BROOKLYN, NY (May 23, 2012)—On Tuesday afternoon at the Yemen Café, Sadam Ali’s Worldkid Promotions held a press conference in conjunction with the Inaugural Boxing card that will take place on Saturday, June 2nd at the Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn.

Ali will not only promote the card but will take part in the main event when he takes on Franklin Gonzalez in the eight round contest.

Ali along with several other fighters on the card were at the Yemen Café and below are their quotes

PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

SADAM ALI (14-0, 8 KO’S)—Undefeated Welterweight, Main Event fighter & Promoter
“This is my first main event and Promotion”
“The undercard fighters will start it and I will finish it”
“I have been training hard for five months”

EDDIE GOMEZ (8-0, 6 KO’s)—Undefeated Jr. Middleweight from the Bronx who will participate in co-Feature
“I want to thank Sadam for letting me fight on your show”

JUAN DOMINGUEZ (10-0, 7 KO’s)—Undefeated Bantamweight from Brooklyn
“I am grateful for being on this card and I will put on a show”

ARMIN MRKANOVIC (2-1-1, 1 KO)-Cruiserweight from Queens
“I have been training since September”
“I hope the sprinkler system is on because I expect fireworks”

STEVEN GAMACHE (2-0, 1 KO)—Jr. Middleweight from New York
“I am an action fighter, so I am going to put on a good show”

ZACHARY OCHOA (1-0)—Jr. Welterweight from New York
“I am happy to fight on the same card as the guys I grew up with”
“This is my time”

DINMUKHAMED NIYAZOV (1-0)—Jr. Welterweight from Staten Island, NY
“I have a great time and I believe this will be a crazy good show”

JENNIFER SANTIAGO (PRO DEBUT)—Bantamweight from Brooklyn
“its an honor and privilege to be the only woman on the card”

With the number of boroughs That are represented tickets are on-sale all
over the tri-state area and they are priced at $150. $100, $75 & $50 and can
be purchased at the Following Phone Numbers and locations

In Brooklyn,
Bayridge
Worldkid sports
6825-5th ave, 11220
917-807-3630
————————————————–
Canarsie,
Crosson’s Karate
1940-rockaway pkwy,11236
718-531-9646/917-642-9016
————————————————-
Downtown
Yemen cafe,
176-Atlantic ave,11201
347-645-6640
————————————————–
Bedstuy
Green Gourmet Market,
354-Lewis ave,11233
718-455-5619/917-655-5254/917-807-3630
————————————————–
Staten Island,
Froogle Printing
350-port Richmond ave,10302
718-442-2910/646-261-0063
————————————————
New Jersey
201-914-9392
————————————————–

Manhattan,
718-744-8855

The first bout begins at 7pm with the doors opening at 6pm

For more information on Sadam Ali click: www.sadamaliboxing.com

The Aviator Sports Complex is located at 3159 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.

Philadelphia, PA–With only a couple of weeks before his first world-title opportunity, undefeated welterweight Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, has the look and mindset of a champion as he prepares to meet the hard-hitting former champion Randall Bailey, of Miami, FL, in one of the co-feature fights on the June 9 Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV.

“It is a lifelong dream to fight for the title,” said Jones (right), the IBF No. 1 rated welterweight. “All I know is I’m 100% confident in myself and my abilities. I come to win and I will not lose.”

Jones’ confident demeanor extends to his attitude about expectations as well.

“I never get too high or too low,” stated Jones, 29, whose record is 26-0, 19 K0s. “I never need acceptance from anybody, whether I score a knockout or get a decision win. I stay true to myself. I believe in God and I believe in myself. That’s what matters to me.”

But will Jones’ confidence and attitude be enough to stop Bailey, who is well-known for his punching power? Bailey has scored 36 knockouts en route to a 42-7 record as a pro.

“He’s a banger, definitely likes to bang, but I can do more than just slug,” said Jones, who is co-promoted by Top Rank, Inc., and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc. “I’ll do whatever it takes to win, even if I have to pound him out, but I want to be moving to set everything up. I don’t know if he can take my power. My plan is not to give him anything and not to give him any advantage.”

Jones, along with his trainer Vaughn Jackson, came up with successful game plans for the other recent sluggers Jones has faced, which helped him score two wins over Jesus Soto-Karass in 2010 and 2011, and over Sebastian Lujan in his most recent fight on Dec. 3. They are, likewise, coming up with a plan for Bailey.

“It’s like game-planning for a tough defense in basketball,” Jones said. “You have to take Bailey’s best attribute – his banging – away from him. Once you do that, things become a lot easier.

“He’s a strong guy. He hits hard with that right hand and that left hook is not too weak, either. I’m looking for the best Randall Bailey and I want him to bring his best because I know that will bring out the best in me.”

Jones wants to make a strong statement with his performance on June 9, and although he rarely makes a prediction on his fights, he nonetheless is confident on what he’s going to do.

“Making a statement in this fight is showing my best, winning the fight and looking fantastic,”
Jones said. “The plan always is for me to show the world something better each and every time out.

“I don’t have a prediction, but I’m just going to beat him down.”

After the disclosure of Lamont Peterson’s positive for a banned substance that canceled his May 19th rematch, Amir Khan has found a new dance partner in WBC Super Lightweight champion Danny Garcia as they have agreed to meet on July 14th according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The bout will take place at The Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas

“You have two young guys, two of the best in the division,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer,who promotes both fighters.. “Danny Garcia is undefeated and a champion and Amir Khan is one of the biggest names in the sport, so I am really excited about this fight and lucky we were to be able to put it together considering what happened (with Peterson).”

Schaefer said heavyweight prospect Seth Mitchell (25-0, 19 KOs) of Brandywine, Md., will open the HBO telecast. He could face Detroit’s Johnathon Banks (28-1-1, 18 KOs), a former cruiserweight title challenger who has been at heavyweight since 2009 and gone 8-0-1 in the weight class

“I feel like this is how its supposed to be — the best versus the best, both of us in our prime and giving the fans a great fight,” Garcia told ESPN.com. “I’m just happy. Its going to be a great fight and I feel like I have what it takes to beat this guy.”

“When I heard about the possibility I strapped on my shoes and went out running. I want to be ready,” Garcia said. “I believe everything happens for a reason. I guess that (Peterson-Khan II) wasn’t meant to be. I feel like Khan and me are young fighters taking it back to the old days when the best mixed it up with the best.

“I’ve watched Khan a lot. He’s a good fighter, but I don’t think he’s what people say he is, getting all this credit. I’ll expose all that stuff July 14. I know I’m going to win this fight. I feel like he will leave himself open for some big shots and we’ll see if he can take them. I can box and I can punch. I’m going to hit him with stuff he won’t see. I can’t wait.”

Popular WBC Super Welterweight champion Saul Alvarez will defend his title against the dangerous former world champion Paul Williams to help celebrate the Mexican Independence weekend on September 15th in a bout that is ticketed for Pay Per View according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

The bout will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“Canelo and Williams is done. Signed, sealed and delivered,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who got the deal done on Wednesday. “I think Williams is the biggest name in the division we could get and he has been known for years as one of the most avoided fighters in boxing. He’s awkward, he’s tall, he’s a dangerous fighter and that’s what you need on a pay-per-view. You need to give fans fights where they don’t know who’s going to win the fight.

“So, yes, it’s a risk for Canelo because Paul Williams is a terrific fighter. But it’s also a dangerous fight for Paul Williams. Some people still underestimate Canelo Alvarez but he can compete with anyone and he wants to compete with everyone. People have to remember that Canelo is still only 21 years old, but if you want to earn a shot at Floyd Mayweather, you need to be able to pass this kind of test, this tall test.”

Originally, Golden Boy had looked to James Kirkland, an exciting brawler whom it promotes, as Alvarez’s opponent and offered him the fight. However, Kirkland suffered a shoulder injury in a fight in March, had surgery and will not be ready to go by Sept. 15. So they looked to Williams (41-2, 27 KOs), 30, of Augusta, Ga.

“Kirkland is not going to be able to fight in September,” Schaefer said. “I want to make sure he is healthy and ready to go before a fight like this. So now people are saying, ‘Why are you putting Canelo in with Paul Williams?’ Some people think we are nuts. But I know one thing — it’s going to be a good fight. These guys both come to fight. I think one of these guys will get knocked out. If it’s an exciting fight I don’t think there are any losers.”

“We’ve been looking for something of this magnitude. We’ll be prepared for it,” said Williams trainer George Peterson. “He is going to put on a boxing clinic against Alvarez. This is what Paul has been wanting. We know Canelo is a good boxer. He has good footwork, good power and the will to win. That’s what I think about Alvarez. But Paul has been in the ring with the best and done really well. Paul can get up for this fight. There’s been one or two fights he couldn’t get up for.”

“What has happened is a few people have written Paul off, have said that he’s on his last legs. We’re glad about that, or we wouldn’t get no activity at all,” Peterson said. “It’s gonna be a real interesting fight and Paul is excited about it. It’s an opportunity to show the boxing community that Paul Williams is back. He’s never ducked a fighter and when the bell goes ‘bing,’ the fans will see a very exciting fight. Boxing needs something like this where who the winner will be is a mystery.

“I wanted to get the fight done and now I’ll see what I will do as it relates to which network is involved in the pay-per-view,” Schaefer said.

Super Bantamweight world champions Nonito Donaire & Jeffrey Mathebula have agreed to meet on July 7th in Carson, California according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“Any time you can unify a title it’s a good thing,” said Top Rank’s Carl Moretti. “And any time you can unify the title in a meaningful division, which junior featherweight is, it’s an even better thing. It’s a legit fight. Mathebula is a little awkward and he’s taller than Donaire. Matheubula is always in shape and has no reservations about coming to the United States for the fight.

“It’s a fight that Nonito asked for,” said Donaire’s manager Cameron Dunkin. “Top Rank was offering us other fighters, Mijares and Marroquin to name two, but he wanted a unification fight. Nonito thought this guy (Mathebula) was a great fighter and would push him to the limit. Nonito said, ‘I want something that will fire me up and this guy presents me with a challenge.’

“Nonito is usually the taller guy. He won’t be for this fight, so I asked him if he wanted that problem,” Dunkin said. “He said he did. He said, ‘I want somebody that will really motivate me.’ I said, ‘OK.’ I think this will motivate him but it’s a dangerous fight, a scary fight. But it’s what he wanted. He specifically asked for it.”

“I have worked with Top Rank before and again these negotiations were fair and we reached the deal,” said Mathebula’s promoter Branco Milenkovic. “Now I am excited that Jeffrey is getting an opportunity to fight a great fighter like Nonito Donaire. I know there were some other names being mentioned. I am not downplaying Mijares, but Jeffrey has more ability.

“If I believed Jeffrey had no chance to win this fight, I wouldn’t make the fight. He can win the fight and he is excited to make his first trip to America to fight a big fight and be on HBO. Without a doubt, Nonito is the favorite. He’s a great fighter, but I believe Jeffrey will come to win. My fighters always come to put on a good performance.”

The HBO undercard has not been set yet but former lightweight titlist Brandon Rios, who is also managed by Dunkin, likely will open the telecast in a junior welterweight bout. Moretti said Rios’ appearance was not locked in but Dunkin said he thought it would be Rios.

Dunkin said the most likely opponent for Rios is Mauricio Herrera (18-2, 7 KOs), 31, who is coming off a competitive 10-round decision loss to Mike Alvarado in an all-action slugfest that is a fight of the year candidate.

Bethlehem, PA-World-rated welterweight Ronald Cruz , who has had all of his pro fights in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and Prenice Brewer, who has boxed professionally in 13 different states, collide for the vacant WBC Continental Americas title in a scheduled 12-round contest on Friday evening, June 1, on the inaugural boxing show in the new 1,800-seat Events Center at the Sands Resort Casino Bethlehem.

The seven-fight card, which will be televised live as part of the NBC Sports Network Fight Night series, also features King Gabriel Rosado, of Philadelphia, PA, against Sechew Powell, of Brooklyn, NY, in a 12-rounder for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental junior middleweight crown in a matchup of top contenders. THe NBC Sports Network Fight Night telecast beings at 9PM ET.

Ranked No. 12 in the world at 147 pounds by the IBF, Cruz (above right) is 16-0, 12 K0s. Eight of his 16 fights have been in Pennsylvania-seven in Philadelphia, one in Bethlehem–and the other eight in Atlantic City, NJ.

In his last fight Feb. 25 in Atlantic City, the 25-year-old Cruz earned a unanimous 10-round decision over Allen Conyers, of the Bronx, NY.

“There are a lot of distractions when you fight in your hometown,” said Jimmy Deoria, Cruz’ manager and former lightweight pro boxer from the 1990s. “People are always calling for tickets. Reporters want to do interviews. Fans are always around. But Ronald is a warrior. He thrives under pressure. He’s a lot more relaxed than I am.”

Brewer (above left) has boxed only once in his Cleveland, OH, hometown. He has traveled from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City to the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, CA.

A pro since 2006, the 24-year-old Brewer has boxed in New York (three times), Missouri (three), Michigan (twice), and once each in Illinois, Oklahoma, Florida, California, Washington state, Kansas, Indiana, Connecticut, Ohio and the District of Columbia.

“Brewer had a lot of offers from different promoters when he turned pro,” said matchmaker Eric Bottjer, who helps to arrange Cruz’ fight schedule. “After awhile he decided to do it on his own and he’s done pretty well for himself.”

In is last fight Nov. 10, Brewer scored an upset victory over highly touted and previously unbeaten southpaw Emmanuel Taylor in Taylor’s backyard of Washington, DC.

The eight-round split decision over Taylor improved Brewer’s five-year pro record to 16-1-1, 7 K0s.

ABOUT JUNE 1

The Rosado-Powell and Cruz-Brewer fights top a seven-bout card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. First fight is 7.30 pm. Tickets are priced at $50 and $75 as well as luxury suite seats for $125.00. Tickets can be purchased through the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) or online at www.peltzboxing.com, www.SandsEventCenter.com, and www.Ticketmaster.com. In Bethlehem, tickets are available at Pronto Insurance Notary, 232 East 3rd Street (610-419-6790).

NBC Sports Network will televise the Rosado-Powell and Cruz-Brewer fights, beginning at 9 pm. The card is being promoted by Main Events and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem and www.goDaddy.com.

Josesito Lopez will step in to face Victor Ortiz on June 23rd in Los Angeles after Andre Berto tested positive for a banned substance according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“(Golden Boy) offered the fight to us on Friday afternoon. I got a call from (Goossen Tutor Promotions matchmaker) Tom Brown saying we got the offer and I said, ‘We’ll take it,'” Lopez’ trainer/manager Henry Ramirez said. “We’re excited. We’re ecstatic. Our job is to get the biggest fight out there for Josesito that we can for the best money we can get, and this is that fight.”

“We’ve explored a variety of potential opponents, and so far Lopez seems to be the best available opponent that will take the fight on short notice,” Showtime Sports general manager Stephen Espinoza told ESPN.com. “He is a strong, tough and experienced fighter, and he’s looked particularly good in his last few fights. I like this matchup, and I hope a deal can be worked out.”

Junior welterweight Humberto Soto (58-7-2, 34 KOs) and Lucas Matthysse (30-2, 28 KOs) will still meet in the Showtime co-featured bout, but Riverside, Calif., heavyweight contender Cristobal Arreola (35-2, 30 KOs), who is also trained by Ramirez, will be added to the card to make it into a televised tripleheader. The fight figures to be Arreola’s final bout before an anticipated heavyweight championship shot against Wladimir Klitschko in November.

“Pending approval of the opponent, the Arreola bout would be added to undercard on the Showtime broadcast,” Espinoza said

“My guy has been in the gym, so all we have to do is just change the date of the fight by one day and change our sparring partners,” said Ramirez, noting that Lopez was preparing for the right-handed Holt and now will be facing a left-hander in Ortiz.

“Holt pulls out on us and then this drops in our lap, so we’re excited,” Ramirez said. “The kid (Lopez) will make probably four or five times his biggest purse (which was $35,000) for this fight with Ortiz and a lot more than he would have gotten to fight Holt. So we are in a no-lose situation here because it’s a great opportunity, it’s a good payday and it’s a fight we believe that we can win.

“Lopez puts pressure on his opponents and we know Ortiz doesn’t like pressure and we also know he doesn’t have the biggest heart in the world. We’ve seen him quit before” in a sixth-round knockout loss to Marcos Maidana in a 2009 interim junior welterweight title bout.

Atlantic City, NJ—Two middleweight warriors with similar aggressive styles collide when Partick Majewski, of Atlantic City, NJ, and Chris Fitzpatrick, of Cleveland, OH, meet in a scheduled 10-round contest for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) middleweight championship on Saturday evening, July 7, at Bally’s Atlantic City.

The Majewski-Fitzpatrick contest tops a seven-bout card which begins at 7.30 pm. The show will be televised live by www.gofightlive.tv.

Majewski (right), 32, comes into the fight off a third-round knockout April 7 in Southaven, MS, over former world-title challenger Antwun Echols, of Davenport, IA.

The win over Echols was Majewski’s first fight back after losing for the only time in his career when Jose Miguel Torres, of Magangue, Colombia, stopped him in six rounds last Sept. 30 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT.

A pro since 2006, Majewski is 18-1, 12 K0s. He has beaten Jimmy Lubash, of Pittsburgh, PA; Latif Mundy, of Philadelphia, PA; Joseph Gomez, of Bloomfield, NM; Marcus Upshaw, of Jacksonville, FL.

Majewski, nicknamed The Machine, originally is from Radom, Poland.

Fitzpatrick, 24, is known as The Irish Ghost.

A pro since 2008, Fitzpatrick (left) is 15-1-1, 6 K0s, losing only via 10-round decision to Jose Stinger Medina, of Tilton, NH, last Oct. 10 in Albany, NY. He rebounded with a sixth-round knockout over Ken Dunham, of Charlotte, NC, on Feb. 4 in Chapin, SC.

Fitzpatrick’s biggest win came last summer when he earned a 10-round decision over Scott Sigman, of Lynchburg, VA, in Greensboro, NC.

He also has beaten Bruce Rumbolz, of Sterling, IL.

Lightweight Osnel Charles, of Atantic City, a stable-mate of Majewski’s, will try to rebound from his April 14 loss to Derrick Finley, of Detroit, MI, when he returns in a six-round contest to top the six-fight preliminary card.

ABOUT JULY 7

The Majewski-Fitzpatrick fights tops top a seven-bout card at Bally’s Atlantic City. First fight is 7.30 pm. Tickets are priced at $50 and $75 and they are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000). Tickets also are on sale at www.peltzboxing.com and www.ticketmaster.com. Gofightlive.tv will televise the card on the internet. The card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with Bally’s Atlantic City.

Daniel Cormier remained perfect in capturing the Strikeforce Grand Prix Heavyweight title at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.

Cormier, 238 lbs of Lafayette, LA won by scores of 50-45;49-46 and 49-46 to up his unblemished mark to 10-0. Branett, 248 lbs of Fullerton, CA is 31-6.

“I’ve lost a lot of people in my life and this is for them,” said the emotional champion after the fight. “For my kids, my daughter, my dad; this is for my family.”

Cormier went on to credit his AKA teammates who were in attendance. “Cain (Velazquez), Luke Rockhold, Mike Kyle. Those guys kick my (butt) everyday in practice so I know that I can go with anybody right here in the cage.

“Beating Josh Barnett, this is something a year ago that I never thought I could do.”

STRIKEFORCE Lightweight Championship – 5 Rounds

In the pair’s third fierce battle, STRIKEFORCE Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez (21-2) won the thrilling rubber match by narrow Split Decision over Josh Thomson (19-5). Through five championship rounds it was give-and-take as both men traded sharp shooting strikes and shrewd takedowns. Scores were 48-47 Thomson, and 48-47 twice for Melendez.

Rafael Feijao needed just thirty-three seconds to avenge a previous loss and to choke out Mike Kyle in a scheduled three round Light Heavyweight bout.

Feijao landed hard right hand that stunned Kyle and then landed numerous shots before getting Kyle in the choke and then he tapped out.

Feijao, 206 lbs of Rio De Janero, Brazil is now 12-3 with two submissions. Kyle, 203 lbs of San Jose, CA is now 19-9-11.

Chris Spang scored a first round stoppage over Nah-Shon Burrell in a Welterweight bout.

Spang landed a heavy shot that hurt Burrell and Spang never let up with punches and knees and the fight was stopped at 1:35 of round one.

Spang, 169 lbs of Las Vegas is now 5-1 with three knockouts. Burrell, 170 lbs of Philadelphia is now 8-2

Isaac Vallie-Flag scored a three round split decision over JZ Calvalcante in a Lightweight bout.

Vallie-Flag, 156 lbs of Albuquerque, NM won two cards by 29-28 tallies while Calvalcante took a card 29-28.

Vallie-Flag is now 14-3-1. Calvacante, 156 lbs of Delray Beach, FL is now 10-5-1-1-1

Guto Inocente remained undefeated with a three round unanimous decision over Virgil Swicker in what was a war of attrition.

Both guys landed heavy blowsthroughout the fight with Swicker bleeding from the nosein round two.

Inocente of Delray Beach, FL won by scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 and is 6-0. Swicker of Temecula, CA is now 10-3.

Gian Villante scored a three round unanimous decision over Derrick Mehmen in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Villane, 205 lbs of Levittown, NY won by scores of 30-37, 30-27 and 29-29 and is now 10-3. Mehemn, 205 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL is now 12-5.

Quinn Mullhurn scored a three round split decision over Yuri Villefort.

Scores were 30-27 & 29-28 for Mullhurn who is now 18-2. Villefort is now 6-1

Ivan Cano scored a ten round unanimous decision over Mauricio Pintor in a Jr. Welterweight bout in Ciudad, Mexico.

Cano dropped Pintor from a hard left hook in round one. The fight was sloppy and rough as Pintor was deducted a point for hitting in the break in round three while Pintor was deducted a point for headbutts in rounds five and nine.

Cano, 140 lbs won by scores of 99-91, 98-90 and 98-91 and is now 21-4. Pintor, 139 lbs suffered his first loss and is now 17-1-1.

Alfonso Epazote scored a six round unanimous decision over Jorge Urias in a Lightweight bout.

Epazote, 132 lbs was making his pro debut. Urias, 131 lbs is now 3-9-1.

Ernesto Ortiz scored a first round stoppage over Juan Carlos Cortez in a scheduled four round Jr.Welterweight bout.

Ortiz stopped Cortez with a body shot and is now 2-0 with two knockouts. Cortez was making his pro debut.

Karim Mayfield scored a fifth round stoppage over Raymond Serrano in a battle of undefeated Jr. Welterweight at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York.

Not much happend over the first two rounds and then in round three Mayfield landed a right hand that sent Serrano to the canvas. Mayfield landed a big right to punctuate the round. Both guys were cut due to a headbutt. Just before the end of round four, Mayfield landed a booming right hand flush on the jaw and Serrano crumbled to the canvas. Serrano stumbled back to corner and chaos ensued as Serrano’scorner began arguing with each other on weather to stop the fight. That conflict lead to the stool no getting into the corner and Serrano was not able to get the proper attention needed.

Mayfield capitalized on that as he jumped on Serrano and landed a big right hand and the fight was sopped.

Mayfield, 139 lbs of San Francisco is now 16-0-1 with ten knockouts. Serrano, 139 lbs of Philadelphia is now 18-1.

Jason Escalera and Nick Brinson fought to an entertaining eight round draw in a Middleweight bout.

Brinson boxed well early as he landed some decent right hands and flurries. Escalera came on late and had Brinson in trouble in the seventh round. The fought hard down the the stretch with each guy gaining the nod on a card by 76-75 tallies while a third card read 76-76.

Escalera, 160 lbs of Union City, NJ is now 13-0-1. Brinson is 9-1-2.

Anthony Jones scored two knockdowns en route by scoring a four round unanimous decision over Kevin Rooney Jr. in a Middleweight bout.

Jones hit Rooney with a right hook in round one that drove Rooney into the ropes that was ruled a knockdown. In round two, Jones landed a perfect straight left that sent Rooney down to the seat of his pants. Rooney fought well in the last two rounds but the knockdowns were the difference.

Jones, 161 lbs of Newark, NJ won by scores of 39-35; 38-36 and 38-36 and is now 2-0-1. Rooney, 160 lbs of Catskill, NY is now 4-2.

Photo by Ed Diller/Star Boxing

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former two-time Welterweight world champion Andre Berto has tested positive for a banned substance which no puts in doubt his June 23rd rematch with Victor Ortiz.

Promoter Lou DiBella told ESPN.com he was unsure of what Berto tested positive for but confirmed the result.

“I know he tested positive,” DiBella said. “I have nothing else to say. I don’t know all of the details so I have nothing else to say.”

“Obviously, we are disappointed that Berto’s ‘B’ sample came back positive,” Schaefer, Ortiz’s promoter, told ESPN.com. “I was informed late Saturday of the ‘A’ sample testing positive and urged an immediate testing of the ‘B’ sample. We just got the results that the ‘B’ sample tested positive as well. It’s unfortunate. We have to see what happened because I don’t know.

“This is obviously a very unpleasant situation to say the least, but at the same time, there is no room for any form of performance-enhancing drug use in boxing. I am not accusing Berto of anything, but that happens when you want to clean up the sport and you agree as a fighter and promoter to go through these kinds of procedures. I hope this will lead athletes to be more careful with what they eat or drink or take. Everybody needs to educate themselves more about what is permitted and what it is not permitted. But if it takes two or three or four fights to be canceled, so be it. There can be zero tolerance for the use of banned substances.”

“At the present time, I cannot explain the positive drug test, which was provided as part of a voluntary anti-doping program in which I agreed to participate,” Berto said in a statement. “I know that I have never used any steroids or other banned substances, and I am investigating all possible causes of the positive test with my attorney, Howard Jacobs. I have never cheated, and all of my success has come from hard work and dedication.”

Berto has had Victor Conte, founder of the notorious Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, in his training camp for this fight.

Conte, however, denied he had any involvement in the positive test.

“Andre Berto’s positive test for (norandrosterone) has absolutely nothing to do with me or any supplements I provided. Likely trace contamination,” Conte tweeted. “Andre has admitted to taking supplements other than what I provided without my knowledge. Apparently, something was contaminated.”

“We did our job. We stand by the integrity of the test and the testing process,” said Dr. Margaret Goodman, who heads VADA and is a former chief ringside physician for the Nevada State Athletic Commission. “It’s not our role to determine what comes next for Mr. Berto. At this point it would be inappropriate for me to discuss the matter further with the media.”

After the fight last year, Berto accused Ortiz of using performance-enhancing drugs in his upset victory. Now it is Berto who has tested positive, an irony not lost on Rolando Arellano, Ortiz’s manager.

“When you point the finger there’s three pointing back at you, but we will take the high road,” Arellano said. “We’re going to give this guy the benefit of the doubt.

“We want to fight him and he wants to fight us, so we are going to wait until there is a complete fact finding in this case. We know what VADA has to say and we’re curious what about what Berto has to say. Hopefully, there is something that went wrong. Maybe the jars got mixed up. But it doesn’t look that way. Victor will go on, but this is awful for boxing fans who wanted to see another fight of the year.”

Arellano said he informed Ortiz of Berto’s positive test and his response was “complete and utter silence. Then he said, ‘I’m going to the gym.'”

Schaefer and Showtime both told ESPN.com they have no intention of canceling the card. “This means another terrific fight that fans were looking forward to appears like it’s not going to happen,” Schaefer said. “I want to know what the origins of this (positive test) are. I have been told that it could have something to do with food contamination. But I’m not going to go and cancel the event. Let’s learn more, let’s see what will happen. In the meantime, my team is working behind the scenes to come up with an alternative opponent.”

Photo By Claudia Bacanegra

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT CARD LIVE
Jamaal Davis 157 – Eberto Medina 157.2
Chuck Mussachio 174 – Billy Bailey 178.2
Korey Sloane 138 – Justin Johnson 138
Roberto Yong 165.5 – Fred Jenkins Jr. 165.5
Latwon Halsey 145 – Miguel Corcino 145.5
Louis Robinson 183.5 -Todd Untahnk-may 178.5
Korey Pritchett 139 – David Gonzalez 140

DOVER, DE (May 18, 2012)—Tonight a pivotal Heavyweight showdown will take place as WBC number-twelve rated Heavyweight Franklin “Ya Ya” Lawrence will battle “Merciless” Mike Mollo in a ten round main event of an eight bout card at Dover Downs.

The bout can be seen LIVE worldwide beginning at 7:30 PM Est. for $9.99 on www.gfl.tv by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Friday_Night_Fights/1487

The show will also be seen LIVE at 9:00 pm EST on Wealth TV (Check your cable listings)

Lawrence of Indianapolis, Indiana has a record 17-2-2 with twelve knockouts and his stopped five consecutive opponents such as Contenders Lance Whitaker, former U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada and Jason Gavern that has catapulted to his lofty ranking.

Mollo, 20-3-1 with twelve knockouts of Oak Lawn, Illinois (Just outside Chicago) has faced top competition such as former world title challengers DaVarryl Williamson, Andrew Golota and Jameel McCline.

He has impressive second round knockouts over Art Binkowski and former Mike Tyson Conqueror Kevin McBride.

There is a lot on the line as the NABA title brings a top fifteen ranking between the WBA.

In the co-feature, Delaware’s favorite son Mike “No Joke” Stewart takes on battle tested Christopher “Kid Kayo” Fernandez in an eight round Welterweight bout.

Both guys have been in with the best of the world with Stewart (48-7-3, 25 KO’s) beating the likes of former world champion Terron Millett and former world title challengers Ivan Robinson & Ebo Elder while dropping bouts to world champions Ricky Hatton and Sharmba Mitchell.

Fernandez (19-15-1, 12 KO’s) has FOUGHT FOURTEEN UNDEFEATED FIGHTERS which includes world champions Paulie Malignaggi, Devon Alexander and Danny Garcia.

Fernandez will fight anybody at anytime and has showed he is capable. He is hungry for a signature win and his bout with Stewart could steal the show.

A second title fight on the bill will feature the NABF Female Featherweight bout between undefeated “Queen” Ronica Jeffrey and the always exciting Jackie Trivilino.

An evenly matched Jr. Welterweight tussle between popular Delaware fighter Ryan Belasco (16-5-3) and Maryland’s Tyrell Samuel (14-4-1, 6 KO’s).

Also making appearances will be former National Amateur champion in Jr. Lightweight Omar Douglas, undefeated Cruiserweight Lamont Singletary and undefeated Super Middleweight John Bowman.

LOS ANGELES, May 17 – The best roster in boxing added to its luster this week with Golden Boy Promotions’ signing of current WBA Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Johan Perez and unbeaten former amateur standout Julian Ramirez to multi-year promotional agreements.

“This is a big day for us and I’m proud to have these two boxers fighting for us now,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “Boxing will never grow if we don’t keep cultivating new talent and in Johan and Julian, we’ve signed two fighters that you’re going to be hearing a lot about in the months and years to come.”

A 28-year-old native of Caracas, Venezuela, Johan Perez (15-0-1, 12 KO’s) turned professional in 2005 and rang up five consecutive knockout victories. Following a two-year layoff resulting from the lack of professional boxing events being promoted in Venezuela, he returned in 2009 and steam-rolled through all comers, with the only blemish on his record being a 2011 draw with 16-0 fellow prospect Alberto Mosquera. Along the way, Perez fought anyone, anywhere, with stops in Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, England and Mexico garnering him a solid fanbase and the WBA Fedecentro and WBA Fedelatin super lightweight titles. In October of 2011, he stunned highly-regarded Kenny Galarza with a fourth round technical knockout victory and less than two months later, he won the WBA Interim Super Lightweight World Championship with a fourth round stoppage of Fernando Castaneda, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable future.

19-year-old Julian Ramirez (2-0, 2 KO’s) hails from Alhambra, Calif. and, as the nephew of the late, great Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez, this talented teenager undoubtedly has boxing in his blood. A long-time amateur standout, Ramirez compiled a record of 73-5 en route to racking up 10 tournament titles including four World Desert Showdown titles, four National PAL titles, one Junior Olympics Championship and the 2011 Mexico Games Championship. In February of this year, he made his professional debut with a first round knockout win over Javier Damien. Two months later, Salvador Cifuentes suffered the same fate, lasting just 80 seconds with the hard-hitting Ramirez, who has ‘star’ written all over him.

Both fighters’ first fights under the Golden Boy Promotions banner will be announced at a later date.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/JayCeeR23 or visit us on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page.

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT CARD
Franklin Lawrence 236 – Mike Mollo 230
(NABA Heavyweight Title)
Ronica Jeffrey 126 – Jackie Trivilino 126
(NABF Featherweight Title)

Venue: Dover Downs
1st Bell: 7:30
TV: Wealth TV & GFL.TV

BROOKLYN (May 17, 2012)—On Saturday night June 2nd at the Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn, Sadam Worldkid” Ali will take on Franklin Gonzalez in a scheduled ten round Welterweight bout that will be the main event of a big night of boxing that is promoted by Ali’s Worldkid Promotions.

This will be the 2008 U.S. Olympian’s Promotional debut.

Gonzalez of the Dominican Republic has a record of 15-9 with ten knockouts.

Gonzalez has faced some of the best Welterweights in the world so this will be a test to gage where the twenty-three year old Ali stacks up.

Gonzalez is coming off an impressive four round unanimous decision over the regarded Eddie Hyland (16-1) on January 28th in Atlantic City.

Gonzalez has shared the ring with former world champion Luis Collazo as well as former world title challenger Dmitry Salita as well highly rated David Estrada, Antwone Smith and Danny O’Connor.

Ali of Brooklyn is perfect in his professional career as he has a record 14-0 with eight knockouts and that combined with his fan friendly style, is establishing himself as one of the best Welterweight prospects in the world.

He made a splashing pro debut on January 17th, 2009 with a first round destruction over Ricky Thompson in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Ali has appeared on major shows at Foxwoods in Connecticut and the Prudential Center in Newark where he was co-featured on ESPN and has been highlighted on HBO

In his last bout, Ali traveled to Poland where scored a fifth round stoppage over Boris Berg as a chief supporting bout to the Vitali Klitschko – Tomasz Adamek world heavyweight title bout in front of over 45,000 fans.

This will be Ali’s first bout in his hometown of Brooklyn.

A terrific undercard is taking shape and topping it will be undefeated nineteen year old Eddie Gomez taking part in a bout scheduled for six rounds.

The Bronx based Jr. Middleweight has compiled a record of 8-0 with six knockouts and already has produced some breath taking performances.

Gomez is coming off a six round unanimous decision over thirteen fight veteran David Lopez on February 25th.

Also seeing action in a six round Bantamweight bout will be one of New York’s top Prospects in Bantamweight Juan Dominguez (10-0, 7 KO’s) of Brooklyn. Dominguez will take on an opponent to be named.

Super Bantamweight Raul Lopez (6-1-1, 3 KO’s) of the Bronx will take part in a six round contest against an opponent to be named.

Cruiserweight Armin Mrkanovic (2-1, 1 KO) of Queens will take on debuting Daniel Pietch of Ohio in a four round bout.

Dinmukhamed Niyazov (1-0) of Staten Island will battle Omar Brown (1-3) of West Palm Beach, FL in a four round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Jennifer Santiago of Brooklyn will make her pro debut against Mikayla Nebal (0-1) of Hillard, OH in a four round female Bantamweight bout

Ryan Ramaya (1-0) of Queens, NY will take on debuting Charlie Corona in a four round Super Bantamweight bout.

Rounding out the card will be undefeated Jr. Middleweight Steven Gamache (2-0, 1 KO) of New York takig on an opponent to be named in a four round bout.

THERE WILL BE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON TUESDAY MAY 22ND AT THE YEMIN CAFÉ (176 Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn) at 1:30 pm

With the number of boroughs that are represented tickets are on-sale all
over the tri-state area and they are priced at $150. $100, $75 & $50 and can
be purchased at the Following Phone Numbers and locations

In Brooklyn,
Bayridge
Worldkid sports
6825-5th ave, 11220
917-807-3630
————————————————–
Canarsie,
Crosson’s Karate
1940-rockaway pkwy,11236
718-531-9646/917-642-9016
————————————————-
Downtown
Yemen cafe,
176-Atlantic ave,11201
347-645-6640
————————————————–
Bedstuy
Green Gourmet Market,
354-Lewis ave,11233
718-455-5619/917-655-5254/917-807-3630
————————————————–
Staten Island,
Froogle Printing
350-port Richmond ave,10302
718-442-2910/646-261-0063
————————————————
New Jersey
201-914-9392
————————————————–

Manhattan,
718-744-8855

The first bout begins at 7pm with the doors opening at 6pm

For more information on Sadam Ali click: www.sadamaliboxing.com

The Aviator Sports Complex is located at 3159 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.

Philadelphia, PA—In perhaps the biggest night-ever for Philadelphia fighters, three of them will appear as part of the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley championship card on June 9 at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

Mike Jones and Teon Kennedy will challenge for world titles, while amateur star Jesse Hart, son of former Philadelphia middleweight legend Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, will make his pro debut.

Jones (26-0, 19 KOs), the undefeated No.1 welterweight contender, will meet former two-time world champion and current No. 2 contender Randall “The Knockout King” Bailey (42-7, 36 KOs), of Miami, FL, for the vacant IBF welterweight title in a scheduled 12-round contest.

“This is a dream come true to be fighting for the title,” said Jones (right). “I’ve thought about this ever since I started boxing. I’ll do whatever I have to do to win the title.

“He (Bailey) has to watch out for my big shots, too,” the 29-year-old Jones said of Bailey’s well-known power. “He’s shown he can be knocked out as well. He has his weak points; he doesn’t have a real good jab and he doesn’t put combinations together well. His thing is just trying to bomb you out with one punch, but it’s hard to hit a moving target and that’s what I’ll be.”

Kennedy (17-1-2, 7 KOs) will square off against defending WBA super bantamweight titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux, of Cuba, also over 12 rounds. Rigondeaux is 9-0, 7 K0s, and had an extensive amateur career which included Gold Medals at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games.

“I can’t let him (Rigondeaux) fight his fight and let him get comfortable,” said the 25-year-old Kennedy (below). “I have to force him to make mistakes and take it to him in the first few rounds to show him that I’m there to fight. I believe that I can win a decision. I’m ready mentally and I’m in shape physically. I can’t wait for the fight. It’s a special night to have all of us Philly guys on the same show.”

Hart, a storied Philly amateur star who won the 2011 National Golden Gloves at 165 pounds and the 2011 USA National Championships at 178, will fight as a middleweight or super middleweight. He recently signed a lucrative pro contract with Top Rank. He is trained by his father, who was 30-9-1, 28 K0s, as a pro in the 1970s–a knockout artist who fought in-and-around Philadelphia his entire career.

Father and son are thrilled that Jesse’s pro debut will be in Las Vegas.

“It’s big, real big, to be fighting my pro debut on the Manny Pacquiao show in Las Vegas,” said the 22-year-old Hart. “For all the years my dad fought, he never fought in Las Vegas, so it’s a big thrill for both of us to be in Vegas. This is dad’s dream. It will make for a great show to have us Philly fighters out there. You can’t go wrong.”

One interesting note about the three Philadelphia fighters is that they are managed by Doc Nowicki, who handles Jones with Jim Williams, Kennedy with Williams and Joe Hand, Hart with David Price.

“I’m going to get a segway so I can get from the fighters’ locker rooms to ringside and then back to the locker rooms to celebrate and then do it all over again for my next fighter,” Nowicki said. “It’s going to be a hectic, but tremendous night.”

– Friday, May 18, 2012 4:00am ET featuring Cage Fighting Championship 21 at the Homebush State Sports Centre in Sydney, Australia. Jesse Juarez (17-8) who is a former Bellator fighter based out of California claimed the CFC world title with a majority decision win against Justin Murray at CFC 13 in April 2010. Juarez’s first title defense was an unanimous decision win against Manuel Rodriguez at CFC 18 and he has gone 1-1 on US promotions since defending his title and will look to defend it for a second time against Robert Whittaker. 21 year old, Whittaker (9-1) who fights out of the PMA Super Martial Arts Centre in NSW, has built an impressive domestic record in Australia and is yet to go to the judges’ scorecards in any of his fights. His most recent outing was at Superfight Australia 13 in Perth where he defeated Shaun Spooner with a first round stoppage. The main support bouts will also bring none stop action with two Australia vs USA heavyweight fights set. In the first heavyweight showdown, “Big” Jim Yorke takes on Jeff “The Snowman” Monson. Yorke is on a four fight win streak which was kicked off by his win on CFC 14 against American, Brandon Cash. He is also a Sengoku veteran so has some deep international experience behind him. Monson is a two time ADCC World Champion, has fought in the UFC, Strikeforce and M-1 and with 57 professional fights under his belt, will be Big Jim’s biggest opponent to date. In the second heavyweight showdown, Soa “The Hulk” Palelei, will take on the infamous, 2005 K1 Grand Prix Champion in Bob “The Beast” Sapp. Palelei who stands at a huge 6’4 inches tall, will take on the even bigger frame of the 6’5″ Bob Sapp who also walks around much heavier than The Hulk. In Sapp’s most recent fight at SFL 1 in Mumbai, India, the American tapped in round 1 after suffering a suspect injury.

– Friday, May 18, 2012 11:00pm ET featuring Ultimate Reno Combat 33 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. In the main event, Brad Robasciotti (3-1) fights Brandon Costa (4-1) for the URC Light Heavyweight Title. The fans demanded it and now they have it. This is an immediate rematch as Robasciotti was victorious in the last bout defeating Costa via TKO in round 4 and winning the title from him. With such a quick turnaround both fighters will not have much time to change their games up so expect this bout to be another wall to wall war. The first fight was back and forth with Robasciotti ultimately getting his hand raised at the end, but many feel the fight was stopped too early, hence the rematch. Both fighters will be looking to make a definitive statement in this bout, so don’t blink. The co-main event, Randall Wallace (2-0) battles Anthony Hernandez (4-0) for the URC Middleweight Championship. This is for the vacant 185 lb title and both fighters come into the bout undefeated. Someone is walking away with gold, while the other is walking away with the first loss of his career. For Wallace, he is a heavy puncher who has finished both of his fights in the first round. He will look to connect with one of his bombs early and make it a quick night. Hernandez is a fighter that can end things with his hands, but also has the stamina to go the distance and outwork his opponent for a decision. Since it’s a 5 round fight, Hernandez could look to take Wallace into deep waters and into the later rounds and then from there try to stop him. In the third title match of the evening, Spencer Roberts (4-1) takes on Daymond Bland (3-1) for the URC Flyweight Title. Roberts comes into the fight as the champion making his first title defense. He won the title back in October 2011 with a submission and has defeated 3 opponents by tapout. He is a fast starter and always looking to finish the fight so this bout should be exciting. Bland has stopped all 3 of his opponents for victories and along with a submission game, possesses strong knockout power. When the 125 lb fighters are in the cage anything can happen as these are some of the most overall skilled fighters in the sport. Look for fight of the night between Roberts and Bland.

– Saturday, May 19, 2012 10:00pm ET featuring Rumble at the Roseland 63 at the Roseland Theater, Portland, Oregon. In the main event, for the FCFF Heavyweight Title, Damion Martindale (9-5) battles undefeated Nick Biron (5-0). Biron comes into the fight the reigning heavyweight champion a title Martindale has previously held. The 265 lb title has been a hot potato for FCFF lately and there’s no telling what will happen when these two heavy hitters collide in the cage. Biron has finished 3 of his opponents by TKO and looks to make that 4 as he throws punches with bad intentions. Martindale will look to knock off the undefeated Biron and capture the title all at the same time using his grappling skills to get Biron to tap out. Martindale likes the arm triangle so if and when the fight hits the mat look for heavy punches from Biron and submissions from Martindale. In the co-main event, Jordan Hinchman (3-1) fights Jeremy Morse (6-3) for the FCFF Light Heavyweight Title. Hinchman comes into the bout holding the belt and looks to make his first title defense against Morse who has won 4 out of his last 5 fights. Morse likes to grind down and wear out his opponents and he will have to have a full tank of cardio if he is going to be able to do it to Hinchman and take his title. Hinchman is 12 years younger than Morse and has shown a quick grappling style. None of Hinchman’s 4 fights have ever gone the distance so it will be interesting to see his high risk-high reward style matched up against the very methodical and workman like style of Morse. Whichever fighter can get the pace of the fight where he wants it will be at a huge advantage inside the cage. In the third title fight of the night for the FCFF Lightweight Championship, Clint Patterson (5-4) takes on William Hall (6-2) in a rematch that is over two years in the making. Hall fights out of Team Quest and comes into the bout as champion looking to avenge an earlier loss in his career to Patterson. Patterson defeated Hall by first round armbar in 2010 and this is Hall’s opportunity to get some sort of revenge. Hall is an exciting fighter who has never had a fight go to the third round so expect him to come out guns blazing and push the pace from the opening bell. For Patterson, if he can pull off another submission win or get a victory by any means necessary, he will not only have beaten the same opponent twice which is very hard to do, but he will walk away champion. Patterson has the submission skills to win again, but Hall will also try and neutralize Patterson’s attacks with his wrestling and relentless style. This could very well be fight of the night.

Other events this week:

Pro-Wrestling: Impact Zone Wrestling (Weekly Free show): May 19, 8:00pm ET.

Boxing: Friday Night Fights, Dover Downs Racetrack and Casino: May 18, 7:00pm ET.
Peltz Boxing at Bally’s, Bally’s Atlantic City, NJ: May 19, 7:30pm ET.
Battle of the Badges 4: FDNY vs New England: Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, CT. May 19 7:30pm ET.

GFL now offers full access to over 6,000 fights for the low monthly price of $9.99 subscribe now at www.GFL.tv

***GFL is a pioneer in Internet Sports Broadcasting. Over the years GFL has broadcast more than 1300 live events with over 6000 combat sports videos in 196 countries. GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 5 million public viewers over the years with more than 250 combat sports related website affiliates in its network. GFL is also available on Roku, Android, IPhone, IPad, as well as other internet ready devices. Check the event page for details.

If Combat Sports is your game…Go Fight-Every Night with GFL Combat Sports Network

Join us at: www.GFL.tv or twitter.com/GFL or youtube.com/Gofightlive or inquiries contact press@gfl.tv

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (May 15, 2012) – Top Rank announced today the signing of amateur sensation TOKA KAHN-CLARY, from Providence, Rhode Island. Kahn-Clary, 20, who boasts speed, power and a “pro style of fighting” is trained by Peter Manfredo Sr. and managed by Mike Criscio, who discovered and managed light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson. Kahn-Cary will make his pro debut, as a junior lightweight, on Friday, June 8, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, on a card headlined by the Kelly Pavlik vs. Scott Sigmon super middleweight bout.

“Everyone at Top Rank is excited and what a great way for Toka to start, fighting on the Kelly Pavlik card at the Hard Rock,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

“Toka is a top prospect who is the real deal. He throws a lot of punches and hits hard,” said Bruce Trampler, Top Rank’s Hall of Fame matchmaker.

Manfredo added, “Toka is the best I’ve seen at our gym in 35 years – and I’ve seen a lot of fighters. He has speed, skill, tremendous combinations and a big heart.”

A native of Liberia, Kahn-Cary moved to Philadelphia when he was six, where he was soon orphaned, losing his father in a shooting that same year. He made his way to Pawtucket, RI, where life was not any easier, but eventually he was taken under the wings of Andrea Watson, her husband Ron Clary and Manfredo. Those three and boxing proved to be Kahn-Clary’s salvation. As an amateur, Toka was a Gold medalist at the National Golden Gloves (2010), a Silver medalist at the U.S. Championships (2011), and a Bronze medalist at the U.S. National Championships (2012, 2010.)

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT CARD
INDIANAPLOIS, IND (May 15, 2012)—This Friday night at the beautiful Dover Downs Casino in Dover, Delaware, WBC number-twelve ranked Heavyweight Franklin “Ya Ya” Lawrence will look to make it six straight knockout wins when he takes on Mike Mollo in a bout for the vacant NABA Heavyweight title. From his confident words, he feels it will come in impressive fashion.

That bout plus a full undercard that will be featured by an appearance by the always exciting Mike “No Joke” Stewart can be seen live beginning at 7:30 pm est. on www.gfl.tv ($9.99) by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Friday_Night_Fights/1487

Lawrence of Indianapolis is 17-2-2 with twelve knockouts and has scored five straight knockouts over the likes of former contender Lance Whitaker, former U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada and his bout when he stopped Raymond Ocheing.

He expects to have the same result with the very tough Mollo.

“Mike Mollo cant fight. He just swings wildly”, said a (to put it mild) confident Lawrence from Indianapolis.

“Andrew Golota boxed him and then beat him half to death”, continued Lawrence in reference to Mollo’s January 19, 2008 defeat to Golota.

“The guy has no inside game and he is not ready for me. He doesn’t do anything textbook but I will give him credit because he does take a good beating.”

With the recent hot streak that he is on, Lawrence believes his date with destiny is getting closer by the fight.

“I will be fighting for the championship within a fight or two. My ratings would be higher except the guys ahead of me are ducking me.”

“Once the networks see what I can do, they will know I am a serious challenger for the title”

Lawrence held training camp in Indianapolis is proud of his state.

“I am Midwest to the bone and a true Hoosier and can’t wait to bring the Heavyweight championship home to Indianapolis.”

Lawrence is promoted by Fisticuffs Promotions and the CEO Dave Escalet sees big things for Lawrence.

“This is a great fight for Franklin. And when he looks great on Friday night, It will be six in a row against top competition and he will have earned his opportunity for a big fight”, said Escalet

The action begins on www.gfl.tv at 7:30 pm with Mike Mittman calling the action with analysts Legendary Heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and Marc Abrams.

About GFL
GFL is a pioneer in Internet Sports Broadcasting. Over the years GFL has broadcast more than 1300 live events with over 6000 combat sports videos in 196 countries. GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 5 million public viewers over the years with more than 250 combat sports related website affiliates in its network. GFL is also available on Roku, Android, IPhone, IPad, as well as other internet ready devices.

In perhaps the most diversified voting results to date, the judges for the 11th annual Boxing Writers Association of America writing contest, known as the “Barneys” in honor of the late BWAA president Barney Nagler, have tabbed different first-place winners in each of the six categories.

All award winners will be recognized at the 87th annual BWAA Awards Dinner to be held June 6 at the Copacabana in New York City.

Taking top honors are Michael Rosenthal, of RINGTV.com, for Event Coverage; Bernard Fernandez, of the Philadelphia Daily News, for Column; Lee Groves, of RINGTV.com, for News Story; Tom Gerbasi, of Boxingscene.com, for Feature Under 1,750 words; Ron Borges, of Boxing Monthly, for Feature Over 1,750 Words, and Springs Toledo, of Thesweetscience.com, for Investigative Reporting.

Judging was done on a blind basis, with all entries submitted with bylines and other identifying marks as to authorship removed, and on a weighted point system.

Borges also tied for third in Event Coverage, for a fight report written for the Boston Herald, with Toledo taking third in News Story. Other multiple placers in the top three include Kieran Mulvaney, of ESPN.com, with seconds in Event Coverage and (tie) Feature Over 1,750 Words; Thomas Hauser, second in Investigative Reporting (for Secondsout.com) and (tie) Feature Over 1,750 Words (for Toprank.com), and Eric Raskin, third in Feature Under 1,750 Words and Investigative Reporting, for stories written for Grantland.com.

In the unofficial sweepstakes competition, with five points for a first place, four for a second, three for a third and one for an honorable mention, RINGTV.com finished with 13 points to 12 for Thesweetscience.com, 11 for Boxingscene.com, nine for Boxing Monthly and eight for ESPN.com.

EVENT COVERAGE
1. Michael Rosenthal, RINGTV.com
2. Kieran Mulvaney, ESPN.com
3. (tie) Mitch Abramson, NYdailynews.com; Ron Borges, Boston Herald
Honorable Mention
Bart Barry, 15 rounds.com; Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times; David P. Greisman, Boxingscene.com; David Weinberg, The Press of Atlantic City

COLUMN
1. Bernard Fernandez, Philadelphia Daily News
2. (tie) David P. Greisman, Boxingscene.com; Gordon Marino, The Wall Street Journal; Kieran Mulvaney, ESPN.com
3. William Dettloff, RINGTV.com
Honorable Mention
Bart Barry, 15rounds.com; Ron Borges, Boston Herald; Springs Toledo, Thesweetscience.com

NEWS STORY
1. Lee Groves, RINGTV.com
2. Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times
3. Springs Toledo, Thesweetscience.com
Honorable Mention
Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times; David P. Greisman, Boxingscene.com; Thomas Hauser, The Ring; Gordon Marino, The Wall Street Journal; Don Steinberg, Philly.com; George Willis, New York Post

FEATURE UNDER 1,750 WORDS
1. Tom Gerbasi, Boxingscene.com
2. Steve Farhood, Boxing Monthly
3. Eric Raskin, Grantland.com
Honorable Mention
Bart Barry, 15rounds.com; Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times; Lee Groves, Compuboxonline.com; Matthew Hurley, Secondsout.com; Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated; Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times.

FEATURE OVER 1,750 WORDS
1. Ron Borges, Boxing Monthly
2. (tie) Adam Berlin, Boxing.com; Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated
3. (tie) Thomas Hauser, Toprank.com; Ronan Keenan, Thesweetscience.com
Honorable Mention
Bernard Fernandez, Philadelphia Daily News; Norm Frauenheim, The Ring

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
1. Springs Toledo, Thesweetscience.com
2. Thomas Hauser, Secondsout.com
3. Eric Raskin, Grantland.com
Honorable Mention
Ron Borges, The Ring; William Dettloff, The Ring; Norm Frauenheim, 15rounds.com; David Weinberg,
The Press of Atlantic City

JUDGES
Rick Bozich, Louisville Courier-Journal; Ivan Maisel, ESPN.com; David Schwartz, University of Iowa, School of Journalism and Mass Communication; Jerry Sullivan, The Buffalo News; Paul Vigna, Harrisburg Patriot-News; Dr. Denny Wilkins, Saint Bonaventure University, School of Journalism.

Undefeated Junior Welterweights Raymond “Tito” Serrano (18-0, 8 KOs) and Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield (15-0-1, 9 KOs) will meet in the 10-round main event May 18 on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra. Friday’s show will air at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN3 from Albany, N.Y. The card is presented by Star Boxing.

Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside for ESPN2 HD and ESPN3 at the Times Union Center describing the action, while studio host Bernardo Osuna will present the latest boxing news and highlights. On ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates (Friday Night Fights), Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodriguez will call the fights with Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega in the studio.

Both shows will include Osuna’s interview earlier this week with Manny Pacquiao. Both shows will also discuss the U.S. Olympic boxing team as it prepares for the 2012 Summer Games in London. ESPN Deportes will discuss U.S. Olympic boxer Jose Ramirez and female boxer Marlen Esparza. Esparza of Texas, moved to the third round at the women’s world boxing championships Sunday.

Main Event:
California’s Mayfield is trained by Virgil Hunter, who also trains Super Middleweight champion Andre Ward, and enters Friday’s fight having defeated former Junior Lightweight titlist Steve Forbes. Mayfield won a 10-round decision over two-time Venezuelan Olympian Patrick Lopez in his last fight.

Serrano of Philadelphia is coming off a February 10-round decision win over Kenny Abril.

“I’ve seen a few of Mayfield’s fights,” Serrano said. “I think both of us are going to try to see who lands first. I think he’s going to come out strong, but I’ve got a good game plan. I’m ready to go to war.”

Co-Feature:

Undefeated Middleweight Jason “Monstruo” Escalera (12-0, 11 KOs) will meet Nick “The Machine Gun” Brinson (9-1-1, 5 KOs) in the co-feature. Both fighters are coming off wins over Marcus Brooks–New Jersey’s Escalera with a fourth-round TKO and New York’s Brinson with an eight-round decision.

Follow ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like on Facebook.

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT
CHICAGO, IL (May 14, 2012)—This Friday night two Heavyweights will slug it out in Dover, Delaware will slug it out as Franklin “Yah Yah” Lawrence (17-2-2, 12 KO’s) takes on Mike Mollo (20-3-1, 12 KO’s) for the vacant NABA title.

The bout can be seen over the world on www.gfl.tv ($9.99) by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Friday_Night_Fights/1487

Mollo has been training hard for this bout as the Chicago native knows the importance of the bout.

“Not only am I going to win but I will win in spectacular fashion. I have been putting in the hard work and have been in training camp for ten weeks”, said Mollo from his training camp in Chicago.

Mollo does not put much stock in the five fight knockout streak that Lawrence is on that has catapulted to the number-twelve ranking by the WBC.

“He beat an out shape Jason Gavern and Jason Estrada. He has gotten off easy in those fights and if he wants to live off that then he is fooling himself”

Mollo is most remembered for gallant effort against Andrew Golota as part of the Roy Jones – Felix Trinidad HBO PPV undercard on January 19, 2008 and knows what the win will do for his career.

“This fight will get me back in the spotlight and I am not looking to squeak by with a decision”

Mollo, who hasn’t fought since August 6, 2010 has been training hard to make sure he is primed and ready for Lawrence.

“I spar like it is a real fight and this long layoff doesn’t mean anything because I am always in the gym. I was training for a fight last summer with Seth Mitchell on HBO and the fight got called off due to Robert Guerrero getting hurt and I would like to fight him if it’s the right situation. I am a fighter”

“This fight with Lawrence begins my road to redemption. I am in great shape and I am ready to fight”

The action begins on www.gfl.tv at 7:30 pm with Mike Mittman calling the action with analysts Legendary Heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and Marc Abrams.

About GFL
GFL is a pioneer in Internet Sports Broadcasting. Over the years GFL has broadcast more than 1300 live events with over 6000 combat sports videos in 196 countries. GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 5 million public viewers over the years with more than 250 combat sports related website affiliates in its network. GFL is also available on Roku, Android, IPhone, IPad, as well as other internet ready devices.

The Elite Heat Boxing Team is made up of an extremely special group of inner city kids who have chosen the sport of boxing as their focus and have obtained monumental success on a national level. Based out of the Elite Heat Boxing Gym in Newark NJ, the kids who make up “the team” can be seen on a daily basis honing their craft with the dedication and drive rarely seen in any athletes other than the most successful world champions on the planet. Their days start at the crack of dawn where these kids are literally doing road work with the vigor and passion that it takes to be a champion. We are talking about 8 year olds – 14 year olds that have made the commitment to focus their energy on something positive, stay off the streets & in addition to their intense training regimen they are required to attack their school work with the same dedication and intensity.

In 2011 The Elite Heat Boxing Team had 5 Team members win National Championships at the Junior Golden Gloves Tournament in Mesquite Nevada at The Casablanca Sports Complex. This unprecedented level of success was the culmination of all the hard work and sacrifice that these kids put in for a year leading up to the National’s. This year “The Team” is looking to improve upon last year’s results and aim to have 17 Team member’s win National Championship’s at the Junior Golden Gloves in July 2012.

Between the 17 Team Member’s, coaches & chaperones, there are many airline tickets, uniforms, equipment, hotel rooms, meals, rental vans and entrance fees that need to be paid for. I cannot think of a better, more positive cause to donate to. I am asking you to look into your hearts and open up your wallets to assist these special kids in their quest to become National Champions. The truth is whether they win or lose at the Junior Golden Gloves in July, all these kids are already champions. The courage, discipline and honor they display on a daily basis to get to this point is truly remarkable. Please join The Elite Heat Boxing Team as a sponsor/donor, it feels good to be a part of the winning team!

(Please contact Mr. Vito Mielnicki at 973-738-3982 or via email at vmsplash2003@aol.com to make your much appreciated contribution to The Elite Heat Boxing Team)

THANK YOU!!!

Superstar Manny Pacquiao enlightens his spiritual advisor Pastor Jeric Soriano(L) on the finer points of boxing during training at the Wildcard Boxing Club Monday in preparation for his upcoming World Welterweight title mega-fight against undefeated Jr. Welterweight champion Timothy “The Desert Storm” Bradley Jr.. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, AT&T and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Bradley will take place, Saturday, June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on HBO Pay Per View

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank