No Holds Barred: Adrien Broner, Vicente Escobedo

No Holds Barred: Adrien Broner, Vicente Escobedo http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/2012-07-19T17_34_07-07_00
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with boxers Adrien Broner and Vicente Escobedo, who meet this Saturday, July 21, for Broner's WBO junior lightweight title. This fight will be televised live in the U.S. on HBO and takes place at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The 22-year-old Broner (23-0, 19 KOs) is considered to be one of the rising stars of boxing. The 30-year-old Escobedo (26-3, 15 KOs), a 2004 U.S. Olympian, has recently fought as a lightweight and has never lost at junior lightweight.

We spoke with Adrien Broner and Vicente Escobedo on a media conference call on Wednesday to get their views on what to expect in what is the biggest fight this coming weekend. We also examine the careers of both fighters, why this is likely to be the biggest test yet for Broner, why Broner is being pushed as a budding superstar, and why this fight has all the earmarks of being particularly noteworthy.


ABOUT "BATTLE ON THE BANKS: BRONER VS. ESCOBEDO":

"Battle On The Banks: Broner vs. Escobedo," a 12-round fight for Broner's WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship will take place Saturday, July 21 at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and R&R Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The HBO Boxing After Dark® telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

♔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.

LONNIE SMITH IS READY TO FIGHT VINCENTE ESCOBEDO IN WOODLAND, CA THIS SATURDAY

Super-featherweight prospect “El Negro Mexicano” Lonnie Smith (14-2-2, 10 KOs) will face off against former world title challenger Vicente Escobedo (24-3, 14 KOs) on March 3rd in Woodland, CA for the WBO NABO Jr. Lightweight Title. The Smith vs. Escobedo bout is scheduled for ten rounds and will headline Telefutura’s Solo Boxeo Series (check local listings).

This is by far the most important fight in Lonnie Smith’s career. Even after a string of bout fall-outs, nothing deterred him from continuing to work hard in the gym. The 24 year old is excited and prepared for this opportunity.

“I’m a gym rat that doesn’t stop working.” Says Smith. “I have been focused and working very hard. This fight means everything.”

Smith is known for his action-packed fighting style. Although he promises to always deliver excitement in the ring, he is looking forward to showing boxing fans the improvements he has made in the gym.

“I hope that the people who have seen me fight before see the growth and maturity in my fighting style. I believe I have come a long way from just being a puncher. I am dedicated to improving my craft each fight.”

Smith lives in Las Vegas and trains with Skipper Kelp. Kelp is a former world-ranked welterweight, but has developed a reputation as a great boxing trainer.

Vicente Escobedo is a big step up in competition for Lonnie Smith. Along with facing Michael Kadsidis for the interim WBO world title in 2009, he went the distance against current interim WBO and interim WBA world titlist Robert Gurrero in 2010. In Escobedo’s last fight, he beat former world champion, Rocky Juarez.

To make Smith’s task even tougher, the upcoming fight is taking place at the Woodland Community Senior Center in Escobedo’s hometown. Smith remains confident, nonetheless.

“I am only going to Woodland, CA for a win!”

On Saturday, a young, hungry prospect is pitted against an experienced, skillful world title challenger. Lonnie Smith vs. Vicente Escobedo is a can't-miss for boxing fans!


ABOUT LONNIE SMITH

“Lighting” Lonnie smith, also known as “El Negro Mexicano”, or “Lonnie Love” is a 24 year old super-featherweight/Jr. Lightweight boxing prospect based out of Las Vegas, NV. His current record is 14-2-2 with 10 knockouts.

♔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.

TeleFutura's Sólo Boxeo Tecate- Vicente Escobedo vs Lonnie Smith Vicente Escobedo vs Lonnie Smith

Boxing returns to Woodland, California Saturday March 3. Vicente Escobedo vs Lonnie Smith

Vicente Escobedo has fought all over the world, represented his country in the Olympics and fought some of the best fighters in the sport throughout his career, but the one thing the top junior lightweight contender has never done is compete in his hometown as a professional. That changes on Saturday, March 3 as Escobedo steps into the ring at the Woodland Community Center in Woodland, Calif. against Lonnie Smith in a 10 round fight for the vacant NABO Junior Lightweight Title which will be televised on TeleFutura's "Sólo Boxeo Tecate."

Joining Escobedo on this exciting homecoming card will be Fairfield's unbeaten featherweight star on the rise, Manuel "Tino" Avila, who faces an opponent to be named in the six round co-main event.

A 2004 United States Olympian who got his start in the sport at the Woodland Boxing Club, Vicente "Chente" Escobedo (24-3, 14 KO's) has come a long way since those early days, and at 30 years old, he is approaching his physical prime as a boxer. The owner of wins over former World Champions Kevin Kelley and Carlos Hernandez, Escobedo lost in his lone world title shot at lightweight via a razor-thin split decision to Michael Katsidis in 2009. Now fighting at 130 pounds, Escobedo has been better than ever, defeating Walter Estrada and Rocky Juarez in his most recent fights and he's ready to make a move on the junior lightweight elite in 2012.

A professional since 2006, 24-year-old Las Vegan Lonnie Smith (14-2-2, 10 KO's) appears to be reaching his prime and is ready to prove it against a tough contender in Escobedo. In 2009 Smith returned from a two-year layoff and came back as a more mature and polished fighter and has been unstoppable since, winning nine in a row, with six coming by knockout, including victories over David Rodela and Eduardo Arcos. Now he takes a big step up in facing Escobedo, a fight he's been waiting for, in Escobedo's hometown.

♔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.