Video streaming by Ustream

How will 2012 be remembered? For a single punch from Juan Manuel Marquez that ended the Manny Pacquiao era? For questions about performance-enhancing drugs? For controversial scorecards? For Emanuel Steward’s death?

Yes, yes, yes and yes.

In the end, however, the year is most noteworthy for a changing of the guard. Pacquiao, Marquez and Miguel Cotto are moving off center stage and toward retirement. Nonito Donaire, Andre Ward, Canelo Alvarez, Brandon Rios, Abner Mares and Danny Garcia are poised to succeed them. The Pacquiao era was a rich one, even without a fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. It might be hard to duplicate, but that’s up to an emerging generation which is bound to spring its own surprises and create its own drama.

A look back with a 10-count:

Fighter of the Year: Donaire. He’s doing it the right way by staying busy and showing leadership in the face of mounting questions about PEDs. Donaire undergoes rigorous testing, 24/7, beyond the outdated procedure mandated by state commissions. Marquez is a deserving candidate. Without undergoing the same tests, however, he loses votes. Fair? Not really. But that’s the state of the game these days. Donaire understands that. More important, he addresses it

Knockout of the Year: Marquez. Pacquiao may never recover from the right hand that Marquez threw at the end of the sixth round with the tactical brilliance he employed throughout the four-fight rivalry. Despite all the suspicions, Marquez’ test with the Nevada State Athletic Commission was clean. He didn’t need PEDS to knock out Pacquiao anyway. Marquez set it up and Pacquiao set himself up for it.

Promoter of the Year: Bob Arum. At 81, he continues to put together fights that surprise and dominate. Pacquiao’s crushing loss to Marquez on Dec. 8 seemed to sadden him on the night his birthday. But for drama it was a huge hit. He promoted Rios’ seventh-round stoppage of Mike Alvarado in October in a bout that looked as if it was a lock for a Fight of the Year. Just when it looked as if nothing could surpass Rios-Alvarado, Arum pulled off a show-stopper in Marquez-Pacquiao.

Comeback of the Year: Mike Tyson. No kidding. He’s taking his one-man, Broadway show on the road early next year. He was on stage for the Pacquiao-Marquez weigh-in at the MGM Grand in early December. He looked happy and, above all, beyond all the demons that nearly destroyed him a decade ago. Who would have ever predicted that? Not even he would have.

The Rodney Dangerfield Award: Timothy Bradley. Okay, maybe we’re kidding a little bit here. But what does Bradley have to do to get some respect? He didn’t judge the fight that gave him the controversial decision over Pacquiao in June. If anything, he exposed a decline in Pacquiao that perhaps had something to do with the Filipino’s loss in December to Marquez. Whatever you believe, Bradley didn’t deserve to be almost exiled by the business and fans.

The Karl Rove Award: Duane Ford and C.J. Ross. The two Nevada judges favored Bradley over Pacquiao on scorecards that are the equivalent of a Fox News poll, which still has Mitt Romney beating Barack Obama.

Most Bizarre Post-Fight News Conference: Bradley-Pacquiao. Bradley, with injuries to both feet, showed up in a wheelchair. In a sport that has seen it all, it had to be the first time that the guy in the wheelchair was the winner.

Most Intriguing Newcomer of the Year: Fifty Cent. The rapper, otherwise known as Curtis Jackson, displayed some real smarts and likability in his emerging role as a promoter. He’s more visible and willing to deal with the media than Al Haymon, the elusive advisor. He has a better chance to awaken the dormant African-American audience more than anyone.

Most Inspiring Story of the Year: Paul Williams. The former welterweight and middleweight showed up in Las Vegas a day before the dueling cards featuring Sergio Martinez-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Canelo Alvarez-Josesito Lopez on Sept. 15 and a few months after a motorcycle accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. Williams was upbeat and even said he hoped to fight again one day. His body was broken. Nothing about his spirit was.

Slacker of the Year: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. He nearly scored a knockout in the final round of a one-sided fight dominated by Martinez. Imagine what Chavez, who tested positive for marijuana, might have done if he hadn’t trained haphazardly with workouts that started at 1 a.m., or 2 a.m., or whenever he decided. We know that traces of cannabis showed up in that post-fight drug test. We’re sure that no trace of maturity did.

Las Vegas, Nevada – STRIKEFORCE® welterweight champion and seasoned UFC® veteran Nate Marquardt will defend his title against current number one contender Tarec Saffiedine on Saturday, Jan. 12 as STRIKEFORCE® visits Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla. In the night’s co-main event, Oklahoma State University All-American wrestler and STRIKEFORCE Grand Prix heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier takes on kickboxing veteran Dion Staring. The event will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) as part of the premium network’s Free Preview Weekend whereby more than 80 million households nationwide will have access to SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND and more.

This will mark the final STRIKEFORCE event on SHOWTIME.

“Since 2009, SHOWTIME has been a great partner and we appreciate its support of STRIKEFORCE and our athletes,” Scott Coker, STRIKEFORCE CEO, said. “For our final event, we’ve loaded the card with some outstanding fights. This is going to be a memorable night for the sport of mixed martial arts.”

“We are proud of our association with Scott Coker and the entire STRIKEFORCE team,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “From Gina Carano to Ronda Rousey, Fedor Emelianenko to Daniel Cormier, Nick Diaz to Gilbert Melendez, SHOWTIME Sports and STRIKEFORCE have built some of the biggest stars in the sport and have produced many of the most watched and most intriguing fights in the history of MMA. We look forward to another night of competitive and explosive STRIKEFORCE fights on SHOWTIME on January 12 in OKC.”

In addition to the main and co-main events, STRIKEFORCE® will also feature the following matchups that include several past champions and many of the sports top prospects:

· Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett meets Austrian powerhouse Nandor Guelmino

· Former light heavyweight champ Gegard Mousasi takes on the heavy-handed Mike Kyle

· Former middleweight champ “Jacare” Souza faces UFC star Ed Herman

· Top lightweight contender Pat Healy will be in action against an opponent yet to be determined

· Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Roger Gracie takes on talented striker Anthony Smith at middleweight

· U.S. Army Ranger Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith in a fight involving top middleweights

· Elite kickboxer KJ Noons meets second-generation star Ryan Couture in a lightweight matchup

· Cincinnati’s Jorge Gurgel is set to battle Brazilian prospect Adriano Martins at lightweight

· At lightweight, winner of four straight Estevan Payan vs. Team Alpha Male’s Michael Bravo

STRIKEFORCE® will air live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), while preliminary fights will be shown live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on West Coast). Additional fights scheduled for the event are expected to be released shortly.

Tickets for STRIKEFORCE® are on sale now and are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $50. Tickets are available at the Chesapeake Energy Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations, at Ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000. Applicable service charges may apply.

For more information or the latest STRIKEFORCE news, visit www.strikeforce.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

About STRIKEFORCE® – www.strikeforce.com

Owned and operated by Forza, LLC, a subsidiary of Zuffa, LLC, which also owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship® brand, STRIKEFORCE® is a world-class mixed martial arts promotion based in Las Vegas, Nev. that currently holds live events annually across the United States. First established as a mixed martial arts entity in 2006, STRIKEFORCE now broadcasts its events live on SHOWTIME® and has produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network. With a growing roster featuring the world’s elite competitors, STRIKEFORCE has cemented its place as a leader in providing quality mixed martial arts action.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD™, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

Chesapeake Energy Arena:
Chesapeake Energy Arena is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2012 and recently completed a more than $90 million renovation that included a new grand entrance and other significant upgrades. The arena is managed by SMG, which since 1977 has provided management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, equestrian facilities and convention, congress and exhibition cen­ters.

Former world champion Juan Manuel Lopez will return to the ring against an opponent to be named on February 2nd in Puerto Rico according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“I’ve been training since August and I feel in good shape for my comeback,” Lopez said. “I will fight in another division, but the featherweights should know that I’m not out of that division. I’m going to fight in the junior lightweights in my return bout and I’m going to see what happens.”

In mid-November, Henry Neumann, Puerto Rico’s secretary of sports and recreation, ended Lopez’s suspension.

“Juanma Lopez can continue his career starting today,” Neumann said at the time. “Practically, this is a pardon, taking into consideration Juanma’s career as an amateur and professional. Juanma has been an example, serving his community work and adding the forgiveness of the referee.”

“I learned a lot from this experience,” Lopez said. “I feel so good because I can fight again and continue my career. This is my sport, but is my job too.”

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (December 20, 2012) – Negotiations are about to begin for arguably the most anticipated match-up in women’s professional boxing history between 14-time, three-division world champion Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm (32-2-3, 9 KOs) and undefeated Cecilia “First Lady” Braekhus (21-0, 5 KOs), considered by most to be the top two female pound-for-pound boxers in the world, for July in Las Vegas.

Braekhus issued a challenge by way of a video tape shown after Holm’s recent victory against Diana Prazak at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque. After introducing herself as the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and World Boxing organization welterweight champion, Braekhus said the following, directed to Holm: “I have an important message for you. Your promoter (Lenny Fresquez) has been saying that this fight (vs. Anne Sophie Mathis) confirms that Holly is the No. 1 female fighter in the world. I do understand that you are avoiding me, but listen carefully: next July I will be in Las Vegas. You will meet me there? Let’s find out who is the best female fighter in the world.”

The Colombian-born, Norway-residing Braekhus has never fought outside of Europe as a professional. Thirty-four of Holm’s 37 home fights have been in her hometown, Albuquerque, where she regularly sells-out with crowds in excess of 3,000.

“I’d love to fight her to make that happen,” Holm proclaimed as she accepted Braekhus’ challenge. “Lenny (Fresquez) will talk to them. I appreciate her wanting to make the fight, as well; that’s the only way we can get a good fight. Two fighters mutually agreeing to fight is what it comes down to. I’m honored that she has challenged me.

“I would never make a video of myself to send to someone. That’s not my style. I’m open to fighting her, really, wherever. I’ve always been open to fighting, wherever, and I think there’s a big misconception that, oh, I only fight here. I fight here (Albuquerque) because the opportunities have been here, and that’s the bottom line. If there’s an opportunity that it’s going to be in Las Vegas, then, by all means, let’s make it happen.”

Holm and Braekhus, combined, are 33-1-1 in world title fights, as well as 19-1-1 in fights against other world champions (Holm is 22-1-1 and 14-1-1, respectively, Braekhus 11-0 and 5-0). Holm has an overwhelming advantage in experience fighting quality opponents, having defeated a Who’s Who of women boxers, from the light welterweight through light middleweight divisions, including Christy Martin, Jane Couch, Mary Jo Sanders, Chevelle Hallback and Terri Blair twice apiece, Duda Yankovich, Myriam Lamare, and Mia St. John. Braekhus, who has also defeated Hallback, is coming off a 10-round decision over Mathis, whom Holm split two fights with in the past year. An amazing 212 of Holm’s 275 pro rounds fought have been in world championships; Braekhus has 100 of 154

Fresquez hopes that Braekhus and her promoter, Sauerland Boxing, are serious about coming to Las Vegas and fighting Holm. “I’ve been negotiating with them for two years and they’ve avoided Holly,” Fresquez reported. “I sent Katie Sauerland, I think that’s her name, an email but have not gotten a response back. I understand why – Holly is the pound-for-pound champion of the world. Cecilia carries a lot of belts but most are those that Holly vacated. Cecilia is kind of carrying Holly’s leftovers.

“I know who the best fighter is, the reigning Queen of Boxing, Holly Holm! It’s Cecilia’s job to fight Holly and try to take her crown away by beating her. We know that she’s in the top five, pound-for-pound, but Holly is the best. You have to beat the best to be the best.”

The great Lucia Rijker, who trained Prazak for her fight with Holm, added, “That (Holm vs. Braekhus) would be a phenomenal fight.”

Women’s mega-fights are difficult to pull off for a wide variety of reasons. Two perfect examples of mega-fights that failed to materialize are Laila Ali vs. Ann Wolfe and Rijker vs. Martin.

Fresquez is pressing hard to make what potentially could be the greatest fight in women’s boxing history.

For more information go to www.fresquezproductions.com or follow Holly Holm on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HollyHolm.

Singapore (Dec. 20, 2012) – GLORY announced today that it has signed seven new athletes from six different countries to its ever-growing powerhouse roster of elite stand-up fighters.

Four-time Muay Thai champion and flyweight (143 pounds/65 kilograms) sensation Kevin “El Presidente” Ross (36-9, 12 KOs) and rising middleweight (187 pounds/85 kilograms) star Eddie “Showtime” Walker (9-1, 7 KOs) of The United States, light-heavyweight KO artist Stephane Susperregui (32-4-1, 27 KOs) of France, surging welterweight “Bazooka” Joseph Valtellini (6-1, 6 KOs) of Canada, heavyweight Tae Kwon Do phenom Yong Soo Park (14-7, 8 KO’s) of South-Korea, lightweight champion (154 pounds/70 kilograms) Roman “Thunder” Mailov (23-3, 12 KOs) of The Ukraine and former two-time amateur boxing champion turned lightweight kickboxing champion Max Baumert (17-1, 10 KOs) of Germany have all joined the ranks of the world’s premier martial arts stand-up fighting league.

“We are excited about bringing this outstanding collection of highly-accomplished world champions and emerging young stars from diverse martial arts backgrounds and nationalities into the GLORY fold and we are looking forward to seeing them compete on the big stage where they will have the opportunity to take their budding careers to all-new, unprecedented levels,” said GLORY CEO Marcus Luer.

The 32-year-old Ross, who fights out of Dublin, Calif. was named Muay Thai North American Fighter of the Year in 2010 and has since been recognized as the face of the sport in The United States. He holds notable victories over decorated Thai champions Malaipet “The Diamond” Sasiprapa and “Coke” Chunhawat as well as American stars Justin Greskiewicz and Chike Lindsay.

Despite an advanced skill set and a handful of highlight reel worthy performances in the ring, Walker of Atlanta, Ga., was relatively unknown amongst martial arts fight fans until Oct. 13 when the protégé of six-time world champion Manu N’toh staged an incredible comeback KO victory against hard-hitting fellow American Joe “Stitch ‘Em Up” Schilling in Las Vegas, Nev.

Walker survived a knockdown at the hands of Schilling in the first round and, another in the second stanza, but weathered the storm and suddenly unleashed a monstrous right hook in close quarters that dropped Schilling for the 10-count at the 2:13 mark of the second round.

Mailov is a ferocious 21-year-old battler who is in the midst of a 15-fight win streak after going unbeaten in both 2011 and 2012 while competing mostly in Russia and his native Ukraine. A five-time title holder, Mailov’s last win came on Nov. 8 when he scored a crushing fourth round KO on Armin Pumpanmuang Windy Sport of Thailand with a knee strike to the body during a matchup in Moscow.

Susperregui, a 26-year-old, four-time national champion in his native France, made a big mark in the sport in April, winning a one-night, four-man tournament in Geneva, Switzerland. Despite his relatively young career, the heavy-handed Susperregui has had considerable exposure to the international fight scene, facing rivals Steve McKinnon in China and Nathan Corbett in Australia.

Universally regarded as the hottest prospect out of Canada, the hard-hitting 27-year-old Valtellini stormed onto the professional fight scene after amassing a perfect 11-0 record as an amateur and has since claimed all six of his wins on the professional circuit by way of KO. A high school teacher by day, Valtellini is a lifelong martial artist who began his training in Tae Kwon Do at age seven, eventually earning his second degree black belt in the discipline before transitioning to Muay Thai.

Just 20 years old, Baumert has already made a mark in the martial arts fight world. A veteran of 35 boxing bouts, Baumert has captured stand-up fighting championships on national and continental levels and has competed four times in the last four months, winning each of his bouts by way of unanimous decision.

Known for his dangerous, yet graceful kicking skills, the 31-year-old Soo Park is a veteran of the national Korean Tae Kwon Do team who has claimed the Korea National Invitation Tae Kwon Do Championship at heavyweight. Soo Park established his presence on the international fight scene in his professional debut, scoring a first round KO with a low kick on former Japanese sumo wrestler turned professional boxer, Rikijyo, and then taking out Japanese Karate fighter Daisuke Watanabe, also in the first round of their matchup, with a front kick to the face.

GLORY matchups for each of the newly-signed competitors will be announced soon. In the meantime, GLORY will hit Saitama Super Arena on Saturday, Dec. 31 with its highly-anticipated ‘GSI presents DREAM 18 and GLORY 4 Tokyo – New Year’s Eve Special’ double-header event that will begin at 4 p.m. JST with a stacked DREAM Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight card and continue with the GLORY 4 Tokyo – Heavyweight Grand Slam that will be headlined by a one-night, 16-man heavyweight tournament

The single-elimination tournament field is loaded with the world’s top heavyweight stand-up fighters, including world No. 1 ranked Semmy Schilt (39-6, 18 KO’s), Remy Bonjasky (77-14, 40 KO’s), Peter Aerts (104-30-1, 78 KO’s), Gokhan Saki (77-15, 53 KO’s), Daniel Ghita (44-7, 34 KO’s), Errol Zimmerman (76-16-1, 41 KO’s), Anderson ‘Braddock’ Silva (32-8-1, 22 KO’s) and Sergei Kharitonov (22-7, 12 KO’s). The winner of the tournament will take home a Grand Prize of $400,000, and a total of $600,000 in prize money will be awarded to tournament participants.

Visit www.gloryworldseries.com for more information.

About GLORY:

The GLORY World Series (www.gloryworldseries.com) is the world’s premier martial arts stand-up fighting league, staging events across the globe and offering up to $1,000,000 in prize money to the winners of 16-man ‘Grand Slam’ tournaments, which are open to only the best fighters in each weight class. The fight series also includes 8-man ‘Slam’ tournaments and events with traditional, single bouts.

With television deals spanning every continent, plus a groundbreaking online video streaming system and the world’s largest online martial arts library, GLORY is one of the world’s most widely-broadcast sporting organizations.

Owned and operated by Glory Sports International (GSI), the organization has offices in Holland, the UK, Tokyo, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Its personnel includes a diverse mix of award-winning hedge-fund and private equity investors; principals from pioneering sports marketing agency Total Sport Asia; and senior level executives from several leading sports franchises, including WWE, FIFA, Golden Glory, Champions League and It’s Showtime.

Following a previous successful joint promotion last February in the Wishaw Sports centre, Chris Gilmour and Paul Graham stage their next joint venture in the new state of the art regional sports facility at Ravenscraig in Motherwell on Saturday March 9th. This will be the third time the venue has been used for professional boxing and it is also used frequently for amateur boxing tournaments

“It will be a bumper bill with possibly up to ten fights on the card with hopefully a few all Scottish contests and maybe even a Scottish title fight” Said Prospect Boxing’s Paul Graham.

“It’s early days just now but Chris, myself and Chris’s father Tommy Gilmour MBE will be sitting down and discussing what fighters will be available and if possible who can fight who from their respective camps. Looking through the respective roster’s, there are some good match ups.

Initially pencilled in for the card is Iain Butcher, Sean Watson and Rhys Pagan from Prospect Boxing, while Chris Gilmour’s will also showcase Jordan McCorry, Darren McAdam and Gary McCallum.

With six fights already added to the card, Paul Graham anticipates that further fighters will be added including a title fight “I have a couple of débutantes that will probably be on the bill should they be licensed in time by the BBB of C and I think that Chris has ideas for another couple of his stable.

He adds “March 9th will be a cracking start to the next season with some all Scottish fights for some and testing fights for others. This year Scottish boxing was quite vibrant considering the current economic climate, so lets hope that it can continue into 2013.

More details will be revealed after the new year.

For More details please follow on Twitter @prospectboxing or on Facebook www.facebook.com/prospectboxing

Since acquiring his promotional license with successful entrepreneur Mike Battah, two-time World Champion Jesse James Leija has produced four successful fight cards in a collaborative effort with industry stalwarts Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, Inc.

Although the pairings have been fruitful, the San Antonio boxing legend sees the future of Leija-Battah Promotions achieving long-term success upon adopting a much different and time tested business model.

“Things have been great up to this point,” professes Jesse James Leija. “But moving forward, we believe that we will yield greater long term success by focusing our efforts on building a quality stable of young, talented fighters in and around the San Antonio, Texas area.”

A lot like within the classic era of boxing when promoters were successful without the benefit of television dates and already established fighters, the former Super Featherweight Champion believes that community involvement will prove to be the winning ingredient in his recipe for success.

“It’s about achieving community support, and we feel the best way to gain this is by building up an exciting group of young local fighters and developing their skills over time. Casual sports fans are more willing to support their own, rather than supporting a fighter from another part of the world. So we have to establish the prominence of charismatic young fighters who will capture the imagination of the casual sports fan and bring them out to the events.”

Just like during the days of the classic Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, Leija-Battah Promotions looks to establish their reputation for delivering quality fights on a consistent basis to the casual sports fans in San Antonio, Texas.

The architects of this time-tested business model were Hall of Fame matchmaker Don “War a Week” Chargin and Hall of Fame promoter Aileen Eaton. At the world renowned Olympic Auditorium, the dynamic duo of west coast boxing produced over 2,500 successful fight cards, 100 championship bouts, and 10,000 individual matches.

The Great Mr. Don Chargin cultivated numerous world champions from the local level, like Loreto Garza, Tony “The Tiger” Lopez, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, and Bobby Chacon.

Jesse James Leija hopes to follow in the footsteps of “War a Week” Chargin.

“San Antonio has always been a great fight community that has supported their local fighters for decades. But it’s been a while since anyone has given them someone to really gravitate towards, so that’s what we’re going to do. Our first effort in re-establishing the old school model of fight promotions will take place on Friday, December 21st, at La Villita Assembly Hall in Downtown San Antonio. The response has been overwhelming so far. The venue is almost sold out and everyone is energized about our grassroots effort in live boxing.”

With over a million inhabitants in the greater San Antonio area and only one established major sports franchise, Leija hopes to create the next great sports franchise in the Alamo City. Over time, the former world champion hopes to establish a loyal fan base filled with regular season ticket holders…just like during the legendary two decade run at the famed Olympic Auditorium in LA.

“Leija-Battah Promotions hopes to become San Antonio’s next great sports franchise that offers a quality product on a regular basis. Rather than offering the local fight fans the seasonal fight card, we want to give the great fight fans of SA consistent events over the next several years and hopeful cultivate the next world champion in boxing from San Antonio, Texas.”

Leija–Battah Promotions presents “River City Rumble” at La Villita Assembly Hall in San Antonio, Texas, on Friday, December 21st. The singular Holiday boxing event will feature 9 professional, action filled bouts on one fight card.

The spectacular Leija-Battah presentation will showcase current WBC USNBC Flyweight Champion Joseph Rios in the main event of the evening.

The holiday bout sheet will also include San Antonio favorites Kendo and Jairo Castaneda, as well as Briton Steven Hall, Benjamin Whitaker, Javier Rodriguez, and Joseph Rodriguez.

Please call 210-979-3302 for ticket availability to this special Christmas time event.

Doors open at 6PM CST, and tickets start as low as $20 for the fantastic 9 bout fight card.

Leija-Battah Promotions – San Antonio’s newest franchise in sports entertainment!!

NEW YORK–Lou Diebella’s Dibella Entertainment put together another massive Broadway Boxing card at the Roseland Ballroom in the Theater District of New York City. The headline featured New York’s own Will “Power” Rosinsky (16-2, 9 KO’s, 174lbs) in a light heavyweight showdown against Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (24-10-2, 10 KO’s, 174lbs) for the New York State Light Heavyweight title.

Rosinsky, a volume puncher, started off by ripping hard shots to Griffin’s body. Griffin allowed Rosinsky to get on the inside, hoping to get in some shots around Rosinsky’s arms and point of view. At the end of the first, Rosinsky was showing a cut on the side of his left eye. By the second, Rosinsky seemed a bit more comfortable and was shooting his straight right from a distance. While in the corner, Griffin was able to turn and counter one of Roskinsky’s punches with a hook. The blow staggered Rosinsky, forcing him to steady himself by holding onto the ropes. After that exchange, swelling started to form around Rosinsky’s left eye.

As the bout progressed into the middle rounds, Rosinsky maintained his offensive output, while Griffin still did some good work countering while against the ropes. This quickly became one of those fights where one wouldn’t want to be a judge. By the sixth, it was Rosinsky who was moving around more, hoping to goad Griffin into initiating the action and opening himself up for a counter punch. Both fighters were extremely savvy and did not often fall into eacho others traps.

Griffin came out of his corner for the eighth round like a bull, rushing Rosinsky into the ropes and landing hard punches in the process. The swelling over Rosinsky’s left eye grew worse, and now there was blood coming out of his mouth. Rosinsky managed to weather the storm and looked good when he brought the fight back into the middle of the ring.

The final round of the fight saw Griffin work Rosinsky into the ropes. With a flurry of his own, Rosinsky came back to take over the second half of the round.

The final bell rang, and the judges scored it 97-93, 96-94, and 96-94 all in favor of Will Rosinsky for the unanimous decision victory and the New York state Light Heavyweight title.

Gabriel Bracero (20-1, 3 KO’s, 141lbs) continued his comebacking ways against Johnnie Edwards (15-5-1, 8 KO’s, 142lbs). Despite not possessing hard one punch power, Bracero is a bit of a brawler and opened up the fight taking it right to Edwards. After some hard in-fighting, Edwards fell on a slip, but got up on shaky legs. Bracero pounced and immediately scored a left hook that sent Edwards crashing into the ropes and onto the canvas. Edwards beat the count and was saved by the bell, but the next three rounds saw Bracero beat Edwards from pillar to post. In the fourth round, Bracero continued the beat-down. After a combination that backed Edwards into the ropes, Edwards took a knee and complained of an eye injury. The referee counted and then took a closer look to observe the injury and then was forced to call the bout over. Bracero won by technical knockout at the 2:48 point in the fourth round.

The up and coming sensation, Ivan Redkach (12-0, 11 KO’s, 134lbs) faced Edward Valdez (11-8-2, 8 KO’s, 134lbs). Redkach is known for his sensational knockouts, and he started the fight by taking it right to Valdez, landing two hard right hands. Valdez, to his credit was able to land long looping right hands over the top of Redkach’s straight left hands. This continued throughout the fight. Redkasch stalking Valdez with the left hand, landing it often, with Valdez countering with his right hand and landing every so often.

Valdez’counters definitely earned Redkach’s respect. Redkach wasn’t nearly as aggressive as he usually is. Redkasch landed more consistent blows, but Valdez’ shots wowed his hometown crowd. Entering the seventh round, Redkach seemed intent to put Valdez away, landing dozens and dozens of hard blows with Valdez in the corner. Finally, a little over halfway through the round, Valdez landed a hook that stopped Redkach in his tracks. Redkasch didn’t seem too phased, but it did stop him from continuing his high work rate from earlier in the round. The final round saw both fighters exhausted, but still throw punches until the final bell rang. The final scorecards were announced as 79-73, 78-74, and 78-74 for Redkach and a unanimous decision.

In an eight round feature, Ionut Ion Dan (29-3, 16 KO’s, 150lbs) squared off against Franklin Gonzalez (15-11, 11 KO’s, 150lbs). Ion Dan began the fight working behind his jab and keeping his southpaw left cocked for a counter. He was much taller than Gonzalez, so he maintained a safe distance to throw from, never allowing Gonzalez to be in his optimal range. That caused for Gonzalez (also a southpaw) to reach fairly often with his left hand. By the fourth round, it was all Ion Dan, still applying all the pressure and throwing all the meaningful punches. He worked Gonzalez into the ropes and unleashed multiple blows that had Gonzalez reeling, only to be saved by the bell. As the fifth round went underway, Ion Dan feinted a shot upstairs and landed a hard left hook to the body, dropping Gonzalez. The referee immediately waved the fight off after seeing Gonzalez writhe in pain. Ion Dan was credited with a technical knockout victory at the :11 point in the fifth round.

Travis Peterkin (5-0, 3 KO’s 175lbs) looked huge compared to his opponent, Edward Tigs (1-4-2, 0 KO, 169lbs). The entire bout from start to finish saw Peterkin utilize his size and strength to overwhelm Tigs. It was as one-sides as you can get. Tigs was not particularly bad; he used the ring well and was able to counter somewhat well. Peterkin simply out-matched him. In the third round, a right hand stunned Tigs, and Tigs wisely took a knee to prevent any more damage. The rest of that round and the fourth saw Peterkin continue his onslaught. The final scorecards read 40-35, 40-35, and 40-35, a unanimous decision for Peterkin.

Mikkel LesPierre (1-0, 1 KO, 143lbs) came out to a roaring ovation when he took on Cornelius Whitlock (Debut) in a bout scheduled for four rounds. Both fighters looked talented from the outset; utilizing skilled defense and ring usage. LesPierre was much more calm, fighting behind the shoulder roll in a southpaw stance. Whitlock fought off his back foot for those first two rounds, using every square inch of the canvas. In the second, LesPierre was able to walk Whitlock into the ropes and land multiple blows that had Whitlock reeling.

By the third, LesPierre smelled blood and went in for the kill. That proved to be a mistake as he walked right into a big right From Whitlock hand that buckled his knees and had him reach down to the canvas to stay on his feet. The referee called it a knockdown and when both fighters were allowed to continue, Whitlock was now on the hunt. He landed two more big right hands and then backed towards the corner. LesPierre walked right into another huge right hand bomb and was on his back. He beat the count, and Whitlock tried getting him out of there, but LesPierre survived the round. By most unofficial scorecards, Whitlock still needed the fourth and final round to win the fight. Instead of keeping his hands moving, Whitlock went back to the same backing away style that lost him the first two rounds. The bout ended and the final scorecards read 37-37, 37-37, and 37-37 scoring the fight a draw. Promoter Lou Dibella reached an agreement with both fighters that they would fight in a rematch at the next Broadway Boxing event.

The women took to the ring in a bout scheduled for four rounds. Akima Stocks (4-0, 3 KO’s, 154lbs) took on Marva Dash (0-1, 156lbs). Stocks started the bout very aggressive from her southpaw stance. The bout remained that way, with Stocks consistently working Dash into the ropes. The bout was a little sloppy because of the fact that both combatants were left-handed, but Stocks maintained her composure and alway skept her hands moving. In the fourth and final round, Dash finally began to throw her jab, and it was landing. Soon afterwards, she appeared to score a knockdown, but the referee ruled it off as a slip. The final bell rang, and all three judges saw it the same way, scoring it 40-36 on their cards, giving Stocks a unanimous decision victory.

Jarrell Miller scored a second round stoppage over Tyrone Gibson in a four round Heavyweight bout.

Miller rocked Gibson in round one from a right hand. Later in the round Miller opened up with a four punch combination on the ropes. Miller rocked Gibson with a huge right hand that he followed up with a barrage and the fight was stopped at 1:25 of round two.

Miller, 278 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 4-0 with four knockouts. Gibbing, 230 lbs of Hibbing, MN is now 1-4.

Allan Benitez (7-1, 1 KO, 136lbs) and Daniel Calzada (4-6-2, 1 KO, 135lbs) fought in a back and forth bout. Both fighters threw aggressive punches, but it was Calzada who kept the pressure throughout the first half of the fight. He was basic in that he stuck to the jab followed by a straight right, but he threw constantly and landed regularly Benitez resorted to counter hooks, which landed at a good rate, but they seemed to come few and far between.

By the second half of the fight, Calzada seemed to tire just a bit, and Benitez took advantage by upping his work rate. He seemed to try making up for the fact that he might have given up early rounds. The final round saw both fighters give it their all, exchanging huge hooks for the entire three minutes. At the end, the close scorecards of 60-54, 59-55, and 59-55 in favor of Daniel Calzada, giving him the upset victory.

The opening bout of the evening saw Maurice Hooker (6-0-1, 5 KO’s, 141lbs) square off against Cameron Kreale (2-3-2, 0 KO’s, 139lbs) in a bout scheduled for four rounds. Kreale was no pushover, showcasing an aggressive stance, but he was no match for Hooker, who was simply more talented. A right hook dropped Kreale in the opening stanza, and Hooker continued to apply the pressure throughout the fight. A second knockdown came in the second with another right hook. From then on, Hooker coasted to a UD victory, counting on his superior talent and resilience. The final scorecards read 40-34, 40-34, and 39-35 in favor of Hooker.

opportunity of a lifetime after being brought in to the GLORY 4 Tokyo – Heavyweight Grand Slam event as a replacement for an injured Fabiano ‘Cyclone’ Aoki, and will take on superstar Daniel Ghita (44-7-0, 34 KO’s) in the opening round of the one-night, 16-man elimination tournament at Saitama Super Arena on New Year’s Eve.

The switch was confirmed by Glory Sports International yesterday following Cyclone’s withdrawal from the event due to a torn ligament sustained in his left knee during a recent sparring practice with fellow Japanese heavyweight Koichi. Cyclone did not want to withdraw from the tournament, but doctors told him it would not be feasible for him to attempt to fight with such an injury.

“Naturally we are disappointed to see Fabiano Cyclone withdraw from this tournament. He has a crowd-pleasing style and we were looking forward to seeing him perform in front of his home fans. Such injuries are sometimes a side-effect of the hard training these fighters go through and we wish him a speedy recovery,” says Glory Sports International CEO Marcus Luer.

“His replacement is Jhonata Diniz, a young fighter from the famous fighting Brazilian city of Curitiba. He exemplifies that city’s infamously aggressive martial arts style and, from what we saw of his organization debut at GLORY 2 Brussels earlier this year, I think it’s safe to say that the crowd will definitely be entertained by what he brings to the ring.

“He’s facing Ghita first, and Ghita is second-favorite to win the tournament. It’s a tall order, but Diniz didn’t hesitate to accept; he says is very much looking forward to the challenge.”

Interestingly, Cyclone is half-Brazilian, with one of his parents coming from the same Brazilian city – Belem – that is home to the former UFC light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, who is also half-Japanese, half-Brazilian. So it is fitting that it is a Brazilian that has replaced him, albeit one from a different city.

Curitiba is well known in the martial arts world as being the home of the famed Chute Boxe team which dominated PRIDE FC and produced legendary names such as Wanderlei Silva, Anderson Silva and Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua.

Diniz came up through the Thai Boxe team, Chute Boxe’s main rival for dominance on the regional Muay Thai and kickboxing circuit. Curitiba teams seem to have developed a super-aggressive, almost reckless fighting style, either independently or as a response to each other continuously upping the ante. Diniz’s past fights confirm this, displaying at times almost a complete disregard for his own safety as he looks to finish his opponents.

He recently moved to the Netherlands to pursue his training and has been taken under the wing of the accomplished Cor Hemmers and his son Nicky Hemmers. According to the elder Hemmers, “Diniz is going to become a serious force to be reckoned with over the next few years and this tournament will be the start of that journey.”

Two other matches have also been confirmed for the GLORY event on New Year’s Eve. A 187 pound/85 kilogram match between Toshio Matsumoto (37-9-6,1NC, 30 KO’s) and Jason ‘Tyson’ Wilnis (18-2-1) forms one of the evening’s Superfights and sees the more experienced Matsumoto taking on a 22-year old who is nicknamed ‘Tyson’ for a reason. Wilnis – younger brother of fellow professional Jaffar – has been knocking all comers out on his way to the big show and will be looking to shine in Japan.

The second match sees 21-year old Mutsuki ‘Double Dragon’ Ebata putting his impressive 16-1-1 record on the line against Korean opponent Sang-Jae Kim at 117 pounds/53 kilograms.

‘GSI presents DREAM 18 and GLORY 4 Tokyo – New Year’s Eve Special’ is a double-header mega-event which will provide a dynamite ending to the 2012 fighting calendar. The first half consists of the DREAM 18 mixed martial arts event while the latter half is the biggest stand-up fighting event in history. ‘GLORY 4 Tokyo – Heavyweight Grand Slam’ features 16 heavyweight strikers in a one-night elimination tournament to determine which of them is the best.

Among those participating in the heavyweight tournament are world No. 1 ranked Semmy Schilt (39-6, 18 KO’s), Remy Bonjasky (77-14, 40 KO’s), Peter Aerts (104-30-1, 78 KO’s), Gokhan Saki (77-15, 53 KO’s), Daniel Ghita (44-7, 34 KO’s), Errol Zimmerman (76-16-1, 41 KO’s), Anderson ‘Braddock’ Silva (32-8-1, 22 KO’s) and Sergei Kharitonov (22-7, 12 KO’s).

The winner of the tournament will take home a Grand Prize of $400,000, and a total of $600,000 in prize money will be awarded to tournament participants.

Visit www.gloryworldseries.com for more information.

About GLORY:

The GLORY World Series (www.gloryworldseries.com) is the world’s premier martial arts stand-up fighting league, staging events across the globe and offering up to $1,000,000 in prize money to the winners of 16-man ‘Grand Slam’ tournaments, which are open to only the best fighters in each weight class. The fight series also includes 8-man ‘Slam’ tournaments and events with traditional, single bouts.

With television deals spanning every continent, plus a groundbreaking online video streaming system and the world’s largest online martial arts library, GLORY is one of the world’s most widely-broadcast sporting organizations.

Owned and operated by Glory Sports International (GSI), the organization has offices in Holland, the UK, Tokyo, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Its personnel includes a diverse mix of award-winning hedge-fund and private equity investors; principals from pioneering sports marketing agency Total Sport Asia; and senior level executives from several leading sports franchises, including WWE, FIFA, Golden Glory, Champions League and It’s Showtime.

NEW YORK, NY (Dec. 19, 2012) – The 26th annual RING 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony will be held Sunday afternoon (12:00-5:00 p.m. ET), February 10 at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

Damage from Hurricane Sandy to Russo’s On The Bay forced the event’s postponement from December 9 to Feb. 10.

A star-studded group of past and present world champions and industry dignitaries will be in attendance. Steve Farhood will serve once again as Master of Ceremonies and Dave Diamante will announce the award winners.

Ring 8 has announced its 2012 award winners (see full list below), including new World Boxing Association middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (Fighter of the Year), Joe Calzaghe (Fighter of the Year), and Bernard Hopkins (Lifetime Achievement),

“Our members really look forward to this gala event every year,” Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. “Some of the biggest names in boxing will be honored as we proudly continue our record for lending a helping hand to those in the boxing community who are less fortunate, some requiring assistance towards paying their rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need. Each year our Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony celebrates our great sport of boxing, insuring much-needed funding is raised so we may continue our mission for our needy brothers and sisters in boxing. We will never waver from their corners. We had to wait a little longer this year because of Hurricane Sandy, but I’m confident it’ll be another knockout Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony.”

Committed celebrity boxing attendees include world champions Bobby Czyz, Virgil Hill, Iran Barkley, Vito Antuofermo, and Matthew Saad Muhammad, as well as Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Tommy Gallagher, Michael Bentt, Harold Lederman, and Earnie Shavers.

__________________________________________________________________

2012 RING 8 Award Winners

Fighter of the Year: Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin

Fighter of the Decade: Joe Calzaghe

Uncrowned Champion: David Sears

Coach of the Year (FDNY): Bob McGuire

Coaches of the Year (NYPD): Pat Russo & Dave Seiv

Lifetime Achievement Award: Bernard Hopkins

Official of the Year (Referee): Eddie Claudio

Official of the Year (Judge): John Signorile

Boxing Writer of the Year: Mike Woods

Long & Meritorious Service: Ron McNair

Man of the Year: Frankie Russo Jr.

Prospects of the Year: Floriano Pagliara & Joe Smith

Comeback of the Year: Adam Willett

__________________________________________________________________

Last year’s Ring 8 award winners included the now late, great Emanuel Steward, who was honored as Trainer of the Decade, as well as 2008 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne, the Amateur Boxer of the Year.

Tickets, priced at $125.00 per person, are available to purchase by calling 1.718.729.4862, emailing DepComish@aol.com or mailing checks (payable to Ring 8) to Tony Mazzarella, C/O Waterfront Crab House, 2-03 Borden Ave., Long Island, NY 11101. Donations of any denomination are welcome for those unable to attend the festivities.

Tickets include a complete brunch with cocktail hour upon entry, seating at the awards ceremony, dinner and dessert, and top-shelf open bar throughout the afternoon. There will also be a silent auction of boxing memorabilia. This event is expected to sell-out and everybody is urged to purchase tickets as soon as possible in order to secure favorable seating. Boxing and sports memorabilia will be on display.

Program ads are available for Full Page ($150.00), Half-Page ($80.00), and Quarter-Page ($50.00). The deadline for all ads is January 25 and must be emailed (DepComish@aol.com) or mailed to Bob Duffy (516.313.2304), 164 Lindbergh St., Massapequa, NY 11762.

Go online to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about Ring 8 or its annual Holiday Events and Awards Ceremony.

Russo’s On The Bay is located at 162-45 Crossbay Blvd. in Howard Beach (718.843.5055).

About Ring 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto still remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.

RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.

Go on line to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues is only $25.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, the third Tuesday of every month, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership.

Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions is proud to announce the signing of undefeated Adam “A-Bomb” Trupish (11-0, 8 KOs) to a promotional contract.

Trupish, from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, is a two-time Olympian and was ranked fifth in the world after the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships. He represented Canada at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, and was the only Canadian boxer (in any weight class) to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

As a professional, Trupish has already enjoyed impressive success. In just 11 fights, he has taken the Canadian middleweight and super middleweight championships and also won and successfully defended the NABA Light Middleweight title.

Along the way, Trupish has scored stoppages over long-time Canadian Middleweight Champion Larry Sharpe (25-8), Brazil’s dangerous Rogerio Pereira (16-1) and useful Detroit veteran Darryl Cunningham (25-3).

Trupish recently relocated to Las Vegas, where he trains with former world champion and elite-level trainer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad at Muhammad’s Hit Factory gym. It was Muhammad who brought Trupish to Cohen’s attention.

“Eddie came to me with the idea of working with Adam because he’s very bright and he can really punch. Plus he has that strong amateur pedigree. So, I went to Vegas and had a look and I was very impressed. I’m very excited to start working with Adam.”

A master at finding boxing’s hidden gems, Cohen says even though Trupish is at a relatively advanced age for a prospect, his experience level will allow him to step over the normally required developmental years of his pro career.

“Adam has had more fights at an international, elite level than most fighters ever have, so he doesn’t need 30 fights before taking steps up. He’s so much more advanced than the average new professional. It won’t be long before he’s in a world championship fight.”

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will return January 4 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD and ESPN Deportes with a new studio host and on-site reporter.

Todd Grisham, an anchor for ESPNEWS’ Highlight Express, MMA Live and SportsCenter, has been named Friday Night Fight’s studio host. Bernardo Osuna, who served in that role in 2012, will become the series’ first-ever on-site reporter, contributing to ESPN’s Friday Night Fights in English, and ESPN Deportes’ Viernes De Combates in Spanish.

(Todd Grisham. Click photo to download image) (Right–Bernardo Osuna. Click photo to download image)

Blow-by-blow commentator Joe Tessitore and ringside analyst Teddy Atlas will return to describe the action. Both are recipients of the prestigious Sam Taub Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism presented by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA): Atlas (2001), Tessitore (2010).

Prior to joining ESPN, Grisham served as a WWE backstage interviewer, play-by-play commentator and ring announcer.

The season premiere will match undefeated Junior Featherweights Rances Barthelemy (17-0, 11 KOs) and Arash Usmanee (20-0, 10 KOs) in the 12-round main event. The card, from the Magic City Casino in Miami, is promoted by Warriors Boxing.

ESPN Deportes
ESPN Deportes’ boxing news and analysis show A Los Golpes (7:30 p.m. Mondays), which debuted in October, continues with guest analyst Julio César Chávez Sr. and co-hosts Osuna and David Faitelson. The Viernes De Combates (“Friday Night Fights” in Spanish) telecast team includes 2011 BWAA “Fight of the Year” boxer Delvin Rodriguez and Alex Pombo ringside with Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega in the studio. Friday’s 30-minute news and analysis show Golpe a Golpe will be co-hosted by World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez and Jorge Eduardo Sanchez.

More Fights

Friday Night Fights, which typically has included a televised main event and co-feature, will now add a third fight in most 2013 shows.

Ultra-Mo

Every Friday Night Fights telecast will implement an ultra slo-mo camera, providing some of the most dramatic and amazing replays of a fight’s biggest punches.

WatchESPN and ESPN3
Every Friday Night Fights card will be available on WatchESPN, ESPN’s online destination that delivers live access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3 and ESPN Buzzer Beater/Goal Line on computers, smartphones and tablets. Replays of Friday Night Fights cards will be available on ESPN3, ESPN’s multiscreen network accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members.

Social Media
ESPN’s Friday Night Fights social media presence in 2013 will continue with the “Live Friday Night Fights Facebook Voting App,” an application on the ESPN FNF Facebook page that allows viewers to score the fight round-by-round. Osuna (@osunaespn) and Nigel Collins (@ESPNFNF), ESPN boxing analyst/former Editor-in-Chief of The Ring magazine, will live tweet during every show.

Upcoming Schedule:

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights will total 29 dates in 2013. Upcoming schedule below:

Date
Time (ET)
Main Event
Location
Network

Fri, Jan 4
10 p.m.
Rances Barthelemy vs. Arash Usmanee—12-rounds Junior Featherweight
Magic City Casino, Miami
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Fri, Jan 11
9 p.m.
John Molina vs. Dannie Williams—12 rounds Lightweight
Pueblo Pavilion, Santa Fe, N.M.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Fri, Jan 25
9 p.m.
Serhiy Dzinziruk vs. Brian Vera—12 rounds Middleweight
Turning Stone Casino, Verona, N.Y.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Fri, Feb 1
9 p.m.
Carlos Molina vs. Cory Spinks, 12-rounds Junior Middleweight
UIC Center, Chicago
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Fri, Feb 8
9 p.m.
David Lemeiux vs. Jose Miguel Torres—12 rounds, Middleweight
Bell Center, Montreal
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Fri, Feb 15
9 p.m.
Delvin Rodriguez vs. George Tahdooahnippah—10-rounds, Middleweight
Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

BETHLEHEM, PA – Before Tomasz Adamek and Steve Cunningham lock horns in the nationally televised main event at the Sands Events Center in Bethlehem, PA on Saturday afternoon, a full slate of “pick-em” preliminary bouts are scheduled for the live ringside audience.

In the 8-round televised co-feature, Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov, 13-0, 9 KOs, battles Tor Hamer, 19-1, 12 KOs, in a showdown of rising heavyweights. Both men are looking to make a name for themselves and have a golden opportunity to do so. They will fight before a packed house and a big NBC television audience. Hamer, of New York, is a little better known on the East Coast, but Ukraine’s Glazkov, fighting in the USA for just the second time, will look to use his punching power as his introduction to boxing fans. The fight opens the NBC 4 PM ET TV broadcast.

In a terrific match between two local lightweights, Naim Nelson, 8-0, 1 KO, takes on Osnel Charles, 9-4-1, 1 KO, in an 8-round bout that just could steal the show. Nelson, 22, of Philadelphia, won 70 out of 77 amateur fights and five Philadelphia Golden Gloves titles before turning pro midway through 2011. Nelson won the vacant Pennsylvania state lightweight championship in his last fight with a 10-round decision over Philly tough guy, Victor Vasquez. This will be his sixth fight in 2012.

Charles, 28, is a crowd-pleaser in his backyard Atlantic City casinos. A pro since 2009, Charles also holds a points win over Victor Vasquez, as well as victories over three one-time East Coast prospects, Danny McDermott, Chris Green, and Anthony Flores. His 2011 KO of Flores was a classic one-punch stunner.

Popular heavyweight William Miranda, of Allentown, returns to Bethlehem on Saturday’s card in a 4-rounder against David Williams of Philadelphia. Miranda, 34, survived cuts over both eyes September 21 at the Sands Event Center, but rallied to post a six-round decision over Pedro Martinez, of Philadelphia. His record is 6-5-1, with every bout a crowd-pleaser.

35 year old Williams, 6-6-1, 2 KOs, nearly pulled an upset in his most recent fight, but lost on points to Patrick Farrell, in a 4-round brawl at the Prudential Center, in Newark, NJ, on June 16th.

Amateur standout Jerome Rodriguez, of Bethlehem, takes on Edwardo Stith, of Philadelphia, in a four-round junior welterweight contest. Rodriguez is 1-0-1, and Stith makes his pro debut.

In a contest of hard-luck Philadelphia welterweights, Korey Sloane, 2-5-1, meets Tyrell Boggs, 0-5, in a four rounder. Both fighters have been matched tough throughout their young careers, but always come to fight.

The main event between Adamek and Cunningham is a 12-round fight for Adamek’s IBF North American Heavyweight Title, and is a rematch of their classic 2008 cruiserweight championship bout. This time they fight as heavyweights and are expected to be “Bigger, Better, Stronger.”

DECEMBER 22 FIGHT INFO:

December 22nd at Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem in Pennsylvania. The main event features current IBF North American Heavyweight Champion Tomasz “Goral” Adamek (47-2, 29 KO’s) of Kearny, N.J. vs. Steve “USS” Cunningham (25-4, 12 KO’s) of Philadelphia, Pa., in a 12-round heavyweight fight.

The main event and co-feature will be broadcast on NBC network TV beginning 4PM ET. The card is presented by Main Events and Ziggy Promotions in association with Peltz Boxing, DiBella Entertainment and Pushka.

To purchase the remaining tickets while they last, contact the Sands Bethlehem Event Center box office 610-297-7414, Main Events 973-200-7050 and Peltz Boxing 215-765-0922, Ticketmaster, http://www.ticketmaster.com/Tomasz-Adamek-vs-Steve-Cunningham-tickets/artist/1794999 , and Ticketmaster Sales: during regular hours 800-745-3000, Ticketmaster Express: automated phone line for self-service ticket sales, even after hours, 866-448-7849.

For additional information on the event, seating arrangements, or ticketing, visit the event page located on the website. www.sandseventcenter.com

FOLLOW US:

www.mainevents.com

facebook.com/maineventsboxing
Twitter: @main_events or twitter.com/main_events

Twitter: #AdamekCunningham2

Facebook:facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing facebook.com/NBCSports

NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEV. (December 19, 2012) — Rich Marotta, founder and CEO of the newly-established Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF), announced the NVBHOF’s historic inaugural class of inductees at a news conference today, which was held at the Richard Steele Boxing Club in North Las Vegas. Induction will take place in 2013. Details on the ceremony will be released in the coming months. Voting for the inaugural class of the NVBHOF was conducted by its officers and its Board of Directors. The results are as follows:

NEVADA RESIDENT BOXER:

· MIKE TYSON (50-6, 44 KOs). The former undisputed heavyweight champion was also the youngest man to wear the heavyweight crown during his first of three title reigns. He was renowned for his punching power and became boxing’s biggest draw. Tyson is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

· MIKE McCALLUM (49-5-1, 36 KOs). Held the WBA super welterweight, WBA middleweight and WBC light heavyweight titles. McCallum is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

· DIEGO CORRALES (40-5, 33 KOs). Held the IBF junior lightweight title and unified the WBO and WBC lightweight belts with a knockout victory over Jose Luis Castillo in arguably the greatest fight of his era.

NON-NEVADA RESIDENT BOXER

· JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ (107-6-2, 88 KOs). México’s greatest fighter, this three-division world champion was unbeaten in his first 90 bouts. Made his Nevada debut in 1985, knocking out Roger Mayweather in the second round to retain his WBC lightweight title. Nevada record was 21-4.(12 KOs). Chavez is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

· LARRY HOLMES (69-6, 44 KOs). Known as ‘The Easton Assassin,’ Holmes had one of the great jabs in boxing history. He won the title from Ken Norton in an epic bout in 1978 and held it until 1985. A member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Holmes was 18-3 in fights in Nevada.

· OSCAR DE LA HOYA (39-6, 30 KOs). The ‘Golden Boy’ won 10 world titles in six weight classes. He was the biggest pay-per-view star of his time and his bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007 set the record with 2.5 million buys. He’s now the president of Golden Boy Promotions.

· SUGAR RAY LEONARD (36-3-1, 25 KOs). A 1976 Olympic gold medalist, Leonard was boxing’s top star of the 1980s. His wins over Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran remain among the most significant in the sport’s history. Leonard was 11-0-1 in 12 Nevada fights.

TRAINERS

· EDDIE FUTCH. The legendary Futch, a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, is regarded by many as the best trainer in boxing history. He trained greats such as Joe Frazier, Riddick Bowe, Michael Spinks and Alexis Arguello. He also mentored several great trainers and taught Freddie Roach the business.

· FREDDIE ROACH. The International Boxing Hall of Fame member is most known for his work with Manny Pacquiao, but he trained a series of great fighters, including the late Johnny Tapia and Mike Tyson. Roach is a five-time trainer of the year.

OFFICIALS

· MILLS LANE. Lane became arguably the top referee of his time with a fair but no-nonsense style that commanded the respect of the fighters he worked with. A former pro boxer with a 10-1 record, Lane worked many big fights, including Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield II, Pernell Whitaker-Oscar De La Hoya and Riddick Bowe-Evander Holyfield II. Lane was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame and will be inducted in June.

· JOE CORTEZ. Nicknamed “Fair but Firm” for not only his familiar catchphrase but also his style, Cortez was one of boxing’s great referees during his 32-year career. Cortez worked many of the big fights of his era, including Floyd Mayweather-Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley-Fernando Vargas, Erik Morales-Manny Pacquiao and Lennox Lewis-Hasim Rahman. Cortez is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

MEDIA

· AL BERNSTEIN. A familiar voice for more than 30 years as an analyst and play-by-play man on boxing broadcast, the affable Bernstein is best known for his work at ESPN and Showtime. He also served as the boxing analyst for NBC’s coverage of the Olympics in both 1992 and 1996. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

· ROYCE FEOUR. Feour covered boxing in Nevada for more than 40 years, the last 37 at the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He was ringside for all of the big fights as Nevada earned its label as the boxing capital of the world. His first major fight was Sonny Liston-Floyd Patterson in 1963, and he covered all of the big stars of the five decades.

PROMOTERS

· BOB ARUM. A one-time U.S. attorney in the Kennedy Administration, Arum became perhaps the most significant promoter in history. He promoted more than 20 fights involved Muhammad Ali and was also the promoter of stars such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, among many others. Arum’s Top Rank Inc. is based in Las Vegas and put on many of Nevada’s biggest events. Arum is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

· DON KING. King was a numbers runner in Cleveland whose quick wit and indomitable work ethic led him to become one of boxing’s greatest promoters. He led the careers of dozens of stars, including Mike Tyson, Felix Trinidad and Larry Holmes. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

EXECUTIVES

· MARC RATNER. Ratner was the executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission from 1992 through 2006, earning a reputation for honesty and fairness, as well as the top regulator in the sport. Prior to becoming executive director, Ratner was the chief inspector for the commission and worked closely with his predecessor, Chuck Minker. Ratner is now the vice president of regulatory affairs for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

· JAMES NAVE. A local veterinarian, Nave was a member of the Nevada Athletic Commission for 11 years, from 1988 through 1999, and served two terms as its chairman. He was considered one of the sport’s top regulators and was a fierce advocate for fighter health and safety. Nevada made major strides in enforcing safety regulations during his tenure.

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS

· SIG ROGICH. Rogich served on the Nevada Athletic Commission for 12 years, from 1974 through 1986, including several stints as chairman. For many years after his term on the commission ended, Rogich worked closely with major promoters to help bring major boxing shows to Nevada. The president of the Rogich Communications Group, Rogich was a confidante and advisor to Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.

· KIRK KERKORIAN. A one-time amateur boxer of some note who was known as “Rifle Right Kerkorian,” Kerkorian helped bring big-time boxing to Nevada. He helped usher Las Vegas into the mega-resort age and his MGM Grand played host to some of the biggest fights in boxing history.

A non-profit corporation operated exclusively for charitable purposes, the NVBHOF will be dedicated to honoring boxers and those who have contributed significantly to the sport in Nevada. The other equally important part of the Hall’s mission will be to help those from the sport of boxing in need of financial assistance, as well as to help other boxing-related organizations which do the same. It will also support youth and amateur boxing programs, including the club boxing programs at the University of Nevada, Reno and UNLV.

“States such as California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and most recently New York have their own Boxing Halls of Fame. I was astounded to learn that Nevada, with its rich boxing history, passionate fan base and the reputation as the Boxing Capital of the World, did not have its own Hall of Fame — a place to honor those who helped build its rich history in the sport,” Marotta said. “So we set out last summer to establish the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame as a non-profit, charitable organization to give back to the sport and its fans. In addition to an annual gala Induction Ceremony and Dinner, the NVBHOF will conduct other fund-raising events throughout the year to stay active within the state.”

The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is an IRS 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization. Donations to the NV BHOF are tax-deductible, as are tickets purchased to NVBHOF-sponsored events. Donations can be made by visiting the NVBHOF website: www.nvbhof.com. You can “like” NVBHOF on Facebook (facebook.com/nvbhof) and follow it on Twitter (@nvbhof).

We recently had a conversation with WBA light flyweight champion, Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (34-0,28 kos) of Nicaragua. Here are excerpts of our conversation:

You recently were promoted by the WBA to the title of Super Champion?
Yes, Its quiet an honor to be promoted to the category of super champion. I think it’s a recognition by the WBA for past achievements. I know that only a very small select group of fighters have that type of belt even though I don’t necessarily understand what it means to be promoted to super champion.

What are your plans for the future?
According to a resolution recently received by the WBA it mentions that the belt I used to have will be fought on the 31st of December between Kazuto Ioka of Japan and former interim WBA champion Jose Alfredo Rodriguez of Mexico. It states that the winner of that fight must face me in a period of 90 days. I guess I have to wait to see what happens and fight the winner of that fight in the very near future.

Also, a fight in Mexico or a tune up fight before that particular matchup is not completely out of the question.

Who do you want to win?
I am hoping that Ioka winds up winning the fight. On many occasions he has called me out in public saying that he wants to fight me. The funny thing is that even though they know my promoter, Mr. Akhiko Honda of Teiken, very well he has never received a phone call from his team inquiring about a possible show down.

I have fought in Japan many times. The people there are super polite and very well educated. I consider Japan my second home and would love to have the opportunity to fight there again.

Your thoughts on Ioka?
Ioka is a good fighter who has accomplished a bit in such a short pro career. He has a big mouth and lacks humility and frankly thinks that he is a better fighter than what he actually is. He has even gone so far as to say that I am afraid of him and that I am considering moving up in weight in order to avoid him.

The only reason I am considering moving up a weight class is to have the possibility of gaining a third world title and measuring myself against the best talent in the world such as Brian Viloria.

Much more accomplished Japanese world champions such as Yutaka Niida and Katsunari Takayama, both of whom I have fought, have shown much more humility than this youngster.

The important thing is that if he does win the title we will get a chance to fight. In less than 60 seconds inside of the ring with me he will know that he has made a mistake in disrespecting me.

Who would be your dream fight?
I don’t choose my opponents, that is done my by promoters and my management team. I just try to be in top shape for the fight and win the fight as best as I can. I am never vocal about who I want to fight and do not call people out. If I were given a choice I would like to face Brian Viloria. In order to be considered the best, you have to beat the best and I think Viloria definitely ranks right up there at this moment.

Also WBC Flyweight champion Toshiyuki Igarashi or light flyweight champions Donnie Nietes, Adrian Hernandez, or any unification fight seems would be interesting options. I just want to fight as often as I can against topnotch opposition.

Thanks for the interview champ!

“He’s ready” says Richard Dobal, President of Bad Dog Productions and co-promoter of IBF #6 super featherweight Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (17-0, 11 KOs).

Miami-based Dobal has been with the 26-year-old Cuban Barthelemy from the beginning of his career and is hoping to watch him join the elite ranks of the 130-lb division when he faces #14-rated contender Arash Usmanee (20-0, 10 KOs) on Friday, January 4, 2013 in a 12-round elimination bout for the IBF’s #2 position.

Barthelemy and Usmanee will meet in the main event that night, as Warriors Boxing and Bad Dog Productions in association with the Magic City Casino, present the year’s debut broadcast of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights (10 PM Eastern on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, online through WatchESPN.com, and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app.) live from Stage 305 in the Magic City Casino in Miami, Florida.

In the co-featured televised bout, Puerto Rican slugger Jonathan “Mantequilla” Gonzalez (15-0-1, 13 KOs) will take on Philadelphia’s Derek “Pooh” Ennis (23-3-1, 13 KOs).

“My partner Leon (Margules of Warriors Boxing), his manager Henry Foster and I feel this kid is world championship material. It’s time to take on a guy like this. He’s ready,” continued Dobal. “I say that because he’s had an opportunity to be in several training camps and all the feedback we get is that he’s ready for bigger and better things. He was just in camp with Mercito Gesta and before that with Sharif Bogere and Marco Maidana. He’s sparred several top guys and handled himself very well.”

Dobal says his fighter is in the perfect place at the perfect time, facing Afghani-Canadian Usmanee for a top spot in the rankings.

“Whenever we’ve put an opponent in front of him where he had to step up, such as Hylon Williams, Rances proved he was ready. I think he’s one of those fighters that the better the opponent, the more inspired he gets in training and in his performance. What I like about Usmanee is that we know him. They had an opportunity to spar a couple years ago and Arash is a guy who comes to fight. Rances won’t have to find him and those are the type of opponents that showcase Rances at his best. Rances likes to fight. He likes to get down and slug it out. These are the types of opponents that Rances stylistically will do well against. We’re all conscious that Arash is a very tough fighter and this is probably the toughest fight that Rances has ever had. But these are the types of guys you have to fight to become a champion.”

Barthelemy recently moved his base of operations back to Florida after spending time in Vegas working with well-respected trainer Miguel Diaz.

“He is with new trainers now, John David Jackson and with Chico Rivas, and they put a little more emphasis on strength and conditioning. We’re very grateful to Miguel in Vegas who worked with him all this time, but Rances is going to be a father soon and the distance from his fiancé with him living in Vegas wasn’t working, so he made the decision to come back to Miami to support to his new family. Rances is a very good kid and family comes first.”

###

The undercard, which will be announced shortly, will feature several young local and international rising stars.

Tickets are on sale now on the Magic City Casino website www.magiccitycasino.com as well as in person at the Magic City Players Club. They are priced at $100, $75, $50 and $35.

Doors open at 7:30 pm and the first bell is at 8:00.

About Magic City Casino

Magic City Casino features 800 Las Vegas-style slot machines, 18-table Poker Room, outdoor concert amphitheater, multi-purpose indoor venue, seasonal live greyhound racing and multiple food and beverage outlets, among other state-of-the-art amenities. The casino is open every day (Sunday through Thursday: 10am to 4am; Friday and Saturday: 10am to 5am). For more information, visit www.magiccitycasino.com.

Tonight at 10:30pm, immediately following MSG’s coverage of the Knicks-Brooklyn Nets game, Episode 3 of “The Garden Transformed: Year Two,” a behind-the-scenes look at the second phase of Madison Square Garden’s historic, top-to-bottom transformation will debut. A new episode from the five-part series, which is voiced over by actor Billy Crudup, will run each night this week. Viewers will not only get a firsthand look at how the Arena’s upper bowl was gutted and rebuilt, but they will also hear from athletes and celebrities who called The Garden home, as well as some of the 1000 construction personnel who tirelessly worked on the beloved building. Episode 3 features undisputed World Middleweight Champion Bernard Hopkins as he toured the transformed Arena this summer and talked to workers about his bout with Felix Trinidad at MSG, which was postponed by the events of September 11, 2001 and finally fought a few weeks later on September 29. He also took a few minutes to shadow box with a number of the construction workers.

To preview the episode, follow the link below:

http://www.msg.com/videos/bernard-hopkins-shares-what-it-means-to-him-to-fight-at-the-garden.html

The World Boxing Association (WBA) has instructed the promotional companies
Sauerland Event (SE) and Klitschko Management Group (KMG) to conduct
immediate negotiations for the fight between the current Heavyweight Super
Champion Wladimir Klitschko and Regular World Champion Alexander Povetkin.
The WBA has followed the rules of their writing originally sent to all
parties prior to the fight between Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye. The
letter stated that the winner of the bout would be declared as Super
Champion and has to face the winner out of Ruslan Chagaev vs. Alexander
Povetkin within in a time period of 18 months after the fight which took
place on August 27, 2011. Klitschko vs. Povetkin is scheduled to take place
before February 26, 2013.

Povetkin´s promoter Kalle Sauerland said: “We are very excited that Povetkin
will be Wladimir Klitschko´s next opponent. We consider Wladimir Klitschko
to be a great champion but we also consider Alexander Povetkin to be a very
serious challenger. A fight between two Olympic Heavyweight Champions is
always something special and one that will turn out to be a real treat for
boxing fans all over the world.”

Chris Meyer, Managing Director of Sauerland Event, added: “We have a four
week period to negotiate terms on the fight and will be in contact with the
Klitschko management later on today. We worked together for many fights as
co-promoters of the Klitschkos. Therefore I am convinced that we will have a
professional dialogue. However, if we should not be able to reach a
voluntary agreement we are prepared to enter a purse bid.”

New York, NY (12/18/12) – All of the fighters for tomorrow night’s DiBella Entertainment special-edition Hurricane Sandy Benefit Broadway Boxing card weighed in earlier today at the NYS Athletic Commission’s office in downtown Manhattan. Below is the complete bout sheet for Wednesday night’s show.

10 ROUNDS -LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Will Rosinsky vs. Otis Griffin

Queens, NY Sacramento, CA

16-2, 9 KO’s 24-10-2, 10 KO’s

174 lbs. 174 lbs.

8 ROUNDS – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Gabriel Bracero vs. Johnnie Edwards

Brooklyn, NY Jacksonville, NC

20-1, 3 KO’s 15-5-1, 8 KO’s

141 lbs. 142 lbs.

8 ROUNDS -LIGHTWEIGHTS

Ivan Redkach vs. Edward Valdez

Los Angeles, CA New York, NY

12-0, 11 KO 11-8-2, 8 KO’s

134 lbs. 134 lbs.

8 ROUNDS -JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Ionut Ion vs. Franklin Gonzalez

Montreal, Canada New York, NY

29-2, 16 KO’s 15-11, 10 KO’s

150 lbs. 150 lbs.

4 ROUNDS – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Travis Peterkin vs. Eddie Tigs

Brooklyn, NY San Antonio, TX

5-0, 3 KO’s 1-4-2

175 lbs. 169 lbs.

4 ROUNDS – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Mikkel Lespierre vs. Cornelius Whitlock

Brooklyn, NY Landover, MD

1-0,1 KO Pro Debut

143 lbs. 142 lbs.

4 ROUNDS – JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Akima Stocks vs. Marva Dash

Newark, NJ Bridgeport, CT

4-0, 3 KO’s 0-1

154 lbs. 156 lbs.

4 ROUNDS – HEAVYWEIGHTS

Jarrell Miller vs. Tyrone Gibson

Brooklyn, NY Duluth, MN

3-0, 3 KO’s 1-3, 1 KO

242 lbs. 230 lbs.

6 ROUNDS – JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS

Allan Benitez vs. Danny Calzada

El Paso, TX Dona Ana, NM

7-1, 1 KO 4-6-2, 1 KO

136 lbs. 135 lbs.

4 ROUNDS – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Maurice Hooker vs. Cameron Kreal

Dallas, TX Las Vegas, NV

6-0-1, 5 KO’s 2-3-2

141 lbs. 139 lbs.

The DBE-promoted Broadway Boxing card is being held as a benefit for Hurricane Sandy victims with all of the proceeds from the show being donated to the American Red Cross. A silent auction will be held throughout the evening with DiBella Entertainment’s President Lou DiBella donating items from his own extensive personal collection.

Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000, or at the Roseland Box Office tomorrow evening. Tickets are priced at $125, $85, $65 and $45. Doors open at 6 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. The event is sponsored by Manfredi Auto Group and Newlio.com, in association with Everlast

LOS ANGELES, December 18 – One of the most talented members of the 2012 United States Olympic boxing team, South El Monte, California’s Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. had a big week in not only signing with Golden Boy Promotions, but also beginning his road to the top as a professional when he made his pro debut this past Saturday, December 15 with a win over a tough opponent in then 5-2 Vicente Alfaro at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

“We’ve all watched Joseph grow up as an athlete and a young man over the years in the amateurs and all the Southern California fight fans are proud of his success thus far,” said Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya. “He looked like a veteran this weekend in earning his first professional win and now we’re looking forward to taking him to a world championship. Golden Boy Promotions is extremely proud to add ‘Jo Jo’ to our star-studded roster and know he has the right attitude in and out of the ring to make it in this great sport. I guarantee that once you see this humble and talented young man, you will see the same potential we do.”

“I’ve always been a fan of Oscar De La Hoya and he’s been a great example for young fighters like myself,” said Diaz Jr. “So to work with him and the Golden Boy Promotions team is an honor. I was a little nervous before my first professional fight on Saturday night, but now that it is under my belt, I can’t wait to get back into the ring as soon as possible and continue to show what I can do.”

The owner of over 100 wins as an amateur that included two national championships and a berth on the 2012 United States Olympic team, 20-year-old Joseph Diaz Jr. made a name for himself internationally this summer at the London Games where he decisioned Ukrainian Pavlo Ishchenko before losing a close 21-15 bout to Cuban world champion Lazaro Alvarez. With a strong amateur showing behind him, he was ready to pursue greatness in the professional game and on December 15, the southpaw impressed fight fans in his Southern California backyard with a shutout, four-round decision win over Minnesota’s Alfaro.

A date and opponent for Diaz Jr.’s next fight will be announced shortly. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/JosephDiazJr, or visit us on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page.

LOS ANGELES, December 18 – Fresh off of a thrilling 10 round win over Alejandro Rodriguez in November, unbeaten lightweight prospect Abner Cotto will get one more fight in before the end of the year, when he faces Tijuana’s Sergio Perez on the Saturday, December 22 edition of TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” at the Coliseo Roger Mendoza in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

It will be the fourth fight of 2012 for the rising star from Aguas Buenas, who rose from a first round knockdown against Rodriguez last month to win a clear-cut unanimous decision.

Cotto vs. Perez, a 10-round lightweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions and H2 Entertainment and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. On fight night, doors open at 6:00 p.m., the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. and the TeleFutura broadcast begins at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets priced at $10, $15 and $25 are available for purchase at all Ticket Center locations or by phone at (787) 792-5000.

Unbeaten as a professional, Abner Cotto (15-0, 6 KO’s) is one of Puerto Rico’s brightest hopes for world title honors in the coming years and after already winning the Puerto Rican and WBC FECARBOX lightweight belts thus far, he is on the right path to championship glory. The owner of 2012 wins over Hevinson Herrera, Juan Montiel and Rodriguez, the 25-year-old cousin of Puerto Rican stars Miguel Cotto and Jose Cotto will perform in front of his local fans one more time this year on Saturday.

A veteran of the sport who has faced off with top competitors and world champions such as Veeraphol Sahaprom, Mauricio Martinez, Martin Honorio and Robbie Peden, Tijuana’s Sergio “El Sirenito” Perez (27-13, 18 KO’s) has the type of experience that is tough to top on fight night. At 37 years old, Perez has gotten a second wind in his career, winning three in a row including a July victory over Gilberto Sanchez Leon. This weekend, he will test the rising star Cotto.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/RealMiguelCotto or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.

IBF Welterweight champion Devon Alexander’s mandatory title defense against Kell Brook has been rescheduled for February 23rd after an ankle injury to Brook according to espn.com’s Dan Rafael.

The fight will take place in Detroit according to Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer

“We’ll have two world title fights, and it could turn out to be three, so if we bring three world title fights, including one with hometown champion ‘K9’ Bundrage, I think we will do darn well there. Detroit is a great fight town,” Schaefer said.

Cornelius “K9” Bundrage (32-4, 19 KOs), who is from Detroit, making his third defense against Ishe Smith (24-5, 11 KOs) of Las Vegas. Schaefer said there would be one other televised fight to be determined.

“Kell sustained an ankle injury that has hampered his training and running work,” said Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn said. “I’m concerned mainly for the traveling U.K. fans, and it’s in no one’s interest for the fight to fall through closer to the time, so I requested a three- to four-week delay to the original date of Jan. 19. This will eradicate the risk and ensure Kell will be 100 percent for the biggest fight of his life.”

Gary Shaw Productions has won the the right to stage a potential IBF Jr. Welterweight title fight between champion Lamont Peterson and Kendall Holt according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Shaw grabbed the rights for a mere $50,000. Since his company was the only one that showed up at the IBF offices for the purse bid, he submitted the envelope with the cheaper total. He would have bid a much higher amount had their been competition at the auction.

As the titleholder, Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KOs) is entitled to 75 percent of the money ($37,500) with Holt (28-5, 16 KOs) getting the remaining 25 percent ($12,500).

“We’re going to do the fight so I want to get with Barry Hunter and see if we can do it in D.C., and if not, then I’ll take the fight somewhere else,” Shaw said. “Kendall Holt wants this fight. Peterson? That will be up to him and Barry if I can make a deal with them.”

“I’ve been spoken to Barry and I thought we’d make a deal before the purse bid,” Shaw said. “He said he would call Lamont and get back to me, but I have not heard back from him.”

“Let’s see if Barry comes around and see what kind of gate we can do,” Shaw said.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Former world champion Amir Khan has signed a deal to have his fights be televised on Showtime.

“It was offered to us and to Amir, and we liked the terms and decided to do it,” Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com. “We want to do big fights with Amir and so does Showtime.”

Under the new Showtime deal, Schaefer said the remaining fights for Khan would likely take place in April and November.

“There could be a rematch with Danny Garcia, but there are also other big names,” Schaefer said. “Maybe a rematch with Lamont Peterson [who handed Khan a controversial split decision loss last December], maybe a Victor Ortiz, Devon Alexander or Andre Berto, when Amir moves up to welterweight.”

“Amir Khan is one of the most talented and entertaining boxers in the sport today,” said Steven Espinoza, General Manager of Showtime Sports. “He fights in weight classes that are deep in talent and compelling matchups, and he has shown that he is willing to fight anyone. Given Showtime’s emphasis on the junior welterweight and welterweight divisions, it made sense for us to establish an ongoing relationship with Amir and Khan Promotions so that together we can bring boxing fans more of the high-quality, all-action fights that Amir has become known for.”

PHILADELPHIA (December 18, 2012)—On Friday night January 25th, Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions, Gary Shaw Productions and Greg Cohen Promotions will present ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights featuring the former WBO Jr. Middleweight champion Sergiy Dzinziruk. Dzinziruk will take on perennial contender and world ranked Brian Vera in a twelve round bout for the NABO Middleweight championship that will headline a night of boxing at the Turning Stone Casino Resort in Verona, New York that will be broadcast live as part of ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights.

Dzinziruk of the Ukraine by way of Hamburg, Germany has a record 37-1-1 with 24 knockouts. In 2005, He won the WBO Jr. Middleweight championship with twelve round unanimous decision over Daniel Santos and made six successful defenses en route to compiling a perfect 37-0 record. On March 12, 2011, Dzinziruk moved up to challenge the great Sergio Martinez for the world Middleweight championship. Dzinziruk fought a valiant fight before being stopped in eight rounds.

In his last bout, despite giving up seven pounds in weight to undefeated Jonathan Gonzalez, Dzinziruk was able to box his way to a draw on September 1st as part of a card that was televised on HBO Boxing After Dark

Dzinziruk is currently ranked number-nine by the WBC and eleven by the WBO at Jr. Middleweight.

Vera of Austin, Texas has a record of 21-6 with 12 knockouts and is generally in some classic brawls that make his fights very television friendly.

The thirty-year old has some great wins over the likes of Samuel Miller (17-1); Max Alexander (14-1-1); Vera put the first loss on future world title challenger Andy Lee. Vera also has wins over Sebastien DeMers (31-2) and two victories over former world champion Sergio Mora with the latter coming in his last bout on August 11th.

The ten round co-feature will pit the undefeated Jr. Welterweight Tony Luis against Miguel Gonzalez.

The twenty-four year old Luis (15-0, with 7 KO’s) of nearby Cornwell, Ontario is coming off a spectacular first round stoppage over thirty-seven fight veteran Andres Ledesma on September 1st at The Turning Stone Resort and Casino.

Gonzalez of Cleveland, Ohio has a record of 20-3 with 15 knockouts and has had solid wins over Tyrone Harris and Humberto Toledo . Gonzalez will be looking to get back in the win column after dropping a ten round unanimous decision to Michael Dallas on February 17th.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the first undercard bout starting at 7:30 p.m. The live ESPN2 telecast begins at 9 p.m.

Tickets prices from $25 to $70. Call the Turning Stone box office at (315) 361-7469 or visit www.Ticketmaster.com.

ST. LOUIS (December 18, 2012) – Christmas came early for lightweight power-broker “Dangerous” Dannie Williams in the form of an ESPN Friday Nights Fight main event showdown on January 11 against John “The Hammer” Molina Jr. (24-2, 19 KOs) in a explosive crossroads fight for both boxers, at Indian School in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

“I’ve been waiting to get back into a meaningful fight,” Williams said from training camp in Youngstown, Ohio, “so I can get back in the lightweight picture. That’s what this fight is all about. I look at this fight like all of my fights as the biggest of my life.”

Williams (22-2, 18 KOs) is only two fights removed from a disappointing loss by 10-round decision to Hank Lundy (21-1-1) for the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title, while Molina suffered a devastating first-round knockout in his last fight to World Boxing Council (WBC) 135-pound champion Antonio DeMarco. Both of these fights aired on national television, setting back the fighters’ respective careers.

Williams, who was WBC No. 9 rated going into the Lundy fight, has regrouped, winning his most recent fight this past October by way of a seventh-round knockout of Rynell Griffin.

Molina’s most significant win, ironically, was an 11th round stoppage of Lundy in 2010 for the North American Boxing Organization (NABO) lightweight title. The previously unbeaten Lundy (18-0-1), who was dropped in the eighth, had a substantial lead on all three judges’ scorecards (98-91, 98-91, 97-92) when Molina finished him off in the 11th as the referee halted the fight with Lundy trapped on the ropes and hurt.

“I’m really up for this fight because he’s the guy who beat the guy who beat me,” Williams noted. “I’m going to show the boxing world that my Lundy fight was a fluke. Molina’s last fight was disappointing. I don’t think he can take a big punch. It’s not like Lundy can hit. DeMarco hit him with some good punches, but I can’t wait to see how he reacts when I hit him.”

The fight between Williams and Molina, who have combined to knock out 37 opponents in 46 total wins, has the potential to start 2013 off with fireworks. “A loss derails either fighter’s career and the winner gets right back in the picture,” Williams’ head trainer Jack Loew remarked. “With these two guys, no matter what game plan is set, once they get touched, their manhood takes over. They’re both warriors, real fighters, and this can be a very exciting fight. Dannie just has to fight for 10 rounds, although this isn’t the type fight that figures to go the distance. Against Lundy, we had a great game plan and it worked for two or three rounds. Then, Dannie hit a wall and for whatever reason, he stopped fighting.

“This is a crossroads fight for both fighters. This isn’t like being a cat with nine lives. This is the third opportunity Steve’s (co-promoter Steve Smith) gotten Dannie on national television, the first against (Eloy) Perez (LDEC10 in 2009), and then Lundy. This fight could mean the difference between ever getting a world title shot or not. I’ve let Dannie know what this fight means and the pressure is on him to win. Dannie has to be professional and go into this fight in a better mind set than he did against Lundy. He can’t dance around and box. He has to come forward and be aggressive. Dannie Williams is always going to be a power puncher.”

“Dangerous” Dannie Williams (L)

(photo by Bob Barton)

Co-Promoted by Rumble Time Promotions (President Steve Smith) and DiBella Entertainment, the 28-year-old Williams has overcome numerous obstacles growing up in the Peabody Projects in Saint Louis, Missouri. He showcased his potential as an amateur, capturing a gold medal in the 2004 National Golden Gloves Tournament, and defeating undefeated, former World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios.

“What I know for sure is that Dannie will fight the fight of his life and come out with a big win in dramatic fashion,” Smith added. “I do want to thank Doug Loughrey (boxing programming director), of ESPN, for keeping this fight together. ESPN fans are going to love the non-stop action, as long as it lasts. Dannie just had an off night against Lundy. Dannie Williams is a beast with power in both hands and good boxing skills, too.”

Go online to www.RumbleTimePromotions.com for more information about Williams or any of his Rumble Time Promotions stable-mates.

Minneapolis, MN- Three of Minnesota’s strongest boxing prospects will continue their ascent to national level contention on January 5th at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Minneapolis.

Ismail Muwendo(11-0) fresh off of a victory over Leon Bobo on October 27th will take on Anthony Napunyi (5-1) in an 8 round affair for the ABO Mid America featherweight title in the card’s main event. Muwendo has electrified Minnesota boxing fans with his devastating power, paired with lethal punching accuracy. The Ugandan featherweight has racked up nine knockouts over his eleven wins and will look to add another stoppage to his highlight reel come January 5th.

The night’s co-feature brings lengthy Minneapolis welterweight Jamal James(8-0) in his first action since scoring a technical decision over in-state rival Corey Rodriguez in a thriller on October 27th. James will square off with Patrick Boozer(5-1) of Michigan. The bout will continue the trend of James’ increase in competition as he pursues his 9th win in the six round bout.

Junior middleweight Robert Brant(4-0) looks to continue his fast track transition from amateur to professional stardom when he takes on Ramon Barber(2-2). Brant has captured the attention of Minnesota sports fans, and become a fan favorite with his versatile skill set, and infectious personality. As one of Minnesota’s most decorated amateur boxers in recent memory, Brant looks to polish his winning ways in the six round bout.

The card’s preliminary portion will be complimented by two of Minnesota’s best lower weight fighters. Jonathan Perez (3-0) takes on Brian Jones at 118 lbs. While BradPatraw (9-4) takes on veteran Robert DaLuz at 124 lbs. Also in action will be junior middleweight Tyler “The Hitman” Hultin(3-1), facing Steven Watt, and Garvin Crout vs. Tomi Archambault at lightweight.

Tickets are priced at $30, $60, and $100 and are available at Sterlingmn.com

HOUSTON – Three miles southwest of Toyota Center, where junior featherweight world champion Nonito Donaire took Mexican Jorge Arce’s consciousness with a third-round left hook Saturday, there stands a complex of interesting buildings that collectively house the works of the Menil Collection, a free-admission museum comprising the lifetimes’ worth of collecting done by John and Dominique de Menil. The works are modern or tribal, and the main building itself, a masterpiece by Italian architect Renzo Piano, treats natural light like liquid poured gently from above, not wind for blocking.

What is most gratifying about the Menil Collection is its continuity. Nearby stands this city’s more famous collection – Museum of Fine Arts, Houston – an enormous labyrinth of periods and painters complemented by a wonderful sculpture garden, but a collection that, when contrasted with what the De Menils did, shows itself a product of committee collecting, board approvals and consensus. It lacks, that is, private collectors’ blessed tyrannies of vision. We return to this below.

But first “Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire. He met informed expectations, Saturday, earning his fourth title defense of 2012, fighting at roughly twice the rate of what other nine prizefighters compose Chuck Giampa’s List, and making a sturdy case for himself as fighter of the year. Donaire, though, as yet inspires few strong feelings. He is exceptionally good at what he does, and now does an important thing by voluntarily subjecting himself to year-round PED testing, and he is a gracious ambassador for our sport, and he provided the Philippines a wee bit of solace by knocking out a Mexican a week after a Mexican disconnected Manny Pacquiao from his senses, but to write more than that is trying too hard.

Because victories come so easily to Donaire, aficionados wonder at his authenticity. But he continues to make deposits of goodwill in an escrow account for the day when a competitive challenger – an Abner Mares or Guillermo Rigondeaux – roughs him up and makes him climb off the mat. On that day, when aficionados can be sure he is more than a product of great matchmaking, there will be a flood of good things written and said about the run he’s had since driving Vic Darchinyan to Judah Street in 2007.

Darchinyan’s name, actually, was in the air last week, as it was what kept folks from climbing aboard the Nonito train and bringing it in full to Houston Station. After the way Darchinyan outclassed a 29-year-old Arce almost four years ago, it was hard to take Arce seriously as an opponent for one of the world’s five best prizefighters at the end of 2012. But good for Arce anyway, earning a last paycheck in the nearest way our sport comes to a pension plan. Arce retired immediately after Donaire knocked him flat, and let us hope retired is how Arce remains.

That’s a doubtful proposition. Arce cited a promise to his children, which means that in 18 months, when he’s bored with life and a calendar that is blank for the next 45 or so years, he might just go hang out at the gym and bring one of his children along. A week of that, and a fight on televisión in Los Mochis, and that child will invariably say, “Dad, why don’t you fight any more?” Promise revoked, Arce will return in a new weight class with a new trainer and a new focus and determination and freshness and strength and whatever the Spanish word is for “cliché,” and unpleasant spectacles will ensue.

In the meantime, we owe him a debt of gratitude for being entertaining without being boorish, for laughing at his own special effects – black cowboy hat, red lollipop, dancing horse – and for somehow finding a way to make a body that does not look at all fat at 150 pounds shrink, for an hour or two, into one that weighs 108 or 112 or 115 or 118 or 122. Arce won world titles in each of those five divisions.

His younger brother Francisco, not as talented but just as desirous of blood, fought in Phoenix 7 1/2 years ago, and Arce was there to show support, and almost no one knew it. Even dressed in black jeans, Arce, who was then between flyweight bloodlettings with Hussein Hussein, looked to be about five weight classes above 112 pounds, and not puffy at all. No one was sure it was him till his craggy front teeth pushed out a smile and it could be no one but “El Travieso (The Naughty One)” – a born showman at the precipice of celebrity. Twenty-one months later Cristian Mijares, a fellow Mexican, undressed Arce in San Antonio, and Arce’s decline was begun. Bless Arce, though, for being engaging and inventive enough still to finagle himself on an HBO main event 5 1/2 years later.

HBO is good a place as any to end this. Saturday night it bade farewell to Larry Merchant, its masterful commentator and voice of reason. Merchant has offered a good meter for at least a decade: With few exceptions, a boxing fan’s intelligence, maturity and sobriety can be measured in proportion to his appreciation for Merchant. The kids and circus barkers never did like Larry much; he didn’t go in for their fashion-conscious hype (a redundancy, that). Because he came out of the written word, ever a more sacred place than television, he understood the meaning of his and others’ utterances. He felt no need to end sentences with unwarranted exclamation marks. He took righteous and rightful umbrage with pacifistic athletes who gouged his employer for millions.

Merchant’s tastes and eloquence are a continuity now out of place at HBO, where on-air consensus-building, often to a point of hectoring, has replaced thoughtful dialogue and meaningful dissent. Farewell, then, Mr. Merchant. You were too good for them anyway.

Bart Barry can be reached at bart.barrys.email (at) gmail.com