Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

TIMOTHY BRADLEY vs. NATE CAMPBELL

WBO JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

DEVON ALEXANDER vs. JUNIOR WITTER

WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday, Aug. 1, The Show at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa

WBO 140-POUND CHAMPION TIMOTHY BRADLEY,
FORMER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION NATE CAMPBELL,
WBC NO. 2 RATED 140 POUNDER DEVON ALEXANDER,
AND WBC NO. 3 RATED JUNIOR WITTER
FINAL WEIGHTS

Friday, July 31, 2009, Rancho Mirage, Calif.

NOTE: WEIGHTS: All four fighters in Saturday’s SHOWTIME world championship doubleheader made the 140-pound weight limit during Friday’s weigh-in at the Cahuilla Ballroom at the Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

World Boxing Organization (WBO) 140-pound champion and hometown hero Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley tipped the scales at 139 pounds and former unified lightweight champ Nate “The Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell measured 138 ½ pounds.

Bradley (24-0, 11 KOs) of North Palm Springs, Calif., and Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KOs), of Jacksonville, Fla., square off in the main event of the world championship doubleheader on Saturday, Aug. 1, LIVE on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

No. 2-rated World Boxing Council (WBC) 140-pounder Devon Alexander “The Great’’ weighed in at 138 ½ pounds and No. 3 ranked Junior Witter measured 139 pounds.

In the first half of the doubleheader, the undefeated Alexander (18-0, 11 KOs) of St. Louis will face former champion Witter (37-2-2, 22 KOs), of England, for the WBC strap that Bradley voluntarily relinquished to fight Campbell. Bradley originally won the WBC title by defeating Witter on May 10, 2008 on SHOWTIME.

The biggest boxing event in the history of The Coachella Valley in Southern California will emanate from The Show at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. It will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions in association with Don King Productions and Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa.

ANDRE WARD TO FACE SHELBY PUDWILL IN

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

___________________________________________________________________________________

Ward vs. Pudwill Joins Mikkel Kessler vs. Gusmyl Perdomo

On Special Saturday Primetime Edition of ShoBox: The New Generation

Sept. 12, 2009, at 10 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK (July 31, 2009)—Undefeated super middleweight Andre “S.O.G.” Ward will share the stage with his first Super Six World Boxing Classic™ opponent Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler on a special Saturday primetime edition of ShoBox: The New Generation, on SHOWTIME.

Ward (19-0, 12 KOs) will tangle with Shelby Pudwill (22-3-1, 9 KOs) of McGlauglin, S.D., in a 10-round super middleweight scrap live from Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

The Ward fight will air immediately following Kessler’s World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight mandatory title defense against No. 1 ranked Gusmyl Perdomo (16-2, 10 KOs) of Turmero, Venezuela, which will air on same day tape delay from MCH Messecenter Herning – Herning, Denmark.

“There was no way we were going to allow Mikkel Kessler to have a showcase fight preceding his Super Six showdown with Andre, and not have the viewers on SHOWTIME witness our 2004 US Olympic gold medalist in action the same night,” Ward’s promoter Dan Goossen said. “Kessler may be the champion, but Andre Ward is coming to take that title and making history.”

Goossen is referencing the Group Stage 1 matchup of Ward vs. Kessler in the celebrated Super Six World Boxing Classic, Nov. 21, 2009, live on SHOWTIME. Ward-Kessler promises to be one of the most exciting fights of the year, pitting Team USA’s only Olympic Games gold medalist from Athens 2004 against Kessler (41-1, 31 KOs), of Copenhagen, Denmark, an early favorite in the tournament.

In his last fight on Dec. 6, 2008, Pudwill, 34, beat Anthony Osbourne in Mandan, N.D., with an eighth-round knockout. Inactive in all of 2007, Pudwill suffered a loss in his fight before Osbourne to John Duddy at Madison Square Garden in 2006.

Pudwill took eight straight wins into the Duddy fight and didn’t lose for almost five years in a time-span that dated from June 2001 to March 2006.

FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS CLOSES SEASON WITH CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER
URANGO VS BAILEY / WOODS VS CLOUD
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

HOLLYWOOD, FL, July 31 – Another exciting season of ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights will come to a close on Friday, August 28th, and Seminole Warriors Boxing has made sure that the best has been saved for last, as it presents a championship doubleheader at Hollywood’s Hard Rock Live featuring the IBF junior welterweight title bout between champion Juan Urango and challenger Randall Bailey, and the vacant IBF light heavyweight title matchup pitting former champion Clinton Woods against unbeaten banger Tavoris Cloud.

Tickets for this event, priced at $52, $102, $152, and $202, are now on sale, and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Live Box Office or by going online at www.TicketMaster.com.

Doors open at 7:00pm, and the first bell rings at 8pm. The ESPN2 Friday Night Fights telecast begins at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.

2 time junior welterweight World Champion Juan Urango (21-2-1, 16 KOs) is loved by fight fans for his always exciting performances in the ring, and his willingness to always move forward in search of victory. Looking to make the first successful defense of the belt he won against Herman Ngoudjo in January, the 28-year old southpaw from Monteria, Colombia has only lost 2 decisions in his career, one coming in a hard-fought decision loss to Andre Berto in a quest for the welterweight crown in May, and the other a 2007 loss to Ricky Hatton. Urango is eager to show Bailey who’s still the boss is at 140 pounds.

One of boxing’s hardest punchers, pound for pound, Miami, Florida’s Randall Bailey (39-6, 35 KOs) has waited a long time for another shot at the junior welterweight title he held twice over the course of his 13-year career. A knockout artist who has been in the ring with the likes of Carlos Gonzalez, Diosbelys Hurtado, DeMarcus Corley, and Miguel Cotto, the 34-year old Bailey is currently on a four fight winning streak that includes a blistering fourth round knockout of Francisco Figueroa in April earning him the #1 spot as the mandatory contender for Urango.

A no-nonsense warrior who always comes to fight, Sheffield, England’s 2 time World Champion Clinton Woods (42-4-1, 24 KOs) has beaten and competed with some of the best including his classic trilogy with Glen Johnson which ended with each fighter winning once and one ending in a draw. Clinton won the IBF light heavyweight title twice and has wins over Rico Hoye and Julio Gonzalez and also shared the ring with Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver. Fresh off a February win over Elvir Muriqi, vaulting him into the number 2 contender position, Woods has climbed the mountain once more and hopes to regain his title on August 28th.

Tallahassee, Florida’s Tavoris Cloud (19-0, 18 KOs) is a ferocious puncher who has torn through his opposition over the last five years in route to August 28th’s title shot. The current NABO, USBA, and NABA light heavyweight champion, the 27-year old has paid his dues on his way up the ranks, and following his tenth round TKO of Julio Gonzalez in his last bout on August 8, 2008, earning him the number 1 ranking in the division, Cloud is chomping at the bit to get at Woods and to take the world title belt back home with him.

Main Events released this statement on Friday afternoon:

With all due respect to the Brazilian authorities, we knew Arturo Gatti and we do not believe that he took his own life. Members of Arturo’s family, along with his boxing manager Pat Lynch, are conducting their own investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. We believe that once the results of that investigation are revealed, the truth will come to light and justice will be done.

TIMOTHY BRADLEY vs. NATE CAMPBELL

WBO Junior Welterweight Championship

DEVON ALEXANDER vs. JUNIOR WITTER

WBC Super Lightweight Championship

HOW THEY PICK ‘EM: EXPERTS EXPECT BRADLEY
TO DEFEND WORLD TITLE AGAINST CAMPBELL

SATURDAY, Aug. 1 LIVE at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast)
ON SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

From The Show at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa

NEW YORK (July 30, 2009) – If the media members who participated in the SHOWTIME Media Prediction Poll have called it correctly then Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley will successfully defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) 140-pound title against former unified lightweight champ Nate “The Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell.

Bradley (24-0, 11 KOs) of North Palm Springs, Calif., will take on Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KOs), of Jacksonville, Fla., in a “homecoming” fight this Saturday, Aug. 1, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9 p.m. ET/PT) from The Show at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif., just minutes from where the champ grew up.

The matchup is a tough one to call. Campbell, who is fighting for the first time at 140 pounds, is the more experienced fighter having more knockouts than Bradley has victories, but, Bradley is the younger, perhaps quicker fighter who has the benefit of competing in his backyard.

One thing is for certain: Saturday’s main event on SHOWTIME is going to be one heck of a fight.

Bradley, who voluntarily relinquished the World Boxing Council (WBC) 140-pound belt to face Campbell, was the popular winner in the poll garnering 22 of the 28 predictions. Most predicted a decision victory for Bradley in his desert homecoming, while only a few reasoned the fight would end inside the 12 championship rounds.

In the first half of a world championship doubleheader, undefeated, No. 2-rated Devon Alexander “The Great’’ (18-0, 11 KOs), of St. Louis, will face No. 3 Junior Witter (37-2-2, 22 KOs), of England, for the WBC strap that Bradley voluntarily relinquished. Bradley originally won the WBC belt by defeating Witter on May 10, 2008 on SHOWTIME.

Here’s how the media called the 12-round Bradley-Campbell match:

Carlos Arias, OC Register (Bradley) – “I’m taking Bradley by decision. Campbell is a crafty veteran with loads of experience, but Bradley has proven he is the real deal with victories over Junior Witter and Kendall Holt. Bradley is too young, too fast and too strong for Campbell.”

Steve Kim, Maxboxing.com (Bradley) – “In what will be one of the year’s best fights, I like the youth and activity of Tim Bradley to carry him to a close, 12 round decision.”

Marc Abrams, 15rounds.com (Bradley) – “I like Bradley, who is a natural Jr. Welterweight, and I think he will bully Campbell around as Campbell will try stand in the pocket, but I like Bradley’s grit by unanimous decision.”

Rick Reeno, Boxing Scene (Bradley) – “After some early struggles, I believe Bradley will pull ahead by using his movement and boxing ability to win a close unanimous decision.”

Michael Rosenthal, RingTV.com (Bradley) – “I think this is Timothy Bradley’s time. He’s been able to beat fighters like Junior Witter and Kendall Holt because he’s a complete boxer with the toughness of a champion. I have a lot of respect for Campbell, who I believe will be stronger at 140 than he was while struggling to make 135. He’s also is extremely clever in the ring. However, he’s 37 and past his prime. I believe we saw glimpses of the aging process in his majority decision over Ali Funeka. Bradley by unanimous decision.”

Paul Upham, SecondsOut.com (Bradley) – “Another great fight on Showtime. Bradley’s impressive work-rate will test 37-year-old Campbell at a new weight class. Campbell’s combination punching will keep him in a close fight, but Bradley’s youth and hometown crowd will push him to a points win. Bradley W.12″

Jake Donovan, Boxingscene.com (Campbell) – “Bradley showed a lot in twice climbing off of the canvas to outlast and outbox a very talented boxer-puncher in Kendall Holt. Still, I find Campbell to be the more complete fighter of the two, and one who brings a different brand of toughness than any of Bradley’s previous performances. I see the fight going the distance, and who wins will depend on your preference of styles, which will result in a disputed decision either way, but with Nate’s arm raised by night’s end.”

Ivan Goldman, The Ring (Bradley) – “Well-schooled Bradley and father time will catch up to Campbell and win a comfortable decision. What’s Campbell got going for him? First, he can bang of course, but second, road warrior Bradley may be a bit nervous fighting on home turf.”

Dan Hernandez, RingSideReporter.com (Campbell) – “I like Bradley; however, I feel Campbell is too savvy and powerful to be denied. That is of course if he is the same Campbell that destroyed Juan Diaz and not the sluggish less focused fighter he was in last outing. Campbell by decision or late round KO.”

Jerry Glick, Secondsout.com (Bradley) – “Bradley looked good against Holt, Cherry, and Witter, and Campbell impressed against Funeka and Juan Diaz. I see the stronger, younger Bradley controlling the tempo of the fight taking a close split decision.”

Butch Gottlieb, Boxing In Las Vegas – (Bradley) – Campbell has fought the better opposition by far in his nine plus year career and is a very cagey veteran. He has proven that he can also box and not just rely on power as he has only one stoppage in almost four years. Bradley, on the other hand is a pure boxer and, if he does not get caught up in the moment, he has an excellent chance to enjoy home cooking and come away with the victory.

Pedro Fernandez, RingTalk.com (Bradley) – “Tough call. Nate Campbell is like an elevator in that he’s up and then he’s down. Hard to gauge what NC has left. That being said, I will go with the youth and Tim Bradley (25) to Nate’s experience at 37. Points win for champ.”

Bernard Aguinaldo, SportsTicker (Campbell) – “Nate Campbell unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley. Campbell, a cagey veteran who still has great hand speed and footwork will look to give Bradley his first loss of his pro career.”

Gunnar Meinhardt, Die Welt/Germany (Bradley) – “I can’t say whether it will be difficult or easy, but I can see Bradley out boxing Campbell and winning a decision.’’

Lee Bellfield, SaddoBoxing.com (Bradley) – “Good trade matchup this one. Bradley is a fighter only known to the real fight fan, but for me he’s the best of the current champions at junior welterweight. He has good skills and a good chin and is also the natural 140-pounder in this one. Campbell is well respected in the fight game, but I can only see a lopsided points win for Desert Storm.”

David M. Lee, 411mania.com (Bradley) – “In fights as close as this I always go with the more reliable boxer. That’s Bradley. He’ll have done all his homework on Campbell and will have an answer for every question asked of him on Saturday. Bradley by close unanimous decision.”

Patrick Mullin, 411mania.com (Bradley) – “Nate Campbell was always a physically strong lightweight who was at his best when he imposed his will on his opponent and dictated the pace. That’s a good thing for him because that’s exactly what he has to do in order to beat the slick Timothy Bradley. However, Campbell has shown vulnerabilities to smart ring generals like Joel Casamayor and Isaac Hiatswayo. Bradley is in that class and probably outboxes Nate to win a clear decision.

Joe Roche, 411mania.com (Bradley) – “I love that Timothy Bradley is going to prove he deserves to be mentioned as one of, if not the, top guys at 140 by fighting other top guys. Make no mistake, Nate Campbell is a very good fighter and he will be a very good test for Bradley. However, in the end I think Bradley is too quick and too strong for Campbell and he will wear down the older fighter in the end. I don’t think Bradley gets a KO, but I say he wins by unanimous decision after all 12 rounds.”

Martin Mayfield, Game Sports Magazine (Bradley) – “I have Timothy Bradley pulling out a close decision (possibly even split). Campbell does have the heavier hands, but Bradley is the MUCH more accurate puncher and he will be busier because he is not a knockout artist. The X-factor will be the early rounds, as Bradley did go down early in his last fight, also a victory!”

Bill Scherer: Suite101.com (Bradley) – “Bradley’s greater punch output will be just enough to grind out a decision victory over Campbell’s hard-punching, roughhouse brand of boxing. After the fight, Bradley will look like the loser. He’s going to earn this one.”

Ed Ludwig, BraggingRightsCorner.com (Bradley) – This has been one fight I have been counting down the days for. Defending champion Timothy Bradley vs. Nate Campbell might be a contrast in styles, but it should make for a great fight. The road warrior Bradley defending his WBO title at home for the first time will give him more incentive to want to put on a performance of a lifetime but also more added pressure fighting in front of family and friends. Nate Campbell was in tough in his last fight with Ali Funeka not to mention the weight issue and he perhaps took Funeka a bit lightly, but you can bet Campbell will give everything he has to derail the defending champion. I do see Timothy Bradley retaining his title with a hard fought unanimous decision.”

David Duenez – ThereWillBeBloodFightShow.com (Bradley) – “I got Bradley by decision, even though the experience factor runs deep with Campbell, Bradley to me at this moment is the clear boxer of the two. This is in fact a teacher grading the student where the teacher will be taught a lesson.”

Dennis Bernstein, Pound4Pound.com (Bradley) – “The hometown titleholder is younger, bigger, quicker and better. Bradley proved he could go the distance with an experienced champion in Kendall Holt this past April and Campbell will prove to be an easier task with the challenger coming up to light welterweight for the first time. Campbell’s inactivity (only 1 fight in 16 months) is compounded by the fact that he’s giving up 12 years in age to an opponent who is gaining valuable experience and confidence with every fight. While the young champion is unlikely to stop the savvy veteran, his initial defense of the WBO 140 pound title should be a clear cut victory. Bradley by unanimous decision.

Joseph Bourelly, XLFights.com (Bradley) – “As much as I love Nate Campbell, he is simply up against the much younger, faster and harder hitting man. Although Campbell will have some opportunities to work on the inside and do some damage, he will have to eat up some shots to even get in position to let his hands go. While his heart will keep him in it, heart and desire alone will not be enough to defeat Timothy Bradley who is among the brightest young stars in the sport of boxing. I pick Bradley by unanimous decision.”

Albert Alvarez, Diamondboxing.com (Campbell) – “Nate Campbell is a gritty hard nosed vet who always looks to force his opponent to dig deep, and in this fight look for the young champ Timothy Bradley to be forced to dig deep, real deep. Bradley is a fighter than can adapt and always seems to know his range, but in this fight I feel that Campbell is going to make a real gritty fight out of this one. I am picking Campbell to get the nod in a thrilling fight. Nate Campbell by split decision.”

Tim Starks, The Queensberry Rules (Campbell) – “I keep picking against Timothy Bradley, and I’m stupidly going to do it again. He may have a speed, age and size advantage versus Nate Campbell, but versus Kendall Holt, an overall more talented boxer, the real difference was that Bradley was just so freakin’ tough. I see Campbell as the overall better boxer, too, but unlike Holt, he’s a consistently mean, hard-nosed man in the ring, so he’s going to be hard to out-tough. I like Campbell by decision in a gritty, dirty but skillful and closely-contested affair.”

Benny Henderson Jr., Convicted Artist Magazine (Bradley) – “I know this phrase is overused, but I honestly feel this fight has the potential to be “fight of the year” candidate. You have the crafty, fast-fisted Timothy Bradley, who has never tasted defeat, taking on the more experienced, heavy-handed Nate Campbell, who doesn’t mind waging war. Can Timothy handle Nate’s power; will Campbell even be able to get to the swift Bradley? Just a couple of questions that will be answered come fight night. If Timothy Bradley can weather the early storm, I believe he can do enough to garner a close win over a very powerful Nate Campbell. Either way, I am anxiously looking forward to this fight.”

Jake Emen, Pro Fighting Fans (Campbell) – “I’ll pick Campbell by decision. He seems to have finally found his groove at this late point in his career. If he can establish his jab and maintain the work rate he showed against Juan Diaz, he’ll beat Bradley to the punch and dictate the pace and distance of the fight. He should also be stronger than his last showing, without having to cut weight to 135.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT INKS FEATHERWEIGHT PROSPECT LUIS DEL VALLE; LOOKS TOWARDS PUERTO RICAN MARKET

(July 30, 2009) DiBella Entertainment has continued its streak of signing the best young talent in boxing by inking unbeaten featherweight Luis Del Valle. Del Valle (5-0, 3 KOs) is a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico and signifies another step in DBE’s growing presence on the island.

Del Valle, now fighting out of Newburgh, NY, made an impression at a young age coming through the amateur ranks. His triumphs include first place finishes at the 2004 National Golden Gloves, 2005 Under 19 National Amateur Championship, and 2006 Six Nations Cup.

Now five fights into his pro career, his skill set looks like it is transferring seamlessly from the amateur to professional ranks. His sixth fight, and DBE debut, will take place August 26 as a part of Broadway Boxing at BB King Blues Club & Grill in the heart of Times Square.

“It’s a blessing to be with one of the most established promotional companies in the business,” said Del Valle. “Now that Lou DiBella has put his trust in me, the sky will be the limit starting August 26.”

The significance of Del Valle joining the DiBella Entertainment team goes far beyond just signing another great talent. It is also yet another example of DBE’s foray into the Puerto Rican market. Already in the stable are Broadway Boxing headliner Joelo Torres, along with top contenders Kermit Cintron and Carlos Quintana.

“This is a market we are going to seriously tap into,” said DiBella. “Luis Del Valle showed how great he can be as an amateur, and is unquestionably one of the top prospects of Puerto Rican descent in the world. I look forward to steering him towards a world title, while continuing to keep and eye out for the best young talent of Puerto Rican ancestry”

Tickets for Luis Del Valle’s next fight, on the August 26 edition of Broadway Boxing, are on sale and can be purchased by calling DiBella Entertainment at 212-947-2577. Tickets are $125 for VIP Ringside, $100 for Ringside Tables, $75 for Floor Seats, and $55 for General Admission. Additional information can be found by visiting DBE on the web at http://www.dbe1.com

CES Promoting 3 shows in 3 states

Within 10 days in September

PROVIDENCE (July 30, 2009) – Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES) has announced that it will promote three professional boxing cards, in three different states, within 10 days of each other in September.

CES, in association with the State of New York, in conjunction with the International Boxing Hall of Fame, will run a show Wednesday, Sept. 2 at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. Two days later (Friday, Sept. 4), CES returns home to Twin River Event Center in Lincoln (RI) and a week after that show, (Friday, Sept. 11) “The Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor Fight Series” continues at Plymouth (MA) Memorial Hall.

“It’s a great challenge but we have a talented staff that will share responsibilities,” Burchfield explained. “Different staff people will be delegated specific duties for each show. We’ve done it before. We’re honored and proud to be promoting this special show. There will be a lot of boxing celebrities there. The shows at Twin River and Plymouth Memorial Hall will feature some of the top talent in New England.”

A press conference will be held next Thursday (August 6, 1 PM/ET) at the Fair Grounds in Syracuse to formally announce the card.

For more information about CES, its 2009 schedule or fighters, go on line to www.cesboxing.com or call 401.724.2253.

This Saturday! August 1 Live on SHOWTIME
AGUA CALIENTE CASINO * RESORT * SPA

HOT FROM BRADLEY-CAMPBELL
MEDIA CENTRAL!
Thursday’s Select Clips

OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN OPEN TO PUBLIC
TOMORROW! FRIDAY, JULY 31 at NOON

Bradley and Alexander Favored
in Soldout Event

RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF. (July 30, 2009) — The event may be soldout but fans can still see Timothy Bradley, Nate Campbell, Junior Witter and Devon Alexander face-off against each other…at the Official Weigh-In, Tomorrow! Friday, July 31, which will be open to the public. The weigh-in will take place in the Cahuilla Ballroom at Agua Caliente Casino * Resort * Spa (32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, Calif. 92270) Doors open at Noon with the world championship fighters stepping on the scale, beginning at 1 P.M. PT

Las Vegas-based oddsmaker Lou D’Amico has made Bradley and Alexander the favorites with lines of 2 ½ -1 and 2-1, respectively. The “over” is favored at 9 ½ rounds for both.

Promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions, in association with Don King Productions and Hennessy Sports, the Bradley-Campbell / Witter-Alexander 140-pound world championship doubleheader will be broadcast live from THE SHOW at Agua Caliente on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast.)

WBA champ Campillo hits road

August 15 in Astana, Kazakhstan

LAS VEGAS (July 30, 2009) – World Boxing Association light heavyweight champion Gabriel “Chico Guapo” Campillo is a true road warrior who defends his title belt for the first time August 15th against undefeated light heavyweight sensation Beibut Shumenov at Palace of Sports “Kazakhstan” in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The Aug. 15th show will be presented by KZ Event Productions, owned and operated by the Shumenov brothers, Beibut and Chingis, in association with Sampson Boxing, LLC.

Campillo (18-2, 6 KOs) is a slick Spanish southpaw who last month (June 20) traveled to Argentina and won a 12-round majority decision as a decisive underdog, taking the WBA crown from Argentinean favorite and defending title-holder, Hugo Hernan Garay (32-3).

Fighting 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian Shumenov (8-0, 6 KOs), reigning International Boxing Association title-holder, in the Kazak’s home country doesn’t faze Campillo because of his history of success in other fighter’s backyards. He won the European Union super middleweight championship this past March by 12-round decision against a Dane, Lolenga Mock, in Denmark.

“I went to Argentina as an underdog,” Campillo explained. “I was well prepared and I defeated him (Garay) the same way that I am planning to beat Shumenov in his own backyard. I agreed to fight Shumenov because none of he other champions risk their titles and I plan to defend my title against anybody that challenges me. To be a great champion, you have to defeat the best, and Shumenov is one of them.

“I am a pure boxer and my plan is to box Shumenov. I will win by decision but I do not discount the possibility of a late knockout. The only date that I am looking at is August 15th. I will not entertain any future fights now because my mind is set on Beibut Shumenov. All of Spain is behind me and I will not betray my country.”

The 25-year-old Beibut will make history if he defeats Campillo in his ninth pro fight, eight less than the fewest ever for a world light heavyweight champion, Michael Spinks (17). A Kazakhstan native now residing and training in Las Vegas, Beibut is currently rated No. 9 by the WBA. Two months ago in his hometown of Chimkent, Kazakhstan, he stopped former world champion Byron Mitchell in the fourth round, continuing his ambitious pace that also includes victories against former world champion Montell Griffin and world title challenger Epifanio Mendoza, respectively, by 12 and 10 round decisions.

Two other members of KZ Event Productions, 4-time Uzbekistan National amateur champion Gayrat Ahmedov and Uzbekistan light middleweight Ravshan Hudayaynazarov, will also be showcased on the August 15th card.

Ahmedov (11-0-1, 7 KOs) takes on former Eastern & Central African titlist Douglas “Daggy” Otieno (19-1, 9 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature for the vacant PABA and WBO Pacific light heavyweight titles, recently relinquished by Shumenov. Hudayaynazarov (8-0, 5 KOs), 2007 World Military Games gold medalist, makes his KZ debut against ex-Kenyan title-holder Joseph Joseph “Mish” Miyumo (30-7-5, 17 KOs) in a 6-round bout.

Continuing his comeback is former WBO light welterweight champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley (34-11, 20 KOs), who meets “Jessie” James Kimori (11-1, 7 KOs) in an 8-round bout

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard against opponents to be determined are a pair of pro debuting Kazaks, super featherweight Abzal Adambaev and heavyweight Doszhan Ospanov.

Kimbrough-Litzau Special

Lightweight Attraction on “Hook City” PPV
Jones-Lacy headline Aug. 15 PPV in Biloxi

CALIFORNIA, PA (July 29, 2009) – A pair of young lightweight prospects battling to get to the next level, Verquan “The Show” Kimbrough and Jason “The American Boy” Litzau, have been added to the August 15th “Hook City” pay per view event in a 10-round Special Attraction.

The “Hook City” pay-per-view show, headlined by two of the best left-hook punchers in boxing, 8-time world boxing champion Roy “Captain Hook” Jones, Jr. (53-5, 39 KOs) and former 2-time super middleweight title-holder Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy (25-2, 17 KOs, will air live from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi.

The “Hook City” pay-per-view show, presented by Square Ring Promotions in association with Left Hook Promotions and Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, is being distributed by Square Ring Promotions, Inc. at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in the United States on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network for a suggested retail price of $34.95, as well as on Super Channel in Canada.

Kimbrough (21-1-2, 7 KOs), 26, has a rich amateur pedigree, highlighted by his gold medal performance in the 2002 U.S. Nationals (AAU) Championships as a lightweight, the same tournament and weight class that produced champions such as Aaron Pryor, Pernell Whitaker, Oscar de la Hoya, Shane Mosley and a host of other world champions.

A member of the Roy Jones, Jr.-owned Square Ring Promotions stable, Verquan at one time held several titles, including IBA, NABA, NABC Americas, IBC Americas, and West Virginia State. A slick, consummate boxer from Pittsburgh, Kimbrough is looking forward to his fight against Litzau, who has already challenged for the IBF featherweight crown.

“I feel very good about fighting on this show because it’ll be my first time on pay per view,” he said from training camp. “I’m eager, especially where I’ll be fighting on the same card at Roy Jones, Jr. The fight itself will be exciting and is a big step for me. I look forward to getting in the ring with an elite athlete and putting on a great exhibition.

“I’ve watched a lot of Roy’s fights and what I like most about him is what he brings to the table. He’s a great champion who is also a promoter. There’s an edge with him because he’s still a fighter, unlike most other promoters. I signed with him because I liked him and his team the most. They are all very ethical individuals who are united in their efforts. My word is my bond, let the cards fall where they may, and they’re like that, too. I’m enjoying training with Roy at camp. I know what to expect from him — when it’s time for business or to play. You can see it in his eyes. He jokes when it’s play time, but he’s all business in the gym.”

Litzau (24-2, 20 KOs), fighting out of St. Paul (MN), already had a taste of competing at the next level, losing an IBF featherweight title fight 1 ½ years ago to Robert Guerrero. The 26-year-old Litzau is a flashy fighter who also had an impressive amateur career, posting a reported 125-10 career, including top honors in the National Silver Gloves Championship, and later earning a spot on the 2001 U.S. National Boxing Team.

“Fighting him is going to be a little awkward for me because he’s so tall (5’ 10”),” the 5’ 5” Kimbrough noted. “We both started boxing when we were young and are good athletes and competitors. He is the toughest opponent of my career. We’re at the level where the fight’s going to come down to who is more mentally and physically capable of getting to the next level. I’ve developed my skills where I can fight well against anything brought to the table. I guarantee that I’ll have the answers for anything he brings into the ring.

“I think it’ll come down to the stronger, more focused fighter that night. I expect a tough fight and I’m up to the challenge. I’m looking forward not only to the fight, but winning. I think this will be the biggest win on my resume. I don’t look too far ahead, career-wise; I leave that up to Roy and Square Ring, whether my next fight will be for any type of title or at the next level of competition. My job is to compete to the best of my ability.”

Australian import Danny “Green Machine” Green (26-3, 23 KOs) takes on South American champion Julio Cesar “La Furia” Dominguez (20-4-1, 14 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature for the vacant IBO cruiserweight championship.

All bouts are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $150.00, $125.00, $100.00, $75.00, $50.00 & $25.00 are on sale and available at all Ticketmaster locations by calling 800.745.3000, on line at Ticketmaster.com and at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office.