Green gets Tarver for fifth IBO title defense
Fan favorite Danny Green will make the fifth defense of his International Boxing Organization cruiserweight championship against three-time IBO light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver on July 20 at the Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia.
Green, 38, who won the vacant title in August 2009 in Biloxi, Miss., has gone “down under” for his four subsequent fights – stopping Roy Jones (TKO 1), Manny Siaca (KO 3) and Paul Briggs (KO 1) in succession before outpointing unbeaten No. 1 challenger B.J. Flores (UD 12) on Nov. 17.
He is 31-3 with 27 knockouts in a pro career that began in 2001.
Tarver, 42, fights at cruiserweight for the first time after a long career at light heavyweight was followed by a one-fight foray at heavyweight, where he won a unanimous 10-round decision from Nagy Aguilera on Oct. 15 in Miami, Okla.
The Orlando, Fla. native defeated Jones (TKO 2) for the IBO title at 175 pounds in 2004, lost and regained it in a memorable two-fight series with Glen Johnson and regained it yet again in 2007 – a year after dropping a 12-round verdict to Bernard Hopkins in Atlantic City, N.J.
He is 28-6 with 19 KOs in 14 years as a professional.
Last $65.00 tickets released for “East-West Showdown” event April 16
Berto vs. Ortiz at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods
NEW YORK, NY (April 6, 2011) – The MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office has released additional $65.00 tickets today for the April 16 “East-West Showdown” championship boxing event featuring World Boxing Council (“WBC”) Welterweight World Champion and undefeated star Andre Berto against powerful, WBC # 5 rated challenger “Vicious” Victor Ortiz, at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods. There will be no additional tickets available at that price level after this small release.
“East-West Showdown: Berto vs. Ortiz” is presented by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Golden Boy Promotions. The bout will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing starting at 9:45 PM/ET 6:45 PM/PT. The broadcast kicks off with Amir “King” Khan (24-1, 17 KOs) defending his WBA Super Lightweight World Title against Paul “Dudley” McCloskey (22-0, 12 KOs) from the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England.
“We wanted to give fight fans one last shot at getting in at this price,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods is a room that was made for boxing and we are very happy to be there for the second time in five weeks. Berto-Ortiz is going to be a terrific fight between young, exciting fighters who are coming to win. April 16 is going to be explosive!”
The lightning-quick Berto (27-0, 21 KOs), a 2004 Haitian Olympian fighting out of Winter Haven, Florida, captured the vacant WBC Welterweight World Title in 2008 by way of a seventh round technical knockout of Miguel Angel “Miki” Rodriguez. Berto has made five successful title defenses against World Champions Steve Forbes “2 Pound” (UD12), Luis Collazo (UD12), Juan “Iron Will” Urango (UD12), and Carlos “El Indio” Quintana (TKO8), as well as veteran Freddy “Riel” Hernandez (TKO1) last November.
Ortiz (28-2-2, 22 KOs) is one of the most popular fighters in the game. The hard-punching southpaw from Ventura, California holds victories over former World Champions Nate Campbell (UD10), Vivian Harris (KO3) and Carlos Maussa (KO1) as well as high profile opponents such as Antonio Diaz (TKO7), Mike Arnaoutis (TKO2) and Jeffrey Resto (TKO2). The former NABO/USBA title holder has won four of his last five fights, with his last fight against Lamont Peterson ending in a 10-round majority draw on December 11, 2010.
Tickets are priced at $350, $200, $125, and $65 and are on sale through the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mgmatfoxwoods.com, by calling the MGM Grand at Foxwoods at 1-866-646-0609, or in person at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office.
For information about DiBella Entertainment, including a list of all upcoming bouts, please visit www.dbe1.com, or follow Lou DiBella on twitter, @loudibella.
For information on Golden Boy Promotions, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, on twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing or Victor Ortiz @VICIOUSOrtiz.
Follow HBO Boxing news at www.hbo.com/boxing and on twitter @hboboxing.
Lemieux vs. Rubio Featured in WBC Title Eliminator on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights
ESPN’s Friday Night Fights will originate from Montreal, Quebec with a 12-round main event featuring Ring Magazine’s #10 ranked middleweight David Lemieux (25-0, 24 KO’s, WBC#2) pitted against former middleweight world title challenger Marco Antonio “El Veneno” Rubio (49-5-1, 43 KO’s, WBC#3) April 8, at 9 p.m. ET live on ESPN3.com and ESPN Deportes. Friday’s show will be aired on ESPN2 at 11 p.m. ET with Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas ringside at the Belle Center, describing the action.
Lemieux, who’s most recent win is a second-round TKO over Purnell Gates, is taking a step up in opposition against Rubio, his most accomplished and dangerous opponent yet. For more information on Lemieux visit http://es.pn/hLvFEE.
After his last fight, ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael wrote, “Lemieux, the super prospect from Montreal, closed out a busy 2010 with yet another early stoppage. The kid fought five times this year and other than being taken the 10-round distance by tough guy Jason Naugler in February, nobody could take Lemieux into the third round. He stopped Hector Camacho Jr. and Elvin Ayala in the first round and Walid Smichet and now Gates in the second round. Gates seemed to clearly hurt his right hand in the first round, grabbing it with about a minute left in the round. A guy with one paw is dead meat. And in the second round, that’s what Gates was. It was typical quick work for Lemieux, who has scored early knockouts against some opponents who were expected to give him rounds. Next up for Lemieux is a title elimination fight against Marco Antonio Rubio, a former title challenger who might at last give Lemieux some competition. But the way Lemieux has looked recently that is probably not a good bet.”
Mexico’s Rubio, has won his last six fights, five by knockout, including an eighth-round TKO against Wilson Santana in his last fight on January 1. Rubio said of Friday’s fight, “It’s a turning point in my boxing career, I know this for sure. I am working very hard to beat Lemieux, and this is my only desire at this time. The fight will be extremely complicated, but I have to exercise my experience and power of my fists.”
Studio host Brian Kenny will present all the latest boxing news and highlights.
Marcus Johnson Vs. Dyah Davis Danny O’Connor Vs. Gabriel Bracero Willie Nelson Vs. Vincent Arroyo Friday, April 8, LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)
WEIGHTS: Marcus Johnson (20-0, 15 KOs) – 170 pounds; Dyah Davis (18-2-1, 9 KOs) – 169.25 pounds; Danny O’Connor (14-0, 3 KOs) – 137.75 pounds; Gabriel Bracero (14-0, 1 KO) – 140 pounds; Willie Nelson (16-0-1, 3 KOs) – 145.75 pounds; Vincent Arroyo (10-1, 7 KOs) – 144.75 pounds.
Here’s what the fighters had to say on Thursday, one day before the exciting tripleheader on ShoBox: The New Generation LIVE on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West coast).
Marcus Johnson:
“I don’t feel like Davis is anything special. He’s not his dad. I don’t care about legacy. I don’t care about any of that. I just have to fight him.
“To prove myself as a top super middleweight, I would fight (Lucian) Bute. I’d fight in Canada if I had to.
“I’ve got the same mentality as my last fight: knock him out. He’s a safety first fighter but I’ll push him to the limit.”
Dyah Davis:
“At this stage, I don’t need softees. It’s not going to propel me. Fighting tough opponents, this is the route we’re comfortable with.
“I’ve never tried to trade on my father’s career and I won’t now. When I’m in the ring with Marcus, it will be all me.
“This is my life. This is a business. And I’m here to take care of it. That’s why I am here — not to trash talk.”
Danny O’Connor:
“Bracero can study as much film on YouTube as he wants, nothing is going to change. If that makes him feel better, then fine. But I have plans to show him some stuff he hasn’t seen before.
“I’m a problem for anybody. I’m really good with angles and technique. Anything can happen in a fight. It’s an adapter sport.”
Gabriel Bracero:
“I have the strongest support system. My mom is here. My family came to the fight. I’ve got people flying in from New York. I’ll have my fans.
“I think I am a decent fighter, a good fighter. But it doesn’t matter what you want to call it. It’s about how bad you want it when you get in the ring. This is a big opportunity for me and I will take it.
“I just fought a real tough power puncher. I’ve beat tougher guys than O’Connor.”
Willie Nelson:
“It’s Arroyo’s job to say things like I haven’t fought a warrior like him. I’ll fight whatever fight he wants. If he fights clean, we’ll fight clean but if he wants to fight dirty, so will I.
“I want to fight Shawn Porter. I’ll do it whenever, the future, the past or now.
“Arroyo has never faced a guy at my height. He won’t be used to it. Think about it, everyone I fight is shorter than me. I’m used to it. He’s not.”
Vincent Arroyo
“Willie can say whatever he wants about me. He is the one that’s nervous. I’m coming to war.
“I spoil clean records, period. If he thinks I’m a stepping stone, just wait until he gets to the ring and realizes he is in a real fight.”
For Bracero The Wait is Over
Sitting in his cell watching time go by, Gabriel “Tito” Bracero couldn’t wait to get back to boxing. He spent so many lonely nights dreaming of a chance at the big time.
On Friday, the dream will come true.
“I got sidetracked and got in trouble. I went on a little vacation,” admits the likeable Bracero. “But now I’m a momma’s boy. I’m here next to my mom right now.”
Since returning in 2009 after an eight-year absence, 30-year-old Bracero (14-0, 1 KO) has made the most of his time, fighting on DiBella Entertainment’s “Broadway Boxing” series and winning nine consecutive fights.
Bracero will look to make a major move toward a world title shot when he faces the also undefeated Danny O’Connor in an eight-round junior welterweight showdown to kick off the fantastic April 8 ShoBox: The New Generation Triple Header entitled “Rumble on the Rio” from the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas (broadcast starts at 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West coast).
“This is the biggest fight of my career, fighting on Showtime. It’s very important to me. I’m training hard and I’m focused. I feel like this is destiny and it’s the perfect time because I’m ready for it. I’m in great shape. I was ready two weeks ago.”
Bracero says it doesn’t matter that this will be his first fight outside the confines of his hometown of New York City. “I have friends in Texas,” he explains “and they’re all planning on going out to the fight, plus I have a strong support team of people flying out with me. I’m moving New York to Texas for this fight!”
Given the nickname Tito as a child, Bracero started boxing at age nine and was a Junior Olympic and two-time New York City Golden Gloves Champion.
“I’ve seen a couple of his fights and he tries to look a little flashy,” he says of O’Connor, “but it doesn’t matter. Whatever style he has I will adapt well to it. I’ve sparred with world champions and a lot of good fighters and I have a lot of good experience. By the third round I will have him figured out.”
Married with four children, these days Bracero says instead of looking for trouble, he submerses himself in training at Gleason’s Gym under trainer Tommy Gallagher. “This fight will be the best performance of my career because I’ve waited so long for it. When you’ve waited as long as I have, every fight is a dream come true.”
Promoters: Donovan George is Ready for Title Shot
The co-promoters of Donovan “Da Bomb” George (22-1-1, 19 KOs) say their fighter is ready for his shot at the big time.
Last Friday night, the Chicago-based super middleweight scored an impressive TKO 8 (2:05) over Baltimore’s Maxell Taylor and picked up the vacant USBA super middleweight title in the process.
Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing and Domenic Pesoli of 8 Count Productions say the patience George showed in dismantling Taylor is a strong indicator the power-punching 26-year-old can compete at the highest levels of the sport. The impressive victory comes less than two months after his TKO 1 over formerly undefeated Cornelius White in which White was down a total of three times while the ShoBox: The New Generation cameras rolled.
“The victory over White, some people said Donovan went out there going for broke and caught him with a good shot before he was warmed up. But this time, there can be no mistaking what we saw,” said an energized Margules. “Donovan George is a cold-blooded assassin who waits for the perfect time to strike and never lets you off the hook when he does. Tonight he showed the kind of stuff that future world champions are made of.”
Fighting in the main event of the Windy City Fight Night at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, George patiently bided his time and maintained a sound defense for seven rounds before trapping Taylor in the corner and landing a devastating series of punches that sent him down. Taylor beat the count, but was deemed unfit to continue soon after.
“He’s ready,” continued Margules. “Tell Kelly Pavlik we’re ready whenever he is to put a fight together. Tell any of the other champions or top contenders at super middle that Donovan George is coming for them all!”
Universal, Shaw and DiBella Sign Kenny Galarza
Promoters Javier Bustillo (Universal Promotions), Gary Shaw (Gary Shaw Productions) and Lou DiBella (DiBella Entertainment) are pleased to announce the signing of 140-pound Puerto Rican super prospect Kenny Galarza (14-1, 14 KOs).
Galarza started boxing at five years old and had over 300 fights in his stellar amateur career, winning seven national and several international championships.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity provided by Javier, Gary and Lou. I will work hard not to disappoint them and provide my town of Juana Díaz and my island of Puerto Rico many victories,” said Galarza.
Galarza will make his first appearance under the new promotional banner on the undercard of the Universal Promotions, Gary Shaw Productions and DiBella Entertainment show scheduled for June 10 in New York.
“Kenny is a great fighter and is one of the star signings of the company. He brings a lot of depth to the Universal Promotions stable of boxers,” said Bustillo.
“We have big plans for Kenny. He is a tremendous fighter and I’m sure will bring great glory to Puerto Rico,” said DiBella.
“I’ve seen him fight before and I know Kenny is a great fighter and a great addition to Team Puerto Rico. We want to do great things on this island and Kenny is an essential part of our progress,” added Shaw.
Adamek vs. McBride Undercard
Brooklyn’s Sadam “World Kid” Ali, 11-0, 6 KO’s, will step up into the co-feature on Saturday, April 9th vs. tough Javier Perez, of Ponce, Puerto Rico, when Tomasz Adamek faces Kevin McBride at Newark’s Prudential Center.
Apparently, Main Events matchmakers, Russell Peltz and Jolene Mizzone, have had their work cut out for them trying to match up the former Olympic standout. It seems Ali has struck fear in the hearts of most of the local welterwieght boxers. Mizzone said, “It’s ridiculous, you would think his first name was Muhammad!” Perez, who in his last fight scored a unanimous decision over Alexis Cintron, says he has no problem taking on Ali.
The rest of the undercard promises to live up to the benchmark set by the Main Events Brick City Boxing Series, and to continue thrilling local and true boxing fans:
The April 9th card at Newark’s Prudential Center features Tomasz Adamek vs. Kevin McBride in the IBF International/NABO Heavyweight Championship fight. There are 6 undercard fights scheduled, subject to change. The Brick City Boxing Series card is presented by Main Events & Ziggy Promotions. Doors open at 6:45pm, first fight 7:00pm.
Tickets are priced at $253, $103, $78, and $53. Tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com, Charge-by-phone: 1-800-745-3000, Ticketmaster Express 866-448-7849 and Ticketmaster ticket centers. Tickets are also available at Prudential Center’s Box Office.
Adamek vs. McBride will be distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN and Canada via Viewer’s Choice, Bell TV and Shaw Cable PPV for a suggested retail price of only $29.95
Available as an Ustream online PPV exclusive, the live video broadcast of the fight will be offered for $29.95 in U.S. / Canada at http://www.ustream.tv/brickcityboxingUSA and $4.95 Worldwide at http://www.ustream.tv/brickcityboxinginternational.
REYNOSO VS. ALMARAZ HEADLINE “NEW BLOOD” ON APRIL 29 FOR WBC CABOFE BELT TITLE
ORANGE, CA (April 6, 2011) – It will be a spring slugfest on Friday, April 29, when Thompson Boxing Promotions presents a WBC CABOFE junior welterweight championship fight pitting Riverside’s Jose “El Niño” Reynoso against Texas’ Esteban Almaraz. This bout headlines the latest edition of the popular “New Blood” series at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.
Also featured on this seven bout card will be Alberto “Baby Dynamite” Herrera, and unbeatens Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez and Jonathan “Lil’ Thund’r” Arellano.
Tickets for “NEW BLOOD” are priced at $75, $45, and $30. They are available now and may be purchased by calling 714-935-0900.
Fresh from a near shutout win over veteran Santos Pakau on February 25th, Mexicali native Jose Reynoso (14-3-1, 2 KOs) will return to the Doubletree for his fourth straight appearance on April 29, but this bout has even more at stake, since the 26 year old will be looking to defend his WBC CABOFE crown for the first time and continue on his road to a world title shot.
Harlingen, Texas’ Esteban Almaraz (10-3, 4 KOs) is a veteran of over four years in the pro ranks, and with wins in three of his last five bouts, including a six round victory over former world champion Nestor Garza last June, he has received plenty of deserved praise from around the boxing world. Later this month he will attempt to stop Reynoso’s five fight unbeaten streak in front of his hometown fans.
In an intriguing eight round welterweight bout, it will be a California turf war when Riverside’s Alberto Herrera (7-2-1, 5 KOs) squares off against East Los Angeles’ Aron Martinez (13-1-1, 3 KOs). Eager to get back to his winning ways after losses to Demetrius Andrade and Chris Chatman, the 29 year old Herrera will have his hands full with Mexico City native Martinez, whose current five fight winning streak includes a win over Pavel Miranda last June at the Doubletree.
Another match that will have boxing fans watching closely is the six round featherweight showdown between La Puente’s Abraham Lopez (13-0, 10 KOs) and Vista’s Aron Garcia (10-1-2, 2 KOs). The 23 year old Lopez likes nothing better than an emphatic knockout win, and thus far in his career he’s taken out eight opponents in two rounds or less. Garcia is a veteran who hasn’t lost a fight since 2006, and he has his sights set on removing the “0” from Lopez’ record on April 29.
In undercard action…
Ontario’s own Jonathan Arellano (7-0-1, 1 KO) will put his unbeaten record up for grabs in a six round bantamweight matchup against Denver’s Ernie Marquez (9-8-1, 3 KOs).
Also, New Hampshire junior welterweight Jhon Ortega (3-0-1, 3 KOs) looks for another knockout victory, but he’ll be put to the test by Harlingen, Texas’ Hector Garza (3-1, 2 KOs), a fighter with a pretty fair KO punch of his own.
In a four round super bantamweight contest, Indio’s Francisco Ochoa makes his pro debut against Bakersfield’s Jose Garcia (0-3), and in the opening bout of the evening, debuting Puerto Rican super bantamweight Angel Aponte takes on an opponent to be announced at a later date.
Bouts subject to change. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the first bell rings at 7:30 pm. The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 North Vineyard Avenue in Ontario. The hotel phone number is 909-937-0900.
A PROFESSIONAL BOXING TRIPLE THREAT AT THE GEORGIA BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP ON FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011
200 PEACHTREE (Formerly the Macy’s Building in downtown Atlanta)
ATLANTA – Sports Fan Properties and Shea Bailey Promotions present the next installment of the Georgia Boxing Championship. The Georgia Boxing Championship is presented by 680 The Fan, Chevrolet and Tecate will take place on Friday, April 29, 2011, at the historic 200 Peachtree building in downtown Atlanta. This Las Vegas style professional boxing event sold-out prior to the doors opening on February 25th and now three of the biggest names in Georgia boxing will be fighting as part of a triple threat main event show.
GEORGIA BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP TRIPLE THREAT MAIN EVENTS:
Paul Delgado (25-10-1) vs Luis Galarza (16-2) 8 Rounds
GBC Ranked #2 Middleweight
Tyrese Hendrix (19-2-1) vs David Armstrong (20-11-2) 8 Rounds
GBC Ranked #3 Welterweight
Antonio Davis (27-6) vs John Trigg (18-34-5) 6 Rounds
GBC Ranked #1 Lightweight GBC Ranked #2 Lightweight
USA GEORGIA STATE LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE
Dino Dumonjic (3-1) vs Rohan Wilson (4-3-1) 4 Rounds
John McDermott (2-0) vs DJ Hughley (1-1) 4 Rounds
Adonis Inman (2-1) vs Jesus Tavera (1-1) 4 Rounds
Chris Jordan (4-4) vs Frank Davis (0-1) 4 Rounds
Official Weigh-In & Press Conference:
Thursday, April 28th (3:00 p.m.), Location TBD
Official After Party & Free Concert:
Friday, April 29th (11:00 p.m.), 200 Peachtree building
Free admission with your GBC ticket.
TICKETS:
$25 – Standing Room & Balcony, $40 – Preferred, $75 – Ringside, $125 – Front Row Ringside
Visit: www.GeorgiaBoxingChampionship.com for more information
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ARES PROMOTIONS AND FLY MORNING RUSH’S BRIAN CODY TEAM UP TO GIVE LOCAL FIFTH GRADERS A NIGHT THEY’LL NEVER FORGET
-Dual Language Program Students to Cheer on Local Boxers at Fight Night IV –
April 8, 2011 – Albany, N.Y. – Mrs. Whisenhunt’s fifth grade class in the Dual Language Program at Delaware Community School in Albany is in for a special treat. ARES Promotions is teaming up with Fly Morning Rush’s Brian Cody to take the students to the Fight Night IV professional boxing event at HVCC on April 15.
ARES, a locally owned professional boxing promotions company, is providing the 16 students free admission to its upcoming Fight Night series event.
“We are happy to help Brian Cody provide these kids the opportunity for a unique experience,” said ARES’ Adam Neary. “In addition to raising the awareness of the talented professional athletes we have in the Capital Region, ARES strives to provide the community with another outlet for high-quality entertainment.”
Brian Cody and local amateur boxer Javier Martinez will be chaperoning the kids, along with the school’s Principal Thomas Giglio.
“Javy and I had a chance to spend time with Mrs. Whisenhunt’s class recently. They are bright, funny, compassionate – and they love boxing,” said Brian Cody, Fly Morning Rush. “We knew we had to get these kids to an ARES Fight Night for a real experience!”
Today’s Limo is also pitching in to let these students ride in style.
The Dual Language Program at Delaware Community School (formerly PS 18) in Albany is a language immersion program in Spanish and English – the only program of its kind in the northeast corridor of New York state. The Dual Language Program is committed to preparing children for success in the 21st century. Mastery of more than one language and an understanding and appreciation of cultural and linguistic diversity truly contributes to success in our multicultural nation.