★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience©®™

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

DON KING IN MONTREAL!‏

Don King arrived in Montreal this evening (June 12) to appear at a Wednesday press conference formally announcing his fighter, undefeated International Boxing Federation light heavyweight champion Tavoris "Thunder" Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs), will face former World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KOs) on Aug. 11 in a highly anticipated showdown of two young fighters in their collective prime at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

King was greeted arriving in the Customs area of Montreal-Trudeau Airport by England's Merseyside Chesire Amateur Boxing Association team. They were arriving in advance of their match up against Canada's Montreal Select team on Friday and Sunday.

♔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 on FX: Maynard vs Guida Friday, June 22

The UFC returns to New Jersey for a showdown between lightweight contenders as Gray Maynard faces off against Clay Guida! Plus, Sam Stout and Spencer Fisher complete their trilogy in the Octagon in a rubber match between these two lightweight sluggers. UFC on FX - Friday, June 22 - Live at the Revel in Atlantic City, New Jersey - UFC Fight Club presale starts Wednesday, April 18 at 10am ET, join today for first access to tickets

Patricia Vidonic vs. Sally Krumdiack set for CageSport XX on July 14

Patricia Vidonic vs. Sally Krumdiack set for CageSport XX on July 14

♔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.

Donaire & Rios Headline July 7th Card

Top-Five pound-for pound fighter and four-division world champion NONITO "The Filipino Flash" DONAIRE and undefeated former world lightweight champion BRANDON "Bam Bam" RIOS will headline a spectacular all-action doubleheader, Saturday, July 7, under the stars at The Home Depot Center, in Carson, Calif. Donaire, the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight champion, will rumble with International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion JEFFREY "Marvelous Mongoose" MATHEBULA in a world title unification fight to determine the division's top dog. Rios, in search of more worlds to conquer, will battle steel-fisted Top-10 contender MAURICIO "El Maestro" HERRERA, in a 10-round junior welterweight bout for Southern California bragging rights. The fights will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 10 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.

Perry frustrated with Margarito’s untimely Retirement‏

When junior middleweight Abel “Truth Serum” Perry received word that he’d be facing Antonio Margarito May 26, the Colorado City native was confident that a victory over the former three-time welterweight champion would lead to the kind of opportunity he’s dreamed of since day one.

With many ups and downs during his 6 ½ year pro career, Perry, 18-5 (9 KO’s), won five straight bouts and believed that May 26 would be his sixth. This was until Margarito injured his Achilles 12 days before fight night and the bout was postponed until July.

“Everything was rescheduled for July 7 to my knowledge and I actually saw on the internet that the fight was going to take place on the 21^st,” said Perry. “To be honest, I assumed he wasn’t training because he looked heavy in recent photos.”

He also viewed the delay as something that would only benefit him leading up to the fight of his life.

“I was actually grateful for the postponement because many of my fights came on short notice or without a proper training camp. For the Margarito bout, my manager Bobby Dobbs sent me to a training camp in Big Bear Lake, CA where I was working with Carson Jones and Gennady Golovkin. I was sparring world class guys and the extra time would only give me a bigger advantage. This was the perfect situation.”

To his unpleasant surprise, Margarito announced his retirement on June 8, canceling the fight altogether while leaving Perry without the career-changing opportunity.

“It left a sour taste in my mouth. I felt wronged because they changed the date multiple times and I committed so much time preparing for this fight, while I could’ve been looking for another fight. Everybody was writing me off and they expected Margarito to run right through me. If he’s retiring because he doesn’t have what it takes to fight top guys any longer and I’m supposedly a “safe opponent,” why not face me in a farewell fight?”

“This was a major letdown and Margarito handled this like anything but a professional,” stated Dobbs. “My fighter was in camp getting ready to pull off the upset, only for Margarito to cancel the bout after agreeing to reschedule it. I understand that he’s taken a ton of punishment during his career and didn’t want to fight again, but since this is the case, why even sign to face Abel?”

While Dobbs explores other suitable options, Perry will remain at Big Bear as a sparring partner for Jones and Golovkin.

Maurice Byarm Training Update!‏

American heavyweight hopeful Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm hates being reminded that his next bout, a Friday Night Fights showdown against cement-fisted Russian Magomed Abdusalamov, takes place July 6.

This isn’t because he’s worried about challenging the undefeated Russian southpaw, it’s due to the fact that he still has to wait more than three weeks until the opening bell.

“Anticipation kills me,” said Byarm, a likable second-generation pugilist. “To be honest, I wish the fight was even sooner!”

To prepare for his highly touted foe, Byarm runs five miles each day and trains at two DC-area gyms with heavyweight contenders Tony Thompson and Malik Scott. Additionally, Byarm, 13-1-1 (9 KO’s), is confident that he’ll perform better than he did in his last bout, a close decision loss to Bryant Jennings.

Under the watchful eye of manager Mike Harris and legendary trainer Adrian Davis, Byarm’s sticking to the basics as he maps out his plan to defeat Abdusalamov.

“He’s a strong puncher but doesn’t like to use his jab,” noted Byarm. “We’ve been working on avoiding his left hand because that’s his biggest weapon. Come July 6, I’m going to put on a good show. This is going to be a great night of boxing and the fans will be treated to an exciting match up between two aggressive heavyweights. I’ve never been so ready for a fight; I wish it was today!”

BATTER #3—RICHARD PIERSON TO NOW BOX AARON MITCHELL FOR WBC FECARBOX SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN NEWARK

First it was Gary Jones, then it was David Adotey Alottey and now it will surely be once-beaten Aaron “Homicide” Mitchell that will take on Richard Pierson this Wednesday night at the Robert Treat Hotel.

The show is promoted by Gabe LaConte’s First Round Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions.

Mitchell, along with his twin brother Eric, are two of the toughest guys to come out of the boxing rich town of Philadelphia.

Mitchell has an impressive record of 27-1-1 with twenty one knockouts HAS NOT LOST IN NINETEEN YEARS and that defeat was to future world champion Keith Mullings.

Mitchell will be making his first start in four years when he took a twelve round unanimous decision from Delray Raines in 2008. Mitchell has wins over Anthony Joseph (5-1); Darryl Ruffin (3-0); Ron Johnson (8-0); Napoleon Pitt (10-2); Fidel Hernandez (14-1); Maurice Adams (15-2-1) and Miguel Julio (32-3-1).

Besides Pierson-Mitchell: the rest of the card is as follows:

Lavarn Baby Bowe Harvell (10-0, 5, KO’s) takes on Brian Donahue (2-2-1) in a six round Light Heavyweight bout.

In a six round Jr. Middleweight bout, Tommy Rainone (17-4,4 KO s) of New York takes on a Fitgerald Johnson.

John Lennox (10-1, 5 KO’s) takes on Rodricka Ray (3-5-1, 1 KO) of Jackson, TN in a six round Heavyweight bout.

Aaron Kinch (3-0-1, 1 KO) of Newark, NJ battles Khuzaymah Al Nubu (0-2) of Fostoria, OH in a Heavyweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

Anthony Young (4-0, 2 KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ battles Christian Steele (2-3, 1 KO) of Staunton, VA in a four round Welterweight bout

Olympic boxer Teofilo Stevenson dies

A Cuban sports official says three-time Olympic boxing gold medalist Teofilo Stevenson has died.

The official says the 60-year-old fighter died Monday of a heart attack. The official agreed to confirm the death on condition of anonymity because the government has not made an official announcement. The official did not offer further details.

With a devastating right hand, he won gold medals as a heavyweight fighter in three consecutive Olympics—1972 in Munich, 1976 in Montreal and 1980 in Moscow. That made him only the second amateur boxer at the time to have won three gold medals.

Earlier this year, he called his appearances at the Olympics "the greatest memories" of his life.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Showtime Boxing - June 23: Victor Ortiz vs. Josesito Lopez, Soto vs. Matthysse, Chris Arreola

Showtime Boxing - June 23: Victor Ortiz vs. Josesito Lopez, Soto vs. Matthysse, Chris Arreola

Victor Ortiz, Josesito Lopez, Humberto Soto, Lucas Matthysse, and Chris Arreola guarantee an action-packed night of boxing. This summer’s fight night to remember begins at 9PM on June 23rd. Only on SHOWTIME.

Exclusive Interview with Sonya Lamonakis set to fight on June 14th @ Roseland Ballroom!‏

Gleason's Gym's own scholar and favorite female heavyweight Sonya Lamonakis (6-0-1) will be returning to Dibella Entertainment's Broadway Boxing in a rousing six-round rematch against Tiffany Woodard (4-6-2) on June 14, 2012 at the storied Roseland Ballroom.

Lamonakis and Woodard have met twice before. While Lamonakis has won both fights, their last outing also under the Broadway Boxing banner at Mechanic's Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts in August 2011 resulted in a split decision win.

Lamonakis and Woodard, August 2011

While Lamonakis has been hard at work prepping for this bout, she's also been finishing up the school year at the Family Academy school in Harlem. In between her busy schedule, Sonya agreed to do an interview with Girlboxing.

1. You've got a fight coming up against Tiffany Woodard on June 14th as Roseland Ballroom in NYC as part of the Broadway Boxing series. Your last time out with Tiffany you won by a split-decision over six rounds. What is your game plan against her this time out?

This will be out trilogy. She is a tough opponent not to be taken lightly. We are both coming off a draw and want a win. I plan on working angles and combinations. I will be more active than the last time I fought her.

2. You are 6-0-1 now, that's quite an achievement. What are you looking to achieve with a win against Woodard?

A win! Again, I'm coming off a draw and I need to get that W and get ready for a title fight in the future.

3. What has your training been like for the fight? I know your semester is winding down, but you are still working full-time as a teacher in Harlem. How are you able to make things work?

Training has been a little crazy.

I fired my trainers and will have Buddy McGirt in my corner. He worked with me about two months ago when he was here training a fighter for a big fight for about a month. Unfortunately, he went back to his home in Florida and I was lost without him. I attempted to work with"Blimp" Delon Parsley and Lennox Blackmore, but neither of them were to aggressive with my training and took it too lightly. I felt I was not being taken seriously enough and needed a change.

Work is winding down and the summer is here. I am delighted to greet it. I do my best to balance my career and my hobby. I always put my students first. One Saturday a month I set up a trip for my students to take them out of the city on a hike, or adventure so they can breathe some clean air and work on confidence, self-esteem, and finding themselves.

4. Kaliesha "Wild Wild" West issued a press release with her father and trainer Juan Weststating that while women work as hard as men in the fight game, they are not catching any kind of breaks for fight promotions or TV air time. I know that you've had a great relationship with Lou DiBella and Broadway Boxing here in New York, but do you feel that Kaliesha has a point? Are things really tough right now for female pro boxers trying to gain the experience, recognition and opportunity that comes with televised fights?

Unfortunately, women are not getting what they deserve. I have never been told or heard that my fights are boring or are not worthy of television. I dream of the day that I will fight on ESPN Friday Night Fights, or even Showbox, or HBO Boxing. For now, I am thankful that Lou allows me on his cards and always gives me TV time on SNY and MSG. It's baby steps for women. Even as an amateur I had to fight against the odds to create a path for the women to get where they are today. I am proud to be part of the movement that opened up women's boxing at the amateur and professional level.

5. You've only fought two fights since last April, one in August one in January--can you tell us what's been going on in the women's heavyweight division and why there seem to be so few fights?

Boxing is an expensive sport. The promoters want to make money. There is not a lot of money in women's boxing. With the more wins I get the harder it is to find opponents. There are a lot more heavyweights but not ones that want to fight me. They ask for a lot of money and my promoter can only pay so much. It's not like Lou is making $100,000 off my fight. I sell tickets to cover my purse and my opponents. I'm waiting for an offer from a woman on her card so I don't have to worry about tickets and I can be the guest on a show.

6. Sonya, you are an inspiration to so many people not only as a boxer, but as a teacher and in your work against bullying. Your personal story is also one of redemption, hope and faith. Tell Girlboxing readers about your work in the community and how it is affecting the lives of young people?

Teaching school and guiding children is something I'm good at. I am positive role model for the children academically and personally. I attended colleges and received masters degrees and hold five different New York State Education Certifications in a variety of fields. I'm also an athlete and the students can relate to me. I love all my children and find the good in each of them. I do my best to instill values and morals in them that will lead to towards successful lives. I tell them that if they want to have choices when they are older they need to have an education. Without an education you have no choices to make. You have to take whatever job you can and do your best to survive. As an example, remember that episode on the Cosby's when Bill gave his son fake money and had him pay bills until he ran out quickly. At that point he wanted more things, but he had no money left. So without an education, your choices will be limited, but with an education you can go anywhere.

7. One last question -- with the debut of women's boxing at the 2012 London Olympic Games, what do you feel most proud of?

I feel proud to be a part of the movement that accomplished this mission. I attended meetings, competed in the Nationals, signed petitions, advocated for the women and being an amateur boxer allowed me to be part of the debut of women's boxing. I look forward to the Olympics and hope that it opens the doors for more women in the future of boxing.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Thomas Dulorme to take on the role of fighting pride of Puerto Rico going in to Alberto Herrera fight‏

Undefeated Puerto Rican welterweight prospect Thomas Dulorme (14-0-0, 11ko) will face battle-tested Alberto Herrera (8-6-1, 5ko) in the co-main event of DiBella’s Entertainment Broadway Boxing card on June 14 at the Roseland Ballroom Theater in New York. Herrera, who’s fought as high as 154 pounds, has faced top competition such as Anthony Lenk and Olympian Demetrius Andrade. The ten-round fight will be contested at 147 pounds.

DELVIN RODRIGUEZ COMES UP SHORT IN WORLD TITLE CHALLENGE, HEADS TO BWAA AWARDS FOR 2011 FIGHT OF THE YEAR HONOR‏

Junior middleweight contender Delvin "EL Peligro" Rodriguez came up short in his world title challenge on Saturday night, June 2nd against WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin Trout at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Faced with an awkward, southpaw style, Rodriguez was unable to mount a consistent attack against the fleet of foot Trout and came out of on the short-end of the twelve round decision.

"As we anticipated, it was a very tough style matchup for Delvin" said longtime promoter Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing of the SHOWTIME broadcasted bout. 'It was an awkward fight, and very not like Delvin's preferred fights; 'slugfests'. Trout's movement prevented Delvin making this fight a war as the champion was able to effectively counter Delvin's aggression."

"We'll take a few days and meet with Delvin's team and formulate a game plan for his immediate future. Knowing Delvin, he'll want to face a highly ranked contender and get right back in the mix for a world title shot."

Rodriguez will be honored Wednesday June 6th, by the Boxing Writers Association of American for his memorable 2011 "Fight of the Year" against Pawel Wolak on July 15th at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. The sensational back and forth war was scored a draw, however Rodriguez dominated in the rematch onDecember 3rd in front of a sold out Madison Square Garden.

Said DeGuardia, "Promoting the "Fight of the Year" is a tremendous honor for Star Boxing. Delvin has always fought like a true warrior in the ring and his valor truly shined that night. I look forward to seeing him and the other honorees accept their awards."

Knockout puncher Anne Sophie Mathis wants Holly Holm, Cecelia Braekhus then retirement?

Knockout puncher Anne Sophie Mathis wants Holly Holm, Cecelia Braekhus then retirement?
Last December, French knockout artist Anne Sophie Mathis (26-1-0, 22ko) fought in the United States for the first time, stopping nine-time world champion Holly Holm (30-2-3, 9ko) to capture the IBA and WBAN titles, as well as the mythical women's pound-for-pound championship. Holm has lost only twice in nearly eight years, including her shocking seventh-round loss by knockout to Mathis, which snapped Holly's 24-fight unbeaten streak. Their much-anticipated 10-round rematch is set for June 15 at the same site as their December 2 fight, headlining the Fresquez Productions presented "The Reckoning" at the Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
♔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.

A light heavyweight world championship showdown—potentially the division's best matchup in years between two young fighters in their prime—has been confirmed for Saturday, Aug. 11, at Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, when undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs), of Tallahassee, Fla., defends his title against popular hometown favorite and former World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight titleholder Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KOs) on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live on SHOWTIME^®.

The co-feature will match budding Canadian knockout artist Adonis “Superman” Stevenson, (18-1, 15 KOs) of Montreal (Canada), against an opponent to be announced in a super middleweight bout.

Cloud is known as a no-nonsense power puncher, who comes right at his opponents with few frills. Pascal may not equal Cloud in work rate, but his footwork and explosive combinations make for a compelling matchup between ferocious punchers. Both men will be coming in to not only win, but to make a statement as the best puncher in one of boxing's glamor divisions.

The 5-foot-10, 30-year-old Cloud will be making the fifth defense of the then-vacant 175-pound title he won via 12-round unanimous decision over Clinton Woodson Aug. 28, 2009. The hard-hitting, 29-year-old successfully defended against Glen Johnson (unanimous decision, June 7, 2010), Fulgencio Zuniga (unanimous decision, Dec. 17, 2010) and Yusaf Mack (TKO 8, June 28, 2011) before winning a controversial split decision over Gabriel Campillo in February.

“This fight with Jean Pascal is a bout I’m looking forward to,” said Cloud. “It’s going to be what I call a ‘Release the Kraken’ match. Everybody knows I come to fight. What I like about Pascal is that he doesn’t fool around either. When I look for him, he will be there, and the same goes for me.

"Fans like to see leather thrown with bad intentions, and that’s what they are going to get in Montreal on August 11."

The 5-foot-10 ½-inch, 29-year-old Pascal is currently ranked No. 2 by” The Ring” and in the top 10 in three of the four major organizations. Since his first world title fight in 2009, Pascal has defeated Chad Dawson (via 11^th-round technical decision in 2010), Adrian Diaconu twice and fought the legendary Bernard Hopkins to a thrilling draw in December 2010. In the second of back-to-back meetings with Hopkins last May, Pascal lost his title by a very close decision.

"First, I want to thank Tavoris Cloud for giving me the opportunity to fight for his IBF light heavyweight belt and to prove who I really am in the ring,” said Pascal. "He has shown true class seeking out the best challenger in the division and for this he has my full respect. Our styles make for the best, most explosive and spectacular fight possible in boxing. Having been away from the ring for more than a year, I am hungrier and more determined than ever to get back on top. Don’t miss it August 11 in Montreal. I am going to get back on the throne for good."

Throughout a career that began in August 2004, Cloud has been a road warrior. He’s fought only three times in his native Florida. Pascal, conversely, has had all but two of his fights in Canada.

Stevenson has notched 15 knockouts in 19 professional fights in his climb up the rankings. The Canadian southpaw super middleweight is currently No. 2 in IBF, No. 3 in WBC and No. 7 in the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO).

"I am so proud to be making my SHOWTIME debut fighting in this major event in Montreal,” said Stevenson. “I am on a mission to destroy anybody that has the courage to get in the ring with me. I am not looking for any favors or compassion. My goal is to show the world that I truly deserve to be on a major network fighting Carl Froch for his IBF belt. Watch me make a major statement August 11 on SHOWTIME."

Trained by the renowned Emmanuel Steward, Stevenson got a late start in the professional ranks with a 2006 debut at the age of 29. Now a six year pro, Stevenson has maintained his penchant for knockouts as he’s stepped up the class of competition. In his last five starts, against opponents with a combined record of 107-8, he has overwhelmed them all, winning four of five inside three rounds. The lone exception is a ninth-round KO of Aaron Pryor Jr.

In all, 12 of his 15 knockouts have come inside three rounds.

The 5-foot-11, 34-year-old Stevenson won a WBC Silver belt with a second-round TKO over Noe Gonzalez (27-1 going in) in his most recent outing last April 20 at Bell Centre.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Pacquiao vs. Bradley, TONIGHT at 9PM ET/ 6PM PT‏

Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs), boxing’s only eight-division world champion and the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani province in the Philippines, will be defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship crown against WBO junior welterweight champion Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif., Saturday, June 9, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. The Pacquiao-Bradley world championship fight will be produced and distributed Live by Pacquiao-Bradley world championship fight beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Scott "Cujo" Sigmon VS Kelly Pavlik on ESPN2, Friday Night Fights, June 8th at 9pm

Lynchburg's own Scott "Cujo" Sigmon 22 wins 3 losses 12 KOs and current WBC USNBC Super Middleweight Champion takes on former Undisputed World Champion Kelly "The Ghost' Pavlik 38 wins 2 losses 33KOs.This bout will be the televised Main Event on ESPN2 from the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas, NV Friday June 8th at 9pm. It will also be shown in the Lynchburg Buffalo Wild Wings.

RICHARD PIERSON TO FACE REPLACEMENT DAVID ADOTEY ALLOTEY FOR WBC FECERBOX SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE JUNE 13TH AT THE ROBERT TREAT HOTEL IN NEWARK, NJ‏

On Wednesday night June 13^th, Richard Pierson will now take on replacement David Adotey Allotey in the eight round main event for the WBC Fecerbox championship at The Robert Treat Hotel.

The show is promoted by Gabe Laconte’s First Round Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions.

Pierson of Paterson, New Jersey has a record of 11-2 with eight knockouts and is coming off an impressive fourth round stoppage over durable Charles Hayward on April 18^th at The Robert Treat Hotel.

It was the first time that Hayward was stopped and for that matter even knocked down as a professional or amateur.

Pierson has quality victories over the likes of Anibal Acevedo, Curtis Jones, Ray Smith, Jimmy Campbell and Jamaal Davis.

Allotey of Accra, Ghana will be making his American debut and has a record of 14-2 with seven knockouts.

Allotey won his first nine bouts.. He won the Ghanaian Middleweight title with a sixth round stoppage over Eric Kwardy in 2010. Allotey’s second defeat was a fourth round stoppage over top ranked contender and undefeated George Grovess. Allotey and is coming off a fifth round stoppage over Abdul Jala on May 14, 2011.

In the six round co-feature, Lavarn “Baby Bowe” Harvell will take on Philadelphia tough guy Brian Donahue.

Harvell of Atlantic City has a record of 10-0 with five knockouts.

Harvell has first round knockouts over undefeated Randy Campbell (3-0) and twenty-nine fight veteran Tommy Connelly. In his last bout, Harvell stole the show on the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson undercard with he destroyed Anthony Piettantonio in round three of their bout.

The right hand that Harvell deposited Pietrantonio with was captured and featured in the New York Times. Pietrantonio would lie motionless for several minutes before walking out the ring under his own power.

Donahue has a record of 2-2-1. After a seven year Hiatus, Donahue has gone 1-1-1 and is coming off a four round draw with Teneal Goyco on May 4^th.

In a six round Jr. Middleweight bout, Tommy Rainone (17-4,4 KO’s) of New York takes on a oppont to be announced.

John Lennox (10-1, 5 KO’s) of Carteret, NJ takes on Rodricka Ray (3-5-1, 1 KO) of Jackson, TN in a six round Heavyweight bout.

Welterweight Anthony “Juice” Young (4-0, 2 KO’s) puts his undefeated mark on the line against Christian Steele (2-3) in a bout scheduled for four rounds.

Aaron Kinch (3-0-1, 1 KO) of Newark, NJ battles Khuzaymah Al Nubu (0-2) of Fostoria, OH in a Heavyweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

Thomas Baldwin (2-0-2, 1 KO) of Newark, NJ takes on the upset minded Fitzgerald Johnson (2-6, 1 KO) of Asheboro, NC in a four round Jr. Middleweight bout.

The matchmaker is Renee Aiken.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Jerome Featherstone Jr; Ahead of the Learning Curve

When Jerome Featherstone Jr. entered the Baltimore Boxing and Fitness Gym for the first time in January 2012, promoter and gym owner Jake Smith figured he had another athlete with a brief fascination of the sweet science.

An elite wrestler at the prestigious Boys Latin High School in Maryland and the University of Oklahoma, Smith assumed Featherstone Jr. would spend a few weeks in the gym before calling it quits; something he calls the norm.

“I’ve had so many athletes that starred in other sports come into my gym to give boxing a shot only to realize it wasn’t for them,” said Smith, a member of both the Maryland and D.C. Boxing Hall of Fames. “I expected Jerome would be one of those guys who thought boxing would be a breeze because he excelled in another sport, before he got a rude awakening.”

Smith was surprisingly wrong.

Featherstone Jr. proved to be a natural from the moment he laced up a pair of gloves, displaying speed, power and footwork of a ring veteran. According to Smith, Featherstone Jr’s god-given ability, all-around discipline and eagerness to learn are unlike anything he’s seen.

“I’ve been around all of the world champions and top contenders from this area during the last 30 years. Jerome tops all of them at this stage. There are a lot of boxers who’ve been doing this their entire life and had tons of amateur fights that never displayed the kind of potential he has. If Jerome continue to progress, I guarantee you’ll all know who he is in the near future.”

Tomorrow evening, Featherstone Jr. looks to improve his record to 4-0 when he challenges experienced Darius Vann for the East Coast Middleweight title in the main event of a fight card pitting Team Baltimore against a squad from Philadelphia at Du Burns Arena.

In addition to the Featherstone-Vann match-up, there will be 11 Olympic Style bouts featuring each squad’s top talent. Thus far, Team Baltimore is 3-0 in competitions, defeating a team from the Naval Academy and twice besting a squad from Pittsburgh.

All bouts are sanctioned by USA Boxing.

Teon Kennedy on the tragic obstacles he’s faced along the road to Guillermo Rigondeaux by On The Beak

Teon Kennedy (17-1-2, 7ko) of Philadelphia, who challenges undefeated WBA bantamweight titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux (9-0-0, 7ko), of Cuba, on Saturday, June 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada as part of the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley championship card, has had to overcome two fairly recent family life-shattering incidents that would have broken less-resolute fighters.

Late in 2009, Kennedy knocked out Francisco Rodriguez in the tenth round of their scheduled 12-round contest for the vacant USBA super bantamweight title. Kennedy’s elation at winning was short-circuited when Rodriguez collapsed in his corner, was rushed to the hospital and died of a brain injury two days later.

No one prepares a fighter for when the most tragic possible ending occurs in a fight: "When it first happened it was difficult, but as anyone in boxing knows that could happen," said Kennedy, who was 13-0-1 and 23-years-old at the time. "It could happen to me. Sometimes I do still think about it, but I try not to dwell on it."

Kennedy did not fight for six months, but he had the encouragement of his team as well as that of the Rodriguez family to get back into the ring.

He came back with three good wins, including a scintillating performance, a 12-round unanimous decision over then-undefeated prospect Julio Diaz, of New Brunswick.

The second life-altering incident occurred in mid 2011.

Kennedy was charged with a felony stemming from a shooting in Philadelphia. Those charges were later dropped, but it played on Kennedy’s mind as he prepared for a fight last August that, had he won, could have led to a match with undefeated Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba, in a world featherweight title fight.

He went through with the fight last August and lost his first bout as a pro, a 12-round decision to Alejandro Lopez, of Mexico, in a lacklustre performance: "The legal issues were definitely in my head," Kennedy said.

"It’s hard to be falsely accused of something I did not do. That was probably the main reason I didn’t feel like myself."

He put his first setback and his legal charges behind him and he got back in the gym quickly. Boxing experts weren’t sure if he’d rebound, but he turned in a strong performance in his most recent fight, a draw against the once-beaten Chris Martin, of Chula Vista, in January in Las Vegas. Many observers felt Kennedy, the aggressor for most of the fight, deserved the win.

Kennedy feels that he has come to grips with the arduous road he has had to travel the last several years.

"Everything bad is in the past now," said Kennedy, who is looking to pull off the upset against the favored Rigondeaux. "I’m just focused on the fight. I’m still going to be aggressive."

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