Staying in line means staying busy and that’s all Antonio Margarito can do in a dogged, controversial pursuit of another big payday.

Margarito told 15Rounds.com in Tucson last week that he wants to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in September. But speculation, fueled by Bob Arum’s comments to RingTV.com. has Chavez fighting Sergio Martinez instead. Nobody has to tell Margarito that Chavez-Martinez is the bigger fight. Nobody has to tell him that big fights don’t get made for more reasons than anybody wants to recount, either. Without mentioning the oh-so-familiar suspects, let’s just say that bouts between fighters represented by rival promoters these days qualify as a minor miracle.

If Arum, Chavez’ promoter, can’t make a deal with Martinez promoter Lou DiBella, it would be easy for him to stay in-house. Arum promotes Margarito, too. As the first alternate, Margarito gives Arum a marketable option, especially among Mexican and Mexican-American fans.

Many might still dislike Jr. for suspicions that he was allowed to sidestep the game’s bruising dues because of his legendary dad, Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr. Many more dislike Margarito for the hand-wrap scandal that will be with him for as long as those scars surrounding his surgically-repaired right-eye. But the complaints are free advertising. Margarito’s reputation is notorious. The Chavez rep is pampered. Mix the two and you’ve got a formula for strong sales and big television ratings.

That’s why Margarito intends to fight a tune-up on May 26 or June 15 in southern Arizona at Casino Del Sol, where his brother-in-law, super-flyweight Hanzel Martinez, won a first-round stoppage on March 23 on a ShoBox-televised card. In a sure sign of interest among Mexican and Mexican-American fans, TV Azteca plans to televise Margarito’s next bout. But against whom?

One of the names mentioned on March 23 was Jesus Gonzales, popular in Phoenix, his hometown.

“Absolutely,’’ Gonzales said when asked if he would be interested. “That would be great opportunity.’’

But Gonzales’ chances at the bout aren’t great. He is coming off a loss in Montreal to Adonis Stevenson, who knocked him out in the first round. According to people who represent Margarito and Gonzales, Gonzales has been medically cleared to fight since the devastating loss. His promoter had asked him to undergo an MRI for head trauma.

Gonzales also plans to go down in weight — from super middle (168 pounds) to middle (160). Margarito said on March 23 that he is training and weighs about 165 pounds. He wants to fight for the 160-pound title held by Chavez, the World Boxing Council champion who has reportedly been at least 180 at opening bell for his last few fights.

Neither the weight nor Gonzales’ stunning loss in his last outing, however, appears to be the issue. Gonzales’ southpaw stance against the orthodox Margarito might be. The left-handed Gonzales has a better chance at hitting Margarito’s right eye, which was badly-bloodied in his December loss to Miguel Cotto in a rematch stopped after the 10th round.

Repeated blows have degraded the skin around the eye, which was badly damaged in 2010 by Manny Pacquiao, who fractured the orbital bone. It quickly tears and ruptures into the bloody mess that led to the ringside physician in New York to call a halt to the fight against Cotto, despite Margarito’s protestations. Cotto targeted an eye that will be target for as long as Margarito continues to fight.

Margarito might have to become more defensive, says his manager, Sergio Diaz. At best, a change in style is problematic for an iron-chinned fighter known best for moving forward. Against a natural left-hander aiming for a problematic right eye, chances at pulling off that one get complicated, if not dangerous.

Dangerous enough to lose that valuable place in line for one more trip to the pay window.

SAN FRANCISCO (March 29, 2012) – On May 18, undefeated NABO light welterweight champion, Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield (15-0-1, 9 KOs), headlines ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” when he defends his title against Philadelphia’s Raymond Serrano (18-0, 8 KOs) at the Exhibition Hall at The Times Union Center in Albany, New York. Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing in association with Prize Fight Promotions will promote the 10-round bout.

Mayfield, a San Francisco native, is no stranger to fighting on the east coast. Recently, he was in Philadelphia sparring with Danny Garcia in preparation for Garcia’s fight with Erik Morales. On October 1, 2011, Mayfield dominated Patrick Lopez (20-5, 12 KOs) winning a unanimous decision to capture the vacant WBO NABO light welterweight title.

“I’ve been in the ring with Manny Pacquiao, Antonio Margarito, Robert Guerrero and many other world class fighters,” Mayfield said. “I know I got the talent to become a world champion. I’m in great shape and I’m always ready to go in case a fight comes up. I’ve been in the gym working hard and my timing is on point.”

“Virgil Hunter, who’s one of the best trainers in the world, will be working my corner. He’s guided me to victory before and I know together, we’ll come up with a masterful game plan.”

“This is a big opportunity for Karim to show the world he’s an elite fighter,” said Prize Fight promoter Brian Young. “This will be the first time Mayfield headlines a nationally televised main event and we believe he has all the talent to become a world champion. If he’s victorious, we want to push for a title shot by the end of the year.”

This is a big opportunity for Serrano, who is seeking his first regional title. He’ll be fighting close to his hometown of Philadelphia where he’s fought most of his career.

“Serrano is a tough guy with a good record and I’ll be going into his backyard for this fight,” Mayfield said. “But I’m on a mission to get that world title shot and I’m not going to let anyone stop me. I’m just going to keep winning and let my management and promotional teams do their jobs. I’m taking on all comers but my focus right now is strictly on Serrano. I’ts an honor to be fighting as the main-event on ESPN. It’s my time to shine.”

Atlantic City, NJ—Harry Joe Yorgey, trying to return to the national spotlight, and Jamaal Davis, hoping to get there for the first time, collide in a scheduled 10-round junior middleweight contest on Saturday evening, May 19, in the Grand Ballroom of Bally’s Atlantic City.

Yorgey (left), 34, of Bridgeport, PA, ended a one-year layoff Feb. 11 when he out-pointed Lawrence Jones, of Washington, DC, over six rounds in Fairfax, VA.

That was only Yorgey’s second fight since his knockout loss to world-rated Alfredo Angulo, of Mexico, on Nov. 7, 2009, in Hartford, CT.

In his other comeback fight, on Feb. 25, 2011, Yorgey stopped Donovan Castaneda, of Kansas City, MO, in five rounds in Tulsa, OK.

A pro since 2002, Yorgey is 24-1-1, 11 K0s. His signature win came when he knocked out Ronald Hearns, of Detroit, MI, on March 28, 2009, in Miami, OK. He also has beaten Jason LeHoullier, of Nottingham, NH

Davis, 30, has had chances to crack the world rankings but has come up short each time. He hopes to re-write that history against Yorgey.

A pro since 2003, Davis (right) is only 12-8-1, 6 K0s, but has fought better opposition than has Yorgey.

Davis (right) has lost to world-rated fighters such as Gabriel Rosado, of Philadelphia, PA; Joel Julio, of Colombia; Peter Quillen, of New York.

His 2011 loss to Rosado, in which he was stopped in the 12th and final round, was a see-saw affair at the time and one of the best fights at Bally’s Atlantic City in recent years.

In his last fight July 15 at Bally’s, Davis was held to a six-round draw by Eberto Medina, of Newark, NJ.
Davis has beaten Josh Onyango, of Trenton, NJ; Clarence Taylor, of Wilmington, DE; Mustafah Johnson, of Indianapolis, IN.
Six additional bouts complete the card, including an eight-round light-heavyweight contest featuring Chuck Mussachio, of Wildwood, NJ.

ABOUT MAY 19

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

Photo by Claudia Bocanegra

One year ago Cuban heavyweight sensation suffered a bad knee injury when challenging WBC world champion Vitali Klitschko in Cologne, Germany. At the end of the first round which he would have won on the scorecards, Solis’ knee gave in, forcing the referee to stop the fight. „La Sombra“ had to undergo surgery three times and was unable to get back into the ring so far even though his comeback had been announced a couple of times last year. Now the 2004 Olympic gold medalist and multiple world amateur champion ist finally set to return to action on May 19th in Texas on a show promoted by Kathy Duva (Main Events) along with Ahmet Oner (ARENA).

At the moment Solis is in training camp in Florida with champion coach Pedro Luis Diaz Benitez who is also preparing Miguel Cotto for his light middleweight mega fight against Floyd Mayweather jr. on May 5th in Las Vegas.

„It feels great to be finally back in action and working on my comeback“, says Solis. „The last twelve months have been hell with a lot of setbacks but now I’m ready to go at it again. Of course, it adds some extra motivation to work with a great champion like Miguel Cotto. We have lots of fun at camp but, of course, we are both very focused and working hard on our goals.“

Solis’ opponent for his comeback fight has not been announced yet but promoter Ahmet Oner knows that his fighter doesn’t need an easy build up against any kind of journey man.

„Solis is a spezial fighter“, says Oner. „I still believe that he is the biggest force in the heavyweight division besides the Klitschko brothers. In the last weeks and months I heard lots of people talking about the heavyweight division and discussing all different kinds of names as possible Klitschko challengers or heavyweight hopes. I never heard the name Odlanier Solis. People overlooked him because he has been out of action for quite a while but I am sure that his comeback fight will put him right back on the map. We will not waste any time with fights against tomato cans. We are looking for a real test for his comeback. It’s not easy because there are not many fighters out there who actually dare to step into the ring with Solis but I’m sure that we will present a good solution very soon. When Solis stays healthy and doesn’t suffer any more injuries, I am sure that he will be world champion very soon. We will go after Wladimir Klitschko immediately. But of course, we would be ready for a rematch with Vitali as well. Solis is one of very few fighters in the world who could actually beat both brothers and I am convinced that he will prove it once he gets another chance.“

Anaheim, California – Extreme Fighters World Championship is back with “The Untamed 2” on Friday, May 30 at The Grove of Anaheim, California. This is the debut event for EFWC on GFL.tv and the organization looks to make a splash in a big way with a stacked card and a hotly anticipated main event. “The Untamed 2” will no doubt build on the growing momentum of high level events that EFWC presents.

In the main event, Antonio McKee (27-4-2) fights Chad Dietmeyer (8-1) in a lightweight scrap. McKee is a former UFC veteran, a former champion with MFC and an IFL standout. There is not a better fighter in the game that can control a fight and take it to the ground and keep it on the ground like McKee. McKee went on an 8 year undefeated streak and looks to continue his two-fight streak he is currently riding. For Dietmeyer, this will be a huge step up in competition and with it comes a huge career opportunity. Dietmeyer has fought on the Arizona circuit for some time, grabbing regional titles and a victory over the vaunted McKee would do wonders for his future. Expect McKee to do what he does best and try to get the fight to the ground early and keep it there. Dietmeyer needs to make McKee pay when he comes in for a takedown, a tall order, and then if he finds himself on the bottom work submission after submission.

In the co-main event, Jesse Juarez (15-5) takes on Leonardo Silva. For the Strikeforce and Bellator vet, Juarez this is another chance to get on the radar of the UFC. Juarez is a strong wrestler, especially as a welterweight, and will no doubt try and control the bout and get Silva on his back. For Silva, this could be a make or break fight as he has suffered back to back losses, so expect the Strikeforce and Bellator veteran to come out guns blazing, leaving nothing to chance. This is an important fight for both fighters for very different reasons so that is great news to the fans. Expect fireworks of some kind early on in this bout.

Don’t miss this exciting card. Extreme Fighters World Championship brings you another fully loaded card with “The Untamed 2”. Watch the hottest SoCal fighters compete in the cage. Order this event now, exclusively through the GFL Combat Sport Network at GFL.tv.

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

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BROOKLYN, NY (MARCH 28, 2012)—On Saturday night, June 2nd history will be made as 2008 U.S. Olympian and undefeated Welterweight Sadam “World Kid” Ali will make his promotional debut as he unveils World Kid Promotions which will stage a big night of boxing at the Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn.

Not only will Ali be promoting this action packed card but will be featured in the ten round main event.

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

“I am truly excited to start my own promotion and give some great boxers an opportunity to display their skills on June 2nd”, said Ali

“I have a great team behind me and I believe that our company will not only be beneficial to my career but other boxers in the area”

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

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

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

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

“This is a dream come true to not only fight in Brooklyn but to do it on a card that I am promoting and it’s something I can’t wait for”

Ali’s opponent plus a full undercard will be announced shortly

Tickets Prices for this historic night are $150. $100, $75 & $50 and can be purchased at the Following Phone Numbers

In Brooklyn: 917-807-3630; 347-645-6640; 917-655-5254
In Queens: 631-492-0041
In Manhattan: 718-744-8855
Staten Island: 646-261-0066; 718-600-3205
New Jersey: 201-914-9392

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

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

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

HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY (March 27, 2012)—Already a packed fight card, this Saturday night’s boxing event at The Hamilton Manor just got even bigger with the addition of former four-time world Heavyweight Jameel McCline taking on Livin Castillo in a bout scheduled for eight rounds.

The show is promoted by Nedal Abuhumoud’s Nedal’s Promotions and Andre Kut’s KEA Boxing.

In the main event, rising Super Middleweight prospect, Derrick “Take It to the Bank” Webster (12-0, 7 KO’s) of Glassboro, NJ will take on his sternest test to date when he takes on veteran John Mackey (13-6-3, 6 KO’s) of Montgomery, Alabama in a bout scheduled for eight rounds.

McCline (40-11-3, 24 KO’s) of West Palm Beach, Florida has been one of the most recognizable Heavyweights for more than a decade as he has wins over former world champions Al Cole & Shannon Briggs as well as wins over defeating former world title challengers Michael Grant and Cedric Boswell. McCline came up just short in fighting for the title as he lost to Wladimir Klitschko, Chris Byrd, Nikolai Valuev and Samuel Peter.

Castillo (16-11, 10 KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ via Ecuador is a cagey veteran who has faced nothing but the top of the division as he has shared the ring with the likes of world champions Jorge Castro, Jean Marc Mormeck, Oleg Maskaev, Alexander Povetkin & Bruce Seldon; Title challenger Eddie Chambers as well as top contenders Chazz Witherspoon, Travis Kauffman and Derek Rossy. Castillo has a big win over then 18-2 Robert Hawkins

A terrific undercard has been assembled that will feature undefeated Polish import Przemyslaw Opalach (9-0, 8 KO’s) make his American debut when he takes on Sean Ryan Wilson (7-3, 2 KO’s) of Cambridge, Nebraska in a six round Middleweight bout

KEA Boxing’s undefeated Welterweight Juan “The Beast” Rodriguez Jr. (8-0, 3 KO’s) of Union City, NJ will take on the rugged Daniel Crabtree (3-4, 3 KO’s) of Hilliard, Ohio in a six round Welterweight bout.

In a six round Middleweight bout, Alando Swain (4-1, 1 KO) of Trenton, NJ will take on Eddie Edmonds (2-1-2, 1 KO) of Trenton, NJ

In a four round female Featherweight bout Mikayla Nebal of Ohio will make her pro debut when she takes on Nydia Feliciano (4-2-3) of Bronx, NY

Undefeated Heavyweight Joe Cusumano (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Virginia Beach, VA will take on durable Lonnie Kornegay (1-6-2) of Baltimore, MD

Rounding out the card will be Tyrone Luckey (4-1, 4 KO’s) of Middletown, New Jersey battling Philadelphian Ramon Ellis (2-7-1, 1 KO) in a four round Lightweight bout.

Tickets for this great night of boxing are priced at $75 for Ringside and $50 for General Admission and can be purchased by calling 609-396-3005 or 609-586-3225

For more information, click www.nedalspromotions.com or www.kea-boxing.com

The Hamilton Manor is located at 30 Route 156 –Right off of Route 130; Hamilton, NJ 08620

Puerto Rico

NEW YORK

LOS ANGELES

CARTERET, NEW JERSEY (March 27, 2012)—Already with two wins in 2012, Heavyweight John Lennox is closing in on his first title and he has big plans to makes moves in the coming months.

Lennox of Carteret, New Jersey sports a record of 10-1 with five knockouts is coming off a first round stoppage over Miles Kelly on February 17th, will travel to St. Maarten, Netherlands on April 7th to take on thirty-four fight veteran Mike Middleton for the vacant UBC International Title.

This will kick off a very active spring and summer for Lennox as the former gridiron standout will inducted into the Carteret High School of Fame in June.

“He is ready for this fight”, said Lennox manager Rich Masini

“He has been sparring with former world champion Bert Cooper. We know that these fights now will be for all the marbles as this will be his first eight round fight”

“Middleton is a very experienced opponent and we consider this a big step and these are the fights that will prove the doubters wrong”

A win over Middleton will pave the way for what will be a special night for Lennox as Masini is planning a big homecoming for the popular heavyweight.

“We want to win this belt and we are planning a step fight on the first weekend of June, which will be outdoors at the 5,000 seat football stadium and we believe we can pack the place with a title fight”

After that Masini hopes to have Lennox on a fight card at The Meadowlands Race Track in July.

Lennox, who turned pro at 199 pounds, has been building his body for the past five years is now maturing into a full fledged heavyweight.

“We expect him to be fighting at 230-232 pounds on April 7th at that shows the hard work he has put in and I want him to reap the rewards on that work so much that I consider John to as close to a son to me”

“We know where John is and we truly believe in him. We are on a quest to win as many belts as we can and after a few fights, not only will John be ready for ten round fights but we will be ready to fight anyone”

“We have just added Joe Alvarano to the team. He quickly has been an integral part in John’s career”

Alvarano, whose son Joe Jr. will be taking part in a special amateur fight at the Carteret High School card, has been in professional sports for many years as he comes from the Horse Racing industry where he owned champion horses such as Artisic Fella.

The Newly formed Entertainment and Promotional company that Masini and Alvarano will be aligned with will be a huge asset in moving Masini’s growing stable of fighters such as John Lennox, Welterweight Anthony “Juice” Young, Super Middleweight Joel De La Paz and Cruiserweight Jaywon Woods with the goal to mix boxing and Harness Racing together.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF/WBA/WBO?Ring Magazine Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will rematch Tony Thompson on July 7 in Switzerland.

A Tuesday Purse bid was called off due to Klitschko adviser Shelly Finkel.

“There is no purse bid because we made a deal,” Finkel said.

Klitschko (57-3, 50 KOs), who turned 36 on Sunday, will be meeting Thompson (36-2, 24 KOs), 40, of Washington, D.C., in a rematch. He first faced Thompson on July 12, 2008 in Hamburg, Germany and dominated. Klitschko led 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92 on the judges’ scorecards before scoring a crushing 11th-round knockout.

Three-time super-middleweight world champion Mikkel Kessler (44-2, 33 KOs) will be moving up in weight on May 19 when he clashes with fellow Super Six World Boxing Classic contestant & power puncher Allan Green (31-3, 21 KOs) on May 19. The battle at Copenhagen´s PARKEN Stadium will be contested at light heavyweight, with the WBC World Championship (Silver) at stake. The winner will be in line to face WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard Hopkins, who takes on Chad Dawson in Atlantic City on April 28. “We want Mikkel to cement his place in boxing history along the all-time greats by wining world titles in two weight classes,” promoter Kalle Sauerland said at a press conference in Copenhagen today. “It is not going to be easy to face bigger and stronger opposition at a higher weight but the Viking Warrior has never turned down a challenge. We are thrilled to provide him with a new, a gigantic one. Before even thinking about Hopkins or Dawson, he needs to take out Allan Green, which is a high-risk fight.”

Kessler and Green were supposed to meet in the third round of the Super Six tournament two years ago. Back then, Kessler’s eye injury prevented the bout from happening. “There is some unfinished business both men want to take care of,” Sauerland added. “I am confident Mikkel will win. Green is a natural light heavyweight with huge punching power. His KO ratio is impressive. But with his legions of fans behind him, Mikkel will make his country proud and defeat Green.”

The Viking Warrior knows that the 32-year-old from Tulsa, Oklahoma is a very dangerous opponent, especially for his first-ever fight at light heavyweight. “This is going to be a huge challenge for me,” he said. “Moving up to light heavyweight is risky, as is taking on a power-hitter like Green at a higher weight class. But I am ready. I want to make the big fights. Green is tough and strong and has a lot of power. But I will outbox and overpower him.”

The Viking Warrior was originally scheduled to face WBO Super-Middleweight Champion Robert Stieglitz. However, a hand injury prevented the bout from happening. “My finger is fine now, it just needed more time to be fully recovered,” he said. “I am ready to rumble again.”

Green, an accomplished US amateur (2002 National Golden Gloves Championships Gold Medallist at 178 pounds), is famed and feared for his punching power. In 2002 he broke Mike Tyson´s record for the fastest KO in an amateur fight (8 seconds). As a professional, 21 of his 31 victories came by the way of KO, with almost half of them inside the first three rounds. He won the 2005 Ring Magazine KO of the Year when he destroyed Jaidon Codrington in just 18 seconds.

In early 2010, he replaced Jermain Taylor in the Super Six tournament. From the beginning, he had big trouble to make weight, having to lose 27 pounds before the points loss to WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Andre Ward. After the tournament, he has returned to his natural weight class in style, winning two straight, including a clear points victory over former world title challenger Sebastian Demers. Now he looks forward to conquering Denmark. “It´s great to be fighting in Copenhagen,” he stated. “I think Kessler is a very good fighter. Very tough and very talented. He has been world champion for a long time. But I am faster, I am stronger and I feel I have a lot more skills. He might have fought better opposition, I give him that, but I am the much better athlete.”

Green believes that meeting at light heavyweight will be an advantage. “It evens the playing field,” he stated. “At super-middleweight I had to lose a lot of weight. I lost 27 pounds in three weeks for the Ward fight. So fighting Kessler at super-middleweight would have been a disadvantage for me. I will make a lot of noise on May 19.”

Tickets for the big show at PARKEN are available at billetlugen.dk.

HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY (March 26, 2012)—This Saturday night, March 31st Nedal Abuhumoud’s Nedal’s Promotions and Andre Kut’s KEA Boxing present a great night of professional boxing at the Beautiful Hamilton Manor in Hamilton, New Jersey.

In the main event, rising Super Middleweight prospect, Derrick “Take It to the Bank” Webster will take on his sternest test to date when he takes on veteran John Mackey in a bout scheduled for eight rounds.

Webster of Glassboro, New Jersey is unblemished with a record of 12-0 with seven knockouts and has been upping the competition and has solid victories over thirty-five fight veteran Jose Medina (KO 1); a six round unanimous decision over Romaro Johnson (11-3-1) and his last bout he scored an explosive first round stoppage over Brian Bernard to capture the BAM Super Middleweight title.

Mackey of Montgomery, Alabama has a record of 13-6-3 with six knockouts and has faced and defeated top competition. Mackey won his first eight bouts with quality wins over Tim Leonard (3-0-1); Tony Cygan (12-0-1) and Alexander Mancea (7-1). Mackey’s only losses have been to quality fighters such as Cecil McCalla (6-0); Derek Ennis (17-2-1); James McGirt Jr. (21-2-1) and Tarvis Simms (26-1-1). Sprinkled in between Mackey proved to be an ultimate spoiler with wins over then undefeated prospect Donald Orr (15-0) and George Rivera and draws with Jesse Nicklow (19-1-1). In his last bout Mackey fought to a disputed draw with New England prospect Vladine Biosse (11-1)

A terrific undercard has been assembled that will feature undefeated Polish import Przemyslaw Opalach (9-0, 8 KO’s) make his American debut when he takes on Sean Ryan Wilson (7-3, 2 KO’s) of Cambridge, Nebraska in a six round Middleweight bout

KEA Boxing’s undefeated Welterweight Juan “The Beast” Rodriguez Jr. (8-0, 3 KO’s) of Union City, NJ will take on the rugged Daniel Crabtree (3-4, 3 KO’s) of Hilliard, Ohio in a six round Welterweight bout.

In a six round Middleweight bout, Alando Swain (4-1, 1 KO) of Trenton, NJ will take on Eddie Edmonds (2-1-2, 1 KO) of Trenton, NJ

In a four round female Featherweight bout Mikayla Nebal of Ohio will make her pro debut when she takes on Nydia Feliciano (4-2-3) of Bronx, NY

Undefeated Heavyweight Joe Cusumano (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Virginia Beach, VA will take on durable Lonnie Kornegay (1-6-2) of Baltimore, MD

Rounding out the card will be Tyrone Luckey (4-1, 4 KO’s) of Middletown, New Jersey battling Philadelphian Ramon Ellis (2-7-1, 1 KO) in a four round Lightweight bout.

Tickets for this great night of boxing are priced at $75 for Ringside and $50 for General Admission and can be purchased by calling 609-396-3005 or 609-586-3225

For more information, click www.nedalspromotions.com or www.kea-boxing.com

The Hamilton Manor is located at 30 Route 156 –Right off of Route 130; Hamilton, NJ 08620

Cleveland, March 26, 2012: On Saturday, May 19th Championship boxing returns to Cleveland for the 2nd Installment of the “Leave No Vet Behind” Professional Boxing Series taking place at the LaVilla Grand Ballroom (11500 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland 44130) at 7 pm. Being held on Armed Forces Day in honor of all Veterans who served this Great Nation- Newhouse Promotions is hosting a 7-fight event to be tape delayed regionally on Time Warner Cable’s entity TV-20. The 1st Installment, which was held on Veterans Day Weekend (Sat Nov 12, 2011), was an arousing success as over 1,000 attendees watched 5 entertaining and competitive fights including a 10-round World Boxing Council (WBC) Championship that saw Cleveland native Mark Davis defeat Buffalo native Guillermo Sanchez for the Featherweight Title.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, March 30th at participating Discount Drug Marts, the LaVilla Grand Ballroom, as well as online at NewhousePromotions.com . General Admission tickets are $25, Ringside Special Reserved tickets are $50 and VIP Tables, which seat 8, are $600 (tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event).

The momentum continues here in 2012, as Newhouse Promotions puts together another impressive and competitive fight-card, one which features undefeated Michael Moore (10-0-0), who will battle for the Ohio Light-Middleweight Championship. The first event in the series, back on Nov 12, 2011, has been called the 2nd best fight-card and one of the overall best events in Ohio’s long and storied boxing history by the Ohio Athletic Commission.

“Michael Moore is a strong, tenacious young fighter,” said Promoter TimVanNewhouse. “I grew up with Mike in the amateurs and it’s a pleasure to have him featured as the Main Event for the first time in Cleveland.” Mike is managed by Detroit Native Ed Forton, who has been working closely with Newhouse Promotions at selecting Moore’s opponent. According Ohio Athletic Commission Regulations, this should be Moore’s toughest opponent thus far in his untested professional career.

The co-feature will include the Pride of Lorain’s undefeated Wilkins Santiago (4-0-0), who hopes to keep his win streak alive: “I’m dedicating all my bouts in the “Leave No Vet Behind” Boxing Series to my dear friends David Hall 2009 and Ashley White Stumph 2011 who served as soldiers and were killed in Afghanistan,” stated Santiago. The official undercard will be released via Newhouse Promotions on a date closer to the event.

VanNewhouse, an Air Force Vet himself, has been acting as a self-appointed Goodwill Ambassador helping to inform Veterans about available VA Programs. Newhouse Promotions kicked off the “Leave No Vet Behind” Professional Boxing Series with the goal of assisting Secretary of Veteran Affairs Eric Shinseki’s initiatives to end joblessness and homelessness among Veterans across the nation. Newhouse Promotions has been working hand-in-hand with the Cleveland VA Medical Center specifically to promote, raise money, and bring awareness to crucial programs available right here in the Greater Cleveland area.
The undercard will be loaded with extreme rising talent including the former amateur star Antonio “Carita” Nieves (1-0-0), Ed Alicea (2-0-0) (who is currently managed by Cameron Dunkin), along with Dante Moore, (6-2-0) Jermey Abrahm, (0-0) Casius Foster (0-0) and Angel Figuero (1-0-0).

HOUSTON – Here is the largest city in the state that comprises the world’s most corrupt athletic commission, a beast of two backs that screws prizefighters and fans alike – to hear and read accounts of those outsiders who compose what member Paulie once called “the unsilent majority.” To walk this city’s streets and visit its museums and ride its METRORail, though, you’d never know its residents strain under the burden of such a facinorous bureaucracy. It’s almost like they’re oblivious of it.

But fear not, dear reader, Saturday’s postfight umbrage was thick in Reliant Arena, spread the way it usually is in boxing: Proportionate to one’s distance from the ring itself. Managers, writers, and – heaven help us – television viewers, were more outraged by how things unfolded in the co-main event than its participants, Carlos Molina and James Kirkland, who both seemed happy with their fine efforts and ready to make a rematch.

Ban this, investigate that, and so on. Saturday’s officials enforced the rules objectively: Molina’s cornerman was on the apron before the 10th round and its ref’s 10-count concluded – and that count does not conclude the moment Molina returns to his feet – and the rules say that disqualifies his charge, even if it has no effect on the action, as explained at every prefight rules meeting in every jurisdiction in the land, even the corrupt ones. Molina was leading on every scorecard save Gale Van Hoy’s, of course, and that made his necessary disqualification unfortunate.

“Use common sense!” the masses then chanted, voices hoarse and necks rippled white with indignation.

Be subjective, in other words. In Texas. Enough.

There is an exhibit currently at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston – “Elegance and Refinement” – that treats the works of an old master named Willem van Aelst and features one work in particular, “Still Life with Fruits and a Wineglass,” in which Van Aelst uses the reflection of a glass goblet to paint a silver plate and its contents, windows, the light from those windows, the way the goblet’s white wine refracts that light, the city beyond, and the artist within. He solves many technical puzzles of light and its behavior in a successful attempt to make what his Dutch contemporaries called “reflexy-konst” and considered “an effective demonstration of (the artist’s) mastery over nature.”

Erik Morales, an old Mexican master of a different canvas, the rigid and bloody blue one, failed in his attempt during Saturday’s main event to dominate a subject some three miles from MFAH. Ah, but he came close. He solved most of Danny Garcia’s technical puzzles by the end of round 10 and endeavored to impose his mastery on the much younger Philadelphian, to make a suspenseful ending to their junior welterweight title match while erroneously discounting Garcia’s limited power.

Morales’ derring-do took him a step too far in the 11th, possessing him to throw a right uppercut from distance – a technical mistake of a punch when thrown by anyone but that other Mexican master, Juan Manuel Marquez – and Morales suffered a fate different from what he anticipated. Danny “Swift” Garcia justified his moniker, clipped Morales with a proper counter left hook, dropped him on the blue mat and ended Morales’ comeback.

On the MFAH wall opposite Van Aelst’s “Still Life with Fruits and a Wineglass” hangs his “Hunt Still Life with a Velvet Bag on a Marble Ledge” – a masterwork coincidentally created one year before another Delft painter, Jan Vermeer, completed “Painter in His Studio,” the pound-for-pound champion of its era. Van Aelst’s velvet bag is now a brilliant blue, a curious color for a hunting satchel. When Van Aelst painted it 347 years ago, however, the velvet bag was green, a color Van Aelst made by mixing ultramarine with a yellow-lake pigment. Time and light have taken all the yellow from the canvas, revealing a gorgeous sort of hue that is nevertheless different from what its artist intended.

So it has gone with “El Terrible.” Taken are most of his refining hues of quickness and conditioning. Friday, he effectively showed up at the weighin and said: “The WBC what? No, no, tomorrow’s fight is for the Morales Championship of the World. It will be contested within three pounds of whatever I weigh right now. And give me a pull on that sportsdrink, will you?” And nobody argued.

With faded reflexes and conditioning, Morales’ underlayers – technique and wiliness – now shine through in a way they did not when he was in his prime, when he was an ass-stubborn antagonist who forewent convention, advice and even his orthodox stance to beat on men he wrongfully held in contempt. A prime Morales stops Danny Garcia in seven rounds. Saturday’s Morales, the master who took away Garcia’s right hand after the fourth round saw the young man celebrate its success just a little too much, knew what had to be done to win but waited too long to do it and was vulnerable when he hustled to catch up.

Will El Terrible retire? Nobody knows anything about that but this: Morales will do whatever the hell he wants.

Just like Texas. Great scorn will continue to be heaped on this state and its maddening officials – and the farther one is from Texas, the greater the scorn. Indeed. But it says here Texas will have the richest vengeance of all: Living well. See you next week in San Antonio.

***
Author’s note: Special thanks to Skira Rizzoli Publications, whose excellent collection of essays in the “Elegance and Refinement” catalog provided whatever insights on painting happened above.

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

Former two division champion Zab Judah talks about his impressive stoppage over Vernon Paris

Heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek talks about his win over Nagy Aguilera

Hall of Fame Promoter Russell Peltz talks about Bryant Jennings big win over Sergei Liakhovich

Undefeated Heavyweight Bryant “By By” Jennings talks about his impressive stoppage over Sergei Liakhovich

Undefeated Welterweight Zachary Wohlman talks about his career and upcoming fight on 3-31-12 in Woodland Hills, CA

Zab Judah (41-7, 28 KO’s, 138lbs) had his first ever fight in Brooklyn, NY, and it was up against rising talent, Vernon Paris (26-0, 15 KO’s, 138lbs). The bout took place at the Aviator Sports Center, which has become the home for boxing in Brooklyn.

With Judah being a southpaw and Paris in the orthodox stance, both fighters quickly worked at establishing their straight hands. Judah was the first to gain control, and he showed no signs of losing that control.

Any analyst will tell you that when opposite handed fighters face eachother, footwork is key. If one fighter’s lead foot is outside his opponent’s, he has the angle and leverage to land the better blows. Paris was losing the footwork battle badly. Judah beat him to the punch every single time as Paris could not grasp the very basic aspect of proper punching against a southpaw.

Judah repeatedly stunned Paris throughout the fight. To his credit, Paris showed a great chin, and was occasionally able to follow up with good shots of his own. But those shots were few and far between.

As both fighters entered the ninth round, Paris was way behind on the scorecards and needed something drastic to occur in order to come away victorious. Judah made sure that wouldn’t happen by sticking to the gamelan that was working to absolute perfection. He stunned Paris with another left hand and backed him into a corner. With Paris stunned and trapped, Judah stepped back and measured the situation before unleashing another combination that forced the referee to step in and call the fight. Judah came away victorious in impressive fashion, acoring a TKO victory at the 2:27 point in the ninth round.

The popular Tomasz Adamek (44-2, 28 KO’s, 222.5lbs) took to the ring against Nagy Aguilera (17-6, 12 KO’s, 226.5lbs) in what was expected to be a one sided affair. Aguilera was aggressive early, taking advantage of Adamek’s notoriously slow starts. Aguilera did well until Adamek landed a left hook that badly wobbled Aguilera’s legs.

From that point on, Adamek was in control of the slugfest, repeatedly landing the ol’ one-two combination, and then slipping out of harms way. Despite the I’ve sided nature of the fight, Aguilera landed some hard blows of his own, temporarily quieting some of Adamek’s passionate fans.

After ten rounds, the scores read 99-91, 100-90, 100-90 for Adamek, giving him the unanimous decision victory.

Sergei Liakhovich (25-4, 16KO’s, 231lbs) took on Bryant Jennings (12-0, 5 KO’s, 219.5lbs) in a crossroads battle. From start to finish, Jennings was in total control of the bout. His better footwork led to better opportunities to throw combinations. And throw combinations he did. Jennings landed at will and had Liakhovich staggered in nearly every round. Liakhovich was just too slow and had no answer for Jennings.

Over the course of eight one sided rounds, Liakhovich took a beating. Before the round, the ringside physician took Liakhovich aside for a closer look. He let the fight continue, and Jennings continued the beating. After the round was over, the doctor advised that the fight should should be stopped. Jennings was credited with a TKO victory at the 3:00 mark of the ninth round.

Cruiserweights Santader Silgado (20-0, 18 KO’s, 196lbs) and Willie Herring (13-9-3, 4 KO’s) took to the ring next. The experts in attendance were going to get a good look at Silgado, who boasts an impressive record.

Things did not start so peachy for Silgado, as Herring turned out to be a crafty counterpuncher. The early rounds were a closely contested chess match.

In order to work his way inside, Herring made many aggressive lunges forward that led to headbutts. Eventually, a headbutt seemed to open up a cut over Silgado’s right eye, but luckily, his cutman, Danny Milano was on hand, and the bleeding was stopped.

Things changed in the fifth round. Silgado landed a body blow, and Herring was able to sell it as a low blow. From that point on, Silgado was in control and used his advantage in size very well for the rest of the fight. Herring’s continued attempts at selling phantom low blows did not work.

The final round saw lots of fireworks as Herring was able to land some looping hooks. The second half of the round had Silgado back in control. In the end, the final scores read 77-75, 78-74, and 78-74 in favor of Silgado, giving him a unanimous decision victory.

Much to the delight of his adoring Brooklyn fans, Curtis Stevens (21-3, 15 KO’s, 162lbs) made short work of Romaro Johnson (11-5-1, 6 KO’s, 160lbs) in their bout. Not long after the opening bell, a combination from Stevens sent Johnson onto the canvas. Johnson quickly made it up to his feet, but Stevens gave him no breathing room, and another combination sent Johnson down.

Johnson beat the count again, but the referee stayed close by to jump in if there was danger. That danger came quick, as another combination landed, and the referee called an end before Johnson even landed. The time of the TKO came at 2:16 of the first round.

The opening bout og the evening saw Angel Garcia (1-0, 1 KO, 130lbs) dominate and stop Alan Beeman (debut, 129.5lbs) in three rounds.

HOUSTON – Finally, Erik “El Terrible” Morales, at age 35, did not have enough of what once made him great to wrest a victory from a well-prepared young challenger. There was no shame in Morales’ losing, and there was enough pride in his effort to make Danny “Swift” Garcia’s victory a meaningful one.

Saturday in Reliant Arena, Philadelphia’s Garcia (23-0, 14 KOs) decisioned Tijuana’s Morales (52-8, 36 KOs) by unanimous scores of 117-110, 116-112, 118-109, in a fight for a junior welterweight title that Morales lost on the scale Friday, when he missed the fight’s contracted weight by two pounds.

Saturday, after an uneventful first round that Garcia nevertheless won with quicker hands, both fighters became slightly more active in the second. Despite a trio of right uppercuts landed by Morales at the midway point of round 2, though, the second belonged to Garcia much as the first had.

The end of the third round saw Garcia land a succession of right hands to Morales’ chin that forced the Mexican icon to drop his gloves, hold onto the ropes and look startled. Morales resumed his hesitancy in the opening third of round four before being caught with one Garcia right hand too many. Morales then adjusted his left guard, promised himself he’d not lower it again, and promptly had his best round of the fight.

After an even fifth that saw Garcia warned for a low blow, the Philadelphian pinned Morales to the ropes and assaulted him with lefts and rights for the opening 90 seconds of round 6. Then Morales, showing some of his world-class wiles, set a trap for the younger man and beat him back in the round’s final minute.

After that, Garcia made an adjustment of his own. He stopped endeavoring to hurt or stop Morales and merely tried to outbox him. The adjustment worked, and Garcia won the seventh, eighth and ninth.

Round 10, though, saw Morales find Garcia with right hands enough to begun a stream of blood from Garcia’s nose, marking the first round Morales convincingly won in four.

In the eleventh, Morales’ confidence led him to launch a right uppercut from distance, a classic no-no, and Garcia capitalized by dropping him with a left hook. Morales rose at the count of eight and made it to the end of the round, but his legs were not sturdy.

The fight ended much the way it began, with Garcia too young and fast for the Mexican veteran.

Ringside judges marked a wide unanimous decision for Garcia. And the 15rounds.com card concurred, scoring the match 117-111 in his favor.

KIRKLAND VS. MOLINA
A remarkable fight was stopped prematurely in Saturday’s co-main event. The culprit was a cornerman or referee, depending on one’s feelings about enforcing the letter of a regulation.

Texas super welterweight James Kirkland (31-1, 27 KOs) defeated Chicago’s Carlos Molina (19-5-2, 6 KOs) by 10th-round disqualification, in a fight Molina was winning, when Molina’s cornerman improperly stepped on the ring apron before the 10th round had officially concluded.

Afterwards, both Kirkland and Molina said they would like a rematch.

Molina started the fight boxing and moving well, circling away from Kirkland’s power and keeping himself out of reach with range-finding jabs and crosses to Kirkland’s body. After an even second round, Molina worked his way back on to Kirkland’s chest in the third, slowing the Texan’s pace and discomfiting him for at least two of the round’s three minutes.

In round 4, a trend emerged clearly: James Kirkland was fading after the first minute of each stanza. Kirkland would have little trouble finding Molina with left crosses and uppercuts, from his southpaw stance, but then would lose his pace after 60 seconds. Kirkland, his mouth open, would start taking breathers, and Molina would move forward, land scoring punches and steal rounds.

The fifth and sixth, both very close, were marked by Kirkland’s loading-up on aggressiveness and punches early, in the apparent hopes of making an impression enough on the judges that Molina’s lighter, though more sustained, offense would not sway them in the final 90 seconds of each round.

Rounds 7 and 8 saw declining activity from both men, but enough activity by Molina to win them. The eighth, particularly, saw Kirkland exposed in some ways as a prizefighter who is uncomfortable on the inside and incapable when pushed backwards.

Even the ninth round, which may have been Kirkland’s best, saw the Austin prizefighter fade late and collect light but effective right hands from Molina.

The 10th saw both men exhausted enough to land on the blue mat, Kirkland from exhaustion, Molina from a punch. And that was when the fight fell apart. Beating referee Jon Schorle’s count comfortably after the bell to end the round had rung, Molina walked back to his corner, where his trainer had already entered the ring. Enforcing a rule that mandates a fight must be stopped if a cornerman climbs on the apron before the end of a round, referee Schorle disqualified Molina, awarding a 10th round victory to Kirkland.

At the time of the stoppage, Molina was winning by majority-decision scores of 87-84, 88-83 and 85-86. The dissenting scorecard belonged to Texas judge Gale Van Hoy. The 15rounds.com ringside scorecard concurred with the other two judges, marking the match 88-85 for Molina.

“I’ve been refereeing 29 years,” said Schorle after the fight. “That’s the first time I’ve ever had to do that.”

UNDERCARD
In the last pre-television fight of the night, Houston super welterweight Jermell Charlo (17-0, 8 KOs) did what his brother Jermall could not earlier, dropping his opponent, Chicago’s Chris Chatman (10-2-1, 5 KOs), and stopping his match in a thrillingly concussive way. After an interesting pair of opening rounds, six minutes that saw Chatman look lively and Charlo slip most of his punches, Charlo floored Chatman, whose head slammed the blue mat, causing the fight to be stopped at 1:22 of round 3.

Irish lightweight Jamie Kavanaugh (9-0-1, 4 KOs), who fights out of California, needed none of his people’s fabled luck in the evening’s fourth match, working his way through Florida’s Cesar Cisneros (3-4-2, 1 KO) and stopping him at 2:28 of round 5. After being cut in the match’s opening stanza, Kavanaugh sat down on his punches, opened a gory gash over Cisnero’s right eye and finished the match with aplomb.

Local welterweight Lanard Lane (13-1, 8 KOs) completed Saturday’s third fight with an exclamation mark of sorts, beating on game but overmatched Milton Ramos (7-3-2) of Waco, Texas, and stopping him at 1:34 of their eighth and final round. In claiming the eighth knockout of his career, Lane showed every tool but stopping power, landing numerous right crosses without quite claiming Ramos’ consciousness and ultimately leaving the referee to stop the bout.

The second match of the night, a super welterweight match between undefeated Houstonian Jermall Charlo (9-0, 5 KOs) and Nebraskan Shawn Wilson (5-9, 1 KO), was a mismatch from its opening moments, as Charlo was too long, too well-schooled and too fast for Wilson, who fought with a certain strong-jawed resignation through the first four rounds before succumbing to a sustained assault and losing by technical knockout at 2:21 of round 5.

Saturday’s action began with a quick stoppage, when Florida super welterweight Daquan Arnett (2-0, 1 KO) dropped San Antonio’s Fabian Cancino (0-4) with a left hook to the liver. After an enthusiastic start, Cancino was unable to rise before the 10-count, and Arnett scored his first career knockout at 1:51 of round 1.

Opening bell rang on an empty Reliant Arena at 5:12 PM local time.

Cornwall, Ontario (March 24, 2012) – Unbeaten junior welterweight phenom Tony “The Lightning” Luis makes his highly anticipated return to the squared circle when he battles Hungarian veteran Ferenec Szabo Saturday, April 7 at the Claude-Robillard Center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Luis, the current WBC Continental Americas Junior Welterweight champion, is a perfect 13-0 as a professional with 5 wins by way of knockout. In his most recent bout in October 2011, Luis demolished Alejandro Barrera in 1 round to capture the aforementioned WBC Continental title. The 24 year old, who is one of Canada’s brightest young stars, recently trekked to Cuba for an intense training camp with the island’s top prospects.

“Cuba was a great experience for me,” said Luis, a Cornwall, Ontario native who stopped three of his last five foes. “I was amazed by how talented their amateurs are. Those guys are better than a lot of seasoned pros without question. Going there and getting great work in the gym will definitely have me ready for Szabo, who I know has fought some very good fighters.”

The Luis-Szabo showdown serves as the 8 round co-feature on a card promoted by Ali Nestor Charles’ UGC Boxing Promotions.

Tickets are available by going to http://www.admission.com/event/UGC-29-BOXE-MMA-ALI-NESTOR-billets/ALI20407.

TUCSON, Ariz. – Maybe, it was a wake-up call. Maybe, it was just embarrassing. Whatever it was, it worked Friday night for Las Vegas super-featherweight Diego Magdaleno in front of a soldout crowd of 2,000 at Casino Del Sol.

Magdaleno got up from a surprising knockdown in the fourth round, seemingly angered and unmistakably determined to make amends.

Mission accomplished.

Magdaleno (22-0, 8 KOs) rocked Fernando Beltran Jr. (35-8-1, 19 KOs) with menacing purpose and head-rocking rapidity, finally forcing Beltran’s corner to surrender at 2:28 of the seventh round.

“I was upset at myself,’’ said Magdaleno, who retained his Northern American Boxing Federation title and improved his chances at getting a shot at a major crown. “I’m my own worst critic.’’

Magdaleno almost drove Beltran, a Mexican journeyman, through the ropes in the sixth. In the seventh, Beltran was on unsteady feet and appeared ready to collapse when his corner threw in the towel.

Magdelano hops his next step is a fight for either the International Boxing Federation title held by Takashiro Ao of Japan or the World Boxing Council’s version held by Juan Carlos Salgado.

“Either one,’’ Magdaleno said. “I’m ready for either guy.’’

Best of the undercard: Yordenis Ugas, a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist for Cuba at the Beijing Games, had all of the credentials and most of the hype. Johnny Garcia had most of the resilience and all of the toughness.

Resilience and toughness prevailed in a significant upset of Ugas (11-1, 5 KOs), a Top Rank prospect, who lost a split-decision to Garcia (12-0, 8 KOs), an unheralded super-lightweight from Holland, Mich. Garcia won because he got up. Ugas dropped him in the fifth with a left-right combination. The stunned look in Garcia’s eyes seemed to say he was finished. Looks are deceiving.

Garcia came roaring back. Surprised and perhaps fatigued, Ugas began to back-pedal and at one point in the sixth he almost fell through the ropes into the lap of a ringside judge. It could have been scored a knockdown. It wasn’t. In the end, however, it didn’t matter. Garcia already had made his point. Two judges scored it, 76-75, for Garcia. The third had it, 76-75 for Ugas.

The rest: Middleweight Abie Han (16-0, 10 KOs) of Mexico won a unanimous decision over Rahman Yusubov (13-6, 11 KOs) of Dallas; Mexican heavyweight Andy Ruiz Jr. (14-0, 8 KOs) won a unanimous decision over Homero Fonseca (9-5-3, 2 KOs); and Mexican super-flyweight Hanzel Martinez (17-0, 14 KOs), scored a first round stoppage of fellow Mexican Jose Miguel Tamayo (12-4-2, 11 KOs).

TUCSON, Ariz. – Talks are underway for Antonio Margarito to fight in Arizona in May or June, Margarito and his manager, Sergio Diaz, said Friday.

“We’re talking about May 26,’’ Margarito said through an interpreter after his brother-in-law, super-flyweight Hanzel Martinez, threw a powerful right hand for a first-round stoppage of Jose Miguel Tamayo at Casino Del Sol.

Margarito manager Sergio Diaz said June 15 also is under consideration, possibly at Casino Del Sol’s outdoor stadium. Friday night’s card was staged in one of the casino’s ballrooms.

“May or June is fine,’’ said Margarito, who last fought in December in a dramatic loss to Miguel Cotto in New York.

Margarito, whose surgically-repaired right eye was badly bloodied by Cotto, said he is pointing to a fight in September with World Boxing Council middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.

Margarito said he currently training and his weight is at 165 pounds.

Roberto Garcia scored a ten round unanimous decision over Antwone Smith in a Jr. Welterweight in Pharr, Texas.

Garcia outworked Smith for most of the fight. Garcia took the lead and was more effective then Smith who goth through with some good counters.

Garcia, 154 lbs of Welasco, TX won by scores 98-92; 97-92 and 97-93 and is now 31-3. Smith, 154 lbs of Miami is now 21-4-1.

In a battle of two Jr. Middleweights coming off long lay offs after their first loss, James De La Rosa scored a eight round unanimous decision over Tyrone Brunson.

De La Rosa had a solid round one by landing combinations. Brunson had his one shining moment in round two when De La Rosa walked into a right hand that knocked him off balance and his glove touched the canvas for a knockdown. De La Rosa responded nicely in the round as he came back to back Brunson up with combinations. De La Rosa continued the consistency of landed combinations as Brunson leaned in and was only able to throw one punch at a time. De La Rosa’s work showed as Brunson began to swell under his left eye in round seven. Neither guy fought with the urgency of the previous seven rounds but De La Rosa built up a solid lead and won by scores of 79-72; 78-73 and 77-74

De La Rosa, 155 lbs of Harrington, TX came back after a fifteen month layoff when he lost to Allen Conyers and is now 21-1. Brunson, 154 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia was making his first start in nearly twenty-seven months after being stopped by Carson Jones is now 21-2-1.

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY (March 23, 2012)—Tomorrow at the Fitzgerlad Resort in Tunica, Mississippi, two stablemates of Gable LaConte’s First Round Promotions stable will be in action as undefeated fighters in Middleweight John “Apollo Kid” Thompson & Light Heavyweight Lavarn “Baby Bowe” Harvell will take part in six round bouts.

Harvell (8-0, 3 KO’s) of Atlantic City will be making his debut under the First Round Promotions Banner when he takes on Tommy Connelly (17-12, 13 KO’s) of Charleston, Arizona.

“This is my first fight with a new promoter”, said Harvell

“I want to showcase my skills. I trained really hard and this is another day at the office for me and I will keep going forward”

Should Harvell reign victorious he is next slated to fight on April 28th as part of the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson undercard at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City”

“We are looking forward to the next step”, said Harvell’s traner and co-manager Abdur Rahim Muhammad, who also has Qa’Id Muhammad and Gabriel Pham under the First Round Promotions Banner.

“Wea re excited about First Round Promotions. They will be giving my young athletes the opportunity to show people what I already know they can do.

Thompson of Newark, New Jersey will look to improve on his 6-0 record when he takes on Brian Brooks.

“I am looking forward to my seventh fight and moving as quickly as possible”, said Thompson who is also scheduled to fight April 7th and April 18th

“My Manager Vito Meilnicki makes it possible to showcase my talent. I am excited about fighting three times in less than four weeks. I read a lot about the old time fighters and Its perfect because I feel I am a throwback fighter like those guys”

Mielnicki know it will be a busy time for his fighters.

“We have John fighting three fights, Lavarn those two. I have some of my fighters fighting on the First Round card on April 18 and Gabriel Pham will be fighting April 14th in Atlantic City. We are moving at a rapid pace and these fighters are excited about it”

For More information on First Round Promotions, click www.firstroundpromotions.org

Contact:

– Friday, March 23, 2012 8:00pm ET featuring Absolute Action MMA 24 from the Shimmers Ballroom in Covington, Kentucky. In the main event, Brittany Skelton (5-3) will fight for the AAMMA Lightweight Title. His opponent has not been named yet, as several fighters have fallen through at the last second, but nevertheless, AAMMA will find a suitable opponent for Skelton and the two will throwdown in the cage for the 155 lb championship. Skelton is a tough matchup for anybody as he is very quick with his punches and takedowns and poses a problem for most opponents because of his superior cardio conditioning. But Skelton will be at a disadvantage as he will have little time to game plan for his eventual opponent so once he steps in the cage he will be going off of pure fighting instinct and just have to go with the flow. Sometimes matches that are put together at the last minute can be the most exciting on the card because the fighters don’t get bogged down with a detailed strategy. They just fight. Expect this bout to just be about fighting as whoever wins walks away a champion. In the co-main event, Brian Francisco (5-1) battles Deric “The Manimal” Reece (4-8) in what could be a #1 Contender’s Match for the Lightweight belt. Francisco is a fast starter who packs a heavy punch as all 5 of his wins have come via KO in the first round. He will be taking on his toughest opponent to date in Reece, but don’t expect that to curtail Francisco’s furious pace. Reece has been on a tough skid as of late and for him to get back on the right track he will have to do what he knows best and that’s unloading punches, as all 4 of his wins have come by submission, due to strikes. Not many people wanted to fight Francisco, but Reece stepped up to the plate and if he can pull the mild upset here, he will be right back in the title hunt for the AAMMA Lightweight strap.

– Friday, March 23, 2012 10:00pm ET featuring Epic Fighting 11 Four Points Sheraton in San Diego, California. In the main event, Gibran Alvarez (4-1) out of Victory MMA takes on Jason Mangaroni (2-0) from Shark Tank MMA in a cruiserweight battle. Alvarez has tremendous cardio for a cruiserweight as all 5 of his bouts have gone the distance. Alvarez likes to wear out his opponents and push the pace throughout. A strong wrestling background allows Alvarez to usually dictate where the fight goes and he will look to take down Mangaroni in this bout from the early going. For the undefeated Mangaroni, he is the epitome of a fast starter as both his victories have come within the first round, one by KO and the other via submission. Mangaroni has devastating power in both hands and is a strong grappler always looking to finish fights. Alvarez will try to stifle Mangaroni’s attacks by using superior control and positioning on the ground. This will be a classic battle of wills as whoever can control the action in the cage and where the fight goes will have a distinct advantage. In other action, Daniel Valdez (0-3) fights Francisco Castro (5-4) in a featherweight bout. Valdez is coming off a tough loss in his last fight in which he suffered a TKO loss, but his other two defeats came by way of razor close decisions. You have to respect Valdez and his continued determination to always bring it with every fight. Castro is coming off of a tough loss in the California State Finals back in December and before that bout was on a 4-fight winning streak. Castro is a cage general and controls the pace of the action very well, as he grinds out his opponents for unanimous decisions. He will look to do the same against Valdez. Both fighters have proven they can go the distance and this should be a fight where there is constant action between the two 145 lb fighters.

– Friday, March 23, 2012 11:00pm ET featuring Ultimate Reno Combat presents Fight Factory at The Knit!. Reno, Nevada. Michael O’Leary battles Joe McGann in the main event that is a matchup of two of the top featherweights in the West! O’Leary and McGann are both capable of having fight of the night because of their unique, fast-paced style and this bout should be nonstop action from the opening bell. This is also an important bout because it is a #1 Contender’s match and will set up a future shot at the 145 lb title down the line for the winner. In the co-main event, Melvin Washington fights William “Will” Ruppert in the debut fight for both lightweights. For Washington and Ruppert it’s either sink or swim in this bout.

– Saturday, March 24, 2012 6:30pm ET featuring NAAFS – Combat Challenge 19 at Chapparells Community Center in Akron, Ohio. The Ohio-based NAAFS has been a proving ground for tons of MMA fighters who have made their way to the UFC and Strikeforce. NAAFS continues to promote the Midwest’s premier up and coming fighters and Combat Challenge 19 will only add to NAAFS’ rich history. In the main event, Josh Lasich (3-0) battles Dave Lastafka (6-0). In a battle of unbeatens, something has to break. Lasich is a grappling wizard winning all 3 of his fights by submission (2 in the NAAFS cage). He has also managed to stay healthy through it all as he has already fought once this year. Lastafka is also a NAAFS veteran winning 4 times with the organization. Lastafka also has an unbreakable ground game mixed with a world class striking game as he has stopped 5 of his 6 opponents. Lastafka is the naturally bigger fighter, so expect him to use his strength to try and wear Lasich out on the ground. Lasich should have the advantage in cardio though so it will be interesting to see the strategy in this bout and who is able to impose their will. Nothing is assured in fighting, but this bout is about as close as you can get to a can’t miss fight. The winner will set himself up as one of the rising stars of MMA. In the co-main event, Anthony Holder (3-3) takes on Adib Nour (2-0) in a heavyweight scrap. Holder has won his last 3 fights all in round one. He swings for the fences and when he connects, it usually lights out for his opponents. Nour is just as deadly with his fists as he has finished his two opponents in the first round also, his last fight only lasting 16 seconds. Don’t blink when these two grizzly bears get in the cage as this fight could well be over before the announcer has time to take his seat outside of the cage. Both fighters don’t mess around and there will be very little if any feeling out process. Expect fireworks and expect them early.

– Saturday, March 24, 2012 8:30m ET featuring SportFight X from the Von Braun Center. Huntsville, Alabama. The Von Braun Center will house fans as they witness the first professional fight sanctioned by the Alabama Athletic Commission. This will be the promotions first stop in Alabama and promises to deliver an event matched by none as they have in other states prior to Alabama becoming sanctioned. The main event will feature a professional debut with two fighters who have had an outstanding amateur career as Stephen Wilhite of Cullman, AL vs Luke Neyland of Marietta, GA. Both fighters have fought under the SportFight X banner and scored impressive wins. The 27 year old Wilhite is a well rounded fighter who represents Triad Martial Arts and trains under Johnny Lee Smith. Wilhite is a tough character and afraid of no competitor. Last year at SportFight X “Middle Tennessee Mayhem” he was faced with a gut wrenching dilemma as his opponent of over 45 days had a fainting incident while being examined for a pre-fight medical exam. This occurred about one hour prior to the show leaving Wilhite without an opponent for a short period. Wilhite was offered a one hour notice fight replacement against a 15 pound heavier opponent Greg Taylor from IMA. What began as a sad night for Stephen turned out to be a bad night for Taylor as Wilhite hammered out a win in the first round. Neyland is a 23 year old freestyle fighting product of X3 Sports in Atlanta, Georgia training under Tony Tucci. Neyland has taken tough fights throughout amateur career. In two of his last four fights Neyland has been victorious by arm submission in the first round and at less than the two minute mark.

Other events this week:

Pro-Wrestling: Impact Zone Wrestling (Weekly Free show): Mar 24, 2012 8:00pm ET.

Boxing: WBC International HW Championship Boxing – Tye Fields vs. Mariusz: Mar 24, 4:00pm ET.

Kickboxing: IKF championship kickboxingt presents “Thunder Downunder WWIII” Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia Tape delayed on Mar 25,8:00pm ET.

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

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

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

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

TUCSON, Ariz – Home is where the victories are. As long as there is a 0 on the right side of the record, Las Vegas super-featherweight Diego Magdaleno will be happy in any zip code.

Magdaleno (21-0, KOs) hits the road and travels outside of Nevada for only the second time in his career Friday night at Casino del Sol against an opponent who has changed twice since the ShoBox-televised card was announced.

Magdaleno has fought 18 times in Las Vegas, his hometown. Two fights have been in Primm, Nevada. He went out-of-state once for a bout in Maywood, Calif., in 2009.

For his Tucson trip, he was initially scheduled to fight Miguel Beltran. But Beltran failed a physical conducted by the Pascua Yaqui for a bout subject to regulation by the Tribe, which owns the southern Arizona casino. Then, he was supposed to face Eduardo Lazcano. But Lazcano injured a rib in training.

Finally, journeyman Fernando Beltran (36-7-1, 20 KOs) of Tijuana got the call on Wednesday.

No matter who or where he fights, Magdaleno, the North American Boxing Federation’s 130-pound champion has to win to stay in line for an eventual shot at a major title.

“I feel right at home here,’’ said Magdaleno, who has family in Tucson and expects his Las Vegas fans to be at ringside. “I’m ready to put on a show.’’

First bell is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PST) on a card scheduled to include welterweight Yordenis Ugas (11-0, 5 KOs), a 2008 bronze medalist for Cuba at the Beijing Olympics, against Juan Garcia (11-0, 8 KOs) of Holland, Mich.

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Danny Garcia’s greatest challenge Saturday night at Houston’s Reliant Arena might be one of the biggest intangibles of all. Awe is dangerous. Tough to control, too. But that’s what Garcia faces in Erik Morales, a fighter he watched when he wasn’t watching cartoons. Morales won his first major title when Garcia was a restless nine-year-old.

Until he reached his mid-teens, Garcia witnessed Morales’ skillful tenacity throughout his epic series against Marco Antonio Barrera and the trilogy against Manny Pacquiao. No doubt, there’s much to admire. Morales is a good example for any young fighter. From this corner, he also provides a look, scars and all, at what separates the Mexican fighter from the American.

North of the border, only victory matters. To wit: Floyd Mayweather, Jr., whose career seems to start and end with a plan to stay unbeaten. South of the border, performance is often as important as victory. Some of Mexico’s legends are created in defiant battles that happen to end in defeat. Morales has won many more than he’s lost, but he was applauded for the way he fought in defeat by majority decision last April to Marcos Maidana. He has always been willing to take as much punishment as he delivers. It’s an exchange that is dangerous, dramatic and bloody well worth the price of admission.

Garcia (22-0, 14 KOs), an emerging junior-welterweight from Philadelphia, has seen enough of Morales (52-7, 36 KOs) to know he will encounter the resilience that is there now just as surely as it before the comeback. Dealing with it, I suspect, will prove to be as daunting as adjusting to Morales’ tactical expertise, especially in the early rounds. At 47, light-heavyweight Bernard Hopkins has said that his age is one of his prime advantages. It’s simple: The younger fighter is afraid of losing to an old man, Hopkins says.

Morales is 35, yet much older in terms of wear, tear and stitches. Surgery for gall stones forced a postponement of the HBO-televised bout, which had been scheduled for Jan. 28. Morales says he has recovered from the procedure. But 12 rounds aren’t exactly ordinary rehab. Then again, Morales has never been ordinary.

There’s a temptation to pick Morales, because of his extraordinary career. But that would be a mistake, not unlike the one Garcia would make if he succumbed to hero-worship. Before opening bell, Garcia seems to understand.

“Erik Morales is a great fighter,’’ Garcia said in a conference call on Tuesday, also his birthday – he’s 24. “He did a lot for the sport. He had great fights with Barrera and Pacquiao. He had his time to shine. Now it’s my time.’’

If Morales were working Garcia’s corner against another legend, he might tell him about his first title. It was 1997 in El Paso. Morales was 21, facing World Boxing Council super-bantamweight champion Daniel Zaragoza, then 39 and with a Morales-like record of 55-7-3 with 28 KOs. Like Garcia is today, Morales was unbeaten then at 26-0. Any awe of Zaragosa was conquered. Morales knocked out the Hall of Famer in the 11th round. Zaragosa never fought again.

Garcia’s blend of power, speed and youth is enough for him to do the same. The guess here is that experience and knowhow will allow Morales to endure the full 12 rounds. Garcia will win a unanimous decision. Then, he can ask Morales for an autograph.

AZ Notes
Phoenix junior-welterweight prospect Jose Benavidez is back in the gym and undergoing conditioning drills after having a cast removed from his right hand on March 14. Benavidez underwent surgery for a troublesome injury to his right wrist. The procedure forced him off a ShoBox televised card Friday night in Tucson at Casino del Sol.

“It’s cool to be back in the gym,’’ Benavidez said Wednesday from Los Angeles where he resumed workouts at trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym. “There’s some stiffness. But we’ll let it heal.’’

Benavidez is scheduled to see doctors for a routine check on April 2. His dad and trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr., said there’s a chance his son’s next bout could be on the Manny Pacquiao-Tim Bradley undercard on June 9 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

“We’ll just see how it goes,’’ the senior Benavidez said.

Meanwhile, another Benavidez prospect might be on the horizon. David Benavidez, who fights at between 185 and 190 pounds, is scheduled for an amateur bout on April 21 at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix on hybrid — pro-and-amateur — card staged by Iron Boy Promotions. David, a 15-year-old student at Hollywood High School, has done some sparring with former middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik, who has been training for a comeback against Aaron Jaco on March 31 in San Antonio.

“It’s hard to compare the two,’’ their dad said. “In terms of style, they’re just a little bit different.’’

CLICK TO ORDER EVENT
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (March 21, 2012)—This Saturday afternoon, two of the biggest Heavyweights in the world will meet up when undefeated 6’7” Mariusz Wach will take on 6’9” Tye “Big Sky” Fields in an important Heavyweight showdown as they will compete for the WBC International heavyweight title as the bout can be seen LIVE from Resorts in Atlantic City all over the world (with the exception of Poland) on the world’s number-one website for Live Streaming Combat Sports, www.gfl.tv

The action begins at 3pm eastern for a suggested retail price is $29.99 and can be accessed by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/WBC_Intl_HW_Championship__Fields_vs_Wach/1437

Wach of Krakow, Poland and now living in North Bergen, NJ has a record of 26-0 with fourteen and is ranked number eight by the WBC.

Wach won twenty of his first twenty-two bouts in Europe (he won two bouts in the United States) before settling in the States and has won four straight over Galen Brown, Jonathan Haggler, Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin McBride and Jason Gavern . Wach knows that a win over Fields inches him closer to a shot at the World Heavyweight title.

Fields has an impressive mark of 49-4 with forty-four knockouts raced out to a 36-1 mark which included solid wins over the likes of Andy Sample, Sherman Williams, Julius Long and Maurice Harris before being stopped by former world title challenger Monte Barrett. Fields won four straight before dropping two in a row to former world title challenger Michael Grant and undefeated Cuban Mike Perez. Fields is on a four fight winning streak which includes his latest win which was a sixth round stoppage over fringe contender Raphael Butler on October 7th.

A solid undercard has been together which will be featured by an eight round WBO Youth Super Featherweight championship bout between a pair of twenty-one year olds in undefeated Kamil Laszczyk of Poland and Tevin Farmer of Philadelphia.

Like Wach, Laszczyk (7-0, 5 KO’s) has settled in North Bergen, New Jersey and has upped his competition with each bout and now will take on a tough opponent in Farmer.

Farmer has a record of 4-2-1 but is unbeaten in three straight by going 2-0-1 which included a six round majority decision over the Tim Witherspoon Jr.

Undefeated twenty-two year old Polish Heavyweight Artur Szpilka (9-0, 7 KO’s) takes on Terrance Marbra (6-1-1, 5 KO’sO of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Former Dominican Olympian Jerson Ravelo (20-5, 12 KO’s) takes on New England favorite Joey Spina (26-1-2, 18 KO’s) in a cross roads Super Middleweight bout.

Also on the card will be undefeated Stivins Bujac (6-0, 4 KO’s) taking on Joshua Harris (8-5-1, 6 KO’s)

About GFL

Established in 2007, The GFL is the pioneer in Internet Sports Broadcasting. Over the years GFL has broadcast more than 1100 live events with over 6000 combat sports videos in 196 countries. GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 5 million public viewers over the years with more than 250 combat sports related website affiliates in its network. GFL is also available on Roku, Android, IPhone, IPad, as well as other internet ready devices. Check the event page for details.

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

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

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