Mike Tyson Joins List of Legendary Fighters who became promoters

Mike Tyson Joins List of Legendary Fighters who became promoters

Mike Tyson was the youngest heavyweight champion of all time and in 1987 voted, "World's Most Popular Athlete." Now he joins a select list of legendary fighters who became boxing promoters.

Jack Dempsey

Jack Dempsey, the "Manasa Mauler," stopped boxing after this fight against Gene Tunney. He promoted a few bouts before entering show business as an actor.

Joe Louis

Joe Louis, the "Brown Bomber" is considered by many historians as the greatest heavyweight champion of all time. He retired briefly in 1948 and one of his first promotions was the Ezzard Charles - Jersey Joe Walcott fight for title Louis' vacated.

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, known simply as, "The Greatest," is certainly one of the most famous people of all time. After his final bout in 1981against future champ Trevor Berbick he entered the promotional business under the banner "MAPS," Muhammad Ali Professional Sports.

Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson and business partner Garry Jonas formed Iron Mike Productions in 2013. Their motto: the best interest of the fighter comes first in any decision making. Mike will be in Minneapolis to see his IBF Champion Argenis Menedez defend his crown on ESPN Friday Night Fights January 3 at Target Center.

Some other prominent fighters who also became promoters include Roy Jones, Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, and Floyd Mayweather.

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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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♔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 Sports and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Nov. 15 Iron Mike Productions show at Seminole Hard Rock canceled‏

The World Boxing Council (WBC) has announced its World Cup Tournament has been postponed, resulting in the cancellation of the entire Iron Mike Productions-presented show scheduled on November 15, 2013 at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.  The postponement is out of respect to WBC president and World Cup founder, Jose Sulaiman, who is recovering from recent heart surgery.  The event will not be rescheduled and refunds are available at point of purchase.

The main event and co-feature fights, slated to be part of the World Cup's opening round, were going to air live on Fox Sports I.

The WBC issue the following statement:

The WBC has asked the promoters and participants of the WBC World Cup Tournament, which has been the dream of our President Jose Sulaiman, to postpone the inauguration of the tournament as a sign of respect and solidarity for his current medical condition as he recovers from his recent heart surgery.

Jose Sulaiman worked tirelessly for several years to put together the formidable World Cup, which is a tournament between all WBC affiliated federations champions to determine the best of the division, with the winner to become a challenger of the reigning champion.

The postponement would allow our President to be involved in all the activities which he had so passionately dedicated toward its implementation, with the support of the WBC 19s 10 Continental federations.

All our efforts in the WBC will be concentrated in the successful recuperation of Jose Sulaimán, who is presently recovering at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

"I have known Mr. Jose Sulaiman since I was a teenager," Iron Mike Productions president Mike Tyson said.  "His recovery is of great importance to me and I am sending my prayers to the Sulaiman's and the WBC Family. Professionally, we look forward to being a part of the WBC Cup tournament when it is reinstated. In the interim we will continue getting our fighters exciting fights."

For additional information about Iron Mike Productions please visit www.IronMikeProductions.comor follow on Twitter @IronMikeProd.

Iron Mike Productions, previously Acquinity Sports, is a boxing promotion company co-founded and led by CEO Garry Jonas. It is a partnership with Hall of Famer Mike Tyson 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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♔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.

"Tyson Is Back!"Tyson Is Back" Press Conference Quotes; Features a World Championship doubleheader on ESPN Friday Night Fights, Friday, August 23

The final press conference forIron Mike Productions' inaugural event this Friday evening - "Tyson Is Back!" - was held today at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

Acquinity Sports, under CEO Garry Jonas, recently partnered with Hall of Famer Mike Tyson to form Iron Mike Productions, which is presenting "Tyson Is Back!" in association with Greg Cohen Promotions.

"Tyson Is Back!" features a World Championship doubleheader on ESPN Friday Night Fights, headlined by International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight champion Argenis "La Tormenta" Mendez (21-2, 11 KOs) making his first world title defense, in the 12-round main event against IBF No. 13-rated Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs). Unbeaten Claudio "The Matrix" Marrero (14-0, 11 KOs), rated No. 2 by the WBA, meets WBA No. 4 Jesus Cueller (22-1, 18 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature for the Interim World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight championship.

Providing chief support are a pair of 10-round fights featuring Cuban knockout artist Alexei "The Mexican-Cuban" Collado (16-0, 15 KOs) against Mexican featherweight Hugo "Guerrero" Partida (19-4-2, 15 KOs), while welterweight Ed "The Lion" Paredes (33-3-1, 22 KOs) faces another tough Mexican fighter, Noe "Platanito" Bolanos (24-8-1, 16 KOs). 

Also fighting on the undercard is unbeaten Virginian middleweight Antoine Douglas (8-0, 6 KOs) squares-off against Russell "Spiderman" Jordan (15-10, 10 KOs), of Rochester (NY), in a six-round bout.

Former Toledo-Ohio-based amateur star, Albert "Prince" Bell (1-0, 1 KO), is back in action former World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Mauricio "Cry Baby" Martinez (36-14-1, 24 KOs) in a four-round match. The 20-year-old Bell captured gold medals as an amateur at the 2011 National PAL Championships and 2012 National Golden Gloves Tournament. 

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Mike Tyson: "It is my privilege and an honor to be at Turning Stone for my first show. I'm privileged to have the champion, Argenis Mendez, who is going against Arash Usmanee. We also have 'The Matrix,' Claudio Marrero fighting Jesus Andres Cuellar. I'm really excited about this show."

"I have such an affinity for this place (upstate N.Y.). I won the state championship in Syracuse. A lot of my childhood friends will be at the fights."

"I think fans should vote for who they want to fight. Should the winner of this fight (Mendez vs. Usmanee) fight (Yuriorkis) Gamboa?"

"I never want to be back in the ring. I understand what these guys are going through. We want to be known for being worthy but most fighters are shy."

"In most fights you know who is going to win before the fight. It's not going to be that way with us. We want the best fighting the best."

"I'm going to watch them (IMP fighters), as a fan, and be so happy I'm not in there." 

Argenis Mendez: "In my opinion, he (Usmanee) did win that fight (controversial loss by 12-round decision to Rances Barthelemy in their IBF title eliminator to determine Mendez' mandatory challenger), and that's one of the main reasons I chose him to defend my world title. 

"I understand how to train properly for a fight, what it entails, and I expect a great fight from him and me. I want to thank Iron Mike Productions - Garry Jonas, Henry Rivalta and Mike Tyson - and my trainer, Lee Beard, for such an intense camp. I also want to thank Garry Jonas and my manager, Jose Nunez, for being there through the good times and bad times. Jose has been a stableperson in my career.

"When I became champ, I didn't lose my hungry. I'm aware of hunger. I'm sure Arash is hungry but I'm even hungrier than I was before. Friday night, you (Usmanee) will have to go through the storm, Argenis Mendez." 

Arash Usmanee: "I've worked so hard for so many years, it feels surreal to be here. I'm not going to let this opportunity pass. I want to thank my team - promoter (Greg Cohen), manager (Paul Keefe) and trainer (Eddie Mustafa Muhammad) - my sponsors and Mendez for giving me this opportunity. I had a good camp, I'm sure did too. We'll have a good war and then, hopefully, we can do it again."

Claudio Marrero: "I'm in excellent condition. I want to thank my fans for their support. I'm glad he (Cuellar) he had a great camp. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if he trained with Rambo and The Rock. On Friday night it's going to be me and hi; no managers or trainer fighting. He's going to fight 'Matrix' Friday night."

Jesus Andres Cuellar: "I want to thank Mike Tyson for me being on his show. I also want to thank my manager, Sebastian Contursi. I had a great camp. I'm ready to win and take the title back to Argentina. I also want to thank my team and sponsors. Withoutyou uys this wouldn't be possible."

Ed Paredes: "I'm honored to be fighting on Iron Mike's first show. I grew-up watching Mike fight. He was a big puncher. I have power, too, and can punch with both hands. I'm looking for an explosion. Don't blink! I'm putting on a great show and knockout."

Alexei Collado: "I want to thank my promoters for giving me an opportunity to fight on his first show. I'm waiting for my opponent (Hugo Partida). He must be scared because he's not here. I will be an angry man in the ring. I love fighting." 

Albert Bell: "I'm her eto put my work in. I let my hands do my talking."

Mendez, Marrero, Collado, Paredes and Bell were promoted by Acquinity Sports and are now fighting under the Iron Mike Productions banner.

Doors open at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Event Center at 6:00 p.m. ET, Friday, August 23. The first undercard bout starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. The live ESPN2 telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Iron Mike Productions, previously Acquinity Sports, is a boxing promotion company co-founded and led by Acquinity Interactive CEO Garry Jonas. It is a partnership with Hall of Famer Mike Tyson committed to changing traditional boxing promotion by advocating for its fighters' successes inside the ring and out, throughout their professional careers and into retirement.

For additional information go online at.IronMikeProductions.com or TurningStone.com.
♔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.