By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of September 23rd to September 30th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Various Networks Offer Statements on Passing of Boxing Promoter Dan Goossen
Brian Kweder, ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions, on Goossen’s passing:
“Dan Goossen was an absolute titan in the boxing industry and a great friend to ESPN. He was the mastermind behind bringing the WBC World Heavyweight Championship bout between Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola to the masses via ESPN back in May. He will be sorely missed.”
A Statement from Stephen Espinoza, on behalf of Showtime Sports:
“All of us at Showtime are deeply saddened by the passing of Dan Goossen. This news has come as a shock to many of us who knew Dan personally, beyond our collaborative work on boxing events, for decades. We will remember Dan as a passionate advocate for the sport of boxing, a fun-loving colleague and friend, and, above all, a devoutly religious family man. Our deepest sympathies to the entire Goossen family. May he rest in peace.”
A Statement from Ken Hershman, President of HBO Sports:
Everyone at HBO Sports is saddened by the sudden loss of Dan Goossen,” said Ken Hershman, President, HBO Sports. “Dan was a dedicated boxing promoter who we worked closely with for many, many years on some of the most important fights in the sport. But what was even more impressive was his total commitment to his family, who were always right by his side during fight week or wherever his business required him to be. Our prayers and thoughts are with his wife, Debbie, and the entire Goossen family.”
Statement from the Goossen Family:
“It is with overwhelming regret that we announce the passing of Dan Goossen, 64, from complications relating to liver cancer. The sudden news of his diagnosis was very much a private matter and his final days were spent surrounded by his family and closest friends. Sadness is difficult to escape as we grieve his passing, however we are filled with pride by the fact that Dan Goossen battled this aggressive illness with boundless strength and the last days of his life were fought and lived with unflinching bravery, pure love and grace beyond measure.”
Boxing Announcer Ed Derian Passes Away
Ed Derian, one of boxing’s best-known ring announcers, passed away on September 26th at the age of 77.
Ed Derian also acted an the on-air announcer for Roller Games before he started doing work as a ring announcer. He is best known for his work on USA Network’s Tuesday Night Fights from the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was also inducted into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010.
Team Provodnikov in Russia Planning Ruslan’s Next Bout
Former WBO Junior Welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov was joined in Russia by his promoter Artie Pelullo and trainer Freddie Roach.
The three, along with manager Vadim Kornilov, are in Russia to discuss Provodnikov’s next bout, which will take place in his homeland before the end of the year.
Provodnikov has made it known that he wants a rematch with Chris Algieri early in 2015.
Chris Algieri to be Honored at Alma mater Stony Brook University
Undefeated WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Chris Algieri will be at his alma mater this weekend to be honored. Stony Brook University, where Algieri graduated with honors in 2007, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management, will host Chris as the Alumni Fan of the Game at Saturday’s annual Wolfstock homecoming celebration among 11,000 fans and present him a proclamation from Suffolk Counter Supervisor Steven Ballone declaring September 27th “Chris Algieri Day.”
“This is an incredible honor. Stony Brook has played such an important part in my life personally and professionally,” said Algieri. “I am confident my Seawolves can do to William & Mary on Saturday what I did to Ruslan Provodnikov last June—PULL OFF A BIG WIN.”
Micky Ward’s Birthday to be Celebrated at Boxing Event at Foxwoods Casino
DiBella Entertainment, Warriors Boxing, and Foxwoods Resort Casino will celebrate the 49th birthday of “Irish” Micky Ward on Saturday, October 4th at the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casio. This will happen at a Showtime Boxing Special Edition tripleheader taking place that day at the Foxwoods.
Dibella promoted ward during the latter part of his career, including the epic Arturo Gatti trilogy.
“Of all the fighters that I’ve worked with, no one was more honest or gave more of themselves than Micky Ward,” DiBella said.
“It’s a natural to celebrate Micky’s birthday in conjunction with a fight card in New England. Micky is forever New England’s fighter. Fans will get an opportunity to see a great night of boxing a chance to meet a fighter who may never get into the Hall of Fame, but will always be an icon.”
Boxers expected to join Ward’s celebration include former WBA/WBC welterweight champion Marlon “Magic Man” Starling (45-6-1, 27 KOs), of Hartford; reigning WBO junior middleweight titleholder Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (21-0, 14 KOs), of Providence; 1955 World welterweight champion Tony “The Pride of Fleet Street” DeMarco (58-12-1, 33 KOs), of Boston; former WBO middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs), of Brooklyn; former WBA junior welterweight and welterweight champion Jose Antonio “El Gallo” Rivera (41-6-1, 24 KOs), former IBO middleweight champion and star of The Contender, Season I reality television show, Peter Manfredo Jr. (40-7, 21 KOs), of Providence; former world lightweight title challenger Tony Petronelli (42-4-1, 22 KOs), of Brockton (MA); “Connecticut Fighter of the Year” Luis “KO King” Rosa Jr. (17-0, 7 KOs), of New Haven, who is coming off a sensational win over Luis Del Valle in May; and Framingham (MA) welterweight and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate, Danny “Bhoy” O’Connor (23-2, 7 KOs).
All ticketholders may enter a special “Micky Ward Birthday Contest” by registering between 6:30-7:30 p.m. at a table set up near the Fox Theater box office. Prior to each of the three televised bouts, the ring announcer will select a winner and that lucky fan plus a guest will sit ringside with Micky Ward for the entire fight and be able to take photos with him and get his autograph.
Mansour vs. Kassi Scheduled for November 8th
Heavyweight powerhouse Amir “Hardcore” Mansour (20-1, 15 KOs) headlines the final Fight Night edition of 2014 with a ten-round heavyweight battle against Frederic “Big Fred” Kassi (18-2, 10 KOs) on Nov. 8live from Sands Resort Casino in Bethlehem, PA. The Mansour-Kassi match-up will serve as the main event on a triple header edition of Fight Night. Tickets are on sale now.
This will be the third Fight Night appearance for Mansour, the Southpaw from Philadelphia, PA who lost a narrow decision in a Fight of the Year candidate to Steve “USS” Cunningham in his last Fight Night appearance on Apr. 4 in his hometown of Philadelphia.
“If a guy sits there and bangs out with me, he’s going down,” said a confident Mansour. “I just go in there with the mindset that whoever my opponent is they are going to fight the best fight they ever fought against me so that’s what I prepare for. Whoever it is, I’m prepared for them to come out to be their best.”
Mansour is trained by Howard “Moses” Mosely who said, “From what I gather, [Fred Kassi] is a slick-type of boxer with a lot of slick moves and can give anybody problems, but he’s not going to give Amir any problems with the way I’m training him.”
IBF Super Featherweight Champion Rances Barthelemy Finalizes Training Camp
IBF Super Featherweight World Champion Rances Barthelemy (20-0) will be defending his title for the first time on Saturday against Fernando David Saucedo (52-2) in a twelve round bout at the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The fight will be aired live on Showtime as the main event on October 4th.
“This is the best camp I’ve had since turning professional,” said Barthelemy. “My weight is good and I’m going to be well prepared for anything Caucedo brings. We did some things different in this camp and we added some old techniques from the Cuban school of boxing. I’m ready to show the world I’m the best Super Featherweight in the world. I want to thank Al Haymon and my entire team for their support. I’m ready to show the world
I’m the best Super Featherweight in the world.”
Undefeated Antoine Douglas to Take on Jose Medina on October 24th
On Friday, October 24th undefeated middleweight Antoine Douglas will take on veteran Jose Medina in the main event of a boxing card taking place at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Somerset, New Jersey.
Douglas (14-0-1) is one of the most talked about middleweight prospects in the country and is coming off of a second round stoppage over former world title challenger Luca Messi (37-9-1) on April 4th. Medina has a record of 18-15-1.
Jorge Diaz (18-3) will see action in the co-feature against Jose Haro in the featherweight division. Tickets can be purchased by calling 862-223-9487.