It's 'Hammer' time! Erickson Lubin The future of boxing

Last week's much-anticipated professional debut of blue-chip welterweight prospect Erickson "Hammer" Lubin (1-0, 1 KO) launched what promises to be a special boxing career for the multi-talented 18-year-old southpaw. Lubin registered a spectacular knockout of Eric De Jesus (1-1, 1 KO), unloading an explosive barrage of punches, leading to a stoppage only 35-seconds into the opening round.  The combination of Erickson's speed, power and accuracy simply overwhelmed his opponent. "We are all excited about Erickson's impressive pro debut," Iron Mike Productions (IMP) president and Hall of Famer Mike Tyson said.  "Not only does he have all the tools to become world champion for many years, we believe Erickson Lubin represents the future of boxing." Erickson's IMP stable-mates, featherweight Dennis Galarza and lightweight Albert Bell, were also victorious fighting on the same card in Sunrise, Florida.  Galarza won his pro debut, stopping Torres (0-4) in the opening round, while Bell improved to 3-0 with a unanimous decision over Angel Hernandez (1-3). "It was a lot of fun," Lubin spoke about his first fight as a professional.  "I knew my opponent would feel everything I touched him with.  It was everything I hoped it would be.  My manager, Henry Rivalta, told me this was going to be a special day and to stay calm, focused and just be me.  My second dad, Jason Galarza, was pumping me up in the locker room.  It was truly great.  I told everyone my opponent wasn't getting out of the first round.  I just wanted to smash him and get my first one out of the way." A native Floridian who is now fighting out of Miami, Lubin ended his heralded amateur boxing career riding a 30+ win streak. Lubin captured a gold medal at the prestigious 2012 National Golden Gloves Tournament and ended his amateur career on a high note, defeating 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Yasniel Toledo Lopes, of Cuba, in the semifinals en route to capturing top honors at the Independence Cup in the Dominican Republic. Lubin was considered Team USA's No. 1 overall prospect for the 2016 Olympics prior to his signing promotional and managerial contracts with Iron Mike Productions and Rivalta Management on his 18th birthday this past October 1. "My manager negotiated a contract for me that my family felt very comfortable with," Lubin added.  "IMP has great people.  Garry Jonas and Mike Tyson are going to take me to the big dance one day and I will not disappoint.  I will be ready at all times.  IMP has set-up a great fight plan for my future.  I felt the love, man, and I knew this was the right place for me.  Unfortunately, the amateur system is going downhill but I truly wish them the best. "It's great having Mike Tyson as my promoter.  Mike is one of the biggest names in boxing and a legend in my book.  I know he will help make my name great, especially as these knockouts start piling up.  I trust Mike, Garry and my entire team.  I can't wait to learn in the ring from Mike himself when he's here later this month." Lubin is scheduled to fight next January 3 in Minneapolis on an ESPN Friday Night Fights card headlined by his IMP stable-mate, International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior lightweight champion Argenis Mendez. For additional information about Lubin or any of his IMP stable-mates go online atwww.IronMikeProductions.com, www.facebook.com/IronMikeProductions or follow on Twitter @EricksonHammerL or @IronMikeProd.

About Iron Mike Productions (IMP):  Previously known as Acquinity Sports, Iron Mike Productions is a full-service boxing promotion company co-founded and led by CEO Garry Jonas. In partnership with Hall of Famer Mike Tyson, IMP is committed to changing traditional boxing promotion by advocating for its fighters' successes, inside the ring and out, throughout their professional careers and into retirement.

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Mike Tyson breaks down claims to be on the verge of dying; "I've Been Lying About Being Sober"

Mike Tyson breaks down about sobriety when asked about reconnecting with Teddy Atlas at the ESPN Friday Night Fights post-fight press conference in Verona, New York.


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ESPN Friday Night Fights – The Big City Brawl in Duval

Sergio Mora meets the media in advance of the June 28, 2013 ESPN 2 televised fight with Grzegorz Proksa in Jacksonville, Florida

In the main event, former Middleweight world title challenger Grzegorz Proksa will take on former WBC Super Welterweight champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora in a Middleweight bout that is scheduled for ten rounds.

Proksa of Jaworzno, Poland and now residing Redhill, England has a record of 29-2 with 21 knockouts. The 28 year old had won his first twenty six bouts which included winning the European Middleweight title on two occasions. He won the belt for the first time when he stopped former IBF World champion Sebastian Sylvester in three rounds. He reclaimed the belt as he avenged his defeat to Kerry Hope, by scoring an eighth round stoppage. Proksa is coming off a 6 round unanimous decision over Norbert Szekeres on February 9th. On September 1st, 2012.

Sergio Mora of Los Angeles, California won his first twenty one bouts and gained fame by winning the inaugural “Contender” reality show, as he scored wins over future world title challengers Jesse Brinkley and Peter Manfredo Jr., as well as current IBF world champion Ishe Smith. Mora, 32 years old, defeated Manfredo in the rematch before reaching the highlight of his career when he scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Vernon Forrest to capture the WBC Super Welterweight title on June 7th, 2008. Mora continued to put up good results. He battled three-division champion and future Hall of Famer Shane Mosley to a draw on September 18th, 2010 which headlined a Pay Per View card.

In the ten round co-feature, Brazilian knockout artist, Patrick Teixeira will take on Marcus Willis in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

The 22 year-old Teixeira of Sao Paulo, Brazil has a record of 19-0 with 17 knockouts. Teixeira has faced and knocked out the best Junior Middleweights in his native Brazil, such as Jailton De Jesus Souza (11-0); Eraldo Cesar Pereira (5-0); Dario Armando Matorras (13-1) and Pablo Aguero (3-0). In his last bout, Teixeira scored a 1st round stoppage over Luis Acevedo on January 12th.

Marcus Willis of Fort Myers, Florida has a record of 13-2-2 with 3 knockouts. The 26 year old has faced good competition and has quality wins over top prospect James De La Rosa (21-1) in an upset on April 12th in Las Vegas; undefeated Yolexcy Leiva (2-0); Jamond Bourgeois (2-0) and Christopher De La Paz (4-0).

The undercard will feature the 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist from the Ukraine Taras Shelestyuk, now undefeated at 3-0, with 3 knockouts as a professional; Heavyweight prospect Donovan Dennis (6-1-0, 5 KO’s) from Davenport, Iowa will battle local Jacksonville heavyweight Curtis Harper (7-2); Jacksonville heavyweight Chris Vendola will appear in a 4 round heavyweight scrap against Kareem Brann, a Jacksonville Corrections Officer and F.O.P. member in his professional debut; Jacksonville middleweight Steve Chadwick will also appear in a 4 round bout as well. The remainder of the undercard will be announced shortly. All bouts are subject to change without notice.

♔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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Usmanee vs. Hovhannisyan and Ortiz vs. Kaufmann Top Stacked Night of World-Class Boxing at Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain

Usmanee vs. Hovhannisyan and Ortiz vs. Kaufmann Top Stacked Night of World-Class Boxing at Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain

On Friday, June 14, Vito Mielnicki of GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions (CGP), in association with First Round Promotions, will proudly present an exciting night of world-class professional boxing, live from the Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain in West Orange, New Jersey and broadcast worldwide on ESPN Friday Night Fights.

In the 10-round main event, IBF #14-rated featherweight Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs) of Montreal, Canada (via Afghanistan) will face once-beaten contender Art “Lionheart” Hovhannisyan (15-1-2, 8 KOs) of Glendale, California (via Armenia).

And in the exciting 10-round heavyweight co-feature, WBA #2-rated Luis “El Mercedez” Ortiz (19-0, 16 KOs) of Miami, Florida (via Cuba), will take on WBA #11-rated Travis “The Truth” Kaufmann (24-1, 18 KOs) of Reading, Pennsylvania in a WBA Heavyweight Elimination Bout with the winner positioning himself for a title shot.

31-year-old Usmanee has already won the NABA and WBC Continental Americas Championships as a professional. As an amateur he was a five-time National Canadian Champion. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, Usmanee and his family moved to Alberta, Canada, when he was three years old. He now resides in Montreal. Usmanee’s only career defeat was a highly controversial 12-round decision to fellow contender Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy on January 4 of this year.

As an amateur, 31-year-old Hovhannisyan gained extensive international experience and was a four-time Armenian National Champion, going 163-12. He moved to the United States in 2007. He is coming off the only loss of his promising career, a very close decision to Alejandro Perez last February. Hovhannisyan has served a sparring partner for former pound-for-pound #1 Manny Pacquiao.

34-year-old southpaw Ortiz was an accomplished amateur, finishing with a record of 343-19. He was a long-time member of the Cuban National Team and competed internationally. Ortiz won the Cuban National “Playa Giron” in 2006 and won the Pan-American Championships, took silver at the World Cup (Team Competition) in Russia, was a quarter-finalist at the world championships and won several medals at the Cuban Championships. As a professional, he has already held the WBO Latino, WBA Fedelatin and WBC FECARBOX Heavyweight Titles.

27-year-old Kauffman is the World Boxing Federation Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion and a former Number-One Ranked American Amateur Heavyweight. He received a full scholarship to Northern Michigan University for boxing, but elected to focus on fighting professionally. Kauffman’s promising career has been hampered by injuries in the past, but he has picked up his activity rate since signing with GCP.

“I am extremely happy to bring ESPN to my hometown of West Orange,” said co-promoter Greg Cohen, CEO of Greg Cohen Promotions. “Vito and I are committed to bringing world-class boxing events to New Jersey and this spectacular event is a testament to that. It will truly be a great night for boxing in my home state.”

“We also have a number of local hot prospects on the undercard,” said Vito Mielnicki of GH3 Promotions. “This show will be an important showcase for the four televised fighters as each will be looking to line up world-title shots in the immediate future with a victory. But it will also shine a light on the up-and-coming young fighters about to make waves on the world scene. I am very proud to be a part of such an amazing night of boxing.”

Undercard match-ups will be announced soon.

JORGE “KING” DIAZ TAKES ON YENIFEL VICENTE AS CO-FEATURE ON ESPN’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS ON JUNE 14TH IN WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY‏

On Friday night June 14^th, once-beaten Featherweight contender, Jorge “King” Diaz returns to the ring and the national stage as he will take place In the ten round co-featured when he  takes on Yenifel Vicente at the South Mountain Arena in West Orange, NJ.

The Diaz – Vicente fight will be part of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights and is promoted by GH3 Promotions, Pound for Pound Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions.

Diaz of New Brunswick, New Jersey has a record of 17-1 with ten knockouts and the New Brunswick, New Jersey native sees this as an incredible opportunity to put himself back in prime position in the Featherweight division.

Diaz has prepared very hard and sees Vicente as the perfect opponent to look good against.

“The training has been up to par.  I see him as a tough opponent who likes to come forward and doesn’t mind exchanging fire”, said Diaz

“This is a great opportunity to showcase what I have been working on”

Diaz will look to win back some of the critics and fans who may have jumped off the bandwagon after March 26, 2011 thrilling defeat to future world title challenger Teon Kennedy in Atlantic City.

“This is a second title fight to me.  This is America, the home of the free and land of the second chance.  This is a second chance for me to get to where I have to get to”

Diaz likes his chances against the tough fighter from the Dominican Republic, who boasts a record of 24-1-2 with 16 knockouts.

“1-2-3, The bell goes ding, out comes the guy from across the ring.  As I knock him off his feet, the crowd goes crazy for the King”, finished up the poetic Diaz

♔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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

2012 OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDAL WINNER TARAS SHELESTYUK BACK IN ACTION THIS THURSDAY IN CORONA, CALIFORNIA‏

This Thursday night, 2012 Olympic Gold Medal winner Taras Shelestyuk will make his second professional outing when he takes Brandon Adams in a four round Jr. Middleweight bout that will be part of a special edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights card at the Omega Products International.

Adams is trained by former Light Heavyweight title challenger Yaqui Lopez.

The show is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions.

Shelestyuk of Sumy, Ukraine made an impressive pro debut on March 29^th when he dropped Kamal Muhammad three times for a first round stoppage victory.

“I prepared for this fight 100 percent.  It’s a four round fight and I want to give everyone who watches it an exciting fight”, said Shelestyuk.

 “Taras has been doing very well in the gym.  Freddie Roach and his assistant Marvin Somodio are very happy with his progress and we are already talking about a possible big fight soon”, said Shelestyuk manager Vadim Kornilov.

“I was very impressed and delighted the way Taras handled his debut”, said Banner Promotions CEO Arthur Pelullo.

“”I look forward to his bout on Thursday and we see big things for Taras in the future.

In the ten round main event, former world title challenger Ji-Hoon Kim (24-8, 18 KO’s) takes on Mauricio Herrera (18-3, 7 KO’s) in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

In the ten round televised co-feature, former world champion Miguel Acosta (29-6-2, 23 KO’s) battles Miguel Gonzalez (20-3, 15 KO’s).

All bouts are subject to change without notice

♔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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Junior welterweight Maurcio "El Maestro" Herrera Q & A‏

 

This Thursday, May 2nd, Thompson Boxing Promotions and Banner Promotions will present a special night of boxing that will emanate from Corona, California and be televised on ESPN "Friday Night Fights".  The special edition of boxing will feature Riverside's Mauricio "El Maestro" Herrera (18-3, 7KOs) versus South Korea's Ji-Hoon "The Volcano" Kim (24-8, 18KOs) in a 10-round junior welterweight bout.
 
Herrera, whose record recently suffered two losses in a row, looks to set the record straight as it relates to his boxing abilities.

Read below to see what Mauricio Herrera had to say about his upcoming match against Ji-Hoon Kim.
 
 
Q:            How has training been going? 

A:            Training has been going well.  Before this fight was offered to me I was in decent shape.  I 
                had been staying in the gym and sparring with Omar Figueroa and Timothy Bradley, so I 
                was really well conditioned to start training for a fight.

Q:            How has camp been going for this particular fight?  

A:             I am doing really good in my training camp.   I have been sparring a lot with different 
               fighters and mixing it up with all of them. A couple of my sparring partners have  
               been Hector Serrano and Freddy Hernandez. 

Q:            What have you done differently in training to prepare for Kim?  

A:            I have been using my basic style in training that has been working for me.  In my last two 
               fights I was listening to too many people in the gym.  Everyone pushed me to be more 
               aggressive and hit harder.  But it wasn't me.  I gave it a try and it didn't work.  The one 
               thing I am doing different from my last two training camps is that I am fighting the way I 
               know how, using my boxing ability, using my jab a lot more and making sure that I 
               don't get hit as much.

Q:            You are coming off two losses.  Where do you see your career at this point? What  
                does this fight mean to you? 

A:            This fight means a lot to me.  I have a lot on the line.  I have to win impressively against 
               Kim, who is a solid opponent, in order to remain on the networks.

Q:            If you do well against Kim who would you like to fight next in your division?

A:            I never look ahead of my opponents but if all turns out well I would love to fight against 
               Brandon Rios, Mike Alvarado (again) , Adrien Broner or Danny Garcia.  They may choose 
               me as a tune up fight but I would take that as my opportunity and be ready.

Q:           You went professional at the age of 27.  Why begin your career so late in the game?

A:           My original trainer, Rudy Garavito, was like a father figure to me and my brother, we were   
               very close.  He took care of us very well but was so attached to us that he didn't want 
               to see us get hurt so he would hold us back from us going pro.  Although I felt bad about 
               it, I finally had to turn away from him,  it was either that or turn old and don't go pro.

               A while back ago, I ran into an acquaintance who also trained with Garavito. He was 
               watching a boxing match and happily commenting about how he had fought some of 
               those fighters that went on to be professionals.  At that moment I knew that I wouldn't be 
               content with just the experience of being an amateur and that no matter how much I 
               respected Garavito, if I remained with him I knew that would be my fate.
 
About the event:
 
Thursday's event will take place Omega Products Outdoor Events Center is located at 1681 California Avenue in Corona, California and will be televised as a special edition of ESPN's Friday Night Fights.
 

♔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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

MAURICIO HERRERA BATTLES JI-HOON KIM ON SPECIAL EDITION OF ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS ON THURSDAY MAY 2ND Plus Miguel Acosta takes on Miguel Gonzalez in Lightweight co-feature

On Thursday night May 2^nd, Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions will present a special night of boxing that will originate from The Omega Products International, located at 1681 California Avenue in Corona, California and will be televised as a special edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.

 

In the ten round main event, Mauricio Herrera will take on the exciting Ji-Hoon Kim in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

 

Herrera of Riverside, California has a record of 18-3 with 7 knockouts and has some solid wins on his resume.  The thirty-two year old won his first eleven bouts which included wins over Alan Velasco (8-1-2); Daniel Cervantes (10-0-1); Santiago Perez (10-1-2); Pavel Miranda (16-2) before winning the WBC USNBC Jr. Welterweight title with a 10 round unanimous decision over Luis Alfredo Lugo.  He made one defense of that crown, as well as a win over current world ranked Cleotis Pendarvis before suffering his first loss to former world champion Mike Anchondo.  Herrera went on to win five in a row which included a split decision over previously undefeated and world ranked Ruslan Provodnikov.  Herrera is looking to get back in the win column after losing a ten round unanimous decision to undefeated Karim Mayfield on October 27^th, 2012 on HBO Boxing After Dark.

 

Kim, of Goyang City, South Korea, has a record of 24-8 with 18 knockouts and is currently ranked 14^th by the IBF at Lightweight.  He began his career at the age of 17 in 2004 and had his first eighteen fights staged in South Korea.  While in South Korea, Kim captured The South Korean and PABA Featherweight titles.  Kim made a huge splash in his American debut as he stopped former world title challenger Kobo Gogaladze in one round on May 16^th, 2008.  Kim then split his time between South Korea and the United States before winning an IBF Lightweight elimination bout against Ameth Diaz.  The win set up a world title opportunity, as he fought a terrific fight before dropping a unanimous decision to Miguel Vazquez for the vacant IBF Lightweight world title.

 

Kim has seen his popularity grow due to his all action style, has been featured on ESPN’s Friday Night Fight’s and has appeared in many “Fight of the Year” candidates.  Kim has picked quality wins over Yakubu Amidu (20-2-1) and previously undefeated Alisher Rahimov (23-0).  Kim is coming off a ten round unanimous decision defeat to world ranked Ray Beltran on December 6^th, 2012 in a bout where Kim knocked Beltran down in round one.

 

In the co-feature, former world Lightweight champion Miguel Acosta will take on Miguel Gonzalez in a bout scheduled for ten rounds.

 

Acosta of Caracas, Venezuela has a record of 29-6-2 with 23 knockouts.  Acosta won the WBA Interim Lightweight title with a 9^th round stoppage over previously undefeated Urbano Antillon (26-0) on July 25^th, 2009.  He won the full title when he stopped Paulus Moses (25-0) in Moses’ home country of Namibia on May 29, 2010.  Acosta performed well before being stopped in 10 rounds to eventual world champion Brandon Rios.  Acosta got another crack at the WBA interim title but lost a twelve round unanimous decision to Richar Abril. Acosta is coming off a ten round split decision defeat to then undefeated Art Hovhannisyan (14-0-2) on July 20, 2012.

 

Gonzalez of Cleveland, Ohio has a record of 20-3 with 15 knockouts. The twenty-seven year old Gonzalez is a rising prospect as he continues to step up the competition and has quality wins over the likes of Tyrone Harris (24-7) and Humberto Toledo (39-6).  He is coming off a ten round unanimous decision defeat to highly regarded Mike Dallas Jr. on February 17^th, 2012.

 

“This will be an exciting doubleheader on May 2^nd”, said Banner Promotions CEO Arthur Pelullo.

“Herrera and Kim can get right back in the title mix with a win and the opening bout features Acosta who is a former world champion taking on Gonzalez, who with a win can throw his name in the middle of the Lightweight title picture”.

 

“We're excited to host this special edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights Boxing on a Thursday night.   We're especially enthused to feature our very own, Riverside's junior welterweight slugger Mauricio Herrera in a tough competition against South Korea's Ji-Hoon Kim.  I have no doubt that these two warriors will leave it all in the ring and give the viewing fights fans everything they expect to see and even more! The entire fight card will be an exciting one so the local boxing aficionados that will be in attendance are in for a turbulent treat!" said Ken Thompson of Thompson Boxing.

 

Other exciting  fights featuring fighters from the local area and will complete the card, including Hector Serrano of Perris, California Xavier Montelongo Jr., Christian Navarro, Richard Contreras and Joshua Conley.

 

♔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.

Solid Undercard Announced for Dib-Gradovich‏

Co-promoters DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions have announced a solid undercard supporting this week's ESPN Friday Night Fights event, featuring International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs) defending his title against undefeated Russian challenger Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), airing live (9 p.m. ET start) from the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

The 12-round main event pits Australia-native Dib, promoted by 50 Cent, against Gradovich. In the 10-round ESPN Friday Night Fights co-feature, North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight champion Willie "The Great" Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) makes his first title defense against Michael "El Magnifico" Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs). The Nelson-Medina fight is being promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. The event is sponsored by SMS Audio. 

Undefeated prospect Ryan "Polish Prince" Kielczweski (15-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Quincy (MA), takes on Houston's Gil "La Metrealleta" Garcia (5-3-1, 1 KO) in an eight-round junior lightweight bout.

Another unbeaten New Englander, New Haven super bantamweight Luis "KO King" Rosa Jr. (12-0, 6 KOs), is matched against New York City-veteran Jhovany Collado (4-5-2, 1 KO) in an eight-rounder.

World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 11-rated welterweight Charlie Ota (21-1, 15 KOs), fighting out of Japan by way of Harlem, has been added to the card in a six-round bout against hard-hitting Brandon "The Business" Baue (12-9, 10 KOs). Ota joined the US Navy in 2000 and was stationed in Japan.  Reigning OPBF and Japanese champion Ota was slated to fight this past Thursday in New York City but the fight fell through.  Baue, who lives in Troy, Missouri, lost a six-round decision in his last action to former world champion Yuri Foreman.

The fastest rising New England female boxer, New London's (Conn.) undefeated junior featherweight Shelly "Shelito's Way" Vincent (7-0), who is trained by Peter Manfredo Sr. in Rhode Island, faces Mikayla Nebel (0-3) in a six-round fight.

Also fighting on the undercard in four-round bouts are former Southern Connecticut State College football player, New Haven junior middleweight Jimmy Williams (1-0, 1 KO), against Raynard Younger (0-1), from Georgia, and Arizona junior welterweight Luis Olivares makes his professional debut versus Houston's Rafael Munoz (1-1), while Cincinnati lightweight Donte Strayhorn meets Cranston's (RI) Joe Pingitore in a battle of pro-debut fighters.  

♔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.

Loew has Nelson's back on climb to top

Veteran boxing trainer Jack Loew has been to the top of the boxing mountain with former world champion Kelly Pavlik and now he's heading back there with rising star Willie "The Great" Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs), North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight champion, who makes his first title defense against Michael "El Magnifico" Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature on this week's ESPN Friday Night Fights, airing live (9 p.m. ET) from MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions are co-promoting this week's ESPN Friday Night Fights show. Nelson vs. Medina NABF title fight is being promoted in association with Steve Smith's Rumble Time Promotions, also Nelson's co-promoter with DiBella Entertainment.

Nelson(19-1-1, 11 KOs), who is the top-ranked American in the World Boxing Council (WBC) ratings at No. 5, is coming off impressive back-to-back wins by 10-round decisions over a pair of previously unbeaten Olympians - two-time Cuban National champion Yudel Jhonson (12-1), on ShoBox, and previously unbeaten Virgin Islands-native and WBC Youth champion, John "Dah Rock" Jackson (13-1, 12 KOs), for the vacant NABF super welterweight title.

Back in 2007, Pavlik got his first big break by stopping Edison Miranda in the seventh-round of an HBO Championship Boxing card in Memphis, headlined by Jermain Taylor and his decision victory over Cory Spinks. The nationally televised win positioned Pavlik for his next fight, in which he captured the World Boxing Council (WBA) and WBC middleweight titles by knocking out defending champion Taylor in the seventh round, propelling Kelly into stardom. 

Loew, respectfully, believes that Medina could be a stepping-stone for Nelson like Miranda was for Pavlik. "I know it's a waiting game, Loew said. "I've been there with Kelly. We waited until he got Miranda. Willie knows I've been there before and he trusts me in his corner. Medina is a tough, dangerous kid who has a golden opportunity fighting Willie. Medina is coming to fight but he's wide open, fighting a taller opponent (Nelson is 6' 4") who has a long reach (84"). If he does what he's told and follows our game plan, Willie wins hands down, probably by knockout."

Medina, ranked No. 17 by the WBC, has been stopped only once, by Saul Roman. He now has a hot trainer, Eric Brown, working his corner as chief second. Brown, who is a top trainer at Freddie Roach's famed Wild Card Gym in Hollywood (CA), gained international attention last year for his work with world champions Peter Quillin and Paulie Malignagg

"Jack can hold his own with any trainer in boxing," Smith commented. "In Willie Nelson, he has the best pure boxer he's ever worked with and Willie, a highly-decorated amateur boxer, in Jack, has a trainer who has proven his ability to develop a world champion. Jack has Willie sitting down on his punches and using his monstrous reach, working everything off his jab and throwing lethal body punches. Jack has Willie using every bit of his many God-given gifts. When I say Jack has turned Willie into a frightening, imposing fighter, I really mean it, because Jack has built Willie into a complete fighter. Willie's going to look like a million bucks too thanks Rival Boxing for designing Willie's new custom trunks. Team Nelson wants to thank Anthony and Russ for doing that."

 Nelson had nearly 250 amateur matches, losing only 22, highlighted by gold medal performances in the PAL National Championships twice and U.S. Under-19 Tournament. He has dramatically improved since he moved from his Cleveland home to train with Loew in the fighting town of Youngstown, Ohio, known for producing outstanding prize-fighters such as Pavlik, Ray Mancini, Tony Janiro, Jeff Lampkin, Greg Richardson and Craig Snyder.

"Willie is like Bernard Hopkins in terms of always being in the gym and in top condition," Loew noted. "He makes my job easier by being that way. This is a big fight for Willie because the WBC dropped Vane Martirosyan from No. 2 in the ratings (for refusing to fight No. 1 contender Erislandy Lara in a rematch of their box-off that ended in a draw to become the mandatory challenger to champion Saul Alvarez) and Willie moved up to No. 5. Maybe a big win against Medina gets us up to No. 3. It's just a matter of time for Willie; I've been telling him no slip-ups, no mistakes at this stage.

 ♔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.

DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT & 50 CENT'S SMS PROMOTIONS UPCOMING ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS CARD MARCH 1 AT FOXWOODS

 Lou DiBella, of DiBella Entertainment, and 50 Cent,of SMS Promotions, will host their upcoming ESPN Friday Night Fights card on March 1, at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods.  In the main event, SMS Promotions' IBF Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21KO's) looks to defend his title against Russia's undefeated IBF #11 rated Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8KO's).  In the televised co-feature, former amateur standout and now top-ten rated junior middleweight contender Willie Nelson (19-1-1, 11KO's) squares off against Michael Medina (26-3-2, 19KO's) in a 10-round showdown for Nelson's NABF junior middleweight title. The Nelson-Medina bout is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions.  Both bouts will be aired on ESPN's Friday Night Fights beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET.

♔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.

KIELCZWESKI & ROSA CARRY NEW ENGLAND BANNER Dib-Gradovich headlines March 1 ESPN FNF at MGM Grand at Foxwoods

The next wave of standout New England boxers, headed by undefeated prospects Ryan "Polish Prince" Kielczweski (15-0, 3 KOs) and Luis "KO King" Rosa Jr. (12-0, 6 KOs), will showcase their talents on March 1, on the undercard of the ESPN Friday Night Fights event, airing live from the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

The ESPN Friday Night Fights card, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, will air live at 9 p.m. ET. The 12-round main event features International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), who is promoted by 50 Cent, defending his title against undefeated Russian challenger and IBF No. 11-rated Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs).

In the 10-round ESPN FNF co-feature, North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight champion Willie "The Great" Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) makes his first title defense against Michael "El Magnifico" Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs). The Nelson-Medina fight is being promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions.

Kielczweski, fighting out of Quincy (Mass.), and New Haven's (Conn.) Rosa are both scheduled to fight in eight-round fights against opponents to be determined.  They are following in the footsteps of another New Englander and DiBella stable-mate, Edwin "La Bomba" Rodriguez, of Worcester (Mass.), one of the top super middleweights in the world.In fact, they've fought on several cards headlined by "La Bomba" and each hope that another impressive performance will help to elevate them to heights reached by Rodriguez, now a championship-caliber, top-rated contender.

The angelic-looking Kielczweski has a crowd-pleasing style and proudly wears his red-and-white Polish colors in the ring for his growing legion of fans.  The flashy 23-year-old junior lightweight has boxed since the age of six.  He accumulated an amateur record of 118-26, highlighted by his runner-up finish in the 2008 National Golden Gloves Tournament.  A merchandiser for Polar Beverages, as well as a carpenter, Ryan trains at the Cyr-Farrell Boxing Gym in Quincy.

 The 21-year-old Rosa is trained by his father Luis Rosa Sr., in New Haven, alongside current world light heavyweight champion "Bad" Chad Dawson.  A 2007 National PAL Tournament amateur champion, "KO King" also won a silver medal at the Ringside World Championships and was a member of the 2009-2010 US Boxing Team.  The compact, well-rounded super bantamweight is a consummate boxer.

Another popular New Englander on the March 1 card in a female six-round match is New London's (Conn.) unbeaten Shelly "Shelito's Way" Vincent (7-0), who is trained by Peter Manfredo Sr. in Rhode Island.  The popular junior featherweight is coming off of her best performance, a win by six-round decision over Nydia Feliciano in January.

A former Southern Connecticut State College football player, junior middleweight Jimmy Williams (1-0, 1 KO), is also slated to fight in a four-round bout.  The New Jersey transplant lives in New Haven.

NELSON GOING ALL IN VS. MEDINA March 1 ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS Co-Feature at MGM Grand at Foxwoods

NELSON GOING ALL IN VS. MEDINA

March 1 ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS Co-Feature at MGM Grand at Foxwoods

North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight champion Willie "The Great" Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) plans to make a major statement on March 1, against Michael "El Magnifico" Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature on ESPN Friday Night Fights, airing live from Foxwoods Resort Casino's MGM Grand Theater, in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
 
The ESPN Friday Night Fights card, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, will air live at 9 p.m. ET. The Nelson-Medina bout is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions.
 
The 12-round main event on ESPN Friday Night Fights features International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), who is promoted by 50 Cent, and fighting in the United States for the first time in four-and-a-half years.  The Australian boxer defends his title against undefeated Russian challenger Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), rated No. 11 by the IBF.
 
Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) is coming off consecutive victories by impressive 10-round decisions over a pair of previously unbeaten Olympians - two-time Cuban National champion Yudel Jhonson (12-1), on ShoBox, and World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth champion John "Dah Rock" Jackson (13-1, 12 KOs) for the vacant NABF super welterweight title.
 
Another impressive win for Nelson, who is the top-ranked American in the World Boxing Council (WBC) ratings at No. 5, should move him up the ladder and closer to a world title shot.
 
"This fight is very important for my career because I'll be showcasing my talent on ESPN and so many people will see me fight," Nelson said.  "This fight is going to get me closer to the top of my division in the WBC.  Personally, though, it's just another fight that won't affect me in the ring.
 
"Medina comes straight forward and throws a lot of punches, but he has poor defense, throws looping punches, and doesn't move his head.  He likes to throw a lot of body punches.  I've fought a lot of guys like him in the amateurs and a few as a pro."
 
WBC No. 17-ranked Medina will be giving away three-and-a-half inches in height, as well as a nine-inch reach advantage, to the 6'4" Nelson, who has an 84" reach.  Medina, whose most notable win to date is a 10-round decision in 2011 over Grady Brewer, has been stopped only once, by Saul Roman, and his only other losses as a professional have been to the undefeated Vanes Martirosyan and John Duddy.
 
Nelson is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Steve Smith's Rumble Time Promotions.
 
The undercard, featuring some of New England's most promising prospects, will soon be announced.
 

♔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.

Derrick Webster Returns to Action on July 27th‏

DERRICK WEBSTER RETURNING TO RING ON JULY 27TH
Undefeated Super Middleweight to Fight at Resorts in Atlantic City   Undefeated super middleweight Derrick "Take it to the Bank" Webster (13-0, 7 KOs) will look for his 14th professional victory later this month, returning to the ring on July 27th at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City as part of an ESPN Friday Night Fights card. Fresh off a trip to Las Vegas where he joined trainer Freddie Roach and the camp of WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., Webster reflected on the past few months of his life as he waits to hear who he will face in his next bout.

Webster is the current BAM Middleweight Champion "The past few months have been interesting and educational," Webster remarked. "I wouldn't change any of it for the world. It has given me a lot more fire and has made me want to train a whole lot harder. I'm a person who has always had a lot of will, but this has given me even more will to want to win more excitingly."

Something that has been a regular occurrence throughout the career of Webster is not getting much time to train for specific opponents. Dates are booked weeks and often months before he knows who he will be fighting, and various challengers are brought to the table before someone signs the deal to scrap.

"My trainer, Denny Brown, tells me that if I just am who I am supposed to be in that ring, it doesn't matter who I'm fighting," Webster stated. "We train for the pressure, we train for the boxers, we train for awkwardness, and we train for the long haul.

♔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.

O’Connor splits glove in winning performance

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.– Legends are made from incidents like 2008 U.S. Olympic first alternate Danny O’Connor experienced last weekend in Canada, when his glove split after he pounded pro-debuting Greg Jimenez’s body with monster-like hooks en route to a win by 4-round decision off-television on ESPN Friday Night Fights show, headlined by the IBF light welterweight title fight between Juan Urango and Herman Ngoudjo at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

The 23-year-old O’Connor (3-0, 1 KO) turned in the best performance of his young pro carer, but what fans there will remember is seeing Danny hit his opponent so hard that his glove literally split. “I don’t know what happened and nobody there had seen anything like it,” O’Connor explained. “I hit him with a clean body shot and the stuffing and padding started coming out. They had to stop the fight, cut-off my gloves, and put on a new pair. It had to be a 7-minute ordeal.”

“Danny had been hitting him with some really effective body shots and after one good shot in the third round,” O’Connor’s head trainer and co-manager David Keefe added, “his glove split open and the fight had to be stopped. He had the kid hurt but never put him away because of the long break.”

O’Connor won on all three judges’ scorecards – 40-36, 40-36, 40-34 – and his impressive performance locked-up his first ESPN Friday Night Fights appearance in the opening bout February 27.

“I had a great time in Canada,” Danny remarked. “It was a very well run show in a great atmosphere. Everybody was nice to me. It was my best performance as a pro. Each fight is a learning experience for me. I fought real well and was relaxed during the entire fight. I felt so good I could have easily fought six rounds.

“Fighting on ESPN means a lot to me, not just because it’s national television, but so many of my fans haven’t been able to watch me fight. Now, they won’t have to wait until they read about my fight the next day. They can watch with their own eyes. I’m very excited to showcase my tools on ESPN to a lot of people who’ve never seen me fight before.”

O’Connor, fighting out of Framingham (MA), won last year’s US Future Stars National Championship, in which he was named Most Outstanding Boxer, as well as the 2008 National Golden Gloves Tournament. Danny, who signed a promotional contract with Seminole Warriors Boxing, defeated 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz, of the Dominican Republic, last May as an amateur in a USA-Dominican Republic dual meet.

“We’re all very excited about Danny fighting on ESPN,” Keefe commented. “When (co-manager) Rob (Valle) and I wanted to go with a promoter, one of the keys was signing with a promoter who could get Danny exposure like this and had a plan that we can work with. (Seminole Warriors Boxing executive director) Leon (Margules) has that plan and getting Danny on ESPN in only his fourth pro fight is another step towards getting Danny to the top. It’s a great marketing tool for a good, young boxer. Fighting in Montreal on that card was a great experience for all of us because we were around Team Urango and saw first-hand what it’s like and takes to win a world championship.”

For more information about Danny O’Connor go online to www.dannyoconnorboxing.com.

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©®™2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved