Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

ADAMEK – ESTRADA FEB 6th – AVAILABLE ON GOFIGHTLIVE PPV!

On February 6th at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, Tomasz ‘Goral’ Adamek, the IBF Heavyweight International Champion (37-1, 27 KO), will take on Jason “Big Six” Estrada (16-2, 4 KOs) of Providence, Rhode Island, in a 12 round title defense. The fight is promoted by Main Events and Ziggy Promotions in association with Classic Entertainment and Sports Inc.

Fans who cannot make it to “The Rock” to see the live show can watch it online via GoFightLive.tv, for $9.99. Visit http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?event=581

to purchase the fight.

Three exciting undefeated fighters will also be featured on the GoFightLive show: Patrick Farrell, of Jersey City, 4-0, 3 KO’s; Saddam Ali, Olympian from Brooklyn, NY, 4-0, 2KO’s; and Denis Doughlin, of Morganville, NJ, 6-0, 3KO’s.

This GoFightLive on demand viewing will not be available in Poland or South Africa. Other may be added at a later date.

Viewing is restricted to residential homes only. Restaurants, bars or commercial establishments that wish to show the GFL on demand viewing must contact Main Events directly, 973-200-7050.

For more info visit: www.mainevents.com

SHUMENOV BROTHERS LAUNCH KZ EVENT PRODUCTIONS IN LAS VEGAS

ON FOX SPORTS NET FRIDAY NIGHT FROM HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO

LOS ANGELES, January 27, 2010 – The Shumenov brothers, world title challenger Beibut and Chingis, two years ago established their boxing promotional company, KZ Event Productions, in Las Vegas. Tomorrow night (Friday), KZ Event Productions makes its Las Vegas debut with the presentation of “Fight Night With De La Hoya and Hopkins: Campillo vs. Shumenov II,” along with Golden Boy Promotions, at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The main event is a 12-round WBA/IBA Light Heavyweight Championship match between WBA champion, Spain’s Gabriel Campillo (19-2, 6 KOs), and IBA World title-holder Beibut Shumenov (8-1, 6 KOs).

Last August in Astana, Kazakhstan, KZ Event Productions presented Campillo’s first title defense against Shumenov, the 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian. Campillo was able to hold on to his WBA World Title by way of a controversial decision that was announced as unanimous but changed the following day to a majority decision (114-113, 113-113 and 115-111) when a scoring error was discovered. The controversy surrounding the scoring led to tomorrow evening’s rematch.

According to CompuBox’s statistical breakdown of Campillo-Shumenov I, Shumenov landed more total punches and at a higher connect percentage (213 of 651 compared to Campillo’s 199 of 672), including a dominating 193-144 edge in power punches. CompuBox’s scoring gave Shumenov the first five rounds in addition to the eighth and ninth (10-8) for a 115-112 advantage.

With a victory against Campillo, Shumenov would become the major world light heavyweight champion with the fewest amount of pro bouts (10), breaking the record (15) set by Jeff “Hit Man” Harding in 1989. Beibut would also become the fourth major world title holder from Kazakhstan, joining Aratoly Alexandrov (1990 WBC super featherweight), Oleg “Big O” Maskaev (2000 WBC heavyweight), and Vassily “The Tiger” Jirov (2001-2003 IBF cruiserweight.

Beibut and Chingis share responsibilities running KZ Event Productions, but as Beibut’s fights get closer, Chingis and his staff always take as much of the promotional business stress as possible off Beibut. “I am involved 100-percent until I go into training for a fight,” Beibut explained. “My brother and Team KZ take the burden off of me so I can focus on training. Our first goal is for me to win the WBA world title and then we will continue signing fighters and building champions.”

Joining Shumenov on tomorrow night’s show are two other KZ Event Productions fighters, unbeaten Uzbekistan prospects light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov (12-0-1, 8 KOs) and Ravshan Hudaynazarov (9-0, 6 KOs), making their United States debuts.

“We’re building our promotional company to compete with the best in the business,” Chingis added. “When Beibut has a fight, the rest of Team KZ pulls together and takes care of business, so he can train properly. My brother’s success has brought attention to KZ Event Productions and we’ve been able to sign some great prospects like Gayrat and Ravshan. We’re very excited to have them both in our stable of future champions. Gayrat fought on our last two shows and Ravshan made his Team KZ debut on our last card. This is going to be a big night for the Shumenov brothers and everybody associated with KZ Event Productions.”

“Campillo vs. Shumenov II” is being presented by KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions with Campillo vs. Shumenov presented in association with Sampson Boxing LLC. The bout will be televised live on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and its regional sports network affiliates beginning at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT (check local listings). Doors will open at 6 pm and the first bell rings at 7 pm.

In the event’s opening televised 10-round bout, former Cuban amateur star Erislandy Lara (9-0, 5 KOs) faces veteran junior middleweight Grady Brewer (26-11, 15 KOs), winner of The Contender II reality television show.

Tickets for this action-packed night of boxing are priced at $150, $125, $100, $50 and $40 (general admission standing room tickets). Tickets may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Oheka Castle Premiere Charity Boxing Event!

For Immediate Release (January 27, 2010)— To celebrate of the announcement of famed trainer Lou Duva of the upcoming biopic, Ring Promotions along with sponsor Bang Productions, Inc. and “Vicious” Vivian Harris are putting together a star-studded boxing event to be held at the Oheka Castle on Long Island on February 19, 2010.

The main event of the fight card cleverly dubbed “Hassle at the Castle,” will showcase female boxer Maureen Shea as well as 5 other bouts featuring young upcoming local talent. A portion of the proceeds of this charitable event will benefit the Elenas Melius Foundation and Haiti Earthquake Victims.

To kick off this premier event all ticketed guests will be treated to a “meet & greet” cocktail hour with several former boxing icons. Scheduled to appear are Gerry Cooney, Emile Griffith, Mark Breland, Bert Sugar, and Larry Holmes.

This will be the first boxing event ever held at the world famous Oheka Castle which is noted for being the location for such films and TV shows as Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane,” “What Happens in Vegas,” and the current USA network series “Royal Pains.” It was also recently the site of pop star Kevin Jonas’ wedding to Danielle Deleasa.

Complete card details will be announced shortly.

Tickets include an open bar & food which will be served throughout the night. Limited seating is available. General ticket price $350, VIP ticket price $500. Doors open 6:30 pm.
To purchase tickets, please visit www.ringsidenow.com

Harris returns Friday night against Zumbrun

NEW YORK (Jan. 27, 2010) – Dangerous Maurice “Sugar Moe” Harris, returns to the ring Friday night in Albuquerque against veteran Billy “The Kid” Zumbrun.

The 33-year-old Harris (20-14-2, 10 KOs), winner of the 2002 ‘Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament,” has been inactive for more than two years due to promotional problems. His fight against battled-tested Zumbrun marks Harris’ debut as a member of the new Boxing 360 stable.

In 2002, Harris knocked out previously unbeaten and future world title-holder Sergey Lyakhovich (16-0) in the ninth round. Harris earned a spot in that November’s “Thunderbox” tournament, eventually capturing the $100,000 winner’s purse by out-pointing Gerald Nobles, Israel Garcia and Anthony Thompson, respectively, in 3-round matches in the same evening.

During the course of his up-and-down career, Maurice has also defeated David Izon, Jimmy Thunder and Jeremy Williams.

Harris fought only four times in the last six years and he’s anxious to get back into the heavyweight picture. “I’m ready and feel great,” Harris said. “I’m older, wiser and my experience is my greatest advantage. I’m going to really crack this guy and show people some new things that they haven’t seen from me. Look out heavyweights!”

Travis Kauffman Headlines Pro/Am Event 2/27 in Allentown

Rodeway Inn & Conference Center
Allentown, PA

READING, PA – DECEMBER 30, 2009 – King’s Promotions returns to the Allentown area on Saturday February 27 with exciting professional and amateur boxing. The ten-bout event takes place at the Rodeway Inn & Conference Center at Routes 22 & 39 in Allentown, PA. Bragging rights will be at stake in the amateur portion of the night when fighters from the Allentown Boxing Club challenge their counterparts from Reading’s King’s Gym.

Heavyweight prospect Travis Kauffman of Reading, PA will headline the professional boxing portion of the event against Bernard “Bad Ass” Brown (6-5) of Baltimore, MD. Kauffman, 18-1 (15 KO), is looking to rebound from his controversial loss to Tony Grano on Shobox: The Next Generation. The former amateur standout was featured as one of boxing’s “New Faces” in the December issue of Ring Magazine.

In the co-featured attraction, Jason Cintron of Reading, PA will clash with Maurice Chalmers in junior-welterweight action. Cintron, 11-1, is the brother of former welterweight champion Kermit Cintron. He is fresh off a unanimous decision win over Martinus Clay at Reading’s Sovereign Center in December.

Unbeaten prospects Van Oscar Penovaroff, 4-0-1 (3 KO), of Reading by way of Hawaii and Julio Cesar Matthews, 9-0 (5 KO), of Harrisburg will also be in action, as well as crowd favorite Keenan Collins 12-5-2 (8 KO).

Tickets are priced at $25.00, 50.00 and 65.00 and are now available at the Rodeway Inn (610-395-3731), Kingsboxing.com and the Allentown Boxing Club (Luis Melendez: 484-860-5162). A special student discount of $5.00 off any ticket price will be available at the door only along with student ID. A portion of ticket sales will be donated by King’s Promotions to the Allentown Boxing Club. Doors open at 6:00 pm; first bout starts at 6:30.

BANTAMWEIGHT PROSPECT CHRIS AVALOS

JOSE NIEVES IN FIRST TELECAST OF 2010

Nick Charles Returns to ShoBox: The New Generation

Friday Jan. 29, 2010, Live at 11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®

From Tingley Auditorium, Albuquerque, N.M.

NEW YORK (Jan. 25, 2010) – Promising, undefeated bantamweight Chris Avalos (14-0, 11 KOs) of Lancaster, Calif., will make his main event debut when he when he faces Jose Nieves (17-1-3, 8 KOs) of Carolina, Puerto Rico, in a 10-round match on Friday, Jan. 29, on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME ® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

The first ShoBox telecast of 2010 will mark the return of respected ShoBox play-by-play announcer Nick Charles to his familiar ringside spot.

Charles has been given the OK to return to action following a five-month battle with stage IV bladder cancer. It was announced in August that Charles was taking a leave of absence from his duties at SHOWTIME because of his illness. The last fight he worked was on July 31, 2009.

In the co-feature at Tingley Auditorium in Albuquerque, N.M, local favorite Archie Ray Marquez (9-0, 7 KOs) of Albuquerque will risk his unblemished record against the vastly more experienced, former world title challenger Derrick Campos (20-7, 11 KOs) of Topeka, Kan., in an eight-round super featherweight bout.

The doubleheader is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC.

Avalos, 20, who’ll be making his third appearance on ShoBox, was named by several publications in end-of-the-year stories as a Prospect to Watch in 2010. The 5-foot-7-inch youngster has maintained an extremely active schedule since turning pro on Feb. 1, 2008, fighting eight times that year and six times in 2009.

An aggressive fighter with solid two-fisted punching power, Avalos tends to get reckless on occasion and forgets to play defense, but it’s his all-out style that makes him that much more entertaining to watch.

In his last start, the Mike Criscio-managed stablemate of unbeaten two-time light heavyweight world champion Chad Dawson and junior middleweight contender Alfredo Angulo, registered a second-round TKO over Jose Pacheco on Dec. 4, 2009.

Three outings ago, on ShoBox, Avalos scored a thrilling fourth-round knockout over Giovanni Caro in a slugfest on Sept. 18, 2009, at Santa Ynez, Calif. Avalos registered a second-round TKO over Andre Wilson in his ShoBox debut on July 31, 2009, at Temecula, Calif.

“It’s really exciting to be in the main event on Shobox,” Avalos said. “It’s something that I’ve been looking forward to. Once I heard that, it was crazy. I do nothing but smile. Just watch me grow as I grow. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be here for a long time.”

Nieves is a 5-foot-6-inch, 29-year-old southpaw who turned pro on June 22, 2001. He went unbeaten in his initial 18 starts (16-0-2) and won 12 consecutive fights between October 2002 and November 2006. But he’s fought just three times since – twice in 2009 and once the year before.

In Nieves’ last outing on July 17, 2009, a fight with Felipe Almanza ended in a three-round technical draw. Nieves unanimously outpointed Jose Garcia Bernal across eight rounds on Jan. 14, 2009.

Marquez has also impressed boxing insiders, who have also tabbed him as One to Watch in 2010. He will be appearing in his hometown for the first time since he turned pro at the Tingley Auditorium on Jan. 12, 2007.

The 5-foot-6-inch, 21-year-old Marquez was born and raised in Albuquerque’s North Valley – the same neighborhood that produced world champions Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero.

“I grew up right between Johnny and Danny,” said Marquez, who won a six-round majority decision over Andres Ledesma in his last outing on Dec. 4, 2009.

Marquez is prepared for what likely will be the most dangerous assignment of his young career. “Campos is a durable fighter, but I’m ready,’’ Marquez said.

The 5-foot-5, 28-year-old Campos has won three of his last four, the defeat coming in his last start on a majority 10-round decision to Andrey Isaev on Nov. 7, 2009.

Campos once fought for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) 140-pound title, losing a decision to Dmitriy Salita on Nov. 8, 2008.

Nick Charles will call the action from ringside with Steve Farhood and Antonio Tarver serving as expert analysts. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

UNBEATEN UZBEKISTAN PROSPECTS MAKE UNITED STATES PROFESSIONAL DEBUTS JANUARY 29 ON UNDERCARD OF
CAMPILLO VS. SHUMENOV REMATCH FOR LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLES ON FOX SPORTS NET FROM
HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO IN LAS VEGAS

LOS ANGELES, January 25 – A pair of unbeaten prospects from Uzbekistan, light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov and junior middleweight Ravshan Hudaynazarov, are set to make their United States debuts in separate bouts on January 29 on the Gabriel Campillo vs. Beibut Shumenov II card at The Joint at Hark Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ahmedov (12-0-1, 8 KOs), a four-time Uzbekistan National Amateur Champion, and Hudaynazarov (9-0, 6 KOs) a 2007 World Military Games Gold Medalist, have been training in North Carolina with veteran trainer Don Turner in preparation for their January 29 bouts. Both fighters are promoted by Las Vegas-based KZ Event Productions, owned and operated by the Shumenov brothers, January 29 main event challenger Beibut and Chingis.

In his last fight, Ahmedov knocked out Douglas Otieno (19-2, 9 KO’s) in the opening round on the Campillo-Shumenov I card, capturing the PABA light heavyweight belts that Shumenov relinquished prior to challenging Campillo in their WBA Light Heavyweight Championship match last August in Kazakhstan.

“I’m excited for this fight because one of my goals has always been to fight in Las Vegas,” the personable Ahmedov explained. “I have trained in Las Vegas, but this will be my first time fighting there. The Shumenov brothers are the reason I am fighting in the United States and I’m thankful to them. Beibut is a fighter himself, so he knows what it takes to be a champion and understands what a fighter goes through so he treats us like people.”

Ahmedov continued, “If everything goes as planned and I win this fight, Beibut has talked about getting me a shot at a world title in 2010. Because Beibut and I are like brothers, so even though we are in the same weight class, we will never fight each other. We want to both be world champions together, just for different organizations.”

Ravshan also fought on the Campillo-Shumenov I event, stopping veteran Joseph Miyumo (30-7-5, 17 KO’s) in the sixth round to keep his perfect pro record intact. “I’m very happy to be fighting January 29 in Las Vegas,” Ravshan said. “It’s been one of my dreams to fight there. I want to thank my promoter, KZ Event Productions, for giving me the opportunity to fight in the United States. I want to wish Beibut luck in his bout and that I hope that he wins the world title. This is a very important fight for him and all of us with KZ Event Productions and I’m very happy to be promoted by KZ and grateful for what they’ve given me. I will not let them or the fans down on January 29 as I’m going to give everybody a good fight to watch, so don’t miss it.”

Ahmedov and Hudaynazarov are scheduled to be in 6-round bouts versus opponents to be determined.

“Campillo vs. Shumenov II” features the 12-round WBA Light Heavyweight Championship rematch between the defending champion, Spain’s Gabriel Campillo (19-2, 6 KOs), and IBA World title-holder, Beibut Shumenov (8-1, 6 KOs). The evening of boxing will be presented by KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions with Campillo vs. Shumenov presented in association with Sampson Boxing LLC. The bout will be televised live on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and its regional sports network affiliates beginning at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT (check local listings). Doors will open at 6 pm and the first bell rings at 7 pm.

In the event’s opening televised fight, former Cuban amateur star Erislandy Lara (9-0, 5 KO’s) takes on veteran junior middleweight Grady Brewer (26-11, 15 KO’s), winner of hit reality television show The Contender II, in a 10-round bout.

Tickets for this action-packed night of boxing are priced at $150, $125, $100, $50 and $40 (general admission standing room tickets). Tickets may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Jason “Big Six” Estrada

feels disrespected by Team Adamek

Feb. 6 in Newark

PROVIDENCE (Jan. 25, 2010) – As he prepares for his February 6 showdown in Newark against former world light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada’s nose is out of place and it doesn’t have anything to do with sparring sessions gone wrong.

Estrada (15-2, 3 KOs) feels disrespected by Team Adamek but not, surprisingly, for Adamek looking past him to a reported April 24 fight against Chris Arreola, rather their apparent belief that Adamek (39-1, 27 KOs) has faster hands than Estrada, whose lightning-like hand speed for a 240-pound heavyweight has been his calling card.

“Looking past me towards Arreola doesn’t really bother me,” Estrada said. “I think it’s silly and they’ll hear about it after the fight. I never talk too much but I’m going to talk like never before after this fight. I hope they keep thinking about fighting somebody else. I’m keeping track of everything and got names of people to talk about after I beat Adamek. I’m going to shutdown his plans.

“I’m in the gym with sparring partners that are similar to him – tough, stand-up with decent hand speed. They made a big mistake offering me this fight and an even bigger mistake thinking he has faster hands than me. I’ve heard that they’ve brought in guys to work with who are big but don’t have fast hands. That makes me laugh. How, all of a sudden is he going to have faster hands than me? I am bigger, stronger, faster, quicker and younger than him. I’m just a better all-around fighter.”

Estrada also notes that he’s never been down and Adamek was floored twice as a light heavyweight. “I know he likes to pressure his opponents but how is he going to do that against a bigger guy like me,” Estrada rhetorically asked. “I’m a heavyweight, not a light heavyweight. I’ve never taken big hits like he has. They say he has a great chin, but so do I, and we know he has been hurt at least twice….by light heavyweights! They weren’t flash knockdowns, either. I’ve never been hurt in my whole career. I don’t see him changing his come forward, tough guy style at this stage. He was a good light heavyweight, good cruiserweight, but I’m a real heavyweight.”

Providence-native Estrada was one of the most highly decorated American amateur boxers ever, compiling an amazing 261-14 record in U.S. competition. He was the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row.

During his 5-year pro career, the 29-year-old Estrada has beaten solid heavyweights such as Lance Whitaker, Zuri Lawrence, Derek Bryant, Charles Sufford and Robert Hawkins. Adamek’s lone win as a heavyweight, Estrada noted, was against an over-the-hill Andrew Golota.

“Jason has had his best training camp,” his promoter Jimmy Burchfield (Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.) remarked. “He’s never been in better shape, mentally or physically. He’s going to surprise a lot of people February 6th. Not me, though; I’ve always believed in him and I know what he’s capable of doing.”

By fight night, Estrada will have trained a full eight weeks for “Heavy Artillery,” much longer than ever before, and “Big Six” doesn’t mind fighting in Adamek’s backyard. “Training camp has been smooth,” Jason explained. “I’ve never had this much time to prepare for a fight, maybe five weeks and a couple of days, at best. There’s been plenty of time to get over little physical problems suffered in camp, not like in the past when I’d go straight from doing very little to hard training. I’m much more comfortable than I’ve ever been because of this extended time in camp. Mentally, it really helps.

“This is a big fight for me. Beating Adamek should take me to where I thought I’d be by now in the heavyweight division. Fighting in front of all his Polish fans doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve never had a problem being the villain. His fans will have nothing to do with the fight. It’s just going to be me and him in the ring. I’m half Puerto Rican with a lot of family, friends and fans coming to the fight, especially from New Jersey and New York. I know there will be a lot more Polish fans there for him, but my Hispanic fans will be loud, too.”

Lundy wins split decision in Boston

BOSTON (Jan. 22, 2010) – Hot lightweight prospect “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy brought a touch of his Philadelphia fighting to Boston last night, defeating former Cuban amateur standout Richard “El Tigre” Abril by a 10-round split decision, in the “Boston Pop” main event at The Roxy.

Lundy (17-0-1, 10 KOs) remained unbeaten, even though he suffered a knockdown in the midway through the fight, that appeared to be more of a slip causing his glove to briefly hit the canvas. The judges scored 98-91 and 96-94 in favor of Lundy, 95-94 for Abril (12-2-1, 6 KOs).

“He didn’t frustrate me but he kept moving around,” Lundy said after the fight. “Once he felt my power he ran. I clearly beat him. He didn’t do noting but hold. That was a slip, not a knockdown. He can’t punch.”

In the co-feature, power-punching Eddie “Thunder” Caminero lived up to his nickname, stopping Chris Traietti in the second round, after flooring him in the first and later hurting him with a right hand before referee Bob Benoit halted the action.

In his first scheduled 6-rounder, popular lightweight Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczewski kept his perfect pro record (7-0) intact, despite being floored, took a unanimous decision from Francisco Palacios.

Junior welterweight Simeon “Dynamite” Dunwell improved his record to 11-1 with a 6-round decision versus Josh “Bam Bam” Beeman in an action-packed bout.

Boston super middleweight Maceo Crowder won a unanimous 4-round decision against pro debuting Greg McCoy.

Special guests in attendance included Vinny Paz, John Ruiz and Micky Ward.