★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience©®™: 07/01/2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Notorious Boxer Mike Tyson's Solo Show, Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth

Grab your tickets to see Mike Tyson on stage today!

Tickets for Broadway’s Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth, an autobiographical solo show from infamous boxer Mike Tyson, are now on sale! Directed by Spike Lee, the show will run from July 31 through August 12 at the Longacre Theatre.

Undisputed Truth chronicles many aspects of Tyson's life including his battle with drug abuse, bankruptcy, a 1992 rape conviction that resulted in a three-year prison term, his conversion to Islam and his prolific boxing career. The show first played Las Vegas' MGM Grand in April.

Tyson has quite a history of playing himself on screen. He made a cameo as himself in the 2009 comedy hit The Hangover, as well as its 2011 sequel, and has also played himself in films and TV series such as Entourage, Play It To the Bone, When Will I Be Loved and Rocky Balboa. Undisputed Truth will be his Broadway debut.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Italian superstars take APB to another level‏

Charismatic Lightweight (60kg) Domenico Valentino and Heavyweight (91kg) Clemente Russo have today signed five year contracts with AIBA Professional Boxing (APB), further underlining the popularity of the new programme amongst the world's top boxers.

Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, APB Board Chairman said: "These two exciting additions add further legitimacy to our new competition. We are convinced that it is the right time to provide something different for our top boxers. With APB, we will revolutionize the world of boxing and establish a blueprint for its development. Finally our athletes won't have to jump into the unknown while embracing a professional career."

Part of his national set-up since 2003, orthodox Valentino is competing in his third Olympic Games at London 2012. An Olympic title is one of the few medals missing from his bulging trophy cabinet. One of the poster boys of the Italian World Series of Boxing Franchise, Valentino was part of the Milano Thunder team which won the WSB Team Final in May. An eccentric character, he is addicted to tattoos; at the last count he had 18 including one on his left shoulder commemorating his gold medal at the AIBA World Boxing Championships Milan 2009.

Valentino said: "I was never convinced to turn pro until I was offered this opportunity by APB. I feel safer staying under the same governance and within my National Federation. I know how many fights I will have per year and how much I will get from them. There is no uncertainty, all is guaranteed. I can't wait for APB to start."

Clemente Russo is one of the biggest attractions in boxing. The 29-year-old has quite a pedigree after taking the gold medal at the 2007 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Chicago, USA, before coming home with the silver from the Beijing Olympic Games a year later. Russo has since gone from strength to strength, defeating all before him in his first WSB season to capture the Individual Championships belt and going unbeaten in his second season, amassing 14 wins over the two campaigns. Last year, Russo also starred in a semi-autobiographical film 'Tatanka' about a young Southern Italian man trying to escape from the crime-ridden mafia-controlled province of Caserta through boxing. The film itself was critically acclaimed and Russo's performance got excellent reviews.

"Turning pro in boxing is never easy to decide, especially when you have had a successful Olympic boxing career", declared Russo. "I am thrilled with the career I have had so far, I know what pro-style boxing is about thanks to two seasons in World Series of Boxing, and I now feel ready and happy to join APB, knowing that I will never be left aside."

Five AIBA World titles, one Olympic Silver Medal and one WSB World Champion title. The APB can be proud of its inaugural signings. A little more than a month after 2011 AIBA World Champion, Azeri Super Heavyweight (91+kg) Magomedrasul Medzhidov, twice AIBA World Champion; Welterweight (69kg) Serik Sapiyev from Kazakhstan; and top Light Flyweight (49kg) South Korean Jonghun Shin have joined the programme.

With the London 2012 Olympic Games just underway, the world's best boxers might have to choose a new pathway for their career in just under two weeks.

With a clear and transparent competition structure based only on their performance and a secured plan of career, AIBA Professional Boxing (APB) is the best proposal that boxers could expect. APB will start in autumn 2013.

The action continued with the evening session on the third day of boxing at the London 2012 Olympic Games. A capacity crowd at the ExCeL Arena welcomed the Flyweight (52kg) and Light Heavyweights (81kg) for ten bouts of high-octane drama.

2011 World Series of Boxing (WSB) Individual Championships finalist with Paris United, 25-year-old Nordine Oubaali of France began his assault on the Flyweight (52kg) title in style. The experienced recent AIBA European Olympic Qualifying Event winner came out of the blocks at double speed, firing all kind of shots in direction of the relatively unknownAjmal Faisal of Afghanistan. Pummelling his rival throughout the three rounds, Oubaali was just unstoppable as he outclassed the three-time Afghan National Champion to win 22:9. The Frenchman faces USA Boxing Team Captain Raushee Warren, the third seed in the draw and a veteran of three Olympic Games.

When interviewed, Oubaali stated, "I had a fantastic preparation for these Games but unfortunately fell ill as soon as I landed here in London. As a result, I felt seriously weakened. I am happy that I managed to overcome this and box well against an opponent that I did not know". On facing Warren next, the Frenchman declared, "I know him well; he is a very talented fighter, very quick. He has never been a World Champion or an Olympic Champion so he is not unbeatable. I have the same chances of winning than he has. It will obviously be tough and if I recover from my illness in time, I can assure you that our battle will be an even one".

The diminutive Ghanaian Duke Micah and Jason Lavigilante of Mauritius, who were both at the AIBA Road to London II three-week training camp in the build-up to these Olympics, battled each other for the right to face the big Irish medal contender Michael Conlan in the next phase of the preliminaries. It was the orthodox Micah who looked the most assured, alternating cleverly between the head and the body with some swift one-two combinations to claim the first two rounds against his taller rival. In the third, the Ghanaian began to showboat but still the 20-year-old dominated the round to record a 18:14 victory and progress.

Micah was happy with his performance, declaring, "I felt good out there. Our President died last week so I am fighting for my country and for boxing in Ghana". On facing Conlan, he said, "I don't know him, I was only focused on the first bout but now I will study his fights. I know I have to raise my level so that is what I will do, you will see a stronger me in the next fight". When asked about his preparations for the Games, he added, "Road to London in Cardiff was a great experience for me and it is one of the reasons I won today".

A veteran of three AIBA World Boxing Championships, Thailand's 27-year-old Chatchai Butdee came into his fight against Eker Selcuk of Turkey as the overwhelming favourite. The Thai southpaw's speed and agility were just too much for the young Selcuk who could just not deal with the ferocity of his attacks. Selcuk, 20, who fought for the Istanbul Bosphorus WSB Franchise last season, had no response to the repertoire of shots being thrown at him, uppercuts, up to four punch combinations, it was a master class by the Thai who went on to triumph emphatically 24:10. No one will want to face Butdee after that sensational performance.

Cuba have one of the finest production lines of top class boxers in the world and their history speaks for itself, standing second only to the USA for boxing gold medals at the Olympic Games. 18-year-old Panamerican Games winner southpaw Robeisy Ramirez Carrazana showed his pedigree against the experienced Japanese Katsuaki Susa. Quick, agile, excellent footwork and precision punching, the southpaw really has it all. Ramirez Carrazana absolutely dictated proceeding in all three rounds against Kusa and eased to a comprehensive 19:7 win. Everyone will now be relishing the prospect of seeing the Cuban in action against Thailand's Butdee.

The crowd next enjoyed the confrontation between the tall Swede Salomo Ntuve and Kazakhstan's orthodox 21-year-old pocket-dynamo Ilyas Suleimenov in the last of the evening's Flyweight (52kg) bouts. With vociferous support in the arena, the Kazak started on the front foot, speedily moving inside to work Ntuve's body. With such a contrast in the athletes, it was a messy affair that Suleimenov came out on top in, winning 13:8.

The rising star from Azerbaijan Vatan Huseynli has really made a name for himself this year, qualifying for these Games after coming second at the AIBA European Olympic Qualifying Event Trabzon 2012 and also testing himself in the tough WSB with the Baku Fires. In the first Light Heavyweight (81kg) bout of the evening session, he faced the experienced 2008 Beijing Olympian Carlos Gongora Mercado of Ecuador, who also competed in the first WSB season with the American Los Angeles Matadors Franchise. Gongora took the early initiative, moving around Huseynli and hurting him with some good hooks in the first before repeating that tactic in the second to lead by three points with three minutes to go. Huseynli came back in the third with a couple of devastating straight rights that connected flush on Gongora's jaw, one of which the Ecuadorian southpaw had to take a standing eight count for. In the end, it was the 23-year-old Gongora who progressed with a 9:8 victory; he will now face Kazak fourth seed Adilbek Niyazymbetov.

27-year-old Jeysson Monroy Varela then made his entrance and faced the tough orthodox Iranian Ehsan Rouzbahani. The Colombian, a WSB first season competitor with the Mexico City Guerreros, controlled the opening exchanges with his jab and looked confident as he claimed the first round. Rouzbahani showed great heart as he turned aggressor in the second with a spirited display that saw him draw level on points at the end of the round. The 24-year-old Iranian was clearly in the ascendancy in the third and threw several good one-twos as a huge delegation of his compatriots cheered him on to a 12:10 victory.

Ukrainian dark horse Oleksandr Gvozdyk has already participated in two AIBA World Boxing Championships but is probably one of the lesser known boxers in his country's Olympic squad. The tall 25-year-old has matured in the last year and after a quality season with Dynamo Moscow in the WSB, he could be the surprise package in the Light Heavyweight (81kg) category in London. As strong as an ox and with a good tactical brain, the orthodox fighter really impressed as he skilfully dispatched the stocky BelarusianMikhail Daulhaliavets by winning all three rounds and record a convincing 18:10 win.

Bosko Draskovic from Montenegro began well in his bout with a solid round that saw him take an early three point advantage over Nicaragua's Osmar Bravo Amador. The man who was part of the first season Milano Thunder WSB squad somehow lost the initiative as his Nicaraguan rival completely turned the fight on its head with a flurry of punches from all angles in the second to claw his way back into the contest. Orthodox Bravo Amador was revitalised after his display that round and went on the rampage, unloading some ferocious hits on his opponent who had to take a standing eight count after catching one right on the nose. The Nicaraguan will now prepare to face Gvozdyk after coming back to prevail 16:11.

The experience of Germany's Enrico Kölling told against Christian Donfack Adjoufackof Cameroon in the last contest of the day as the orthodox unloaded several powerful right hooks to his opponent's chin. It was pretty much one way traffic as the German former Youth World Boxing Championships silver medallist kept up the pressure and dictated the pace of proceedings. The gap in international tournament experienced clearly told as Kölling, a veteran of two WSB seasons, inflicted a 15:6 defeat on Donfack Adjoufack. The German 22-year-old must now challenge number two seed and Algerian sporting icon Abdelhafid Benchabla for a place in the quarter-finals.

The fourth day of competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games will see the Men's Light Flyweights (46-49kg) and Light Welterweights (64kg) take to the ring in the first round of preliminaries.

Duke Micah showcases skills with victory in London‏

It was a good day for some of the boxers of the AIBA Road to London program with Duke Micah and Jordan's Ihab Mahmoud Darweesh Al-Matbouli both moving into the second round of preliminaries.

Jordan's first ever boxer to qualify for the Games, Arab Games winner Ihab Mahmoud Darweesh Al-Matbouli looked hungry as he led 5:3 after three minutes against Nigeria's All Africa Games silver medallist Lukmon Lawal. Al-Matbouli shined in the second part of the contest and advanced to the next round where he will now meet Cuba's current AIBA World Champion Julio Cesar La Cruz Peraza.

Kenya's Commonwealth Games silver medallist Flyweight Benson Gicharu Njangiruused up his new tactical skills learnt in Cardiff against his Egyptian opponent, 19-year-old AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Hesham Yehia Mehmoud Abdelaal. Both boxers were excellent during the bout but the Egyptian teenager prevailed.

Afghanistan's Ajmal Faisal was invited to London by the Tripartite Commission while AIBA then offered him training in the Welsh capital. Faisal is only able to train three-times a week in Kabul and was therefore delighted to be part of the Road to Dream initiative. France's AIBA World Championships bronze medallist Nordine Oubaali was just too strong for him but he did well against one of the medal contenders at Flyweight (52kg).

Two African AIBA Road to London members fought each other in the last 16 as Mauritius' Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jason Olivier Lavigilante and Ghana's Duke Akueteh Micah went head to head. Both boxers, born in 1991, went on the attack but it was Micah who stole the show as he claimed the victory.

Tajikistan's former Asian Games winner Jakhon Qurbonov was quarter-finalist in the last Beijing Olympic Games and was involved in both the AIBA Road to Baku Program and Road to London I. He started well against Tunisia's strong Yahia Elmekachari and used his height as a weapon but his rival moved better in the latter stages to prevail.

Colombia's light heavyweight No.1 Jeysson Antonio Monroy Varela also received the invite for Cardiff and in his fight he seemed comfortable early on against Iran's AIBA World Boxing Championships quarter-finalist Ehsan Rouzbahani. The taller Monroy could not keep his short advantage and ended up on the losing side.

Nicaragua's Osmar Bravo Amador was class in his comeback victory against Montenegro's Mediterranean Games winner Bosko Draskovic. He overturned a first round three point deficit to win in style and caused the biggest surprise of the third day of competition.

Cameroon is one of the most developing countries in Africa so it was no surprise that Light Heavyweight and All Africa Games bronze medallist Christian Donfack Adjoufack trained in the Welsh capital before the Games. However Germany's AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships silver medallist Enrico Kolling was too strong for him as he lost his first bout in London.

Video: Mike Tyson talks Broadway show and bad lawyering

Tuesday night Mike Tysonopens up on Broadway. Over the weekend he opened up to ESPN’sJeremy Schaap.

MIKE TYSON: Teamming up with Spike Lee

Tyson talked to Schaap about the Spike Leedirected show but also about how the legal system failed him during the rape trial that would ultimately send him to prison.

The show is called “Mike Tyson: The Undisputed Truth.”

Monday, July 30, 2012

Marcus Browne Suffers First Round Loss at the 2012 Olympic Games‏

Team USA suffered its first loss of the 2012 Olympic Games on Monday as light heavyweight Marcus Browne (Staten Island, N.Y.) fell to Damien Hooper of Australia in opening round action. The bout was closely contested throughout, but Hooper pulled out the win with a third round surge, claiming a 13-11 victory.

Browne threw the first punches in the contest, looking to find his rhythm but the place was slow throughout the first three minutes of action. The American boxer held a 3-2 lead after one round, and entered the second trying to extend it. The output from both boxers remained slow in the second round and the two boxers added three points a piece to their totals, giving Browne a one-point lead entering the final round Hooper came out swinging in the third and his efforts gave him the lead and a 13-11 decision, eliminating Browne from the tournament.

“I didn’t listen to my corner. My corner said to take it to him. I did it for a little bit but not the whole round. I had a one-point lead and that’s really nothing. I definitely waited too long,” Browne said. “My corner told me more speed, less power and I didn’t listen but this isn’t a set back, it’s a learning experience.”

“Despite the loss, Browne, one of the U.S. team’s vocal leaders isn’t going to return home early. “I’m going to stay here and support my team,” Browne said.

Light welterweight Jamel Herring (Coram, N.Y.) will look to start a new U.S. winning streak tomorrow afternoon in his bout with Kazakhstan’sDaniyar Yeleussinov.

U.S. Result

178 lbs/81 kg: Damien Hooper, AUS, dec. Marcus Browne, Staten Island, N.Y./USA, 13-11

Marcus Browne quotes

“I was a little bit nervous. He never hurt me.”

“We train hard for all comers.”

“I wasn’t really bothered too much by his long reach.”

“I could have used my speed a little bit more. That’s what my corner told me in the last round but I didn’t listen. They said more speed, less power.”

Evans delights crowds with win‏

It was sensational at the ExCeL as the boxing event at the London 2012 Olympic Games went into its second day. The much anticipated Lightweight (60kg) and Welterweight (69kg) categories showcased some of the most talented boxers on the planet and the action did not disappoint.

Kicking off proceedings in the first of the six Lightweight (60kg) bouts in the afternoon session was the exciting Dominican Republic's Wellington Arias Romero against orthodox Eduar Marriaga Campo. It was the southpaw who started brightly, throwing lots of punches with the straight left hitting its target several times. A bit of showboating by the Dominican and the clever use of the jab saw him once again score heavily with that straight left. Arias Romero's superior technique continued to have his Colombian opponent on the back foot in the final round as he recorded an impressive 17:8 victory.

It was an all-African affair when Ahmed Mejri of Tunisia and Benin's Shafiq Chitou came together in the ring. Chitou looked lively in the early exchanges, connecting with a good left hook but as the round progressed, the orthodox Mejri just soaked up the pressure and picked his spots to edge it. It was more of the same as the somewhat erratic Chitou failed to hit his target and the southpaw had to again concede the round to the measured Mejri. The crowd was cheering loudly for Chitou but his opponent's effective counter-punching saw him suffer a 16:9 defeat.

When asked about the support he received from the crowd, Chitou replied, "It was great, I have never experienced an atmosphere like it". And on his preparations before the Games, the 27-year-old decorator added, "I have to thank AIBA for inviting me to train with the Road to London program, it was a wonderful opportunity for me to give a good account of myself here at the Olympic Games, I will never forget it".

Puerto Rican Felix Verdejo Sanchez, the winner of the AIBA American Olympic Qualifying Event Rio 2012, showed his class against the inexperienced 20-year-old Juan Huertas Garcia from Panama in the third bout of the day, putting in a polished performance that saw him prevail 11:5.

27-year-old fifth seed Gani Zhailauov of Kazakhstan, a bronze medallist at the AIBA World Boxing Championships Baku 2011, faced the speedy Thai Saylom Ardee in a fast and furious contest that had had the crowd up on its feet. Peppering each other with loads of punches; it was the orthodox Thai who took the first round after giving his opponent a bloody nose. It was compelling viewing as Zhailauov battled back with some powerful punches to level the scores after round two. The spectators were treated to a real boxing feast in the final round as both fighters went for it. When the winner was announced, there was heart-break for 26-year-old Ardee as the victory was given to Zhailauov on count back with 12:12 the final result.

The capacity crowd was then introduced to the Seychelles' 19-year-old Andrique Allisop, who had also taken part in the three-week AIBA Road to London training program in Cardiff in the build-up to London 2012. The young pretender was pitted against the experienced 27-year-old Jai Bhagwan and his youthful exuberance counted against him as the orthodox boxer from India effectively counter-punched the onrushing teenager throughout. In the end, it was Bhagwan who progressed after winning 18:8 and he will now face Zhailauov in the next preliminary, looking to make it third time lucky after having lost to the Kazak in their previous two meetings.

Allisop was realistic about his performance, saying, "I learnt a lot, he moved better than me and was more economical with his punching and I need to now raise my game. I am young and have just moved up to Lightweight so I will be back in four years a much better boxer. Training in Cardiff with the Road to London program was also a real eye-opener for me".

Chinese 29-year-old Qiang Liu put in a clinic against Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Luke Jackson from Australia, increasing the pressure in each round with swagger and class, using clever movement and devastating combinations as he emphatically won 20:7. The crowd really got behind the entertaining orthodox fighter who really impressed. A late bloomer, Liu has only really come to the fore in the last year or so. His next opponent will be the AIBA World Boxing Championships silver medallist Yasnier Toledo Lopez.

On facing the Cuban in the next round, Qiang Liu declared, "I have studied him a lot; he is very fast so I will need to have strong defences and counter-punch".

In the first of the six Welterweight (69kg) bouts of the session, tough Moldovan southpaw Vasilii Belous had the measure of Selemani Kidunda from the first bell, using his jab and his reach to keep his opponent at bay before unloading some devastating straight one-twos. Rocking the 28-year-old from Tanzania several times as he recorded a 20:7 victory, University World Champion Belous will be in confident mood when facing the top seed from Ukraine Taras Shelestyuk in the next phase of the competition.

The experience of Mongolia's Tuvshinbat Byamba really shone through in his battle with 24-year-old Yannick Mitoumba Mbemy from Gabon. Quality footwork and a thunderous overhead right were the signature moves by the 25-year-old and the man from Gabon just could not contain the classy Byamba. Efficiently smooth, the Mongol was imperious in every department as he prevailed in style 17:4.

Flamboyant Frenchman Alexis Vastine, part of the victorious Paris United team in the World Series of Boxing first season, looked to make his punches do the talking against the compact 20-year-old Patrick Wojcicki. The orthodox Vastine often looks more concerned with style rather than substance but knowing that the German represented quite a dangerous opponent, he knuckled down and did the business over three rounds to win 16:12. It was a very entertaining fight between the 25-year-old soldier from Normandy and the German prospect.

"I under-performed in Beijing four years ago after having put too much pressure on myself, so this year I want to enjoy the Olympic experience and take one fight at a time. Next up for me is Mongolia's Byamba, who is a top class boxer, so I will need to box clever once more".

Powerful Custio Clayton is still developing as a fighter but has been in fine form of late. Coached by Daniel Trepanier, Clayton is said to have a very bright future and proved he has big credentialsafter triumphing 12:8 against Mexico's talented former AIBA Youth World Champion Oscar Molina Casillas, a silver medallist at the AIBA American Olympic Qualifying Event Rio 2012.

The highlight of Australia's Oceania Champion Cameron Hammond's bout was a devastating right that forced Moustapha Abdoulaye Hima to take a standing eight count midway through the second round. It was a pulsating contest between two relatively untested boxers at this level. In the third, the Australian stepped up a level to take control of proceedings against the 20-year-old from Niger to move deeper into the competition with a well-earned 13:6 victory. He now faces Clayton for a place in the quarter-finals.

Great Britain's reigning European Champion Freddie Evans raised the roof at the ExCeL when he made his way to the ring for the ultimate contest of the afternoon session. The orthodox fighter from Cardiff faced the lightening quick Algerian Ilyas Abbadi and put on a real show for the vocal spectators out to support the home boxer. It was tight but the Brit's superior shot making saw him score points with several penetrating combinations. Evans showed quality defensive skills too as the Algerian looked to make up his five point deficit in the third. The Welshman even took time to entertain the crowd with a few shuffles before throwing some hard combinations. The orthodox Brit comfortably won 18:10 and will now face third seed and the man who defeated him at the AIBA World Boxing Championships last year, Lithuania's Egidijus Kavaliauskas.

On his next opponent, Evans said, "When I lost against him in Baku, I was not focused. His style suits me so this time there will be no mistakes".

Taylor comes through stern test to progress‏

The fast and furious boxing action at the London 2012 Olympic Games resumed at the ExCeL with the remaining first preliminary bouts of the Lightweight (60kg) and Welterweight (69kg) categories in the evening session.

There was not a single available space left in the arena as the crowd gathered in anticipation for the first of the six Lightweight contests which pitted the tall Josh Taylor from Great Britain against the explosive Brazilian Robson Conceicao. The British southpaw started off well, moving with assurance around the ring andconnecting with some clever left hooks to take the first round. The native of Scotland grew in confidence in the second and was clearly lifted by the loud cheers of the partisan crowds, mixing his shots to great effect as he hit his target with a couple of hard jabs and a penetrating right hook. Soaking up the pressure from the 23-year-old Brazilian, Taylor survived a late flurry to triumph 13:9, to the delight of the supporters. He will now face third seed and 2009 AIBA World Champion Domenico Valentino for a place in the next phase of the competition.

Taylor was beaming after his win, saying, "I had a game plan and I stuck to it, I thought it was very close but with the crowd behind me, I was buzzing".

Stocky 20-year-old Lithuanian Evaldas Petrauskas' aggressive style really applied the pressure on Hungary's Miklos Varga from very early on in their contest. 24-year-old Varga, part of the Italian World Series of Boxing Franchise which won the WSB Team Trophy this season, was strong, landing some quality shots himself but he just could not contain the unrelenting assaults of the 2010 Youth Olympic Games winner. Petrauskas, who was at the Road to London three week training camp in the build-up to these Games, is one that no one will want to face after his resounding 20:12 victory.

Sixth seed Fatih Keles of Turkey shaded the first round against the confident Algerian Abdelkader Chadi of the Paris United WSB Franchise. The tactical 22-year-old Keles' defensive master class had 2008 Olympian Chadi in trouble in the second, catching him with some deft counter-punches to score high in the second. In the end, the classy Turkish orthodox fighter comfortably won 15:8 and moved into the second round of the preliminaries where he will lock horns with the hard-hitting Petrauskas.

It was very tentative between Uzbek southpaw Fazliddin Gaibnazarov and Yhyacinthe Mewoli Abdon in the first round with both seemingly unwilling to get caught by the other. It livened up in the second as each boxer took turns trying to make the breakthrough, but it was the Uzbek 21-year-old who connected with solid punches to take a three point advantage over the taller Cameroon boxer coming into the final round. Gaibnazarov was light on his feet in the third, gliding away from his onrushing opponent before planting some good left hooks on his way to a 11:6 success.

It was an intriguing match-up between France's WSB Paris United star Rachid Azzedine and teenage American sensation Jose Ramirez. Sporting bright yellow shoes, the US orthodox fighter went toe-to-toe with the Frenchman, ten years his senior, and came out on top in the first round after alternating body and head shots to great effect. It was an explosive fight as both boxers battled it out in the centre of the ring and it was once again Ramirez who just shaded it as his speed told. The crowd were really enjoying this one with punches being thrown by both fighters from all angles. The American orthodox rocked Azzedine with a couple of vicious straight lefts but the Frenchman retaliated with some hard punches of his own to take the final round but it was Ramirez who progressed with a narrow 21:20 win.

The American reflected on his success by declaring, "I am happy with my performance, it was tense, I was nervous in the beginning and just wanted to do well for the team. We are a young squad and we are all hoping to do really well". On the shoes, he laughed, "I just like the colour, you know when you look good, you feel good".

In the last of the Lightweight (60kg) bouts, tall orthodox South Korean Soonchul Han looked comfortable against 25-year-old Mohamed Eliwa of Egypt. Using his height and reach advantage throughout their contest to win each round comfortably and inflict a 11:6 defeat on his opponent. Hun will now battle the accomplished Belarusian second seed Vazgen Safaryants for a place in the quarter-finals.

It was then the turn of the Welterweights (69kg) to take to the canvas and first up was the clash of the heavy-hitters, 28-year-old Brazilian Myke Ribeiro de Carvalho and Errol Spence from the United States. It was the young American southpaw who took the initiative early on with some effective jabs, before effectively working the body in the second as the experienced Ribeiro de Carvalho looked rattled and devoid of ideas. Spence looked dangerous on route to a 16:10 victory; he will now lock horns with India's Krishnan Vikas in the second round of preliminaries.

There was a huge cheer for 25-year-old Adam Nolan when he entered the arena, with a huge number of Irish supporters having travelled to support their compatriot. The tall southpaw was pitted against Carlos Sanchez Estacio and began on the front foot, hounding down his opponent before looking to inflict damage with the straight one-two. The Ecuadorian packs some power in his punches and caught Nolan with several hard overheads but the Irishman's clever use of the jab saw him take all three rounds and prevail 14:8.

Nolan rejoiced at his victory by saying, "It felt unbelievable to be out there. I did not perform to my best but the Olympics are after all my first major tournament, so I will get better".

A high-intensity bout between China's Qiong Maitituersun and 25-year-old southpaw Andrey Zamkovoy enthralled the crowd from the first bell with the Russian straight out of the blocks and landing with some hard shots. The Chinese winner of the AIBA Asian Olympic Qualifying Event Astana 2012 showed tremendous resilience in the face of the onslaught, managing to connect with punches of his own. Zamkovoy's height and power made the difference in each round as he booked his place in the next phase of the competition by triumphing 16:11.

The 23-year-old South African with a growing reputation, Siphiwe Lusizi, controlled his bout with the inexperienced Iraqi Ahmed Abdulkareem Ahmed, hitting his target with some good combinations before reverting to some slick counter-punches as Ahmed came forward. The southpaw looked at ease, dominating each round to cruise to a 17:13 victory. Much sterner tests now await Lusizi.

With a vocal team supporting him, Ecuador's Gabriel Maestre Perez began brightly versus Amin Ghasemi Pour of Iran. The 25-year-old Perez will have been pleased with his performance as he landed some punishing left hooks and generally dominated proceedings against his inexperienced opponent. The Ecuadorian had the measure of his rival to win 13:8 and book his place in the next round where he will face Lusizi.

Closing the day's action were Japan's 24-year-old Yasuhiro Suzuki and the 2008 Beijing Olympian Moroccan orthodox Mehdi Khalsi. There was nothing to separate the two as they traded blows throughout the first two rounds. The Japanese southpaw went on the offensive in the third as he trailed his rival by a single point, firing several one-twos to claw his way back to claim a hard-fought 14.13 win.

Tomorrow sees the Men's Fly (52kg) and Light Heavyweights (81kg) take to the canvas over twenty bouts divided over two sessions.

Petrauskas opens with victory in London‏

AIBA Road to London boxers continued to impress at the ExCeL, and none more so that Lithuania's Youth Olympic Games winner and AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships silver medallist Evaldas Petrauskas who showed his aggressive side against Hungary's Miklos Varga to claim the win.

European Championships bronze medallist Varga, of the Dolce & Gabbana Milano WSB Franchise, could not handle the power and determination of Petrauskas who won the first two rounds 6:4 before stepping up another gear in the final third to record a resounding 20:12 victory. The promising young Lithuanian was invited by AIBA to train as part of the Road to London Program international camp and he looked in great shape in his opening contest in the British capital.

Colombia's Panamerican Youth Championships bronze medallist Eduar Antonio Marriaga Campo, who turns 20 only later this year, met Dominican Republic's AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships quarter-finalist Wellington Arias Romero in the first preliminary round. But unfortunately the AIBA Road to London participant could not get to grips with the experienced Dominican who recorded a 17:8 victory. The young Colombian will now be looking towards Rio 2016.

Benin's Shafiq Chitou was also at the training camp in Cardiff and made his Olympic debut in an all-African affair against Tunisia's All Africa Games winner Ahmed Mejri. Chitou was involved in the AIBA Road to Milan Program three years ago and showed great heart in his fight in London but unfortunately was defeated 16:9 in his Lightweight (60kg) contest.

Talented Juan Antonio Huertas Garcia became the first boxer from Panama to participate in the Olympic Games since 1992. Influenced by his compatriot, Irving Saladino, who claimed Panama's first ever Olympic gold medal by winning the long jump in Beijing, Huertas has been dreaming of London for the last four years. After the three-week Road to London training camp in Cardiff (Wales), he felt ready to take on the World but Puerto Rico's Panamerican Youth Champion Felix Verdejo Sanchez was in sublime form and won their contest 11:5.

Seychelles' Indian Ocean Islands Games winner Andrique Allisop celebrated his 19th birthday just before the Games and was delighted to be involved in the AIBA Road to London Program. Despite just having moved up to Lightweight, Allisop was proud of his performance against Jai Bhagwan. Despite the loss, he had learnt a great deal and was looking forward to coming back stronger in four years.

Gabon National Champion Yannick Audry Mitoumba Mbemy was also in the Welsh capital in preparation for London 2012. He stood no realistic chance of progressing against Mongolia's experienced Asian Championships bronze medallist Byamba Tuvshinbat but he was delighted with the whole experience.

Cameroon's African Championships silver medallist and All Africa Games bronze medallist Hyacinthe Abdon Mewoli was a real handful for Uzbekistan's world class AIBA World Boxing Championships quarter-finalist Fazliddin Gaibnazarov, and made his country proud.

Team USA Moves to 4-0 in Olympic Action with Victories by Jose Ramirez and Errol Spence‏

The U.S. Olympic Boxing Team pushed its undefeated to streak to four on Sunday night with lightweight Jose Ramirez (Avenal, Calif.) and welterweight Errol Spence (Desoto, Texas) both claiming first round wins at the ExCel Centre. Ramirez pulled out a 21-20 decision over France’s Rachid Azzedine and Spence closed the night for Team USA with a 16-10 win over Brazil’s Myke Carvalho de Ribeiro.

Ramirez was the first American boxer to compete in Sunday’s evening action, facing veteran and World Series of Boxing champion Azzedine. The 19-year-old looked to get started early in the bout, and enjoyed success late in the round. He trapped Azzedine on the ropes and landed some strong shots at the conclusion of the opening round and held a one-point lead after the first. Both boxers continued to let their hands go in the second but Ramirez did not relinquish his lead, pushing his advantage to two with three minutes of boxing remaining. Azzedine attempted to dent Ramirez’s slim lead in the final round but he wasn’t able to do so and Ramirez won the 21-20 final decision. He moves on to a Thursday match-up with Fazliddin Gaibnazarov in his second round bout.

“There were some nerves coming in, being my first Olympics and being my first bout of the tournament,” Ramirez said. “Now, I feel like I shook those nerves out and hopefully I can just be me in the next bout and let my punches flow better, be smoother inside, and stay smart.”

Spence took the ring just 30 minutes later in a bout with Carvalho de Ribeiro, and it was clear early on that he was the superior boxer. The Dallas native got through his first day jitters and a bit of ring rust, controlling the pace throughout the contest. He took a 5-3 lead after one and the Brazilian boxer looked to combat Spence with several dirty tactics in the second round. The referee took a point from Carvalho de Ribeiro in the second for pushing Spence’s head down repeatedly and Spence held a 12-7 advantage at the end of two. He stayed to the game plan in the third round, winning a 16-10 final decision and pushing the American winning streak to four.

“The Brazilians have a style just like us. They fight like Americans and I was kind of getting used to his style. I wanted to use my jab and pick up the pace. I saw him get a little bit tired so I wanted to keep the pressure on him,” Spence said. “The first one is always the toughest one because you have the butterflies and I haven’t fought since March. I haven’t fought in awhile, at least five months. So to get the first one out of the way, and get my feet wet is good.”

Spence will return to the ring on Friday in a second round match-up with Krishan Vikas of India.

Light heavyweight Marcus Browne (Staten Island, N.Y.) will be the only U.S. boxer competing in Monday’s action as he faces off with Australia’s Damien Hooper at 3:45 p.m. London time (10:45 p.m. ET).

U.S. Results

132 lbs/60 kg: Jose Ramirez, Avenal, Calif./USA dec. Rachid Azzedine, FRA, 21-20

152 lbs/69 kg: Errol Spence, Desoto, Texas/USA dec. Myke Carbalho de Ribeiro, BRA, 16-10

Jose Ramirez Quotes

“I didn’t feel a strong hit from him. I know he landed a couple punches and I know I gave away some points that I shouldn’t have. I am still very blessed and thankful that I got the decision. He was a great opponent and it was a great fight. There were a lot of fans here coming to support both of us. It was a big honor to put on a good show.”

“I was just more excited and once I got to the front of the ring and saw the people, a little nerves came in. I was just excited. I was actually talking to my family while I was getting ready through skype. I was very blessed that there’s wifi. I was just trying to think the fight out in my head and stay relaxed and confident. The nerves did come in but I wasn’t really thinking about my opponent too much.”

“There’s always a lot of nerves and tension. You go in there a little tense. I had a lot of motivation knowing that a lot of people are watching. It tenses your body up a little bit. I’m very glad that Team USA is doing so well and overall we are going to take that to the top and go as far as we can go. We are a young team but we’re very hungry.”

“I just like the color (of his boxing boots). It stands out. If you look better and you feel good, you’ll probably fight better. I wanted the gold for the gold medal as well.”

Errol Spence Quotes

“You have to stay focused, it comes with the game, some people just fight like that (with dirty tactics) and you have to stay focused and keep going to the game plan and doing what you’re doing and what you and your coaches worked on.”

“I could hear my teammates and I heard my father and my mother screaming. It does a lot, it is a big momentum booster. It keeps me going and keeps me throwing punches because I heard them rooting for me.”

“I’m not surprised (by the strong American start). We worked really hard in training camp. Everyone has a certain game plan they’re following and as long as we stick to the game plan, we will be fine.”

“I’ve been running a little bit earlier here, I run with the team. We do team runs in the morning.”

“Yes, it’s a team that’s really close. We’ve been in camp for awhile together and we’ve known each other for awhile too so that helps. We are all on the same page, we are all focused and we all have the same goal.”

“It helps a lot when you’re a little bit tired and you hear your teammates cheering you on, telling you come on, come on and your mother and father in the crowd. It’s just a big boost and it gets you going.”

“The nerves are gone but you still have a little nerves there because you’re fighting in the Olympics. We are all relaxed and we are all very focused and focused on the task at hand. We are just going to keep pushing and keep the momentum going and keep it going as the bouts progress.”

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