliver, rated No. 8 by the IBF, honed his boxing skills during an amateur career that consisted of over 300 fights, to include a trip to the national finals in the Police Athletic League tournament. Since turning to the professional ranks in 2001, Oliver, a native of Hartford (CT), has continuously proven the worth of his amateur upbringing, daily work ethic, and unparalleled hand speed. In his last three fights alone, Oliver captured the vacant USBA title with a unanimous decision win unbeaten Adam Carrera (10-28-06), retained the title with a unanimous decision victory over undefeated Gary Stark Jr (2-16-07), and thoroughly dismantled former USBA super-flyweight titlist, Vernie Torres en route to a unanimous eight-round technical decision (5-4-07).
The July 18 IBF title elimination bout with Carbajal, a native of Veracruz, Mexico, will pit Oliver against his most-seasoned opponent to date. “I believe Cruz Carbajal is the gatekeeper to all the world champions in this divisions,” Cappiello states. “A lot of guys have gone around him, but we’ve never ducked anyone. I believe that Mike’s hand speed will offset Carbajal’s experience, and lead Mike to a well-deserved world title shot.”
A fifteen-year, forty-three fight veteran of the professional ranks, Carbajal, rated No. 10 by the IBF, has tallied-up twenty-four knockouts in his twenty-eight wins. Though he just recently turned 33 years-old, Carbajal does not appear to be losing either his punching power or boxing skill that helped him capture the WBO bantamweight crown back in 2003. Since last losing to the heralded Silence Mabuza in May 2005, Carbajal scored three consecutive knockout wins, never allowing any of his opponents to make it past the fifth stanza. And, in his most recent outing (3-16-07) Carbajal, with less than three days notice, took on former IBF featherweight champ, Eric “Mighty Mouse” Aiken. After 12 action-packed rounds (which likely makes the bout a candidate for Fight of the Year), Carbajal walked out of the ring with a controversial draw that left almost all in attendance chanting his name and booing the decision.
The winner of the Mike Oliver – Cruz Carbajal IBF title-eliminator will earn a mandatory world title shot against the winner of the July 14th IBF super bantamweight title fight between reigning champ, Steve Molitor and challenger Takalani Ndlovu.

Undefeated featherweight prospect, Dat “Dat Be Dat” Nguyen (10-0, 6 Kos) provide chief support in an eight round bout, against an opponent to be announced soon. Nguyen, who was born in Vietnam and grew up in Maui, Hawaii, is quickly becoming one of the most talked about prospects in the featherweight division. Now living and fighting out of Vero Beach, Florida, where he is under the watchful eye of heralded trainer Buddy McGirt, Nguyen will be fighting for the first time in a nationally televised event.

In supporting undercard attractions, all of which are slated for 4-rounds, undefeated Weymouth, Massachusetts junior welterweight prospect “Nasty” Nick Morganelli (6-0, 3 Kos) makes his much-anticipated return against New Haven, CT’s William Foster (4-9-1, 1 KO), unbeaten Bostonian – Anthony LaMonica (3-0, 2 Kos) puts his unbeaten record on the line against Des Moines, Iowa’s Jeff Farmer (1-6), Lowell, MA’s Joe McCreedy (5-1, 4 Kos) squares off against Don Labbe (3-9, 2 Kos) in a light heavyweight affair, in featherweight action – Guatemalan-born Castulo Gonzalez (9-2, 3 Kos) faces Phoenix’s Angel Gonzales (0-2-1), 19 year-old Revere, MA prospect Icender Beauchamp (1-0) and New Haven’s Edwin Carmona (1-1) square off in a flyweight bout, and Phillip Miller makes his professional debut against Stamford, CT’s Robert Irizarry. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $100, $60, and $40, are available by calling 508-586-2277.
Doors to the event will open at 6 PM, with the first fight slated for 7:30 PM.
For more information go to www.cappielloboxing.com

Traditionally, July 4 is the day reserved for explosive displays of festive fireworks. This year, however, Golden Boy Promotions is reserving Saturday, September 15, the eve of Mexican Independence Day, for a dazzling array of fireworks as they present four main event caliber fights on the same show. The evening will be headlined by the WBC Super Featherweight Championship bout between Juan Manuel Marquez and Jorge Barrios. All the action takes place from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on pay-per-view.

Also on tap is a middleweight showdown between former World Champion Kassim ‘The Dream’ Ouma and ‘The Contender’ season one winner Sergio ‘The Latin Snake’ Mora as well as a super lightweight battle pitting former Olympian Francisco ‘Panchito’ Bojado against former World Champion and ‘The Contender’ season two runner-up Steve Forbes. A fourth world class fight will round out the show and be announced in the near future.

“Fireworks�, a night of world-class professional boxing, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Romanza Productions and the Tournament of Contenders and sponsored by Tecate, Rock Star Energy Drink and Southwest Airlines. For more information please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com.

“Mexican Independence Day always is a special date for fight fans and I’m proud to bring four great battles to the fans,� said Oscar De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. “This is one of my favorite days to fight, but this year I’m excited to show off some of the greatest fighters under the Golden Boy Promotions banner. I think this show will be one of the best events of the year and fans should not miss the Fireworks.�

Tickets for this unforgettable night of boxing, priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50, are on sale now at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Tickets are sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s stores and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

“Juan Manuel Marquez is one of the top fighters in the world today. Marquez-Barrios figures to be a showcase event for boxing fans”, said HBOPPV’s Mark Taffet. “And with the addition of Ouma-Mora and Bojado-Forbes, September 15 should be a very exciting night of boxing.”

Richard Sturm, president of Sports & Entertainment for MGM MIRAGE agreed, “We look forward to celebrating Mexican Independence Day Weekend with Golden Boy Promotions and HBO PPV. The energy Marquez and Barrios will bring into the ring in September will create a most exciting evening for the fans. We anticipate another successful championship event.”

Mexico City’s Juan Manuel Marquez (47-3-1, 35 KO’s) captured his second World Championship and launched himself back into the upper echelon of the pound-for-pound list with a thrilling victory over the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera this past March. Marquez, one of the best technicians of this era, is also known for his warrior’s heart, which led him to get up off the canvas three times in the first round and battle to a 12-round draw against Manny Pacquiao in what received a nomination for ‘Fight of the Year’ in 2004. Former World Lightweight Champion Jorge Barrios (47-3-1, 34 KO’s) of Argentina, also is known for a never say die attitude as evidenced by his 2003 war with Acelino Freitas. Fresh off a third-round KO of Decho Bankluaygym in April, Barrios is eager to once again wear the 130-pound crown.

Sergio Mora (19-0, 4 KO’s), of Los Angeles, has become a household name since capturing ‘The Contender’ championship in the first season of the popular reality series. Mora’s notoriety, coupled with his penchant for throwing a high volume of punches, makes him a fighter that creates exciting fights. However, when it comes to throwing a high volume of punches, few fighters do it better than former World Champion Kassim Ouma (25-3-1, 15 KO’s), who holds the Compubox record for the most punches landed in a junior middleweight title fight with 502. Ouma, a fighter who always comes forward when he fights, is well known for the hardships he suffered early in his life having to fight in his native Uganda’s civil war as a child soldier at the age of six. Given the fighters’ styles, Ouma vs. Mora figures to be an action packed fight.

Francisco Bojado (17-2, 11 KO’s), of Los Angeles, another one of boxing’s most promising talents, was thrust into the boxing spotlight following his participation in the 2000 Olympics as a member of Team Mexico. Considered a “can’t miss� prospect, he is currently on the comeback trail following a split decision loss to highly experienced former World Champion “Jesse� James Leija in what was only Bojado’s 18th professional bout. With the eyes of the boxing world once again focused on him, Bojado will have to prove himself against another experienced former World Champion when he squares off against Steve Forbes (32-5, 9 KO’s), of Las Vegas. Forbes, like Mora, also is a well-known veteran of ‘The Contender’, taking second place in the series’ second season. Forbes will look to show that he has the skill to recapture a world championship in a true crossroads fight for both fighters.

The “Fireworks� pay-per-view telecast featuring Marquez vs. Barrios, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $44.95, will be distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your Marquez vs. Barrios fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

The strength, speed, power and stamina of the thoroughbred will be on display at Saratoga throughout its upcoming summer racing meet. DiBella Entertainment’s undefeated “thoroughbred” – future boxing champion Andre Berto – will showcase all of those qualities and more in Saratoga on July 27 when the welterweight star takes on Cosme Rivera on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights at the Saratoga Springs City Center .

Berto (18-0, 16 KOs), the 2004 Olympian, squares off against ring veteran Rivera (30-10, 21 KOs) in the toughest test of his promising, young career in the headline bout of the annual summer boxing card.

“Andre Berto is going to bring his boxing horsepower to Saratoga,” said Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment. “It is a great opportunity to perform in front of the many avid sports fans assembled at Saratoga for the historic racing meet, and on national television on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights.”

“I am very excited to be able to perform and showcase my talent in front of a broad national audience on ESPN2,” says Berto. “Saratoga is going to be fun because it is a city known for running the best thoroughbreds in the world, and I hope to bring the same kind of excitement in the ring.”

In the co-feature, DBE’s Philadelphia heavyweight prospect Chazz Witherspoon (18-0, 12 KOs) takes on his stiffest challenge to date against Fernely Feliz (29-8, 16 KOs) in the boxing extravaganza promoted by Pugnacious Promotions and DiBella Entertainment during the first weekend of world-class thoroughbred racing meet at the city’s historic race course.

Local favorites Shannon Miller (14-3, 8 KOs), Wayland Willingham (11-0, 6 KOs), Brandon Mitchem (25-4, 8 KOs) and Tommy Rainone (7-0, 2 KOs) will fight challenging opponents on the swing bouts and undercard. Feature fights on the card – held on the first night of twilight racing the evening before the Breeder’s Cup qualifier Whitney Stakes – will be televised on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights.”

Berto, from Winterhaven, FL, is one of the most highly touted youngsters in the fight game, and considered by many to be a future world champion. Berto won his last 14 pro fights by KO, six in the first round. He was also named Prospect of the Year by ESPN’s Dan Rafael. Since turning pro, he has excelled against increasingly difficult competition, stopping recent opponents, Miguel Figueroa (25-5, 14 KOs) and Contender TV’s Norberto Bravo (24-12, 13 KOs) impressively. Rivera, from Culiacan, Mexico, challenged Zab Judah (34-5, 25 KOs) for the undisputed welterweight championship in 2005.

“At this point, I m just taking it one fight at a time and hope to see a title shot on the horizon as I continue to climb up the ranks,” adds Berto. “When that opportunity presents itself, I’ll face whoever is in the top spot.”

Witherspoon was 2004 Olympic alternate and National Golden Gloves winner. He has also impressed in his pro career, remaining undefeated in 18 fights and stopping his last five opponents. In his well-traveled, 14-year career, Feliz from Danbury, CT has faced current heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev (34-5, 26 KOs) and former champ John Ruiz (41-7, 28 KOs).

“Pugnacious Promotions’ annual Saratoga summer show is a great way to start the Saratoga racing season,” said Lisa Elovich co-promoter of the event. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with DiBella Entertainment and bring these exciting, young, high-level fighters to Saratoga. Fans will be chomping at the bit to see these bouts live.”

Tickets and more information are available from Pugnacious Promotions, www.pugnaciouspromotions.com or 518-326-9756. Call or visit for more information. Tickets are $125 for Golden Ringside and $75 for Ringside. General Admission open seats are $40.

The judges and referee for the Wladimir Klitschko vs. Lamon Brewster World Heavyweight Championship on Saturday night, July 7, have been named. Sam Williams of Michigan will serve as the referee, and the three judges are Michael Fischer of Germany, Denny Nelson of Minnesota and Alfred Buqwane of South Africa.

Klitschko, the IBF and IBO world heavyweight champion, defends against former world heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster in “The Rematch� in the 20,000-seat Cologne Arena in Cologne, Germany. HBO World Championship Boxing will broadcast live from Germany at 5:00 PM/ET and 2:00 PM/PT, and replayed 10:30 PM/ET/PT. This Heavyweight Championship bout will be televised live in Germany on RTL, as well as in over 100 countries.

In their first battle for Klitschko’s WBO championship, Brewster won by fifth round technical knockout on April 10, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The dramatic battle was stopped by the referee in the fifth round. Klitschko dominated the bout, knocking Brewster down in the fourth. Brewster was saved by the bell, and recovered to score a spectacular win to take the title.

“This chance for revenge against Lamon Brewster is a dream come true,� said the 31-year old Klitschko. “He is without a doubt an extremely dangerous opponent, but I always hoped for chance to redeem myself. In the first fight, three years ago, I ran out of gas for some still unknown reason that I still can’t explain. But I am very happy to get back into the ring with Brewster.�

“I will knockout Klitschko again,� said Brewster, “and then no one will be able to say that the first win was a fluke. As fans saw in my knockout win over Luan Krasniqi in 2006, I have no problem fighting in Germany, and am happy to return there.�

Klitschko, a native of Kiev, Ukraine, has a ring record of 48-3, with 43 victories coming by way of knockout. Brewster is 33-3, with 29 KO’s. Brewster was the WBO heavyweight champion from 2004-2006. Wladimir Klitschko captured Olympic gold in the heavyweight division in 1996 in Atlanta, and is currently the longest reigning heavyweight champion.

HBO World Championship Boxing will broadcast live from Germany at 5:00 PM/ET and 2:00 PM/PT, and replayed 10:30 PM/ET/PT.

IBA middleweight champion “Ireland’s� John Duddy closes training camp this week in the Pocono Mountains, where he’s been preparing for his first pro fight in Ireland, headlining “The Homecoming� July 14 in Dublin.

Derry City, Northern Ireland-native Duddy (20-0, 15 KO’s), now fighting out of Queens (NY), takes on former IBF Mediterraneo light middleweight title-holder Alessio Furlan (19-8-5, 8 KOs), of Italy, in the 10-round main event.

Duddy is working with new head trainer Don Turner for the first time and both already feel a boxing symmetry.

“Turner has me doing stuff I did as an amateur like throwing combinations, working on my hand speed, and pressuring correctly,� Duddy explained. “I’m going to put on more pressure than I did my past few fights, more up-tempo, coming at my opponent from all angles. Once I get him on the ropes, I don’t want to let him off the hook. We’ve been working on a lot of small things from a different perspective. I think Don Turner is going to bring the best out of me.�

Turner has trained 19 world champions including Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes, Aaron Pryor and Mike McCallum.

“John Duddy has what it takes to go all the way to the top,â€? Turner said. “I look at how much guts a fighter has to win — that they’re not afraid — because boxing is 90-percent mental. Duddy has that. This guy gets hit and it’s my job to teach him not to get hit. He’s just as good as anybody in the middleweight division. He’s responded very well to what I’m teaching him to do and he should be fighting for the world title soon. All he needs to do is throw combinations; it’s the missing link. When he has an opponent hurt, that’s when he has to throw five more punches, not let him off the hook.â€?

Duddy is now rated No. 6 in the WBO, as well as No. 9, 10 and 11 by the WBA, IBF and WBC, respectively.

The unbeaten middleweight sensation spent two weeks in Ireland and Northern Ireland, prior to opening camp in the Poconos, promoting the July 14th show.

“It was great being home,� John remarked. “I had something to do every day, meeting people in their houses, attending functions and working out at my old gym. The atmosphere there is good and Derry’s a good place to be because things are so positive. I couldn’t believe the reception I received. My phone kept ringing. It’s a small town and everybody knows everybody. I even went to the Mayor’s Ball and the mayors of Dublin and Belfast were there. After a while I couldn’t go anywhere in Northern Ireland because so many people were around who wanted to see me, but that won’t be a distraction for the fight because we’ll be setting up camp in Dublin, not back home.�

“The Homecoming� will be broadcast live July 14 in the United States on cable pay-per-view starting at 5:00 PM/ET, 2:00 PM/PT from Dublin, Ireland. The event, produced by RTE and distributed for pay-per-view by Integrated Sports, will be available via iN Demand and TVN for a suggested retail price of only $19.95. A replay broadcast will be shown at 10:00 PM/ET on July 14. “The Homecoming� will also be available via Closed Circuit throughout the United States.

For more information about John Duddy, Irish Ropes Promotions or “The Homecoming� on July 14 in Dublin go on line to www.irishropes.com or www.integratedsportsnet.com.

Evander Holyfield’s 10-round decision over Lou Savarese last night in El Paso, Texas will be replayed exclusively on ESPN Classic Saturday at 8:00 p.m., ET.

ESPN Classic has the exclusive replay rights to the bout, which was shown on pay per view.

The win may be a huge step toward a possible crack at an unprecedented fifth heavyweight title for the 44-year old Holyfield.

Holyfield outworked and was in total control of Savarese in his fourth bout since taking a two-year layoff.

Holyfield’s record is now 42-8-2 with 27 knockouts while Savarese is 46-7.