World Boxing Council (WBC), The Ring Magazine and linear world light heavyweight champion, Adonis "Superman" Stevenson (21-1-0, 18 KOs), will defend his crown for the first time, facing former International Boxing Federation (IBF) world light heavyweight champion, American Tavoris "Thunder" Cloud (24-1-0, 19 KOs), on Saturday, September 28 in a titanic collision at the Bell Centre in Montreal, airing live on HBO in the United States.
"Superman Returns" will be co-promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), Don King Productions (DKP) and Gary Shaw Productions (GSP), in association with Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron.
This prestigious boxing event launches the start of the new GYM season, which promises to be more exciting and glamorous than ever.
Stevenson, who turns 36 on September 22 and now lives in Blainville, won his world light heavyweight title by knocking out undisputed light heavyweight king "Bad" Chad Dawson (31-3-0, 17 KOs) in 76 seconds. His dramatic victory before a stunned audience at Bell Centre and HBO viewers was amazing as "Superman" immediately catapulted into the stratosphere of elite international boxing stars. Stevenson was the IBF super middleweight mandatory challenger but IBF Carl Froch wasn't interested in battling the dangerous southpaw Stevenson. Instead, Stevenson gained instant fame and a privileged place among boxing's greats. The Bible of Boxing, The Ring Magazine, selected him as its Fighter of the Month for June, as the WBC also did.
"Adonis Stevenson" goal is not to become just a world champion," GYM president Yvon Michel said on the eve of Stevenon's fight against Dawson. "Adonis Stevenson has the required potential to become a major international attraction in professional boxing, but to get there he needed the stage offered him in the June 8 fight of June 8: a seasoned and dangerous opponent, world title, and prestigious television. The table is set; the future is now in his fists of steel! This prediction is now being achieved!"
Back on June 8, 2012, Stevenson's late, great trainer Emanuel Steward had prophesied, "Adonis will become an authentic, major star in boxing." His presence in the life of Stevenson was short, like a shooting star, but the mark he left is indelible. His head trainer is now Stewart's nephew, Javan "Sugar" Hill, who can now say their mission has been partially accomplished. Knowing that there is often a small margin between victory and defeat, Hill once again because the recipe works has brought back Stevenson to training camp on the reclusive borders of Michigan in Traverse City.
The powerful Stevenson is riding a streak of eight sensational knockout victories including Dawson (KO1), Darnell Boone (KO6), Don George (TKO12) Noe Gonzalez (TKO2) Jesus Gonzales (KO1), Aaron Pryor Jr. (TKO9), Shujaa El Amin (TKO1) and Derek Edwards (KO3). In fact, the last time a fight Stevenson went the limit dates back to 2007.
The 31-year Cloud, fighting out of Tallahassee Florida, has had an illustrious nine-year pro career, highlighted by his 4 years reign as IBF world champion. He won his title in 2009 winning a decision over former world champion Clinton Woods (42-4-1, 25 KOs). He then defended it four times, first against durable Glen Johnson (50-13-2, 34 KOs), another former world champion, following against contenders Fulgencio Zuniga (24-4-1, 21 KOs), Yusaf Mack (29-3-2, 17 KOs) and Gabriel Campillo (21-3-1, 8 KOs). His winning streak ended at 24, the same time as his reign as champion concluded last March in New York, losing by decision to the inimitable Bernard Hopkins (52-6-2, 32 KOs).
According to The Ring Magazine, Cloud is ranked fourth among the world's leading light heavyweights, and he is considered the No. 1 175-pound light heavyweight contender in the United States. Cloud has suffered only the one defeat in his entire career and he has never visited the canvas. Cloud has an experience advantage over newly crowned champ Stevenson having fought a total of 123 rounds, including 78 in world championships, nearly as Stevenson's total of 80 rounds fought. Cloud believes he has what it takes to become world champion again because of his proven track record combined with his aggressive style and power. This major challenge has Stevenson chomping at the bit to make his mark. Since his resounding and expeditious victory over Dawson, HBO executives demonstrated a sustained interest in presenting the next fight for "Superman" on the air, provided it he agreed to face "Thunder" Cloud, considered by many as the most dangerous contenders in the division. They say in life you need to be careful about what you want because it might happen; Stevenson wanted strong opposition his first title defense, and that is what he has on Sept. 28.
Other fights on the Sept. 28 card will be announced in the next days and GYM is working hard to put together a memorable gala event.
Tickets will go on sale starting August 17 at the Bell Centre, online at www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514-383-0666) or club Boxing Champion (514 376-0980). Ticket prices range from $50 in the red up to $ 300 on the floor.
BELLATOR ANNOUNCES RAMPAGE VS. TITO PAY-PER-VIEW
It was announced live inside the Bellator cage tonight that two of the biggest names in MMA Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Tito “The People’s Champion” Ortiz will meet in a light heavyweight battle live on PPV Saturday, November 2nd. The announcement was made with both Rampage and Tito inside the Bellator cage to a nationally televised audience on Spike TV at Bellator 97 inside The Santa Ana Star Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“Rampage vs. Tito” will be held at Southern California’s Long Beach Arena, with tickets on sale at 10 AM PST this Saturday, August 3rd. Tickets can be purchased on Bellator.com, Ticketmaster.com, as well as at the Long Beach Arena Box Office.
“To have two of the biggest names in MMA headline our first PPV is awesome,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “Rampage vs. Tito is a fight I’ve wanted to see for years and to have it as our Main Event on our first Pay-Per-View is a spectacular next step in Bellator’s evolution. They’re both re-energized, excited and ready for a war. This will be a great fight.”
“Honestly, I feel like I’ve been re-born.,” Jackson said. “My excitement, energy and aggression, it’s all back and bigger than ever. I feel like a kid again. The Rampage you’ll see Nov. 2nd will be better than any Rampage you’ve ever seen. Everybody knows Tito and I have a very long history. He’s a former teammate and friend, and it’s one of the reasons I stayed away from the UFC as long as I did. But, I want to be very clear; any sort of friendship we once had doesn’t exist when that cage door shuts. I’ve got a ton to prove on November 2nd, and unfortunately for Tito he’s the guy I have to make an example of. He’s in my house now and Saturday, November 2nd on PPV, it’s going to be a horrible night for Tito Ortiz.”
“I’m back,” Ortiz stated. “Over the last few years, my passion for MMA was completely killed, dealing with UFC politics and with Dana. I didn’t have that drive to compete, my heart wasn’t in it. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’m free. Bjorn and Bellator put together an opportunity that made me part of the promotion, part of the family. I feel like I can breathe again and my old friend is going to be on the receiving end of all that happiness turned into an old school Tito Ortiz ground and pound beating. I’ve fought and beaten the very best in MMA history and on Nov. 2nd, Rampage will be the next huge win on my record. This is a new era for the People’s Champion.”
Jackson arrived in Bellator in June as a former Pride and UFC champion, having last fought on Spike TV in September 2007, in a fight vs. Dan Henderson that drew nearly 6 million viewers, making it one of the most watched fights in the sport’s history. In 2009, Jackson served as a coach on Spike’s “The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights,” the highest-rated season by far in franchise history, delivering over 3 million viewers per week. Rampage joins a Bellator Light Heavyweight division that features “King Mo”, Emanuel Newton, Vladimir Matyushenko, Attila Vegh and now, Tito Ortiz.
Ortiz joins Bellator as a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and throughout his career has been one of the most recognizable and polarizing figures during his sixteen year career, fighting the likes of Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Vitor Belfort, Rashad Evans and Ken Shamrock. A true MMA icon, Ortiz will now start a new chapter of his career fighting under the Bellator banner beginning on November 2nd.
More information regarding Bellator’s first PPV will be made available in the coming weeks. A press conference with Rampage and Ortiz will take place on Monday, August 5th. Information regarding the press conference will be available shortly.
For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, follow Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney @BjornRebney and check out Bellator on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/BellatorMMA
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