Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

Last Friday night before a sellout crowd, it only took WBA super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero four rounds to destroy previously unbeaten hometown favorite Steve Molitor, and to add the Canadian’s IBF 122-pound championship belt to his collection. Now “Pelenchin” wants to see which of the remaining top guns in the division are willing to step into the ring with him.

“Israel Vazquez, Juan Manuel Lopez, and Rafael Marquez are the ones I want to fight,” said Caballero. “I don’t care what order they come in, but I won’t stop calling for them until they step up and prove themselves to be the warriors they say they are.”

Winner of 8 consecutive WBA sanctioned world title fights, Panama City’s Caballero did his country and its greatest fighter, Roberto Duran, proud at Casino Rama in Ontario as he took control from the opening bell and walked through the highly-regarded Molitor. It was Caballero’s sixth defense of the title he won from Somsak Sithchatchawal in Thailand in 2006, and while he gives Molitor credit for being the only champion willing to unify with him, he’s not satisfied with two of the four major belts.

“Molitor was the only one to believe in himself enough to step up and fight me, and I respect him a lot for that,” said Caballero. “What I don’t respect are fighters who hide behind their promoters and don’t give the fans the fights they deserve to see. I’ve defended my title many times, and I always come to fight, not to dance or hug. I’m making it known to Vazquez, Lopez, and Marquez that all it takes to make a fight with me is a call to my promoters.”

Caballero is now 31-2, with 22 KOs, and has won both the WBA and IBF titles in the opposing champion’s home countries. Vazquez currently holds the WBC version of the 122-pound title and Lopez holds the WBO version. Marquez, the former WBC champion, is the leading contender for both crowns. Caballero and his managerial and promotional team are open to all offers for fights with any of the aforementioned trio, and has current history has attested, is willing to travel to enemy territory to participate in these fights.

“I knew when I began working with Pelenchin, that he was special, and we would have a great super champion”, said super agent Sampson Lewkowicz, who was instrumental in helping Caballero’s career reach its current level.

“In an era where world-class fighters run away from unification bouts, Celestino is running to unify, and he should be commended for such a stance,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. “Then again, I’m not surprised that the other belt-holders don’t want to fight the biggest, strongest, and best 122-pounder in the world – Celestino Caballero. I welcome the representatives of Vazquez, Lopez, and Marquez, to help us unify the title, and give the fans the fights they want to see.”

(November 25) Los Angeles, CA — Just two days before Thanksgiving and “At Last” featuring 2-time WBO Welterweight World Champion and “The Most Feared Fighter in Boxing,” Paul “The Punisher” Williams taking on 3-time World Champion, Verno Phillips, in an interim 12 round WBO Super Welterweight World Championship bout, will take place two days later on Saturday, November 29, at the Inland Empire’s hottest state-of-the-art building, Citizens Business Bank Arena located in Ontario, California and broadcast on HBO.

Presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions, Riverside’s and Inland Empire’s Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola, the WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Champion will fight NABF Heavyweight Champion, Travis “Freight Train” Walker also in a 12-round IBF Heavyweight Elimination bout. In addition, Shawn Estrada, the 2008 US Olympian from East Los Angeles, will be making his professional 4-round debut.

The following is a question and answer with the Two-Time WBO Welterweight World Champion, Paul Williams on Saturday’s fight against Phillips:
QUESTION: What do you believe makes a fighter like 3-time World Champion Verno Phillips accept a challenge from you, but others avoiding the clash such as Shane Mosely, Antonio Margarito and Kelly Pavlik?

ANSWER:

Verno Phillips has no choice. His mortality table has come to an end. He’s not in the situation where he can pick and choose.

QUESTION: It’s known that you are an extremely large fighter for being a natural 147-pound with an 82″ reach and your physical size is comparable to heavyweight fighters such as the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, who have a reach of 81″ and 80″ respectively. Do you believe that this is the main reason your counterparts avoid you even when millions of dollars have been offered to them to fight you?

ANSWER: It’s not so much my reach. It is more about the fighter that I am. Verno has fought larger fighters and won. This is about individual ability. If Verno thought that he couldn’t win, he wouldn’t have taken the fight. He must feel that with his skill level he will be able to win.

QUESTION: Phillips stated that he has the advantage in the weight department as well as being able to take your punch. Would you agree with either of his points?

ANSWER: I wouldn’t say that. I go back to Roy Jones when he fought John Ruiz. John Ruiz was a natural 230-pounder and he didn’t hurt Roy.

QUESTION: You’ve had two consecutive devastating knockouts against fighters that don’t get knocked out so easily. It took Cotto five rounds against Quintana when the referee stopped their bout. Phillips was only stopped once and that was in 1988. How do you envision this fight going, and do you believe you can knock him out?

ANSWER: This fight is not predicated on knocking him out. It is about winning the fight. It’s about concentrating on coming out victorious.

QUESTION: This will be your 11th fight in California, and the 4th one in your last five bouts. Your fight against Margarito last year was a sell-out at the Home Depot Center, which was the first time it had ever gotten close to selling out. Do you believe the fans embraced you as one of their own, as they may with a new Los Angeles Dodger player?

ANSWER: Most definitely. I always receive a warm reception. I feel as if they recognize me as one of their own. When I was at the Shane Mosley fight they overwhelmed me with attention and autographs.

QUESTION: Winning at this level is tough to do in every fight. Many athletes and not just fighters, start letting outside distractions take away from their training and focus. What keeps you hungry and able to dedicate and sacrifice while training for a fight?

ANSWER: This is my job and it is based on winning. From day one I train to win, not to lose. Winning is the objective here. I want my name to come up when people are speaking of Sugar Ray Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson, Roberto Duran and Tommy Hearns. I want my name mentioned among that group and that keeps me motivated and hungry.

QUESTION: What goes through your mind when you break camp and prepare for the countdown to your fight?

ANSWER: When you’ve been on the road for 5 months you get excited because you know it’s close to going home time. So I just want to do the job that I came to do and get out.

QUESTION: Providing you with your fight on Saturday, give me the top three names your would like to fight next and why?

ANSWER: I’m going to leave that up to my management team. I will fight who ever they put in front of me at 147,154 or 160.

FINAL COMMENT: I’m expecting a great fight. The winner will be the best fighter that night. No predictions.

ShoBox: The New Generation

Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, Live at 11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME

From Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, Calif.

NEW YORK (Nov. 24, 2008) – The hard-hitting South American welterweight champion has an unblemished record (24-0), a knockout percentage of nearly 90 percent (21 of 24) and a world top-10 ranking (World Boxing Council/WBC No. 7).

So is Luis Carlos Abregu a legitimate contender? As good as his report card indicates?

A simple answer is, stay tuned.

Much more will be known about the virtually untested Argentine after he faces the more experienced David Estrada (22-5, 13 KOs) of Chicago in the 10-round main event on ShoBox: The New Generation Friday, Dec. 5, on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. E/PT, delayed on the west coast).

“Estrada is the perfect test for an up-and-comer because he is established, as tough as anybody and has fought some of the very best,’’ ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood said. “It’s a good, fair test for Abregu at this point in his career and typical of the kinds of matches we see on ShoBox. The prospect is being tested for the first time … and this is a hard test.’’

In the ShoBox co-feature at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., undefeated Travis “GW Hope’’ Kauffman (13-0, 10 KOs) of Reading, Pa., will face once-beaten Malachy “The Seventh Son’’ Farrell (16-1, 12 KO’s) of Chicago in a solid eight-round heavyweight bout.

The event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.

Nicknamed “El Potro,’’ which means “The Colt,’’ Abregu, 24, of Tucaman, Argentina, has been unbeatable since turning pro in March 2005. He has won his last 17 starts by knockout. None of his fights have gone more than nine rounds; 21 have lasted less than six.

The majority of the undefeated Abregu’s fights, however, have been against mid-level competition while Estrada has been competitive against current or former world champions Shane Mosley, Andre Berto and Kermit Cintron. Both Berto and Cintron are ShoBox alums.

“This is a great opportunity to show my skills,’’ said the 5-foot-10, 25-year-old Abregu, who is making his ShoBox debut and fourth start in the United States.

“In my last fight (a sixth-round KO over Roberto Valenzuela on Oct. 4, 2008), I had some adjustments to make, being it was my first extended stay in the states.

“Now I’m ready for my best. My weight is good and not an issue. This is a very good fight. Style-wise, it’s perfect for me. Estrada is going to come to me. It will just be a matter of exposing him to my handspeed, which is underrated. I have good handspeed, better than you think.’’

Abregu’s trainer, Abel Sanchez, is no stranger to working with talented up-and-coming fighters, having led the Norris brothers, Terry and Orlin, among others, to world titles.

“Luis is learning that if he wants to be a success internationally, he needs to continue to make adjustments. He now understands that the system to success in America is not the same as in Argentina,’’ said Sanchez, who operates a gym in Big Bear, Calif., where Abregu trains.

“In the past, Luis would always cut a lot of weight the last day. But now he knows he needs to make the weight early. He now knows he can’t KO a guy with one punch like he did in Argentina. After this fight, the fans will see. Luis is legit. He is for real.’’

Estrada, a former United States Boxing Association (USBA) welterweight belt-holder, has an aggressive style, possesses good skills and works the body well. Always in peak shape, he can switch effectively to the southpaw stance, is physically strong, very tough and determined.

A fast starter, Estrada turned pro in October 1999 and won his initial 15 fights before losing a 10-round decision to Ishe Smith in his ShoBox debut July 31, 2003.

Estrada rebounded to register a fifth-round TKO over Nelson Manchego in his next start on May 25, 2004, before returning to ShoBox the following July 15 to capture the USBA belt with an impressive, unanimous 12-round decision over two-time Turkish Olympian Nurhan Suleymanoglu at Chumash.

In his next outing, Estrada registered an 11th-round TKO over previously undefeated Chris Smith on Jan. 21, 2005, on ShoBox.

The back-to-back marquee victories on ShoBox earned Estrada a shot at Mosley on April 23, 2005. As expected, Estrada gave his best and performed well against the future Hall of Famer, but lost a unanimous 10-round decision by the scores of 97-93, 98-91 and 99-91.

Not only has he fought much better opponents than Abregu, the 5-foot-9, 30-year-old Estrada has sparred with higher-profile fighters, including ex-world champs Fernando Vargas, Sharmba Mitchell, Andrew “Six Heads’’ Lewis and Zab Judah.

“I know I have an exciting style and I know people like to watch me fight,’’ said Estrada, a one-time top-10 contender. “I always keep the same strategy. I just put pressure on you, and that’s it. I like to have fun when I fight. I don’t want to have to chase you all over the ring. I don’t like chasing people. I like to stand there and fight like a man.’’

Estrada is trained by Anthony “Chill” Wilson.

A two-time national amateur champion, the 6-foot-3, 23-year-old Kauffman turned pro at the age of 19 on Jan. 26, 2008. He has stopped his last three opponents, and seven of the last eight.

Making his fourth start in ‘08, Kauffman is coming off a 2:43, first-round TKO over Josh Gutcher on Sept. 13.

“I beat Farrell in the amateurs. He’s not very skilled but he’s a big, tough Irish guy,’’ said Kauffman, who is making his ShoBox debut. “I’m versatile and have some of the quickest hands in the heavyweight division. (Fans) should expect my best fight on Dec. 5.’’

The 6-foot-4, 29-year-old Farrell won his initial 15 starts after going pro in April 2004. His only loss came on a majority eight-round decision to Mike Marrone on April 20, 2007.

“People tell me I have an awkward style,’’ said Farrell, who will be fighting for the first time since a victory via third-round disqualification over Marcellus Brown on Oct. 2, 2007. “But, basically, it’s conventional. I’m just not a big fan of letting guys hit me. Some guys like to show everyone how much of a punch they can take, I already know. I don’t need to show everybody.’’

Farrell got his nickname, “Seventh Son’’ because he is his father’s seventh son. “My uncle played the song for me and said, ‘That would be a good nickname for you.’ That was years ago, I just never used it. I said, ‘You know what? Let’s use it.’ People also call me ‘Seven’.”

NEW TOWN, NORTH DAKOTA — In front of a standing room only crowd at the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, three of CES’ rising stars, Matt Godfrey, Aaron Williams and Hank Lundy all put on impressive performances in securing victories on Saturday night.

Godfrey, the reigning NABF cruiserweight champion, added the brand new Sovereign Nations Boxing Council cruiserweight crown to his resume with an impressive shut-out performance over tough Eddie Gutierrez. Providence’s Godfrey put on an impressive display of speed in scoring the unanimous decision win over Gutierrez by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91.

The win raised Godfrey’s record to 18-1, 10 KO’s. Gutierrez falls to 15-6-1, 6 KO’s.

CES’ other rising cruiserweight star Aaron Williams turned in the nights most impressive performance as he waged an all-out war with fellow prospect David Williams. Both fighters put on an impressive display until the seventh round when Aaron was able to catch David on the way in and score an impressive knockout win.

Williams, now 19-1-1, 13 KO’s, scored his second win in a row since his shocking upset defeat at the hands of Jose Luis Herrera this past May. Philadelphia’s David Williams fell to 5-2-1, 2 KO’s.

Following the nights festivities, Aaron Williams was awarded a bonus as “Fighter of the Night.”

Rising lightweight prospect Hank Lundy kicked the night off for CES when he scored a very impressive unanimous six round decision over two-time Ghana national champion, and two-time world title challenger, Ben Odamattey. The win raised Lundy’s mark to 12-0-1, 6 KO’s while the very game Odamattey fell to 13-12-2, 5 KO’s.

“This was a big night for CES,” said CES President Jimmy Burchfield. “Our CES fighters were all in real fights and they all passed their tests with flying colors in front of a huge crowd here in North Dakota. Working with 4 Bears has been great and I look forward to working with them in the future.”

Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. stars return to action this coming Saturday, November 29, 2008 at the TwinRiverEventCenter in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Olympic stars Jason Estrada (‘00) and Demetrius Andrade (‘04) will both be featured along with former USBA champion & former Olympic alternate (‘96) Jason Pires. Tickets are available by calling CES at 401-724-2253.

VERNO PHILLIPS CONFIDENT OF WIN AGAINST PAUL WILLIAMS

IN “YOUTH VS. EXPERIENCE” MATCHUP

ON NOV. 29, TELEVISED LIVE ON HBO;

VACATES IBF JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE

Former two-time IBF and WBO jr. middleweight world champion Verno Phillips is confident of a win in his upcoming fight against former two-time WBO welterweight world champion Paul Williams. The scheduled 12-round bout for the WBO interim jr. middleweight world title will take place Saturday, November 29, at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California, and be televised live on HBO beginning at 10 P.M. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Phillips, now 42-11-1 with 21 knockouts, of Denver, Colorado, will celebrate his 39th birthday on November 29, as well. Williams, of Aiken, South Carolina, is in his prime at 27 and has a professional record of 35-1 with 26 knockouts.

Boxing has seen many intriguing matchups over the years that pitted “Youth vs. Experience,” and 2008 has seen several examples of the “old masters” triumphing over the “young lions”: in March, 36 year-old Nate Cambell won a 12-round decision against 24 year-old Juan Diaz, and 36 year-old Joel Casamayor won by tenth-round TKO against 27 year-old Michael Katsidis. In October, 43 year-old Bernard Hopkins won a 12-round decision against 26 year-old Kelly Pavlik. Verno has already made one contribution to that list, as well – in March, at the age of 38, he won a 12 round decision against 30 year-old Cory Spinks. He plans to make his second contribution against Williams.

Verno said, “This fight’s a good birthday present. They’re probably thinking that I’m done or whatever – that I’m just another win for Paul Williams. But that’s what Cory Spinks thought, too, and I’m still here. I feel good. I feel strong. It’s going to be a bad night for Paul Williams.”

Verno has held the IBF jr. middleweight world title on two occasions and is very proud of his association with the organization. Unfortunately, he was not able to take this fight against Williams and continue to hold the title.

In a letter to IBF President Marian Muhammad and IBF Championships Chairman Lindsey Tucker dated November 19, Verno’s promoter, Art Pelullo, wrote, in part: “This letter is to confirm that Verno Phillips will relinquish the IBF jr. middleweight world title…. In doing so, he will open up the opportunity for two younger fighters to fight for the IBF world title and hopefully have the same success that Verno has had with the IBF.

“The IBF title that Verno was able to win versus Cory Spinks in St. Louis has been very instumental in putting Verno in a position to make a very significant payday for him and his family at this late stage of his career. You have helped him earn the opportunity….

“Verno Phillips and his family would like to thank you and the entire IBF family for giving him the opportunity to win the IBF title not once, but twice.”

LOS ANGELES, CA (November 21, 2008) – Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank announced the addition of two 12-round title fights to the December 6 pay-per-view undercard of “The Dream Match,” headlined by the 12-round welterweight collision between two of boxing’s biggest attractions OSCAR DE LA HOYA and MANNY PACQUIAO.

NABO junior welterweight champion and Top-Five contender “Vicious” VICTOR ORTIZ defends his title against JEFFREY RESTO and WBO junior featherweight champion JUAN MANUEL “Juanma” LOPEZ defends his crown against Top-10 contender and Argentinian National super bantamweight champion SERGIO “Rocky” MEDINA. Combined, these four warriors have a sterling record of 100-4-1 (69 KOs) – a winning percentage of 95% and a victory by knockout ratio of 69%.

Ortiz (22-1-1, 17 KOs), from Oxnard, Calif., a former amateur standout, is currently riding a two-year, 16-bout unbeaten streak, including 12 knockout victories. He captured the vacant NABO title in his last fight, a fifth-round stoppage of Roberto Arrieta in September. Recent knockout victories of former world champion Carlos Maussa and contender Emmanuel Clottey have raised his world rating to a career-high, No, 5 in both the WBO and the WBA. Resto (22-2, 13 KOs) is enjoying a four-year winning streak. This year, the Bronx native of both Mexican and Puerto Rican descent scored decision wins over Humberto Tapia and Hector Altorre, who had a combined record of 27-8-1 when he fought them. Resto is currently rated No. 7 by the NABO.

Lopez (23-0, 21 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, will be making his second world title defense on December 6. The 2004 Puerto Rican Olympian has not had an opponent go the distance with him in over two years. He captured the world title in June, knocking out defending champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in the first round. He retained the title in his first defense in October against Cesar Figueroa, again by first-round knockout. Medina (33-1, 18 KOs), from Salta, Argentina, enters the fight riding a five-bout winning streak, while collecting the WBO-Inter-Continental, the Argentina National and the WBA Latin American junior featherweight titles en route to a top-10 world rating.

Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, Inc., presented by Tequila Cazadores and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, DeWalt Tools, Full Throttle Energy Drink and Southwest Airlines. De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao, a 12-round welterweight battle, will take place Saturday, Dec. 6 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. The fight will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

MGM Grand will host closed circuit viewing in conjunction with the upcoming “Dream Match” between the ‘Golden Boy’ Oscar De La Hoya and Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao. Tickets for the closed circuit telecast are priced at $100 (preferred viewing) and $60, not including handling fees. All seats are general admission and are now on sale at the MGM Grand ticket office outlets at the Concierge desk and the KÀ Theatre box office. Tickets also will be available by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 702-474-4000. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Additional MGM MIRAGE properties will host closed circuit viewing and tickets will go on sale at a later date

HBO’s all-access reality series “De La Hoya/Pacquiao 24/7″ returns with an all new episode on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

An additional pay-per-view bout and a complete undercard will be announced shortly.

Jorge “The Truth” Teron added to “Holiday Hits”

Dec. 4 at Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan

NEW YORK (November 20, 2008) – World-rated lightweight Jorge “The Truth” Teron has been added to the third annual “Holiday Hits” pro boxing show, promoted by Bob Duffy’s Ring Promotions, December 4 at the famed Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan, New York.

Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Nagy “Dominican Dynamite” Aguilera (10-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Newburgh (NY), headlines for the first time in the 8-round main event against 35-fight veteran Earl “Chocolate Drop” Ladson.

Teron (22-0-1, 15 KOs), the reigning NABO title-holder, was supposed to fight November 21st on the cancelled “The Grande Event” card against Aldo “El Pato” Valtierra (24-10, 13 KOs). They will now fight in a 10-round Special Lightweight Attraction on “Holiday Hits.”

“Cedric Kushner felt bad that his show was cancelled and he worked hard to get as many fighters back in action as soon as possible,” Duffy said. “Thanks to the New York State Athletic Commission that allowed us to extend our show, we were able to add two made fights and two others fighters who were supposed to fight on Ced’s show. It wasn’t fair to these kids who worked so hard for weeks, especially with the holidays coming up, and we’re happy to say some of them will still be getting a payday. It’s going to be a long night but boxing fans are really going to enjoy it.”

Teron, fighting out of the Bronx, is trained by former Olympic gold medalist and world champion, Mark Breland. The Puerto Rican-American Teron is rated as high as No. 4 by the WBO, as well as No. 13 by the WBA and No. 19 by the WBC. Mexican warrior Valtierra is a former WBA Fedecentro and WBC FECARBOX Central American super featherweight title-holder.

“What happened was unfortunate but I’m happy Bob Duffy came through for us,” Teron said. “It just gave me two more weeks to prepare, no big deal, but now I’ll have to be careful how much I eat on Thanksgiving. I’m just happy to be fighting. Unlike most

Mexican fighters, Valtierra doesn’t really come forward. He’s more of a boxer. I may have to come forward more than I usually do, but we’ve been working on that and other things for this fight. He’s only been knocked out once in 34 pro fights. I’m ready for a long fight. I don’t look past any fight because every fight is the most important of my career. All I can do as a fighter is get ready to fight even though my next fight could be a real big one.”

IBF Continental Africa cruiserweight champion Jaffa “African Assassin” Ballogou (46-6-1, 40 KOs), fighting out of New York City by way of Togo, takes on former New York State cruiserweight title-holder Daniel Judah (22-3-3, 10 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature for the vacant IBF International light heavyweight title.

Ghana-native Ossie Duran (23-6-2, 9 KOs), now living in New Jersey, will be in action against Jerome “Boomer” Ellis (11-9-2, 10 KOs) in an 8-round bout. Popular middleweight George “Blaze” Walton (18-3, 12 KOs), of Harlem, faces Clarence “Sonny Bono” Taylor (13-18-3, 6 KOs) in a 6-rounder.

Dublin super featherweight Eddie “Pride of Tallaght” Hyland (10-1, 3 KOs) makes his New York City debut versus Gustavo Dailey (2-3) in another 6-round bout.

Also on the undercard in separate 4-round bouts is highly-touted Brooklyn light heavyweight Will Rosinsky (2-0, 2 KOs), three-time National Golden Gloves champion vs. Amador Acevedo (2-4, 2KOs), Queens cruiserweight (by way of Egypt) Amhed “Prince of Egypt” Samir (4-0, 0 KOs) meets the Bronx favorite Newton “The Butcher” Kidd (6-7-1, 4 KOs),Lou DiBella-promoted NYC heavyweight Tor Hamer (1-0, 1 KOs) vs. TBA, unbeaten Brooklyn light middleweight Martin Wright (7-0-2, 3 KOs) vs. TBA, Brooklyn welterweight Luis “El Mero Mero” Ruiz (3-0, 1 KO) vs. TBA, Queens light middleweight (by way of Cyprus) Lambrose “Lionheart” Karaolides (1-0, 1 KO) vs. TBA, Howard Beach light welterweight Anthony Accardi (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Rafael Luna (1-6), pro debuting Bronx super flyweight Emmanuel Gonzalez vs. Jean Ramos (0-2), Brooklyn light middleweight (by way of France) Roman Oliveri vs. Eluid Torres (0-0-1). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $150.00 (Golden Ringside), $100.00 (Ringside) and $50.00 (General Admission), are on sale and available to purchase at the Roseland Ballroom, going to www.ringpromotions.com or calling 516.313.2304. Doors open at 6:00 PM, first bout at 6:30 PM.

PROVIDENCE (November 19, 2008) – NABF cruiserweight champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (17-1, 10 KOs), rated No. 3 by the WBC, fights Saturday night for the first Sovereign Nations Boxing Council (SNBC) title against Eddie “The Iron Man” Gutierrez at 4 Bears Casino in New Town, North Dakota.

SNBC is a fledging professional boxing organization linking federally recognized tribes throughout the United States and Canada.

“Fighting for the SNBC title is special for me because I’m almost 100-percent Native American,” the 27-year-old Godfrey said. “I am Native American and we don’t get much press. I’m proud to be boxing for the Sovereign Nations Boxing Council’s first title. It is recognizing Native Americans in sports and I’m glad to be part of it.”

Godfrey’s fight against Gutierrez (15-5-1, 6 KOs) is risky because the WBC recently ordered a title elimination fight between Matt and No. 2 rated Herbie Hide, former 2-time WBO heavyweight champion, with the victor facing the winner of the WBC championship bout between new defending champion Giacobbe Fragameni and the No. 1 mandatory challenger, Krzystof Wlodarczyk.

“All I’m thinking about is passing the doctor’s test and making weight on Friday and putting on a good performance Saturday night,” Matt explained. “Fighters like this (Gutierrez) are the most dangerous. People probably expect me to blow away a guy like him. Even if it’s a close fight, it won’t look good, so we’ve been training as if this was a world title fight. They will be different fans out there and I want to put on a real show for them. I want to really impress them. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Godfrey is also rated No. 11 by the WBA and IBF.

Matt, second heavyweight alternate on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, had a 194-23 amateur record, capturing six national championships — four open tournaments including the 2004 Everlast U.S. Championships, plus two in the Junior Olympics – as well as a Bronze medal at the 2001 Pan-American Games, Silver in all four of that year’s national major tournaments (National Golden Gloves, PAL (Police Athletic League), U.S. Championships and U.S. Challenge) and six-time New England Golden Gloves champion.

HBO SPORTS PRESENTS

A BLUE-RIBBON DOUBLEHEADER UNDER THE VEGAS LIGHTS WHEN

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®: RICKY HATTON VS. PAUL MALIGNAGGI

AND JAMES KIRKLAND VS. BRIAN VERA

IS SEEN LIVE SATURDAY, NOV. 22 ON HBO

Relentless combatants square off when HBO Sports presents WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: RICKY HATTON VS. PAUL MALIGNAGGI AND JAMES KIRKLAND VS. BRIAN VERA live SATURDAY, NOV. 22 (10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT), from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, exclusively on HBO.

Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton (44-1, 31 KOs) of Manchester, England returns to the States to battle Brooklyn’s Paul “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round junior welterweight fight. Enormously popular back home, Hatton is an aggressive brawler who enters attack mode at the opening bell, swarming his opponent with persistent punches. Raising his profile in America last December when he opposed Floyd Mayweather in a welterweight showdown, Hatton now returns to his natural weight of 140 pounds and seeks to reassert his dominance in the division.

Affable Paulie Malignaggi is known for his flashy style in the ring, where he displays quick combinations and a huge heart, and a larger-than-life personality outside the ropes. Earning a 140-pound title in 2007 when he decisioned Lovemore N’dou, Malignaggi never backs down from a challenge, and now intends to prove that he’s the best at 140 pounds.

Two Texans clash in the opening bout, as hard-hitting James Kirkland (23-0, 20 KOs) returns to HBO to face rugged contender Brian Vera (16-1, 10 KOs) in a ten-round middleweight contest. Undefeated Kirkland is an exciting knockout artist, with 18 of his 20 knockout victories coming in the first three rounds. Vera is fresh off an impressive victory over highly-regarded prospect Andy Lee.

All WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING events are broadcast in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.

PROVIDENCE (November 18, 2008) – Rhode Island’s only representatives ever on the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, Jason “Big Six” Estrada (2004) and Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (2008), will be showcased November 29 on “Holiday Havoc” at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

“Holiday Havoc” is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Twin River and CN8, The Comcast Network as well as (for Andrade’s fight) Banner Promotions and Star Boxing.

The show will be taped live and air Saturday, December 13 at 7:00 PM/ET on CN8, The Comcast Network in New England and the Baltimore/Washington D.C. market, as well as on Cox Sports Television at a date and time to be determined.

“I’m inviting all of our fans, friends and family to celebrate our big pre-holiday show, the last CES card of 2008, at Twin River on November 29th,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said. “What better way of ending the year than by watching our two Olympians in action? Rhode Island didn’t have an U.S. Olympic boxer until Jason in 2004 and now he and this year’s Olympian, ‘Boo Boo,’ are fighting on this great card. We have a lot of other talented fighters in five entertaining bouts on the undercard. In the spirit of the upcoming holidays, we’re working with the U.S. Marines ‘Toys For Tots’ program, and are encouraging everyone to bring a toy to the show for less fortunate children.”

Estrada and Andrade are two of the most decorated U.S. amateur boxers of all-time. Estrada was 261-14 in U.S. competition and the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row, in addition to a gold medal in the 2003 Pan-Am Games.

Andrade, who was a 2-time U.S. Nationals and National Golden Gloves champion, captured a gold medal in the 2008 AIBA World Championships.

Ever-improving heavyweight prospect Estrada (14-1, 3 KOs), now rated No. 7 in the NABF, takes on Cuban warrior Elieser Castillo (30-6-2, 17 KOs) in the 8-round main event. Castillo has already beaten one U.S. Olympian, 1996 captain Lawrence Clay Bey (KO9), for the NABF Interim title that Elieser was later awarded outright.

Andrade (1-0, 1 KO) made his pro debut this past October, stopping Patrick Cape (4-2) in the second round of their fight in the state of Washington. “Boo Boo” will make his hometown pro debut Nov. 29 in a Special Super Welterweight Attraction on “Holiday Havoc.”

Former USBA champion Jason Pires, now a police officer in his hometown of New Bedford (MA), makes a comeback after being out of the ring for more than five years in a 6-round welterweight bout versus Joshua Onyango (14-16-1, 11 KOs), former Commonwealth title holder.

Providence super middleweight Bobo “The Bull” Starnino and “Irish” Joey McCreedy (8-2-1, 5 KOs), of Lowell (MA), square-off in a 6-round rematch of a draw the two fought last August.

Also on the undercard in 4-round bouts is unbeaten Pawtucket (RI) lightweight Eddie “The Puerto Rican Sensation” Soto (9-0, 4 KOs) against 37-fight veteran Jose Angel “Lucky” Roman; Warwick (RI) super middleweight Keith Kozlin (1-0) fights Eric Clinton (0-4-1), Providence junior lightweight Omar Pena (0-0-1) meets Lindberg Freeman (0-1); Lowell junior welterweight Sean Eklund (6-2, 1 KO) makes his CES debut with his uncle in his corner as head trainer, “Irish” Micky Ward.

Tickets for “Holiday Havoc” are priced at $19.00, $40.00, $55.00 (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and limited $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), at the Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.

Tickets are also on sale at Big Six Academy in Providence (401.241.3490), 401 Gym in Cranston, RI (401.261.9800), Ultimate Fitness in Bristol, RI (401.253.3539), Rivera Brother’s Gym in Lynn, MA (617.594.1166) and GQ Barbersalon in N. Providence (401.228.3380), Warwick, RI (401.823.0060) and Coventry, RI (401.615.5455).

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.