★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience©®™: Apr 3, 2012

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Bellator CEO Confirms Next Women’s Tournament at 125; Names Some Fighters

Immediately after the post-fight presser for Bellator 63 in Uncasville, Connecticut, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney confirmed that the promotion’s next women’s tournament would be held in the 125 pound division and that several of the ladies competing have already been decided on.

“I think that’s where the next one is going to be,” “Jessica Aguilar is looking to fight at 125. We already spoke to [Megumi Fujii] and she wants to do it…. Lisa Ellis-Ward is another one we’ll have to see about. If you look at her performance in her last fight with Jessica Aguilar, she looked really good in a loss against one of the better women out there.”

Among the women Rebney mentioned were being considered for the tournament was young up and comer Jessica Eye, who will face Aisling Daly at Bellator 66 at the end of the month. Presumably, the winner of that bout will be among the women to enter the bracket.

While the weight division for the tournament is confirmed and the major players are already being lined up, exactly when the next big women’s tournament will take place is still up in the air. There are currently several factors at play that influence the timing of the single-elimination tourney, not the least of which being the impending changeover from Bellator’s current broadcasting home at MTV-2 to other VIACOM owned channel Spike TV.

Read more about the women of 125 pounds and a potential Spike debut after the jump.

Bellator’s first season on Spike, scheduled for early 2013, was among the possible dates Rebney cited for the 125 pound female tournament debut. However, as attractive a first impression as such a debut would be, especially with the recent overall boost women’s MMA has gotten in the public image, the date itself is far from confirmed.

“[The tournament] is coming, it’s just a matter of where it will find itself,” said Rebney.

The state of the current and only female Bellator title holder, Zoila Gurgel, may also be a contributing factor to the timing of the tournament. A series of unfortunate events, culminating in a serious knee injury she sustained in October, has kept Gurgel inactive since her first and only fight for the organization after claiming the belt. The mere mention of Gurgel’s layup was enough to prompt a mournful sigh from the Bellator CEO. While Rebney did not discuss the champion sitting on the shelf any further, it has been Bellator practice in the past to know the state of its title holders before starting the next tournament bracket in that division.

A local undercard athlete by the name of Munah Holland made her first appearance as a Bellator 125 pound fighter that same night, scoring a brutal comeback knockout in the second round against Marianna Kheyfets. While a tournament spot would typically be reserved for more well-known ladies such as Ellis-Ward, Fujii, and Aguilar, with some space still open Holland has not yet been eliminated as a possibility.

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Canadian Sensation Tony Luis Returns April 7!

Unbeaten junior welterweight phenom Tony “The Lightning” Luis makes his highly anticipated return to the squared circle when he battles Hungarian veteran Ferenec Szabo Saturday, April 7 at the Claude-Robillard Center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Luis, the current WBC Continental Americas Junior Welterweight champion, is a perfect 13-0 as a professional with 5 wins by way of knockout. In his most recent bout in October 2011, Luis demolished Alejandro Barrera in 1 round to capture the aforementioned WBC Continental title. The 24 year old, who is one of Canada’s brightest young stars, recently trekked to Cuba for an intense training camp with the island’s top prospects.

“Cuba was a great experience for me,” said Luis, a Cornwall, Ontario native who stopped three of his last five foes. “I was amazed by how talented their amateurs are. Those guys are better than a lot of seasoned pros without question. Going there and getting great work in the gym will definitely have me ready for Szabo, who I know has fought some very good fighters.”

The Luis-Szabo showdown serves as the 8 round co-feature on a card promoted by Ali Nestor Charles’ UGC Boxing Promotions.

Ocasio-Sosa Rematch Headlines Power Productions’ “Philly Barn Burner III”!

Greg Robinson’s Power Productions returns to the National Guard Armory Friday, April 20 with an action-packed card loaded with local talent.

Headlining “Philly Barn Burner III” is the highly-anticipated rematch between popular Philadelphia based lightweight Angel Ocasio and Camden, NJ’s Jason Sosa. In their first meeting on January 13, Ocasio, 6-0-1 (1 KO), and Sosa, 4-1-2 (1 KO), fought a crowd-pleasing bout that ultimately ended in a draw.

“I’ve been training hard for over a month getting ready for this fight and we still have (a month until fight night),” said Ocasio, who is one of the biggest ticket sellers in the City of Brotherly Love. “I’m not going to leave it up to the judges to declare me the winner!”

Sosa, who doesn’t share the same sentiments as Ocasio, has his own outlook on the rematch.

“He got lucky in our last fight. I got a cut early in that fight and I was concerned the fight might be stopped, so I took it easy. But this time luck can’t save him. I’m excited to be fighting for a title so early in my career and I’m going to take advantage of the opportunity. I know without a doubt that I’m better than him and I’m going to be looking for the knockout quick and early.”

Ocasio-Sosa is scheduled for eight rounds and in addition to bragging rights, the winner claims the vacant USBC championship.

In the co-feature, bantamweight prospect Miguel Cartagena of Philadelphia puts his perfect 4-0 record on the line when he battles rugged New York based Mexican Jose “Chilli” Rivera in a six rounder. Cartagena, who stopped three of his four opponents, won the 2009 National Golden Gloves tournament and is considered one of the east coast’s brightest young talents. Rivera, 3-5-2, has never been knocked out, going the distance with hard-hitting foes Jonathan Gonzalez and Qa’id Muhammad, while battling former amateur standout Raul Lopez to a draw.

In separate bouts, Tim Witherspoon Jr. and Isiah Seldon, both sons of former heavyweight titlists, will look to impress what expects to be a sold out crowd. Joining Witherspoon Jr. and Seldon on the talent-laden undercard are heavyweight sensation Joey Dawejko, Brian Donahue, Georgiy Guralnik and Saud “Kid Grady” Clark.

“This is going to be a phenomenal show from top to bottom,” stated Robinson. “We have some of the top young talent in Philly on this card and the Ocasio-Sosa rematch all under one roof. April 20 will definitely be a great night for the fans!”

Fight Night of Champions

Everybody come out and show there love and support for all the fighters. This isnt a sport that anyone can do. It takes alot of hard work and dedication to make it in this sport. Champions East is putting on another Fight Night of Champions for the world to see local talent and talent from alot of other states and countries. Come out and support.

HEAVYWEIGHT JOHN LENNOX LOOKS TO SPRING FORWARD TOWARDS BIG FIGHT‏

Already with two wins in 2012, Heavyweight John Lennox is closing in on his first title and he has big plans to makes moves in the coming months.

Lennox of Carteret, New Jersey sports a record of 10-1 with five knockouts is coming off a first round stoppage over Miles Kelly on February 17^th, will travel to St. Maarten, Netherlands on April 7^th to take on thirty-four fight veteran Mike Middleton for the vacant UBC International Title.

This will kick off a very active spring and summer for Lennox as the former gridiron standout will inducted into the Carteret High School of Fame in June.

“He is ready for this fight”, said Lennox manager Rich Masini

“He has been sparring with former world champion Bert Cooper. We know that these fights now will be for all the marbles as this will be his first eight round fight”

“Middleton is a very experienced opponent and we consider this a big step and these are the fights that will prove the doubters wrong”

A win over Middleton will pave the way for what will be a special night for Lennox as Masini is planning a big homecoming for the popular heavyweight.

“We want to win this belt and we are planning a step fight on the first weekend of June, which will be outdoors at the 5,000 seat football stadium and we believe we can pack the place with a title fight”

After that Masini hopes to have Lennox on a fight card at The Meadowlands Race Track in July.

Lennox, who turned pro at 199 pounds, has been building his body for the past five years is now maturing into a full fledged heavyweight.

“We expect him to be fighting at 230-232 pounds on April 7^th at that shows the hard work he has put in and I want him to reap the rewards on that work so much that I consider John to as close to a son to me”

“We know where John is and we truly believe in him. We are on a quest to win as many belts as we can and after a few fights, not only will John be ready for ten round fights but we will be ready to fight anyone”

“We have just added Joe Alvarano to the team. He quickly has been an integral part in John’s career”

Alvarano, whose son Joe Jr. will be taking part in a special amateur fight at the Carteret High School card, has been in professional sports for many years as he comes from the Horse Racing industry where he owned champion horses such as Artisic Fella.

The Newly formed Entertainment and Promotional company that Masini and Alvarano will be aligned with will be a huge asset in moving Masini’s growing stable of fighters such as John Lennox, Welterweight Anthony “Juice” Young, Super Middleweight Joel De La Paz and Cruiserweight Jaywon Woods with the goal to mix boxing and Harness Racing together.

Micky Ward - Dickie Eklund UK Tour Promo Video Released

Nina C’s Touch Glove Promotions today released the promotional video for the upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend mini UK tour by the real life subjects of the box office hit movie ‘The Fighter’, ‘Irish’ Micky Ward and his half brother Dickie Eklund.

Micky, who was played by Mark Wahlberg in the movie, has stated that he is relishing returning to the UK, the first time being when he challenged, and beat, Liverpool’s Shea ‘The Shamrock Express’ Neary, at Olympia in Kensington in March 2000, to capture the World Boxing Union Light Welterweight title.

Whilst without doubt a magnificent victory, especially so when you
consider Neary had successfully defended his title five times since
beating Darryl Tyson to lift the title in October 1996, Micky is better
known as one of the protagonists, the other the late Arturo Gatti, in the
greatest trilogy of fights of all time.

Incidentally Mark Wahlberg, accompanied by Micky and Dickie, stated at the
Spike TV Guys Choice Awards last year “We left out the Arturo Gatti
fights for a reason... because that’s for ‘Fighter 2.” Hopefully this
means the sequel should be hitting the silver screen in the very near
future.

That aside, back to Micky and Dickie’s upcoming visit, whilst here in the
UK the boys will be undertaking three ‘Audience With’ appearances, the
first takes place at the Hilton Metropole in London, on Saturday the 5th
May, then the pair will make the short trip to the Crown Plaza in Maldon,
Essex for their second appearance on Sunday 6th May and then finally the
boys will be at the Priestfield Suite in Gillingham, Kent on Monday 7th
May.

In addition Micky and Dickie will also be visiting the famous TRAD TKO
Boxing Gym deep in the heart of London’s East End, Brentwood ABC in Essex
and O’Neill’s Gym in Margate Kent, where they will meet local
underprivileged kids, who will have the opportunity to work out with the
legends and, hopefully, generate some fundraising for the OneLife UK

charitable organisation.

OMAR SHEIKA TO BATTLE YUSAF MACK FOR USBA LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ON FRIDAY APRIL 27TH AT RESORTS IN ATLANTIC CITY‏

OMAR SHEIKA TO BATTLE YUSAF MACK FOR USBA LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ON FRIDAY APRIL 27^TH AT RESORTS IN ATLANTIC CITY

ATLANTIC CITY’S BIGGEST BOXING WEEKEND KICKS OFF WITH IMPORTANT TITLE CLASH

On Friday night April 27^th, The biggest boxing weekend in Atlantic City kicks off with an important USBA Title clash when Omar Sheika takes on Yusaf Mack.

The show is promoted by Nedal Abuhumoud’s Nedal’s Promotions and Andre Kut’s KEA Boxing.

Sheika of Paterson, New Jersey has been a mainstay at the top of the Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight divisions for sixteen years. He won his first fourteen bouts and went on to beat former world champions Simon Brown and Glen Johnson.

The thirty-five year old Sheika challenged Joe Calzaghe, Eric Lucas; Jeff Lacy and Markus Beyer for world Super Middleweight supremacy but each time came up just a little bit short.

Sheika, 33-11 with twenty-one knockouts is coming off an action packed ten round unanimous decision over Tony Ferrante on February 24^thin Chester, PA

Mack of Philadelphia has a record of 29-4-2 with seventeen knockouts and his been at the top of the Super Middleweight and Light heavyweight rankings for the better part of the last half decade.

The thirty-two year old Mack was undefeated in his first twenty-four bouts (22-0-2) which included wins over Donnell Wiggins, Shannon Miller (for the USBA Super Middleweight title), Richard Grant (title defense) and Christian Cruz (title defense) as well as a draw with former world title challenger Randy Griffin.

Mack also has big wins over Jose Juan Vasquez (16-1-1); Daniel Judah (22-2-3) and Chris Henry (23-1). He won the USBA Light Heavyweight crown with a split decision over Otis Griffin

Mack has only lost to top fighters in former world champions Alejandro Berrio & Glen Johnson as well as former world title challenger Librado Andrade.

In his last bout, Mack put up a terrific effort before being stopped by IBF Light Heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud.

An exciting undercard with some of the best prospects on the east coast has been assembled and appearing in separate featured bouts will be:

Undefeated Super Middleweight Derrick Webster (12-0, 7 KO’s) of Glassboro, NJ in an eight round co-feature

Przemyslaw Opalach (9-1, 8 KO’s) of Poland in eight round Middleweight bout

Juan Rodriguez Jr. (8-0, 3 KO’s) of Union City, NJ in a six round Welterweight bout

Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (7-0, 5 KO’s) of Millville, NJ in a six round Welterweight bout

Alando Swain (5-1, 1 KO) of Trenton, NJ in a four round Middleweight bout

Tyrone Luckey (4-1-1 4 KO’s) of Middletown, NJ in a four round Lightweight bout

Their Opponents plus more bouts will be announced shortly.

Christina Hammer, World Middleweight Title Defense In Brno on April 5th‏

Christina Hammer, World Middleweight Title Defense In Brno on April 5th

21 years old, and considered the number-one female middleweight in the
world, Christina Hammer is making her third defense of the World Boxing
Federation World title on Thursday April 5 at the Vodova Arena in Brno,
Czech Republic.

Hammer, 11-0 (7), is taking on South African challenger Julie “Queen”
Tshabalala, 4-1-1 (1), on a show promoted by SES Boxing that also features
a championship fight between local hero Lukas Konecny and Frenchman Salim
Larbi.

Born in Novodolinka, Kazakhstan, the nationalized German has become
something of a Globetrotting champion, winning the WBF World title in
Slovenia in February 2011 and defending it in the Czech Republic three
months later before returning to Germany for her second defense last
October. Now she will go back to the Czech Republic for the Tshabalala
encounter.

Julie Tshabalala from Johannesburg is the reigning South African
Middleweight Champion. Making her professional debut in August 2008, she
captured the national title almost exactly a year later with a ten-round
unanimous decision over Bomkazi Klaas. She defended the title the
following year in a rematch with Klaas, and again last summer with a
stoppage over Lilian Molala.

While Hammer has five more professional bouts than Tshabalala, and been in
four title fights compared to the South Africans three, the champion will
do herself a favor by not underestimating her challenger who is known for
her fighting spirit and determination. The Christina Hammer vs. Julie
Tshabalala WBF Women’s World Middleweight title fight will be streamed

live and exclusively to the world via www.bild.de from 8 PM local time.

DENNIS HASSON TO TAKE ON TANEAL GOYCO ON MAY 4TH AT HARRAHS IN CHESTER, PA FERRANTE TO TAKE ON KARPENCY FOR PA STATE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE IN MAIN E

Undefeated Dennis “The Assassin” Hasson will risk his perfect mark when he takes on his toughest test when he squares off with Taneal Goyco in one of the co-featured bouts on Friday May 4^th at Harrahs in Chester.

The show is promoted by Joey Eye Boxing Promotions.

In the main event, Tony Ferrante will take on Tommy Karpency will fight for the Pennsylvania State Light Heavyweight championship in a ten round bout.

Hasson of Philadelphia has a perfect record 13-0 with five knockouts.

Since coming off a one year Hiatus, Hasson has hooked up with new trainer and former world title challenger Dave Tiberi and his coming off two consecutive big knockouts when he stopped William Santiago in three and Eddie Caminero in two in a six week span with the Caminero win coming on March 17^th

Goyco of Philadelphia has a record of 4-3 with two knockouts has faced top competition.

Goyco won his first three bouts and has a devastating first round knockout over Dennis Morris. Goyco has dropped two in a row which includes his last outing when he dropped a six round unanimous decision to highly regarded Derrick Webster (10-0) last October 28^th. This will be Goyco’s third appearance at Harrahs in Chester.

In a six round Lightweight bout, Victor Vasquez (14-6-1, 7 KO’s) will take on an opponent to be announced in a six round bout.

In a six round Heavyweight rematch, Jamie Campbell (4-2, 2KO’s) of Ridley Park, PA will attempt to avenge a defeat to William Miranda (5-4-1) of Allentown, PA

Tyrone Crawley Jr. (1-0) of Philadelphia will fight take on a an opponent to be named in a four round Welterweight bout.

Joey Tiberi (7-1, 5 KO’s) of Newark, DE will take part in a four round Lightweight Bout against an opponent to be named.

Alex Barbosa (2-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on an opponent to be named in a four round Bantamweight bout.

Big Heavyweight John Mercurio (4-0, 3 KO’s) returns in a four round bout against an opponent to be named.

ShoBox: The New Generation when former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor Friday April 20

On Friday April 20, DiBella Entertainment, in association with Golden Boy Promotions, will present a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation when former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor (29-4-1, 18 KO’s) looks to take another step toward reclaiming the middleweight championship when he takes on the undefeated Caleb “Golden” Truax (18-0-1, 10 KO’s) in a 10-round middleweight matchup. SHOWTIME® will begin live coverage starting at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Taylor, who made his successful return to the ring in December on ShoBox after a nearly two-year layoff-scoring an eighth-round TKO over the tough-as-nails Jesse Nicklow-barely took any time off before returning to camp with longtime trainer Patrick Burns. Burns is the man responsible for guiding Taylor from the 2000 Olympics to the undisputed middleweight championship, which he won by dethroning future hall-of-famer Bernard Hopkins in 2005. After an unsuccessful bid in the super middleweight division, Taylor has reunited with Burns as he makes another run toward the middleweight championship. Already Taylor is ranked #6 by the WBO and #9 by the WBC.

“This has been another great camp and I am really looking forward to this fight,” said Taylor. “This is the new-old Jermain. I am back to working really hard, and I am really focused. This fight is another step toward regaining my championship. My body feels great. I know what it takes and what I have to do to become champion again, but first I need to take this kid’s (Truax) zero. I was praying the other day and God told me to go in there and kick this kid’s butt, and that’s exactly what I plan on doing. It is time to either put up or shut up.”

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Tuesday, April 3, 2012