By: William Holmes
This is the second installment of the Boxing Insider notebook, a new weekly feature to run down some important happenings in our sport that occurred in the past week. These tidbits cover the week of April 2, 2012 to April 9, 2012.
Sosa and Soto Triumphant
Two fights occurred this weekend in Cancun, Mexico, which held possible title implications in the future. Edgar Sosa defeated Wilbert Uicab by decision with scores of 114-111 three times to set himself up for a mandatory Flyweight title shot against Sonny Boy Jaro.
Humberto Soto also fought in Mexico, and he cruised to a decision victory over Claudinei Lacera in the junior welterweight division with scores of 100-90 three times.
Darchinyan Loses to Yamanaka, Ao Defeats Jandaeng
Japan played host to two title fights, as Vic Darchinyan took on reigning bantamweight title holder Shinsuke Yamanaka, and junior lightweight Takahiro Ao battled Terdsak Jandaeng. Both Yamanaka and Ao were able to hold on to their titles as Yamanaka remained undefeated with scores of 117-111 and 116-112 twice, and Ao won with scores of 118-110 and 116-112 twice.
Don King to be Honored May 6th
Don King, the self-proclaimed “world’s greatest promoter,” is being honored for his humanitarian efforts over the years by New York College of Health Professions, which will present him with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters on Sunday, May 6th, at its 2012 Commencement Ceremony.
King will become Dr. Don King, and will be the Commencement speaker for New York College, a world leader in holistic health education for more than 30 years, joining a notable series of speakers including Shirley MacLaine, Al Roker, Jerry Vale, Nick Bollietieri, and other well known celebrities. More information can be found at www.nycollege.edu
All Star Gala in Atlantic City on June 2nd, featuring Mike Tyson
On June 2, an All Star Boxing Legends Gala will be held at the Resorts Casino in Atlantic City . Atlantic City Prosecutor Jonathan Diego is the chairman of the event’s committee, and he hopes to draw about 100 different personalities to the event.
Mike Tyson, as well as Hall of Fame trainer Lou Duva, former New Jersey Athletic Control Board commissioner Larry Hazzard, legendary fighter Thomas Hearns, former cruiserweight champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Bridgeton light-heavyweight contender Richie Kates and former WBA heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon of Atlantic City should be in attendance.
Daily News Golden Gloves Relocates to Barclays Center in Brooklyn
The Daily News Golden Gloves, the nation’s largest and most prestigious amateur boxing tournament, will relocate to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn when it holds its two-day Finals event in April 2013. The Barclays Center is scheduled to open on September 28, 2012, and will launch with a three month grand opening celebration. Barclays Center has announced a partnership with Golden Boys Promotions, with at least one boxing event a month planned.
First Box Academy Event Moved Due to Injuries
Due to Tony Conquest and Michael Walsh both being unfit to box, the first instalment of Queensberry Promotions’ new concept of show, Box Academy, will be moved from its original date of April 12th. The withdrawal of these two fighters, both involved in the co-features of the event, has meant that Queensberry Promotions have been given no option but to move the first Box Academy event in London to a later date.
The first event will instead take place on Thursday May 3rd at the Troxy, in East London. More information can be found at www.frankwarren.tv
Inaugural New York State Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees
On April 1, 2012, the inaugural New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (“NYSBHOF”) induction dinner was held at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.
Inducted into the first NYSBHOF class were “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Jake LaMotta, Mike Tyson, Carmen Basilio, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, Mike McCallum, and posthumously, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard and Tony Canzoneri.
Non-participant inductees are judge/HBO analyst Harold Lederman, coach/instructor Steve Acunto, trainer/cutman Jimmy Glenn, and posthumously, trainers Gil Clancy and Ray Arcel, The Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer, New York Daily News boxing reporter/cartoonist Bill Gallo, and referee Arthur Mercante, Sr.
More information can be found at www.Ring8ny.com
EPIX to Air Bute vs. Froch
On May 26, 2012 Lucian Bute will take on Carl Froch for the IBF Super Middleweight Championship. EPIX has the exclusive US rights to broadcast this fight, and which will be held at the Nottingham Arena, in Nottingham, England. More information can be found at www.epixhd.com
Hank Lundy Calls Out Antonio DeMarco
Philadelphia native Hammering Hank Lundy is wasting little time in planning his next move after his thrilling ESPN Friday Night Fights victory over Dannie Williams. He has gone on the record to call out current WBC Lightweight Champion Antonio DeMarco. Lundy has stated, “I need that fight. I want that fight. He stands right in front of you and makes a lot of mistakes. I’m not going to run my mouth, but that’s the fight I want.”
Snooki Promotions to Return May 12th
Irish Super Featherweight Patrick Hyland is ready to have his second fight under the Snooki Promotions banner on May 12th at Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York. His opponent has not yet been announced. More information can obtained at www.finalroundpromotions.com.
Jermaine Taylor Undercard Announced
On April 20th, Jermaine Taylor headlines a Shobox card from the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss. Two undercard bouts have been announced, as Erislandy Lara will take on Ronald Hearns in the co-feature, and Fernando Guerrero will take on Chris Fitzpatrick in the super middleweight division. The event on Showtime will feature three televised bouts.
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