Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

“IRELAND’S” JOHN DUDDY and ANTHONY PETERSON

HIGHLIGHT COTTO vs. JENNINGS GARDEN PARTY!

UNDEFEATED CONTENDERS’ FIGHTS WILL BE

FEATURED ON PAY-PER-VIEW BROADCAST

NEW YORK, NY (January 27, 2009) – Undefeated Top-Five contenders “Ireland’s” JOHN DUDDY and ANTHONY PETERSON will light it up in separate bouts at Madison Square Garden, headlining the undercard of the Miguel Cotto vs. Michael Jennings / Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik vs. Marco Antonio Rubio two-city / two-title pay-per-view extravaganza. Duddy will go mano-a-mano with MATT “The Predator” VANDA and Peterson will rumble with EDNER “Cherry Bomb” CHERRY, in 10-round middleweight and lightweight bouts, respectively. Together, these four warriors boast a combined record of 116-14-2 (70 KOs) – a winning percentage of 88%.

Two title fights in two different towns on one pay-per-view broadcast! This event is so big, both Michael Buffer and Jimmy Lennon, Jr. will be introducing the main events from New York and Youngstown, respectively. Spectators at The Garden will be able to see the live broadcast of the Pavlik-Rubio fight. Spectators at the Chevrolet Centre will be able to see the live broadcast of the Cotto-Jennings fight. Promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank, the Cotto-Pavlik doubleheader will take place Saturday, February 21 and will be broadcast Live on Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Remaining tickets to the Madison Square Garden event , priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, and $50, can be purchased at the Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.thegarden.com.

LAS VEGAS (January 26, 2008) – Veteran boxing manager Sal LoNano has brought his fighter, NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa (20-2, 13 KOs), in from his Bronx home to the Boston area for a five-week training program at the famed Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning in Winchester, Massachusetts.

LoNano is having Figueroa follow in the same path two of his better known fighters, “Irish” Micky Ward and former IBF light welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi, also traveled with tremendous results.

“In Frankie’s last few fights I noticed something wrong on his right side,” LoNano explained. “He was switching around to the right side (Figueroa is a southpaw) because he was in some pain I brought Micky and Paulie to Boyle’s because it’s the best finding physical weaknesses of pro athletes. A physical therapist evaluated Frankie and found the problem – intertwined cartilage in his right knee and a weak back. I knew something was wrong and it’s great they found out what I knew was wrong from watching him in fights and the gym.

“Boyle’s is the place to go for any athlete trying to get back on the right track. ‘Gato’ will work there and get strong, just like Micky and Paulie did, developing muscles not normally used in the fight game. For example, when Frankie threw a jab it didn’t have any power behind it because of his knee and back. He’ll work with his trainer at Boyle’s to correct the problem. Frankie will be back 100-percent, not 80 or 90 percent, and be ready to go to training camp in Vero Beach (FL) for four weeks prior to his next fight.”

Figueroa will workout at Boyle’s three days a week, two hours a day, for five weeks. After each session he is massaged-out and off days Frankie does light boxing-related workouts at a nearby gym.

“After one day of testing I realized that they’re very serious professionals,” Frankie said. “I was surprised because I thought the testing would be a lot of jumping and pulling. I’m expecting a big improvement and increases in my power, balance and speed. I’m for any edge that will help me reach my goal of becoming the undisputed light welterweight champion of the world. I take life as it comes; I’m humble but confident. I’ve won three titles (NABF & New York State light welterweight and WBC Intercontinental welterweight) but my job won’t be complete until I’m world champion. This strength-and-conditioning program is going to help me get there.”

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, Frankie is now promoted by Roy Jones. Jr’s Square Ring.

The 30-year-old Figueroa, a Puerto Rican-American born in Spanish Harlem, was 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. A U.S. Army veteran rated No. 5 by the IBF, as well as No. 10 by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBA. Figueroa hopes to be matched in April against former world champion Randall Bailey in an IBF light welterweight title eliminator.

Figueroa, coming off of an 8-round decision last November against veteran Emmanuel Augustus, has won his last 12 fights and is unbeaten for the past four-plus years.

For more information about Frankie Figueroa visit his web site at www.teamgato.com.

HOBOKEN, N.J. (January 26, 2009) – WBA heavyweight “Champion in Recess” Ruslan “White Tyson” Chagaev has all of his boxing ducks, so to speak, lined up in a row but first he has to get past unbeaten No. 10 rated Carl Davis Drumond in the 12-round main event February 7, headlining “The Champion Returns” in Rostock, Germany.

“The Champion Returns” card, presented by Universum Boxing-Promotion, will broadcast three 12-round bouts. Integrated Sports is distributing it in the United States for live viewing at 2 PM/ET – 11 AM/PT on cable pay-per-view via iN Demand and TVN for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A same day replay will be shown at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/ET. The event will also be available in Canada on TSN. Hall of Fame announcer Col. Bob Sheridan will handle blow-by-blow duties and Benny Ricardo, former NFL placekicker, will serve as color commentator.

2000 Uzbekistan Olympian Chagaev (24-0-1, 17 KOs), The Ring’s No. 3 rated heavyweight, captured the WBA crown on April 14, 2007 by 12-round decision against Nikolai Valuev (46-0). However, an Achilles tendon injury prevented Chagaev from defending his title last year against Valuev and the WBA regulated Ruslan to its “Champion in Recess.”

WBA No. 10 rated Drumond (26-0, 20 KOs), promoted by Warriors Seminole Boxing, is a boxing mystery outside of fan in his native Costa Rica. His most notable win to date was in 2007, when he won a 10-round decision against former world champion Kelvin Davis.

“It is one year since my last fight (win by 12-round decision against 21-1 Matt Skelton), so I am very motivated for this fight,” Chagaev said from his training camp in Hamburg. “From now on I want to have fight after fight; I can’t wait for the next tasks. First, I will beat Drumond. He is a strong man and I must be careful. But he wants to knock me out? That’s a joke, isn’t it? Nobody can knock me out. Sorry, Carl. This fight will be a big surprise for you.

“Than (after defeating Drumond) I will show who the real champ is by beating Valuev for the second time. Then I want to unify all of the belts. I want to fight the Klitschkos. I respect them for what they’ve reached in the heavyweight division, but I know then very well and I can beat them. 2009 will be my year.”

WBA light welterweight champion Andreas Kotelnikin defends his title belt versus unbeaten Argentinean knockout artist Marcos Rene “El Chino” Maidana, the WBA No. 1 contender, in the 12-round co-feature. Styles make fights and Kotelnik-Maidana shapes-up as a potential classic featuring a pure boxer, Kotelnik (30-2-1, 13 KOs), against a dangerous power puncher, Maidana (25-0, 24 KOs).

Undefeated Russian heavyweight Denis Boytsov (23-0, 18 KOs), fighting out of Germany, meets Puerto Rican veteran Israel “King Kong” Garcia (19-2, 11 KOs) in a 12-round bout for the WBA Intercontinental title. The 22-year-old Boytsov, rated No. 11 by the WBA, is the latest prospect in a long line of Russian heavyweight contenders.

Montreal, January 26th, 2009 – It was with great surprise that the #1 IBF contender Hermann Ngoudjo (17-2-0, 9KO) read the press release where former IBF champion Juan Urango (20-1-1, 16KO) claimed he was going to knockout “The Black Panther” Ngoudjo. Ngoudjo will take on the Colombian for the vacant IBF Super lightweight world championship in Montreal next Friday,
For two years Hermann Ngoudjo has fought the elite of the division, and no one has hurt or come close to a knockout win against him!

First a controversial split decision loss against former world champion Jose Luis Castillo (57-9-1, 49KO), the best brawler in the division, then a split decision win against former World champion Randall Bailey (38-6-0, 34KO), the best puncher in the division. Last year another controversial loss against then IBF world champion Paul Malignaggi (25-2-0, 5KO), the fastest boxer in the division, and in June another win against former World champion Souleymane Mbaye (37-3-1, 21KO), the most skilled boxer in the division.

So Hermann out-brawled the brawler, overpowered the puncher, out-speeded the speedster and out-skilled the best! In fact, 6 of his opponents have fought in world championships, 5 of them won the title and together they have a combined 36 world championship bouts (20-14-2). Compare that to Urango who, with the exception of Ricky Hatton (45-1-0, 32KO) who lost decisively against him during their encounter 2 years ago, not one of his opponents ever won a world championship fight! Ngoudjo has had to pay his dues, fought the best and is ready to get on top of the super lightweight division. It is not Juan Urango who will stop him.

“Urango is a strong fighter and always comes very well prepared,” said Ngoudjo, “but he is not near me in terms of the quality of the opponents he has beaten! He claims he will knock me out like his last opponents, but they were scared of him and that is certainly not the case for me! I am willing to mix with you “Iron twin”, to back you up and beat you at your own game and we will see who has got the best chin, the best stamina. Next Saturday morning Juan Urango will have a very bad wake up call because he will leave Montreal empty-handed and the Black Panther will be world champion…this is the beginning of my era!”
Juan Urango is arriving today in Montreal from his training camp of Puerto Rico.

The two will meet for the first time tomorrow at a press conference that will be held at the Bell Center at 11:00 AM.
Tickets are priced at $40, $75, $125 and $200 and can be purchased at the Bell Center Box Office: 1-877-668-8269 or online at www.geg.ca

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (November 26, 2008) – 2008 U.S. Olympic first alternate Danny O’Connor heads north of the border to fight pro-debuting Greg Jimenez off-television on this week’s ESPN Friday Night Fights show, headlined by the IBF light welterweight title fight between Herman Ngoudjo and Juan Urango, at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

In his last fight, the 23-year-old O’Connor (2-0, 2 KOs) pitched a shutout last November against 16-fight veteran Anthony Woods, winning all four rounds on each of the three judge’s scorecards (40-35, 40-36, 40-36), at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

“I’m happy to be making a trip to Canada,” O’Connor said. “I can’t wait to fight. I’ve been working hard in the gym….training, training and training. I’ve come to realize that sometimes it’s difficult in the pros because opponents get switched around. It’s all part of the learning process. I train the same for all opponents, assuming that they’re going to bring their A game. I’m ready to fight. I’m in great shape and I can’t wait to show everyone there what I’ve been working on in the gym (401 Gym in Cranston, Rhode Island).”

O’Connor, fighting out of Framingham (MA), won last year’s US Future Stars National Championship, in which he was named Most Outstanding Boxer, as well as the 2008 National Golden Gloves Tournament. Danny, who signed a promotional contract with Seminole Warriors Boxing, defeated 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz, of the Dominican Republic, last May as an amateur in a USA-Dominican Republic dual meet.

“I love Montreal and the opportunity for Danny to fight there makes a lot of sense,” added O’Connor’s head trainer, Dave Keefe, who also co-manages Danny with Rob Valle. “I’m happy we’re fighting on the undercard of an IBF light welterweight title fight, which we hopefully will be fighting for in a couple of years.”

HOLLYWOOD, FL, January 23 – It’s taken two long years, three wins and three knockouts, but on Friday, January 30th, Juan Urango will finally get the opportunity to win back his IBF junior welterweight title when he takes on Herman Ngoudjo for the vacant crown at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.

Needless to say, Urango can’t wait for his chance to shine once again.
“Every day since January 20, 2007, I’ve thought about winning my title back,” said Urango, who lost his belt via a hard-fought decision to Ricky Hatton that night. “I’ve put in the hard work, knocked out every one that was put in front of me, and now I’m ready to do the same to Herman Ngoudjo. Even though we’re in his hometown, I don’t care, because he’s not going to hear the final bell.”

Since the Hatton fight, the 28-year old southpaw from Monteria, Colombia has been in devastating form, stopping Nasser Athumani and Marty Robbins and knocking out Carlos Wilfredo Vilches, with none of the fights getting past the fifth round. Now Urango (20-1-1, 16 KOs) is looking for his fourth straight KO against the aggressive Ngoudjo (17-2, 9 KOs), a native of Cameroon who now makes his home in Montreal.

“Ngoudjo is a good fighter, I respect him, and I’m not taking him lightly,” said Urango, “but if he thinks he can stand in front of me and trade punches, he’s crazy. He doesn’t have the punch to hurt me and while he has a good chin, it can’t take the punishment I’m going to deliver. I’ve waited too long for this moment to be denied now.”

Tickets are priced at $40, $75, $125 and $200 and can be purchased at the Bell Center Box Office: 1-877-668-8269 or online at www.geg.ca
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DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing series makes its anticipated 2009 debut on February 25 with WBC # 6 rated light heavyweight and Brooklyn’s own Shaun George taking on former IBF Continental African cruiserweight titlist Jaffa “African Assassin” Ballogou, at the intimate BB King Blues Club & Grill, located in New York City’s Times Square. In addition to the George-Ballogou ten-round light heavyweight main event, unbeaten heavyweight Tor Hamer, from Harlem and middleweight prospect Philip Jackson Benson from Brooklyn, New York will see action.

“This coming April marks the five-year anniversary of ‘Broadway Boxing’ and what a great way to start off 2009 then with a high-stakes light heavyweight main event between two world-class, New York-based fighters in Shaun George and Jaffa Ballogou. Shaun is one of boxing’s most avoided men…his ‘anyone…anytime…anywhere’ attitude is why he’s willing to risk his world rankings against Ballogou, a more experienced contender who can end every fight with one punch,” commented DBE president Lou DiBella.

A winner of four straight, Shaun George (17-2-2, 8 KOs) put the boxing world on notice this past May with a brilliant, one-sided TKO victory over former two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd, in a nationally televised bout seen on ESPN2. Since his unexpected dramatic triumph over Byrd, few fighters have shown interest in challenging Brooklyn’s George – currently rated WBC #6, IBF #10 and WBA #11 at 175 lbs.

Fighting out of New York City, Ballogou (46-7, 40 KOs) is a southpaw of Tongan descent, who has held the IBF Continental African 200 lbs. belt as well as the WBC International super middleweight title during a stellar 20 year professional career.

Registering victories on the Berto-Collazo undercard was the aforementioned Hamer (3-0, 3 KOs), a Penn State graduate and two-time NY Golden Gloves/Empire State Games champion; and 2008 US Olympian Sadam Ali (1-0, 1 KO), himself, a two-time NY Golden Gloves titlist, who stopped Ricky Thompson in one round on Jan. 17. Both Hamer and Ali will be in four round action at BB Kings’ on February 25.

Rounding out an outstanding “Broadway Boxing” undercard of up-and-coming local talent is middleweight Philip Jackson-Benson (1-0, 1 KO), a two-time NY Golden Gloves champion from Brooklyn; four-time NY Golden Gloves titlist and Queens own undefeated light heavyweight Will Rosinsky (4-0, 4 KOs); and making his pro debut at middleweight, is Denis Douglin, a 2008 National Golden Gloves champion from Morganville, NJ.

Tickets for Broadway Boxing priced at $150 (ringside tables, ringside seats), $100 (floor tables, floor seats, stage seats), $55 (general admission) are currently on sale. They are available by calling (212) 947-2577. BB King Blues Club & Grill is located at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 West 42 Street in New York City.

PROVIDENCE (January 22, 2009) – Former 4-time U.S. national amateur champion Bobby Harris will be inducted into the prestigious CES Ring of Honor, Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. president Jimmy Burchfield announced, during a special “February Frenzy” card ceremony February 6 at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

The 8-round main event features Providence’s former USNBC and IBF Intercontinental champion light heavyweight Joey “The KO Kid” Spina (23-1-1, 16 KOs), rated No. 14 by the WBO and No. 15 by the WBC.

In the 8-round co-feature, Providence favorite Bobo “The Bull” Starnino (9-4-2, 2 KOs) meets “Irish” Joey McCreedy (9-2-1, 5 KOs), of Lowell (MA), in a rematch of a draw they fought to last year, for the vacant Eastern Boxing Association (EBA) super middleweight title.

Harris reached the 1992 U.S. Olympic Box-Offs and captured a gold medal at the 1993 National Golden Gloves Tournament. The Worcester (MA) resident went on to a 20-2-1 (13) pro record as a heavyweight and last fought in 1999.

Burchfield established the CES Ring of Honor in 2005 in order to pay respect to inductees for their special achievements and contributions to New England boxing. CES Ring of Honor inductees include Rocky Marciano, Vinny Paz, Micky Ward, Marlon Starling, Jose Antonio Rivera, John Scully Ray Oliveira, Gary Balletto and Demetrius Andrade.

“Bobby Harris stands for everything good about New England boxing,” Burchfield said. “He was a great amateur prospect who lost only two of 23 pro fights. We excited about signing his brother, Adam, who will be making his CES debut on February 7. There’s no better setting to honor Bobby than on the same night as his brother’s CES debut.”

Worcester’s unbeaten cruiserweight Adam “The Hitman” Harris (10-0, 7 KOs), will have his brother, Bobby, in his corner for the first time as a second in a 6-round fight against Philadelphia boxer David Williams (5-2-1, 2 KOs).

Undefeated Pawtucket fighter Eddie “The Puerto Rican Sensation” Soto (10-0, 4 KOs) face another Lowell native, Sean Eklund (6-2, 1 KO), who will have his uncle and head trainer, “Irish” Micky Ward, in his corner for their 6-round bout for the EBA New England lightweight belt.

Also on the undercard in 4-round bouts are U. of Connecticut graduate Brian Macy (5-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA; Providence junior welterweight Jesus Caro (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Olade “One Shot” Thomas (1-3, 0 KOs); Warwick (RI) super middleweight Keith Kozlin (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Daren Graham (1-4, 1 KO); Worcester heavyweight Rashad Minor (1-0, 1 KO) in his CES debut vs. Shawn McLean (2-4, 1 KO); Providence cruiserweight Jay Holland making his pro debut vs. Kevin Varnadore (0-4).

Tickets for “February Frenzy” are priced at limited $25.00 SRO, $35.00, $45.00 (Bronze), $65.00 (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 Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 5::30 PM/ET, first bout at 6:30 PM/ET.

On March 21st, 2009, WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko will defend his title against the Cuban Juan Carlos Gomez at the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle in Stuttgart, Germany. It will be Vitali Klitschko’s first title defense after his convincing comeback in October 2008, when he won back the WBC belt. Gomez is number 1 in the WBC rating and the official challenger.

35 year old Gomez, a southpaw with a height of 1,92m (6′ 3½″), was born in Havanna and is a professional boxer since 1995. “The Black Panther” started his career us a Cruiserweight, where he became WBC Champion in 1998. After successfully defending his title 10 times, he changed to Heavyweight in 2002. Having won the elimination bout against Vladimir Virchis in September 2008, Gomez became the mandatory challenger of WBC Champion Vitali Klitschko. Gomez has a professional record of 44 wins (35 KOs) and one defeat.

“I am sorry for Vitali that he has to give away his belt after such a short time, but I’ve worked hard to get this fight and I will go home with the belt”, says Gomez.

In October 2008, after 1400 days of retirement, Vitali Klitschko the “Champion Emeritus” won back his “old” belt in an impressive comeback against Champion Samuel Peter by TKO in round 8. Together with legends like Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, Klitschko is one of the few boxers in history, who were able to win a heavyweight belt three times. Klitschko was WBO Heavyweight Champion from 1999 until 2000 and WBC Heavyweight Champion from 2004 until 2005. He has a professional record of 36 wins (35 Kos) and two defeats due to injury.

“My triumph against Peter and the feeling of having won back my WBC title is indescribable. I won’t give it back. Gomez is a very experienced, fast and difficult opponent. I won’t underestimate him, but the belt will remain in the Klitschko family”, says the current champion.

The fight on March 21st, 2009 at the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle in Stuttgart will be broadcast in Germany live and exclusive on RTL.

Ticket sale starts soon.

FEBRUARY 27TH
ESPN2 FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS TO TELEVISE

HOLLYWOOD, FL, January 20 – Their first meeting in 2003 ended in a controversial draw. On Friday, February 27, nearly six years later, light heavyweight standouts Glen Johnson and Daniel Judah finally get the opportunity to settle the score when they headline ESPN2 Friday Night Fights from the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida.

“This is one of the fights I’ve been waiting to get back, and now the time is here,” said Johnson. “I know I won the first fight with Judah, and I will take care of the injustice of that draw on February 27th.”

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to fight a great fighter like Glen a second time, but this time, I’m bringing my own judges,” said Judah. “I beat him once and I’ll do it again, this time by knockout.”

In the co-featured bout of the evening, junior welterweight prospect Jesus Pabon kicks off his 2009 campaign against an opponent to be determined. Also in action is unbeaten 2008 US Olympic team alternate Danny O’Connor.

Johnson vs Judah II headlines a night of world-class professional boxing presented by Seminole Warriors Boxing. The ESPN2 Friday Night Fights broadcast begins at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.

Tickets for this event, priced at $152, $102, $52, and $22, will go on sale Monday, January 26th and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Live Box Office or TicketMaster.com.

One of the fight game’s true heroes, Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson (48-12-2, 33 KOs) is a former light heavyweight world champion and 2004 Fighter of The Year who, at 40, remains the most feared man in the sport today. Currently ranked #1 by the WBC, and the winner of four of his last five bouts by knockout, with the only loss coming via a highly controversial decision to Chad Dawson last April, Johnson is on a quest to right the wrongs inflicted on him during his career, starting with his rematch with Judah.

A member of the famous fighting Judah family, 31 year old Daniel Judah (23-3-3, 10 KOs) is a slick southpaw with speed and savvy in the ring, who is looking to get a long overdue world title shot in 2009. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Judah has been in the ring with the likes of Eric Harding, Julian Letterlough, Darnell Wilson, and Yusaf Mack over the course of his 10-year pro career, and fresh off an impressive 12 round win over Jaffa Ballogou last December, he’s peaking at the right time for his return bout with Johnson.

San Juan, Puerto Rico native Jesus Pabon (13-1, 8 KOs) has done his island proud with his two-fisted attack and determination to win. Coming off a 2008 that saw him go 3-0 (including a decision win over 11-1 Bulmaro Solis in August), the 28-year old southpaw is ready for a step up to the big time in 2009.

23-year old southpaw Danny O’Connor ended a stellar 95-8 amateur career with an alternate spot on the 2008 US Olympic team, and he has carried that success into the pro game, where he is 2-0 (1 KO) since turning pro last September. On February 27th, he looks to keep the momentum going.