★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience©®™

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Lucian Bute vs Jean Pascal set to fight on May 25 in Montreal

♔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.

Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado II March 30 on HBO at Mandalay Bay Events Center

No Holds Barred: Carlos Carvalho on 2013 ADCC North American Qualifier

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Carlos Carvalho, the executive officer of the USA ADCC Federation (http://www.adccamerica.com).

The most important grappling tournament of 2013 in North America is about to happen: the final North American qualifier for the 2013 ADCC World Submission Fighting Championships. This is the last chance for North American grapplers to qualify for the 2013 ADCC World Championships. This qualifier will take place this Saturday, March 2, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, as part of the annual Arnold Sports Festival (http://www.arnoldsportsfestival.com).

The winners in both the five men's weight classes and the two women's weight classes will receive official invitations to compete in the 2013 ADCC World Submission Fighting Championships, which will be held later this year at a date and location to be announced.

We spoke with Carlos Carvalho Wednesday by Skype about this important event.

"It is such a big event. You can't imagine," he said in this interview. The logistics involve bringing competitors from the 48 ADCC Federations around the world, plus the officials and staff, to the event.

"The ADCC is the Olympics of grappling, because we are as big as the Olympics. I don't see any other organization that runs something like this big, except the Olympics."

We discussed the international growth of the ADCC Federations especially in Europe, the high level of athletes who will compete in the North American qualifier, the ADCC rules, and more.

"BRADLEY IS GOING TO RUN FROM RUSLAN JUST LIKE HE DID AGAINST MANNY."- Freddie Roach‏

Hall of Fame trainer FREDDIE ROACH and No. 3 world-rated welterweight contender RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV took time out of training camp, at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, to discuss their upcoming challenge of undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, Jr. The Bradley vs. Provodnikov WBO welterweight championship will take place,Saturday, March 16 at The Home Depot Center and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.

"We are having an outstanding camp," said Roach. "Ruslan has given me everything I have asked for in training. The fact that Ruslan has been Manny Pacquiao's lead sparring partner his past two camps has given Ruslan an outstanding foundation from which to work. When Manny was preparing to defend his title against Bradley last spring I said any of Manny's sparring partners could beat Bradley. Ruslan will to prove that on March 16.

"I've heard Bradley say he's going to take the fight to Ruslan. He said the same thing before his fight with Manny. And when he feels Ruslan's power, like when he felt Manny's, it's going to be a remake of Forrest Gump. 'Run, Timmy, run!'This isn't about Ruslan finishing what Manny started. It's about duplicating it."

"I'm very happy and very satisfied with everything I have been doing with Freddie," said Provodinkov (22-1, 15 KOs), a native of Siberia. The two-fisted Russian buzzsaw enters this fight riding a five-bout winning streak with four of those victories coming by way of knockout. "I know my fans have seen me on ESPN Friday Night Fights fighting a certain way, but on March 16, they will see a different Ruslan inside the ring. My work with conditioning coach Gavin MacMillan has made me stronger and faster and my endurance is tremendous. I have never felt so good."

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.

Monday, February 25, 2013

A Closer Look at Sharif Bogere's Ringwalk

On March 2, the Uganda native will roar into the ring wearing the skin of an infamous lion from his native Africa, accompanied by the tune of “Warrior Lion” by Blaq Fuego. Once in the ring, the five-time African champion is looking to put on a show against Richar Abril and capture the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship. Don’t miss one of boxing’s most entertaining contenders, Saturday, March 2 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.

KeAndre Leatherwood vs. Hugo Centeno, Jr. March 8, 2013 Fantasy Springs Casino

Attila Vegh vs. Christian M’Pumbu; Bellator MMA brings a light heavyweight title fight and the lightweight tournament semifinals to New Mexico on February 28

Fight card:

Attila Vegh vs. Christian M’Pumbu (light heavyweight title fight)

Saad Awad vs. Will Brooks (lightweight tournament semifinal)

Jason Fischer vs. David Rickels (lightweight tournament semifinal)

Ed West vs. Josh Montoya

MONTE-CARLO MILLION DOLLAR SUPER 4 & GOLOVKIN VS. ISHIDA TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN U.S. ON PPV

On March 30^th at the beautiful Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, South Africa's premier promoter Rodney Berman (Golden Gloves Pty), in association with the Principality of Monaco, will stage the opening round of the much-anticipated "Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four" tournament.

The event, which is headlined by red-hot WBA middleweight champion Gennady "GGG" Golovkin (25-0, 22KO's) defending his title against former world champion, Nobuhiro Ishida (24-8-2, 9KO's), matches Edwin Rodriguez (22-0, 15KO's) against Argentinean Olympian Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (19-0, 13KO's) and former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18KO's) squaring off against Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8KO's) in the opening round of the tournament. The two finalists will split a $1,000,000 total purse on a 60-40 basis, in Monaco in July as part of the commemoration of Nelson Mandela's 95^th Birthday Celebration.

The European junior middleweight title bout between champion Sergei Rabthenko, of Russia, and Adriano Nicchi, of Italy, will also be featured.

With a huge interest for the event across the globe, especially here in the US, a deal has been reached where the entire event on March 30 will be staged live on PPV, distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT, on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH and Avail-TVN, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.

"I look forward to bringing US viewers an exciting afternoon of boxing action featuring the nonstop action of Gennady Golovkin, who is quickly becoming one of boxing's biggest stars, in addition to the first leg of the much-anticipated Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4 Tournament. This is an absolute huge event, not just in Monaco, but throughout the entire world, and we couldn't be happier to be a part of it," said Doug Jacobs, President of Integrated Sports Media.

The event on the March 30 will mark the first professional boxing card to take place in the country since 2006. Monaco, one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and situated on the Mediterranean Sea in South West Europe, Monaco attracts millions of visitors each year. The Monte Carlo Casino, owned and operated by the Société des bains de mer de Monaco, is the premier casino destination in Europe. The Monte Carlo Casino continues to attract some of the wealthiest and most well known celebrities and aristocrats throughout the world.

The event is promoted by Rodney Berman's Golden Gloves. The Golovkin-Ishida bout is promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev bouts are promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment.

CURTIS "SHOWTIME" STEVENS SIGNS PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT WITH MAIN EVENTS

Main Events announced today that they have signed middleweight hopeful Curtis "Showtime" Stevens to an exclusive promotional contract. Stevens, born and bred in Brownsville, Brooklyn, NY, has a strong amateur pedigree, a solid professional record of 23-3, 17 KOs, and is a hot commodity after his most recent bout.

Stevens needed less than one round to finish off the seasoned and usually-durable Elvin Ayala last month in a nationally televised fight for the Vacant NABF Middleweight Title. Stevens brutally handled Ayala, dropping him twice in the opening round to send the message that he is ready to take on the best of the 160-pound division. It was the second consecutive first round knockout for Stevens, who halted Romaro Johnson after just 2:16, last March in his first middleweight bout.

After trimming down from the super middleweight division, Stevens is in the best shape of his life, and the move seems to have raised his game to a whole new level.

Stevens feels he now has the right tools to dominate the division. He expressed, "Everybody on your team isn't always in your corner, but now I'm signed to Main Events, and I have a great team in my corner. I had 2 years off and now I'm back. Now I'm going to take over the middle weight division. All glory be to God."

Stevens began boxing professionally in 2004 and reeled off thirteen straight wins to start his career. Among his victims in that opening streak was former world champion Carl Daniels. "Showtime" went on to defeat undefeated Pitor Wilczewski by knockout, and well as road warriors Dhafir Smith and Darnell Boone by decision.

Now with two explosive middleweight victories in his pocket and two Top-10 world rankings to his credit, #8 WBC and #10 IBF, Stevens is poised to make a run to the top of the division.

Main Events, whose NBC SPORTS NETWORK boxing series FIGHT NIGHT kicked off its second season with the Stevens-Ayala bout, has created an effective platform where hungry fighters can build and advance their boxing careers. Curtis Stevens took advantage of the opportunity to use the popular series as a springboard to a world title.

Kathy Duva, Main Events CEO, said, "Curtis has the potential to go all the way. He has power, skills, and miles of personality. His stunning first round KO of Elvin Ayala on NBC Fight Night in January made quite a statement and we listened. We are so pleased to make Curtis part of the Main Events family and look forward to having much success together."

♔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.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER ON ADRIEN BRONER: "HE'S FOLLOWING GREATNE

"He's a helluva young champion, and I wish him nothing but the best. If I can give him any advice, I'ma always give him some positive advice. If it's something that's not right, I'ma tell him it's not right, because I don't want him to make the same mistakes that I made...why wouldn't he want to fight like the best...he's following greatness. His ultimate goal is to be great, so he should follow greatness...I'm here to help him," stated undefeated pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather, who spoke about his relationship with undefeated lightweight champion Adrien Broner. Check it out!
♔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: Zee Vjesalicu on Ronda Rousey and Women in MMA

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with women's MMA pioneer Zee Vjesalicu.

With a background in judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Zee Vjesalicu turned to MMA in the 1990s, won the International Fighting Championships' women's light-heavyweight title, and had a record of 7-0 with seven submissions (and one no contest) before retiring as a fighter. Along with Becky Levi, Zee is one of the true pioneers of women's MMA in North America. She now lives in Brazil, where she trains people in self-defense and protection, including professionals in that field.

Zee also still follows MMA, and watched Saturday night's fight between Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche at UFC 157, won by the unbeaten Rousey by first-round arm bar. Based on what she saw, while she is impressed with Rousey, she believes that she can be beaten.

"I think anybody can," she said in this interview, which was recorded by Skype Sunday. "The thing is, you got to study the videotape. You got to sit down, you got to pick apart all the videotapes. Everything I've seen, is, she rushes in, she gets you around the head, she hip tosses you, she gets on top of you, and she arm bars you." Key to defeating her, then, is "if you can defend the takedown."

Zee also stressed that there is a bad tendency for women fighters to be judged on their looks and not on their talent as athletes and fighters. "If I want to see a beauty contest. then I go to watch Miss America," she said.

We also discussed her career as a fighter, why a fight with the much bigger Becky Levi never happened, whether she would even be booked to fight today if she were still fighting, how a good judo player could beat Ronda Rousey, how she would train Liz Carmouche, the buildup of Ronda Rousey, 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.

Bryant vs. Gonzalez, Friday March 15th Live from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

DATE CHANGE--NAIM NELSON TO TAKE ON GEORGI KEVLISHVILLI ON MARCH 15TH AT VALLEY FORGE CASINO RESORT‏

On FRIDAY NIGHT, MARCH 15TH, Kings Boxing Promotions will stage a historic boxing event at the Valley Forge Casino Resort.

In the main event, undefeated Lightweight Naim “The Dream” Nelson will take on Georgi Kevlishvilli.

Nelson, 22 years old of Philadelphia has a record of 9-0 with 1 knockout.

Nelson turned pro on June 3rd, 2011 with a unanimous decision over Kywayne Hill. The win set off seven victories which included wins over Korey Sloane (1-0) and Esteban Rodriguez (5-1-1). Nelson then won the Pennsylvania Lightweight championship as he had to get off the deck and fight through a bad cut to score a unanimous decision over Victor Vasquez. In his last bout, Nelson scored eight round unanimous decision over Naim Nelson on December 28th as part of the Tomasz Adamek – Steve Cunningham II card in Bethlehem, Pa.

Kevlishvilli, 31 years old of Philadelphia via Gori, (Republic of) Georgia has a recod of 12-4 with 3 knockouts.

Kevlishvilli turned pro in 2004 and won his first eleven fights in Europe which included a win over undefeated Saichon Sotornpitak (10-0) before losing to Ayup Arsaev (8-0) for the WBC Baltic Featherweight title. Kevlishvilli then came to America and scored a split decision victory over Anthony Flores (9-2-1). He has continued to face top competition such as Ronny Rios (13-0); Casey Ramos (13-0) and in his most recent bout, Kevlishvilli dropped a split decision to Frankie Trader (8-1) on October 10, 2012.

In a eight round co-feature, Jr. Middleweight Harry Joe Yorgey (25-2-1, 12 KO’s) will face an opponent to be named.

In an six round co-feature, Angel Luis Ocasio (7-0-2, 2 KO’s) will take part in a six round Lightweight bout against an opponent to be named.

In a six round Cruiserweight rematch, Elvin Sanchez (5-2-1, 4 KO’s) of Paterson, NJ will take on Jeremy Stauffer (7-2-2, 6 KO’s) of Reading, Pa. Sanchez and Stauffer fought to a four round draw on November 10, 2012.

In a six round Super Featherweight bout, Jason Sosa (8-1-3, 4 KO’s) of Camden NJ will take on an opponent to be named.

In a four round Jr. Welterweight bout, son of the former Heavyweight champ, Tim Witherspoon Jr. (8-3-1, 2 KO’s) takes on Kywayne Hill (1-10, 1 KO) in a rematch of Philadelphian’s. Witherspoon scored a six round unanimous decision over Hill on January 28, 2011.

Travis Thompson (4-9-1, 3 KO’s) of Pottstown, PA will see action in a four round Lightweight bout against an opponent to be named.

Sulthan Staton of Philadelphia will make his pro debut in a four round Lightweight bout against an opponent to be named.

♔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.

Hopkins vs. Cloud, a 12-round fight for Cloud’s IBF light heavyweight title; Undefeated Light Heavyweights Ryan Coyne And Marcus Oliveira Will Meet On Hopkins vs. Cloud Card at Barclays Center On March 9 WBA Light Heavyweight Final Elimination Bout

Hopkins vs. Cloud, a 12-round fight for Cloud’s IBF light heavyweight title, will take place Saturday, March 9 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Don King Productions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Ford. The co-main event will be a 12-round fight between top-rated contender Keith Thurman and former world champion Jan Zaveck for Zaveck’s World Boxing Organization Intercontinental welterweight championship. Undefeated Light Heavyweights Ryan Coyne And Marcus Oliveira Will Meet On Hopkins vs. Cloud Card at Barclays Center On March 9

A World Boxing Association light heavyweight elimination bout featuring two undefeated fighters, Ryan “The Irish Outlaw” Coyne (21-0, 9 KOs), from St. Louis, and Marcus Oliveira (24-0-1, 19 KOs), from Lawrence, Kan., has been added to the March 9 card in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center headlined by future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (52-6-2, 32 KOs), from Philadelphia, taking on undefeated International Boxing Federation light heavyweight champion Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs), from Tallahassee, Fla.

The winner of Coyne vs. Oliveira, scheduled for 10 rounds, will become the No. 1-rated light heavyweight by the WBA and the mandatory challenger to its champion, Beibut Shumenov.

Coyne gained attention while campaigning as a cruiserweight when he was chosen to participate in the fourth season of the popular television series The Contender where he fought into the semi-finals before suffering an accidental headbutt that forced him to leave the competition. In his final fight at cruiserweight, Coyne captured the World Boxing Council United States Championship after winning a unanimous decision over previously undefeated David McNemar on June 25, 2011. Coyne has maintained his perfect record by notching three victories since moving down to the 175-pound limit.

Oliveira has shown considerable power by winning 19 of his 25 matches by knockout, achieving an 82% knockout ratio. Oliveira scored a pair of third-round knockouts in fights against his most notable opponents: former cruiserweight world champion Kelvin “Concrete” Davis in 2008 and Antwun Echols on Jan. 28, 2012.

Elvir Muriqi and John "Apollo Kidd" Thompson March 15th at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany, NJ.

UNDEFEATED WELTERWEIGHT ANTHONY JUICE YOUNG SIGNS WITH GH3 PROMOTIONS

Vito Meilnicki’s GH3 Promotions is proud to announce the signing of undefeated Welterweight Anthony “Juice”Young.

Young, 24 years old of Atlantic City, New Jersey has a record of 6-0 with two knockouts and will make his debut for GH3 Promotions on Friday night, March 15th at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany, New Jersey in a four round bout against an opponent to be named.

Said Vito Mielnicki, of GH3 Promotions, “We are very excited to add “Juice“ to our roster that already includes undefeated Jr. Middleweight John Thompson and undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas. Anthony is a very good young fighter and he fits the criteria of the type of fighters we are looking to promote as we feel he has terrific ability and great upside potential”

Young is very enthusiastic about the prospects of his being with GH3 Promotions.

“I haven’t had the privilege of having a promoter in my first six fights and this is a move in the right direction. Today is a good day in my career and look forward to working with everyone with GH3 Promotions”

Young is managed by Rich Masini and he sees this as a perfect situation for his fighter.
“The most important thing for us was to find the right promoter. I have had a great friendship with Vito for years and it could not be a better relationship between fighter, manager and Promoter. We feel with Anthony’s ability and this promoter, it will give Anthony the best ability to make some noise. We hope to get a fight before the end of the month but we will definitely be fighting March 15th. Anthony is a great kid and is very loyal to his team”

♔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.

Taylor hoping to recreate Olympic atmosphere at Bord Gais Energy Theatre on Sunday

Katie Taylor is hoping that her fans can recreate just a sample of the atmosphere that saw her win Gold at last years Olympics when she takes on two weight German Champion, Maike Klueners at a sold out Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin this Sunday night.

Klueners faces the daunting task of literally taking to the stage at the 2,000 seater Daniel Liebeskind designed Theatre as she as she steps into the ring to take on a national treasure. Taylor famously added the Olympic Gold medal last year to an honours list that includes an incredible four World Championship Golds and 5 European titles. Her quest for precious metal remains diminished and the Bray woman has set her long term sights on another Gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Sunday’s bout with Klueners is the first of two bouts at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with a second bout scheduled for the same venue on Friday, March 24th against Ukrainian champ Yulia Tsiplakova. Taylor says she is looking forward to getting back in the ring and shedding the ring rust accumulated since London. "It's probably the longest layoff I've had since I started boxing." admitted the 26-year-old. "I only took a few weeks off after the Olympics and I've been back training for quite a while now so I just can't wait to get back in the ring again. Boxing in front of a home crowd is always so special and after all the support I've received since the Olympics I want to repay that by putting in some big performances in these upcoming fights."

Promoter Brian Peters has promised an action packed event on Sunday, “Pete Taylor has put together an excellent 10 bout card," revealed Peters. Obviously Katie is the star of the show but she will be ably supported by two time Olympic medallist Paddy Barnes and Katie's Olympic and Bray boxing club team mate Adam Nolan.

"The card will feature the full spectrum of amateur boxing right down to two 10 year old girls having their first ever exhibition bout so in 10 years time they could be the emerging Katie Taylor's of the future. As well as the boxing we want to tell Katie’s incredible story throughout the night and also get the crowd involved and really give people a night to remember."

The event will be hosted by television and radio presenter Aidan Power while filmmaker Ross Whitaker who recently won an IFTA for the documentary "When Ali came to Ireland" has put together some exclusive video content for the event detailing Taylor's punishing training regime and a revealing interview with Taylor. Those in attendance on Sunday night will also be in a position to take home two unique mementos of the occasion. Artist Michael Hanrahan will paint a scene from Katie's fight as it happens with the completed painting given away to a member of the audience while the Olympic champion will also present her gloves from the bout to a lucky audience member following the bout.

Of course Taylor’s opponent on the night, Maike Klueners is planning on playing the role of party pooper and said. "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."

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