Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

ROUND 13: KENDALL HOLT vs. RICARDO TORRES

DECISIVE RUBBER MATCH ON SHOWTIME

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Tickets On Sale Now For Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey

Special Edition of ShoBox: The New Generation

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, Live on SHOWTIME, 11 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK (Oct. 27, 2008) – Their first two world championship bouts were unforgettable, action-packed and controversial.

Now, World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight champion Kendall “Rated R’’ Holt (24-2, 13 KOs) will take on Ricardo “Mochuelo’’ Torres (32-2, 28 KOs) in the final chapter of a thrilling trilogy on Saturday, Dec. 13, live on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Tickets are now on sale for the event, which is promoted by Top Rank, Inc., for Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. Tickets at $200, $100 and $50 are available on www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-736-1420, or at any Ticketmaster outlet nationwide. Tickets can also be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall box office. The box office is open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (event day hours are subject to change).

Tied at one win a piece, the decisive rubber match will eliminate any and all disputes from the previous fights, which lasted a total of 12 rounds, and determine who reigns supreme in the 140-pound division.

In a rematch on July 5, 2008, in Las Vegas, Holt and Torres combined to knock down each other three times in 61 seconds on ShoBox: The New Generation in one of the most dramatic and explosive opening rounds in history.

After Torres floored Holt 13 seconds into the bout with a right to the head, the then-defending champion decked the challenger a second time 21 seconds later.

With fans thinking the fight was over, Holt rallied to connect with an overhand right to Torres’ face, sending Torres crashing to the ropes. Moments later, the referee Jay Nady halted an incredible slugfest at 1:01. Torres, who was making his third defense of the WBO crown, suffered only his second career loss and relinquished the belt to Holt.

In their initial encounter, Torres retained the crown with a hotly debated 11th-round TKO over Holt on Sept. 1, 2007, in the champion’s hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia. Holt, of Paterson, N.J., knocked down Torres with a left-right combination in the sixth session and was ahead on two of the three scorecards entering what would become the final round.

But Torres dropped Holt with a right hand near his corner in the 11th. As Holt attempted to use his legs and hold on, he continuously slipped on a wet surface caused by fans who hurled beer cans, sodas and water into the ring. Despite the fact that the fighters had to dodge ice cubes and various liquids, referee Genaro Rodriguez declined to stop the match and dry the ring’s surface. Instead, he halted the contest with Holt still on his feet late in the 11th round.

Raul Marquez: “I’m going to shock the boxing world”

Abraham-Marquez world title fight on PPV live Nov. 8 from Germany

HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 27, 2008) – International Boxing Federation top contender and mandatory challenger, former U.S. Olympian and IBF light middleweight title-holder Raul “El Diamente” Marquez, says he will shock the boxing world November 8 when he fights unbeaten IBF middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham at Jako Arena in Bamberg, Germany.

Abraham-Marquez is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland, presented by Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Seminole Warriors Boxing. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing in English and Spanish at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice Canada, and Bell ExpressVue, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. iN Demand will show a replay the following day (Sunday, Nov. 9) at 2 PM/ET. Al Bernstein and Nick Charles will call the action.

Abraham-Marquez, originally scheduled October 4, was postponed due to Abraham’s sudden illness on the day of the fight, which Marquez still questions yet firmly believes will work to his advantage. Raul explained that both fighters made weight the night before and day of the fight, selected gloves, and passed examinations by the commission doctors.

“Everything was good after the weigh in,” southpaw Marquez explained. “After the morning weigh in (the day of the fight) I ate breakfast and went back to my room to rest. Around 11 there was banging on my door – everybody knows not to bother a fighter resting for his fight – and it was my promoter, Leon (Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing), who told me the fight was postponed. I was shocked; I couldn’t believe it. Something wasn’t right all along. I knew he (Abraham) was having trouble making weight. Before the first weigh in, we both checked out our weight – I was on but he was over a half-pound. I was called for the official weigh in and made it; he was called but was 10 minutes late. He came in wearing a robe because he had to go in the sauna. Maybe he was sick but, if he really was, it was because of what he had to do to make weight.

“It’s all positive for me. I’m looking at it as they stopped it for a reason. If he really was sick it would have taken him two weeks to get back to where he was. Four weeks isn’t going to help him if he’s having trouble making 160 pounds. I’ve heard that he’s had trouble making weight for his last few fights and his last was fought at a catch weight of 166. He’s very muscular and and it’s not easy staying in the same weight class. After my fight with (Giovanni) Lorenzo, we wanted this fight (against Abraham) to be in November so I’d have more time for my cut (over eye) to heal. Now it’s in November. I’ve already been to Germany and know what to expect. Germany’s going to be like my second home for the past month-and-a-half. It’s a beautiful country with great people and I made some fans over there. I’ll leave here next Wednesday and have the same 10 days to acclimate myself to the time and weather. The second time around I’m even more confident of winning. I’m not going over there just for a payday. When I beat him the big paydays will come. I’m going to Germany to shock the boxing world.”

Marquez still believes that Abraham is looking past him to a unification fight against Kelly Pavlik, despite Abraham’s claims that he isn’t looking ahead to bigger fights. “I’m an old pro, a crafty veteran who is even more motivated after seeing (Bernard) Hopkins beat Pavlik, old beating young, and I have a lot of experience over Abraham,” Raul continued. “I don’t know why Abraham just doesn’t say he’s focused on me like I would, but he keeps mentioning Pavlik or (Felix) Sturm and you can’t tell me he isn’t looking ahead, no matter what he says. I read a lot about boxing and he still has to beat me in a very tough fight to get Pavlik, unless, of course, he plans to pull out of our fight again. And I know he has had trouble fighting southpaws, like (Khoren) Gevor and (Ian) Gardiner, and I’m a top world-rated fighter.

“I got a lot of respect over there from him and his trainer. They said I’m better than Miranda or anybody else he’s fought. Abraham is powerful and strong with obvious power, but he leaves himself open and fights in spurts. He has flaws. Miranda won the first three rounds (in their last fight) but you saw what happens to a fighter who needed to lose too much weight. I won’t know how hard he hits until we get into the ring, but I’ve been hit by guys like (Jermain) Taylor and (Fernando) Vargas, and those two can really crack. If I didn’t think I could beat him, I wouldn’t be going to Germany. I’m in the best shape of my life, ready to go 12, 15 if they still had that many rounds. All of the pressure is on him. I expect to win and that will open the doors to bigger and better things for me.”

Abraham (27-0, 22 KOs), rated No. 2 by The Ring and ESPN, captured the IBF middleweight title nearly three years ago by way of a fifth-round knockout of Kingsley Ikeke (23-1). Seven successful title defenses have followed against Miranda, Shannon Taylor, Kofi Jantuah, Sebastian Demers, Khoren Gevor, Wayne Elcock and Elvin Ayala.

The 37-year-old Marquez (41-3-1, 29 KOs), rated No. 2 (No. 1 unrated) by the IBF as well as No. 8 by The Ring and No. 9 by ESPN, earned his title shot against Abraham by defeating previously unbeaten No. 1 contender Giovanni Lorenzo (26-0) in their June 21st IBF title eliminator. Marquez, fighting out of Houston, was a 1992 U.S. Olympian who was the IBF junior middleweight title-holder in 1997.

The 10-round co-feature on the PPV show from Germany finds former NABO champion and “The Next Great Champ” reality television winner, Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (19-3-2, 7 KOs), of Sacramento, fighting Yugoslavian-born Enad Licina (14-1, 8 KOs), now living in Germany, for the

vacant IBF Intercontinental cruiserweight belt.

For more information about the Abraham-Marguez PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com or www.warriorsboxing.com

NEW YORK (October 22, 2008) – Brooklyn’s unbeaten middleweight prospect Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (20-0, 15 KOs) will not be fighting November 21st on “The Grande Event” show, promoted by Cedric Kushner’s Gotham Boxing at the Roseland Ballroom, due to minor discomfort in his right hand.

“With such a strong card — John Duddy, Pawel Wolak and Jorge Luis Teron — and Peter fighting January 17 on HBO,” Kushner explained, “together with his management team we’ve made a decision to withdraw ‘Kid Chocolate’ from our November 21st show to insure success for the HBO January 17th show.”

Quillin, rated in the top 10 of four regional boxing organizations, was slated to fight in the 10 round co-feature. “I’m disappointed not to be fighting on this great card but I’ll be there to support everybody,” said Quillin who is scheduled to fight on HBO against James McGirt, Jr. on Jan. 17. “I’m so excited to be fighting on HBO that my management and promoter, Cedric Kushner, decided to take me off ‘The Grande Event’ on November 21st. ‘Kid Chocolate’ will be even sweeter in January fighting on HBO.”

“The Grande Event” is headlined by undefeated middleweight Duddy (25-0, 17 KOs), fighting out Queens (NY) by way of Derry, Northern Ireland, against veteran Sam “The Punching Policeman” Hill (17-9-1, 10 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Duddy is rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Organization, as well as No. 4 by the World Boxing Council and No. 7 by the International Boxing Federation.

New York State middleweight and Polish National junior middleweight champion Wolak (22-1, 15 KOs), now living in Brooklyn, meets Christian Lloyd Joseph (12-7-3, 5 KOs) in a 10-round bout.

Bronx lightweight Teron (22-0-1, 15 KOs), trained by former world and Olympic champion Mark Breland, is the reigning NABO champion rated No. 4 by the WBO. He faces an opponent to be determined another 10-rounder.

Also scheduled to fight in separate four-round bouts are Queens light middleweight Lambrose “Lionheart” Karaolides (1-0), Bronx super middleweight Hajro Sujak (2-0, 2 KOs), Brooklyn welterweight Luis “El Mero Mero” Ruiz (3-0, 1 KO), Brooklyn light middleweight Romain Oliveri (1-0, 0 KOs), and light welterweight Jonathan Gonzalez, a 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian making his pro debut.

Tickets, priced at $50.00, $80.00, $100.00, $150.00 and $200.00, are on sale and available to purchase by calling Gotham Boxing (212.755.1944), any TicketMaster outlet, or at the Roseland Ballroom box office. Doors will open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.

SHOWTIME, America’s No. 1 boxing network, proudly presents three world title fights in three weeks.

It begins this Friday, October 24, when undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (22-0, 18KOs) defends his title against once-beaten, No. 1 ranked challenger Librado Andrade (27-1, 21KOs) on ShoBox: The New Generation

Taking place at The Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, Andrade will step into hostile territory when he enters Bute’s backyard. Bute, a celebrity in Canada, has a massive following. In his last fight on PPV in the province of Quebec, Bute drew an audience of more than one million viewers, according to InterBox, the promoter for Bute. A crowd of approximately 16,000 is expected to witness the live event.

Eights days later on Saturday, Nov. 1, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING plays host to one of the biggest little fights since Vazquez-Marquez III, when Cristian Mijares, the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight champion faces the International Boxing Federation (IBF) 115-pound champion Vic Darchinyan in a unification bout. The 12-round fight is only the third unification match in the history of the super flyweight division.

Less than three weeks later, on Friday, Nov. 21, a special edition of ShoBox will feature a world title unification fight between WBA super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero and unbeaten 122-pound IBF champ Steve Molitor. Caballero and Molitor are two of the most feared boxers in the stacked 122-pound division. Both fighters will be making their sixth defense of their respective crowns.

STAR BOXING RETURNS TO ATLANTIC CITY NOVEMBER 7TH
NUMBER FIVE RATED HEAVYWEIGHT: KEVIN “KINGPIN” JOHNSON CONTINUES QUEST TOWARDS CHAMPIONSHIP

On Friday November 7th at the Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing returns for the second time in three months with yet another fantastic double-header. The entire card will be broadcast live on GoFightLive.tv, boxing’s newest and most innovative way to view world- wide events.
GFL
In the main event of the evening the number five rated heavyweight in the world Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (20-0-1, 7KO) Asbury Park, NJ, who was last seen September 5th at Bally’s when he dismantled former heavyweight champion of the world Bruce Seldon, stopping him in the 5th round, will take on tough Matthew Greer (12-3, 11KO) Parkville, MO, in a ten round heavyweight contest. The co-feature of the night features a fantastic welterweight showdown of New Jersey contenders. Trenton, New Jersey’s Terrance “Heat” Cauthen (33-4, 9KO) looks to feed off his latest victory over previously unbeaten Alexis Camacho (16-1, 15KO) and work his way towards another title shot when he takes on Atlantic City’s own Shamone “The Truth” Alvarez (19-1, 11KO). In Alaverez’s last fight he took on now IBF welterweight king Joshua Clottey, losing a tough twelve round unanimous decision.

“We are back once again and we expect yet another fantastic show on November 7th,” stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO of Star Boxing. “We have gotten such positive feedback from the shows we did in May and September we just had to do at least one more show before the new year. Kevin recently was moved up to the number five ranked heavyweight in the world and we are working on some very big things for him. We are hoping to get him in an eliminator for the number one spot soon and feel very confident matching him up against any of the heavyweight champions. In the mean time, rather than wait around we want to keep Kevin busy, and we think the fight with Greer is going to be very entertaining as he likes to come straight forward and bang. Kevin has said these are the type of fights he wants to be in, so he can show the boxing world he is just not a one dimensional fighter with a great jab. Don’t get me wrong, Kevin’s jab is unlike any other’s, but as you saw in his last fight with Bruce Seldon, Kevin does have very good power and when he wants to step on the gas and bring the fight to you, he can, and has promised he will once again on November 7th.”

A complete list of the undercard will be announced shortly. Tickets are priced at $90 and $60 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1(800)736-1420 or going online to ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available by calling Star Boxing at (718) 823- 2000 or by going online to www.starboxing.com.

Wayne Johnsen Injured, off October 29th Card

For Immediate Release~ Lyndhurst, New Jersey (October 21, 2008) – Mike Indri of Dignity Promotions announced today that Wayne Johnsen has suffered an injury in training that has forced him off the October 29th card in Lyndhurst, NJ. Johnsen was supposed to have fought for the first time since participating in last years Contender television series.

“Unfortunately, Wayne re-aggravated an old neck injury while sparring in preparation for this event,” said promoter Mike Indri. “Obviously, we are all very disappointed that Wayne won’t be fighting next week. Not having him fighting on our card will be upsetting to all his fans, and I’m sure Wayne is disappointed as well. He was working hard to get ready and I know he wanted to put on a good show for all his fans, and friends, right here in his own backyard.”

Despite the loss of Johnsen, the event held at the beautiful Medieval Times castle still promises to be action-packed. The card’s headline bout features top contender and former Jr. Welterweight Champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris taking on tough Nicaraguan Octavio Narvaez. The night will also feature undefeated prospects Alex Perez and Lujan Simon, as well as decorated amateur Carlos Zambrano plus 4 additional bouts. Tickets are still available for this event. For tickets call (201) 741-4994 or (201) 933-2220 or visit www.dignitypromotions.com.

NEW YORK (Oct. 21, 2008) – Lucian Bute’s popularity in Canada has quickly reached Gretzky-like proportions with the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion ready to defend his title once again in Montreal on Friday, Oct. 24, in a special championship fight on ShoBox: The New Generation.

“In his last two fights, only the Montreal Canadiens playoffs games have been more popular sporting events on television,” said David Messier, the director of communication for InterBox, which promotes Bute’s fights in Montreal, the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec.

Since March 2006, Lucian has been the main attraction of every InterBox event at the Bell Centre, home of the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens. His boxing abilities and his style have made him popular among sports fans. His charisma, kindness and generosity have made him a national hero.

America’s neighbors to the north are all abuzz about Bute. With only one previously televised fight in the U.S., America’s boxing fans will get their second look at Bute (22-0, 18 KOs) when he takes on once-beaten, No.1 ranked challenger Librado Andrade (27-1, 21 KOs) of La Habra, Calif., on SHOWTIME on Friday at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

“He is among the most sound, technically proficient fighters in the game,” said ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood. “Although he doesn’t have a flashy style or early-round knockout power, he is refreshing to watch because he’s never off-balance, he doesn’t fall in after punching, and he fights with calm and poise. Something tells me he would really have prospered going the old championship distance of 15 rounds.

He continued: “For the past few years, the super middleweight division has been all about Joe Calzaghe and then Mikkel Kessler. Bute has to begin to close the gap of recognition. He’s already won a title. Now he is looking to establish himself as the best 168-pounder in the world. That’s a tough assignment because Kessler is still around, but a win over Andrade will be a big step because Andrade is not only a universally respected challenger, but also the toughest opponent of Bute’s career to date.”

In a country where hockey has always been king, Bute has garnered interest from sports and non-sports fans alike in Quebec and throughout the entire country. A native of Galat, Romania, Bute moved to Canada in October 2003 when he was 23 years old.

His last nine fights have headlined at the Bell Centre and drawn huge crowds with his most recent fight drawing a capacity crowd estimated at 14,000. Of his 22 professional fights, 16 have been fought in Montreal.

A capacity crowd of 16,000 is expected for Friday night’s fight. Last October, Bute won the IBF 168-pound title with an 11th round TKO against Alejandro Berrio with 1.1 million viewers, according to InterBox. On Feb. 29, in a title defense against William Joppy, a 10-round TKO, there were 1.25 million viewers, according to Messier.

Bute’s trainer Stephane Larouche said the crowd goes wild when he enters the ring. “As of right now, Lucian is the biggest attraction in Montreal,” he said. “When he did his first main event, we sold like, 7,000 seats, then 9,000 seats, then 10,000 seats. It always gets higher and higher. He’s got that charisma in the ring. So far, he’s the talk of the town in Montreal. I think that boxing has never been this popular in Montreal, and Lucian is one of the keys in that right now.”

Messier said there are three big reasons for Bute’s immense popularity: He simply wins, he gives back and he has embraced the French-Canadian culture.

“The main reason he is so popular is because he learned the French language,” he said. “He made the effort to learn French and the people are recognizing him for it.”

Bute is also the foundation president at InterBox. This foundation was created two years ago for young children with difficulties at school and for kids with behavior problems. Last summer, the foundation conducted a youth boxing training camp for 16 children between the ages of 11 and 17. They lived and trained for a week as a boxer would prepare for a fight. A second camp is planned next year.

Bute said signing with InterBox to promote his fights will only continue his love-affair with the Canadian people. “I relied on the support of Quebec boxing fans and they did not let me down,” he said. “The ambiance during my fights at the Bell Centre is extraordinary. I was adopted by the people here, and I have adopted Quebec.”

“On top of all this,” said ShoBox host and play-by-play announcer Nick Charles, “we’ve got a fight fans fight on Friday night. Two tough, determined and talented men will be squaring off. We’ll have the home-crowd hysteria and Bute’s title on the line. It’s a wonderful testament to the fortitude shown by both Bute and Andrade to get to this point.

“I can’t wait to see who will control the range, pace and dynamics of this fight. Because whoever does will go home with the title Friday night in Montreal.”

In the co-feature, top prospect and No. 11 ranked World Boxing Council (WBC) contender Ronald Hearns (19-0, 15 KOs) will take on Paul Clavette (14-1-1, 2 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight bout.

LAS VEGAS (October 20, 2008) – NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa has signed a promotional contract with Roy Jones, Jr.’s Square Ring Promotions and the Bronx fighter has been added to the November 8 Jones-Calzaghe HBO PPV card at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Figueroa (19-2, 13 KOs) has been in Las Vegas training for his Nov. 8th 10-round fight against former WBA light welterweight Gavin “The Rock” Rees (27-1, 13 KOs). “Fighting Rees is a phenomenal first step for me by my new promoter,” Figueroa said. “Square Ring is doing its job and I’m doing mine by focusing to fight my best. To be fighting on the Jones-Calzaghe card will catapult me to a different level….the big-time! I want to thank Team Rees for allow me to fight Gavin. It’s a great opportunity for me as well as Gavin. Beating a former world champion would show my great heart and chin and for him a win would be good coming off of his first loss. Millions of fans will be watching me take a step toward a world title.”

Figueroa, a Puerto-Rican-American born in Spanish Harlem, not too long ago was counseling rebellious teens in New York City. He was a 2-time New York City high school wrestler, 14-0 as a senior, who didn’t start boxing until eight years ago after taking advice from a friend.

Now 30 and in his sixth year fighting as a pro, “El Gato” is one of the top rated light welterweights in the world: WBC #4, IBF #5 and WBA #15. His last fight on May 5 was a win by 12-round decision against Luis Rodriquez (22-1), extending Frankie’s win streak to 11, dating back to March of 2005.

Welch-born Rees, who has never fought outside of the United Kingdom as a pro, captured the WBA title in 2007, winning a 12-round decision from Souleymane M’baye (35-1-1). This past March, though, Rees suffered his first loss when Andriy Kotelnik (28-2-1) stopped him in the 12th round for the WBA crown.

“A good win against Rees should position me for a title shot against Kotelnik, or a fight against any of the other top 140-pounders win the world, in 2009,” the U.S. Army veteran Figueroa commented. “I see a lot of myself in Rees, but I’m a little quicker, a lot stronger, and a better thinker. I haven’t fought too often at home in New York City lately and this fight is going to be colossal. It’s going to be crazy like the last time I fight in Madison Square Garden (November 11, 2006), when I beat Joey Rios (14-0) on the Klitschko-Brock card for the New York State title (WDEC10). Rios was ‘King Kong’ in the Bronx at that time but people in New York City knew what I could do.

“I’m training in Las Vegas because my trainer, Buddy McGirt, is there working with Paulie Malignaggi (for his Nov. 22 fight against Ricky Hatton). I go where my trainer is. I love it. I’m training at Bones Adams’ gym and there’s a lot of good sparring there.”

Figueroa is nicknamed “El Gato” – The Cat – because he was the only one quick enough to catch a cat that was a mascot at his original gym in the Bronx. This cat is now a fan-friendly, southpaw slugger who is coming out of the bag on Nov. 8 at home in the Big Apple.

“At this stage of my career,” Frankie concluded, “Rees is my biggest fight and I’m getting a great opportunity to knock down the doors for a world title fight. I’ve had good fights in the past but nothing came out of it. Things are going to be different after this fight.”

For more information about Frankie Figueroa visit his web site at www.teamgato.com, where you can enter a sweepstakes to win what he’s wearing in the ring Nov. 8 as well as a cash prize by simply filling out the mailing list form on the home page.

Los Angeles, CA (October 20, 2008) – LA-based promoter Dan Goossen – whose accomplishments have included the signings of the most talented and last two Americans to win Olympic Gold Medals – has reached a promotional deal with 2008 Olympic middleweight Shawn Estrada.

Goossen, President of Goossen Tutor Promotions, previously guided the career of Philadelphia’s David Reid – the Olympic Gold Medal winner in the 156-lb class in the 1996 games in Atlanta – to a World Light Middleweight Championship, and currently promotes 2004 Olympic Gold medalist Andre Ward, a native of Oakland, California who is undefeated (16-0, 11 KOs) and holds the NABO Super Middleweight title, while very close to challenging for a World Championship.

Goossen didn’t have to look as far away as Philadelphia or even Oakland to sign his newest Olympian, as the 23-year old Estrada – managed by Bravo Boxing Management (Arnulfo Bravo, Don Morandini and Eric Scholnick) and trained by Rodrigo Mosquera and co-trained by Arnulfo Bravo – hails from nearby East Los Angeles.

Millions of viewers, who watched the 23-year old Estrada in the recent Beijing Olympics, witnessed a courageous performance under extremely adverse circumstances by this heavy-hearted young boxer. It was the dream of Juan Estrada to see his son, Shawn, compete in the Olympics. However, failing health prohibited the elder Estrada from traveling to Beijing. While able to watch his son on television handily defeat his Argentine opponent in his opening bout – Juan’s condition deteriorated by the time of Shawn’s second round match with Great Britain’s James Degale, and he was unable to watch the bout. Shawn lost a decision to the eventual 165-pound Gold medalist that night, and his adoring father passed away the next morning.

“We are very excited to be part of a tough and talented local young fighter of Shawn’s caliber and character,” Goossen stated. “His Olympic story was a compelling — and heartbreaking — one and, to be able to compose himself to get into the ring in Beijing speaks volumes as to his heart and dedication. Over the past 12 years we have promoted the two best American Olympic boxers — both gold medalists — and we strongly believe that Shawn has the desire and ability to achieve the heights of success afforded elite Gold medalists in the professional ranks.

“I am very excited signing and working with Goossen Tutor,” Estrada beamed. “My manager Bravo used to fight for the Goossens and was trained by Joe Goossen. He advised me that Goossen Tutor Promotions can take me to the top. I can’t wait to make my pro debut and see all my fans cheering me on.”

“From day one with Shawn I knew that he had potential to be an Olympian and an even better professional boxer,” Bravo offered. “That’s because he had a pro style and could punch with both hands, which was better suited for the pros rather than the Olympic scoring system. He is a boxer-puncher; he possesses the entire package of offense and defense. He can box with you or knock you out with either hand. And, at 6-1, he is a big, strong middleweight. He has potential of being a world champion moved right.

“And we believe that Goossen Tutor can do that for him. They know this market better than any other promoter and Dan has had a lot of world champions and has been bringing young fighters to the top for many years. They are very high on Shawn being one of the top dogs at Goossen Tutor. I’m impressed at the way they moved David Reid and are moving Andre Ward now. They know what they are doing.”

“Goossen Tutor is very proud of their track-record in handling the sensitive balance of developing fighters from the ground up,” Goossen pointed out. “Even with boxers who came up short of realizing their Olympic dreams such as Michael Nunn, and Mike Tyson, who were 1984 Olympic alternates, their ascension in the professional ranks were handled as if they were the elite Gold medalists.”

“Knowing the dedication Shawn has in reaching his goal of becoming a World Champion will make working with him and his management team a delight so that our combined efforts can support Shawn in realizing his full potential and dreams.”

A press conference will be held this Wednesday announcing Shawn’s professional debut.