US amateur boxing star Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade regarding the upcoming Pan-Am Games

Bob Trieger
Full Court Press


Andrade seeking gold at Pan-Am games

PROVIDENCE (July 18, 2007) – Team USA boxing star Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade is in beautiful Rio de Janerio, not for the hot nightlife and gorgeous Brazilian women, rather to strike gold at the Pan-American Games.

Andrade, the No. 1 rated welterweight in the U.S., is the two-time U.S. National Championships and National Golden Gloves champion. The 19-year-old southpaw realizes that it’s not easy winning on the road, but that it’s something he needs to experience and overcome, looking ahead to next year’s Olympics in China.

The Pan-Am Games serves as a prelude, at least in this hemisphere, for the following Olympic Games. Andrade’s main rival at the Pan-Am Games, as well as in the Olympics, figures to be Cuban favorite Erislandi Lara, who beat “Boo Boo” in their only match to date, 9-4. The world’s other top 152-pound boxers are Russians Khairov and Andrey Balanov, who of course will not be competing in the Pan-Am Games.

“I’m proud to be representing my country at the Pan-Am Games and I’m looking forward to bringing the gold medal back home to Rhode Island,” Andrade said. “But things happen overseas that make it difficult for Americans to win gold medals. We’re fighting in South America and they score high for their own. I’ll beat some of the same guys I’ll probably face in the Olympics, but I won’t show it all to them at the Pan-Am Games. They’ll have to wait to see it all at the Olympics. I’ve been thinking about the Olympics since I was 10; it’s always been my goal.”

The draw to determine who boxes whom is scheduled for Friday. Andrade, if he advances, is scheduled to box on ESPN Deportes on the following days and times: first round, Saturday, July 21 (2 PM/ET); quarterfinals, Sunday, July 22 (7 PM/ET); semifinals, July 24 (7 PM/ET); championship final, Friday, July 27 (8 PM/ET).


-DA-

CONTACT:
Bob Trieger
Full Court Press

Andre Berto vs Cosme Rivera Chazz Witherspoon signs w/ DiBella Entertainment

***Undefeated Andre Berto squares off against Cosme Rivera in a main event, and in a co Feature newly signed Chazz Witherspoon hopes to delve into Thoroughbred Industry in horse country in Saratoga Springs New York***

New York, July 17--Undefeated heavyweight prospect Chazz Witherspoon takes to the national stage when he takes on Talmadge Griffis (24-6-3, 16 KOs) next Friday, July 27, on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights at Saratoga Springs City Center in Saratoga. The DiBella Entertainment heavy hitter hopes to follow the same path as his cousin -- former heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon -- on a road which leads to a title belt.

Undefeated Chazz Witherspoon is following in his cousin Tim's, On The Road To a Heavyweight Title. Witherspoon was a 2004 Olympic alternate and National Golden Gloves winner. He has also impressed in his pro career, remaining undefeated in 18 fights and stopping his last five opponents. In his well-traveled, 9-year career, Griffis from Colorado Springs, CO has faced heavyweight stars David Tua and Clifford Etienne.

"Im happy to have the opportunity to be on the national stage again with ESPN2. This will allow me to come out and show the world what Ive been doing and how I am progressing," says the Philadelphia native, who will appear in the co-feature of the Andre Berto vs. Cosme Rivera main event presented by Pugnacious Promotions and DBE which will be televised nationally. "I will be able to show people that I am getting better with each fight and I am putting in the time to be a top contender. I appreciate Lou DiBella giving me this opportunity and I thank ESPN2 as well."

Witherspoon is also thrilled to be in thoroughbred country as the Saratoga Racecourse starts its renowned race meet, as he hopes to enter the equine industry down the line.

"I am very interested in horses and the breeding of horses. I would like to learn more about the thoroughbred racing game and what it takes to own and raise a championship caliber horse," says Witherspoon. "Getting involved in the racing game is something I might like to do when I am done with boxing.

Tickets and more information are available from Pugnacious Promotions, www.pugnaciouspromotions.com or 518-326-9756. Call or visit for more information. Tickets are $125 for Golden Ringside and $75 for Ringside. General Admission open seats are $40.

Paul Wiliams defeats Antonio Margarita in WBO title bout

Paul The Punisher Williams (33-0-24 Ko's) commemorated the holiday of Bastille Day by defeating and ending the reign of terror of WBO Welterweight Champion Antonio "The Tijuana Tornado" Margarito (34-5,1 NC,24 Ko's), the undefeated and World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 1 welterweight contender

Billed as "Pride N Punishment", the long-awaited, highly anticipated 12-round confrontation between arguably the hardest-punching, most bitter rivals in the 147-pound division was presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and televised on HBO World Championship Boxing, in an outdoor tennis stadium at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

The winner of this fight is the preeminent welterweight in the world -- and that includes (Miguel) Cotto or anyone else in the 147-pound division, the events promoter, Dan Goossen, said.

ANTONIO MARGARITO

"The time is here for me to continue keeping my title।Everything has been great. I have had no injuries. I am 100 percent ready for any type of fight. This is not going to be a great fight, I know that Williams is a great fighter who throws a lot of punches. I am hoping that Williams throws a lot of punches because it is going to be a great fight. I am not looking at this fight to go the distance. I will finish Williams in the seventh round."

PAUL WILLIAMS

"I am going to punish Margarito. I am ready to get it on. I guess I will knock Margarito out in the seventh round.I am going to prove on Saturday that I am the best. That is why I am fighting the best. On July 14, you are going to see something that you have never seen before in the ring.Every time I get into the ring, I am 100 percent. I am always ready to go to war."

Experts favor Margarito

Franklin McNeil, The Star-Ledger Newark, N.J., (Williams): Williams made a lot of noise when he called out Margarito. He seems to have little to say now that the fight's been made -- maybe it's concentration, maybe not. If Williams isn't having second thoughts, he will win. His size and punching power will prove too much for Margarito, who is only holding the WBO welterweight title today because Joshua Clottey's hands failed him in December. Williams wins a decision.

Zachary Levin, Boxing News UK, (Margarito): Paul Williams is way over hyped. Who has he fought? What has he proven? As usual, Margarito is getting paid short shrift going into a big fight. All Tony does is win. Don't people get this? He may give up some early rounds, even the first five. But, eventually, he will start getting to Williams and the difference between the two will tell, just as it did against Clottey. Margarito retains his WBO belt by clear-cut decision or late stoppage.

Jacqui Snow, Myspace Boxing Group, groups.myspace.com/boxing, (Margarito): This will be a tough fight for Williams. Margarito, who's rumored to walk around at about 170, is taller and bigger than any of Williams' previous opponents. He's also fought a better level of opposition. Margarito's relentless pressure attacks will be too much for Williams, who will succumb late in the fight. Margarito wins by TKO 10.