Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

Travis Kauffman vs. Tony Grano Headlines 9/18 Shobox
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-

READING, PA – Undefeated heavyweight prospect Travis Kauffman will headline his first televised boxing event on September 18 when he faces Tony Grano on Shobox: The New Generation at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, CA. The bout will be Kauffman’s first scheduled ten-round bout. The show will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and televised live on the Showtime network, beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) .

Kauffman, 18-0 (15 KO), of Reading, PA made short work of his last opponent earlier this month, knocking out William Shahan in 80 seconds in Primm, NV. He has knocked out his last eight opponents with none of them lasting past the third round. He immediately returned to training camp in Deer Lake, PA, to prepare for his next assignment. There he turned 24 years old this past Friday and celebrated with an arduous roadwork session.

Kauffman has been sparring eight rounds and intends on stepping up to ten in the coming days. Among the sparring partners Kauffman has been working with is Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, the IBF’s number three rated contender in the cruiserweight division.

“This is a blessing,” Kauffman says of returning to television for the first time since stopping Malachy Farrell last December, also on ShoBox. “When you first start boxing, you never think you’re going to make it to this level. I remember starting out as the opening fight on club shows, then headlining club shows, then being the first bout on big shows. Now I’m headlining on TV and the only place to go next is up.”

Grano, aged 28, brings a high knockout ratio to the table as well, with 12 of his 15 wins coming inside the distance against one defeat and a draw. The Hartford, CT native is most noted for winning the heavyweight gold in the 2005 United States Amateur Heavyweight championships.

“I know him from the amateurs,” Kauffman says. “He’s very tough and has a lot of experience. He comes to fight and I don’t expect this fight to be easy at all. It’s scheduled for ten rounds but I’ll be ready for 20 rounds.”

The show will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and televised live on the Showtime network, beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)

Tickets, priced at $25, $35, $45, $55 and $75, can be purchased at the Chumash Casino Resort box office or online at http://www5.ticketingcentral.com/V2/PickASection.aspx?8CBF3E94B35BD2F

Ivan Calderon fighting for

all-time best pure boxer legacy

Calderon-Mayol II, Martinez-Rodriguez world title fights Sept. 12 PPV live from San Juan

HOBOKEN, N.J. (August 31, 2009) – WBO light flyweight champion Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon (32-0-1, 6 KOs), also The Ring magazine’s titlist, defends both belts September 12 against No. 1 contender Rodel “Kid Rapido” Mayol (25-3-1, 19 KOs) in the 12-round main event headlining the “Undefeated Champions” pay per view event, airing live in the United States from the Coliseum of Puerto Rico in San Juan.

WBO super featherweight title-holder Roman “Rocky” Martinez (22-0-1, 13 KOs) makes his first title defense in the 12-round co-feature WBO No. 9 rated Vincente Martin “El Mono” Rodriguez (25-2-1, 13 KOs).

“Undefeated Champions” is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand and DirecTV for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

Calderon-Mayol is a rematch of a brawl this past June held in Madison Square Garden that ended in a six-round technical draw because Ivan was unable to continue due to a cut from an accidental head butt he suffered in the fourth round.

“The fight at the time of the stoppage was very tight,” Calderon said from training camp in Puerto Rico. “I started very slow but, between rounds, I was getting my rhythm. The fight was my first in Madison Square Garden and I felt pressure to look good and put on a good performance. Mayol has fast hands. He came to box, not to try for a knockout like everybody else. He’s one of the best fighters in the world right now in the 108-pound division.

“Fans can always expect from me to hit and not be hit. I am the best pure boxer in the business and I need to do that to win this fight. I want to unify my title with the other champions – Edgar Sosa (WBC), Brian Viloria (IBF) and Giovanni Segura (WBA) – and then try and move up to 112 pounds to become world champion in three divisions and retire undefeated. I want everybody to remember me as the best pure fighter in the world and a champion who helps his people.”

The “Unbeaten Champions” PPV card, presented by PR Best Boxing Promotions, Inc., also include a 10-round super flyweight bout between Juan “Panterita” Mercedes (23-2, 16 KOs) and Jesus “Changa” Martinez (18-6, 11 KOs), as well as unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Carlos Negron (3-0, 3 KOs), 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian, against Larry Carter (3-4-1, 3 KOs).

For more information about the “Undefeated Champions” PPV show, go on line to www.integratedsportsnet.com.

THOMPSON BOXING PRESENTS “LOCKED AND LOADED”

RISING STAR JOSESITO LOPEZ TO HEADLINE

AGAINST ANTHONY MORA

LOS ANGELES, August 31 – It’s the last big card of the summer of 2009, and Thompson Boxing Promotions is bringing out the big guns on Friday, September 11th, as hot prospects Josesito Lopez, Patrick Lopez, Daniel Hernandez, Aaron Garcia, and Jesus Hernandez all return to action at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California, and they’re going to be “Locked and Loaded” for another night of exciting world-class boxing.

Tickets for “Locked and Loaded”, a six bout card of professional boxing presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions, are priced at $75, $45 and $30, and may be purchased by calling 714-935-0900.

In the eight round main event, hot junior welterweight prospect Josesito Lopez (25-3, 14 KOs) will return to action against always tough Anthony Mora (15-3, 10 KOs). Riverside’s Lopez has won three in a row since his controversial loss to Edgar Santana in 2008, and he is ready for another assault on the 140-pound elite. A Colorado native known as “The Matrix”, Mora has been in the ring with former world champion Randall Bailey, and he is eager to have the opportunity to start at new winning streak against Lopez.

In other action, junior welterweights Patrick “El Elegante” Lopez (15-2, 10 KOs) of Venezuela and Nelson Lara (15-2-2, 8 KOs) of Costa Rica will clash in an eight round battle, and with a combined 14 wins in their last 16 bouts, this one has the potential to steal the show this September.

That’s also the case in the eight round featherweight rematch between San Diego’s Aaron Garcia (9-1-1, 2 KOs) and Huntington Park’s Jesus “Pollo” Hernandez (8-0-1, 2 KOs). On June 12th, the two California standouts battled to a six round draw, and on September 11th they get the opportunity to settle their score.

South Gate lightweight Daniel “El Travieso” Hernandez (7-0, 4 KOs) steps back between the ropes as well on this talent-rich night, putting his undefeated record on the line against hard-nosed veteran Jose Alfredo Lugo (10-10-1, 5 KOs) of Los Mochis, Mexico.

Opening the “Locked and Loaded” event is a six round junior welterweight contest between Costa Mesa’s Raul Franco (22-6, 15 KOs) and Los Angeles’ Sergio Macias (14-17, 6 KOs).

PITTSBURGH (August 31, 2009) — Former IBF lightweight champion PAUL “The Pittsburgh Kid” SPADAFORA will return to the ring for the second time in three months in a 10-round junior welterweight bout at Heinz Field-VIP Tent in Pittsburgh (100 Art Rooney Drive), the home of the Steelers. Spadafora (42-0-1, 17 KOs), of nearby McKees Rocks, will headline an all-action card, Wednesday, September 30. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Promoted by Michael Acri Boxing Promotions, and sponsored by Eric Jackson Lurie Law Offices, tickets, priced at $100 (ringside), $50 (reserved) and $25 (general admission), will go on sale This Thursday! September 3. Tickets can be purchased at Exercise Warehouse Gym & Fitness Center (4042 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA / 412-621-1650), Mitchell’s Restaurant & Bar (304 Ross St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219 / 412-471-3663) and Blue Eagle Sports (726 Broadway Ave. McKees Rocks, PA / 412-331-4884)

In his last fight, Spadafora served up a sixth-round TKO to Argentine strongman Ivan Bustos, on June 24, at the Amphitheatre in Station Square in a soldout Pittsburgh homecoming event. Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, the four-division world champion and Hall of Fame inductee, is once again running “The Pittsburgh Kid’s training camp in Indiana. Spadafora’s opponent will be named shortly.

The undercard will also feature undefeated Pittsburgh lightweight Rod Salka (8-0, 2 KOs), heavyweight Tommy Poe (1-0) of Neffs, Ohio, and Pittsburgh heavyweight prospect Paul Zalus (2-0, 2 KOs), plus other bouts to be named soon.

(August 31, 2009) In one of the best title fights in recent memory, Randall Bailey fell just short in his bid to wrangle the IBF junior welterweight title from Juan Urango on the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights season finale last Friday. However, after putting Urango on his back with a pulverizing straight right hand in the sixth round, he left little doubt that even at 34 years old, he remains one of boxing’s premiere punchers. Now, after over a decade of fighting at the 140-lb. limit and recently struggling to make weight, Bailey is ready for a change and a move up the welterweight division.

“I have been fighting at 140 since I was a teenager,” said Bailey. “I know that at welterweight I will be bigger, even stronger, and when I put an opponent on the deck, they won’t get up.”

In his years fighting at junior welterweight, Bailey certainly left his mark. He won the WBO title in 1999 with a first round knockout of reigning champion Carlos Gonzalez and defended it twice – both times via knockout. During his time spent there, almost no fighter was immune to his power, given that 35 of his 39 wins came as the result of a knockout.

Despite the loss to Urango in what he has decided will be his ultimate bout at junior welterweight, Bailey showed he can still compete with the very best, and put on as exciting a show as any fighter in any weight class. And Bailey’s promoter Lou DiBella is excited to steer him to a title opportunity at this new weight class.

“If the fight proved anything it is that Randall Bailey is unquestionably one of the biggest punchers in boxing,” said DiBella. “We believe his right hand is a threat to anyone fighting at welterweight. Congratulations to ESPN2 for a great show and to Seminole Warriors Boxing and Juan Urango for a great win. Now it is time to see what Randall can do when making weight is not an issue.”

DAVID DIAZ: TRAINING CAMP PICS AND QUOTES

CHICAGO , IL (August 28, 2009) Former WBC Lightweight Champion David Diaz is busy preparing for his Chicago showdown with two-time world champion Jesus Chavez at JABB Boxing Gym on the near Northwest Side of Chicago.

The Diaz/Chavez ten round lightweight bout, presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, headlines “WARRIORS COLLIDE/WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 6”, a spectacular evening of world class professional boxing on Saturday, September 26th at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion.

Said Diaz after his workout with trainer Mike Garcia, “I feel fantastic and am thrilled to be fighting in my hometown of Chicago . The fans in Chicago are in for a great night of action on September 26th.”

Tickets are priced at $151, $101, $76, $51 and $31, and are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5740) and the 8 Count Productions Office (312-226-5800).

Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine , just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com. ). The UIC Pavilion is now serving alcohol at all boxing events.

David Diaz is promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated.

8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia, opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.

Witherspoon continues revival on

Guerrero& Porter showcased on Saturday night’s 29 card in Tunica

SOUTHHAVEN, Miss. (August 28, 2009) – Once-beaten heavyweight prospect “Gentleman” Chazz Witherspoon (25-1, 17 KOs), the 2004 National Golden Gloves champion, wants to match his cousin “Terrible” Tim Witherspoon’s major accomplishment as heavyweight champion of the world.

Witherspoon, whose only loss in 26 pro fights was last year to world title challenger Chris Arreola. Chazz, battles heavyweight gatekeeper Stacy “Big Foot” Frazier (14-5, 13 KOs) Saturday night (August 29) in an 8-round bout on “Boxing’s Future Champions II” pay per view show, live on streaming video from Fitzgerald’s Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi.

Undefeated middleweight prospect Fernando Guerrero (14-0, 12 KOs), gold medal winner at the World Cadet Junior Olympics and 2007 USA National Championships, headlines “Boxing’s Future Champions II” against tough Chris “On Target” Archer (11-7, 7 KOs) in the 8-round main event.

“Boxing’s Future Champions II,” presented by Prize Fight Boxing, will stream live on PPV at www.PrizeFightTV.com, starting at 8 PM/ET, for only $4.99.

Witherspoon, a Philadelphia fighter, started boxing to stay in shape when he was a sophomore at St. Joseph’s University, where he graduated from in 2004 with a degree in Pharmaceutical Marketing. His cousin, Tim, first got him involved in the sweet science and Chazz went on to post a 26-6 amateur record, including the aforementioned 2004 National Golden Gloves Tournament title, in addition to being a 2004 Team USA Olympic alternate.

In 2004, Chazz turned pro and he won his first 23 fights going into a showdown against undefeated Arreola, who floored Witherspoon twice in round three, once at the bell, that led to a controversial stoppage. Chazz beat the referee’s count but since his cornerman stood on the ring apron during the count, Witherspoon was disqualified. He has since rebounded with two straight wins going into Saturday night’s throw-down with Frazier.

The 6-round co-feature showcases junior middleweight Shawn Porter (9-0, 7 KOs), 2007 World Golden Gloves champion and 2008 U.S. OIympic Team alternate, who meets Lamar Harris (6-2, 4 KOs).

In a pair of 4-rounders, exciting middleweight Dominic Wade (3-0, 3 KOs), 4-time Junior Olympic champion, battles 23-fight veteran Tyrone Dowdy, while 2004-2005 U.S Super Heavyweight Champion Mike Wilson makes his much anticipated pro debut against experienced “Marvelous” Marvin Hunt.

For more information go to www.PrizeFightPromoters.com or www.PrizeFightTV.com.

Weights Are In!

Friday Night Fights, 2 World Titles – 1 Night! August 28, 2009

Rances Barthelemy – 130lbs. vs. Vinesah Rungea – 129-1/2lbs.

Luis Franco – 127-1/2lbs. vs. Christain Fernabdez – TBD

Joel Morales – 166-1/2lbs. vs. Robert Campbell – 168-1/2lbs.

Michael Jean Louis – 142-1/2lbs. vs. Prenice Brewer – 142-1/2lbs.

Jonathan Gonzalez – 146-1/2lbs. vs. Jason Thompson – 145-1/2lbs.

Tavoris Cloud – 174lbs. vs. Clinton Woods – 173-1/2lbs.

Juan Urango – 139lbs. vs. Randall Bailey – 139-1/2lbs.

TIMOTHY BRADLEY SIGNS WITH CAMERON DUNKIN

LAS VEGAS, NV (August 26, 2009) Current WBO junior welterweight world champion Timothy Bradley has signed an exclusive managerial agreement with award winning manager Cameron Dunkin, it was announced today. Bradley joins Dunkin’s long list of outstanding fighters including world champions Kelly Pavlik, Nonito Donaire, Steven Luevano and sensational middleweight prospect Matvey Korobov.

Said Dunkin, “I’ve followed Timothy since his amateur days and right now he’s amongst the best fighters in the world. I’m honored to be working with him and I’m looking forward to putting him in the biggest fights possible.”

The 25 year old Bradley, 24-0-0 (11KO’), is coming off a third round stoppage of former world champion Nate Campbell on August 1st, a decision which the California State Athletic Commission has recently changed to a “no contest” due to a cut Campbell suffered over his left eye.