★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience©®™

Thursday, February 14, 2013

No Holds Barred: Mukai Maromo, The Afrikan Assassin

Originally from Harare, Zimbabwe, and now based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Mukai Maromo will be fighting for the vacant MFC lightweight title this Friday, February 15. His opponent will be Graham Spencer, who defeated him by decision in 2010. Since then, Mukai Maromo, now 8-2, has won five straight fights, while Graham Spencer, 9-1, has also been undefeated.

This fight will be the co-main event of the MFC 36 card which will be held this Friday at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, and televised live on AXS TV.

We spoke with Mukai Maromo by phone Monday.

Mukai Maromo is known more as a striker, having won four of his eight victories by KO or TKO, while Graham Spencer is known more as a grappler, having won four of his nine victories by submission and none by KO or TKO. Although Graham Spencer has never been knocked out, Mukai Maromo is very confident that this will change in their rematch.

"I think it has the makings of a very exciting fight," he said in this interview. He believes that his opponent has never been knocked out because he is mainly a grappler who "has managed to drive his opponents down to the ground and beat them on the top. In that situation it's very hard to get knocked out when you're the one in the top position on the ground."

But he said that it is also because his opponent has not faced a top-level striker. "It's not like he's fought somebody who's landed a couple of hard shots off his chin and taken it and kept on trucking." And he stressed that he is a far improved fighter since their first fight in 2010.

In this rematch, he predicted, "I'm going to put a couple of hands on his chin. If he can take that, I'll put the knee on his chin. If he can take that, I'll put my shin on his chin. With one of those three things landing on it, it's guaranteed to be a knockout." And he added, "He's never been knocked out YET, but I'm definitely coming to do that right now."

We discussed his progress as a fighter since that loss to Graham Spencer. He only started fighting professionally in 2010, at age 27, and took some time to find his bearings. But he said he is now dedicated to becoming "the best" and has also been training at the respected Tristar Gym in Montreal. This is his "new home" and he said he has improved all aspects of his fighting technique since training there.

We also discussed how he became a mixed martial arts fighter, how he would like to help spread and develop MMA in his home country of Zimbabwe and in more of Africa than has it now, the great potential for MMA in Africa, and much more.

♔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.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

No Holds Barred: International Olympic Committee Drops Wrestling for 2020 Summer Olympic Games

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses the decision by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to drop wrestling from the program of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

Many people in the wrestling community have long criticized the poor and sometimes nonexistent promotion and marketing of wrestling, as well as the poor communications skills of many of those in charge of it. Now, it appears, the chickens have come home to roost, as other Olympic sports and those vying to get on the Olympic program have passed it by.

While the IOC could still reinstate wrestling for 2020 at its Executive Board meeting in St Petersburg, Russia, in May, or at its full IOC Session September 7-10 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that is highly unlikely unless wrestling makes some dramatic changes in the few months before those meetings.

We also play the audio of the February 12 press briefing with the IOC Communications Director, Mark Adams, which officially announced that wrestling was being dropped by the IOC.

Here is the February 12 news release by the IOC announcing that wrestling was being dropped:

IOC Executive Board recommends 25 core sports for 2020 Games

The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today agreed on the 25 sports it will propose to the 125th IOC Session for approval as the core sports for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

The 25 sports are: athletics, rowing, badminton, basketball, boxing, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, football, gymnastics, weightlifting, handball, hockey, judo, swimming, modern pentathlon, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, shooting, archery, triathlon, sailing and volleyball.

The EB recommended that wrestling, governed by the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA), not be included on the list of core sports. Wrestling will now join the seven shortlisted sports – baseball/softball, karate, roller sports, sport climbing, squash, wakeboarding and wushu – vying for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic programme as an additional sport.

The eight sports are scheduled to make presentations to the Executive Board at its meeting in St Petersburg, Russia, in May. The EB will select which of the eight sports to recommend to the 125th IOC Session for inclusion as an additional sport on the 2020 programme.

In an effort to ensure the Olympic Games remain relevant to sports fans of all generations, the Olympic Programme Commission systematically reviews every sport following each edition of the Games.

Golf and rugby sevens were added in 2009 as additional sports to the 2016 Olympic programme.

The 125th IOC Session will take place from 7 to 10 September in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

♔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.

ADRIEN BRONER vs GAVIN REES HEAD-TO-HEAD FOOTAGE / NEW YORK PRESS CONFERENCE

♔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.

UFC 157 : Rousey vs Carmouche Pre-Fight Conference Call (LIVE! / complete + unedited audio)

Melson to receive “MVP” Award from NYCSCIA February 12!‏

Junior middleweight boxer and humanitarian Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson will receive the inaugural Most Valuable Philanthropist (MVP) award from the National Spinal Cord Injury Association’s New York Chapter (NYCSCIA) during a special Mardi Gras themed fundraiser Tuesday, February 12.

Since turning pro in November 2010, Melson, who has a record of 10-1-1 with 4 knockouts, donated all of his fight purses. Eleven of his full fight purses went to Justadollarplease.org in support of a pending trial that could potentially cure chronic Spinal Cord Injuries, with the other being donated to a lifelong friend whose son has brain cancer.

In 2011, along with his best friend Christan Zaccagnino, the West Point Graduate created Team Fight to Walk. The team, which has more than 15 fighters helping support the cause in various ways, received mentioned in ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo and the Military Times. With his full-time employer Johnson&Johnson backing his selfless efforts, Melson’s raised more than $100,000 towards the trial.

“This is an incredible honor, but this is not about me,” said Melson, who fights three days before the fundraiser at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. “There are more than 300,000 Americans that suffer from Spinal Cord Injuries on a daily basis that can’t get the help they need in this country.”

“We have no government funding and are doing everything we can to make this trial happen in the immediate future. I appreciate this award and am looking forward to spending time with the NYCSCIA members. More than receiving any award or boxing championship, I want to see my best friend Christan Zaccagnino and every other person that suffers walk again.”

The fundraiser is from 6-10 pm at Slate-NY, located at 54 West 21^st Street New York, NY 10010. Tickets to the fundraiser are available on Ticketriver.com/event/5400-9th-annual-mardi-gras-fundraiser.

Tickets for Boyd's next fight are available at Teamfighttowalk.com. Fans can also buy Team Fight To Walk t-shirts and wrist bands for the next fight from the website, with 100% of profits being donated to Justadollarplease.org. Come wear your t-shirt and bracelet Feb 9^th to support The “Rainmaker” and Team Fight To Walk in his quest to be a champion it the ring and cure Spinal Cord Injuries outside of it. All tickets and merchandise purchased will be available at the Barclays Center’s will call window on fight night.

MMA WORLD EXPO Feb. 16-17 in NYC

The mixed martial arts community reconvenes this Feb. 16-17 in NYC as the 4th annual MMA WORLD EXPO returns to the Jacob Javits Convention Center. MMA WORLD EXPO is a 2-day conference and expo designed for the Mixed Martial Arts community, its fans, practitioners, suppliers and stars.

Monday, February 11, 2013

ELITE HEAT AMATEURS SHINE IN ALLENTOWN

This past Saturday at the Rodeway Inn in Allentown, PA, Kings Boxing Promotions staged a Pro-Am card that saw three members of the Elite Heat Boxing team score victories during the amateur portion of the show.

In the 112 Pound Division (ages 15-16), Shakur Stevenson scored a victory over Jacob Soto.

Stevenson is trained by his grandfather Walli Moses and Robert Griffin and has an amateur record of 74-7.

Stevenson recently traveled to Russia and took home the Velez Cup and was the 2012 Ringside World champion and 2013 Jr. World champion

Eysa Dorsey scored a victory over Donald Ford of Washington, DC in the 75 lb (ages 11-12) division. Dorsey was the 2012 Nation Jr. Golden Gloves champion

Finally in the 75 lb (ages 10-11) Viti Mielnicki won a decision over Jahlil Hackett of Washington, DC. Hackett was the 2012 Title National Champion while Mienicki was the 2011 and 2012 Jr. National Golden Gloves champion and 2012 Ringside World champion

FEBRUARY 16 on HBO: Adrien "The Problem" Broner vs. Gavin Rees & Seth Mitchell vs. Jonathan Banks 2

World Championship will take place Saturday, February 16 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, R & R Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. The co-main event will be a 12-round heavyweight rematch between Johnathon Banks and Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell for Banks' NABO and WBC International Heavyweight titles which is co-promoted by K2 Promotions.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

No Holds Barred: Andrew Montanez of Robot Combat League and MMA Surge

No Holds Barred: Andrew Montanez of Robot Combat League and MMA Surge

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Andrew Montanez, the host of the online video show MMA Surge.

Andrew Montanez has a strong background in the combat sports. He wrestled at Mineola High School in Long Island, New York, and then at Nassau Community College, as well as wrestling freestyle at the Empire State Games. He is currently a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Although he is not currently an active fighter, he has fought numerous times in professional MMA, including Strikeforce where he was 1-1.

His latest foray into combat sports, however, was something quite different: Andrew served as a robo-jockey for an eight-foot tall robot named A.X.E. in the first season of the new Syfy network TV series called Robot Combat League.

The Robot Combat League features 12 state-of-the-art robots engaged in a tournament where they fight each other. The robots are controlled by a human fighter known as a robo-jockey and an engineer known as a robo-tech. The first season of the Robot Combat League, which premieres Tuesday, February 26, on Syfy in the U.S., has already been filmed.

We spoke with Andrew Montanez about the Robot Combat League and its relation to combat sports by phone Saturday.

"That's the main reason why I did the show. I saw the same vision. The sport's getting violent. We kind of need something else," he said in this interview. "I know a lot of girls that can't watch MMA because they can't watch people getting hit. But I brought a couple of them to the robot fights and they were like, 'This is awesome.' Because no one's actually getting hurt."

He continued, "The main reason I did this show was because I saw the potential and I wanted to be part of it," and to "try to see if we could start a new combat sport."

He did caution that there will be many factors determining the success or failure of the Robot Combat League, including the editing of the show, how the audience reacts to it, and how the fights actually look on television. "It's going to be a little bit of a process."

Still, he, along with many other people, are optimistic that the Robot Combat League can establish itself as a successful venture, be it as a replacement for combat sports involving humans or as a show existing alongside them.

We discussed what his tasks were as a robo-jockey, how he had an advantage over other robo-jockeys because he could utilize his combat sports skills to control his robot, why he believes that many fans of combat sports will enjoy the Robot Combat League, and more.
♔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.

Bradley vs Provodnikov

Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion TIMOTHY BRADLEY, JR. (29-0, 12 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif., top-rated contender RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV (22-1, 15 KOs), will take place Saturday, March 16, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Banner Promotions and Tecate, Bradley-Provodnikov will take place Saturday, March 16, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

♔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.

No Holds Barred: J.P. Reese‏

On January 31, J.P. Reese fought Dave Shepherd on the Bellator MMA card in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and won a three-round unanimous decision. This fight, fought at lightweight, was on the undercard of this event. It upped his record to 9-4, and 3-0 in Bellator, but he still has not gotten a slot in a Bellator championship tournament.

Now 32 years old, and having fought professionally only since June 2010, J.P. Reese believes it is time for him to make a change.

"To be honest with you, I actually have intentions of probably going to 145 pounds," he said in this interview, which was recorded by phone Monday. "I wrestled 141 in college. I'm getting it everyday at the gym from my training partners and from my coaches, 'Hey, when are you going to drop down to 145?'" While he may not drop to that weight whenever his next fight is, he added, "Down the road I'm really anticipating going to 145 pounds."

Even if he drops to 145, however, he will still have to wait for a slot in a Bellator tournament. The Bellator season eight featherweight tournament is set to start February 7, with the season eight lightweight tournament having started a week earlier. It may not be easy to be patient at age 32 while waiting for a tournament spot, but, especially if he keeps winning his fights, this could be the year it happens for J.P. Reese.

Meanwhile, he trains at American Top Team's facility in Coconut Creek, Florida, and prepares for his next fight, which has not been set yet. He also maintains his ties with wrestling, and is an assistant wrestling coach at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, one of the top schools for wrestling in that state.

In our interview, we also discussed when he trained with other former Missouri wrestlers who are now MMA fighters, including Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler, Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren, and former Strikeforce and now UFC fighter Tyron Woodley. In addition, we discussed how he made the transition from wrestling to MMA, his most recent fights, the state of wrestling in Florida, and much more.
♔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.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

MMA World Expo...It happens in 7 days‏

Presents the 4^th Annual MMA World Expo is just one week away! We are excited and hope you are too. Now's the time to take advantage of the pre-event registration prices, so get your tickets now!

Next week's highlights:

MMA Celebs & FightersFrankie Edgar, Nate Diaz, Big John McCarthy, Matt Serra, Mike Straka, Uriah Hall, Nick Newell, Mike Chandler and many more. Click for Details

Live Amateur MMA Fights

Watch as fighter from around the globe, including Kazakhstan, Italy, DR Congo, US Samoa, Canada and from right here in the tri-state area, compete in exciting MMA action right on the show floor. Click for Details

Renzo Gracie BJJ Open

Check out the fierce Gi and No-Gi grappling action as BJJ legend Renzo Gracie presides over his tournament chock full of arm-bars, chokes and sweeps galore! Want to compete? Click for Details

New MMA Reality TV Show- Casting Call

Exciting to watch, but even more exciting to try-out! Global Proving Ground presents, the “Warrior Island Casting Call” for aspiring MMA fighters. Click for Details

MMA Film Screenings

Grab a seat in the MMA World Expo Screenings Theater where you’ll be treated with some of the best MMA documentaries, shorts and films like: Striking Truth, Like Water, The Rise of Toquinho and dozens more. Click for Details

Training-with-the-Masters

Where else can you train with some of the world’s best fighters, Olympians and MMA coaches in one place at one time for an incredibly reasonable price? Check out the line-up: Saturday: Renzo Gracie, Vitor Shaolin, COBAN, Frankie Edgar, Iran Barkley & Juan Laporte. Sunday: Lee Kemp, Jimmy Pedro, Phil Nurse, Nate Diaz and Risk Hawn. Click for Details

Auto & Chopper Showcase

Toyota will have on display their finest vehicles including the Tundra, PJ Cruiser, Scion Series and a few specialty vehicles as well. In addition, NYC Choppers will be displaying some of their toughest custom bikes and newest designs. Click for Details

MMA Vendors

We’ve got vendors for just about everything! Apparel, Nutrition, Auto, Gear, Equipment, Gyms, Entertainment, Apps, Publications, Fight Organizations, Services—you name it, it’s at the Expo. Some leading vendors include: Toyota, Headrush, Xyience, Big John’s MMA Fight Club, World Series of Fighting, Sapphire, FDNY, Ring-to-Cage, Zebra Mats, MSG Sports, Tap Cancer Out, Gleason’s Gym and over 50 other vendors. Click for Details

After-Party

Grab a free admission ticket and drink stub at the Sapphire NY booth on Saturday and join us—and special guests- for an unforgettable night of fun. Must be 21+ and proper attire required. Click for Details

kiko martinez vs carl frampton

Timothy Bradley vs. Ruslan Provodkinov: Full press conference highlights

Timmy Bradley is back in the boxing ring on March 16th and hes not rematching Manny Pacquiao, or fighting Lamont Peterson, Robert Guerrero, Juan Manuel Marquez, Amir Khan, or Brandon Rios but rather the small but mighty Ruslan Provodkinov! Yes….the mighty…RUSLAN PROVODKINOV!
♔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.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Floyd Mayweather goes on his facebook and twitter pages to say this:

The negotiations for my fight are almost done. The front runner is IBF Champion Devon Alexander. It'd be a unification bout at welterweight. Kell Brook must be worried by this statement! (Photo by Keisha Morrisey)

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

No Holds Barred: John Perretti, the Martist‏

No Holds Barred: John Perretti, the Martist

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again
speaks with the ex-pugilist, lifelong martial artist, former UFC and
Battlecade Extreme Fighting matchmaker, TV commentator, and our senior
correspondent, John Perretti (http://twitter.com/ACJohn Perretti).

A "martist" is a term coined by John Perretti, meaning someone who has
"the duality of the spirit of the martial and the aesthetic, a split
if you will in interests within one human being. The artist preceded
the pugilist and they have had a symbiotic relationship ever since."
John's new blog is also called "'The Martist' with John
Perretti" (http://johnperretti.com).

We spoke with John Perretti by phone Tuesday about his blog,
aesthetics and martial arts, the current states of MMA and grappling,
and more.

Although he is a pioneer in MMA and created the basics of the modern
structure of the sport, he is no longer enthusiastic about present-day
MMA. "I don't want to focus on this car accident that this sport has
become, because I don't feel that it's worth my time any longer," he
said in this interview. "I donated incredible time and energy and
resources and personal money to make this thing happen, and it for me
is something that I don't enjoy watching."

John also was the producer of the 1997 all-grappling pay-per-view
show, "The Contenders". While that show was a financial failure, he
still maintains his love of grappling: "I am a giant proponent of
grappling. Meeting Gene LeBell changed my whole life. I'm one of his
four original black belts. And that's why I started 'The Contenders'
and that's why I took striking out of the martial arts and created
straight grappling."

We also discussed fixed fights and purposeful mismatches, the need for
the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act to be extended to MMA fighters, why
he is writing his autobiography, aesthetics and martial arts, his
current coaching of weightlifting, the issues of head trauma and CTE
in combat and contact sports, and much more.

UFC 157: Rousey vs. Carmouche

Taylor confirms opposition for February and March bouts in Dublin‏

Olympic Champion Katie Taylor faces double trouble at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin with the confirmation of both opponents for her bouts there on Sunday, February 24th and Friday, March 22nd. Taylor will begin her Road to Rio campaign when she takes on German Champion Maike Klueners in February before switching her attention to reigning Ukrainian champ Yulia Tsiplakova in March.

The bout with Klueners sold out in a matter of hours leading to the addition of a second date at the same venue on March 22nd. A limited number of tickets remain on sale for the March 22nd bout from Ticketmaster.ie and the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre box office. Taylor says she has been amazed at the response from fans and wants to reward them by putting on a show.

"I'm just so grateful for the support and I'll be looking to repay that with my performances in the ring," said Taylor. "Boxing at home is always special and I'm really looking forward to the fights. I've boxed both girls before and they are very experienced international boxers so I know what to expect. My Dad is already working on the tactics for those fights and we're working hard in the gym every day so it's great to have some fights coming up again and the fact they are in Ireland is an added bonus."

Katie’s father and trainer Pete revealed that finding opponents willing to step into the ring with his daughter has become an increasingly difficult task. "It's always been tough getting opposition for Katie but it's even tougher since the Olympics. We tried for Queen Underwood and a couple of the other top American's but their national Championships are coming up at the end of March so the dates didn't really suit them. Very few of the Europeans are willing to box her before the European Championships later this year but both Maike Klueners and Yulia Tsiplakova accepted the challenge.

"They have both been competing at the highest level in women's boxing for quite a few years now and after the Olympics Katie is the one they all want to beat and that's something we're very aware off. Both girls like to come and have a fight so they should be exciting bouts and good to watch. Katie is training as hard as ever. She's moving on from the London games now and looking to the future and retaining her Olympic, World and European titles."

Klueners says she’s looking forward to renewing her rivalry with Taylor. "Katie is a big role model for boxers across the world both male and female. Her success has been really important for female boxing and it’s now taken seriously as a sport across the world and given the respect it deserves."

However despite her respect for Taylor and what she has done for the sport Klueners says she won’t be intimidated and is happy to meet Taylor head on in Dublin. "Katie is the best female fighter in the world today but she is human too and boxing is a sport where anything is possible. I know it won’t be easy but I have a brave heart and I believe I will be a very dangerous opponent for Katie.

"I recently won the German national championships so I’m looking forward to this fight and the European Championships later in the year with confidence. Of course like Katie I am also looking forward to the 2016 Olympics. I have considered turning professional and that is always an option but once the Olympic dream catches you it’s hard to let that go."

Brian Peters who is promoting the events in association with Bray Boxing Club and Trinity Boys Boxing club says fans can expect a boxing night with a difference. "These events are about showcasing amateur boxing and also to tell Katie’s story and the remarkable journey she made against all the odds from lacing up the gloves for the first time to standing at the top of the podium in London. There will be ten bouts in total with Katie obviously the main event but her Olympic team mate Adam Nolan will also be in action as will the next generation of Katie Taylor’s."

CARD SHAPING UP FOR FEBRUARY 9TH KINGS BOXING PROMOTIONS CARD AT RODEWAY INN IN ALLENTOWN, PA COLLINS – RIVERA HEADLINES PLUS GRAYSON BLAKE TAKES ON UNDEFEATED JOHN “APOLLO KIDD” THOMPSON

On Saturday night February 9^th, boxing returns to the Rodeway Inn in Allentown, PA, Marshall Kauffman’s King’s Promotions presents a Pro-Am show.

In the eight round main event, Jr. Middleweight Keenan Collins will take on George Rivera in a rematch of their hotly contested draw that took place on April 27, 2012.

Collins of York, PA has a record of 14-7-3 with nine knockouts.

Collins is known as a quality boxer with good power and has only been defeated by the best such as former world title challenger Delvin Rodriguez as well as contenders Gabriel Rosado and Charles Whittaker.

Rivera of Charlottesville, VA is similar to Collins as his record reads 13-7-1 with four knockouts.

Rivera has signature wins over undefeated Lawrence Jones and Jesse Nickelow (19-0-1) as well as former Contender Season 1 contestant Jonathan Reid.

A quality undercard has been assembled that will feature three fights scheduled for six rounds.

In a Heavyweight fight, popular William Miranda (6-5-2) of Allentown will square off with Aaron Kinch (4-0-1, 1 KO) of Newark, NJ

In a rematch of a draw that took place on November 10^th, 2012 Jeremy Stauffer (7-2-2, 6 KO’s) will take on Elvin Sanchez (5-2-1, 4 KO’s) of Paterson, NJ in a Cruiserweight bout.

In a Super Featherweight fight, Frank De Alba (5-1-2, 2 KO’s) of Bayamon, Puerto Rico takes on Bryan Acaba (3-2, 2 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY

In four round bouts, Pennsylvania native Samuel Quinones (0-1) looks to get in the win column when he fights Charles Mack (0-0-1) of Philadelphia, PA

Also seeing action in a four round Middleweight bout, former amateur sensation and undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Washington, DC will take on an opponent to be named

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