Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

FLORIDA BOXING HALL OF FAME, INC.

PRESS RELEASE

INAUGURAL CLASS OF 2009 INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED

Tampa, Florida – May 22, 2009 – The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame has announced the inaugural class of 2009 inductees. Living inductees include: heavyweight champion Pinklon Thomas, three division world champion Wilfredo Vazquez Sr., longtime middleweight contender Florentino Fernandez, trainer/manager Angelo Dundee, Steve Canton, and Jimmy Williams, promoter Tuto Zabala Sr., referees Brian Garry and Max Parker Jr., and in the non-participant category, Mark Beiro, Johnny Bos, Bobby Goodman, Rick Folstad, Dr. Allan Fields, and Dr. Ferdie Pacheco. The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame also released the names of the posthumous inductees: world champions Luis Manuel Rodriguez, Ralph Dupas, and Willie Pastrano, historians Hank Kaplan and Irv Abramson, promoter Chris Dundee, and Marty Cohen, in the non-participant category.

An inaugural kickoff dinner will be held on June 27, 2009, at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, in Tampa. All living inductees are expected to be in attendance, as well as Phil Alessi, Pete Fernandez, and Terry Trekas, who will be receiving special awards, at that time, from the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame.

An induction weekend is being planned for November 2009, at which time, inductees will receive a Hall of Fame Ring, and Plaque, and be on hand to participate in many activities with the public.

Angelo Dundee, Luis Manuel Rodriguez, Willie Pastrano, Hank Kaplan, and Chris Dundee have all previously been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, in Canastota, New York, and Bobby Goodman is being inducted two weeks prior to the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame dinner, in June.

The Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel will have a special room rate of $69.00 per night, and reservations can be made by calling them direct at (813) 223-1351.

Tickets for the dinner will be $75.00 per person, or $100.00 per couple. For making dinner reservations or for more information on the events planned contact the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame president Walter “Butch” Flansburg at the number or e-mail address below.

www.FloridaBoxingHallofFame.com e-mail: flabhof@aol.com

PO Box 262636, Tampa, Florida 33685 Phone: 813-884-7711

“Stan The Man”Added To Historic GLENDALE GLORY Show on June 12th

Glendale, California (May 22, 2009) – Undefeated former amateur star Stan “The Man” Martyniouk (6 wins, no losses) has been added to the historic GLENDALE GLORY boxing show on Friday, June 12, 2009 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium.

“Stan The Man” is coming off a six round unanimous decision over Jovann Jones (9-4, 4KOs) on March 27th. The former Team U.S.A. member and #2 ranked amateur lightweight in the U.S. in 2005, Martyniouk joins fellow Bash Boxing stablemates Dean “Irish Lightning” Byrne (10-0, 4 KOs), “Mad” Max Skayzer (6-0-1, 1KO), and 23-year-old Heavyweight prospect Andrey “The Russian Bear” Fedosov (19-1, 15KOs) on the GLENDALE GLORY card.

GLENDALE GLORY is presented by Art of Boxing Promotions in association with Bash Boxing, and is the first professional boxing show following a 62-year-old ban on boxing in the City of Glendale. The change in Glendale’s long-standing prohibition on boxing was brought about by a determined and persistent Kahren Harutyunyan, President of Art of Boxing Promotions. For the first time in over 60 years, boxing fans of Glendale can see tomorrow’s stars today – right in their own backyard.

Tickets to can be purchased online by going to www.glendaleglory.com or by calling Art of Boxing Promotions at (818) 521-2373 or Bash Boxing at (213) 700-BASH (2274). GLENDALE GLORY takes place on Friday, June 12, 2009 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium. Doors Open at 7pm, First Bout is at 8pm.

RESULTS FROM TWIN RIVER

Lincoln, Rhode Island

May 22, 2009 – “Rage At The River”

CRUISERWEIGHTS

Jay Holland (2-0, 1 KO), Providence, RI WDEC4 (40-35, 40-35, 40-35) Chris Boykins (0-4), Orlando, FL

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Joey Spina (25-1-1, 17 KOs), Providence, RI WDEC8 (79-73, 78-74, 77-75) Tiwon Taylor (26-15-1, 19 KOs), Las Vegas, NV

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Willis Lockett (12-7-5, 5 KOs), Takoma Park, MD WDEC6 (58-56, 58-56, 58-56) Joey McCreedy (10-3-1, 5 KOs), Lowell, MA

James McGirt, Jr. (20-2-1, 9 KOs), Vero Beach, FL WDEC6 (59-55, 58-55, 57-57) Patrick Perez (25-6, 14 KOs), Atlantic City, NJ

LIGHT WELTERWEIGHTS

Diego Periera (3-0, 2 KOs), Pawtucket, RI WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 39-37) Melchor Guillen, Jr. (1-1, 0 KOs), Irvington, NJ

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Jose Guzman (4-4-1, 1 KO), Bronx, NY WDEC4 (40-36, 39-37, 39-37) Sean Eklund (6-4, 1 KO), Lowell, MA

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS

Omar Pena (2-0-1, 0 KOs) WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36) Rasool Shakoor (1-6-1, 1 KO)

Promoter: Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc.

Matchmaker: Ted Panagiotis

DEVON ALEXANDER VS JUNIOR WITTER FOR

WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Don King Productions, Inc. and Hennessy Sports informed the WBC that they have reached an agreement to stage the Devon Alexander vs. Junior Witter fight for the vacant WBC super lightweight world championship on July 11, 2009.

The WBC wishes the best of luck to both fighters and are very proud that the promoters reached an amicable agreement.

PAUL SPADAFORA
TO FIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!
UNDEFEATED FORMER WORLD CHAMPION
HEADLINES JUNE 24 CARD AT
AMPHITHEATRE at STATION SQUARE

Tickets Go On Sale Tuesday, May 26

PITTSBURGH (May 21, 2009) — Promoter Michael Acri announced today that Wednesday, June 24 would be the new date for the ring return of former IBF Lightweight Champion “The Pittsburgh Kid” PAUL SPADAFORA. A sprained ankle postponed Spadafora’s 2009 debut, originally scheduled for March 31. Spadafora (41-0-1, 16 KOs), will headline an all-action card at Pittsburgh’s Amphitheatre at Station Square (125 West Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, Penn. 15129.) The show will begin at 7:30 p.m.

“I am chompin’ at the bit to get back into the ring and have never felt stronger. I’m in great shape,” said Spadafora, who is scheduled to fight 10 rounds as a junior welterweight against an opponent to be named soon.. “I can’t wait to
fight in front of my hometown fans again.”

The undercard will feature two Pittsburgh favorites, undefeated lightweight “Lightning” Rod Salka (7-0, 2 KOs), and welterweight Jose “The Prince” Caraballo (5-3, 1 KO), the professional debut of heavyweight Tommy Poe, from Wheeling, WV, and additional bouts.

Tickets, priced at $103.00 (Ringside), $53.00 (Reserved) and $23.00 (General Admission), go on sale Tues
day May 26, and can be purchased at the Amphitheatre’s box office (Monday-Friday, Noon to 4 P.M.), all Ticketmaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com, Blue Eagle Sports (726 Broadway Ave., McKees Rocks, Penn. – 412-331-4884) or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. For additional ticket Information, call 814-455-8309.

A MEXICAN ICON LOOKS TO ADD TO HIS LEGEND ON JULY 18TH
 
TICKETS FOR MAYWEATHER VS. MARQUEZ:
“NUMBER ONE/NUMERO UNO”
GO ON SALE TOMORROW, FRIDAY, MAY 22!
LOS ANGELES, MAY 21 – For years, Juan Manuel Marquez toiled in the shadow of fellow countrymen Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, even though boxing aficionados knew just how good the Mexico City native was.  A world featherweight title still didn’t allow Marquez to break through, but beginning in 2007, “Dinamita” finally got his chance to shine on the world stage, and in the last two years, he has proven to be the best of Mexico’s revered trinity.
 
In his last five bouts, Marquez has scored emphatic victories over Barrera, Rocky Juarez, Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz, with the only blemish in that span bring a highly controversial split decision defeat to Manny Pacquiao that many ringside observers scored for Marquez.  The wins over Casamayor and Diaz saw him issue these world champions their first ever defeats by knockout, and with the win over Diaz, he earned a world title in a third weight class.
 
On July 18th, Marquez will look to add to his legend by defeating Floyd Mayweather for pound for pound supremacy.  A victory will be yet another historic chapter in the career of a future Hall of Famer and one of the greatest Mexican fighters ever to lace up a pair of gloves.
 
Tickets priced at $1,000, $750, $600, $300 and $150, not including applicable service charges, go on sale Friday, May 22 at 10 a.m. PT.  Ticket sales at $1,000, $750, $600 and $300 are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800)745-3000.  Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Mayweather vs. Marquez: “Number One/Numero Uno,” is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines.  The 12-round bout will take place July 18th at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada and televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.

The Mayweather vs. Marquez pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes.  The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD.  HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry.  For Mayweather vs. 

The World Boxing Council wishes to recognize the career of the great boxer from the USA, Vernon Forrest.

Forrest has been associated with the WBC since 1997, when he became the WBC Continental Americas welterweight champion, then won the WBC-affiliated NABF championship, which he defended several times. He eventually became WBC welterweight world champion by beating Shane Mosley in dramatic fashion, then beat Mosley in the rematch.

Forrest became WBC super welterweight world champion by defeating Carlos Baldomir in 2007, then regained the title by defeating Sergio Mora in September 2008.

Vernon Forrest is a three-time WBC world champion and a champion outside the ring, as well, known for his efforts in support of the children and underprivileged persons in the world.

Unfortunately, Forrest has sustained an injury which is forcing him to stay away from the ring for some time.

The WBC is hereby naming Sergio Martinez as the undisputed WBC super welterweight champion of the world. Martinez is one of the most loyal fighters I have ever met as WBC President. Our dear Ruben Martinez, who passed away two years ago, fought with passion to bring the opportunity to Sergio and it was with a sensational victory over Alex Bunema that he won the WBC interim green and gold belt. He then defended the interim championship against Kermit Cintron, and is now regarded as a new sensation in boxing. I am sure that he will proudly represent the WBC.

Vernon Forrest has been unanimously voted as “WBC Ambassador of Peace and Good Will in the World Through Sports,” and will be eligible to compete for the WBC championship as soon as he recovers from his injury with a 55-45 purse split against Martinez.

I am very happy for Sergio Martinez, and very honored to have Vernon Forrest as an Ambassador. I am confident that Forrest will heal very soon and compete again for the WBC championship.

UNDERCARD FEATURES UNDEFEATED WORLD CLASS PROSPECTS IN DANNY GARCIA, TWINS CARLOS AND JUAN VELASQUEZ, ASHANTI JORDAN AND ELOY PEREZ

Casey and Robert
LOS ANGELES, MAY 20 – The pride of Gilroy, California, former two-time world featherweight champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, returns to HP Pavilion at San Jose on June 12th to fight in front of his Northern California fans in the main event of ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” against Johnnie Edwards.

“We are excited to bring Robert back to his loyal hometown fans,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “He has a huge fan base there and I know they’re going to come out in force to cheer him on.”

“It’s always nice to fight close to home and when I hear those fans roar, it feels like I can knock out anyone,” said Guerrero. “I’m looking to make a statement and I expect to put on a great show for my fans on June 12th.”

The co-featured bout pits rising junior welterweight star Danny Garcia against Pavel Miranda in an eight round clash. Also in action in separate bouts on June 12th will be hot undefeated prospects Carlos Velasquez, Juan Velasquez, San Francisco’s Ashanti Jordan, Eloy Perez of Salinas and San Jose’s Anthony Johnson.

Guerrero vs. Edwards, a 10 round junior lightweight bout that headlines a hard-hitting night of world-class boxing, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The ESPN “Friday Night Fights” livetelecast beginning at 10pm ET / 7pm PT will be broadcast on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN360.com.

Tickets, priced at $100.00, $75.00, $50.00 and $25.00, go on sale to the public on Friday, May 22nd at 10 AM PT at the HP Pavilion Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Unbeaten since 2005, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (23-1-1, 16 KO’s) has been getting better and better with each passing fight. A two-time owner of the IBF World Featherweight Championship, the 26-year-old defended his title twice before deciding to test the waters at 130 pounds in 2009. In his two 2009 bouts, he stopped Edel Ruiz in 43 seconds and had a no decision rendered in his March contest with Daud Yordan when an accidental clash of heads cut Guerrero, making him unable to continue. On June 12th, Guerrero aims to show a national television audience that he’s ready for a title shot at junior lightweight.

A native of Aiken, South Carolina, former United States Marine Johnnie Edwards (15-4-1, 8 KO’s) has the talent and discipline to go far in the fight game. For proof, just look at his big wins over former world champions Eric Aiken and Freddie Norwood. After some ups and downs in his pro career, the 29-year-old is back on track and looking for big things in 2009 and beyond.

cozzon1One of Philadelphia’s finest, 21-year-old Danny Garcia (12-0, 7 KO’s) has the fight world waiting in anticipation every time he steps between the ropes. Unbeaten in 12 pro fights, the former U.S. Olympic team alternate has been upping his level of competition with each bout and is ready for the next test in his career in the form of Tijuana, Mexico’s Pavel Miranda (16-3, 8 KO’s). The 21-year-old Miranda has kept up a frantic pace in the fight game since turning pro at 16 and on June 12th, the former WBC Youth champion plans on pushing Garcia harder than he’s ever been pushed before.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (May 20, 2009) – WORLD-FAMOUS FREDDIE ROACH, star of ring, gym and weight loss supplements (www.FightingFit.com), will join ESPN’s Brian Kenny in the studio for “ESPN Friday Night Fights,” This Friday! May 22, on ESPN2, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. Roach will recount boxing’s Pound for Pound Kingpin Manny Pacquiao’s total Mannyslaughter of world junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton, as well as discussing the worldwide spread of Pacmania. The current status of the boxing industry and the stacked lineup on “ESPN Friday Night Fights” will also be on the agenda. Two days later, Roach, who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, will appear Live on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines,” This Sunday! May 24, beginning at 9 a.m. ET to discuss NBA star Brian Grant, who was recently diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s.

Roach will be presented with the Futch-Condon Award as the 2008 Trainer of the Year for an unprecedented third time at the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) 84th Annual Awards Dinner, which will take place June 12 in New York. Pacquiao will be presented with his second Edward J. Neil Award as the BWAA’s 2008 Fighter of the Year at the same event.

This week’s edition of “ESPN Friday Night Fights,” emanating live from Miami’s Fontainebleau Hotel, will be headlined by the 10-round welterweight rumble between Richard Gutierrez (24-2-1) of Miami, Fla. and Antwone Smith (15-1-1), of Hollywood, Fla. Teddy Atlas and Joe Tessitore will be ringside for analysis and play-by-play of the fights. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondiaux, a Cuban exile, will be fighting on the televised undercard. The broadcast will also include an ESPN short feature on Rigondiaux and his struggles adapting to life in the U.S. without his family after defecting from Cuba.

***ALLAN GREEN CALLS OUT CHAD DAWSON!!***

New York (May 19, 2009) – After learning of IBF and IBO light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson’s interest in moving down to 168 pounds, Allan Green’s mouth began to water. Now that Dawson has taken care of business by winning a second unanimous decision over Antonio Tarver, Allan Green has his napkin on his lap, eating utensils in hand, and is ready for supper.

“If he’s coming down to 168, let’s make this happen. I respect Chad’s skills as one of the best in the game, but I’m feeling so focused right now that I don’t see anybody, including Chad Dawson, doing much more than six rounds with me,” said Green.

Coming of his own impressive and devastating knockout win over Carlos De Leon last month, Green has demanded the attention and respect of the boxing world and proved he is a force to be reckoned with in the super middleweight division.

In a recent interview Dawson’s promoter Gary Shaw mentioned Allan Green as a possible future opponent for Dawson, along with the following names- Jermain Taylor, Carl Froch, and Mikkel Kessler.

“Give me a break,” said Green. “Nobody knows what’s going on with Kessler and Froch decided to take a vacation for the rest of the year so he can find the stones to fight me. Taylor has his sights set elsewhere. So that leaves me.”

“Tell Gary to bring it,” said Green promoter Lou DiBella. “If Chad is afraid of Glen Johnson and wants to move down- Allan is ready, willing, and able.”

Beating someone like Chad Dawson if he came down to super middleweight would put Green at the top of his division and force the champions to come to him.

“Allan loves the fight, I love the fight, and Lou DiBella loves the fight. Chad Dawson’s manager Mike Criscio loves the fight. Gary Shaw would clearly be on board. Hopefully we can do something over the summer and then Allan can come right back and take one of those belts from Froch or Kessler at the end of the year,” said Green’s advisor Greg Leon. “Hopefully the promoters are on the phone with HBO or Showtime now, because we want to make this fight happen.”